The government told Parliament that nearly ₹550 crore has been spent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits since 2021, with ₹74.58 crore incurred so far in 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita said expenditure stood at over ₹180 crore in 2025, ₹109 crore in 2024, ₹93 crore in 2023, ₹55 crore in 2022, and ₹36 crore in 2021. The highest spending this year was ₹17.46 crore for the Norway leg of Modi's five-nation May tour. The ministry added that several 2026 figures remain provisional and highlighted that India received USD 381.8 billion in FDI between April 2021 and December 2025. (PC: Wallpapers Den)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over phone to discuss the ongoing West Asia conflict, regional developments and the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across defence, trade, investment, space, energy, cybersecurity and critical technologies. They also discussed strengthening collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, agriculture, water management, fintech and biotechnology. Both leaders supported deeper people-to-people ties and called for an early conclusion of the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, while agreeing to remain in regular contact on regional security and strategic issues.

The Centre has stepped up scrutiny of Meta after senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) held high-level talks with the company's global leadership following the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook video. Government sources said the discussions covered compliance with Indian laws, platform accountability, deepfakes, child sexual abuse material and the responsibilities of social media companies. Officials reportedly made it clear that platforms operating in India must follow Indian regulations rather than rely solely on standards used in other jurisdictions. The government is also considering stricter rules for artificial intelligence and online platforms to strengthen accountability and curb harmful content. (PC: India Today)

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon successfully completed his first 6.5-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), marking a major milestone in his space career. Working alongside veteran astronaut Jessica Meir, Menon helped upgrade the station's power infrastructure in preparation for installing next-generation International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA). The mission was the first of three planned NASA spacewalks this month aimed at improving the ISS's long-term operational capabilities. Throughout the extravehicular activity, astronauts followed strict safety procedures while carrying out critical maintenance tasks that will support future scientific research and space exploration missions. (PC: Reuters)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 1,800 lives, while frontline health workers have launched protests over months of unpaid wages. Medical staff warn that delayed salaries are undermining treatment efforts, surveillance, and patient care at a critical stage of the outbreak. Demonstrators say many workers have continued risking their lives despite not receiving promised compensation. Health authorities fear the strike could disrupt containment measures and worsen the humanitarian crisis. International agencies continue supporting the response, but officials stress that timely funding and payment of healthcare workers are essential to controlling the epidemic. (PC: AP)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government after videos showed giant industrial fans being used to dry waterlogged sections of the ₹4,200-crore Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway. Calling it a "new wind of BJP progress," he mocked the administration on social media, questioning the quality of infrastructure despite massive public spending. The incident sparked political controversy, with the opposition alleging poor construction standards and mismanagement. The BJP defended the project, while officials said the measures were temporary to restore traffic quickly following heavy rainfall. The episode has intensified debate over infrastructure quality and accountability. (PC: X)

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India's Generation Z should not be labelled anti-national, asserting that many young people are raising legitimate concerns about the country's future. Speaking at an event, Bhagwat urged society to engage with students rather than dismiss their views, noting that questioning and debate are natural among youth. He stressed that patriotism should not be judged solely by disagreement with authority and encouraged constructive dialogue between generations. Bhagwat also highlighted the importance of understanding young people's aspirations and addressing their concerns to strengthen national development and social harmony. (PC: Reuters)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is considering withdrawing India from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup due to a scheduling clash with a landmark international friendly against five-time world champions Brazil. Both events are expected to take place during the same FIFA international window, making participation in both difficult. AIFF believes the Brazil fixture would provide unparalleled global exposure, valuable experience for Indian players, and boost football's popularity in the country. However, opting out of the ASEAN Cup could affect India's regional commitments and draw criticism over sacrificing competitive tournament football for a high-profile exhibition match. (PC: AIFF)

Nigerian security forces have rescued more than 300 people abducted by militants in what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described as the country's largest single-day hostage recovery operation. The intelligence-led mission, carried out by the military, police, and counter-terrorism units, took place in the forests of Kainji Lake National Park. Those rescued included victims kidnapped during earlier attacks in Kwara and Niger states. The freed hostages are receiving medical treatment before reuniting with their families. The operation marks a significant success in Nigeria's ongoing fight against militant violence and widespread kidnapping. (PC: AP)

An Indian fishing trawler carrying 11 fishermen met with an accident after reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line into Sri Lankan waters near Neduntheevu (Delft) Island in the Palk Strait. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the vessel allegedly engaged in illegal bottom trawling before running aground on a reef, sustaining partial structural damage. The Navy launched a rescue operation, confirming all 11 fishermen were safe and not in immediate danger. Legal proceedings are underway. The incident underscores the continuing maritime and fishing disputes between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Strait. (PC: The Hindu)