West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the proposed relocation of the century-old Bankra Mosque near Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, saying national security must take priority. He said the airport's strategic location and security requirements make unrestricted public access unacceptable. Adhikari also argued that the mosque's location has delayed runway expansion and the installation of advanced landing systems. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress opposed the move, calling for any decision to be taken only after consultation with the local Muslim community. Airport authorities have suspended public access to the mosque, citing security concerns. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Madras High Court's order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu, providing interim relief to the state government led by Chief Minister Vijay. The apex court issued notices to the Centre and other parties while agreeing to examine the legality of the High Court's directive. Tamil Nadu argued that the order went beyond the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which already regulates cattle slaughter under specific conditions. The case will now be heard in detail by the Supreme Court. (PC: HT)

The Election Commission has made it mandatory for new voters to provide details of their parents' status in the previous Special Intensive Revision (SIR) while applying for inclusion in the electoral rolls through Form 6. The new declaration has been added to the online registration process to help map family records and reduce the number of supporting documents required from first-time applicants. Officials said the move was first introduced during the Bihar SIR exercise and has now been extended to all new voter registrations. The Commission clarified that Form 6 itself has not been amended; the requirement has been added through official instructions. (PC: India Today)

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has dismissed allegations that he personally benefited from the Centre's ethanol-blending programme, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated. In an interview with India Today TV, Gadkari said his family's sugar business existed long before the ethanol policy and that his share in ethanol production is only 0.07%. He defended the E20 fuel programme, saying it helps reduce crude oil imports, supports farmers and promotes cleaner energy. Gadkari also challenged critics to provide evidence that ethanol-blended petrol has damaged vehicles, promising investigations into any genuine complaints. (PC: India Today)

UEFA vice-president Laura McAllister has warned that FIFA's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after intervention from US President Donald Trump could set a dangerous precedent for football. McAllister said allowing political leaders to influence disciplinary decisions risks turning the sport into an "absolute cesspit" of political interference. Balogun was cleared to play in the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium despite being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. UEFA criticised FIFA's move as crossing a "red line", while former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said football must never become a playground for political power.

The rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, has triggered mob violence, including the lynching of a local man, and turned into a major political flashpoint. It marks the first serious law-and-order challenge for Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's BJP government. Three people have been arrested so far. Adhikari has promised justice and said the government will push for capital punishment for the guilty. The BJP has accused the Opposition of giving the case a "communal colour," while the TMC, led by former CM Mamata Banerjee, alleges the government is trying to shield the culprits. (PC: The Indian Express)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he asked FIFA to review Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup suspension. Trump said he believed the challenge was not a foul and called the referee's decision "horrible". FIFA later suspended Balogun's automatic ban, allowing the United States striker to play against Belgium in the Round of 16. Trump said he only requested a review and did not tell FIFA what decision to make. The move has drawn criticism from Belgium, UEFA and several coaches, who said it raised concerns about fairness and the integrity of the FIFA World Cup tournament. (PC: Shutterstock, Getty Images)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused police of stopping her from visiting the family of a child allegedly raped and murdered in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. TMC leaders said dozens of police vehicles blocked the lane outside her Kalighat residence, calling it an act of "house arrest." The incident triggered violent protests in Baruipur, where an accused was lynched by locals. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the case. Police have not officially responded to the house arrest claims. Security remains tight in the area. (PC: India Today)

The political crisis within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated on Friday after a rebel faction led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee took control of Trinamool Bhavan, the party's organisational headquarters in Kolkata, shortly after an Election Commission hearing on the party split. The rebel group reportedly changed the locks and installed new signboards, claiming to represent the "real" TMC. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction called the takeover illegal and announced legal action against those involved. The development marks a major escalation in the ongoing battle over the party's leadership, organisation, and election symbol. (PC: India Today)

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged she was injured after eggs and stones were hurled at a venue where she was meeting party workers in West Bengal. Sharing videos on social media, Moitra accused BJP workers of carrying out the attack and claimed police personnel present at the scene failed to intervene despite being alerted. She urged the state police chief to ensure action against those responsible. The incident comes amid a series of similar attacks targeting TMC leaders, further escalating political tensions in West Bengal.