Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday inaugurated India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat, describing it as a major advancement in the country’s highway infrastructure and toll collection system. Gadkari said the new system allows vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, ensuring completely seamless movement. The technology integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with FASTag-based electronic toll collection to automatically identify vehicles and deduct toll charges.

He said the introduction of MLFF represents a significant milestone in the digital transformation of India’s tolling ecosystem and aligns with global best practices in road infrastructure management. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise national highways using advanced, technology-driven solutions.

According to the minister, the system is expected to bring multiple benefits for commuters and transport operators. These include reduced travel time, smoother traffic flow, lower fuel consumption, decreased vehicular emissions, and reduced reliance on manual toll booth operations. By eliminating physical barriers at toll plazas, the system aims to make highway travel faster and more efficient.

Gadkari further stated that barrier-less tolling will improve “ease of living” for citizens by reducing delays and congestion on busy routes. It will also strengthen “ease of doing business” by enabling quicker and more reliable movement of goods and logistics across the country, which is crucial for economic growth and supply chain efficiency.

He also emphasised that this initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to building modern, transparent, and globally competitive highway infrastructure. Earlier announcements from the ministry indicated that similar MLFF-based tolling systems would be gradually introduced across several national highways starting from December. The new framework combines ANPR technology powered by artificial intelligence with RFID-based FASTag systems, ensuring accurate and automatic toll collection without stopping vehicles. This marks a major shift from traditional toll plazas towards a fully automated and barrier-free highway network in India.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Delhi on Thursday for detailed discussions on defence cooperation and key regional and global issues, including the current situation in West Asia. Singh said he was happy to welcome Crosetto and held extensive talks covering a wide range of strategic topics. He noted that both sides discussed ways to strengthen defence industrial cooperation under India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative as well as Italy’s defence collaboration framework. The two ministers also exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (MCP) for 2026–27, aimed at enhancing military engagement between the armed forces of both countries.

Italian Defence Minister paid tribute at the National War Memorial in Delhi and reviewed the Guard of Honour. His first official visit to India highlights the growing intent of both nations to deepen their defence partnership and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in defence production and industry.

The India–Italy defence relationship has steadily expanded over the years, including areas such as joint training, service-to-service exchanges, naval cooperation, port calls, maritime security, and defence equipment trade. Both countries had earlier signed a Defence Cooperation agreement in 2023, which provided a structured framework for strengthening bilateral defence ties.

This visit also comes amid broader developments in India’s engagement with the European Union. Earlier in 2026, India and the EU signed a landmark Security and Defence Partnership, marking a significant step in institutionalising cooperation between the two sides. The agreement aims to deepen collaboration in areas such as maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats, space security, counterterrorism, and defence technology.

During the recent India–EU Summit, leaders from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding strategic cooperation. They welcomed the new partnership, which is expected to further enhance coordination on regional and global security challenges while opening new opportunities for defence and industrial collaboration.
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Authorities at Nahargarh Biological Park have introduced special measures to safeguard wildlife from the extreme summer heat affecting the city. To help animals cope with rising temperatures, species such as tigers, lions, leopards, and sloth bears are bathed before being released in the morning. Their night enclosures are fitted with large coolers, while display areas are equipped with water sprinklers and other cooling systems.

Senior wildlife veterinary doctor Arvind Mathur stated that comprehensive arrangements have been made to protect animals from the heat. He explained that in addition to coolers, facilities now include rain guns and water bodies to help animals regulate their body temperature.

He further noted that the animals’ diets have been adjusted to suit the season. Sloth bears and Himalayan bears are given chilled milk and fruit-based ice creams, herbivores are fed items like cucumber, bitter gourd, and watermelon, while hippos are also provided with watermelons. Tiger and leopard cubs receive chicken along with their regular meals. Shelters exposed to direct sunlight are covered with green nets to maintain a cooler environment.

All animals have undergone deworming and are being given supplements such as vitamins, minerals, calcium, and anti-stress medication. Glucose is also added to their drinking water to prevent dehydration. The park has also gained recognition across the country for its successful breeding programs. Currently, staff are caring for two new cubs, while earlier, a tigress named Rani had given birth to three cubs. The facility is particularly noted for its success in breeding wolves, and recently, a bear has also given birth to cubs.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Fresh rainfall in Shimla on Tuesday brought welcome relief from the rising heat, improving the overall atmosphere for both residents and tourists. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert for rain and hailstorms in Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours.

The sudden shift in weather has made Shimla especially appealing to visitors from the plains, where temperatures have been ranging between 40°C and 45°C. Tourists arriving from Punjab, Haryana, and other parts of northern India, as well as from southern states, were seen enjoying the cool and refreshing climate after the rain.

Visitors shared their experiences of the pleasant change. Taranjeet Singh from Punjab said he felt immediate relief from the heat after reaching Shimla, noting that it was raining as soon as they arrived and the weather felt much colder and enjoyable compared to Mohali’s extreme temperatures. Another tourist, Anmol from Punjab, described the hill station as peaceful and refreshing, while Gagandeep Singh highlighted how the post-rain chill made the trip more enjoyable compared to the harsh heat back home.

Tourists from southern India also appreciated the weather shift. Ritika from Bangalore said the cool climate felt like a huge relief after travelling through extremely hot cities like Delhi and Ambala, adding that Shimla’s natural weather made air conditioning unnecessary. Another visitor, Isheen, also from Bangalore, said the pleasant environment was a refreshing break after experiencing high temperatures in other cities.

Kuldeep Singh from Haryana added that the weather improved his travel experience significantly, noting that even without warm clothing, the post-rain chill felt enjoyable. With forecasts indicating more rain and possible hailstorms in the coming days, officials expect tourist numbers to remain strong as people continue to escape the heat and head towards the cooler Himalayan region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.

Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.