A recent notice by Secretary of State Marco Rubio reclassifies immigration policies as ‘foreign-affairs functions,’ allowing them to bypass public notice and comment requirements. This move could enable rapid regulatory changes with minimal oversight, impacting high-skilled immigrants, particularly Indian nationals, amidst expected legal challenges.

The Supreme Court has ruled that cutting a large number of trees is worse than killing a human being, imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh per tree for illegal felling. The court set a benchmark for penalties in such cases, refusing to reduce the fine for a man who illegally cut down 454 protected trees.

The Odisha assembly witnessed high drama as 12 suspended Congress MLAs refused to vacate the Well of the House, demanding an inquiry into crimes against women during BJP’s rule. Speaker Surama Padhy suspended them for indiscipline. Despite their protests, including playing gongs and chanting, attempts to resolve the issue through an all-party meeting failed.