HEADLINES

• Kerala says that a new dam is the only solution to the Mulaperiyar row; TN says that Kerala's offer is not bonafide
• Union budget will be presented only after the scheduled polls in the 5 states are complete
• The PM inaugurates the 99th Indian Science Congress in Odisha today

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• Muted reaction in Fiji
  • Fiji's military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama said that he would lift emergency laws that were in place since the 2009 political crisis and begin discussion on a new Constitution. Immediate reaction was muted in Fiji, but welcomed by Australia and New Zealand which have been the stringent critics of the regime;
  • The emergency including tight censorship on media and a ban on meetings was imposed after a Fiji court held that the 2006 coup was illegal. During the emergency, the constitution was repealed, judiciary dismissed and police and military given full powers;
  • As a result of the coup Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth and faced sanctions from many countries.

EDITORIALS, OPINIONS & COLUMNS

• Read this article on National Food Security Act which was recently passed by the Parliament
• Read this editorial on the protection of the western ghats