Mumbai Monsoon Disruption: The BMC shut all Mumbai schools and colleges for the afternoon after an IMD Red Alert for extremely heavy rain, urging people to avoid non-essential travel as waterlogging and traffic chaos hit parts of the city. Maharashtra Politics & Rain Deaths: MNS chief Raj Thackeray accused BJP leadership and CM Devendra Fadnavis of shielding MLAs after insensitive remarks linked to Mumbai rain-related deaths, escalating a political blame game. Energy & Fuel Policy: After E20 petrol, India is now looking at 15% isobutanol in diesel; former IOCL chairman B Ashok backed ethanol blending, saying scientific studies show no major engine or mileage harm and citing big savings for imports and farmers. Defence Confidence Boost: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said “Operation Sindoor” enhanced trust in made-in-India defence platforms, pointing to rapid growth in defence production and exports. Trade & Investment: India-Israel’s Bilateral Investment Agreement came into force, aiming to boost cross-border investment; India also pushed ahead with talks on key FTAs while declining Peru’s deal. Business in Mumbai: MSE selected NTT DATA’s Chandivali data centre to power next-generation trading infrastructure. Weather Watch: IMD forecasts continuous heavy to very heavy showers in Mumbai and suburbs over the next 24 hours.