Highlights of the day: Repair work on Munak Canal likely to complete by Friday night, says Atishi

From Amit Shah's announcement of Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to Supreme Court hearing Arvind Kejriwal's plea; stay with us for all the news updates from across the globe

3:03 PM

IAS officer row: Pune RTO issues notice to firm owning Audi car over unauthorised use of beacon

The RTO has issued a notice to a Pune-based private company, which is the registered owner of the Audi car that controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar used during her posting here by illegally installing a red beacon light and with 'Maharashtra Government' written on it, an official said. The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) initiated the action against the company on Thursday, he said.

 

2:49 PM

Excise policy 'scam': Delhi court extends judicial custody of Kejriwal in CBI's corruption case till July 25

The CBI has accused Kejriwal of being ‘one of the main conspirators’ in the irregularities linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. In the Delhi court, the agency had alleged that former media in-charge of AAP Vijay Nair, a close associate of Kejriwal, was in touch with various liquor manufacturers and trades and demanded undue gratification since March 2021, for incorporation of provisions favourable to them in the excise policy. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court also refused to grant bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case.

2:32 PM

Andhra police book ex-CM Jagan, two senior IPS officers in 'attempt to murder' case

Andhra Pradesh police registered an "attempt to murder" case against former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, two senior IPS officers and two retired officials, following a complaint lodged by a TDP MLA, an official said on Friday. The complaint was lodged by the ruling party's Undi MLA K Raghurama Krishna Raju. Besides Reddy, police booked senior IPS officers PV Sunil Kumar and PSR Sitaramanjaneyulu and retired police officer R Vijay Paul and former Guntur Government General Hospital superintendent G Prabhavati, the official said. Vijay Paul and Prabhavati have superannuated.

2:31 PM

What is PM Modi's position on 'billionaire tax', what will be India's stand at G20, asks Cong

With the issue of "billionaire tax" being taken up with G20 countries by a group of former presidents and prime ministers, the Congress on Friday asked what is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position on such a tax and what will be India's stand when the matter is discussed at the G20 meet later this month. Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, said all over the world, there is a growing consensus that billionaires must pay their fair share of taxes. "As proposed by Brazil -- which now holds the annual rotational G20 Presidency -- and endorsed by France, Spain, South Africa, and Germany, the world is moving towards a 2 per cent wealth tax on these billionaires," he said in a post on X.

2:05 PM

Tata Power invests over Rs 4,200 cr in network expansion, upgrade in Odisha

Tata Power-led power distribution companies (Discoms) have invested Rs 4,245 crore in infrastructure expansion and network upgrade in Odisha over the past 3-4 years, the company said on Friday. The company operates four Discoms in joint ventures with the government of Odisha - TP Central Odisha Distribution (TPCODL), TP Western Odisha Distribution (TPWODL), TP Southern Odisha Distribution (TPSODL), and TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL), collectively serving a customer base of over 9 million.

1:59 PM

Bombay HC quashes magistrate order allowing fresh documents against Rahul Gandhi in defamation case

In a relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Bombay High Court on Friday quashed a magistrate's order permitting an RSS worker to submit fresh and additional documents in a pending criminal defamation complaint. RSS worker Rajesh Kunte had in 2014 lodged a defamation complaint before the Bhiwandi magistrate's court, claiming the Congress leader had made false and defamatory statements during a speech that the right-wing outfit was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

1:53 PM

Earthquake hits Jammu and Kashmir; videos showing people rushing out of homes surface

An earthquake hit Jammu and Kashmir around 12:30 pm on Friday (July 12). Several parts of North Kashmir -- including Baramulla town -- felt tremors. The epicentre of the earthqake is not yet known. However, videos have surfaced on social media showing people rushing out of their homes for safety.  

1:47 PM

Aircraft carrying 59 people skids off runway in Nepal; No injuries: media report

An aircraft of Nepal's private carrier Buddha Air with 59 people onboard skidded off the runway while landing Thursday night in Lumbini province, according to a media report on Friday. However, there was no report of any injury to the passengers. Flight no. 805 of the Buddha Air skidded off the runway after it got stuck in the mud at Gautam Buddha Airport in Siddharthanagar in Lumbini province while landing from the east to west of the airport on Thursday night, Rupandehi District Police Spokesperson Manohar Prasad Bhatta was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post newspaper.

1:42 PM

UAE names street after 84-year-old doctor with Indian roots

A road in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi has been named after an 84-year-old doctor with Indian roots as a tribute to his significant contributions to the country's health sector. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has named a road in Abu Dhabi after Dr George Matthew to recognise his contributions as part of its Honouring UAE's Visionaries: Commemorative Streets project, which aims to honour individuals who have greatly contributed to the nation's development. The road near Sheikh Shakbooth Medical City in Al Mafraq will now be known as George Matthew Street.

1:34 PM

SC collegium recommends appointment of chief justices in seven high courts

The Supreme Court has recommended the appointment of chief justices for the high courts of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Madras and Meghalaya. The collegium headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai made the recommendations after considering the names of judges from different high courts by taking into account their seniority and performance, and the need to provide representation in the different high courts. Justice Manmohan, who is is the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, has been recommended as the chief justice of the court.

1:17 PM

Maharashtra govt to issue order banning sale of high caffeine energy drinks near schools: Minister

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Dharmarao Baba Atram on Friday told the state legislative council that his department would issue an order banning the sale of energy drinks with high caffeine content within 500-metre radius of schools in the state. He gave the assurance in the Upper House of the state legislature while responding to a question raised by independent legislator Satyajeet Tambe during the Question Hour. 

1:10 PM

India-Bhutan hold talks on climate change, sustainability

A delegation from Bhutan, headed by Gem Tshering, from Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Government of Bhutan met Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday in Delhi and discussed issues related to air quality, climate change, forests, natural resources, wildlife and renewable energy. Singh thanked Tshering for joining the International Big Cat Alliance, a global initiative of India. He said that both countries share the same geography, and ecosystem, and the common values of democracy.

1:03 PM

China's exports grow 8.6% in June, beating forecasts despite trade tensions

China's exports beat forecasts in June, customs data showed Friday, while imports grew less than expected. Exports grew 8.6 per cent from the same time last year to hit $307.8 billion, according to data released by Chinese customs, beating estimates of about 7.4 per cent to 8 per cent growth. Imports however fell 2.3 per cent from a year earlier to $208.8 billion. China's strong exports for June led to its trade surplus widening to $99 billion, up from $82.6 billion in May. The growth in exports comes as China faces escalated trade tensions with the US and Europe. The US and Europe have ramped up tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars.

12:50 PM

PM Modi should pay attention to basic economic issues of country: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "used PR" to keep the government away from basic issues but people were now demanding accountability after the June Lok Sabha poll results. Kharge took a swipe at the prime minister, saying that while he is holding meetings under the shadow of cameras for the upcoming budget, he must pay attention to the basic economic issues of the country. In a post in Hindi on X, the Congress president said, "Narendra Modi Ji, Your government has ruined the lives of crores of people by pushing them into the pit of unemployment, inflation and inequality."

 

12:43 PM

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia arrives in Assam, says 'our Look East Policy is now Act East Policy'

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, speaking to ANI, said, "It is my visit as the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister. However, I have very old and strong ties with this region. So, I would like to thank the PM, our party president, our Home Minister for giving me this responsibility. It will be my resolve that for our northeast region, PM's vision of Purvodaya for this region to be the gateway of India's progress - that translation of his vision into reality which has been on track for the last 10 years in terms of the huge outlay increase for the northeast, from a budgetary point of view --  from Rs 24,000 crores to almost Rs 82,000 Crores, from infrastructure point of view - whether it's roads, rail or civil aviation... Our Look East policy is now an Act East policy and the northeast will be a pivot in that policy going forward..."