News updates: PM Modi reaches Presidential Palace for private meeting and dinner with Prez Putin

From SC hearing on NEET-UG exam to Mumbai rains, and from PM Modi's Russia visit to RBI's data on employment, catch all the latest news from across the globe here

12:33 PM

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren wins the vote of trust with votes of 45 MLAs in his favour

Hemant Soren, the JMM executive president, was sworn in as the 13th chief minister of the state on July 4, a day after his predecessor Champai Soren stepped down from the post. Soren was released from jail on June 28 after the Jharkhand High Court granted bail to him in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He had resigned as the chief minister, shortly before his arrest on January 31 by the Enforcement Directorate. After the Lok Sabha elections, the strength of the JMM-led alliance has been reduced to 45 MLAs in the 81-member House, with 27 of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, 17 of the Congress and one of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Independent legislator Saryu Roy did not participate in the voting process. 

12:30 PM

President Droupadi Murmu takes stroll on Puri beach, stresses need to protect, conserve environment

12:21 PM

Around 270 mm rainfall recorded within 4 hours in Mumbai; orange alert for heavy-to-very heavy rainfall issued

Speaking on the inclement weather conditions in Mumbai, IMD Director Sunil Kamble said, "Around 270mm rainfall was recorded between 2 am and 6 am today. An 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued in Mumbai for the next 24 hours. 'Yellow' alert for heavy rain issued for tomorrow." Meanwhile, Ram Karan Yadav, General Manager, Central Railway has said, "Due to heavy rains, especially on the main line, there is waterlogging around Kurla Bhandup and here on the Harbour Line, from Wadala to Mankhurd, it is closed because there is a lot of water logging around Chunabhatti. These services are disrupted... We have cancelled some trains and diverted some trains... I appeal to people not to leave their homes unless it is necessary..."

12:17 PM

Jobs, rural India likely to be focus of new Modi government's first budget, says Goldman Sachs

The first budget by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new government may tilt towards, but not pivot to welfare spending, with a focus on rural economy and job creation, economists at Goldman Sachs said in a note on Monday. The budget proposal for the financial year ending March 2025 will be presented on July 23, the government said over the weekend. Goldman economists expect the government to stick to its fiscal deficit target of 5.1 per cent of GDP set in the interim budget but said it will likely make an "overarching statement" about long-term economic policy. "We see an emphasis on job creation through labor-intensive manufacturing, credit for micro, small and medium enterprises, continued focus on services exports by expanding global capability centres, and a thrust on domestic food supply chain," Santanu Sengupta, chief India economist at the Wall Street bank wrote.

12:11 PM

SC disposes of PIL seeking menstrual leave for woman employees; asks Centre to hold talks with stakeholders

The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a PIL seeking menstrual leave for woman employees and asked the Centre to hold talks with all stakeholders and state governments to decide if a model policy can be framed in this regard. The SC bench observed that menstrual leaves may encourage women for bigger participation in the workforce, but mandating such leaves may lead to women being shunned from workforce. The bench added that it's a policy decision which can be attended to by the Centre and states. The petitioner was asked to move before the ministry of women and child development with his plea.

12:06 PM

Rahul Gandhi reaches Manipur's Jiribam district, interacts with inmates of relief camp

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited a relief camp in Manipur's Jiribam district, a party leader told PTI. Gandhi visited the Jiribam Higher Secondary School relief camp and talked to the inmates, he said. "At Jiribam relief camp, Gandhi talked to the internally displaced people," he said. Gandhi had earlier visited a relief camp in Assam and interacted with violence-affected people after which he headed for Jiribam by road, he added.

12:00 PM

Another hit-and-run case in Pune; one cop killed as car hits two bike-borne beat marshals

One police personnel was killed while another sustained injuries when a four-wheeler vehicle hit two bike-borne beat marshals in Bopodi area of Pune city last night. "Police are investigating the matter and working to identify and arrest the accused driver." said police. One accused has been detained in the case. The car involved in the incident has been impounded as well.

11:48 AM

Rain-triggered landslide kills 11 people at illegal gold mine in Indonesia; 19 missing

A landslide triggered by torrential rains crashed onto an unauthorised gold mining operation on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 11 people, officials said Monday. Nineteen others were reported missing. About 35 villagers were digging for grains of gold on Sunday in a pit at the small traditional gold mine in remote Bone Bolango district in Gorontalo province when tons of mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried them.

11:45 AM

Delhi HC issues notice to Tihar Jail, ED; seeks response on Kejriwal's plea for two more meetings with lawyers

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a plea moved by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in judicial custody in the alleged liquor policy scam, for granting two additional meetings with his lawyers through virtual conferencing. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna sought response of the Tihar jail authorities as well as Enforcement Directorate (ED) within five days and listed the matter for hearing on July 15.

11:40 AM

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren moves confidence motion in assembly; 1 hour allotted for debate

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday moved a confidence motion in the state assembly. Jharkhand Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto allotted one hour for debate on the confidence motion. JMM, Congress, and RJD legislators expressed confidence in successfully clearing the floor test but BJP said it would not be easy. Soren was sworn in as the chief minister on July 4, a day after his predecessor Champai Soren stepped down from the post. Hemant Soren was released from jail on June 28 after the Jharkhand High Court granted bail to him in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

11:38 AM

Assam flood: 131 wild animals dead, 97 rescued in Kaziranga National Park

At least 131 wild animals have died so far in floods in the Kaziranga National Park while 97 others have been rescued, an official said on Monday. The dead animals include six rhinos, 117 hog deer, including 98 by drowning, two by vehicle hits and 17 during treatment, two sambar, a rhesus macaque and an otter due to drowning in the park. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the floods in the state have affected humans and animals alike and 'Team Assam is working round the clock to aid everyone'.

11:28 AM

We seek to play supportive role for peaceful, stable region: PM Modi before Russia visit

11:24 AM

12 more killed in lightning strikes in seven districts of Bihar; over 40 deaths in last 10 days

Twelve more people have been killed in lightning strikes in seven districts of Bihar, officials said on Monday. With the fresh fatalities, over 40 people have lost their lives to lightning strikes in various districts of Bihar in the last 10 days, including 22 in the last 48 hours. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the deaths of the 12 people and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

11:19 AM

Heavy rain and high tide affect local train movement in the suburban section of Mumbai

In a post on X, Central Railway has said, "Due to water logging at various places, Train Services on Main line Down & Up Fast line between CSMT - Thane  is suspended. However, Down and Up slow lines are running. Harbour line services are temporarily suspended due to waterlogging at Chunnabhati." In another post, it said, "Train Services on Main line are running, however due to heavy rains and water logging  between Bhandup and Nahur  trains are being run by clamping and padlocking the points. Clamping completed at 06.45 am. Harbour line services are running normally."

11:14 AM

SC bench commences hearing pleas; lays down guidelines on portrayal of people with disabilities in movies

After a hiatus of 50 days due to summer vacations, the Supreme Court began hearing pleas on Monday (July 8). On the day, an SC bench laid down guidelines on portrayal of persons with disabilities in visual media and films. Words cultivate institutional discrimination, terms like cripple have come to acquire devalued meanings in societal perceptions, said the SC. Separately, senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned AAP leader Manish Sisodia's plea. He said that Sisodia has been in jail for the last 16 months and complained about the delay in the beginning of the trial in the liquor policy case. The SC bench has assured the senior advocate to look into the case.