News updates: India has given Buddha to the world, not war, says PM to Indians in Austria

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Austria visit to Mumbai's hit-and-run case, and from Bihar's bridge collapse to bypolls in seven states, catch all the latest news updates here

3:34 PM

Mutual trust in values like democracy & rule of law strong foundation of our relations: PM Modi in Austria

In joint press meet with Austria Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Vienna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Mutual trust in values like democracy and rule of law is the strong foundation of our relations. Mutual trust and shared interest strengthen our relations. To further strengthen mutual support, we have identified new opportunities." He added, "I am grateful to Chancellor Karl Nehammer for this warm welcome. I am happy that I got the opportunity to visit Austria at the very beginning of my third term. This visit of mine is both historic and special; after 41 years, any Indian PM has visited Austria."

3:27 PM

Rains wash out a highway in Tibet region, stranding 130 people; rescue ops underway

Rescue efforts were underway Wednesday for more than 130 people including some tourists who were trapped in a mountainous town in China's Tibet region after heavy rains and flooding washed away sections of a provincial highway, China's state media said. Those trapped also included migrant workers and business people, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Another 342 stranded people had been relocated earlier to nearby towns.

3:17 PM

Authorities rush to spot after another bridge collapses in Bihar

District officials have left for the bridge collapse spot. "We are trying to gather more information about the incident," said Jyoti Kumar, additional collector (Saharsa). Notably, Bihar government has suspended at least 15 engineers in connection with the series of recent incidents of bridge collapse reported from various districts, including Siwan, Saran, Madhubani, Araria, East Champaran and Kishanganj. Last week, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had instructed officials to conduct a survey of all old bridges in the state and identify those that require immediate repair.

3:05 PM

PM Modi and I had very intensive talks about Russian war of aggression against Ukraine: Austrian Chancellor

Speaking on the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer says, "Last night and this morning, we had very intensive talks about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. For me, as the Federal Chancellor of Austria, it is particularly important to get to know India's assessment and to understand it and familiarise India with European concerns and worries. Moreover, the conflict in the Middle East was a major topic and in addition to this challenging geopolitical situation, we also referred to the positive aspects of our cooperation..."

2:56 PM

Zelenskyy not interested in stopping war as it will question his legitimacy: Russian Embassy

Responding to a question on Ukraine's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, Roman Babushkin, Russian Chargé d'Affaires in India, said, "He (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) said this when shelling against the hospital took place. It was not a Russian missile but a Ukrainian anti-missile provided by Norway, as per our reports. We are targeting only military infrastructure. Another aspect is that they are deploying this infrastructure in populated areas in violation of international humanitarian law...Zelenskyy is the president of war..He keeps getting support from the West. He is not interested in stopping the war as it will question his legitimacy. His tenure was over in March and he has to conduct elections..." 

2:51 PM

India, Taiwan pact to facilitate trade of organic agri goods comes into force

An agreement between India and Taiwan to facilitate trade in organically-produced goods, including tea and medicinal plants, has come into force from July 8, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday. The mutual recognition agreement (MRA) will ease the export of organic products by avoiding dual certifications, thereby reducing compliance cost, simplifying compliance requirements by adhering to only one regulation and enhancing trade opportunities in the organic sector. It said the pact will pave the way for export of major Indian organic products such as rice, processed food, green/black and herbal tea, medicinal plant products to Taiwan.

2:32 PM

'Don't wait for US elections results': Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urge NATO allies to act now

Speaking at the start of a three-day summit of the alliance’s leaders in Washington on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the US to take further steps in allowing his military to hit targets, including air bases, inside Russia and assist the country with deep-strike capabilities in Crimea. “It’s time to step out of the shadows, to make strong decisions work, to act and not to wait for November or any other month,” Zelenskiy said at the Reagan Institute in Washington. “To this end, we must be strong and uncompromising. All together. And first of all America.”

2:27 PM

Russia assures action on Indians being tricked by agents into military service

Asked about Indian nationals seeking discharge from Russian Army after they were misled into service, Roman Babushkin, Charge D'Affaires, Russian Embassy in India told ANI, "We are on the same page as India on this problem. It is not a common problem...We have information that these people were cheated by agents who are into criminal activities and brought them through illegal channels. We have established a mechanism of interaction with the Indian side and maintaining close coordination with the Indian govt. We are committed to finding a solution to this problem."

2:21 PM

SC stays Gujarat HC order on taking back land given to Adani Group firm near Mundra port

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a Gujarat High Court order asking the state government to resume the process of taking back nearly 108 hectares of grazing land given to an Adani Group entity in 2005 near the Mundra port. A bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan took note of the appeal of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd that the impugned order is required to be stayed in the interest of justice. "Issue notice. Stay of impugned order," the bench said. On July 5, the state government had informed the high court that it will take back nearly 108 hectares of 'gauchar' (grazing) land which was given to an Adani Group entity in 2005.

2:18 PM

PM Modi given Ceremonial Reception at Federal Chancellery in Austria

2:00 PM

India-France-UAE trilateral focal points meeting held virtually: MEA

1:53 PM

Ruling, opposition spar in Kerala Assembly over atrocities against women, children

Kerala Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Wednesday as the opposition targeted the Kerala government over "increasing" atrocities against women and children in the state, alleging that they were protecting CPI(M) activists and sympathisers involved in such cases. The Congress-led UDF listed a number of shocking incidents of atrocities against women and children reported in the state in recent times, in the majority of which the Left workers or sympathisers were named as accused.

1:31 PM

Shiv Sena removes Rajesh Shah, father of hit-and-run accused Mihir Shah

Rajesh Shah was serving as the deputy leader of Shiv Sena. He was relieved from the post after an order by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Earlier, Mihir Shah's mother and two sisters were held from an apartment in Virar for hiding the accused. 

1:26 PM

BJP attacks Karnataka Congress govt 'over diversion of SC/ST funds'

Speaking on National Commission for SC/ST seeks detailed report from the Karnataka government over diversion of SC/ST funds, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla told ANI, "Congress is the most anti-SC, ST and tribal party. They are planning to divert more than Rs 14,000 crores, 37 per cent of the budget of Karnataka to fulfil the guarantees which are crackpot schemes. Tax, water, diesel, petrol, and milk prices have been increased... Recently their minister had to resign because they did a huge scam in the Valmiki Tribal Development Corporation amount where crores were siphoned by the Congress leaders... Congress is the most anti-Dalit party."

1:21 PM

Rajasthan Budget proposes Rs 27k cr for health sector, tap water to 2.5 million rural houses

Rajasthan Finance Minister Diya Kumari on Wednesday proposed Rs 27,000 crore for the health sector and Rs 15,000 crore to provide tap water to 2.5 million rural houses in the state Budget for FY25. Presenting the full budget for the fiscal, she said four lakh vacancies will be filled in the next five years and a policy for youths will be framed. Moreover, the budget proposed electricity connection to 2 lakh households, Rs 100 crore for corridor at Khatu Shyam temple, and formation of Rajasthan Tourism Development Board. She said that for the first time, nine greenfield expressways will be built in the state and free tablets with internet will be provided to meritorious school students.