Latest Live News Updates: Dharmendra Pradhan takes charge as the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

China bans construction of tallest skyscrapers over safety concerns

China has prohibited the construction of the tallest skyscrapers amid mounting concerns over the safety and quality of such projects. Beijing has officially set a structure-height limit of 500 meters for all its future skyscrapers. According to the country’s top planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), buildings taller than 500 meters will no longer be approved for construction.

Bhupender Yadav assumes charge of Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change

Equity mutual funds see net inflow of Rs 5,988.2 crore in June.

Rahul Gandhi takes potshots at new health minister over COVID-19 vaccines

Soon after the new health minister assumed charge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked whether it will change anything and there will be no vaccine shortage. “Does this mean no more vaccine shortage,” he asked on Twitter, using the hashtag “#Change”. The Congress has been criticising the government’s vaccination policy, alleging that it is moving at a slow pace and needs to be accelerated.

Equity mutual funds see net inflow of Rs 5,988.2 crore in April compared with inflow of Rs 10,082.9 crore in May

CBDT issues refunds of over Rs 37,050 cr to more than 17.92 lakh taxpayers between 1st April, 2021 to 05th July, 2021

Income tax refunds of Rs 10,408 crore have been issued in 16,89,063 cases & corporate tax refunds of Rs. 26,642 crore have been issued in 1,03,088 cases: CBDT

Japan to declare virus emergency lasting through Olympics

All priorities are fixed. A lot of tourists come into our country. After studying it thoroughly, we can find what more can we do. We are doing much in this field. This field is constantly growing.

– Ajay Bhatt, MoS, Ministry of Tourism

I have been given the responsibility to work for farmers. I am a farmer’s daughter, so I know their pain. I will work for the welfare of farmers & see to it that they get benefitted from the govt.

– Shobha Karandlaje, MoS in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Will work on using science for promoting ease of living: Dr Jitendra Singh

We will work towards using science for promoting ease of living,” said Dr Jitendra Singh while assuming charge as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Dr Singh said,”We will try to fulfill the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and bring ease to the lives of common people.” Singh will also be taking over the portfolio of Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam postponed over virus fears: Games official

Reports AFP

The infallible bravery of Army soldiers shows that we can halt any Pakistani action across the LoC.

– Major General Rajeev Puri

On July 7, a Pakistani terrorist gang attempted to infilitrate Naushera sector. Army soldiers neutralised them through surveillance grid & fire. 1 terrorist killed & his body recovered. AK-47 rifle, 4 magazines, huge cache of arms, 2 hand grenades recovered.

– Major General Rajeev Puri

Arunachal logs 404 fresh COVID-19 cases, 3 more fatalities

Since two years we have faced challenges due to Covid-19. In the past few years work regarding health infrastructure was less. However, in these two years efforts have been made to do better as the demand for it is high

– Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, MoS Health & Family Welfare

Amazon sets up first ‘Digital Kendra’ in Surat

Amazon India launched its first ‘Digital Kendra’ in Surat, Gujarat, as part of its commitment to digitise 10 million Indian micro, small and medium enterprises by 2025. Amazon Digital Kendras are brick and mortar resource centres that will provide MSMEs information about the benefits of e-commerce and help avail third-party services such as shipping and logistics support, cataloguing assistance, digital marketing services, GST and taxation support to start their digital journey.

The CEO & representatives of Cairns have approached Govt of India for discussions to resolve the matter. Constructive discussions have been held & Government remains open for an amicable solution to the dispute within the country’s legal framework

– Finance Ministry

Government has already filed an application on March 22, 2021 to set aside the December 2020 international arbitral award in The Hague Court of Appeal. Government of India will vigorously defend its case in Set Aside proceedings at The Hague

– Ministry of Finance

Government is trying to ascertain the facts, and whenever such an order is received, appropriate legal remedies will be taken, in consultation with its Counsels, to protect the interests of India

– Ministry of Finance

There have been news reports that Cairn Energy has seized/frozen State-owned property of the Government of India in Paris. However, Govt of India has not received any notice, order, or communication, in this regard, from any French Court

– Ministry of Finance

Digital India & Skill India are 2 tremendously important pillars that will shape the future of our country, shape the future prospects of the youth of our country. I am pleased, honoured & privileged to be working with the team.

– Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MoS MeitY & Skill Development

Supreme Court defers hearing on Amazon-Future Retail case for next week

Reports ET Now

BJP workers protest over poor water supply in some areas of Delhi

New Delhi: Smoke emanating was due to short circuit in the generator in the CBI building.

No fire or damage to property was reported. After smoke, an automatic sprinkler system was activated. The functioning of the office will be restored in some time: CBI officer

History of deadly plagues, epidemics and global pandemics

The world has passed the tragic milestone of four million recorded Covid-19 deaths, the World Health Organization says, adding that the true toll is likely higher

New Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas takes charge

Hardeep Singh Puri takes charge as the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Ex-minister Dharmendra Pradhan also greeted him on the occasion. MoS Rameswar Teli also present on site.

Focus on supply of vaccines to states: Chidambaram to new Health Minister

Minister of I&B Anurag Thakur thanks Nirmala Sitharaman for her support at Finance Ministry

Health infrastructure was meagre but efforts are made towards betterment. We will work for the betterment of health in rural areas. I believe that everyone will be happy & PM’s vision of a healthy India will be fulfilled

– Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, MoS for Health & Family Welfare

Twitter has engaged services of Interim Chief Compliance Officer, it tells the Court

Twitter tells the Court that it has engaged the services of the Interim Chief Compliance Officer as a contingent worker via a third-party contractor and has also addressed a communication to MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), reports ANI.

NCP leader Khadse appears before ED in money laundering case probe

Former Maharashtra revenue minister and NCP leader Eknath Khadse appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case investigation, a day after his son-in-law was arrested by the federal agency. Khadse, 68, told reporters outside the Enforcement Directorate (ED) zonal office in Ballard Estate area of south Mumbai that the probe in the case is “politically motivated”. “I will cooperate with the agency…today also I have come for the same. This is a politically motivated case and entire Maharashtra and the country is seeing this, ” he said.

I’ll try to carry out the responsibility to the best of my ability. I hope to meet all expectations. I’ll work hard, just like I worked for the people in last 15-20 years

– Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

It is a huge responsibility for me to function as a Minister for Law & Justice. Fulfilling public expectations will be my priority. We will always try to be transparent

– Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju

PM interacts with Directors of Centrally Funded Technical Institutions

PM began work with the new ministers, a day after Cabinet Reshuffle. He interacted with Directors of centrally funded technical institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur & IISc Bangalore via video conference today. New Education Min Dharmendra Pradhan was also present.

Botswana unearths second huge diamond in weeks

Kumar Ramsay, eldest of Ramsay Brothers, passes away

Filmmaker Kumar Ramsay, known for penning most of the Ramsay Brothers’ horror films including Rishi Kapoor-starrer “Khoj”, passed away, at the age of 85. “He passed away due to cardiac arrest, today morning around 5:30 AM. He passed away very quietly. The funeral will take place around 12 PM. We are waiting for the priest to arrive,” his eldest son Gopal said.

Japan to announce virus emergency throughout Olympics

With just two weeks until the July 23 opening ceremony, coronavirus infections are rising in the capital, and the spread of the more infectious Delta variant has spooked officials. The rising cases threaten to derail plans to let up to 10,000 local fans into Olympic venues, and could mean Tokyo 2020 is the first ever Games held behind closed doors.

Ashwini Vaishnaw takes charge as Minister of Communication, Electronics & Information Technology

Bharati Pawar chairs Nirman Bhawan as MoS, Health & Family Welfare

Smt. Bharati Pawar takes charge as Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare at Nirman Bhawan, today.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar takes charge of Ministry of Electronics & IT

Rajeev Chandrasekhar takes charge as the MoS in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Revenue Deficit Grant of Rs. 9,871 crore released to 17 States

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has released the 4th monthly installment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs. 9,871.00 crore to the States yesterday. With the release of this installment, a total amount of Rs. 39,484.00 crore has been released to eligible States as Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant in the current financial year.

Daily Positivity Rate at 2.42%; less than 5% for over a month

Source: Health Ministry

The new Union Minister of State for Railways all set to resume office at Rail Bhawan

SC dismisses PIL demanding to look into locusts’ invasion on farm crops

I am shifting to Law and Justice but the efforts will continue. Time at the sports department was memorable. The team was good. PM’s vision of making India a sporting vision will be fulfilled

– Kiren Rijiju, new Minister of Law and Justice

Farmers hold protest at the Ghazipur border against fuel price hike

We are protesting because Modi govt had promised a free gas connection but instead they have raised the prices. The poor who cannot afford three meals a day have to pay Rs 1000 for a cylinder: A protestor

Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare

From Kulgam, we had received info that 2 LeT terrorists are going to carry out an attack at NH: IGP Kashmir

Army & Kulgam Police laid ambush, both terrorists were killed. Both were local terrorists: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar

Newly-appointed ministers to meet JP Nadda today

Rupee falls 17 paise to 74.79 against US dollar in early trade

French court lets Cairn Energy freeze Indian assets, claims report

According to multiple media reports, Cairn Energy has seized Indian state’s properties in France, as it attempts to force New Delhi to pay $1.7 billion over a tax dispute ruled earlier in its favour. The company pointed out that it had identified a number of global Indian assets as well, including Air India aircraft.

PM condoles demise of former CM of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh

Virbhadra Singh had a long political career, with rich administrative and legislative experience. He played a pivotal role in Himachal Pradesh and served the people of the state. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Railway is a major part of PM Modi’s vision. His vision for railways is to transform the lives of the people, that everyone – common man, farmers, the poor – gets the benefit of railway. I will work for that vision

– Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Anurag Thakur takes charge as Minister of Information and Broadcasting

SC to pronounce judgement on Facebook’s Ajit Mohan’s plea against summons to him by the Delhi assembly

A house panel had asked him to appear and explain Facebook’s role in amplifying hatred during the riots in East Delhi. He had refused. SC had stayed the summons: ET Bureau

Ashwini Vaishnaw takes charge as the new Minister of Railways

Discussions are still going on over Indemnity to Moderna: Sources

Reports ANI

India reports 45,892 new COVID19 cases, 44,291 recoveries, and 817 deaths in the last 24 hours

PM on ex-Himachal Pradesh CM

We don’t want to prolong the lockdown, we don’t want to see Sydney or New South Wales going in and out of lockdown until we have the vast majority of our population vaccinated

– NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian