Live News Updates: Prime Minister Modi chairs first in-person Union Cabinet meet in over a year

UK inflation rises to highest level in nearly 3 years

The Office for National Statistics said Wednesday that the annual rate of inflation rose to 2.5% in June from 2.1% the previous month.

Called on PM Modi. Had a fruitful & promising discussion on various developmental projects going on in Kerala. We thank him for assuring complete support. Govt of Kerala looks forward to working with Govt of India in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

– Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

17 injured in an accident in J&K

17 people injured in a collision between a bus and a truck near Khanater, Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir. The injured have been shifted to District Hospital, Poonch. Details awaited.

Official in IOC refugee team for Olympics tests positive for COVID-19

An official of the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team has tested positive for COVID-19 here, leading to a delay in their travel plans for the Tokyo Games even though all others have returned negative results for now.

Spoke with President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Assured him of India’s commitment to support Maldives in fight against COVID19. We also reviewed progress of bilateral development projects. Conveyed congratulations for the election of FM Shahid as UNGA President

– PM Modi

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today

They discussed the status of various development projects being implemented in the state.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan chaired high-level meet today

13 killed, including 9 Chinese, in Pakistan bus accident

A bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani construction workers on a slippery mountainous road in northwest Pakistan fell into a ravine Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, officials said.

The role of India & regional players is certainly very important. Taliban is the current reality in Afghanistan, it’s a part of intra-Afghan talks which we believed should be a solution for normalization.

– Russian Deputy Chief of Mission, Roman Babushkin

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced a waiver of Rs 590 crore worth of loans under the farm debt waiver scheme for labourers & the landless farming community. The cheques would be issued at a state-level function on August 20.

– Chief Minister’s Office (CMO)

Nominations for Padma Awards to be announced on Republic day 2022

Online nominations/ recommendations for Padma Awards to be announced on Republic Day 2022 is on. Last date for nominations is 15th Sept, 2021. The nominations/recommendations for the Awards will be received online only on Padma Awards portal padmaawards.gov.in: MHA

Appreciate the conversation with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor today. She assured that her Govt was doing its utmost to enforce law & order. Early restoration of normalcy and peace was the overriding priority

– External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar

The situation of supply of COVID19 vaccine can be better understood by actual analysis of the facts. Useless statements are being made only to create panic among the people.

– Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted

11.46 Cr doses of vaccine were made available to States govts/UTs in June so that vaccination can be done through govt and private hospitals. This availability has been increased to 13.50 Crores in the month of July

– Tweets Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

No change in leadership of Congress

SAD workers protest demanding LIP MLA arrest in rape case

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) workers protest outside the residence of state minister Bharat Bhushan in Ludhiana, demanding the arrest of Lok Insaf Party (LIP) MLA Simranjit Singh Bains, in an alleged rape case.

The decision to contest the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election alone will be taken by the party, like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took decision in 2014, we have our own strategy.

– Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole

PM to inaugurate maternal & child health unit at BHU

In Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate the maternal & child health unit at BHU (Banaras Hindu University), regional institute of ophthalmology, Ro-Ro ferry services on river Ganga.

Gramphu-Kaza road blocked due to landslide: BRO

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authority informed that Gramphu-Kaza road was blocked at Dorni Nala due to landslide. Administration working on clearing the route and it will be opened by tomorrow. People are advised to avoid the route: Police, Lahaul-Spiti

Delhi: The new union cabinet meets at 7 LKM, Prime Minister’s official residence

Wholesale price-based inflation eases to 12.07% in June 2021 as compared to 12.94% in May

Covid-19 is under control for now. We’re monitoring the situation. Preparations are being done for 3rd wave. Schools will begin for classes 11 and 12 from July 25 at 50% capacity.

– Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel speaks on Population Control Bill

CM Bhupesh Baghel says, “BJP had opposed sterilization program. Had the program been carried forward in 70s population wouldn’t have been so high today…Laws aren’t going to resolve this issue, public awareness important.”

Satyadev Narayan Arya took oath as Governor of Tripura, in Agartala

Kejriwal promises 300 units of free electricity, waiving off old bills if AAP voted to power in Goa

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday promised to provide 300 units of free power to the people of Goa and also offered to waive off old electricity bills, ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections in the state. He further assured 24×7 electricity supply with “no power cuts.”

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meet begins in Tajikistan

“Afghanistan and post-Covid recovery are pressing concerns,” tweets External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar

Delhi HC issued notice to Centre, SEBI, and others on a plea seeking direction to take effective steps and issue appropriate guidelines/ rules against crypto-asset exchanges in India advertising on national television without adequate standardized disclaimers.

Uttarakhand calls off Kanwar Yatra, UP keeps it on

While the Uttarakhand government has called off the Kanwar yatra, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to go ahead with the same but with Covid safety protocols.

There’ve been speculative reports claiming higher fatality due to COVID based on National Health Mission’s Health Mgmt Info System’s data. It compares data from Civil Registration System & HMIS to draw erroneous inferences. Such reports are speculation without substantial basis

– Government of India

200 people will go there(towards Parliament) by bus. We’ll pay the fare. We’ll sit outside Parliament while proceedings will continue in the House. It’ll be peaceful protest. Today we’ll have a meeting & we’ll plan strategy

– Rakesh Tikait, BKU

It’s good to see that even opposition parties are praising AAP’s good work. One feels encouraged about it

– Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Goa

WB Congress Gen Secy Rohan Mitra resigns

West Bengal Congress General Secretary Rohan Mitra resigns from his post; writes to party’s state chief AR Chowdhury, ‘The sycophants surrounding you have not only brought your downfall but also led to the ultimate downfall of the party in the state with no visible signs of revival in near future’

Indian Army personnel, deployed along the Line of Control (LoC), continue to be on high alert irrespective of a ceasefire being in place. (J&K)

In 2013, we tried to establish a camp in Minpa but due to the stronghold of Naxals, we withdrew the camp & lost two security personnel. After establishing camp in Minpa in 2020, the picture of this area is changing and normalcy is returning.

– Bastar IG P Sundarraj

SC takes note of UP govt’s decision to allow ‘Kanwar Yatra’, issues notice to state

Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance of the decision of Uttar Pradesh government to allow Kanwar Yatra amid Covid-19. A Bench headed by Justice Rohinton F Nariman issues notice to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government. The Court will hear the matter on July 16

I’m here to give first guarantee on electricity. We’ll provide 300 units of free electricity in Goa. With implementation of this scheme, 87% of Goa will start getting zero electricity bills. Old bills will be waived off. We’ll provide 24×7 electricity.

– Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

BJP Parliamentary meet to be held on July 18

Ahead of the monsoon session, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Parliamentary Party Executive meeting is scheduled to be held on July 18. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called an all-party meeting of floor leaders on the same day.

He can cross-check, still creating panic: Andhra Finance Minister on PAC chairman’s allegations

Addressing a press conference, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath said, “For the past one week, opposition TDP has been alleging irregularities in the Finance department. Public Accounts Committee chairman and TDP MLA Payyavula Keshav has complained to the Governor demanding a CAG audit of irregularities to the tune of 41,000 crores. As chairman of PAC, he can get information from the department and cross-check. Instead of that, creating panic among the public is not correct.”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has called an all-party meeting at 11 am on July 18

Reports ANI

Rupee slips 10 paise to 74.59 against US dollar in early trade

Kerala Governor begins protest fast against dowry

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan began a fast aimed at creating awareness against giving and accepting dowry. The fast against dowry is being organised by various organisations at Gandhi Bhavan, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. The Governor, who is fasting at the Raj Bhavan from 8 am to 6 pm, will join the protest at Gandhi Bhavan between 4.30 to 6 pm today.

Govt of India & the people of India have been very kind to us. We’re very happy that Prime Minister did that (make a public announcement). This is quite encouraging for us

– Penpa Tsering, Prez, Tibetan government-in-exile on PM Modi’s call to Dalai Lama on his birthday

India reports 38,792 new Covid-19 cases, 41,000 recoveries and 624 deaths

Covid-19 sample testing

43,59,73,639 samples tested for Covid-19 up to 13th July 2021. Of these, 19,15,501 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Himachal Pradesh: four bodies recovered from Boh Valley

Four bodies recovered from Boh valley till last night, a total of five bodies have been recovered so far. Five to six persons still went missing. Rescue operation resumed early morning today, said Kangra District Commissioner Nipun Jindal.

Youth Congress stages protest against fuel price hike

The activists raised placards and shouted slogans against the Narendra Modi government at the Teen petrol area in the city on Monday.

Markets update

Sensex drops 72.96 pts to 52,696.77 in opening session; Nifty slips 18.30 pts to 15,794.05

Final death toll in China hotel collapse put at 17

Nine more people have been confirmed dead in the collapse of a budget hotel in eastern China, bringing the final toll to 17, as state media on Wednesday announced the end of search and recovery efforts. Six others were earlier rescued from the rubble of the Siji Kaiyuan hotel, which crumbled in a heap of shattered concrete and bent metal beams two days earlier in the picturesque city of Suzhou.

Three LeT militants killed in encounter

A gunbattle broke out in Pulwama town of the south Kashmir district after the security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

Australia extends Sydney lockdown

Australian authorities extended a lockdown in Sydney on Wednesday by at least 14 days, after three weeks of initial restrictions failed to stamp out an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country’s largest city.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, likely to hold a bilateral meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meet in Tajikistan.

Senate Democrats announce $3.5 trillion budget agreement

Senate Democrats announced Tuesday that they have reached a budget agreement among themselves that envisions spending an enormous $3.5 trillion over the coming decade. The fiscal plan would pave the way for Democrats’ drive to direct a huge pool of federal resources at climate change, health care and family-service programs sought by President Joe Biden.

Guatemala tightens restrictions

The Guatemalan government declared on Tuesday a “state of prevention” for the entire country, limiting outdoor meetings and public demonstrations, after a dramatic spike in the number of COVID-19 cases last week.

Biden announces 11 key nominations

President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) announced his intent to nominate 11 individuals including two Indian-Americans to serve in key roles.

Afghan cyclist paves the road for refugees at Olympics

Afghan refugee Masomah Ali Zada hopes to be a beacon for women forced to quit their country or abandon their sporting dreams when she crosses the start line at the Tokyo Olympics. The 24-year-old road cyclist had stones thrown at her and was physically attacked in her homeland for daring to don sportswear and ride a bicycle in public.

Migrant deaths on sea routes to Europe more than double

he number of migrants and refugees who died while attempting to reach Europe on dangerous sea crossings more than doubled so far this year compared to the first six months of 2020, the United Nations’ migration agency said in a new report.

Trump’s finance chief loses titles, roles

The move by Donald Trump’s company to strip its top finance chief from several leadership positions less than two weeks after his criminal indictment suggests it is facing a tricky, new business environment as it seeks to reassure lenders and other business partners.

Biden decries Trump’s ‘Big Lie’

President Joe Biden, under pressure from U.S. civil rights leaders, on Tuesday called it a “national imperative” to pass sweeping voting rights legislation that has stalled in Congress, but he did not outline a path to overcome Republican opposition. Numerous Republican-controlled states have passed new voting restrictions this year, a push encouraged by Biden’s Republican predecessor Donald Trump.

Cuba curbs social media access

Thousands of Cubans joined demonstrations throughout the Communist-run country on Sunday to protest a deep economic crisis that has seen shortages of basic goods and power outages. They were also protesting the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and curbs on civil liberties.