Source: The Print Media ( The Hindu , Indian Express and others..)

Bharat Bandh: Centre says several unions backed off from strike; unions refute claim

The Union Labour Ministry has claimed that about 213 Unions, including the RSS-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), have informed it that they will not participate in the nationwide general strike called by ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on Wednesday (July 9, 2025). However, the CTUs said the Centre is trying to put pressure and intimidate the workers but the strike will be a success.

India, Brazil partnership relevant to the entire world: PM Modi

India and Brazil are in agreement that all global problems should be resolved through dialogue, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) in Brasilia. Speaking after bilateral-level talks between Indian and Brazilian teams, Mr. Modi described President Lula Da Silva as the “chief architect” of the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership and expressed gratitude after he was conferred with the highest state honour of Brazil. The Prime Minister said India-Brazil cooperation was an “important pillar” for the world.

Bihar Special Intensive Revision: Five of 11 documents sought do not show date or place of birth

At least five out of the 11 key documents sought by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for Bihar’s voters’ list revision do not indicate the applicant’s place or date of birth — one of the pre-requisites for inclusion in the electoral rolls. Aadhaar, voter identity cards issued by the Election Commission of India (Electors Photo Identity Card) or PAN cards have not been included in the list of 11 indicative documents that the applicants can produce. However, these excluded documents are often the ones submitted by people to procure any of the 11 documents required for inclusion during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.

Bihar Cabinet makes domicile must for women’s job quota

The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) made domicile mandatory for accessing the 35% reservation for women in State government jobs. Previously, women from outside Bihar could also benefit from the reservation policy, which was introduced by the State government in 2016. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The State is scheduled to go to polls later this year.

Ban on fuel to ‘end of life’ vehicles in Delhi put on hold till November 1

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Tuesday deferred the ban on refuelling of overage or ‘end of life’ vehicles (ELVs) in Delhi to November 1. The prohibition will now come into effect in the national capital on the day it is scheduled to be enforced in the five adjoining ‘high-vehicle-density’ (HVD) districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Sonipat.

Countrywide survey reveals deficits in student learning

The results of the Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development Rashtriya Sarvekshen (PARAKH RS), formerly known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), have revealed that Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Chandigarh are the best performing States and Union Territories in school education.

How long can a suspect be kept in jail, HC asks Delhi Police in 2020 riots case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) questioned the Delhi Police as to how long accused persons can be kept in jail while remarking that five years have elapsed since the February 2020 riots, yet the arguments on the framing of charges have still not been concluded.

BRICS set up to ‘hurt us’, ‘degenerate’ U.S. dollar: Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) claimed that BRICS was established to “hurt” the U.S. and “degenerate” the dollar as he warned that the member countries of the bloc would face a 10% tariff. Mr. Trump made the remarks while talking to reporters at the sixth Cabinet meeting at the White House. “They have to pay 10% if they are in BRICS,” he said.

Macron calls for the U.K. and Europe to de-risk ties with America and China

French President Emmanuel Macron made a strong plea for the U.K. and other European countries to de-risk their relationships with and decrease their reliance on both the U.S. and China. Mr. Macron made these remarks in an address to both Houses of the British Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, the first day of his three-day state visit to the U.K.

X says government had ordered blocking of Reuters handle

Contradicting a Union government statement, X (formerly Twitter) said in a statement on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had indeed requested the firm to block access to the handles of newswire agency Reuters, in addition to over 2,000 other accounts.

U.S. trade deal: India targeting July 8 deadline but can extend to August 1 if deal specifics don’t suit

The August 1 deadline for U.S. tariffs is for countries that have received letters from U.S. President Donald Trump, and so India is still operating under the July 8 deadline, according to Indian government sources, who added that a mini deal with the US could be announced “in a day or two”. However, they also said that India will not push ahead if the deal specifics do not suit India.

Marathi-Hindi row: Nod was given for rally, but MNS sought specific route, says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) said permission had been granted for a rally in neighbouring Mira Bhayander in which MNS leaders had planned to participate, but the party insisted on a specific route which posed law and order challenges.