Cabinet reshuffle attempts inclusion, political messaging
In a major shake up of his Council of Ministers almost midway through his second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi oversaw the swearing-in of 43 Ministers (new and seven promotions to Cabinet rank) and dropped 12 Ministers (seven Cabinet and five Ministers of State) including Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday.
Four militants killed in separate gunbattles in J&K
Four militants were killed in two separate gunbattles with security forces in Kulgam and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, July 8, 2021, police said.
Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh passes away
Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, three days after he had suffered a cardiac attack in Shimla.
Euro 2020 | England enter final after ending Denmark’s dream run
England's Harry Kane, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2020 soccer semifinal match between England and Denmark at Wembley stadium in London, Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
England won their first semi-final since the 1966 World Cup when Harry Kane's extra-time goal, following up after his penalty had been saved, earned a 2-1 victory over Denmark on Wednesday that sent them into Sunday's Euro 2020 final against Italy.
Police arrest ‘presumed assassins’ of Haiti President Jovenel Moise
Haiti’s communications secretary says police have arrested the “presumed assassins” of President Jovenel Moïse. Frantz Exantus did not provide further details about the slaying of Moïse and the wounding of his wife on Wednesday, July 7, or say how many suspects had been arrested.
Analysis | Seeds of political battle lines drawn for 2024 in Cabinet overhaul
The massive redrawing of the government in Wednesday’s Cabinet expansion has the seeds of the political battle lines over which the 2024 elections will be fought.
Jaishankar meets Iranian President-elect
In a rare diplomatic gesture, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Tehran on Thursday, and called on Iranian President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, a month before he assumes office.
Cabinet reshuffle | An admission that Modi government failed to manage pandemic: Congress
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said on Wednesday that the resignation of Harsh Vardhan as the Health Minister during the Cabinet reshuffle is an admission that the Narendra Modi government had “utterly failed” in managing the corona pandemic.
‘Saddened’ by Father Stan Swamy’s death: U.S.
The Biden administration reacted to the death of Father Stan Swamy in custody in India and called on all governments to respect the role of human rights activists.
Wimbledon | Hurkacz knocks out Federer; Shapovalov wins five-setter
Roger Federer crashed out of Wimbledon on Wednesday, losing to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals, potentially bringing down the curtain on the Swiss legend’s All England Club career.
Fire erupts on ship, causing explosion that rocks Dubai
A container ship anchored in Dubai at one of the world's largest ports caught fire late Wednesday, causing an explosion that sent tremors across the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates, authorities said.
Covid-19 | Indemnity issues hold up U.S. vaccine doses donation to India
More than a month after the United States announced the donation of 80 million doses of American-made COVID vaccines to dozens of countries including India, and Vice-President Kamala Harris called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey the decision, the vaccines are being held up by regulatory issues over indemnity, Indian and U.S. officials confirmed.
Cabinet reshuffle | Pokhriyal cites health reason, Gangwar leaves a suspense
Among the reasons that some of the 12 Ministers who resigned ahead of the Cabinet expansion on Wednesday cited for putting in their papers were health concerns as well as just “asked to do so”.
