Breaking News Live Updates: Mallikarjun Kharge files nominations for Rajya Sabha from Karnataka

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal for a face-to-face meeting.

Speaking at an international economic forum in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Putin described Zelenskyy's open letter proposing the meeting as "boorish."

“Is it a way to create conditions for personal meetings and talks, or create an environment which makes any personal meetings impossible?” he said. “I think it’s the second.”

Putin added that he sees “no point” in holding such a meeting, as cited by AP.

India on Friday launched E85 fuel, a high-ethanol blend for flex-fuel vehicles, at a price Rs 20 per litre lower than regular petrol.

The fuel will initially be available at select petrol pumps and can be used only in vehicles equipped with flex-fuel engines, as cited by PTI.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched the fuel at an IndianOil retail outlet in New Delhi on World Environment Day, with supplies rolled out at 48 public sector fuel stations across the country.

Puri said the government aims to expand E85 availability to 500 outlets by December 2026 and around 5,000 outlets by December 2027.

E85 comprises 80-85 per cent ethanol and 14-19 per cent petrol and is designed for flex-fuel vehicles that can run on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100.

BJP legislators Ranoj Pegu, Ashok Singhal and Biswajit Daimary, along with AGP leader Keshab Mahanta, were among the 12 MLAs sworn in as ministers on Friday as Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expanded his cabinet, taking the strength of the council of ministers to 17.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony held at Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir.

The event was attended by the chief minister, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margherita, Assam Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass, BJP state president Dilip Saikia, and several NDA legislators.

“It's a balanced team which represents the aspirations of all sections of people and their experience and wisdom will further strengthen our resolve of building a ViksitAssam,” the CM said about the new ministers in a post on X.

AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge files nominations for Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, say officials.

The Supreme Court has stayed the deportation of Saleha Khatun and Sarbhanu Begum, who are alleged to have been detained after being declared foreigners by a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam. Both women have been lodged in the Goalpara Detention Centre since March 2026.

A vacation Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and V Mohana also issued notice to the Union Government and sought its response on petitions filed by four women who have been declared foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 22. In the meantime, the Court directed that if Saleha Khatun and Sarbhanu Begum continue to remain in detention, they shall not be deported until the next date of hearing.

One killed, two injured after boundary wall collapses during sewage work in Delhi's Lodhi Colony.