Quick Reads
News Dabba for 04 July 2025: Five stories for a balanced news diet
Here are the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites.
Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from Himachal monsoon havoc, Russia's attacks on Kiev, to Gujarat govt amending Factories Act.
63 dead, dozens missing in Himachal monsoon havoc, NDTV reports
At least 63 people have died and dozens more are missing as Himachal Pradesh battles cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, NDTV reports, after days of continous and heavy monsoon rainfall. A heavy rain alert is in place for all districts in the state till Monday, July 7. Property worth Rs 400 crore has been damaged, the government said, noting relief and search-and-rescue operations were underway, particularly in Mandi district, the worst-affected, the report adds. The monsoon entered Himachal Pradesh June 20 and, as it does every year, wreaked havoc across the state. Read the full report here.
Gujarat govt amends Factories Act: Indian Express
The Gujarat government has promulgated an ordinance — Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 — amending the Factories Act, 1948 allowing 12-hour work shifts, with a cap of 48 hours in a week and night shifts for women among others. Indian Express reports the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department of the state government promulgated the ordinance on July 1 as the Gujarat Assembly is not in session. The ordinance states that it has been promulgated “to grant relaxation to the factories to boost economic activities, attract investment in national importance to new projects and generate employment”. Read the full report here.
Kyiv hit by barrage of drone strikes as Putin rejects Trump's truce bid, BBC reports
A pall of acrid smoke hung over Kyiv on Friday morning following a night of intensive Russian strikes that hit almost every district of the capital, BBC reports according to Ukrainian authorities. The hours of darkness were once again punctuated by the staccato of air defence guns, buzz of drones and large explosions. The report says that Ukraine said Russia had fired a record 550 drones and 11 missiles during a long night of bombardment. The strikes came hours after a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, after which the US president said he was "disappointed" that Putin was not ready to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Read the full report here.
Prada dragged to court over 'Kolhapuri chappals' in 2026 collection, Hindustan Times
The controversy surrounding Italian luxury fashion house Prada featuring footwear "inspired" by Kolhapuri chappals seems to be snowballing. Hindustan Times reports that days after the brand broke silence amid backlash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court, seeking compensation for Kolhapuri chappal artisans. The plea also alleged that the Italian brand copied the Kolhapuri chappals design in the Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show. Read the full report here.
Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, The Straits Times
US President Donald Trump said that his administration will setting unilateral tariff rates, which he said countries would have to begin paying on August 1, The Straits Times reports. Trump told reporters that about “10 or 12” letters would go out on July 4, with additional letters coming “over the next few days”. Trump has long threatened that if countries fail to reach deals with the US before next week’s deadline, he would simply impose rates on them, raising the stakes for trading partners who have rushed to secure agreements with his administration. Read the full report here.
