The Rs 30,000 question: What is a homemaker’s work worth?

India's Supreme Court has recognized "loss of domestic care" as compensable, valuing homemakers' unpaid labor at Rs 30,000 monthly. This acknowledges the significant economic contribution of women's household work, estimated to be a substantial portion of GDP. Time-use surveys reveal a stark gender gap, with women dedicating far more hours to domestic duties, a disparity rooted in societal norms.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut defended his strong remarks against suspected rebel MPs, stating they are common Marathi usage and not abusive in the state's context. He questioned criticism, emphasizing that wrongdoing should be punished and vowed to fight any attempts to weaken the party.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has dismissed claims of a major split within his party. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of a history of engineering defections in opposition parties. Yadav stated the Samajwadi Party is prepared for such challenges. These remarks come amid political positioning for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

K Annamalai, after leaving the BJP, is set to transform his 'We the Leaders' movement into a political party by July. With 18 lakh members already joined, the organization aims to bring fresh leadership and address state issues like the drug menace. The party plans to introduce term limits for politicians.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government's temporary ban on Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, calling it a diversionary tactic targeting students instead of paper leak networks.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on June 11 reiterated India's commitment to strengthening Afghanistan's healthcare system, announcing the gifting of medical equipment for diagnosis, treatment, and specialised care to Afghan health authorities.

Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan has firmly stated that the Centre will not be permitted to interfere in the state's autonomy regarding school curriculum decisions. Following a cabinet meeting, Satheesan emphasized that shaping educational content is within the state's domain, asserting Kerala's commitment to safeguarding its authority in this matter.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of orchestrating the withdrawal of his and Rabri Devi's Z-plus security cover. Following the downgrade, RJD workers took over guarding Rabri Devi's residence, asserting their duty to protect her in the absence of Lalu and Tejashwi Yadav.

The Supreme Court's recognition of "loss of domestic care" as compensable, valuing homemakers' labor at Rs 30,000 monthly, marks a significant shift. This acknowledges the substantial economic contribution of unpaid household work, estimated to be a significant portion of India's GDP, and highlights the persistent gender gap in domestic responsibilities.

Russian messaging platform Telegram has challenged the Centre's decision to ban the app in the Delhi High Court. The temporary ban was imposed ahead of the NEET-UG re-test due to concerns over exam-related content circulation. Telegram is seeking judicial intervention against the government's restriction.

A 26-year-old migrant worker from Bihar, Rohit, is bedridden with multiple fractures after bravely rescuing colleagues from a Delhi building fire. He has received no compensation from the government, leaving his family struggling financially. With Rohit unable to work and his wife and sister caring for him, their children's education has been halted.

A disturbing sex racket in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, has taken a grim turn with police discovering one of the two arrested women has been HIV-positive for three years. The operation, which involved blackmail and false rape threats, saw four individuals apprehended.

The Bombay High Court ruled that a divorced wife cannot seek increased maintenance after her husband's death, but can still claim decreed amounts and arrears from his estate. The court clarified that the right to maintenance is personal and lasts a lifetime, but seeking enhancement requires both parties to be alive.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs are reportedly considering switching to the Eknath Shinde faction. Reports suggest financial incentives and ministerial positions are being offered. Sanjay Raut has voiced strong objections to these alleged offers. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of his legislators. Discussions about MPs joining the Shinde Sena are said to be in final stages.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has searched 17 locations linked to Suraksha Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (SARCL) promoter Sudhir Valia and senior executives. The searches are part of a money laundering probe into alleged collusion between SARCL and Yes Bank's former co-promoter Rana Kapoor, involving circular transactions and undervaluation of assets.

Cough syrups will now require a doctor's prescription as the Centre has removed them from a decades-old exemption. This move, following concerns over contaminated syrups, brings all formulations under regular regulatory oversight. The change aims to enhance accountability and public health safety in the distribution of these commonly used medicines.

El Niño poses a risk to India's farming this year, with a predicted 'below normal' monsoon and a 35% deficit already impacting sowing. However, the country has learned from past droughts, implementing measures like expanded irrigation and drought-resistant crops to mitigate the impact. Vulnerable states are preparing contingency plans.

Ignou is investigating allegations of question papers being sold on Telegram for its June-July 2026 term-end exams, with touts reportedly charging Rs 199 per subject. Despite complaints and screenshots shared, the university claims no evidence of a leak and has not cancelled any papers.

'Lack Of Trust, Respect For Int'l Law In World'

'Lack Of Trust, Respect For Int'l Law In World'

Authorities returned the body of Rashid Mughal to his family over two months after his death in an alleged encounter, a rare occurrence in J&K. The Army had initially claimed he was an unidentified terrorist, a statement his family disputes, leading to a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Panic spread in Rajouri's Kotli Kalaban village as land subsidence created large cracks. Agricultural fields, roads, and homes suffered damage. District officials evacuated residents from two severely damaged houses. The Geological Survey of India has been called to assess the situation. This follows similar incidents in Doda, Ramban, Reasi, and Poonch districts in recent years.

Four Army personnel, including a JCO and three jawans, were injured in an accidental landmine blast during a patrol near the LoC in Rajouri district. The explosion occurred during an area domination exercise in a forward area, with displaced mines due to rain cited as a potential cause.

Houslisting operations for Census 2027 are progressing, with 23 states and Union Territories completing this initial phase. Himachal Pradesh recently began its field operations, while Kerala and Nagaland launched self-enumeration. This digital-first census aims for comprehensive coverage, collecting data on housing and household details through a structured questionnaire.

A UN report reveals 92% of Indian children face extreme heat, with 89 million exposed to heatwaves. While India has Heat Action Plans, they lack child-specific measures. India's high hazard exposure score, especially for extreme heat and air pollution, highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect young lives.

In the wake of Prime Minister Modi's encounter with Donald Trump at the G7, opposition factions have come out strongly against him, highlighting the heartbreaking deaths of three Indians due to a US military strike. The Congress party circulated a video purportedly showing Trump dismissing Modi, and the AAP denounced the cordiality of their interaction as 'embarrassing.

The Calcutta High Court has stepped into a political quagmire, examining the West Bengal Assembly Speaker's role in appointing the Leader of Opposition amidst a contentious dispute. Rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee's unexpected rise over candidate Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, endorsed by Mamata Banerjee, has raised eyebrows.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had a brief interaction at the G7 Summit in France, their first in 16 months. The leaders were seen shaking hands and engaging in conversation, with Trump also patting Modi's arm. They were seated next to each other during a summit session.