India's services sector activities touched the highest mark since April 2011 amid current improvements in demand conditions, even as cost pressures in the service economy remained stubbornly high, a monthly survey said on july 5 .

The seasonally adjusted S&P Global India Services PMI Business Activity Index rose from 58.9 in May to 59.2 in June -- its highest mark since April 2011.

For the eleventh straight month, the services sector witnessed an expansion in output. In Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) parlance, a print above 50 means expansion while a score below 50 denotes contraction.

June data showed the fastest rise in selling prices since July 2017, as several companies sought to transfer part of their additional cost burdens to clients.

According to the survey, unrelenting inflation continued to concern businesses, who were cautiously optimistic about the year-ahead outlook for business activity.

The overall level of sentiment was well below its long-run average as only 9 per cent of companies forecast output growth.

On the job front, some companies responded to capacity pressures by hiring additional staff in June, but the vast majority (94 per cent) left payroll numbers unchanged.

Overall, services employment rose marginally, following a decline in May.

Meanwhile, the S&P Global India Composite PMI Output Index -- which measures combined services and manufacturing output -- was at 58.2 in June, little changed from 58.3 in May.

On july 1 , the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the Indian economy is well on the path to recovery even though inflationary pressures and geopolitical risks warrant careful handling and close monitoring of the situation.

The government has completed the strategic disinvestment of Nilachal Ispat Nigam (NINL) with the transfer of 93.7% stake to Tata Steel Long Products for the consideration of Rs 12,100 crore, it said . Tata Group had earlier this year acquired Air India, the first privatisation by the Narendra Modi-led government.

NINL is a joint venture of 4 CPSEs, namely MMTC, NMDC, BHEL, MECON and two Odisha state PSUs - OMC and IPICOL. MMTC was the largest shareholder in NINL having 49.78% followed by NMDC at 10.8%, BHEL and MECON both at 0.68%.

The enterprise value paid by the strategic buyer is Rs 12,100 crore. This payment has been utilised as per the SPA (sale and purchase agreement) for settlement of dues of employees, operational creditors, secured financial creditors and sellers and for equity of selling shareholders as per SPA,” the government release said.

Sini Shetty of Karnataka was crowned the coveted title of Femina Miss India World 2022, Rajasthan's Rubal Shekhawat as First Runner-Up, and Uttar Pradesh's Shinata Chauhan as Second Runner-Up during a glamorous ceremony held on July 3 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

21-year-old Sini Shetty was born in Mumbai and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance. Currently, she is pursuing a professional course called CFA (chartered financial analyst). She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.

Previous winners Lara Dutta, Sarah Jane Dias, Sandhya Chib, Nafisa Joseph, Rekha Hande, and Lymaraina D' Souza have also marked milestones for Karnataka.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on july 4  barred hotels and restaurants from levying service charge automatically or by default in food bills and allowed customers to file complaints in case of violation.

Amid rising complaints, the CCPA has issued guidelines for preventing unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights with regard to levying of service charge.

As per the guidelines, "No hotels or restaurants shall add service charge automatically or by default in the bill." There should not be any collection of service charge by any other name, it added.

No hotel or restaurant can force a consumer to pay service charge. They have to clearly inform the consumer that service charge is voluntary, optional and at the consumer's discretion.

The BJP on july 4 denied the reports that senior JD(U) leader and Union minister RCP Singh has joined the saffron party, saying he was in Hyderabad to attend a government programme.

The BJP's two-day national executive meeting concluded in Hyderabad on july 3. "This news is completely misleading that RCP Singh has joined BJP at the party's national executive meeting. He came to Hyderabad for a government programme and was welcomed by BJP workers at the airport who were already present there," senior BJP leader from Bihar Sushil Modi tweeted.

There was speculation about Singh's next course of action after JD(U) top brass denied him Rajya Sabha ticket despite being the minister from the party's quota.

The Delhi Assembly on july 4 passed bills pertaining to over 66 per cent hike in salaries and allowances of its members, the first raise in last 11 years for the legislators who are considered the lowest-paid lawmakers in the country.

Five different bills were tabled for the hike in salaries of ministers, MLAs, chief whip, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, which were passed by the members. These bills will now be sent for president's approval.

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Notable among his works are 'Kancher Swarga' (1962), 'Palatak' (1963), 'Kuheli' (1971), Shriman Prithviraj (1972), 'Balika Badhu' (1976), 'Thagini' (1974), 'Ganadevata' (1978), Dadar Kirti (1980), 'Bhalobasa Bhalobasa' (1986). Majumdar, who received Padma Shri in 1990, has five Filmfare awards to his credit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on july 4  declared victory in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, one day after Ukrainian forces withdrew from their last remaining bulwark of resistance in the province.

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Putin in a televised meeting on july 4  that Russian forces had taken control of Luhansk, which together with the neighbouring Donetsk province makes up Ukraine's industrial heartland of Donbas.

Shoigu told Putin that “the operation” was completed on july 3  after Russian troops overran the city of Lysychansk, the last stronghold of Ukrainian forces in Luhansk.

Putin, in turn, said that the military units “that took part in active hostilities and achieved success, victory” in Luhansk, “should rest, increase their combat capabilities.”

Putin’s declaration came as Russian forces tried to press their offensive deeper into eastern Ukraine after the Ukrainian military confirmed that its forces had withdrawn from Lysychansk on july 3 . Luhansk governor Serhii Haidai said that Ukrainian forces had retreated from the city to avoid being surrounded.