National News Updates

An investigative report has identified negligence by the railway engineering section as the primary cause of the 15904 Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda district.

At least three devotees were killed and six injured in a Kedarnath landslide triggered by rain on Sunday. The incident occurred between Gaurikund and Chirbasa. Police and DDRF rescued the injured, admitting them to a hospital. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences and ensured ongoing relief efforts.

The Union Budget 2024-2025, set for July 23, has stock market experts optimistic about capital goods, defence, ESDM, and tourism. Anticipations include infrastructure boosts in roads, railways, ports, and airports. Nifty grew by 0.3% recently due to strong IT performances. Significant investments are expected in power transmission and metro expansions.

Over 3.86 lakh devotees have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra since it started on June 29, with another batch of 3,113 pilgrims leaving Jammu for Kashmir on Sunday. The Yatra will conclude on August 29 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

284 more people entered India from Bangladesh via Dawki ICP in Meghalaya due to escalating violence. Among them, 168 are Nepali and 115 Indian, including eight students from Meghalaya. A total of 953 people have crossed the border in three days. The Assam government is coordinating with the MEA for safe repatriation.

An Austrian Steyr AUG assault rifle was recovered from two slain foreign terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir's Keran sector on July 18. This adds complexity to ongoing terrorism, with the first such weapon seized from militants dating back to 1988. AK series rifles have been used by militants since then, often supplied by Pakistani trainers. Security forces now face advanced weapons like the US-made M4 carbine and Israeli Tavor TAR-21.

UPSC chairman Manoj Soni has resigned, citing personal reasons, before his tenure ends in May 2029. His resignation is not related to recent UPSC controversies involving IAS officer Puja Khedkar. Soni, who took office in May 2023, wishes to focus on socio-religious activities.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the most followed world leader on social media platform X. On July 14, PM Modi reached 100 million followers, surpassing leaders like Joe Biden and athletes like Virat Kohli. His organic presence is marked by active engagement and no paid promotions.

The Supreme Court has emphasized the need to encourage compounding of cheque bounce offences if parties are willing. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia noted the high number of pending cases and stressed prioritizing compensation over punishment under the NI Act. The court acquitted appellants in a special leave petition, citing a settlement between parties.

A day after train derailment at Gonda Railway Station, the loco pilot of Dibrugarh Express Train claimed that he heard an explosion sound just before the train went off the tracks. Even a passenger travelling in the train claims the same.

Can chants of Lord Jagannath cure ailment? Certainly, says renowned sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik with tears in his eyes and heart full of devotion. When the international sand art competition was underway in Moscow, Russia, Sudarsan Patnaik experienced one of the most divine moments of his life.

An Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco made a precautionary landing at Krasnoyarsk International Airport in Russia due to a potential cargo hold issue. The aircraft landed safely with 225 passengers and 19 crew members. Arrangements are being made for a ferry flight to continue the journey.

A Pune Court has sent Manorama Dilip Khedkar, mother of IAS-Probationary Officer Puja Khedkar, to police custody till July 20. Arrested in Mahad town after a viral video showed her threatening farmers with a pistol, she was traced under a fake name.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the Union Budget 2024 on July 23.

The Supreme Court sought a copy of Bihar Police's report on the NEET-UG question paper leak. CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were hearing pleas on NEET irregularities.