India News Highlights: Seven dead, three injured in a road accident in Jalna

Around 12 injured people were admitted to the district hospital. Out of those, four persons were in critical condition. After providing them with basic medical treatment, they have been referred to Lucknow in ambulances with life-support facility. At administration level, the arrangements were in Lucknow Trauma Centre and specialists are available there, says Dr MW Khan, Medical Superintendent, ASMC Gonda.

A road accident in Jalna district claimed seven, three injured as taxi falls into roadside well in Jalna's Badnapur tehsil. Jalna DM Shrikrishnanath Panchal says, some people were returning from Pandharpur. 15 people were seated in one vehicle out of which, 7 people unfortunately died. The remaining 8 including the driver are undergoing treatment. The Chief Minister called and took cognisance of the situation and also details of the deceased. He instructed the administration to take all the treatment expenses.

Union minister and local MP Kirti Vardhan Singh visited the accident spot. Since this train was going to Dibrugarh from Chandigarh, a special train has left from Gorakhpur to carry the passengers to their destination. The train will stop at Mankapur railway station, and buses have been arranged to take passengers to the railway station, Singh told PTI. He said the railway’s technical team will investigate the cause of the accident. The Railway Ministry said a high level inquiry has been ordered, apart from the probe by the Commission of Railway Safety.

IG Bastar Sundarraj P says, two STF jawans lost their lives after being seriously injured, 4 other jawans who were injured were given primary treatment in Bijapur after which they were sent to Raipur for treatment. They are now out of danger. The IG reported that the incident took place in the tri-junction area of Bastar-Bijapur-Sukma and search operation for Naxalites is going on in the area.

General Manager of North Eastern Railway Saumya Mathur comments on the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, says, so far 2 deaths have been reported and 31 injured.  The injured have all been sent to hospitals, and the remaining travelers will proceed from Mankapur on rescue trains. The deceased will receive compensation of Rs 10 lakh, the critically injured Rs 2.5 lakh, and the injured Rs 50,000.

All accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case in Patna have been sent to four days of CBI custody

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at BJP HQ to meet and thank the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers for their efforts in the Lok Sabha election victory. He will meet around 100-150 workers who worked tirelessly for three months, 24 hours a day, to ensure the party's victory, ANI quoted an anonymous BJP source as saying.

The Trinamool Congress has blamed Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh, which claimed four lives and left at least 20 people injured on Thursday.

While the party’s Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sushmita Dev said the railways, which serves as the primary mode of travel for millions, is no longer safe, TMC Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra commented that the railways appeared to have entered an “emergency room” phase after 10 years of the Narendra Modi government.

“Another train derailment. This time the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express! Indian Railways, which is the primary mode of travel for crores of common people is no more safe!”, Dev posted on X.

Ex gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs to the bereaved family, Rs. 2.5 lakhs for severe injury, and Rs. 50,000 for lesser injuries have been declared. An additional high-level inquiry has been ordered in addition to the CRS inquiry: Railway Ministry

On the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment, Pankaj Singh, CPRO, North Eastern Railway says, the train got derailed between Motiganj and Dhilai and 7 people were injured out of which 6 people suffered minor injuries, and 2 people died. Our priority is to complete the rescue operation at the earliest so that trains start plying on the route again. A helpline number has been established. A special train will be run for the passengers of this train to take them to their destination. The railway team has reached the spot to work on the restoration of the railway track.

Prior to the train derailment, the loco pilot reported hearing a blast, says railway official.

The railway medical van reached the site in a timely manner. Rescue operations have also begun. Help desks have been established at five locations. Additionally, our doctors have arrived at the site with medical equipment, and the railway team has also reached the location, says CPRO Pankaj Singh after some bogies of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Gonda railway station earlier today.

Twenty people have been hurt in the disaster, according to Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar. He reported that additional medical teams and ambulances are being brought to the scene in addition to the forty-member medical team and fifteen ambulances.

UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak told PTI that four deaths are reported in Gonda train accident as as several bogies of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh express derails in UP

The UP train derailment has taken place over a month after nine people were killed and 25 others were injured after the Kanchanjunga Express met with a collision on June 7, A container freight train had slammed into it near West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri.

UP Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar informed that two have died in derailment of Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district authorities to ensure proper treatment for those injured in the accident and took to X to express condolences over the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train derailment accident. He also wished for speedy recovery of the injured

Speaking on the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh express derailment, Pankaj Singh, CPRO, North Eastern Railway says, "...medical van of Railways has reached the spot and rescue operation has been started. Helpline numbers have been issued. It happened around 2.37 pm. As per initial info, 4-5 coaches derailed..."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath takes cognisance of the train accident in the Gonda district. He directs the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work; gives instructions for proper treatment of the injured, says CMO

At least two people have died and several are reported to be injured after multiple bogies of the Dibrugarh Express (15904) in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda derailed.

AIMIM chief and Hydrebad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, the CM of Assam is among the top 5 liars of India. In 1951, the Muslim population was 24.68 per cent. He is a liar, and he hates Muslims of Assam. In 1951, there was Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were not there. In 2001, the Muslim population was 30.92 per dent and in 2011 census, 34.22 per cent. Due to his lies, the entire administration hates the Muslims. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said Muslim population in Assam now 40 per cent.

The police informed court that Section 307 of IPC added to existing FIR against Manorama Khedkar and six others. Police seeks 7-day custody of Manorama Khedkar

The Pune rural police formally arrested Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial IAS probationer Puja Khedkar today from the Raigad region of Maharashtra. Prior to this week, when an old video purportedly showed the mother threatening farmers with a weapon went viral, the authorities were unable to locate the parents.

Speaking on Haryana elections, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, Haryana is the birthplace of Arvind Kejriwal. We have given a slogan - "Badlenge Haryana ka haal, ab layenge Kejriwal". People are anguished with all the parties, leaders. Kejriwal model has become famous all over the world. 43,000 jobs have been provided by Bhagwant Mann," says the AAP leader.We have seen in the last 10 years how double-engine government has worsened the state. The Army is working through contract, unemployment is at peak, farmers are affected by inflation, they don't get good price. We will go into election with these issues and fight the election on all the seats. We promise to provide a good alternative, says Singh

Following student protests that have resulted in at least nine fatalities, Bangladesh's junior minister of telecoms announced on Thursday that the government had ordered the nationwide closure of its mobile internet network.

--Two army personnel were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forest village in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district early Thursday, officials said, as security forces continued their operations despite inclement weather and challenging terrain.

--Terrorists opened fire on a makeshift security camp set up in a government school for the continuing search operations, resulting in a more than hour-long battle that occurred in Jaddan Bata village in the Kastigarh district at around two in the morning, officials said.

--Despite the difficult weather, an advanced light helicopter (ALH) transported one of the critically injured soldiers to the command hospital located in Udhampur, according to a defense spokesperson.

Malaysia has requested India to ease export curbs on some farm goods like rice and sugar, Malaysia's minister for plantation and commodities said on Thursday.

India's abrupt export curbs on farm goods are bad for Malaysia, Johari Bin Abdul Ghani said on the sidelines of an industry conference in New Delhi.

On 12 naxals killed in Gadchiroli, SP Neelotpal said, "Bodies of 12 naxals were recovered yesterday. The search operation is continuing. 1 officer and 2 jawans who were injured in the operation are receiving treatment at hospitals in Nagpur and Gadchiroli. We have recovered 7 automatic weapons including AK-47 rifles and 7 other weapons. Naxal literature also recovered. The govt has announced Rs 51 lakhs reward for the Gadchiroli police."

Former Maharashtra minister and BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar has accused NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar of deceiving the Maratha community on the issue of reservation.

Speaking at a party workers' meeting at Partur in Jalna district on Wednesday, he also called Pawar as 'Shakuni mama', a reference to the 'Mahabharata' character usually perceived as being wicked and shrewd.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said a decision on the potential entry of any leader in his party will be a collective one, refusing to confirm whether Ajit Pawar will be accommodated if he chooses to come back.

Sharad Pawar spoke on multiple issues during his interaction with reporters in Pune when he was asked whether his estranged nephew and current Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government will be welcomed back into the party.

Responding to a query, the Pawar senior said everyone has a place in the "house".

When reporters specifically asked if Ajit Pawar has a place in the NCP (SP), Sharad Pawar said, "Such decisions cannot be taken at the personal level. My colleagues who stood by me during the crisis will be asked first".

Heavy rains continued to lash several parts of Kerala, especially the hilly areas of its northern districts on Thursday, disrupting the normal life there.

Incidents of flooding, uprooting of trees and minor landslides have been reported from many parts of northern Kerala districts.

Widespread heavy rains have been reported in the hilly areas of Wayanad district with 29 houses partially damaged, over 700 people shifted to 22 camps and a rise in water levels of rivers flowing through the region.

Flagging the issue of "decline in real wages", the Congress on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been delivered a "stinging rebuke by voters" in his efforts to reach "400 paar" in the Lok Sabha but the Budget offers him the chance to achieve "Asli 400 paar" of a nationwide minimum wage of Rs 400 per day.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said multiple data sources, including the government's own official statistics, are unanimous in showing that workers can buy less today than they could 10 years ago.

The ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP on Thursday accused each other over the party affiliation of the person who murdered a 25-year-old man in this district.

According to police, Sheik Jilani (25), hacked Sheik Rashid to death in the middle of a road at Mundlamuru bus station at Vinukonda in Palnadu district around 9 pm on Wednesday.

However, the local police noted that there 'was nothing political' in this incident but only personal enmity between the two.

Ursula von der Leyen pledged to be a strong leader for Europe in a time of crisis and polarization as she made her final leadership pitch Thursday in a speech to lawmakers at the European Parliament ahead of a vote on whether to grant her a second five-year term as president of the European Union's executive commission.

The secret ballot at the 720-seat parliament comes hot on the heels of strong gains by the far right in last month's election for the European Parliament.

Police have detained Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, in a case of allegedly threatening some persons by brandishing a gun over a land dispute, officials said on Wednesday.

She was apprehended from Mahad in Maharashtra's Raigad district, a Pune police official said.

Meanwhile, the Pune ACB has received a complaint seeking an open inquiry against Dilip Khedkar, a retired government officer and father of controversial IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, in connection with alleged disproportionate assets, a senior official said.

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge attacked the BJP on July 18. He said, "Look at the past 10 years. They have toppled more than 15-16 governments, and more than 450 MLAs were bought. It is the Standard Operating Procedure (of the BJP). The same thing is going on right now. They are forcing our officers and people to tell CM's and DCM's names. They are forcing our people to say that this money has been used for elections."

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has called a meeting of Shiv Sena's (Shinde faction's) leaders today to be held at his official residence Varsha bungalow to discuss Assembly elections.

Student protesters demanding an end to quotas for government jobs in Bangladesh called on Thursday for a complete shutdown nationwide, after deadly clashes this week killed six and injured hundreds.

Soon after, India issued advisory asking its citizens to avoid travelling to the neighbouring country.

Angered by high youth unemployment, with nearly 32 million out of work or education among a population of 170 million, the students have pressed for the abolition of a quota of 30% reservations for the families of freedom fighters.

"We will go ahead with our plans for complete shutdown. All establishments will remain closed," protest coordinator Nahid Islam told Reuters.

"Only hospitals and emergency services will remain operational, with ambulance services being the sole permitted transport."

US Republican vice presidential nominee J D Vance praised former president Donald Trump and promised to fight for working-class Americans "cast aside and forgotten" by the Democrats, as he made his debut at the Republican National Convention.

Vance, 39, formally accepted the Republican vice-presidential nomination on the third day of the convention on Wednesday, making him among the youngest Americans to ever fill that role.

CJI makes it clear that a reexamination cannot be ordered merely because a lakh of students want a reexamination or haven’t gotten admission. He says “can happen only if Sanctity of the exam has been affected.

In the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak hearing, which began on July 18's morning, CJI DY Chandrachud asked the petitioners to “show that the leak is so systemic and it has affected the exam across the country in such a way that exam has to be cancelled. If we do not agree to re exam then we would like to know what other investigation is needed.”

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is holding meeting with his party's leader after 29 corporators joined his uncle Sharad Pawar's NCP faction. Junior Pawar is meeting party leaders from Pimpri Chinchwad and it is being held at Pune Circuit House.

Supreme Court on July 18 adjourned petitions challenging retrospective GST notices to online gaming companies to July 31. CJI DY Chandrachud indicated that the cases will be listed on July 31 only for directions/ house keeping purposes. The case is likely to be heard on a subsequent date.

The Supreme Court began the hearing on the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. The case will be heard by a bench led by the chief justice of India DY Chandrachud. "There is some urgency in the NEET matters, several students are waiting. We will open the NEET matter today," the CJI remarked before the beginning of the hearing, Live Law reported.

Democrats worried about President Joe Biden's ability to win this November are making a renewed push for him to reconsider his reelection bid, using mountains of data, frank conversations and now, his own time off the campaign trail after testing positive for Covid, to encourage a reassessment.

Biden has insisted he is not backing down, adamant that he is the candidate who beat Republican Donald Trump before and will do it again this year. But publicly and privately, key Democrats are sending signals of concern, and some hope he will assess the trajectory of the race and his legacy during this few days' pause.

Telangana government is all set to launch a farm loan waiver programme, part of its poll promise benefitting 70 lakh farmers, on Thursday, official sources said.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier announced that the government would implement the loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh by August 15.

The loan waiver funds up to Rs one lakh will be deposited in the farmers' accounts at 4 pm on Thursday.

A wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police, officials reported on Thursday.

Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena stated, "Shahnoor alias Shanu, aged 38, was wanted in multiple cases, including murder. He sustained injuries during an encounter with the STF team on Wednesday night. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead."

Shanu, originally from Sambhal district, had been evading arrest and hiding in Pithnapur village in the Tilhar area of Shahjahanpur.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud administered the oath of office to Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh as a Supreme Court judge this morning. Additionally, Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, R Mahadevan, also took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court.

The TMC is preparing to present two resolutions during the upcoming West Bengal assembly session starting July 22. One resolution will address alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance exam, while the second will focus on concerns over the rapid implementation of new criminal laws.

West Bengal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay confirmed that the session will span ten days, but did not comment on specific bills or resolutions that may also be tabled.

The CBI has reportedly questioned three students from AIIMS Patna concerning the NEET-UG paper leak case, officials said today. Further specifics about these students and their involvement have not been disclosed.

Earlier, the agency had arrested Pankaj Kumar, also known as Aditya, a civil engineer from the 2017 batch of the National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur. He is accused of stealing the NEET-UG paper from the NTA trunk in Hazaribagh.

Manorama Khedkar, the mother of controversial IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, has been detained by police for allegedly threatening individuals with a gun during a land dispute incident in Dhadwali village, Mulshi tehsil, Pune. She was apprehended from Mahad in Maharashtra's Raigad district following a search by Pune police.

The Khedkar couple and five others have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, including Section 323 related to fraudulent removal or concealment of property.

The inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar at Puri's Jagannath Temple is scheduled to be opened today between 9:51 am and 12:15 pm. This is being done to shift the valuables to a strong room inside the temple complex.

Republican US vice-presidential nominee Senator J.D. Vance praised the contributions of immigrants from South Asia for enriching America during his acceptance of the Republican Party's nomination for the vice presidency in the upcoming November 5 presidential election. He specifically lauded his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, acknowledging her role and impact.

"I am married to the daughter of South Asian immigrants to this country, incredible people, people who genuinely have enriched the country in so many ways," Vance, 39, stated during his compelling acceptance speech on the third day of the four-day Republican National Convention.

Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance, made her national political debut at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. She introduced her husband, portraying him as a "working class guy" who triumphed over childhood challenges to attend Yale Law School. She highlighted his Marine service in Iraq and his fondness for playful activities like interacting with puppies and enjoying the movie "Babe."

Drawing a contrast, she shared her own background of a middle-class upbringing in San Diego with his experiences of growing up in poverty in Appalachia.

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has posted a video on social media purportedly showing a Palestinian flag being waved during a procession in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. Adhikari demanded police action in response to the video.

However, police stated that they currently have no information about the incident but are investigating the matter.

Three militants were killed in a police encounter in a hilly area of Cachar district on July 16. Police seized two AK series rifles, a 9 mm pistol, ammunition, and other weapons during the operation.

Kangkan Jyoti Saikia, DIG (South Range), reported that police had initially apprehended three militants along with arms. Upon interrogation, these militants led the police to another group located in the Bhuban hills area. When the police team approached, the militants opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate.

In the ensuing gunfight, three militants sustained injuries and were rushed to Sonai hospital and later transferred to Silchar Medical College Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Mumbai and its suburbs are anticipating moderate to heavy rainfall today, with isolated areas likely to experience very heavy showers. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), high tide waves are expected to peak at 3.78 meters around 10:03 AM and 3.23 meters by 9:35 PM.

Indian Navy's warship INS Teg is currently engaged in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations to assist the capsized Oil Tanker MV Prestige Falcớn. The vessel capsized approximately 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, Oman, on July 15.

Despite challenging weather conditions with rough seas and strong winds, INS Teg has successfully rescued eight Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan crew member from the distressed tanker.

Two Special Task Force (STF) personnel lost their lives, and four others sustained injuries when Naxalites detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, according to police reports on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Tarrem area as a joint team of security forces was returning from an anti-Naxalite operation in the forested region spanning Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada districts, a local police official stated.

The operation, involving personnel from the STF, District Reserve Guard, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its elite CoBRA unit, was launched on Tuesday following intelligence inputs regarding the presence of Naxalites from the Darbha and west Bastar divisions, along with military company no. 2.

Doda district, which was cleared of terrorism in 2005, has witnessed a series of attacks since June 12, when six security personnel were injured in a terror attack in Chattergala pass, followed by a firefight in Gandoh the next day which left one policeman injured.

Three terrorists were killed in a day-long operation in Gandoh area of the district on June 26, while another encounter occurred in Ghadi Bhagwah forest on July 9.

A total of 27 persons, including 11 security personnel, a village defense guard, and five terrorists, were killed in nearly a dozen terror attacks in six districts of Jammu province since the beginning of this year. The dead also included seven pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district on June 9.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a major crackdown on the terror network following a deadly encounter in Doda, where four Indian Army personnel, including an officer, were killed in action on Monday. The police have reported the arrest of several overground workers and supporters of terrorists as the crackdown intensifies. Many troops from the army and paramilitary forces are conducting search operations and maintaining area domination in the region.