In this busy world where people hardly find time to stay updated, Attention India brings you the top news and insights of the day. From Virat Kohli’s assurance to the BCCI about working harmoniously with Gautam Gambhir despite their past disputes, to the major Microsoft outage impacting global IT services, the unrest in Bangladesh with protesters storming a jail, the NEET UG 2024 results set to be announced, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s criticism of Karnataka’s jobs reservation bill, and the controversy surrounding IAS officer Puja Khedkar, we cover all the major highlights. Stay informed, read on!
Kohli and Gambhir: Moving Past Differences
Virat Kohli has assured the BCCI that his past disputes with Gautam Gambhir will not affect their working relationship now that Gambhir is India’s head coach. Concerns had been raised about how Kohli and Gambhir’s history might impact team dynamics. Despite this, both players have agreed to focus on the common goal of advancing Indian cricket. Kohli and Gambhir, previously involved in on-field conflicts, have since shown a willingness to move past their differences. Kohli has confirmed his readiness to work with Gambhir, and both players were seen sharing friendly moments during IPL 2024. Kohli even addressed the situation humorously, suggesting that their personal issues are not for public scrutiny.
Global Disruptions: Microsoft Outage Causes Chaos
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On July 19, 2024, a major Microsoft outage caused widespread disruptions globally. Microsoft is addressing issues with its cloud services in the Central US region, which have impacted services worldwide. Major airlines, including Akasa and Spicejet, reported disruptions to their flight operations and online services, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi. The outage, linked to a faulty CrowdStrike update, has led to system failures affecting various sectors, including aviation, banking, and media. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz confirmed that the issue was not a cyberattack but a defect in an update. While some services are being restored, residual impacts persist, causing significant delays and cancellations.
IAS Officer Puja Khedkar on UPSC FIR
Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar responded to the Union Public Services Commission’s (UPSC) FIR against her, saying, “The judiciary will take its course; I will respond accordingly.” UPSC has also issued a show cause notice for her Civil Services Examination-2022 candidature cancellation. Khedkar, a Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, is accused of fraudulently exceeding examination attempts by altering personal details and misusing her position for unauthorized perks during training. Her training was halted due to these allegations and her misuse of power, including bullying staff and improperly using a high-ranking official’s beacon on a private car. The Centre has set up a probe panel to investigate further.
Tharoor Criticizes Karnataka’s Jobs Reservation Bill
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the Karnataka government’s controversial jobs reservation bill, labeling it “unconstitutional” and “unwise.” Tharoor questioned the rationale behind the bill, which mandates that 50% of management and 70% of non-management jobs in private firms must be reserved for local Kannadigas. He warned that such a policy could drive businesses to neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, echoing concerns from industry leaders. The bill was put on hold due to backlash from business bodies. Tharoor also noted the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s previous decision against a similar bill in Haryana, urging Karnataka to reconsider.
NEET UG 2024 Results : SC Order
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will announce the NEET UG 2024 results by 12 noon on July 20, 2024, following a Supreme Court order. Candidates can check their results on the NTA NEET official website at exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/ and neet.ntaonline.in. The Supreme Court instructed that results be published city and center-wise while masking student identities. Approximately 24 lakh candidates appeared for the main exam held on May 5, 2024, with 1,563 candidates taking a re-exam on June 23, 2024. The results for the re-exam were announced on June 30, 2024.
Bangladesh Unrest Escalates: Protesters Storm Jail
In Bangladesh, escalating student protests over public service job quotas have turned violent, leading to at least 50 deaths this week. On July 19, demonstrators stormed a jail in Narsingdi, freeing hundreds of inmates and setting the facility ablaze. The unrest, sparked by dissatisfaction with job quotas, has expanded to broader anti-government protests driven by high inflation and unemployment. Authorities have disrupted mobile services to control the situation, though they deny links to a global cyber outage. Tarique Rahman of the opposition BNP has supported the protests. The term “Razakar,” used by protesters to accuse the government of collaborating with Pakistan during Bangladesh’s independence war, has aggravated tensions. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government faces growing criticism amid the chaos.