National News: Latest India Updates

Ahmedabad firecracker factory has a deadly past, says family

IANS | July 18, 2026 10:08 PM

Ahmedabad, July 18 (IANS) Fresh allegations have emerged against the operators of the firecracker manufacturing unit where nine people were killed in an explosion in Ahmedabad’s Ramol area on Saturday, with relatives of a victim claiming the business had been running for around 25 years, workers were recruited through debt, and a similar fatal blast at the same premises about 14 years ago failed to result in meaningful action.

PM Modi condoles Chennamma’s demise, speaks to Deve Gowda

IANS | July 18, 2026 9:14 PM

Bengaluru/New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deep grief over the demise of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Big jolt to Uddhav Thackeray: LS approves merger of 6 rebel Shiv Sena MPs into Shinde faction

IANS | July 18, 2026 8:42 PM

New Delhi/Mumbai, July 18 (IANS) In a major political development, the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Saturday took a significant decision regarding the six rebel MPs who broke away from the Uddhav Thackeray‑led Shiv Sena to support Eknath Shinde’s faction. The Secretariat has officially approved the merger of this six‑member rebel MP group into Shinde’s Shiv Sena.

K’taka leaders condole passing of Deve Gowda’s wife Chennamma

IANS | July 18, 2026 7:42 PM

Bengaluru, July 18 (IANS) Former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and B.S. Yediyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Saturday expressed their condolences over the demise of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

CBI conducts searches at 15 locations in Mumbai, Delhi in Reliance ADA Group cases

IANS | July 18, 2026 7:17 PM

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it conducted searches at 15 premises in Mumbai and here in connection with cases registered against Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd. (RCFL) and Reliance Home Finance Ltd. (RHFL), both Reliance ADA Group companies led by Anil D. Ambani.

E20 fuel blending among India's most consequential policy successes: Amit Malviya

IANS | July 18, 2026 6:52 PM

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya on Saturday described the government's Ethanol Blending Programme (E20) as one of India's biggest public policy successes, saying it has boosted farmer incomes, strengthened energy security and reduced dependence on imported crude oil.

Gujarat: Five dead, several injured in explosion at illegal firecracker factory in Ahmedabad

IANS | July 18, 2026 6:16 PM

Ahmedabad, July 18 (IANS) At least five people were killed, and nine others were injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad's Vastral area on Saturday, triggering a major fire and a large-scale rescue operation, officials said.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express train

IANS | July 18, 2026 6:11 PM

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday virtually flagged off the inaugural service of the Ramnagar-Dehradun Express, marking the commencement of the first-ever direct 'Express' train connecting these areas.

Aadhaar App hits 4 crore downloads amid rising use of digital services

IANS | July 18, 2026 5:48 PM

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) The government-backed Aadhaar App has crossed 4 crore (40 million) downloads, reflecting growing adoption of digital identity services as millions of residents use the platform to update Aadhaar details, manage security settings and access other services, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said on Saturday.

Mumbai ED files charge sheet against ‘godman’ Ashok Kharat, 5 others; Rs 36 crore assets seized

IANS | July 18, 2026 3:40 PM

Mumbai, July 18 (IANS) The ED filed a charge sheet against self-proclaimed ‘godman’ Ashokkumar Eknath Kharat @Captain @ Bondhu Baba, his wife and four others for money-laundering linked to an extortion racket run under the guise of spiritual practices, an official statement said on Saturday.

national

Ahmedabad firecracker factory has a deadly past, says family

PM Modi condoles Chennamma’s demise, speaks to Deve Gowda

Big jolt to Uddhav Thackeray: LS approves merger of 6 rebel Shiv Sena MPs into Shinde faction

K’taka leaders condole passing of Deve Gowda’s wife Chennamma

CBI conducts searches at 15 locations in Mumbai, Delhi in Reliance ADA Group cases

E20 fuel blending among India's most consequential policy successes: Amit Malviya

Gujarat: Five dead, several injured in explosion at illegal firecracker factory in Ahmedabad

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off first direct Ramnagar-Dehradun Express train

Aadhaar App hits 4 crore downloads amid rising use of digital services

Mumbai ED files charge sheet against ‘godman’ Ashok Kharat, 5 others; Rs 36 crore assets seized

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