Daily Morning Brief - 22 July - Top News Updates from India, world, economy and odisha

India

1. NEET paper leak row: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Akhilesh Yadav detained by police.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav were detained by Delhi Police while protesting the alleged NEET paper leak and other exam irregularities. The Opposition demanded a discussion in Parliament and strict action against those responsible.

2. Indian government summons Russian Ambassador: Four Indian sailors killed in a Russian missile attack on Odesa, Ukraine.
India summoned the Russian Ambassador after four Indian sailors were killed in a missile strike on a cargo vessel near Odesa, Ukraine. The government condemned the attack on commercial shipping and called for the safety of civilians and merchant vessels.

3. CJP protest receives support from politicians and Bollywood celebrities.
The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) protest received support from several political leaders and Bollywood celebrities. The demonstrations focused on civil rights, justice for affected communities, and greater accountability from the authorities.

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World

4. Donald Trump imposes a 50% tariff on Canada.
Former US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on selected Canadian imports to protect American industries. The move has raised concerns over growing trade tensions and possible disruptions to North American supply chains.

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Economy

5. No plan to increase ethanol blending beyond 20% in petrol, says the Minister of State for Petroleum in the Rajya Sabha.
The government has clarified that there is no immediate plan to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond 20%. Any future increase will depend on scientific studies, vehicle compatibility, and its impact on consumers.

6. No proposal to remove the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax at present.
The Centre informed Parliament that there is currently no proposal to abolish the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax on equity investments. The existing tax structure will continue for the time being.

7. India's public debt is expected to cross ₹218 lakh crore by the end of the year; ₹14.04 lakh crore will be spent on interest payments alone.
The Union Government's total debt is projected to exceed ₹218 lakh crore by the end of the financial year. Interest payments alone are estimated at ₹14.04 lakh crore, reflecting the growing cost of servicing public debt.

Also Read: Changing Governments Is Not Enough: India Needs Better Governance

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Odisha

8. Panchayat election notification likely to be issued in March.
The Odisha Government is expected to issue the Panchayat election notification in March, officially beginning the election process for rural local bodies across the state.

9. Sixteen High Court judge posts remain vacant in Odisha; nearly 1.69 lakh cases are pending.
The Orissa High Court is functioning with 16 vacant judges' posts, while nearly 1.69 lakh cases remain pending. The shortage of judges continues to delay the disposal of cases across the state.