From global IT outage to ruckus in Bangladesh student protests: Today's top 10 morning news headlines

1. Microsoft reports global IT outage: What we know so far

Several global companies were hit on Friday morning due to the Microsoft cloud services outage. According to the sources several airlines, health systems, and emergency services were disrupted due to the outage. In India, major airlines including Indigo have informed passengers about the outage. 

2. Not a cyberattack? Indian government responds as Microsoft tackles widespread outage

Microsoft apps and services recently faced a global outage, which disrupted businesses worldwide. The outage affected various industries, including airports, television news stations, financial institutions, and emergency services. While Microsoft is working to resolve the issue, the Indian government has also taken steps to address the situation by preparing to issue a technical advisory.

3. UPSC initiates action against Puja Khedkar | Explained in 5 Points

Puja Khedkar who has been into soup for submitting the fake documents has been on radar of investigating agencies for some time now. Now, in one of the major developments, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanour of Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022. 

The Union Public Service Commission (#UPSC) has conducted a detailed and thorough investigation in the misdemeanour of Ms. Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar, a provisionally recommended candidate of the Civil Services Examination-2022.

From this investigation it has been revealed…

— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 19, 2024

4. 'Bhagwat aims Agni missile on PM Modi's residence,' Congress takes swipe at RSS chief's remarks

The Congress party took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that a recent statement by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat was aimed at him. The comment came during Bhagwat’s speech at a village-level workers meeting in Jharkhand on Tuesday. Bhagwat's remarks have sparked controversy and political discourse, with the Congress linking them to Modi's previous statements.

I am sure the self-anointed non-biological PM has got news of this latest Agni Missile, fired by Nagpur from Jharkhand and aimed at Lok Kalyan Marg https://t.co/zjJswu6vPd

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 18, 2024

5. Demand for Bhil Pradesh arises again; Tribals from Rajasthan and 3 other states ask for a separate state

The Rajasthan tribal community has once again demanded the creation of a new state called ‘Bhil Pradesh’ which has already been rejected by the state government earlier. The demand for a new state has come from breaking parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 

6. Double trouble for defaulters: NHAI to charge twofold for not displaying FASTag on front windshield

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to implement stricter measures for vehicles that do not have a FASTag on their front windshields. This includes charging defaulters twice the toll amount. The FASTag system is a part of the Indian government's initiative to promote electronic toll collection, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and enhance transparency.

7. Russia sentences Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich to 16 years for espionage

A Russian court convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. The conviction follows a rapid and secretive trial that many view as politically motivated. Both Gershkovich and his employer, along with the US government, have vehemently denied the charges and called the trial a sham.

8. Bangladesh student protesters torch jail, free hundreds of inmates

In a dramatic turn of events, student protesters in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district freed hundreds of inmates and set the local jail on fire on Friday. The chaos erupted amid ongoing violent demonstrations against the government's quota system. (Also read.)

9. Bangladeshi State TV headquarters set ablaze amid protests, 32 dead; Know what students are demanding?

Tensions erupted on Thursday, in Dhaka, violently as Bangladeshi students set fire to the headquarters of Bangladesh Television (BTV). This came just a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation on the network, attempting to calm escalating clashes that have already claimed the lives of at least 32 people.

⚡️Scenes from the protests in Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/OXBLj7HleA

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) July 18, 2024

10. Did Von der Leyen, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla had a corrupt $2.5 billion deal in procuring Covid-19 vaccines?

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has delivered a significant verdict to the European Commission and its President Ursula von der Leyen. The ECJ ruled on Wednesday that the European Union's executive body failed to provide adequate public information about its vaccine contracts with pharmaceutical companies during the COVID-19 pandemic.