Evening news wrap: PM Modi takes jibe on K’taka MLC elections; deadly Spain train crash kills over 60 & more | India News
- PM Modi took a swipe at Congress after it failed to win any of 28 legislative council seats across four states, while the BJP-JD(S) alliance swept Karnataka.
- At least 64 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain’s Toledo province on Wednesday, disrupting rail services, with the death toll expected to rise.
- The Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, raising rates to 63% from July 1 and benefiting over 1.17 crore employees and pensioners.
- India has lost 22 nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the West Asia conflict, the MEA said, adding that three Indians were killed in Saudi Arabia.
- Israel’s election produced no clear winner, with trends showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud leading, followed by challenger Gadi Eisenkot’s party.
Here are the top 5 stories from the day:
PM Modi takes swipe at Congress over Karnataka MLC elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi taunted Congress after it failed to win any of the 28 legislative council seats contested across Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The BJP-JD(S) alliance swept all four seats in Karnataka, with JD(S) wresting Bengaluru Teachers’ from Congress. In Bihar, Jan Suraaj Party won its first Legislative Council seat, defeating a sitting Congress MLC in Darbhanga. Read the full story
Over 60 killed after deadly train crash in Spain
At least 64 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain’s central Toledo province on Wednesday, according to local media. The crash disrupted rail services linking Madrid with Ciudad Real and Andalusia, with several passengers feared injured. Spain’s rail operator ADIF suspended services on affected routes. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with victims and their families as emergency teams responded. Read the full story
Cabinet approves 3% DA hike for central government employees
The Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective July 1, 2026. The increase raises the rates from 60% to 63% and will benefit 48.54 lakh employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners. The decision will cost the government an additional Rs 10,000 crore, information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Read the full story
MEA says 22 Indians, including 14 seafarers, killed in West Asia conflict
India has lost 22 nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that three Indians had died in Saudi Arabia. The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has escalated following Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, raising concerns over regional stability and maritime security.
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Netanyahu’s bloc ahead in Israel elections as Gadi Eisenkot’s trails behind
Vote counting continued in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party leading, ahead of challenger Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party. Nearly 78% of eligible voters turned out, the highest since 1999. The results do not yet establish the distribution of seats in the 120-member Knesset, with final figures expected in the coming days as absentee ballots are counted. Follow live updates
