India

Canadian Teen Wins BC Entrepreneurship Prize for Smart Plant Irrigation System

Tiya Aggarwal, a Canadian high school student, has won the top prize at a British Columbia entrepreneurship competition. Her invention, called Aquora150, is a smart irrigation system capable of automatically adjusting care for over 150 plant species. The system incorporates humidity-capturing technology to keep houseplants hydrated without manual intervention. Beyond plant care, Aquora150 is designed to reduce consumption of water, plastic, and glass waste.

'39,000 soldiers guarding you': Trump reduces military drills with S Korea over Iran

Zoho's Sridhar Vembu warns soaring memory and AI token costs strain businesses

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has raised concerns about the sharp rise in computer memory prices, particularly for DDR5 RAM, and their impact on businesses. He noted that increasing AI token costs are compounding the financial pressure on companies. Vembu stressed that these escalating expenses are making day-to-day business operations significantly more difficult. To address the challenge, he called for the development of more memory-efficient programming languages and improved compilers.

ED warns homebuyers to verify RERA details before investing in any project

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a warning to homebuyers about builders who withhold RERA registration information. The agency stressed that verifying a project's registration and required approvals before making any financial commitment is essential. ED flagged demands for cash payments and missing documentation as major warning signs of potential fraud. Homebuyers are advised to take these red flags seriously to protect themselves from unscrupulous builders.

Teen Lifeguard Who Saved Boy at California Beach Invited to White House by Trump

Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams rescued 10-year-old Nathanial Rai from dangerous waters at a California beach. The rescue gained widespread attention after footage of the incident went viral online. President Donald Trump took notice and invited both Williams and Rai to the White House. During the visit, Trump reportedly joked with the young boy about the rescue. The incident has also reignited discussions about whether lifeguards should be formally recognized as first responders.

'Not a single protester died': Rijiju defends police action at Jantar Mantar

Karnataka Retired Teacher Killed by Daughter and Her Lover in Property Dispute

A retired teacher named Siddappa from Karnataka was allegedly killed by his younger daughter Priyanka and her lover in a dispute over property. The crime came to light following a complaint filed by Siddappa's elder daughter, Nikhita, with local police. Investigators uncovered Priyanka's alleged involvement during the course of their inquiry into the case. The incident highlights a troubling case of familial violence rooted in a property disagreement.

India News Live Updates, 18 August 2026: 8 labourers killed in Madhya Pradesh road accident

Bombay HC Fines Maharashtra Food Body Rs 5 Lakh for Wrongful License Cancellation

A Bombay High Court bench has ordered Maharashtra's food regulatory body to pay Rs 5 lakh in compensation to the owners of a Pune shop. The court found that the department had acted excessively in not restoring the shop's food license. Along with directing the compensation payment, the bench also permitted the shop to resume its business operations. The fine must be paid to the shop owners within one month of the order.

Delhi University suspends PhD scholar caught on CCTV slapping professor

Delhi University has suspended a PhD student and banned him from campus after CCTV footage showed him physically assaulting a professor. An official complaint has been filed and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The university took swift disciplinary action following the emergence of the footage. The Democratic Teachers' Front condemned the attack and called on the institution to implement stronger safety measures for faculty members, citing a pattern of violent incidents on campus.

Gadkari Cites Mumbai-Pune Expressway as Model for Long-Term Infrastructure Planning

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, built 27 years ago, as an example of durable infrastructure that remains pothole-free to this day. He stressed that infrastructure projects should be planned with a long-term vision spanning 25 to 50 years. Gadkari argued that short-term thinking fails to meet the future demands of a growing nation. He called for a shift in approach, urging planners and policymakers to look beyond immediate requirements when designing public infrastructure.

8 labourers dead, 32 hurt as pickup collides with truck on MP highway

Eight labourers were killed and 32 others injured in a road accident on Tuesday morning in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district. The collision took place near Chhimka village on the Bhind-Gwalior National Highway when their pickup vehicle veered into a dumper truck while avoiding cattle on the road. The victims were agricultural workers travelling back home after finishing paddy transplantation work in Gwalior. Emergency responders reached the scene swiftly and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital for medical care.

Student leader Mahato breaks hunger strike after Jharkhand government agrees to cancel JSSC-CGL exam

Delhi University Suspends PhD Scholar for Assaulting Professor on Campus

A PhD scholar enrolled in Delhi University's law program has been suspended following an alleged physical assault on a professor. The incident was captured on CCTV footage, which served as key evidence in the university's decision. The university acted swiftly by banning the scholar from entering the campus premises. The assault has drawn significant attention to issues of conduct and discipline within academic institutions.

Mirae Asset ShareKhan Picks Mphasis, Supreme Industries Among Top Buys for Aug 18

Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, has released his stock recommendations for August 18, 2026. The analyst has identified four stocks as top buys for the trading session. Mphasis, Supreme Industries, United Spirits, and Kfin Technologies feature on the recommended list. These picks are intended to guide retail investors in their trading decisions for the day.

'I apologise on his behalf': Vijay after minister's Karunanidhi reference

Sarfaraz urges Jadeja to stay patient as India dominates Sri Lanka at lunch

India reduced Sri Lanka to 99 for 5 by the lunch break, with Manav Suthar leading the bowling attack. Ravindra Jadeja had not taken a wicket at that point in the innings. Sarfaraz Khan was picked up by the stump microphone encouraging Jadeja to be patient. He reassured Jadeja that the wickets would be shared among the Indian bowlers.

Russian oppn leader Lev Shlosberg jailed for 11 years for anti-war remarks

Bangladeshi Woman Arrested in Mumbai for Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation

Mumbai Police have arrested a Bangladeshi woman for illegally re-entering India approximately one month after she was deported. The woman had previously been removed from Indian territory through official deportation proceedings. Despite being sent back to Bangladesh, she managed to cross back into India without authorization. Authorities apprehended her upon detecting her unauthorized presence in Mumbai. The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal border crossings and re-entry by previously deported individuals.

'What you did was incredible': Trump meets California lifeguard and boy he rescued