India

London court denies bail to Indian captain of seized Russian oil tanker

A London court has refused bail to an Indian ship captain facing charges of violating international sanctions. The captain's oil tanker was seized after he allegedly transported sanctioned Russian oil products. The court cited flight risk as the primary reason for denying bail. A four-week trial is set to commence in mid-December. Meanwhile, 24 crew members continue to remain on board the detained vessel.

Skyroot's Vikram-1 to become India's first private orbital rocket at Sriharikota

Skyroot Aerospace is preparing to launch Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital rocket, from Sriharikota. The milestone comes 46 years after ISRO conducted its historic SLV-3 mission from the same site. Standing 22 metres tall, the rocket is constructed using advanced composite materials. The maiden flight is primarily a test mission designed to collect critical data to support future launches. The launch is widely seen as a landmark moment for India's growing private space industry.

India’s first, 2 geothermal wells commissioned in Ladakh

Yamal trains separately as precaution before Spain vs Argentina World Cup final

Spain winger Lamine Yamal trained apart from the main squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, raising brief fitness concerns. The Royal Spanish Football Federation and coach Luis de la Fuente clarified the session was purely precautionary. Defender Pedro Porro also followed an individual training programme alongside Yamal. Both players are expected to be fully fit for Sunday's final. Spain are aiming to claim their fourth World Cup title in the high-profile clash.

Trump Plans to Replace Undocumented Truckers With Military Veterans

President Trump announced plans for what he described as 'historic action' targeting undocumented truck drivers in the United States. Speaking at a military investment summit, Trump signaled his administration's intent to remove immigrant truckers from the industry. The move would aim to replace undocumented workers in the trucking sector with military veterans. The announcement reflects the administration's broader push to prioritize American citizens and veterans in key industries.

UK Government Takes Control of British Steel to Prevent Plant Closure

The UK government has nationalised British Steel, taking control of the company from Chinese owner Jingye Group. The move was prompted by Jingye's announcement that the Scunthorpe plant in northern England was no longer financially viable. The Scunthorpe facility is the country's last remaining steelworks capable of producing steel from raw materials. Authorities stepped in to prevent the imminent closure of the strategically important plant.

BCCI confirms Rohit Sharma will play on beyond Lord's ODI, dismisses retirement talk

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has firmly quashed speculation about Rohit Sharma's retirement from international cricket. He stated that the upcoming Lord's ODI will not be Rohit's final appearance for India. The board considers Rohit a key part of India's ongoing ODI plans. BCCI leadership was reportedly unhappy with how the retirement rumours were allowed to circulate. Rohit currently needs 13 more ODIs to reach the milestone of 300 appearances.

Mumbai Parents Speak Out After Losing Only Son in Tree Collapse Tragedy

Gaurav and Juhi Srivastav, parents of a boy killed in a Mumbai tree collapse, spoke to NDTV on Friday about their grief. The couple shared that their daily lives had completely centered around their only son. In the interview with journalist Shiv Aroor, they described the profound void left by his sudden death. The bereaved parents said they are now trying to find a new sense of purpose in the wake of the tragedy.

Delhi's Rs 2,000-Crore Twin-Tower Secretariat at ITO to Invite Global Bids Next Month

The Delhi government is set to float international bids next month for its proposed Rs 2,000-crore secretariat project. The development will feature a twin-tower complex located at ITO in the heart of the capital. The project is intended to serve as the new headquarters for the Delhi government. It aims to consolidate multiple departments currently scattered across various locations in the city under a single roof.

GPS Study Reveals Solar Farm Fences Block Pronghorn Migration in New Mexico

Scientists fitted 75 pronghorns — the fastest land animals in the Americas — with GPS collars to monitor their movement near a solar energy project in New Mexico. The study found that fences surrounding the solar farm pose a major obstacle to the animals' migration. Unlike deer, pronghorns typically crawl under fences rather than jumping over them, making standard fencing especially restrictive. Researchers found that the barriers were disrupting the animals' traditional migration corridors. The team recommends simple modifications to existing fences that could allow pronghorns to pass through while keeping the solar infrastructure intact.

US Delivers Another MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter to Indian Navy, Two More on the Way

The US Embassy announced on Friday that an additional MH-60R Seahawk helicopter has been handed over to the Indian Navy. Two more such helicopters are expected to arrive in the near future. The announcement highlights the expanding defence cooperation between the United States and India. The US Embassy described the bilateral defence partnership as 'growing stronger' with this latest delivery.

Daily Horoscope Predictions for All 12 Zodiac Signs: July 18, 2026

A professional astrologer has prepared daily horoscope readings for all 12 zodiac signs for July 18, 2026. The predictions are based on an analysis of current planetary movements and star alignments. Each zodiac sign receives a tailored forecast reflecting the astrological influences of the day. The readings aim to provide guidance on what individuals across all signs might expect on this date.

Secret Service Agents Frustrated by Vance Family's Unpredictable Travel Requests

US Secret Service agents have reportedly grown frustrated with what they describe as last-minute and demanding travel requests from Vice President JD Vance's family. The tension has been building among agents assigned to protect the Vance household. One incident that drew particular irritation involved a request to transport Vance and his young son across Washington on Marine Two for a private golf lesson. The use of official government aircraft for such personal trips is said to have contributed to low morale within the detail. The report highlights growing friction between the Vice President's family and their assigned security personnel.

Himalayan Pangolin Confirmed as Distinct Species Nearly 200 Years After First Description

Scientists have officially recognized the Himalayan pangolin, Manis aurita, as a distinct species, nearly two centuries after naturalist Brian Hodgson first described it in Nepal in 1836. The rediscovery was made possible through genetic analysis of smuggled pangolin scales, which revealed a unique lineage. This lineage was found to match Hodgson's long-overlooked historical description, confirming the species' separate identity. The finding underscores how modern genomic tools can validate and revive forgotten scientific observations from the past.

US Woman Rose from Waitress to Cartel Leader After Failed Marriage

Chelsie Anderson, an American woman, transitioned from working as a waitress to becoming a significant figure in international drug trafficking. Following the breakdown of her marriage, she connected with a global cartel and rapidly advanced through its ranks. She eventually took on a leadership role in the criminal organization, overseeing large weekly drug shipments. Her case highlights the complex networks and diverse individuals that make up international drug trafficking operations.

US Judge Allows Meta to Proceed With Layoffs of Staff Who Filed AI Bias Suit

A US federal judge has ruled that Meta may go ahead with terminating employees who sued the company over alleged AI-related discrimination. Judge William Orrick of the US District Court in Oakland, California, issued the written order declining to block the layoffs. The dismissals were scheduled to begin on July 22. The underlying legal claims brought by the workers will be examined through private arbitration rather than in open court.

KBC Season 18 to Prioritise Critical Thinking Over Memorisation from Aug 10

Amitabh Bachchan returns to host the 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, set to premiere on August 10. The show's latest promos signal a notable shift in its approach, emphasising critical thinking and decision-making over rote memorisation. Contestants relying solely on memorised facts will find the updated format more challenging. The change reflects the growing influence of artificial intelligence and a broader need to apply knowledge meaningfully in the modern era.

Shashi Tharoor Briefly Trapped in Kerala Hotel Lift Before Being Rescued

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was briefly stuck in a hotel lift in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. The incident occurred at a private hotel where Tharoor had arrived to attend the installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Trivandrum East. He was successfully rescued after being trapped for a short period. Tharoor was seen smiling following his rescue, appearing unfazed by the ordeal.

Family demands posthumous marriage after woman dies by suicide over boyfriend's refusal

Tension erupted in Ponduru village after the family of a woman named Keerthi brought her body to her boyfriend's home following her death by suicide. Keerthi reportedly took her life after her boyfriend, Sai, refused to marry her. Her family demanded that he marry her corpse before her last rites could be carried out, claiming it was her dying wish. The standoff was eventually resolved after Sai's family agreed to the cremation proceedings. The incident has drawn attention to the emotional and social pressures surrounding unfulfilled marriage commitments.

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