India

Rupee gains 14 paise early Friday but crude, outflows limit upside

The Indian rupee opened 14 paise higher against the US dollar in early trade on Friday. Positive momentum in domestic equity markets lent support to the currency. However, persistent foreign fund outflows and elevated crude oil prices restricted further gains. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept investors cautious about emerging market currencies. Analysts expect the rupee to trade in a narrow range with a downward bias in the near term.

Trump Alleges China Stole US Voter Data; Skeptics Question the Claim

The Trump administration has alleged that China stole American voters' data, a claim that has not convinced everyone. The White House used the occasion to launch a new 'Election Integrity' section on its official website. The section features declassified documents organized across four broad categories. The move appears aimed at raising concerns about foreign interference in US elections, though the basis for the China allegation remains disputed.

India news Live Updates, 17 July 2026: Three students killed as train rams school van in Bengal’s Murshidabad

Gujarat ATS widens JeM crackdown, arrests 5 more in terror module probe

India's Revised CAFE Norms Offer Incentives for Ethanol-Powered Vehicles

India has updated its Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, which set fuel economy targets for automakers as a fleet average rather than for individual car models. The revised rules give a regulatory advantage to vehicles running on ethanol-based fuels, making them more attractive for manufacturers to produce. For carmakers, selling more ethanol-powered vehicles helps meet their overall fleet efficiency targets more easily. This shift could encourage automakers to expand their ethanol-vehicle lineup and potentially offer such cars at more competitive prices. Buyers may benefit from a wider selection of ethanol-compatible vehicles as manufacturers respond to the updated compliance framework.

US strikes collapse tower at Iran's Chabahar port, Hegseth shares photo

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a photograph showing the collapse of a tower at Iran's Chabahar port following American airstrikes. Chabahar port has been struck multiple times in recent US military operations targeting Iran. Iranian state media confirmed a third round of strikes on the facility but did not immediately acknowledge the tower's destruction. Iran described the collapsed tower as one that monitored commercial shipping traffic into the port. However, Iran's Revolutionary Guard is also known to operate at ports across the country, raising questions about the site's purely civilian function.

Three Children Killed After Train Hits School Van in Murshidabad

A tragic accident occurred in Murshidabad when a train collided with a school van, resulting in the deaths of three children. The incident highlights the dangers at unmanned or poorly monitored railway crossings. Murshidabad is a district in West Bengal, India. Further details about the exact location, timing, and circumstances of the crash are awaited. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the collision.

Karnataka HC: Mercedes owner cannot call Rs 20,000 wife maintenance excessive

The Karnataka High Court dismissed a husband's divorce appeal that was filed on grounds of cruelty and desertion by his wife. The court upheld an earlier order directing the husband to pay interim maintenance to his wife. Noting that the man owned a Mercedes-Benz, the court rejected his claim that the maintenance amount was excessive. The husband was unable to substantiate his allegations of cruelty against his wife in court. The bench also determined that the wife had sufficient cause to live separately from her husband.

US to deny visas and green cards to immigrants likely to seek public aid

The US government has revised its public charge immigration rule, allowing authorities to deny visas and green cards to immigrants deemed likely to rely on public assistance. The updated regulation restores wider discretionary powers to immigration officers when evaluating applicants. The policy change is set to take effect on September 18, 2026. Alongside this, the USCIS has also introduced updated guidelines concerning signatures on immigration benefit requests.

Two Students Killed as Train Hits Van in West Bengal's Murshidabad

A train collided with a van in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, killing three people, including two students. The incident took place at approximately 7 am local time. The victims were reportedly on their way to school when the accident occurred. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the collision.

India coach dismisses Kohli-Gambhir rift talk ahead of first ODI at Edgbaston

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir gave a blunt response dismissing reports of any rift between himself and Virat Kohli ahead of the first ODI against England at Edgbaston. During a net session, Kohli was observed batting while Gambhir watched from close proximity without any visible interaction between the two. Team mentor or support staff member Kotak was, however, seen engaging in conversation with the former India captain during the session. Gambhir's 'no bridge needed' remark suggests he sees no issue requiring resolution between himself and Kohli.

US Strikes Hit Bridges, Airport and Train Station in Iran, Killing 7

The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out airstrikes on Iran for the sixth consecutive night, concluding at dawn on Friday. The strikes targeted key infrastructure including bridges, an airport, and a train station. CENTCOM reported hitting dozens of targets during this latest round of attacks. The strikes resulted in seven fatalities on the Iranian side.

Aamir Khan Denies 3 Idiots Character Chatur Was Based on Sonam Wangchuk

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has publicly clarified that the 2009 film '3 Idiots' was not based on real-life innovator Sonam Wangchuk. Speaking at a public event, Khan stated that neither he nor the film's writers were aware of Wangchuk during the making of the movie. He specifically addressed claims linking the character Chatur to Wangchuk, calling such comparisons incorrect. The clarification comes amid long-standing public speculation about the inspirations behind characters in the iconic film.

Train collides with school van in Bengal's Murshidabad; several students critical

How renters can protect themselves from AI-powered rental scams

Online rental scams have grown more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, enabling fraudsters to create fake property listings and impersonate landlords convincingly. Unsuspecting tenants are increasingly being targeted through deceptive tactics designed to extract money before any legitimate transaction occurs. Experts advise renters to treat unusually low rental prices as a red flag and be wary of landlords who avoid in-person property viewings. Verifying property ownership and conducting physical visits before committing to any payment are considered essential precautions. Using secure payment methods is also recommended to reduce financial risk when renting a property online.

Modi to launch Rs 24,800 Cr projects, flag off India's first hydrogen train

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch development projects worth over Rs 24,800 crore spanning Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab. The initiatives cover key sectors including highways, railways, healthcare, and education infrastructure. A major highlight of the visit is the flagging off of India's first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat route. Modi will also inaugurate completed projects and lay foundation stones for new ones during the visit. The rollout is aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and improving public services across the three regions.

NTA Releases NEET UG 2026 Cut-Off With Results; Over 11.21 Lakh Qualify

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the NEET UG 2026 cut-off marks alongside the examination results. The cut-off details category-wise qualifying percentiles and marks needed for medical college admissions. More than 11.21 lakh candidates have cleared the exam and are now eligible to take part in the counselling process. The qualifying marks this year are higher than those of the previous year, indicating an improvement in overall candidate performance.

Google DeepMind Researcher Quits Over Classified Pentagon AI Deal

Google DeepMind researcher Alex Turner has resigned in protest over the company's classified contract with the Pentagon. The deal grants the U.S. military access to Google's Gemini AI for any lawful purpose, with no binding restrictions on autonomous weapons or surveillance. Turner published a detailed 2,000-word resignation note titled 'Why I Left Google DeepMind,' outlining his reasons for leaving. He described months of internal efforts to push back, including petitions, emails to executives, and a 25-page policy framework, all of which failed to produce change. Turner also criticized prominent AI ethics figures, including Stuart Russell, for remaining silent on the matter.

Rachit Singh Denies Wedding Rumours With Huma Qureshi

Actor and acting coach Rachit Singh has firmly dismissed rumours of a wedding with Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi. Speculation about the two had gained momentum after they were spotted together at a wedding reception and made several public appearances as a pair. Rachit, who has worked as an acting coach for over a decade, addressed his professional relationship with both Huma and her brother, actor Saqib Saleem. He also took the opportunity to speak about his long-term ambition of pursuing acting throughout his life.

Wangchuk Enters Day 20 of Hunger Strike Ahead of July 20 Parliament March

Activist Sonam Wangchuk is continuing his hunger strike into its 20th day, with plans to participate in a march to Parliament on July 20. The protests are centered around demands for action over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The Cockroach Janta Party has voiced its support for Wangchuk and the ongoing demonstrations. Several political leaders have raised concerns about the activist's declining health as the strike prolongs. Wangchuk has remained defiant, signaling he intends to press forward with the movement regardless of the personal cost.