Here is a roundup of important news headlines for July 18, covering significant political updates, economic developments, law enforcement actions, and international events.

NATION

PM flags off India's first hydrogen-powered train, calls it successful example of Make in India campaign

Jind (Haryana): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train connecting Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, calling it a major leap towards green mobility and a successful example of the 'Make in India' campaign.

CJP Protest: I will stay alive till July 20 at any cost, says Wangchuk; Pawan Khera visits agitators

New Delhi: Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday asserted that he would "stay alive till July 20 at any cost", even as his indefinite hunger strike entered its 20th day amid a warning from doctors that his prolonged fast has reached a critical stage. 

Jind: PM Modi lays foundation stone, dedicates to nation development projects worth Rs 14,700 cr

Jind (Haryana): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 14,700 crore, giving a boost to road connectivity, healthcare and strengthening cultural heritage. 

India trashes remarks by ex-Japan minister on bullet train project

New Delhi: As remarks by a former Japanese minister on delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project triggered a controversy, India on Friday dismissed the criticism, stating it is an "individual opinion" that is "at considerable variance with facts". 

Gyanesh Kumar a 'weapon of mass destruction' for electoral rolls: Cong's Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday slammed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar as a "complete weapon of mass destruction" for electoral rolls in the country and said the opposition would push for his removal as the poll panel chief.

PM Modi announced Ram temple trust in Parliament, must break silence on floor of House: Cong

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in Parliament the setting up of the Ram temple trust whose activities have resulted in "aastha dhoka" (betrayal of faith), and demanded that he must break his silence on the donations "theft" there on the floor of the House. 

NEET topper says paper leak was demoralising, calls for strict action against offenders

New Delhi: Panshul Bansal from Haryana, who emerged as one of the toppers in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026 re-examination with an All India Rank 2 and a 99.9999 percentile, said on Friday that the paper leak controversy left him disheartened initially, but pushed him to study with renewed focus for the re-exam. 

Bangladesh's request to extradite Sheikh Hasina under scrutiny: New Delhi

New Delhi: India on Friday said a request by Dhaka to extradite Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina was still under scrutiny. 

Aamir says Sonam Wangchuk didn't inspire '3 Idiots' role; draws reactions from RJD, Congress, AAP

New Delhi: Aamir Khan on Friday sparked a debate with his comments that his "3 Idiots" character of Phunsukh Wangdu was not based on Sonam Wangchuk, drawing criticism from parties like RJD, Congress and AAP, which said the actor was unwilling to take a stand out of fear of the ruling establishment.

DMK to study Bill on delimitation, decide matter on 'merit'

Chennai: The DMK on Friday said it will study the Bill on proposed delimitation, as and when it is tabled in Parliament, and take a decision based on "merits" to protect Tamil Nadu's interests.

BJP slams Cong for opposing bill giving statutory protection to Vande Mataram

New Delhi: The BJP on Friday criticised the Congress for allegedly opposing the Centre's move to table a Bill that provides for punishment for insulting or obstructing the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram at official events, in the upcoming Parliament session. 

Fadnavis might get national role; senior BJP leader could replace him in Maharashtra: Raut

Nagpur: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed on Friday that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis might move to the Centre and a BJP minister could take his post in the state if a cabinet reshuffle takes place in the coming months. 

Four school students among five dead as train hits pool car at open level crossing in Bengal

Kolkata: A train rammed a pool car on an open level crossing in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Friday, killing four school students and a bicycle rider, officials said.

LEGAL

SC to hear Centre plea against HC verdict nullifying tenders for visa services at Indian missions

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on July 20 the Centre's plea against a Delhi High Court verdict setting aside the tender awarded to private firms for outsourcing Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) services at Indian missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra. 

SC to hear on Monday plea against Kerala HC order limiting Waqf Board from taking major decisions

New Delhi: The Supreme Court agreed to hear on July 20 a plea challenging a Kerala High Court order restraining the state Waqf Board from taking any major decision without its permission.

2020 Delhi riots: HC seeks police's stand on bail plea by Sharjeel Imam in UAPA case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the Delhi Police's stand on student activist Sharjeel Imam's plea seeking bail in a case under the anti-terror UAPA law concerning the "larger conspiracy" behind the February 2020 riots here. 

SC seeks responses of EC, Bengal govt on plea for data on claims of voters deleted under SIR

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Election Commission, the West Bengal government and the state poll panel on a PIL seeking disclosure of assembly constituency-wise data of claims and objections filed by deleted voters during the SIR process.

BUSINESS

Rupee rises 12 paise to close at 96.30 against US dollar

Mumbai: The rupee appreciated 12 paise to settle at 96.30 against the US dollar on Friday supported by positive domestic markets and a decline in the US treasury yields. 

Gold hits three-week low as West Asia turmoil keeps bullion on edge

New Delhi: Gold resumed its downward trend in the national capital on Friday, falling Rs 800 to Rs 1.45 lakh per 10 grams as a rally in crude oil dampened investors' sentiment amid the widening conflict in West Asia.

FOREIGN

Andy Burnham elected new Labour Party leader, UK PM-designate

London: Andy Burnham was on Friday confirmed as the newly elected leader of the UK's governing Labour Party, becoming the prime minister-designate to take charge at 10 Downing Street next week.

NRIs can bring USD 70-80 bn into India through FCNR deposits: expert

Singapore: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have the potential to bring USD 70-80 billion in foreign currency inflows into India through the ongoing FCNR initiative, under which banks are offering higher interest rates for a limited period, a Singapore-based chartered accountant said on Friday. 

US Senate bill seeks 100% tariffs on India, 4 other nations for buying Russian oil

Washington: A bill seeking to impose 100 per cent tariffs on five countries, including India and China, for buying Russian oil, while exempting European nations purchasing gas from Moscow, was introduced in the US Senate with the support of over 60 lawmakers.