World

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea at Israel’s behest, killing a sailor. He urged the EU, UN Security Council, and international community to hold Kyiv accountable, warning the strike could dangerously escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

A Canadian woman of Chinese origin was arrested in Belgium on espionage charges while working as an intern at NATO’s SHAPE headquarters. Authorities launched an investigation after NATO security services alerted intelligence agencies, though officials said alliance operations remain unaffected

Nepal has allowed Indian and Nepali citizens to carry Indian Rs 200 and Rs 500 notes up to INR 25,000, if issued after November 9, 2016. The move aims to ease currency movement, boost tourism and facilitate cross-border trade

Katy Perry condemned the White House for using her hit song Firework in a TikTok video showing US strikes on Iran, saying she never approved its use and that it contradicted the song's message of hope, healing and self-worth

The US has paused airstrikes on Iran as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent wider conflict. Negotiations focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though tensions remain high with President Donald Trump warning of renewed military action if talks fail

China issued its highest red typhoon alert as Typhoon Noul nears Guangdong, prompting emergency measures across southern regions. Authorities warned of strong winds, heavy rain and flooding, while Hong Kong cancelled hundreds of flights and train services and opened emergency shelters

At least 35 people were killed and around 30 injured when a civilian bus and an Interior Ministry bus collided on the desert highway linking Damascus with Deir el-Zour in Syria.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that an Indian national was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea on July 18. India condemned the attack, expressed condolences and called for the protection of maritime navigation and global commerce

India enjoyed a positive start to its Commonwealth Games swimming campaign as Olympian Srihari Nataraj qualified for the men's 50m backstroke semifinals, while para swimmers Budigina and Ali Imam advanced to the men's 100m freestyle S13 final in Glasgow

  Explosions struck near a US military base in Iraq's Irbil after Washington completed another wave of airstrikes on Iran. The escalating conflict widened with Houthi threats, shipping disruptions, soaring oil prices, and growing tensions over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz 

Salman Rushdie gave emotional testimony at Hadi Matar's federal terrorism trial, recounting the 2022 knife attack that cost him his right eye. Prosecutors allege Matar acted in support of Hezbollah, while the defence argues he acted alone.

Two men were stabbed in separate attacks on Manhattan's Upper West Side before NYPD officers arrested 51-year-old Raul Morales. Investigators are examining whether the assaults were hate crimes after witnesses said the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar" during both incidents.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games opened in Glasgow with a vibrant ceremony celebrating Scottish culture. Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain led India's contingent as flag-bearers, while King Charles III declared the Games open ahead of 11 days of competition featuring athletes from 74 nations.

Chinese delivery worker Wang Jibing’s Lu Xun Literary Prize win reaffirms literature’s capacity to celebrate authentic voices and imagination, regardless of where they emerge

Donald Trump warned Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels against further attacks on ships, saying the US would hold Iran responsible for any renewed aggression and threatened major military action if such incidents continue

Droupadi Murmu arrived in Romania on the final leg of her three-nation European tour, marking the first visit by an Indian president in over three decades. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, technology and other strategic sectors

India rejected Pakistan’s remarks at the UN, stating the Indus Waters Treaty cannot function amid cross-border terrorism. It reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India, while stressing sovereign control over natural resources and transparent, accountable governance during the Security Council debate

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the ASEAN Regional Forum that attacks on merchant shipping and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable, urging safe international waterways, stronger counter-terrorism efforts, maritime security cooperation, disaster resilience, and a legally binding South China Sea Code of Conduct

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation pact, known as a "123 agreement," establishing a legal framework for long-term collaboration in peaceful nuclear energy. The deal opens Saudi Arabia’s nuclear programme to American companies.

Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, alleging the vessels violated newly imposed maritime restrictions. The Houthis said missiles and drones caused fires on the ships, though the claims remain unverified.

The US military carried out its 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting infrastructure after repeated attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump warned that America would destroy Iranian bridges or power plants for every strike on vessels.

Hadi Matar, who attacked author Salman Rushdie in 2022 leaving him blind in one eye, has gone on trial in a US federal court on transnational terrorism charges. Prosecutors say he acted to fulfil the Iranian fatwa against Rushdie.

An Indian-origin US Army sergeant, Angela Rampersad, is feared killed in an Iranian drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The Pentagon said her status has been updated to “believed deceased” after initially being listed missing. Rampersad, 25, hailed from Ozone Park, Queens, and was serving with the 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command.

Pakistani security forces killed ten militants and arrested two female suicide bombers during sanitisation operations in Balochistan’s Surab and Mastung districts. The military said the operations targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) elements under its campaign against ‘Fitna al Khawarij’, recovering arms and explosives.