TODAY NEWS ON July 18, 2026

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Express and others

Garry Sobers, legendary West Indies cricketer, no more

Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history and a former West Indies captain, died in Bridgetown on Friday (July 17, 2026) at the age of 89. The death of the legendary cricketer was confirmed by his son Daniel. Sobers was only 10 days shy of completing his 90th birthday.

Andy Burnham confirmed as new Labour leader, U.K. PM-designate

Andy Burnham was on Friday (July 17, 2026) confirmed as the newly elected leader of the U.K.’s governing Labour Party, becoming the Prime Minister-designate to take charge at 10 Downing Street next week. Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) chair Shabana Mahmood announced at a special party conference in London.

India’s development did not come to standstill despite oil supply crisis: PM Modi

Indian Railways would have come to a standstill had the situation from the West Asia conflict arisen before 2014 because most trains then ran on diesel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday (July 17, 2026) while stressing that nearly 99% of the network has been electrified in the 12 years of his government.

Opposition support grows as Wangchuk’s hunger strike continues on day 20

Activist Sonam Wangchuk lost 350 grams in weight and was experiencing mild dehydration on Friday (July 26, 2026), his physician Satish Lamba said, according to a statement issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Mr. Wangchuk has entered the 20th day of his indefinite hunger strike demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Fearing fake certificates, Centre orders stricter scrutiny of digitised birth and death records

Amid a surge in demand for digitised birth certificates, the office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) is implementing stringent checks to prevent fraudulent digitisation of old records. The RGI informed the States in June that in certain instances, the credentials of registrars have been compromised due to user IDs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs) being shared with unauthorised persons. On July 6, the RGI asked States to identify “Registration Units showing unexplained spikes in registrations”.

India’s first private orbital rocket Vikram-1 set for lift-off

Forty-six years after India successfully launched its first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), history is set to repeat itself as Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket, prepares to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on July 18 (Saturday) at 11.30 a.m.

U.S. airstrikes on Iran appear to have damaged Chabahar port; India says no damage to its terminal

U.S. airstrikes on Friday (July 17, 2026) appeared to have collapsed a tower at Iran’s Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman, but India sought to clarify that the Shahid Beheshti terminal that it operates at the Chabahar port in Iran has not faced any damage.

7.3-magnitude quake hits Mexico-Guatemala border; no damage reported

A strong earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday (July 17, 2026), right on the border with Guatemala, and was felt from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities have not immediately reported any severe damage or casualties in any country.

West Asia crisis, uncertain monsoon major risks for growth: RBI Governor

Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra has said the West Asia crisis and the expectation of a weak monsoon present significant risks to economic growth. “Despite global uncertainties, India has witnessed an over 7% growth rate in the past few years. Last financial year, India clocked a growth rate of 7.7% supported by strong and robust macroeconomic fundamentals,” he said in an interview.

Supreme Court to examine whether persons deleted from voter list in SIR can be denied welfare schemes

The Supreme Court on Friday (July 17, 2026) sought a response from the Election Commission of India, West Bengal government, and the Chief Electoral Officer of the State on a petition seeking time-bound disposal of appeals filed by person excluded from the voter list following the SIR process.

A Bench hearing a petition by Prasenjit Bose, chairperson of the SIR Committee, West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, said only 38,000 of the 34 lakh appeals have been heard so far by the tribunals.

Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance of matter regarding access to life-saving medicines

The Supreme Court on Friday (July 17, 2026) took on its own cognisance of a matter regarding access to life-saving medicines and judicial expediency in issues pertaining right to life.

The matter relates to a woman in Kerala, who was suffering from breast cancer and had moved the State High Court challenging the exorbitant prices of medicine for treatment. She died during the pendency of the plea in the high court.

U.S. Senate Bill seeks 100% tariffs on India, 4 other nations for buying Russian oil

A Bill seeking to impose 100% tariffs on five countries, including India and China, for buying Russian oil, while exempting European nations purchasing gas from Moscow, was introduced in the U.S. Senate with the support of over 60 lawmakers. The Bill, introduced on Thursday (July 16, 2026), was conceived by Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal and late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.