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Vikram-1, country’s first private orbital rocket, successfully places tech payloads, postcards into orbit
India achieved a major milestone in its space journey on Saturday (July 18, 2026) as Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, successfully placed multiple technology demonstration payloads and postcards — including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi — into a low earth orbit. Dubbed ‘Mission Aagaman’ (meaning arrival), the mission marks India’s entry into…
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U.S., Iran escalate strikes across West Asia
The United States and Iran exchanged strikes aimed at infrastructure and military targets on Saturday (July 18, 2026) as their battle over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks in a conflict increasingly focused on control of the strait. The collapse of an interim ceasefire leaves no clear end…
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Magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits southeastern Turkiye: disaster agency
A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck several southeastern provinces in Turkiye on Saturday (July 18, 2026) morning without causing casualties or damage, the country’s disaster management agency said. “No adverse situation has been reported following the magnitude 5 earthquake that occurred at 6:20 am (0320 GMT) in the Battalgazi district, in Malatya province, and was felt in…
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The tragedy of recurring Rohingya refugee deaths
Story so far: A fishing trawler carrying around 250–280 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, capsized in the Andaman Sea in mid-April 2026 while attempting to reach Malaysia. According to UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), around 250 people are feared dead or missing, based on preliminary…
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More than 500 feared dead as officials investigate reports of boats capsizing in recent weeks
Rohingya refugees crew a fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal. File (Image used for representational purpose only) | Photo Credit: Reuters More than 500 people are feared dead after reports that two boats carrying members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya minority have capsized in the Bay of Bengal, officials said on Thursday (July 16, 2026).…
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West Asia war LIVE: Iran claims strikes on U.S. targets in Kuwait, Jordan
Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location, during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released July 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: U.S. Central Command via Reuters Iran’s army said it struck U.S. military targets in Kuwait and Jordan in response…