4 years on, Govt plugs cost escalation loophole in Jal Jeevan projects

The safeguard, called “Tender premium”, refers to the additional amount quoted by a project bidder that is higher than the Government’s estimated cost.

Ankita Lokhande Picks Cow Dung With Bare Hands, Embraces 'Gau Seva'

(MENAFN - IANS) Mumbai, May 18 (IANS) Television superstar Ankita Lokhande recently gave her fans a glimpse of her deeply spiritual side as she shared videos from a 'gaushala' (cow shed) visit with ...

Rakul Preet Singh Shares A Glimpse Of Her Day Fuelled By 'Coffee, Glam And Good Music'

(MENAFN - IANS) Mumbai, May 18 (IANS) Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh, whose latest release is–Pati Patni Aur Woh Do–, shared a glimpse into a day of her life, which she said was powered ...

Trump targets political rivals ahead of midterms

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Man on death row fights conviction after testimony from hypnotized witness 03:41 Good News: Wrong number leads to unlikely friendship 01:51 Multiple commencement speakers booed for AI comments during graduation speeches 01:35 Midair jet collision forces lockdown at Idaho Air [...] The post Trump targets political rivals ahead of midterms appeared first on News7tv .

World News Today Live Updates on May 18, 2026 : White House says China will buy at least $17 billion in US agricultural products every year until 2028

World News Today Live Updates on May 18, 2026: Stay informed on global events with our in-depth world news coverage, bringing you the latest developments across politics, economy, and culture. Discover insights into international affairs, breaking news, and the trends shaping our interconnected world, all in one place.

White House says China will buy at least $17 billion in US agricultural products every year until 2028

China has pledged to purchase at least $17 billion in US agricultural products each year through 2028, the White House confirmed, as bilateral trade boards are established to expand market access

Fossil-fuelled growth: India home to over 35% of world's 'dirtier & richer' cities

As India navigates rapid urbanization, it faces a pressing crisis: approximately 35% of the world's most polluted affluent cities are located here. While major metropolitan areas are making strides towards cleaner urban living, numerous smaller cities continue to depend on fossil fuels for transportation, manufacturing, and energy.

Bill Ackman says Microsoft investment reflects confidence in AI demand

Ackman pointed to Microsoft's strategic position in cloud computing and its links to AI development as drivers behind the investment. The discussion underscores broader institutional enthusiasm surrounding infrastructure supporting AI adoption.... Article link

Fossil-fuelled growth: India home to over 35% of world's 'dirtier & richer' cities - The Times of India

Fossil-fuelled growth: India home to over 35% of world's 'dirtier & richer' cities The Times of India 80% of the world’s biggest cities has managed to grow their economies without air pollution increase The Global Energy Association Couple goals: Can economic growth finally go green? Irish Examiner Global mapping of city-level economic growth decoupling from fossil fuels Nature Cities are rewriting growth rules as wealth rises, pollution drops and a long-assumed link starts to break Science X

Despite top court raps, Jharkhand does not secure Saranda’s prized sal forests, jumbo herds

One of the country’s most significant sal forest landscapes, Saranda is a biodiversity hotspot. But deforestation and mining in the region have increasingly pushed elephant herds into neighbouring states.

4 crew members eject safely after two Navy jets collide during air show in Idaho

Officials say all four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided during an air show at a military base in Idaho. Emergency crews responded after the EA18-G Growlers crashed at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western...

5.2-magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea Region -- GFZ

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City becomes the 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVPs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City becomes the 14th player to win back-to-back NBA MVPs.

White House mass prayer event seeks to reclaim US Christian roots

US President Donald Trump and top cabinet officials addressed thousands of Americans at a mass prayer rally in Washington on Sunday – an event critics saw as an overt display of Christian nationalism undermining the separation of church and state. The gathering was organised by the White House as part of a programme of celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary and billed as an opportunity to revive the idea of a country founded on Christian principles. During the outdoor event on the National...

MEA releases joint statement on India–Sweden Summit, 'Establishment of a Strategic Partnership'

Gothenburg, May 18 (IANS) At the invitation of the Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, PM Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Gothenburg on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two Prime Ministers stressed the importance of the historic India-EU Summit on January 27, 2026, in New Delhi, the "new Towards 2030: A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda", the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-EU ties, the MEA statement added. Recognising the long-standing friendship between India and Sweden, the extensive scope of bilateral cooperation and the convergence of strategic interests, the Prime Ministers agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. The partnership rests on four pillars: i) Strategic Dialogue for Stability and Security; ii) Next-Generation Economic Partnership; iii) Emerging Technologies and Trusted Connectivity and iv) Shaping Tomorrow Together – People, Planet and Resilience. An upgraded Joint Action Plan 2026–2030 for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership was endorsed, the MEA statement added. The leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen dialogue at the political, diplomatic and defence levels, including exchanges between the two National Security Advisors and their respective offices. The Prime Ministers underlined the importance of economic security and security of supply chains, and announced the shared objective of doubling the bilateral economic exchange -- trade and investment -- within five years, including through the "Make in India” and "Made with Sweden” initiatives. They recognised the significant role of the India-Sweden Business Leaders Round Table (ISBLRT) and agreed that a bilateral summit, "India–Sweden: Stronger Together - towards 2047", will be held in India in 2027, the MEA statement noted. The Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson congratulated India on the success of the AI Impact Summit. Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the participation of the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, along with a large delegation from the Swedish AI ecosystem. "The Prime Ministers emphasised shared priorities on emerging technologies and trusted connectivity, as well as the critical role of digitalisation, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in this field, including through the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC)," the MEA statement said. The Prime Ministers also agreed that Sweden and India will launch an upgraded "Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0" and establish an "India-Sweden Joint Science and Technology Centre" (ISJSTC). "The Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to pursue enhanced cooperation on space and geospatial technologies, taking note of India's role as a leading space nation and the role of Sweden's Esrange Space Center. They also welcomed the collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Swedish Institute for Space Physics on the Indian Venus Orbiter Mission<' the MEA statement said. The leaders of the two countries welcomed the expansion and growing engagement of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) and decided to continue to advance this global movement for the acceleration of the transition of heavy industry. The Prime Ministers called for a new four-year phase of LeadIT, LeadIT 3.0, to be announced at COP31. The Prime Ministers further recognised the importance of the bilateral Sweden India Industry Transition Partnership (ITP). Both PMs Modi and Kristersson encouraged collaboration in advanced mining and mineral processing technologies to facilitate efficient extraction from low-grade and complex critical mineral deposits. "Simultaneously, efforts may be made to promote co-development of refining and downstream processing capabilities to enhance domestic value addition. Such initiatives are expected to strengthen resilient supply chains, particularly for critical minerals such as rare earths," the MEA statement said. The Prime Ministers underlined the importance of connectivity and agreed to advance talent attraction and active promotion of people-to-people exchanges, including mobility of students and researchers (Study in Sweden) and highly skilled labour (Work in Sweden). The Prime Ministers, moreover, stressed the importance of exploring the possibility of direct and regular air links between Sweden and India. The leaders of both countries unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They condemned in the strongest terms recent terrorist attacks, including the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The leaders called for dismantling of terror infrastructure and safe havens, and for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law. They reiterated their commitment for strong and concerted action against terrorists and terrorist groups including those listed in the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime and their affiliates, proxies, sponsors, backers and financiers. They also reaffirmed strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing channels including at the UN and FATF, the MEA statement said. The Prime Ministers agreed that the expanding bilateral partnership will continue to be guided by a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, sustainable development, and a rules-based international order. The leaders emphasised the importance of an effective multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core. Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson reiterated Sweden's support for the permanent membership for India in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. The Prime Ministers stressed the importance of the India-Nordic Partnership and looked forward to the third India-Nordic Summit on May 19, 2026, in Oslo, Norway. Prime Minister Modi thanked his Swedish host Prime Minister Kristersson and the people of Sweden for their warm hospitality and extended an invitation to visit India. --IANS int/khz

Lottie Woad wins 2nd LPGA title in 10 months as a pro at Queen City

(Photo credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Lottie Woad blew the three-stroke lead she began the day with but rallied with a 1-under 69 in the final round to win the Kroger Queen City Championship on Sunday in Cincinnati. The Englishwoman, buoyed by her 11-under combined showing in the second and third rounds, finished with a 12-under-par 268, two strokes clear of South K

Northwest Indiana gambling ring 'enforcer' released to 24/7 home detention pending trial

Michael D. Campbell was granted pretrial release on the condition that Campbell pay a $20,000 penalty if he fails to appear at scheduled court hearings, records show.

Unwanted lab rats find new homes and are adopted thanks to Argentine organisation

Buenos Aires, May 18 (AP) A group of people watched three albino rats leap from small baskets into a big

Ukrainian drone barrage kills four in Russia

A wave of almost 600 Ukrainian drones attacked Russia overnight, killing four people, authorities said on Sunday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the barrage an "entirely justified" retribution for Moscow's own pummelling of Ukraine. Air defences shot down 556 drones overnight across the country, Russia's defence ministry said, with another 30 drones intercepted after dawn in one of the largest Ukrainian barrages of the ongoing conflict so far. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv's attack on Russia – days after a massive drone and missile bombardment of the Ukrainian capital killed at least 24 people – was "entirely justified". "Our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified. This time, Ukrainian long-range sanctions reached the Moscow region, and we are clearly telling the Russians: their state must end its war." In Russia's capital region, "a woman was killed as a result of a UAV hitting a private house," governor Andrey Vorobyov posted on Telegram, adding that the early morning attack also claimed the lives of two men. Within the capital, one of the strikes wounded construction workers at a job site near an oil and gas refinery, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said. In the Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, one man was killed overnight in a drone attack on a lorry, regional authorities said. The latest attack on Sunday hit "the Moscow Oil Refinery, the Solnechnogorsk oil depot, and several microelectronics manufacturing facilities for the first time", Ukraine's defence ministry said on social media. Ukraine's General Staff said that among the targets hit was a plant in the Moscow region "which specialises in the production of high-tech products and microchips for high-precision weapons". The Ukrainian air force said meanwhile it had intercepted 279 Russian drones out of a total of 287 launched. The war has cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes, making it Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. (AFP) Edited by Cecil Wong

Ottawa has caught the Hyrox bug. What’s behind this new obsession?

Hyrox is now one of the world's fastest-growing indoor fitness competitions. On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Hyrox came to the nation's capital for the first time.