A 16-year-old lifeguard who battled powerful waves to save a 10-year-old boy off the California coast has been honoured at the White House, where he met US President Donald Trump alongside the child he rescued.Nathanial Rai, 10, was swept into rough waters near Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz when lifeguard Ryder Williams intervened. Dramatic footage of the rescue later went viral, showing Williams holding on to Nathanial as powerful waves repeatedly crashed over them.Weeks later, the two boys found themselves together again — this time inside the Oval Office, with Trump recounting the dramatic rescue.Nathanial arrived wearing a dark suit and maroon tie and sat on a gold couch next to his father and Trump. Williams sat across from them as the President spoke about his actions.Speaking about the teenager, Trump told Nathanial: “He's a real hero. I don't know if I'd do it. I wouldn't, probably. You're lucky I wasn't on the service that day.”How Ryder Williams Saved Nathanial RaiThe rescue unfolded at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz and was captured on camera.The viral footage showed Williams clinging to Nathanial while trying to keep both of them above water as heavy waves pounded the area. At one point, the two disappeared beneath the waves, only to emerge again as the water receded.A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, eventually joined the effort and helped bring both boys safely back to shore.The video spread widely online in late July and caught Trump's attention. His son, Eric Trump, had shared the footage and said Williams deserved "the highest civilian honor."Trump later said he would invite the teenager to the White House to recognise his bravery.Nathanial's father, Sumit, told the Associated Press that he could never repay Williams for what he had done."What he did, I can never repay. I'm forever grateful," he said.Trump Asks Nathanial About The RescueDuring the Oval Office meeting, Trump also recalled a conversation he had with Nathanial about the incident."And he saved this young gentleman. Who I had a long talk with. I said, when you have made it without him? And he said, not really. Right? Not really. It was trouble," Trump said.The rescue footage showed the scale of the challenge Williams faced as he attempted to get Nathanial back to safety while waves continued to crash over them, WBAL TV 11 reported.California Debate Over Lifeguards As First RespondersWilliams' actions have also come amid a broader debate in California over whether lifeguards should officially be classified as first responders.As NBC Bay Area reported, state lawmakers are considering legislation that would formally give lifeguards that designation. Supporters say it could provide greater professional recognition, resources and support, while potentially improving worker protections and benefits.However, the proposal also raises questions about training requirements and how such a designation would work.Santa Cruz state Senator John Laird told NBC Bay Area that while lifeguards clearly respond to emergencies, formally classifying them as first responders would require consideration of the standards attached to the designation."Of course, lifeguards are first responders, but first responders also go through this rigorous training, so you'd have to decide - because in the peace officer standards training you go through eight months of training - so you'd have to decide what's appropriate here," Laird was quoted as saying."How does it work? How does it get designated? What training comes with it? Who pays for it?"Trump Backs Closer Look At ProposalThe issue was raised directly with Trump during the Oval Office meeting.Washington correspondent Jackie DeFusco asked the President about a congressional effort to classify open-water lifeguards as first responders. Such a move could potentially give them greater access to federal programmes and benefits.Trump said he was hearing about the proposal for the first time but expressed support for examining it."First
US President Donald Trump said he has instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises.US President Donald Trump waves to the media as he walks from Marine One to his limousine upon his arrival at the Ellipse just outside of the White House, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in Washington.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying it declined to help denuclearise Iran. Trump also cited his good relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un.“…based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!,” Trump said in a post on TRUTH Social.Trump said in a social media post that the exercises slated to begin this week are not only costly but “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, which he said “has been unthreatening and respectful” during his time in the White House.He wrote, “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea."“These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful,” Trump said.The US President added, “While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, “No thanks!” Thank you for your attention to this matter."Why does it matter?The move is the latest example of Trump appearing to side against an ally in favour of a leader that previous administrations have cast as an adversary, the Associated Press reported. Trump and others in his administration have also railed against NATO allies over perceived lack of support for his war against Iran, even as they seek to confront an increasingly aggressive Russia in the Baltic region.The 11 days of exercises involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers were designed to beef up readiness against North Korean threats.The US military said, according to AP, that the summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises reinforce “the role of the alliance as the linchpin for regional peace and security” and reaffirm “the ironclad commitment between the United States and the Republic of Korea to defend their homelands.”US and South Korean forces were expected to practice joint operations in complex scenarios, including a live-fire exercise to test joint precision targeting and maneuver, a wet gap crossing, and distribution of prepositioned military equipment, according to the US military.The joint training is set to start days after North Korea resumed ballistic missile testing activities that are banned by the UN. Earlier this month, South Korea, the US and Japan detected the launch of a short-range ballistic missile from North Korea in what was the North’s first ballistic weapons testing activity since late June. The missile landed in the waters off North Korea’s east coast. North Korea has been pushing hard to enlarge its nuclear and missile arsenals since Kim’s high-stakes diplomacy with Trump collapsed in 2019. Experts say Kim likely believes a bigger weapons arsenal would increase his chances for wresting more concessions from the U.S. in future negotiations.About the AuthorAkriti AnandAkriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry. In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration. Akriti joined the LiveMint team i
Faltering talks to end the Iran war left oil and gas prices poised for sizeable weekly gains.Petrol and diesel prices today, August 15There has been no change in the rates of petrol and diesel in India. In New Delhi, petrol costs ₹102.12 per litre and diesel costs ₹95.20 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of ethanol-free XP100 premium petrol in Delhi today is ₹167.35, and the rate of XP95 petrol is ₹109.24 per litre.XP95 is a 95-octane, E20 (approx. 20% ethanol) fuel costing around ₹105– ₹115/litre, meant for high-compression everyday cars. XP100 is an elite 100-octane, ethanol-free (0%) fuel costing roughly ₹160– ₹170/litre, built for ultra-luxury and high-performance sports vehicles, according to reports.CityPetrol PriceDiesel PriceNew Delhi ₹102.12 ₹95.20Kolkata ₹113.51 ₹99.82Mumbai ₹111.21 ₹97.83Chennai ₹107.77 ₹99.55Gurugram ₹102.97 ₹95.64Noida ₹101.96 ₹95.44Bengaluru ₹111.68 ₹99.56Bhubaneswar ₹108.49 ₹102.15Chandigarh ₹102.01 ₹94.08Hyderabad ₹115.43 ₹103.58Jaipur ₹112.69 ₹97.78Lucknow ₹102.31 ₹95.79Patna ₹113.37 ₹99.36Thiruvananthapuram ₹114.80 ₹103.64Oil prices rise globallyAmid the West Asia crisis, crude oil futures climbed over $1 a barrel on Friday on tanker attacks and a lack of progress on a peace agreement between the Trump administration and Iran's leadership.Brent crude oil futures settled at $88.52 a barrel, up 1.67 percent, according to Reuters. West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at $82.40, up $1.15, or 1.42%. US futures finished at $82.40, up 1.42 percent.Brent and WTI were on track for weekly gains of 6.0% and 5.4%, respectively."We're getting a rally going into the weekend after new attacks on tankers and lack of progress on a cease-fire agreement," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, as per Reuters.A "day of reckoning" may come if traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained, through which 20% of global supply can pass, Lipow said.Naval blockade of HormuzThe US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. This move is part of a strategy to force Iran to reopen this vital energy route. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20 percent of the world's oil trade, so this crisis is crucial for global energy supplies.About the AuthorAkriti AnandAkriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry. In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration. Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience. One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections. When she is not busy with breaking news, Akriti loves to write explainers and interview experts on a wide range of issues. She also enjoys making complex space missions easy for everyone to understand. Her education helps her tackle these diverse subjects. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies. She is currently
The BBC is seeking court approval to subpoena Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in President Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit over the broadcaster’s editing of his 6 January speech.Football - NFL - Super Bowl LIX - Philadelphia Eagles v Kansas City Chiefs - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States - February 9, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump in the stands during the game REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein(REUTERS)The BBC is seeking to subpoena three members of President Donald Trump’s family as part of his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the British broadcaster over its handling of his 6 January, 2021, speech.BBC seeks testimony from Trump Jr, Ivanka and Kushner in defamation battleThe network wants to question Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr, daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, arguing that all three have relevant knowledge about the president’s intentions when he addressed supporters at the Ellipse as the attack on the US Capitol was beginning.In court filings, lawyers for the BBC said the three family members “without question have personal knowledge” about Trump’s intentions when he delivered the speech at the centre of the lawsuit.The president’s lawsuit concerns a BBC documentary broadcast in the UK in 2024. Trump alleges that the programme defamed him by editing together separate sections of his 6 January speech in a way that made it appear he was endorsing violence against the Capitol.The BBC has apologised for the editing but maintains that the mistake does not provide a valid basis for Trump’s lawsuit.The broadcaster’s lawyers are relying in part on testimony gathered by the House committee that investigated the 6 January attack. They say Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were present while the president revised his speech and were also at the Ellipse when he delivered it.The BBC also says Kushner drafted a proposed statement for Trump condemning the violence. The subpoenas seek both deposition testimony and documents considered relevant to the case.The effort to serve the subpoenas has already faced obstacles. Court filings indicate that the BBC attempted to serve subpoenas at Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s Miami home in May, but police prevented the attempt.Troy Epstein, a lawyer for the US Secret Service, subsequently told the BBC’s lawyers by email that the agency could not accept the subpoenas on behalf of the family members.“The United States Secret Service, as an agency of the United States Government, is not authorised to accept service of these subpoenas for these individuals, nor can we opine on how you all may best facilitate or effectuate service of these subpoenas,” Epstein wrote.A separate attempt to serve Donald Trump Jr at the Trump Organization’s offices in Trump Tower, New York, was also unsuccessful.In a motion filed on Friday in federal court in Miami, BBC lawyers said Trump’s legal team had also declined to accept the subpoenas. The broadcaster is now asking the court either to authorise service by mail or to determine that serving the subpoenas through President Trump’s lawyers would be sufficient.The BBC argues that testimony from the three family members could help establish what Trump intended when he delivered the 6 January speech and provide evidence relevant to the defamation claims.Representatives for Trump, the three family members and the president’s legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The court will now consider the BBC’s request concerning how the subpoenas can be served as the wider defamation case continues.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Leavitt as one of his “most trusted aides” and said he understood and respected her decision.FILE - White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, July 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)US President Donald Trump has announced that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her position at the end of the month, saying she wants to spend more time with her young children and family.In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Leavitt as one of his “most trusted aides” and said he understood and respected her decision.Trump said Leavitt would continue to play a role in his administration as one of his top outside advisers after leaving the White House press secretary position.He also said she would remain an influential voice within the Republican Party as the party prepares for the upcoming midterm elections.Trump praises Leavitt’s tenureTrump praised Leavitt's performance as press secretary, calling her a “real leader” in the White House.He said she had done a “phenomenal job” since joining his political operation in 2018, including during his successful 2024 re-election campaign.Trump also described Leavitt as one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office, while thanking her for what he called a job well done.Focus shifts to midterm electionsLeavitt's departure comes as Trump and Republicans prepare for the midterm elections. Trump said she would continue working with him from outside the White House and help the Republican Party seek to “defy History” and secure a decisive victory.Her continued involvement as an outside adviser means she is expected to remain an important personality in Trump's political operation even after stepping down as press secretary.Trump did not identify a successor in the statement announcing Leavitt's departure.
In a rare, clandestine mission, US President Donald Trump, who was in Turkiye last month to attend a NATO summit, reportedly departed the country on a secret military flight after being transferred to the aircraft via an airport catering truck, while the White House said he was aboard Air Force One.The Washington Post reported the development on Monday (local time), adding that the mission came amid an assassination threat from Iran against the US President as the two countries resumed hostilities last month, weeks after signing an interim ceasefire agreement in June.Citing sources familiar with the mission, the Post reported that the operation had previously been unreported and was even unknown to some White House officials and journalists who believed they were travelling on the same plane as the US President.Here's how Trump flew on a secret military flightIn Turkey's capital, in front of cameras, Trump boarded the old Air Force One jet. However, minutes later, he was secretly transferred to a smaller plane, an Air Force C-32A, using an airport catering truck that is usually used to load meals and other supplies before flights.To avoid being spotted by people not involved in the operation, Trump and several aides reportedly used an airport catering truck to leave the plane. The vehicle was raised to the aircraft door using hydraulic equipment and positioned on the side opposite Air Force One's main entrance, according to a US official and other corroborating material.According to US officials, Air Force One became a "decoy", with only media personnel and some White House staff aboard the jet.Images captured by news media at the Turkish airport showed a staircase on one side of Air Force One and the catering truck on the other, with the container being elevated to the plane's level. The video showed the President arriving in a limousine, climbing the staircase and waving towards the tarmac.View full ImageCatering trucks are parked at Air Force One on the tarmac as the motorcade carrying U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on the tarmac to depart following the NATO summit at Ankara International Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Minutes later, as the White House press corps boarded the jet, a man in a suit was seen entering the catering truck's cab. The container was lowered into the vehicle's bed, after which the truck drove away from Air Force One and headed towards the smaller C-32A parked nearby, as shown in the video. The truck remained out of view for about 40 seconds as the camera panned away and was briefly obstructed by the C-32A's engines.However, it remained unclear how Trump moved from the C-32A to Air Force One after landing. He did appear before television cameras and exited the jet via external stairs at around 10:56 pm.On July 8, the administration claimed that Trump left Turkey aboard the former Air Force One. The US President had announced on social media that he would use the "former Air Force One" instead of the aircraft that had flown him to Turkey, a newer Boeing 747-8 gifted to the US by Qatar. Questions have been raised about the security of the Qatar-provided aircraft, and Trump said last month, following the trip, that it would undergo additional upgrades.A similar operation was carried out in 2000, when then-President Bill Clinton flew into Pakistan aboard an unmarked executive jet while Air Force One was sent ahead as a decoy.Calls for Trump's killing grew during the Supreme Leader's funeralLast month, when Iran buried its slain former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Imam Reza shrine, months after he was assassinated on the first day of US-Israeli strikes in February, calls for Trump's killing reportedly soared.Following the warnings, the US President issued a warning against the Islamic Republic and said, "1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately
Petrol, diesel prices today — 11 August: Retail fuel rates held steady on Tuesday, despite an increase in Brent crude price. Check fuel rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram and other cities.Petrol, diesel prices today — 11 Aug: Retail fuel rates in India remained stable despite fluctuations in global oil prices.Petrol and diesel prices today, 11 August: Petrol and diesel prices in major cities remained largely unchanged on Tuesday. Fuel rates set by state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) remain steady across major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Gurugram and Chandigarh despite fluctuations in global crude oil.Retail petrol and diesel prices continue to align with the last major price revision that came about over two months ago, on 25 May. State-run fuel retailers continue to insulate consumers from market fluctuations and volatility in oil prices. Fuel rates update daily at 6:00 AM under dynamic pricing but remain unchanged at major metros.CityPetrol PriceDiesel PriceNew Delhi ₹102.12 ₹95.20Mumbai ₹111.18 ₹97.83Gurugram ₹102.97 ₹95.64Bhubaneswar ₹108.85 ₹100.56Chandigarh ₹101.51 ₹89.47Crude oil price todayCrude oil extended gains amid fading hopes for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump demanded compensation for damage the US has incurred in the war with Iran. Brent crude, the global benchmark, traded around $87.81 a barrel at 0013 GMT on Tuesday after gaining about 10% over the previous four sessions. Meanwhile US West Texas Intermediate crude futures stood at $82.20 a barrel.Amid added fresh uncertainty and bleak outlook on peace deal, Saudi Aramco postponed the restart of its 400,000-barrel-per-day Jazan refinery. The reopening date has now been set for 30 August after the Houthis claimed two attacks on the plant on Sunday."The chokehold risk around both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb remains highly significant. Even intermittent restrictions or the threat of further incidents keep insurance costs elevated and force longer shipping routes ... hence energy flows look likely to stay constrained near term," Bloomberg quoted Tim Waterer as saying.Experts raise concerns over ethanol-blended fuelOn Monday, a group of experts comprising Delhi Science Forum scientist and activist D Raghunandan, Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food Processing former secretary Siraj Hussain and former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand raised concerns over ethanol-blended fuel. According to experts, ethanol-blended fuel policy could severely impact land-use and agriculture patterns, food security, groundwater levels and household incomes, PTI reported.The experts emphasized that the government should decrease ethanol-blended fuel prices to compensate consumers for a drop in efficiency and expenditures incurred due to wear and tear of vehicle components.About the AuthorFareha NaazFareha Naaz is a Delhi-based journalist and Content Producer at LiveMint, where she has built nearly three years of experience in digital journalism. She covers a diverse range of topics, including national news, education, entertainment, lifestyle trends science, global health and international news. With a background in Economics and Education, she focuses on providing insightful, thoroughly researched coverage that bridges the gap between breaking news and in-depth analysis. In addition to breaking copies, legal and political news, her reporting blends editorial rigour with search-driven storytelling. With a keen eye-on-global events, she provides insightful coverage on latest developments. Her reporting combines editorial rigour with in-depth coverage and search-driven storytelling provide valuable insight and context to readers, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Her newsroom experience helped her in combining her critical thinking skills with real-time editorial decision-making. Over the years, she has been presenting complex stories with clarity for a digital-first audience amid fast-paced news cycles. Her t
Live UpdatesUS-Iran war LIVE: Oil prices on Monday held a three-day gain after US President Donald Trump made sweeping new demands on Iran, clouding the outlook for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tune in to Live Mint to catch all the latest US-Iran war-related updates.US-Iran war LIVE: Oil prices extend gains for a third consecutive dayUS-Iran War LIVE: Oil prices on Monday held a three-day gain after US President Donald Trump made sweeping new demands on Iran, clouding the outlook for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. West Texas Intermediate traded near $82 a barrel after closing 5.1% higher in the previous session, while Brent settled below $88. The developments came after Iran and Oman had been negotiating a deal to reopen the strategic waterway. However, Tehran on Monday reiterated that any accord would require Washington to end the naval blockade and compensate Iran for damages. Before the war, roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz to global markets.Trump makes sweeping new demands, lashes out at IranThe US President lashed out at Iran on Monday (local time) and made sweeping new demands, including compensation from the Islamic Republic for all the people it has killed in conflicts, after Tehran reiterated requests for reparations as part of talks to wind down the conflict. In a Truth Social post, he said the new demands will be put “firmly into any, and all, future negotiations.” He also said that compensation for Iran “was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings.” But a 14-point memorandum of understanding that Tehran and Washington agreed to in June detailed plans for the US and regional partners to develop a $300 billion fund for the “rehabilitation and economic development” of Iran after the war.Trump reiterates Strait of Hormuz is open nowOn Monday, Trump, when asked what's next for Iran after the Islamic Republic rejected Washington's demands, told ABC News, "You'll find out." Commenting on whether escalation is still on the table, he added, "Well, we have that -- certainly that ability if we want to do that. Yeah, you'll find out." The US President once again reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is now open and completely controlled by Washington, but acknowledged that Tehran could “make trouble.”Iran accuses US of being "incapable" of pursuing diplomacyIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Tuesday criticised the Trump administration over its sanctions policy, accusing Washington of being "addicted" to economic restrictions after US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reportedly claimed that sanctions were "suffocating" Iran. In a post on X, Baqaei said the repeated use of sanctions reflected the United States' inability to pursue diplomacy. He wrote, "The US Secretary of the Treasury has boasted of 'suffocating' Iran through economic sanctions. Beyond its sheer pathos, the claim is a stark testament to America's compulsive addiction to sanctions." The Iranian official further alleged that whenever Washington fails to achieve its objectives via diplomacy, it turns to sanctions and increases their intensity when they do not yield results.Key Events11 Aug 2026, 05:33 AM IST11 Aug 2026, 05:33 AM IST11 Aug 2026, 05:33 AM ISTFollow updates here:11 Aug 2026, 05:50:44 AM ISTUS-Iran war LIVE: Iran accuses US of being "incapable" of pursuing diplomacyIranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Tuesday criticised the Trump administration over its sanctions policy, accusing Washington of being "addicted" to economic restrictions after US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent reportedly claimed that sanctions were "suffocating" Iran. In a post on X, Baqaei said the repeated use of sanctions reflected the United States' inability to pursue diplomacy.11 Aug 2026, 05:33:33 AM ISTUS-Iran war LIVE: Trump says Strait of Hormuz is open, controlled by USOn Monday, Trump, when asked what's next for Iran after
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