National News
- Uttarakhand Cloudburst: A powerful cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village has triggered flash floods, leaving at least four people dead and over 50 missing. The incident has also cut off all road access to the Gangotri Dham.
- Parliament Extends President’s Rule in Manipur: Parliament has approved a six-month extension of President’s Rule in Manipur, which was first imposed after the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
- RBI Monetary Policy Meeting: The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee has begun its three-day review, with a decision on lending rates expected to be announced today amid global trade tensions.
- Death of Satyapal Malik: Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik has passed away at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.
International News
- US Trade Tensions with India: US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat of imposing harsh tariffs on Indian goods due to the country’s continued import of Russian oil. India has dismissed the warning as “unjustified.”
- Russia Exits Nuclear Treaty: In a move following a disagreement with the US, Russia has officially withdrawn from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
- Boeing Workers on Strike: Thousands of workers at three Boeing manufacturing plants have gone on strike, citing “enough is enough” less than a year after a previous strike was settled.
Sports News
- Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Cincinnati Open: Tennis star Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, citing a “non-medical” reason, and will now head into the US Open without having played a match in nearly six weeks.
- Bengaluru FC Suspends Salaries: Bengaluru FC, a prominent Indian football club, has suspended salaries for all first-team players and support staff due to an ongoing deadlock within the Indian Super League (ISL).
National News 🇮🇳
Prime Minister’s Varanasi Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a day-long visit to his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas of the Ganga River. He met with local officials to review relief and rehabilitation efforts and directed them to ensure that all necessary aid reaches the affected population swiftly. The PM emphasized the need for long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of future floods, including the strengthening of embankments and improved early warning systems.
ED’s Arrest in Loan Fraud Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested the managing director of a private firm in connection with a major loan fraud case involving a consortium of banks and an alleged loss of ₹3,000 crores. The case is linked to industrialist Anil Ambani’s businesses, with the ED alleging that the funds were siphoned off through shell companies and used for purposes other than those for which the loans were sanctioned. This marks a significant development in a long-standing investigation.
Vice Presidential Election Announced: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced that the election for the 17th Vice President of India will take place on September 9th. This follows the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who cited personal reasons. The ECI has set the last date for filing nominations as August 26th and the scrutiny of nominations for August 27th. The announcement has kick-started political discussions and speculation over potential candidates.
AIIMS Delhi Waiting Times: A new report highlights the growing issue of long waiting times for certain scheduled medical procedures and surgeries at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. With a massive influx of patients from across the country, some non-emergency procedures have a waiting period of up to two years. The hospital administration has acknowledged the challenge and stated that they are working on increasing capacity, streamlining appointment systems, and expanding infrastructure to address the backlog.
Organ Transplants in India: The latest data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) shows a 25% increase in organ transplants performed in India during 2024. While this is a positive trend, the report also emphasizes a critical shortfall in organ donations from deceased donors. The government has launched public awareness campaigns to promote organ donation and has introduced new policies to simplify the process, aiming to bridge the significant gap between demand and supply.
International News 🌎
Powerful Earthquake Near Russia: A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, near the Kuril Islands. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 33 kilometers, initially triggered a tsunami warning for the region. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later canceled the advisory after concluding that the threat had passed. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
U.S. Agency to Probe Former Special Counsel: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a federal agency, has opened an inquiry into former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The investigation will examine allegations of impropriety and abuse of power during his criminal investigations into President Donald Trump. The move comes after a series of complaints were filed against Smith, though his office has maintained that all actions were within the bounds of the law.
Student Party Rally in Bangladesh: A newly formed student-led political party, which emerged from the widespread protests that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, held its first major public rally in Dhaka. The party, advocating for democratic reforms and a new constitution, drew a large crowd of supporters. The rally highlighted the new political landscape in Bangladesh and the growing influence of the student movement in the country’s governance.
Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia: Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, a volcano in Indonesia, has erupted for the second consecutive day, sending a column of ash and smoke 18 kilometers into the sky. The eruption has prompted local authorities to issue a high-level alert and has led to the temporary closure of nearby airports. Residents in the vicinity have been advised to remain indoors and wear face masks to protect themselves from the volcanic ash.
Sports News 🏏🏸
Indian Shuttlers Bow Out of Macau Open: India’s challenge at the Macau Open badminton tournament came to an end after both Lakshya Sen and Tharun Mannepalli were defeated in their respective semifinal matches. Sen, a former Commonwealth Games champion, put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to his Chinese opponent in a three-set thriller. Mannepalli was also unable to overcome his opponent, concluding India’s participation in the tournament.
Gavaskar’s Surprise Gift to Shubman Gill: During the ongoing Oval Test match between India and England, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar made a heartwarming gesture by presenting a special gift to young Indian batsman Shubman Gill. Gavaskar gifted Gill a shirt and a cap, both autographed and bearing their shared initials, “SG.” The gesture, captured on camera, was widely shared and praised by fans, with Gavaskar expressing his admiration for the young player’s talent.
South Africa Wins World Championship of Legends: In a thrilling final, South Africa’s team, led by the prolific AB de Villiers, defeated Pakistan by nine wickets to clinch the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. De Villiers was the star of the show, smashing an unbeaten 120 runs to guide his team to victory. The tournament, which featured retired cricketing icons from around the world, was a huge success and showcased some incredible talent and sportsmanship.
Jason Holder Breaks Bravo’s Record: West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has become the leading wicket-taker for his country in men’s T20I cricket. During the recent series against Australia, Holder surpassed the previous record held by Dwayne Bravo to reach a total of 81 wickets. The achievement is a testament to his consistent performance and his crucial role in the West Indies’ bowling attack.
Asia Cup 2025 Venue and Schedule: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that the Asia Cup 2025 will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The highly anticipated tournament is set to begin in September, with a crucial and historic match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan scheduled for September 14th. The announcement has generated significant excitement among cricket fans across the continent.
Thought of the Day 💡
“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
This quote by the 32nd President of the United States reminds us that our future potential is often held back by our own self-doubt and lack of confidence. By believing in ourselves and our abilities, we can overcome challenges and achieve great things.
