NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Union Minister of Steel
and Heavy Industries Launches Logo, brochure and website of ‘Bharat Steel’: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched the official
logo, brochure, and website of ‘Bharat Steel’ at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking a major step
for the Ministry of Steel’s flagship international conference-cum-exhibition on
the steel ecosystem.The launch was held during a workshop for the secondary
steel sector, reflecting the government’s focus on n promoting growth,
innovation, and sustainability in the entire steel value chain.Bharat Steel
aims to become India’s largest steel exhibition and position the country as a
global hub for innovation and investment in the steel industry.
2. Abhijit Kishore Appointed
Vodafone Idea CEO: Vodafone
Idea announced the appointment
of its current COO Abhijit Kishore as the new Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) and Key Managerial Personnel for a term of three years.The
appointment follows the completion of the three-year term of Akshaya Moondra,
whose tenure ends on 18 August 2025; Moondra had replaced Ravinder Takkar as
CEO in August 2022.
3. Odisha Appoints Madhuri
Dixit as Brand Ambassador for State’s Handloom Industry: The Odisha
Government has appointed Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit as the brand ambassador of the state’s handloom
industry.Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement during
the inauguration of ‘EKTA’ (Exhibition-cum-Knowledge Sharing for Textile
Advantage), held to mark the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations in the
state.
4. President Appoints Manipur
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as Governor of Nagaland: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar
Bhalla has been given additional
charge as the Governor of Nagaland, as per a communique from the
President’s office.The appointment comes after the demise of Nagaland Governor
La Ganesan, who passed away at the age of 80 in a Chennai hospital.Ajay Kumar
Bhalla will now discharge the functions of the Nagaland Governor along with his
duties as the Governor of Manipur.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. E3 Nations Warn Iran of
Snapback UN Sanctions Over Stalled Nuclear Talks: France,
Germany, and the UK (E3) have warned Iran of reimposing snapback UN
sanctions under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if it
does not resume negotiations or request a deadline extension.The E3, formed in
2003 as an informal security and foreign policy arrangement between the UK,
Germany, and France, initially focused on managing nuclear risks from Iran
after the Iraq war.In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA with the E3/EU+3, agreeing to
nuclear monitoring in exchange for lifting UN sanctions, with the E3 playing a
key role in its implementation.
2. Aviation Workforce Shortage: The aviation sector faces a critical shortage of
skilled personnel in 2025. Two main approaches have emerged at the 42nd ICAO
Assembly to address this issue. The European Union advocates expanding the
talent pool and improving career appeal. India proposes a global Code of
Conduct to regulate the international recruitment of its trained aviation
staff. These views reflect differing priorities on workforce mobility and
operational stability. India views the recruitment of its trained pilots,
engineers, and cabin crew by foreign airlines as disruptive. It argues that
uncoordinated poaching undermines fleet expansion plans and forces airlines to
spend resources on replacements. India suggests an ICAO-led Code of Conduct
mandating standardised notice and consultation before recruitment. Indian
regulations already require a six-month notice for pilots transferring between
domestic airlines. This period is considered sufficient to recruit and train
replacements.
3. Tropical Forests and Climate Change: Tropical forests remain
central to the planet’s climate system in 2025. Despite their vital role, these
ecosystems face unprecedented destruction. Their loss threatens global climate
stability, biodiversity, and human livelihoods. Studying tropical forests’
climate functions, causes of deforestation, and restoration efforts is
essential for sustainable future policies. Tropical forests cover the
equatorial belt, including the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asian rainforests.
They regulate water and energy cycles through evapotranspiration, releasing
moisture that forms clouds and rainfall. This process cools the atmosphere
locally and globally. Forests store about 250 billion tonnes of carbon in
biomass and soil. Annually, they absorb 1.2 to 1.8 gigatonnes of CO2,
mitigating fossil fuel emissions. In 2023, over 4.1 million hectares of
tropical primary forest were lost, mainly in Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, and Bolivia. Clearing forests releases stored carbon,
turning them into carbon sources. Deforestation reduces humidity and rainfall,
raises surface temperatures, and disrupts wind patterns. It also affects
atmospheric rivers, which transport moisture across continents. For example,
Amazon deforestation links to droughts and erratic monsoons in South America
and the US Midwest.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Decline of Naxalite Violence Amid Global
Terror Threats: Recent
developments show a sharp decline in ideologically-driven Naxalite militancy in
India. This contrasts with persistent and evolving global terrorism threats,
especially those inspired by groups like Islamic
State (IS). The rise of
Artificial Intelligence (AI) adds complexity and danger to future terror
scenarios worldwide. India’s internal security dynamics, however, indicate a
nearing end to one of its longest militant insurgencies. More than two decades
after the 9/11 attacks, terrorism remains a major
global concern. IS-inspired attacks, including vehicle rammings, continue in
several countries. Lone wolf attacks are increasing, fuelled by online
propaganda. Experts warn that AI could enable terrorists to develop bio-weapons
or launch more devastating attacks. The risk of AI systems acting beyond human
control adds to global insecurity fears. The Naxalite movement began in the
late 1960s as a radical Marxist-Leninist uprising. It drew inspiration from
revolutions in China, Vietnam, and Latin America. Early leaders like Charu
Mazumdar aimed to mobilise tribal and urban poor populations against perceived
social injustices. Over time, the movement fragmented and lost mass appeal, turning more violent but less
ideologically cohesive.
SPORTS
1. German Grandmaster Vincent
Keymer wins Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025: German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer clinched the Quantbox
Chennai Grand Masters 2025 title with one round to spare, becoming
the first sole champion in the event’s history.With this victory, Keymer
entered the world’s Top 10 live rankings for the first time in his career.In
the Challengers section, GM Pranesh M leads with 6.5 points, followed by GM
Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Leon Luke Mendonca, who are just half a point behind.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Rapido Launches ‘Ownly’
App, Enters Food Delivery with Zero-Commission Model: Rapido has launched ‘Ownly’, a standalone mobile app for food delivery, initially
servicing Koramangala, HSR, and BTM Layout, to compete with Swiggy, Zomato, and
Magicpin.The launch follows Rapido’s discussions with the National Restaurants
Association of India (NRAI), representing over 50,000 eateries, to finalise
terms for onboarding restaurant partners.Ownly will operate on a
zero-commission model, with restaurant partners paying the delivery fee for
orders within a standard radius of four kilometers or less.
2. IGNCA & BSIP Sign
Historic MoU to Unite Science and Culture on a Single Platform: The Indira Gandhi National
Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
(BSIP), Lucknow, signed an MoU
at IGNCA, marking India’s first initiative to integrate science and culture on
a unified platform.The collaboration aims to showcase India’s scientific
and cultural achievements to domestic and global audiences, preserve and
interpret heritage, and foster awareness through innovative programmes.The MoU
was signed by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi and Mahesh G. Thakkar, with Dr. Achal
Pandya (IGNCA) and Dr. Shilpa Pandey (BSIP) designated as nodal officers for
interdisciplinary research, joint events, and shared expertise.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NSIC Signs MoUs with Five
Banks to Boost Credit Access for MSMEs: NSIC signed MoUs with Axis Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank,
Karnataka Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and IndusInd Bank on 11th
August 2025 under its MSME Credit Facilitation Program to enhance availability,
accessibility, and affordability of credit for MSMEs.The MoU exchange event was
attended by Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, MSME Secretary S.C.L. Das,
NSIC Director (Finance) Gaurav Gulati, and senior officials from the Ministry,
NSIC, and participating banks.The collaboration aims to support MSMEs in
connecting with the formal financial system, expanding bank outreach to micro
& small enterprises, and boosting last-mile credit delivery.
2. RBI to Introduce
Continuous Clearing with On-Realisation Settlement in Cheque Truncation System
from October 2025 : The RBI will transition the Cheque Truncation System (CTS)
from batch processing to “continuous clearing with on-realisation settlement” in two
phases, starting October 4, 2025, and January 3, 2026, to improve efficiency,
reduce settlement risk, and enhance customer experience.Under the new system,
cheques will be scanned and sent to the clearing house continuously between 10
AM and 4 PM, with drawee banks processing them in real time and providing
positive or negative confirmations by 7 PM.Hourly settlements will begin at 11
AM, based on positive confirmations from drawee banks, and continue until the
end of the confirmation session.Presenting banks will credit customers within
one hour of successful settlement, subject to safeguards, ensuring faster
cheque clearing compared to the current two-working-day cycle.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. 1090 Personnel Honoured with Gallantry and Service Medals on Independence Day: A total of 1090 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day.According to the Home Ministry, 233 personnel have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry (GM), 99 personnel awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 758 personnel awarded the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).Medals for Gallantry (GM) are awarded on the grounds of the Rare Conspicuous Act of Gallantry and Conspicuous Act of Gallantry respectively in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is awarded for special distinguished record in Service and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) is awarded for valuable service characterised by resource and devotion to duty.
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