The El Niño event developing over the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest in living memory, the UK Met Office has warned. Forecasts suggest Pacific sea surface temperatures may rise more than 3°C above average later this year, surpassing records since 1950. The phenomenon could worsen droughts, floods and food insecurity worldwide, while affecting India’s monsoon rainfall. Combined with human-driven climate change, the Met Office said 2027 is very likely to become the hottest year on record, replacing 2024. Scientists say El Niño is occurring in an already warmer world, increasing the risk of more severe weather impacts. (PC: BBC)

India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the BWF World Championships quarterfinals in New Delhi. The Chinese pair won 21-18, 21-9 in 36 minutes. Satwik and Chirag started strongly and controlled the pace in the first game. However, Liang and Wang changed their tactics and slowed down the rallies. They also used effective spin serves and strong net play. The Indians struggled with their serves, returns and finishing shots. The loss ended India’s hopes of a third men’s doubles medal at the championships. Liang and Wang advanced to the semifinals.

India’s rocket launch costs are more than four times higher than those of the United States, a new study has found. The study estimates that sending one kilogram of payload into low Earth orbit cost about $13,302 in India in 2025. In the US, the cost was around $3,225. Researchers studied more than 6,740 rocket launches from 1960 to 2025. They found that launch costs fall as countries gain more experience. The US has seen faster cost reductions due to its larger launch scale. Experts say India needs more launches, stronger technology and greater private-sector participation to cut costs.

Two commercial ships carrying 22 Indian sailors were hijacked by armed pirates in separate incidents near Yemen and Somalia. The first ship, M/V LUTUF, was seized off Somalia on August 17. It had six Indians among its 10 crew members. The second ship, M.T. Sibu 1, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on August 20. It carried 16 Indian sailors among 20 crew members. Armed men took control of both ships and moved them toward Somalia. Indian officials said all 22 sailors are safe. India is in contact with local authorities to handle the situation and ensure the crew’s safety.

A team of Indian geologists has discovered evidence of ancient microbial life dating back around 3.5 billion years in rocks from Jharkhand’s Singhbhum Craton. The study, led by Geological Survey of India geologist Trisrota Chaudhuri, found fossilised microbial mats near Jamshedpur. Researchers studied carbon preserved in the ancient rocks and used Raman spectroscopy to confirm it was part of the original rock. Analysis of zircon crystals helped establish the age of the material. The findings suggest primitive microorganisms survived in a chemically extreme environment alongside volcanic activity, in an ocean rich in iron and silica. (PC: X)

The ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’ protest drew a large crowd at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on August 21, even though Delhi Police had permitted a gathering of up to 500 people at Ramlila Maidan until 4 pm. Protesters remained at Jantar Mantar after the permitted time, prompting heightened security. The movement is demanding major changes to the caste-based reservation system, merit-based admissions and jobs, and the rollback of certain UGC rules. Organisers also criticised the last-minute change of the protest venue, claiming it was an attempt to limit participation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna outside Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station on August 21, demanding an FIR over alleged pellet-gun injuries suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochav during the July 20 protest. Gandhi confronted police officials after claiming they initially refused to register the complaint. He alleged that pellets were lodged in Lochav’s eye and body, while Delhi Police maintained that the complaint had been received and would be investigated by the Crime Branch. After hours of protests, police initiated the process of registering an FIR against unknown persons based on Lochav’s complaint. (PC: India Today)

Forensic teams have uncovered 582 human skeletons at the Chemmani mass grave near Jaffna, Sri Lanka, including remains believed to belong to infants and young children. Excavators also found personal items such as milk bottles, toys, school bags, shoes and bangles. Experts reported that several skeletons showed signs consistent with execution, including one whose hands were tightly bound to the chest. The identities of the victims remain unknown and will require DNA testing and comparison with families of missing people. The site has long been associated with allegations of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Sri Lanka’s civil war. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh is considering joining a proposed economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said. He stressed that Dhaka would assess the move based on its national interests and changing global economic and trade dynamics. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye recently signed a defence pact pledging collective response to an armed attack against any member. Kabir also said Bangladesh is strengthening ties with Pakistan and China while its relationship with India remains strained. He indicated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s possible India visit is unlikely soon, citing unresolved issues and the need for a more favourable diplomatic environment. (PC: The Print)

The BJP has rejected allegations by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that its workers attacked party members during a government-school inspection in Jaipur’s Rampura Kanwarpura village. CJP leaders, including Ashutosh Ranka and founder Abhijeet Dipke, alleged that volunteers were assaulted, stones were thrown, vehicles damaged and a volunteer injured while visiting the school under their “School Thik Karo” campaign. BJP leaders denied involvement and accused Congress-linked elements of using the CJP to create unrest. Rajasthan ministers called the CJP an “anarchic” group. The allegations have not been independently verified, while villagers also denied involvement in the reported attack. (PC: PTI)