A fabricated social-media claim about Iran’s nuclear programme travelled from an anonymous Indian X account to Israeli and US political circles, influencing rhetoric at the highest levels. On August 5, the account claimed Iranian commander Brig Gen Ahmad Vahidi said Tehran would pursue nuclear weapons while Israel and the US possessed them. The post included an AI-generated mushroom-cloud image, but there was no evidence Vahidi made the statement or that Iran had built a nuclear weapon. Israeli accounts amplified it before Israel’s Channel 14 aired the claim, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited it in a speech. Trump envoy Mike Waltz and Senator Rick Scott also shared it. Waltz later deleted his post, highlighting misinformation’s rapid geopolitical impact. (PC: Times Now)

Russia struck ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s largest steel producer and part of Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s ArcelorMittal group, in a missile attack on August 16, killing two people and injuring 13 workers and contractors. The strike damaged energy systems and blast furnace facilities at the sprawling Kryvyi Rih plant, forcing a partial suspension of production. Firefighters, rescuers and medical teams responded as specialists assessed the damage and repair requirements. The company confirmed the facility is civilian industrial infrastructure and said the attack disrupted production. The plant had previously been hit by a Russian missile in 2022, destroying a rolling mill and killing one worker. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih remains a key Ukrainian steelmaking facility. (PC: X)

Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran and Department of Economic Affairs consultant Akash Poojari have proposed restoring E10 petrol for older two-wheelers alongside E20, amid continuing concerns over ethanol’s impact on ageing vehicle components. In a column published in The Indian Express, they argued that India’s ethanol policy should look beyond whether E20 works in older vehicles and assess the broader food-versus-fuel trade-off. They said higher ethanol blending could require more agricultural land and water, potentially affecting food and feed production and other agricultural uses. The economists urged India to carefully weigh these trade-offs before increasing ethanol blending beyond 20%, highlighting the need to balance energy goals with agricultural and resource priorities. (PC: India Today)

A global survey across 36 countries has revealed significant differences in public perceptions of India, with Sri Lanka recording the highest favourable rating at 79%. The United Kingdom and Kenya followed with 71% each, while Germany recorded 63%. Israel stood at 60%, and Italy at 56%. Sweden, Japan and Thailand each registered 55% favourable views. The findings indicate strong goodwill towards India across parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, attributed to factors including trade, investment, cultural ties, strategic cooperation, education and diaspora connections. Pakistan recorded the lowest favourable rating at just 7%, highlighting the impact of longstanding political tensions and security disputes. The survey underscores India’s varied global image across the 36 countries studied. (PC: AFP)

Twenty blackbucks, including 15 females and five males, were rewilded in Gujarat’s Banni grasslands on India’s 80th Independence Day. The Gujarat Forest Department carried out the translocation with support from Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC)-Vantara. The animals were moved from Vantara’s Jamnagar facility after approvals from the Central Zoo Authority and Gujarat’s Chief Wildlife Warden. The process followed veterinary checks, health screening, quarantine, disease surveillance and humane transportation protocols. The initiative aims to rebuild Banni’s native herbivore community, restore predator-prey relationships and strengthen grassland resilience. Blackbucks historically formed part of Banni’s herbivore base alongside chinkara, nilgai and wild boar. Officials said sustained scientific management and community participation will be crucial for long-term conservation success.

US President Donald Trump has welcomed the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, calling it a major step towards regional security and greater defence self-reliance. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said he was “very happy” that the three countries had “recently, and finally” signed the pact. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three nations will be regarded as an attack against all three. Trump said the deal showed how the Middle East was coming together and would enable countries to defend themselves more meaningfully. He described the agreement as a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP” towards stronger regional defence cooperation.

Indian-origin Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, has become the first Sikh to graduate as a fighter pilot in Britain’s Royal Air Force since World War II. Dang graduated during a fast-jet pilot ceremony at RAF Valley in North Wales on August 14. The RAF said he was the first Sikh trainee to graduate on the Texan aircraft at 4 Flying Training School under the UK Military Flying Training System. The milestone marks the first time since World War II that a Sikh has attained fighter wings from a fighter squadron in the RAF, according to The Indian Express. However, the RAF clarified that Dang was not the first Sikh to graduate from Basic Flying Training. (PC: X)

The National Testing Agency will re-conduct three UGC-NET papers after finding several errors in the exams held in June. The affected subjects are English, Commerce and Sociology. Candidates reported spelling mistakes, repeated questions and repeated answer options. In Sociology, names such as Ritzer, Ghurye and Parsons were reportedly misspelled. English and Commerce papers also contained questions repeated from earlier exams. NTA said a committee found factual, typing, translation and grammar errors in the papers. The English and Commerce exams will be held on September 9, while Sociology will be held on September 10. No extra fee will be charged.

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said talks between Dhaka and New Delhi had been ongoing for weeks. However, the process was affected by Hasina’s press interaction in New Delhi on August 5. Bangladesh wants India to act on its extradition request and hand over other fugitives. Dhaka also wants India to hand over people accused of killing Sharif Osman Hadi. Karim said a “propitious environment” was needed for Rahman’s visit. Bangladesh is now waiting for India’s response to its requests under the bilateral extradition treaty.

Hurricane Lala has caused severe flooding and mudslides in Hawaii, leaving one person dead in a car accident. The Category 1 storm passed close to the Big Island without making landfall. Heavy rain swept away homes in coastal areas and damaged roads. Some areas received up to 35 inches of rain. More than 200,000 customers lost power, while several hospitals used backup generators. About 180 National Guard members were sent to help with rescue work. Two homes were reportedly swept away, and searches are underway for affected residents. Lala has weakened into a tropical storm but continues to bring heavy rain. (PC: Getty Images)