Prime Minister Modi meets Japanese PM Ishiba at the 15th India-Japan annual summit, marking Modi's first solo Japan visit in seven years. The landmark meeting will announce India's manufacturing partnership for next-generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains, capable of 400kmph speeds with earthquake-resistant design. Both nations will simultaneously launch E10 operations in 2030. Key discussions include expanding high-speed rail networks, semiconductor manufacturing collaboration at Tokyo Electron Factory, joint AI initiatives, and upgraded defense cooperation through the 'Unicorn' radar project. Economic partnerships target 7-10 trillion yen Japanese investments, surpassing the previous 5 trillion goal achieved early. Space collaboration continues with Isro-Jaxa's Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, strengthening bilateral ties across infrastructure, technology, and security sectors. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

Russia conducted its first successful naval drone attack against a Ukrainian ship, targeting the reconnaissance vessel Simferopol in the Danube River delta. The medium reconnaissance ship, built at Kuznia na Rybalskomu shipyard in Kyiv, was launched in April 2019 and entered service in 2021. The vessel represented Ukraine's largest naval commission in over a decade and was equipped with advanced surveillance capabilities including radio, electronic, radar, and optical reconnaissance systems. The attack resulted in at least one crew member killed and several injured, with search efforts ongoing for missing sailors. This strike marks a significant escalation in naval warfare tactics, demonstrating Russia's adaptation of Ukraine's own successful drone boat strategies for offensive operations in strategically important waterways. (PC: Moneycontrol)

Punjab Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa used the ATOR N1200 amphibious all-terrain vehicle to reach flood-affected areas in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala district. Manufactured by JSW Gecko Motors, this specialist mobility vehicle is typically used by the Indian Army. Four vehicles have been deployed to flooded regions in Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi for rescue operations, operating under district collector's office coordination with SDRF, NDRF, and Indian Army. The vehicles rescue stranded residents and deliver essential supplies including food and medicine. JSW Gecko Motors provided these vehicles as humanitarian aid to support civil administration relief efforts. The company engages with disaster response agencies across states to promote inclusion of such amphibious vehicles in their emergency response inventories.

India appointed veteran diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik as its next envoy to Canada, alongside Ottawa naming Christopher Cooter as High Commissioner to New Delhi. This marks efforts to rebuild ties after reaching a low point in 2023. Patnaik, from the 1990 Indian Foreign Service batch, brings over 25 years experience from postings in Beijing, Vienna, Dhaka, Geneva, Cambodia, Morocco, and London. Currently ICCR Director General, he previously served as India's ambassador to Spain. Relations deteriorated when Canada accused India's involvement in Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 2023 killing, leading to diplomatic expulsions. The ambassador exchanges follow talks between PM Modi and Canadian counterpart Mark Carney during this year's G7 summit. (PC: Go Aragaon)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a traditional welcome in Tokyo from Japanese women dressed in colorful Rajasthani attire, who greeted him with "Padharo Mhare Des" (Welcome to my land). The performers presented classical Indian dances including Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Odissi, along with the folk song 'Vaari jaavu re.' Modi, visibly moved, applauded and interacted with the artists. One Kathak performer called performing for Modi "like a gold medal." The welcome preceded Modi's two-day Japan visit for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with counterpart Shigeru Ishiba. Modi emphasized strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership and praised the Indian community in Japan for preserving cultural roots while contributing to Japanese society.

NASA has shared the last image taken by Voyager 2 on August 28, 1989, captured from over 4.7 billion km away . The distant picture features Neptune prominently on the left, with its largest moon Triton visible on the right . This image marked Voyager 2’s final visual record before its optical cameras were permanently shut down to conserve power . From that vantage point, most of the sunlit sides of both bodies were oriented away from the spacecraft—offering a rare perspective as it departed the outer solar system. (PC: NASA)  

India plans to increase Russian oil imports by 10-20% in September despite US doubling tariffs on Indian exports to 50% over Moscow crude purchases. Indian refiners expect to buy an additional 150,000-300,000 barrels daily from August levels. Since Western sanctions following Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion, India became a major Russian crude buyer, averaging 1.5-1.6 million barrels daily by mid-2024, meeting 40% of domestic needs. While US officials accuse India of "profiteering" from discounted oil, New Delhi defends purchases as necessary for energy security of 1.4 billion citizens. India maintains its cooperation with Russia helps stabilize global energy markets, prioritizing national interest over geopolitical considerations. (PC: Mint & Times Now)

Robin Westman, 23, killed two children and wounded 17 others at a Minneapolis Catholic church before taking his own life. In a manifesto posted on YouTube before the attack, Westman expressed regret about his gender transition, writing "I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brain-washed myself." His handwritten journal, encrypted in Russian Cyrillic script and English, detailed struggles with his appearance and transition decisions. Westman had attended the same parish school as a student in 2017, going by Robert then. Armed with three guns, he fired through stained-glass windows during Mass. Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed the shooter died by suicide at the church's rear.

Late on August 28, 2025, a devastating combined drone and missile attack by Russian forces struck Kyiv, killing at least 21 people—among them four children—and wounding dozens more across the city’s ten districts . The bombardment included nearly 600 drones, decoys, and over 30 missiles, making it one of the most significant strikes since the war began . Critical infrastructure suffered heavy damage: the EU mission's headquarters and the British Council's offices were among the targeted sites . The EU and UK have strongly condemned the attack, summoning Russian diplomats, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called for harsher sanctions and noted the assault reflected Moscow's continued rejection of peace talks. (PC: Reuters)

Economist Richard Wolff sharply criticized Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on India as misguided and strategically harmful to the U.S. Calling the U.S. posture akin to a “mouse hitting an elephant,” he warned the move will alienate India and accelerate trade realignment toward the BRICS bloc. By shutting off the American market, India will increasingly rely on BRICS for trade, thereby strengthening the alternative economic grouping. Wolff highlighted that BRICS now produce 35% of global output—overtaking the G7, which stands at 28%—signaling a transformative shift in the global economic order.