Indian weightlifting ace Mirabai Chanu clinched the gold medal in the women’s 48 kg category at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships held in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2025. She lifted a total of 193 kg—84 kg in the snatch and 109 kg in the clean and jerk—breaking Commonwealth Championship records in all three lifts: snatch, clean and jerk, and total . Returning after a year-long hiatus following the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Tokyo silver medallist ensured direct qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (PC: PTI)

The Ayushman Bharat public health insurance scheme is crumbling under unpaid dues surpassing ₹1.21 lakh crore. In Haryana alone, over 600 private hospitals have halted services since August 7, citing ₹500 crore in pending claims — patients like Faridabad cancer patient Jameel fear losing access to critical treatment . Similar disruptions are unfolding in Manipur, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, where hospitals threaten to cease operations amidst mounting arrears . Systemic underfunding, stagnant package rates, bureaucratic delays, and trust deficits are pushing the flagship scheme toward collapse. Patients remain distressed, and private hospitals demand urgent reforms and timely payments. (PC: The Print)

The Supreme Court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by former Justice J. Chelameswar, to probe the operations of Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre run by Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The inquiry, to be completed by September 12, will examine allegations of illegal animal procurement—especially elephants—from India and abroad, adherence to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and zoo rules. It will also assess compliance with CITES, animal welfare standards, environmental concerns, financial irregularities, and more, following PILs prompted by the transfer of an elephant from a Kolhapur temple. 

Dream11, the fantasy sports giant, has officially ended its ₹358-crore jersey sponsorship deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming and related advertising . BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the termination and stated the board will refrain from partnering with similar organizations in the future . With the Asia Cup beginning on September 9, BCCI is urgently seeking a new title sponsor—but may face the tournament without one . Meanwhile, industry voices joke that sponsoring Team India’s jersey is a true “brand survival test” amid such volatility. (PC: Hindustan Times)

The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian shrimp, pushing total duties beyond 60%, threatening India’s $8-billion shrimp export sector. Prices have already fallen by $0.60–0.72 per kilo and are expected to dip further, hitting farmers during the peak season for US buyers. With over 500,000 farmers directly and 2.5 million indirectly dependent on the industry, livelihoods are at stake. Hatchery operators report reduced shrimp larvae output due to uncertainty. Meanwhile, India-US trade talks remain stalled, with Washington criticizing New Delhi over ties with China and Russia, worsening the diplomatic and economic impasse. (PC: BBC)

Ram G Vallath, an IIT alumnus and growth coach, has sounded the alarm on India’s healthcare meltdown, warning that each year, 39 million Indians are plunged into deep poverty by catastrophic medical expenses . He attributes this crisis to underfunded public hospitals, prompting patients to seek expensive private care. Compounding the problem, global private equity firms are profiting, with hospitals and even doctors facing steep revenue targets that drive unnecessary tests and procedures . Vallath calls for significantly increased government investment and stringent regulation of private healthcare to protect vulnerable patients and uphold the nation’s true freedom. 

Scientists from Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur, have uncovered India’s first phytosaur fossil in Megha village near Jaisalmer, dating back approximately 200 million years to the Jurassic era—making it a landmark paleontological find. The nearly 1.5–2 metre-long crocodile-like reptile skeleton, discovered along with a fossil egg, sheds light on the region’s prehistoric aquatic ecosystems . Led by Prof. V. S. Parihar and supported by geologist Dr. Narayan Das Inakhiya, the excavation positions Jaisalmer as a vital Jurassic-era fossil hotspot in India, with implications for both scientific research and geotourism.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that any voter whose name is deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls is entitled to a mandatory hearing before removal. This assurance addresses concerns about procedural fairness following the removal of approximately 65 lakh names. The ECI emphasized that no name will be omitted without prior notice and a reasoned order, ensuring due process. The Supreme Court had also directed ECI to publish deleted names and reasons and allow affected persons to submit claims using Aadhaar or other approved documents. (PC: The Hindu)

The US has issued a notice imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods from August 27, raising the overall duty to 50 per cent. The move targets India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Ahmedabad on Monday, said India will not bow to pressure. “No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand it,” he said. Modi assured that small entrepreneurs, farmers, and shopkeepers will be protected. NDTV reported that he also criticised global “politics of economic self-interest,” calling it unfair and short-sighted. (PC: NDTV)

Russia plans to hire more Indian workers beyond construction and textiles, where most Indians currently work. According to India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, companies in the machinery and electronics sectors are now seeking Indian talent. The rising demand has also increased the need for consular services like passport renewals and registrations. Kumar also defended India’s energy trade with Russia, saying it is guided by national interest and energy security for 1.4 billion people. He rejected U.S. criticism of India’s oil imports, stressing that many Western nations also continue trading with Russia despite sanctions. (PC: Business Today)