The Ladakh administration has revoked the 40-year land allotment (about 1,076 kanal and 1 marla) granted to the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), citing non-establishment of a legal university on the site . Founded by environmental activist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk, HIAL’s founders and the region’s Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) condemned the move as politically motivated suppression—labeling it a “witch-hunt” . LAB and KDA vowed legal action, while Wangchuk called the cancellation an assault on Ladakh’s development and dissent. (PC: PTI)

The UK government has taken control of Liberty Steel’s South Yorkshire plants, Rotherham and Stocksbridge linked to Indian-British tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, safeguarding 1,450 jobs after a London court ordered the winding up of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK). Gupta’s GFG Alliance, once hailed as the “saviour of steel,” has struggled since Greensill Capital’s 2021 collapse, which had extended $4.5 billion in financing. The court rejected Liberty’s plea for more time, citing doubts about Gupta’s credibility. Advisory firm Teneo will manage operations under the government’s official receiver. The plants are deemed strategic assets, and independent investors may revive production. Gupta’s empire faces scrutiny amid ongoing fraud investigations by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office. (PC: Reuters)

In Bhagalpur, Bihar, two elderly women who migrated from Pakistan in 1956 were found listed on the Indian voter roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The anomaly surfaced shortly after Prime Minister Modi raised concerns about infiltration at a rally in Gaya. The Home Ministry flagged the issue, prompting the District Magistrate to initiate removal proceedings via Form-7. Both women, reportedly unable to communicate effectively, had received voter ID cards and were verified during the SIR. Authorities, including the DM and SP, have been directed to investigate and submit a detailed report. The case underscores the importance of rigorous verification in electoral processes. (PC: CNN & Aaj Tak)

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s most dependable Test batters, has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket at the age of 37. In a moving social media post, Pujara reflected on the honor of wearing the Indian jersey and the emotional weight of singing the national anthem before matches. Known for his grit and classical technique, Pujara last played Test cricket in June 2023. His retirement closes a chapter defined by resilience, patience, and match-saving innings that anchored India’s rise in red-ball cricket. Fans and fellow cricketers have poured in tributes, celebrating a career that embodied the spirit of Test cricket. (PC: Cricbuzz)

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has urged India to reconsider its oil imports from Russia, warning that such actions could strain U.S.-India relations. Haley emphasized that while India is a strategic partner, continued reliance on Russian energy undermines global efforts to isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. She also criticized the Biden administration for being too lenient with India on this issue. Haley’s remarks reflect growing bipartisan pressure in Washington for India to align more closely with Western sanctions. The comments come amid broader discussions on India’s balancing act between strategic autonomy and global alliances. (PC: The New York Times)

ISRO has successfully conducted its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the Gaganyaan mission’s parachute-based deceleration system, marking a major milestone in astronaut safety validation. The test was a joint effort involving the Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that the uncrewed Gaganyaan-1 flight, featuring the half-humanoid Vyommitra, is scheduled for December 2025. With 80% of over 10,000 tests completed, the remaining are expected by March 2026. Union Minister Jitendra Singh outlined progress on launch vehicles, crew modules, and recovery infrastructure. India aims for a crewed Gaganyaan flight by 2027 and a Moon landing by 2040. (PC: ISRO)

On August 21, 2025, Russia successfully launched four small military satellites aboard an Angara-1.2 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The satellites, designated as OO MKA No. 3, MKA No. 4, MKA No. 5, and MKA No. 6, are part of Russia's Kosmos series and are classified under the "small satellite" category. This launch marks the fifth overall orbital mission for the Angara-1.2 variant and the second in 2025. The payloads are part of Russia’s small, operational-experimental reconnaissance series, indicating a continued emphasis on enhancing its space-based military capabilities. 

A massive mudslide in northern Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan province has created a 7-kilometer-long lake by blocking the Ghizer River. This natural dam poses a significant risk of bursting, potentially leading to catastrophic floods downstream. The National Disaster Management Authority has identified four districts—Ghizer, Gilgit, Astore, and Diamer—as being at high risk. Authorities have rescued nearly 200 people, thanks to an early warning from a shepherd who spotted the mudslide. While the lake is gradually discharging water, flash floods remain a concern until it is fully cleared. (PC: NDTV)    

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, calling it an “abuse of power” and a manufactured crisis. Trump has already sent 2,000 armed troops to Washington DC, claiming success in tackling crime, and now signals expansion to Chicago and New York—both Democrat-run cities. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly opposed the move, warning it could inflame tensions and undermine progress on crime reduction. Despite federal claims of hundreds of arrests, polls show the deployment remains deeply unpopular among residents, fueling debate over federal overreach and states’ rights. (PC: BBC)

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is gearing up for the tenth test flight of its colossal Starship rocket this Sunday from its Starbase facility in Texas—a venture now deemed a pivotal inflection point amid multiple recent failures . In 2025, three consecutive Starship flights ended in dramatic explosions—twice mid-air and once during a ground test—raising serious concerns over the program’s viability . SpaceX has made technical corrections, including redesigning a fuel diffuser, to address the root cause of instability . Experts warn the outcome could either propel Starship toward success or signal a major setback in SpaceX’s Mars ambitions. (PC: Reuters)