NASA has invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, a major expansion of India-US cooperation in human space exploration. The offer was made during the ninth India-US Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting in Bengaluru on August 5-6, with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also participating. NASA’s initiative aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a permanent settlement. India joined the US-led Artemis Accords in 2023, becoming the 27th signatory; the alliance now includes 70 countries. The invitation could deepen India’s role in international lunar exploration and strengthen its strategic partnership with the United States in civil space activities.

France and New Zealand have confirmed their participation in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, easing concerns over a potential UEFA-led boycott of FIFA competitions. The confirmations come amid a dispute between UEFA and FIFA President Gianni Infantino over a now-abandoned proposal that had drawn strong criticism from the European confederation. UEFA had threatened to boycott FIFA competitions following the disagreement, while countries including Argentina and Mexico supported Infantino. France became the first country to confirm its participation, followed by New Zealand. New Zealand Football said sending its U20 women’s team to Poland next month was important for developing the women’s game. The confirmations provide relief for FIFA as tensions with UEFA continue. (PC: AFC)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday stressed that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the India-China border is of “utmost importance” following reports of alleged Chinese incursions into Arunachal Pradesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently conveyed to China that border issues, including Chinese troops crossing into Indian territory, are among the “most serious” concerns. He added that the state of border affairs will reflect on broader bilateral relations. Jaiswal also rejected China’s criticism of India identifying 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh using their standard Indian names. India has maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of the country and reiterated the need for diplomatic and military mechanisms to address outstanding border issues.

India’s economy has slipped from fourth to sixth place globally, with nominal GDP estimated at $3.92 trillion in FY2025-26, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told Parliament, citing the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook. The IMF ranking is based on nominal GDP measured at current US dollar exchange rates. Chaudhary said rankings can change due to exchange-rate movements, prices, economic growth, national-account revisions and shifts in other major economies. India had overtaken the UK in 2022 to become the fifth-largest economy and was later reported to have surpassed Japan. The government is focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure and MSMEs, alongside PLI schemes, logistics reforms, public investment, FDI and tax reforms. (PC: iStock)

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose has announced plans to launch the Azad Hind Party, drawing inspiration from recent Gen Z-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Bose said the proposed political outfit will focus on young people and seek to promote Netaji’s inclusive and secular ideology. He alleged that widespread corruption across politics and institutions has left India’s youth increasingly frustrated with the existing system. The announcement marks another shift in Bose’s political journey. He recently resigned from the Trinamool Congress after joining the party ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, following an earlier stint with the BJP. Bose had previously called his decision to join the BJP a “mistake” before leaving the TMC citing personal reasons. (PC: Indsia Today)

India has rejected social media claims alleging that China is carrying out a “slow encroachment” in Arunachal Pradesh, with government sources describing such posts as attention-seeking claims. Sources told ANI that there is no such encroachment and said Indian security forces are fully prepared to monitor and dominate the border and check Chinese activities. India has repeatedly conveyed to China that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country. The comments come amid renewed Chinese assertions over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as “South Tibet.” China reportedly articulated territorial claims over the region during 1960 border talks, claiming around 69,000 square kilometres of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian authorities continue to reject these claims. (PC: ANI)

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he switched aircraft during a recent summit in Turkey because of a security threat. Trump said he follows the advice of the Secret Service and military and did not ask extensively about the specific threat. Reports said Trump initially switched from the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8 to an older Air Force One and later moved discreetly to a smaller C-32A aircraft. The Washington Post reported that he was secretly transferred from the older aircraft in a catering container before boarding the C-32A. Trump said he receives numerous threats that are not publicly known, adding that consequential presidents face many threats. His comments confirmed the previously unacknowledged security-driven aircraft changes. (PC: AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo married his longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez in a private ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11. The intimate wedding was attended by their five children: Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda. Ronaldo announced the marriage on social media with a picture of the couple holding hands and displaying their wedding rings, captioned “C(heart emoji)G”. British journalist Piers Morgan also shared an image of the newlyweds. Ronaldo and Rodríguez met in Madrid in 2016 when she worked as a Gucci sales assistant while Ronaldo played for Real Madrid. They have been together for a decade and have built a family across Spain, Italy, the UK and Saudi Arabia. (PC: X)

At least six people were killed after suspected Houthi strikes hit the Egyptian-owned cargo vessel Tihamah near Yemen’s southern coast, close to the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, according to Yemen’s coastguard. Four crew members, including three Pakistani and one Indonesian national, were killed in the initial strike, while two rescuers died during an evacuation operation. Ten people were injured. The first strike reportedly caused a fire and extensive damage to the vessel, while a second strike hit during the rescue operation. Yemen’s internationally recognised government and Transport Ministry blamed the Houthis, though the group has not claimed responsibility. If confirmed, the deaths would be the first fatalities from a Houthi shipping attack since the Iran war began. (PC: X)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new packaging requirements for pan masala, banning plastic, aluminium foil and metallised layers. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, were notified in the Gazette of India on August 10. Under the new rules, pan masala manufacturers can use only plastic-free paper, paperboard, cellulose or other naturally derived materials, along with tin or glass containers. The move specifically targets plastic used in pan masala packaging and removes several previously used materials from permitted options. The new requirements mark a regulatory shift towards plastic-free packaging for pan masala products, with manufacturers required to adopt the newly specified alternatives. (PC: Getty Images)