The Assam government has decided to stop issuing Aadhaar cards to people above 18 years of age from October. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move is to prevent illegal Bangladeshi migrants from getting Indian identity documents. Aadhaar will now be given only to minors, and for SCs, STs, and tea garden tribes, cards will be issued for one year. Applications will remain open until September. After that, exceptions will need approval from the Deputy Commissioner. Assam shares a porous border with Bangladesh and has long faced tensions over undocumented migration and identity documents. (PC: NDTV)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The visit comes after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and criticised India’s purchase of Russian oil. Earlier, Jaishankar also met Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and said India and Russia will expand trade in a “balanced and sustainable” way. He defended India’s oil imports, saying India is not the largest buyer and that the US itself had encouraged such purchases to stabilise markets. Jaishankar added that India also buys oil from America and called US criticism “perplexing.” (PC: News18)

China has come out in support of India after the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said the US was acting like a “bully” and warned that silence would only make it stronger. He stressed that China firmly opposed the tariffs and would stand by India. Xu also said China would welcome more Indian goods, especially in IT, software, and biomedicine. He urged India to give Chinese businesses a fair market in return. The US tariffs, which include penalties for buying Russian oil, will take effect on August 27. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court will announce its decision tomorrow on the mass capture of stray dogs in Delhi and nearby cities. On August 8, the court had asked civic bodies to catch all stray dogs within eight weeks and keep them in shelters. The order sparked protests from animal welfare groups, who said it violates the Animal Birth Control Rules. The Delhi government argued the move is needed to stop dog-bite cases and protect people. A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath will decide if the August 8 order will stay, be changed, or be put on hold. (PC: Reuters)

India’s Sports Ministry has issued a new policy declaring a complete halt to bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan—neither country will send teams to each other’s soil, even on neutral venues; effective immediately. However, the rule carved out a clear exception: India’s cricket team will not be stopped from playing in the Asia Cup, as it's a multilateral tournament organized by the Asian Cricket Council. The upcoming Asia Cup (September 9–28, 2025) will therefore proceed with India–Pakistan matches intact, likely held in neutral venues like the UAE.  

India’s space agency, ISRO, is on course to launch its first uncrewed Gaganyaan test mission (G1) this December, marking a major milestone in the nation's human spaceflight journey. The mission will carry Vyommitra, a half-humanoid robot, along with experimental payloads into low Earth orbit for system validation. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of India’s astronaut trainees, affirmed the country’s readiness and collective spirit supporting the initiative. The G1 mission is a critical precursor to India's first crewed Gaganyaan flight, projected for early 2027.  

A gas leak at a pharmaceutical company in the Tarapur-Boisar industrial zone of Maharashtra’s Palghar district has resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals. Emergency teams arrived swiftly to contain the leak and initiate rescue operations. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause and hold responsible parties accountable. The incident has reignited concerns over industrial safety in the region, particularly in areas dense with chemical and pharmaceutical plants, underscoring the need for stringent enforcement of workplace and environmental safety regulations. (PC: NDTV)

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation has endorsed the Centre’s bold plan to eliminate the 12% and 28% tax slabs, consolidating the structure into two main rates: 5% and 18%, with a 40% levy retained for luxury and sin goods. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary confirmed widespread state support, though some ministers flagged potential revenue implications, urging clarity over compensation. The proposal now advances to the upcoming GST Council for final approval, marking a critical stride in modernising India’s indirect tax framework. (PC: X)  

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed IPS officer Satish Golcha (AGMUT, 1992 batch) as the new Commissioner of Police, Delhi, effective immediately, replacing SBK Singh . This move comes just a day after an attack on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta at her Civil Lines residence, prompting urgent reforms in security protocols . Previously serving as Director General (Prisons) since May, Golcha brings extensive experience, including key roles as Special Commissioner (Law and Order, Intelligence), Deputy Commissioner, and stints managing law and order during the northeast Delhi riots. His appointment aims to restore public confidence and strengthen security oversight in the capital. (PC: The Hindu)

During the devastating cloudburst on August 14, 2025, local youth known as the Chishoti Bikers—who normally ferry pilgrims along the Machail Mata yatra route—switched from their regular service to rescuers, becoming the first responders. As torrents of water and debris swept through Chishoti village, these bikers sounded alarms and guided terrified pilgrims to safety. They then improvised rescue efforts using bike tools and household items to help dig out survivors until formal aid arrived. Their bravery was later acknowledged by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who lauded their selfless, courageous service.