Heavy monsoon rains have unleashed flash floods and triggered fresh landslides across Himachal Pradesh, especially impacting the Mandi–Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh–Manali National Highway. The highway remains blocked, disrupting key connectivity for residents and travelers. The districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Kinnaur are among the worst affected. Persistent rainfall continues to hamper restoration and relief operations, delaying reopening of roads and resumption of essential services. Local authorities are struggling against ongoing weather challenges to restore access and provide much-needed aid to stranded communities.

The United States has called off the planned trade talks with India, originally scheduled for August 25–29 in New Delhi, delaying negotiations over a proposed bilateral trade agreement . The cancellation comes as the U.S. is set to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods beginning August 27—raising total duties as high as 50 percent—largely in response to India’s continued imports of Russian oil . This development follows a breakdown in earlier talks due to India’s reluctance to open its agricultural and dairy sectors and stop buying Russian oil. India has strongly criticized the decision, calling it unfair, and highlighted that other Western nations also maintain economic ties with Russia. (PC: Reuters)  

A viral video shows a family—husband, wife, and their young daughter—travelling from Noida to Delhi in an Uber cab when police signalled them to stop at a routine checkpoint near Parthala Bridge. With incomplete documents, the driver sped off instead, ignoring the family's desperate pleas to stop. During the reckless chase, the cab collided with another vehicle, causing minor injuries to the wife. The family finally escaped when the car stopped near Sector 66. The driver, identified as "Nasim" (alias Sonu), was later arrested and charged with multiple offenses including rash driving, kidnapping, forgery, and wrongful confinement. Over ₹29,000 in fines were issued, the vehicle was seized, and Uber removed him from its platform. 

In the Independence Day 2025 special of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, three distinguished women officers—Colonel Sofiya Qureshi (Indian Army), Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (Indian Air Force), and Commander Prerna Deosthalee (Indian Navy)—took the hot seat. Featuring personal accounts from Operation Sindoor, their participation underscored bravery and patriotism. Impressively, despite the time running out before the ₹50 lakh question, the trio correctly identified the designer of India Gate (Sir Edwin Lutyens) using Audience Poll and secured ₹25 lakh as winnings. They pledged the prize to the welfare funds of their respective services. (PC: Hindustan Times)  

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut and the first to dock aboard the International Space Station, returned home early Sunday after completing the NASA-led Axiom-4 mission . His aircraft touched down at Delhi’s IGI Airport, where he was warmly received by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, and enthusiastic citizens . PM Narendra Modi is expected to meet him, and Shukla will participate in National Space Day celebrations . His mission’s insights are seen as vital contributions to India's upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight and future space ambitions.

A U.S. trade delegation’s planned visit to New Delhi from August 25–29, 2025, for the sixth round of Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, has been postponed with no new dates set . The deferment coincides with Washington’s imposition of hefty tariffs on Indian exports—initially 25%, followed by an additional 25% penalty for importing Russian oil, raising total duties to 50% . These escalating economic tensions, alongside unresolved demands for increased agricultural and dairy market access, have significantly stalled progress in talks. (PC: Reuters)

Following the Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed Putin’s proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: halt Russian advances in exchange for Ukraine surrendering full control of Donetsk. Zelenskyy rejected the offer, maintaining Ukraine’s stance against territorial concessions. Trump publicly stated Ukraine should accept a peace deal, arguing “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” He and Putin reportedly agreed that peace should proceed without a ceasefire, diverging from prior U.S. policy. Russia currently occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory. The summit marked the first U.S.-Russia meeting since the 2022 invasion, amid strained ties and heightened NATO-Russia tensions. (PC: NDTV & CBC)

During his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that he stopped a potential war between India and Pakistan. In a Fox News interview, Trump said the two nations were “shooting down airplanes” and on the brink of nuclear conflict, which he resolved using trade leverage. India, however, maintains the ceasefire was achieved through direct military talks without U.S. mediation. Trump also mentioned resolving other global conflicts and criticized India’s purchase of Russian oil, threatening secondary sanctions. His recent 50% tariffs on Indian imports, including 25% on oil, drew sharp criticism from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, calling them unjustified and unreasonable. (PC: PTI)

A planned visit by a U.S. delegation to New Delhi for trade talks scheduled between August 25 and 29 has been called off, according to sources. The cancellation comes amid rising tensions over recent tariff decisions and diplomatic friction. While no official reason has been disclosed, the visit is likely to be rescheduled. The talks were expected to address key trade issues, including tariffs and strategic economic cooperation. This development adds uncertainty to India-U.S. trade relations, especially following President Trump’s controversial tariff hikes on Indian goods. Officials are reportedly working to find new dates for the dialogue, aiming to restore momentum in bilateral negotiations. (PC: NDTV & Semafor)

Renowned U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs has condemned President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports, calling them “stupid,” “delusional,” and damaging to the U.S. economy. In an interview with ANI, Sachs argued the move stems from hostility toward the BRICS bloc and violates international law. He warned the tariffs would fail economically and politically, describing them as unconstitutional and a breakdown of U.S. foreign policy. Sachs urged India not to rely on the U.S. for strategic security or trade, emphasizing that Washington’s interests diverge from New Delhi’s. He identified China, Russia, and Brazil as India’s real partners and dismissed the idea of India replacing China in global supply chains. (PC: Al Jazeera)