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)

India’s knitwear hub Tiruppur faces a severe crisis after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports. With 20,000 factories and 30 lakh jobs at risk, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has urged PM Modi for urgent intervention. Tiruppur contributes 68% of India’s knitwear exports, with 40% going to the U.S. Exporters, especially those reliant on American buyers, are struggling to absorb the 25% tariff, and fear a proposed 50% hike. Orders have been halted, and shipments are restricted post-August 27. Stalin warned that Tamil Nadu’s high dependency on U.S. trade could lead to disproportionate economic damage and mass unemployment.(PC: India Today & News18)

Russian President Vladimir Putin described his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska as “very frank” and “timely,” emphasizing its usefulness in advancing discussions on ending the Ukraine conflict “on a fair basis.” Speaking to top officials in Moscow, Putin noted the rarity of such high-level direct negotiations and praised the opportunity to calmly and thoroughly reiterate Russia’s position. He stated the conversation was substantive and believed it brought both nations closer to making necessary decisions. The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid ongoing global tensions. (PC: X/Whitehouse)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will begin the ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar on August 17, 2025, to raise awareness about what the party claims is an assault on citizens’ voting rights during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Former Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh stated that Gandhi is expected to remain in the State for over two weeks until the yatra concludes. The campaign aims to mobilise public opinion, highlight alleged irregularities in voter lists, and reinforce the Congress’s stance on safeguarding democratic and electoral rights. (PC : The Hindu)

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that Washington may hold off on imposing secondary tariffs on India for continuing Russian oil imports. While India already faces steep duties—raised from 25% to 50%—Trump indicated no immediate escalation, saying the issue could be reconsidered in “two or three weeks.” The statement follows high-level U.S.–Russia talks in Alaska and comes amid ongoing global pressure over Moscow’s energy exports. Analysts view the pause as a temporary reprieve, giving India space for diplomatic engagement while the U.S. balances strategic ties, energy market stability, and its broader sanctions policy toward Russia. (PC: Reuters)  

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has staunchly defended his upcoming film The Bengal Files, describing it as a portrayal of the “Bengal genocide” rather than propaganda. In an interview with News18, he emphasized, *"I am as much Bengali as anyone else and I will fight for this truth to be known"*. Agnihotri alleges political pressure disrupted the trailer launch—first with a multiplex backing out, then by unidentified individuals cutting wires at the hotel event, which led to the screening being halted twice before eventually succeeding. (PC: News 18)

Severe monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have caused extensive havoc since June 20, with the death toll climbing to 257—133 due to rain-related incidents and 124 from road accidents . Heavy downpours have disrupted 374 roads (including national highways NH-05 and NH-305), disabled 524 power transformers, and affected 145 water supply schemes . Mandi and Kullu districts remain particularly hard-hit, while widespread disruptions continue to constrain connectivity, electricity, and water access. Authorities urge caution and travel restrictions as rainfall persists and restoration efforts are in progress. (PC: ANI)

On August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. In a spectacle of diplomacy featuring a red-carpet welcome, limousine ride, and military flyover, the two leaders completed approximately 2.5 hours of talks—but left without reaching a ceasefire or actionable agreement on Ukraine . While both described the meeting as “productive,” pressing issues like stopping the war were left unresolved . European leaders vowed to uphold sanctions and reject any territorial veto by Russia on Ukraine’s EU or NATO aspirations . Ukrainian President Zelensky is set to meet Trump in Washington next week to continue dialogue. (PC: NDTV)

A sudden cloudburst in Chishoti village, part of the Machail Mata Yatra route in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, unleashed ferocious flash floods that were captured live on video—showing torrents of muddy water sweeping away pilgrims, structures, and debris . The deluge destroyed 16 houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-meter bridge, and vehicles, while displacing many people . So far, at least 60 people have been killed and over 100 injured, with hundreds feared buried or swept away under rocks and debris . Rescue efforts are underway involving NDRF, SDRF, Army, and local teams, but are hampered by damaged infrastructure and challenging terrain.

The NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has successfully unfolded its massive 12-meter-wide radar antenna reflector in orbit—a pivotal moment that transitions the mission from launch to commissioning. With the reflector fully deployed and locked, engineers can now perform critical system checks, calibration, and tuning of its dual-band radar systems (L-band by NASA; S-band by ISRO), vital for capturing high-resolution Earth observations. Once operational, NISAR will begin mapping the entire planet every 12 days, providing real-time data essential for monitoring climate-driven changes, natural disasters, and environmental shifts like glacier melting, land deformation, forest health, and water-cycle dynamics. (PC: NASA)