On August 5, a devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarkashi’s Dharali and Harsil regions. At least five lives were lost, with many more missing. In Operation Dharali and Zindagi, Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and BRO have evacuated over 1,000 residents and tourists using 33+ helicopter sorties, airlifting 195 civilians to safety while delivering critical aid . Rescue operations face continued disruption due to heavy rains and washed-out roads, though a temporary aerial corridor and bridge construction are underway . The administration, now establishing relief camps and forming a rehabilitation committee, has announced ₹5 lakh aid for each bereaved and destroyed-home household, alongside essential supplies and long-term recovery planning. (PC: PTI)

On August 10, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bengaluru’s new Yellow Line of Namma Metro—a fully elevated 19.1 km corridor connecting RV Road (Ragigudda) to Bommasandra with 16 stations at a cost of ₹7,610 crore. The line, set to commence public services Monday at 5 AM with three trainsets running every 25 minutes, enhances connectivity across the city’s southern tech and residential hubs. On the same day, PM Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains, including the Bengaluru–Belagavi service, elevating rail connectivity and reinforcing India’s commitment to modern transportation infrastructure. (PC: PTI)  

Thousands thronged central Dhaka this week to celebrate the first anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, hailing a “New Bangladesh” under interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Festivities masked deep challenges: rights groups warn of mob violence, religious extremism, and political revenge attacks. Women’s rights reforms have stalled amid Islamist opposition, while exiled Awami League leaders allege persecution and exclusion from upcoming polls. Despite economic stability, Transparency International reports persistent extra-judicial killings. Activists fear the uprising’s democratic gains could be lost without systemic change. “We have overthrown an authoritarian regime, but unless we end authoritarian practices, we cannot create a new Bangladesh,” warned TIB’s Iftekhar Zaman. (PC: BBC)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, calling it an attempt to undermine India’s rapid economic rise. Speaking in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, Singh said “some are unhappy” with India’s growth and hinted at U.S. trade protectionism by referring to Trump’s administration as “sabke boss.” He accused foreign powers of making Indian goods appear costlier to curb profits but vowed that “no power can stop India from becoming a big power.” Singh also highlighted India’s record ₹24,000 crore in defence exports, underscoring the nation’s expanding global role. (PC: News18)

Firefighters have contained France’s largest wildfire in at least 50 years, which scorched 16,000 hectares in the southern Aude department. The blaze, fueled by scorching heat and dry winds, killed a 65-year-old woman, injured several residents, and left 19 firefighters hurt. Over 1,300 firefighters remain on alert as a heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40°C, threatens to reignite the fire. The disaster has devastated farmland and livestock, with some farmers losing most of their flocks. Authorities warn full extinguishment could take weeks. Experts link such extreme fires to intensifying summer heatwaves driven by climate change. (PC: NDTV)

Gautam Budh Nagar police have arrested six men from West Bengal for allegedly operating a fake “International Police & Crime Investigation Bureau” office in Noida’s Sector 70. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the premises and seized forged ministry certificates, fake IDs, police-style insignia, cheque books, ATM cards, mobile phones, and ₹42,300 cash. The gang allegedly claimed affiliations with Interpol and other global bodies, soliciting donations via a website to dupe victims. Officials said the operation, running for about 10 days, was designed to mimic law enforcement. The accused face multiple charges under the BNS, IT Act, and Emblems Act. (PC: HT)

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that India will soon launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the United States, marking one of the heaviest payloads ever handled by the Indian space agency. The launch is planned within the next two months using India’s GSLV Mk-III (LVM3) rocket. Speaking at SRM Institute’s convocation, Narayanan highlighted ISRO’s journey from launching a small American-supplied rocket in 1963 to becoming a global launch provider. He also noted the recent success of the NISAR mission, jointly developed with NASA, calling the upcoming launch a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation and ISRO’s heavy-lift capability. (PC: The Hindu)  

Relief operations in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi faced fresh challenges Sunday as rain turned Dharali’s terrain swampy, disrupting search for hundreds still missing after a devastating August 5 cloudburst. Over 1,000 people have been rescued under “Operation Zindagi,” with the Indian Army conducting 33 helicopter sorties and restoring partial connectivity. Five deaths have been confirmed, and aid continues via an aerial corridor. Roads remain damaged, with a 5km stretch washed away. A Bailey bridge on NH-34 nears completion, while radar and satellite tools aid searches. The state has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation per deceased and destroyed homes, alongside ration support for six months. (PC: India Today)

Leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission have declared that any peace talks with Russia must include Ukraine. The joint statement comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has floated a possible trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but, for now, it remains a Trump-Putin meeting. Zelensky warned any deal without Kyiv would be “dead decisions,” rejecting proposals for territorial swaps. European leaders reaffirmed that “international borders must not be changed by force” and pledged continued diplomatic, military, and financial support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. (PC: BBC)

On World Lion Day, India celebrated a 32% rise in the population of Asiatic lions, now numbering 891, up from 674 in 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited community participation, especially tribal and women forest officers for the conservation success in Gujarat’s Gir forest, the only natural habitat of these lions. However, concerns persist as 669 lions have died in the past five years due to illness, accidents, and old age, with no poaching reported. Experts warn that over 48% of lions now live outside protected zones, increasing risks. Calls for translocation to alternate habitats like Barda Wildlife Sanctuary remain unfulfilled, raising questions about long-term sustainability and preparedness for ecological threats. (PC: X)