🇮🇳 National News
The Department of Posts will discontinue the Registered Post service effective September 1, 2025.
This service, active for more than five decades, will be merged into the Speed Post service.
The move is aimed at modernizing postal services and creating more streamlined operations.
| Service | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Post | ₹25.96 + ₹5/extra 20g | Discontinuing |
| Speed Post | ₹41 (up to 50g) | Continuing (20-25% costlier) |
Speed Post, in service since 1986, provides quicker delivery, advanced tracking options, and greater efficiency.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Plumeria Garden, Banyan Grove, and Babbling Brook within the Udyan complex of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
These newly developed spaces enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of the President’s Estate.
They also integrate aspects of sustainability, public wellness, and community engagement.
As part of the Deep Ocean Mission, an aquanaut successfully dived 5,002m in the North Atlantic Ocean.
This marks India’s deepest human dive to date, reinforcing progress toward the Samudrayaan project (2027).
The dive was conducted in collaboration with France, reflecting India’s commitment to deep-sea technology, exploration, resource utilization, and marine research.
5,002 metres – India’s deepest human dive, paving the way for the Samudrayaan mission targeting 6,000m depth by 2027.
💼 Business & Economy
S&P Global raised India’s sovereign credit rating from ‘BBB-‘ to ‘BBB’.
| Rating Type | Previous | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term Rating | BBB- | BBB |
| Short-term Rating | A-3 | A-2 |
| Outlook | Stable | |
This marks the first upgrade in 18 years (previous upgrade was in 2007). In May 2024, S&P had already revised India’s rating outlook from Stable to Positive.
On August 15, 2025, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the long-term issuer credit ratings of seven major Indian banks and three finance companies.
The move follows the upgrade of India’s sovereign credit rating.
State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Union Bank of India, Indian Bank
Bajaj Finance, Tata Capital, L&T Finance
Reasons cited: Strong economic growth momentum in India, anticipated stable asset quality, profitability, and improved capitalization for the next 1–2 years.
Foxconn has started manufacturing the iPhone 17 at its new Devanahalli facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
This unit is now Foxconn’s second-largest plant worldwide outside China.
The development strengthens India’s role in Apple’s global supply chain.
The launch is a major step forward in India’s ambition to become a global hub for high-tech electronics and smartphone production.
The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), under the Ministry of MSME, signed MoUs on August 11, 2025 with several private sector banks.
Partner banks: Axis Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Karnataka Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, IndusInd Bank.
The agreement will enhance the MSME credit facilitation program, helping small enterprises access finance more efficiently.
🌐 International News
China is hosting the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Robots Participating | 500 |
| Teams | 280 |
| Countries | 16 |
| Competitive Events | 26 |
Events include: Soccer, boxing, medical sorting, and cleaning tasks.
The initiative aligns with China’s national strategy to make humanoid robotics a key technological sector.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) highlighted that this move demonstrates China’s AI-driven innovation and global competitiveness.
🛡️ Defence News
The Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, arrived at Naples, Italy, on August 13, 2025.
The ship had been commissioned in Russia on July 1, 2025.
This visit highlights the growing India–Italy bilateral relationship, elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.
- Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Italian Navy’s ITS Trieste
- Included maneuvering, communication drills, and flying operations
- Hosted Independence Day celebrations in Naples on August 15, 2025
On August 14, 2025, the Navy received Ikshak (Yard 3027), the third Survey Vessel (Large).
This marks the 102nd ship designed by the Warship Design Bureau.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the vessel was monitored by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata).
| Survey Vessel (Large) | Induction Date |
|---|---|
| INS Sandhayak | Feb 3, 2024 |
| INS Nirdeshak | Dec 18, 2024 |
| Ikshak (Yard 3027) | Aug 14, 2025 |
Contract: Signed on October 30, 2018, for four Survey Vessels (Large).
🏅 Sports News
Real Madrid has been ranked the world’s most valuable football club in the Brand Finance Football 50 – 2025 report.
| Rank | Club | Brand Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | €1.921 billion | ↑14% |
| 2 | FC Barcelona | €1.7 billion | ↑11% |
| 3 | Manchester City | €1.4 billion | ↓11% |
| 4 | Liverpool | €1.4 billion | ↑2% |
| 5 | PSG | €1.4 billion | ↑13% |
- Brand strength score: 94.9/100
- Fourth consecutive year at the top
- AAA+ brand rating
- Won 15th UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund
Clubs ranked 6–10: Bayern Munich (€1.3bn), Manchester United (€1.2bn), Arsenal (€1.2bn), Chelsea (€961m), Tottenham Hotspur (€798m).
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