🇮🇳 National News
The government introduced SabhaSaar, an AI-driven tool designed to automatically generate structured minutes from Gram Sabha video/audio recordings.
Ensures transparency, uniformity, and efficiency across panchayats.
- Built on the BHASHINI platform
- Supports multi-language transcription
- Integrated with e-GramSwaraj
- Monitored via Panchayat NIRNAY portal
The tool strengthens digital governance and participatory democracy, aligning with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
💼 Business & Economy
On the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, SBI launched a special personal loan scheme for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | Up to ₹4 lakh |
| Collateral | Not required |
| Processing Fee | Zero |
| Interest Rate | 10.50% (flat) |
| Validity | Until September 30, 2025 |
SBI also revised IMPS charges for online transfers above ₹25,000, effective August 15, 2025, ranging between ₹2 and ₹10 plus GST.
Between August 1–15, 2025, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs):
| Market | FPI Activity |
|---|---|
| Debt Markets | +₹4,469 crore (inflow) |
| Equity Markets | -₹20,975 crore (outflow) |
This continues July’s trend, where FPIs pulled out ₹17,741 crore from equities.
Earlier months saw positive inflows: ₹14,590 crore in June and ₹19,860 crore in May — the best performance of 2025 so far.
🌐 International News
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has unveiled an AI-powered passenger corridor that allows travelers to clear immigration within seconds, without documents.
Operates using facial recognition technology and pre-registered biometric data.
- Part of the “Travel Without Borders” initiative
- Can handle up to 10 passengers at once in just 14 seconds
- Eliminates need for traditional passport counters
- Currently deployed at Terminal 3 (First & Business Class lounges)
This system builds on Dubai’s 2020 smart tunnel project, aiming to deliver a fast, seamless, and secure travel experience.
A six-day Indian cinema festival began at Trincomalee campus, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, featuring six Indian films in multiple languages.
Inauguration: Conducted by Governor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera.
Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, spoke about the 111-year journey and diversity of Indian cinema.
The festival’s objective is to strengthen cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka through cinematic art.
🛡️ Defence News
Assam Rifles signed an MoU with IIIT Manipur to boost the use of drone technology in defence and security.
The partnership will launch an Advanced Drone Training & Refresher Course for Assam Rifles personnel.
- Flight operations
- Maintenance
- DGCA-certified modules
Aimed at enhancing capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics.
The MoU also strengthens defence-academia collaboration, with over 80 participants from armed forces and academic institutions attending the signing at Mantripukhri.
🔬 Science & Technology
Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal founded Parallel Web Systems, an AI company aiming to build a “web for machines.”
The startup offers low-level search tools and deep research APIs for AI agents, enabling faster research and verification tasks.
Parallel’s APIs have reportedly outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-5 in benchmarks such as BrowseComp and DeepResearch Bench.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated India’s space goals in Parliament:
| Mission | Target Year |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Antariksh Station | 2035 |
| Crewed Indian Moon Mission | 2040 |
These missions are part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
He praised IAF Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla for his historic role in the International Space Station mission, calling it a proud moment for India.
Russia announced plans for the Venera-D mission to Venus between 2034–2036.
The mission will include a lander, balloon probe, and an orbital spacecraft.
Preliminary design phase begins in January 2026, lasting two years, led by the Space Research Institute (IKI) in partnership with Lavochkin Association.
🏆 Awards News
Manika Vishwakarma, a model from Ganganagar, Rajasthan, won the Miss Universe India 2025 title at the national pageant in Jaipur.
Previously titled Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, she will represent India at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand.
Currently working as a model in Delhi, she expressed gratitude to her supporters.
Jury members, including Urvashi Rautela and ex-titleholder Riya Singha, praised her outstanding performance among 50 finalists.
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on 19 August to recognize the courage, commitment, and service of humanitarian workers worldwide.
“Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities” — highlighting the role of grassroots participation in global aid efforts.
The day commemorates the 2003 UN headquarters bombing in Baghdad, honoring those who lost their lives.
Activities include UN-led initiatives, local community programs, and digital campaigns.
Marked every year on 20 August to spread awareness about mosquito-borne diseases.
Established in 1897 by Sir Ronald Ross, who discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans.
According to a WHO report, mosquitoes are responsible for the deaths of nearly 7–10 lakh people annually, making them the deadliest carriers of infectious diseases.
🏅 Sports News
Carlos Alcaraz clinched his first Cincinnati Open title (2025) after Jannik Sinner retired due to illness in the final.
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Titles | 6th title |
| ATP Masters 1000 Trophies | 8th overall |
| Masters 1000 in 2025 | 3rd (Monte-Carlo, Rome, Cincinnati) |
| Masters Win Streak | 17 matches |
| H2H vs Sinner | 9–5 |
Victory ended Sinner’s 26-match hard court winning streak. Alcaraz now tops the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin by 1,890 points.
Iga Świątek captured the Cincinnati Open 2025 title by defeating Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in the final.
- First hard-court title since Indian Wells 2024
- 24th career title overall
- Climbs back to World No. 2
Comes after her Wimbledon 2025 win, signaling strong momentum ahead of the U.S. Open.
Her performance displayed renewed mental toughness, defensive strength, and variety, reinforcing her status as a top contender.
🕊️ Obituaries
Veteran actor Achyut Potdar died on August 18, 2025, at the age of 91, in Jupiter Hospital, Thane.
His career spanned over four decades with 125+ films in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
- Famous for his line “Kehna kya chahte ho?” in 3 Idiots
- Notable films: Aakrosh, Tezaab, Rangeela, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Ventilator
- Originally a professor and Indian Oil employee
- Transitioned to acting via Marathi theatre in the 1970s
Remembered for his versatility and impactful roles, his passing led to widespread tributes.
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