Source: The Hindu, Indian Express and others

U.S. gets ready to impose additional tariffs on India from August 27, issues official notification

The U.S. government is getting ready to implement the 25% additional tariffs imposed on India by President Donald Trump, which are to come into effect on August 27. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday uploaded a notification of the new tariffs that it said would be published in the official register on Wednesday. “To effectuate the President’s Executive Order 14329 of August 6, 2025… which imposed a specified rate of duty on imports of articles that are products of India, the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that appropriate action is needed to modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) as set out in the Annex to this notice,” the notice said.

PM Modi flags off Maruti Suzuki's 1st electric vehicle e-Vitara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Maruti Suzuki’s first global electric vehicle, e-Vitara, from Hansalpur, Gujarat, on Tuesday. The made-in-India car will be exported to more than 100 countries, including Japan. Mr. Modi also inaugurated a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility by Suzuki, Toshiba and Denso, supporting hybrid and electric vehicle battery production. Following the launch, Japan’s Suzuki Motor said it would invest ₹70,000 crore in India over the next five to six years. This would be to increase production, launch new models and defend its market share in the world’s third-largest car market.

China’s Xi Jinping to welcome Vladimir Putin, PM Modi in grand show of solidarity

President Xi Jinping will gather more than 20 world leaders at a regional security forum in China next week in a powerful show of Global South solidarity in the age of Donald Trump, while also helping sanctions-hit Russia pull off another diplomatic coup. Aside from Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia have been invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, to be held in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.

PM Modi visit to Japan: Quad an important forum for peace and stability in Indo-Pacific, says Vikram Misri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Japan beginning on Friday will reaffirm the two nations’ commitment to peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Tuesday. “Peace and stability will be discussed during the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan”, said Mr. Misri during a press conference. “It will consolidate our friendship and open fresh avenues for cooperation,” he said.

India, U.S. move to enhance defence partnership

India and the U.S. have agreed to expand defence ties, with talks underway on a new 10-year framework at the India-U.S. 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue held on Monday (August 25, 2025).

Bill to remove Ministers facing serious criminal charges will test government’s strength in Parliament

The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks the removal of Ministers — of Central and State governments, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers — facing serious criminal charges, has thrown up an unexpected challenge for the government. More than a week since the draft law was referred to a Parliamentary Joint Committee, the panel has not been formed amidst boycott calls from three Opposition parties — the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Congress, according to sources, is also strongly considering following suit.

56 jurists counter statement by 18 ex-judges criticising Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Salwa Judum judgment

A group of 56 retired judges on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) countered the joint statement of 18 other former judges who had defended the Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s criticism, describing it as remarks “determined to cloak their political partisanship under the language of judicial independence”.

Chandrababu Naidu government negotiates land swap deal for Oberoi hotels near foothills of Tirumala temple

An investment proposal for the Oberoi group near the foothills of Sri Venkateswara temple, Tirumala, which had been cleared by the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh but had got caught in religious sentiments, has been resolved through a land swap deal negotiated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. 

Trump to chair ‘large meeting’ on post-war Gaza, Witkoff says

US President Donald Trump will host a meeting on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) on post-war plans for Gaza, his envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday (August 26, 2025). “We’ve got a large meeting in the White House tomorrow, chaired by the president, and it’s a very comprehensive plan we’re putting together on the next day,” Mr. Witkoff said in a Fox News interview, without providing more details.

IAF chief proposes joint planning, coordination centre in Delhi

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) cautioned against going ahead with the theaterisation plan in a hurry and proposed the setting up of a joint planning and coordination centre in Delhi comprising top military brass to ensure tri-Services synergy.

Meeting on FMR, Myanmar border fencing inconclusive

A meeting between a Manipur Naga delegation and Central government officials on the India-Myanmar border fencing and the Free Movement Regime (FMR) ended inconclusively in New Delhi on Tuesday (August 26, 2025).

Australia Post pauses U.S.-bound parcel shipments

Australia’s postal service said on Tuesday it had temporarily suspended parcel shipments to the United States after President Donald Trump’s administration decided to scrap a customs tax rule that allowed low-value packages to enter duty free. The Australian government-owned Australia Post’s move comes after several European and Asian carriers, including Swiss Post and DHL, which runs Germany’s postal service Deutsche Post, Japan Post and Korea Post paused shipments to the United States because of the new rules.

Trump says he wants to meet North Korea’s Kim again

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he hoped to meet again with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, possibly this year, as he held White House talks with South Korea’s dovish new leader that got off awkwardly. Hours before President Lee Jae Myung arrived for his long-planned first visit to the White House, Mr. Trump took to social media to denounce what he said was a “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea, apparently over raids that involved churches.

Duleep Trophy back in its traditional style

Not many things in Indian cricket change as quickly as the Duleep Trophy format. From being a zonal event for more than 50 years, the multi-day competition, in recent times, has alternated between being a zonal tournament and having inorganically formed teams named after colours and alphabets.

Half of pregnant, lactating women in Bhubaneswar slums use smokeless tobacco on waking

Despite smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption posing several adverse impacts on pregnancy and child health, 45% of pregnant women and 55% of lactating women in slums of Bhubaneswar reported consuming SLT immediately after waking up, says the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) study.

Protesters in Israel demand release of hostages as Israeli strikes kill 16 in Gaza, hospitals say

Protesters in Israel on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) torched tires, blocked highways and clamoured for a ceasefire that would free hostages still in Gaza, even as Israeli leaders moved forward with plans for an offensive which they argue is needed to defeat Hamas.