News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp and others

Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football

Lionel Messi said on Monday (August 31, 2026) he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram. “I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.

Draft voter lists see over 6 crore deletions so far in SIR third phase

As the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls nears its end, more than 6 crore names have been deleted from the voters’ registry as per the draft lists published so far. The third phase was carried out in 16 States and 3 Union Territories. Draft rolls of all these States have been published, except for Nagaland and Tripura, which will be out on September 20 and October 21, respectively.

Citing lack of jurisdiction, India rejects Hague court’s Indus Waters Treaty ruling

Hours after the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague said the Indus Waters Treaty remains “fully in force” and called on India to “observe its obligations”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected this, saying that the “very establishment of this alleged arbitral body” itself was a “grave violation” of the treaty. “This so-called Court was constituted by the World Bank in patent breach of the terms of the Treaty, and India categorically rejects its so-called award,” the Ministry said on Monday (August 31, 2026).

World must move from endless war to end of war: PM Modi to Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 31, 2026) met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek and said the world “must move from endless war to an end of war for the benefit of humanity”. The External Affairs Ministry said the two leaders discussed conflicts in West Asia and in the Black Sea region, where, in recent months, Indian seafarers have been attacked by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.

PM Modi meets Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian in Kyrgyzstan on Monday (August 31, 2026), and reviewed recent developments in the West Asia. Mr. Modi met Mr. Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Bihar, Jharkhand sign agreement on sharing Sone River water

Bihar and Jharkhand signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sharing Sone River water on Monday. The agreement was inked in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

We need more mega-science projects, says CERN Director-General

The world needs more mega-science projects, said Director-General of CERN, Mark Thomson, during his visit to Mumbai on Monday (August 31, 2026) for the India premiere of ‘The Peace Particle’, a documentary on CERN. The documentary was premiered at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. During the programme, Mr. Thomson also delivered an address on ‘particle physics: today and tomorrow’.

India’s GDP growth at 7.8% in Q1, slower than last quarter but quicker than last year

The growth in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter (Q1 FY27), quicker than the 6.9% recorded in Q1 of last year, but slower than the 8.6% of the January-March 2026 quarter. The stronger performance in Q1 of this year as compared to last year has been driven by the manufacturing sector as well as some broad services categories such as utilities, financial services, real estate, IT, and public administration and defence.

U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump’s ballroom project to proceed

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday (August 31, 2026) allowed President Donald Trump to continue construction of his White House ballroom, granting him a major victory against opponents of the project. The conservative-dominated court voted 5-4 to lift a lower order demanding construction be halted, with Chief Justice John Roberts notably joining the court’s three liberals in dissent. Mr. Roberts earlier this month issued a temporary order to allow construction while the full court weighed the matter.

Supreme Court refuses to halt CJP march ahead of BRICS Summit

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 31, 2026) refused to halt a protest march announced by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on September 5 in the national capital, ahead of the BRICS Summit, saying there was no “compelling circumstance” to presume any untoward incident would happen.

MP govt. yet to give sanction to prosecute Minister for remarks against woman Army officer

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 31, 2026) recorded that the State of Madhya Pradesh is yet to grant sanction for the prosecution of its Minister, Kunwar Vijay Shah, who is accused of making derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Army officer who briefed the media during ‘Operation Sindhoor’.

Five killed in firecracker factory blast in U.P.’s Kaushambi, rescue operations underway

Five people were killed after a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district on Monday (August 31, 2026) afternoon, officials said. District Magistrate Amit Pal said the blast occurred at a firecracker factory in Manori village under the Pipri police station area, following which five injured people who had been referred to SRN Hospital in Prayagraj died during treatment.

Zomato bans analogue dishes on its platform, to delist non-compliant restaurant partners

Food delivery aggregator Zomato on Monday (August 31, 2026) announced a zero-tolerance policy on the sale of analogue dishes including analogue cheese, paneer or other dairy products by restaurants listed on its platform, saying it reserves the right to delist non-compliant restaurants.

Supreme Court junks plea for mandatory ethanol disclosure at fuel pumps

The Supreme Court on Monday (August 31, 2026) refused to entertain a petition alleging an element of “silent compulsion” in the rollout of E20 petrol and seeking mandatory disclosure of the ethanol content in petrol sold at fuel stations across the country.

Nepal flash floods: Rescue efforts intensify, as deaths climb past 900

Authorities were intensifying rescue efforts after catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet killed at least 900 people and left more than 4,700 missing.“We are working in search and rescue of the stranded people from hills, settlements and river areas,” said Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, Nepal’s army spokesman.