Despite a statewide ban on riverbed mining, illegal extraction continues unabated in Himachal Pradesh’s Chakki and Mand regions. Heavy machinery like JCBs is being used at night in Nurpur, Indora, and Fatehpur subdivisions, particularly around the Chakki, Beas, and Chhonchh rivers. Local MLAs, including Bhiwani Pathania and Malinder Rajan, raised the issue in the state assembly, warning of severe environmental degradation and riverbank damage. They demanded strict FIRs against violators, the declaration of Mand as a no-mining zone, and a 3.5 km no-mining stretch downstream of the Beas, urging stronger enforcement measures.  

Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath, who led the bench that recently revised India’s controversial stray dog order, humorously said he is “thankful to the stray dogs for making me known across the country and globally.” Speaking at a human–wildlife conflict conference in Thiruvananthapuram, he revealed he even received “blessings” from dog lovers. On August 22, his bench overturned an earlier directive mandating permanent sheltering of stray dogs. Instead, it ruled that sterilized and vaccinated dogs should return to their localities, with separate feeding zones, balancing public safety and animal rights. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to China in seven years, arrived in Tianjin on August 30 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit from August 31 to September 1 . On the summit’s sidelines, he held a 40-minute bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping aimed at resetting ties and bolstering economic cooperation . The visit follows recent thawing—including resumed flights and border trade—after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash . Modi is also slated to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss India’s strategic positioning amid global tensions. (PC: X)

A rising wave of anti-American sentiment in India has put major US brands—Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, and McDonald’s—under pressure after former President Trump imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing its trade with Russia . Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has urged citizens to boycott these brands, calling the tariffs “political bullying” . Prime Minister Modi reinforced the call by promoting “vocal for local” and self-reliance . The movement echoes grassroots “swadeshi” ideals, though Indian leaders warn such boycotts may be impractical given US brand integration. (PC: NDTV)  

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who represented Kishangarh as a Congress MLA from 1993–1998, has applied to reinstate his Rajasthan Assembly pension. His pension was halted in 2019 when he became Governor of West Bengal, and later Vice President of India. Following his July 21, 2025 resignation from the vice presidency, Dhankhar has formally sought the benefits again. The Assembly Secretariat has begun processing his request. Under rules, he is entitled to a ₹35,000 monthly pension, plus a 20% age-related hike. At 74, Dhankhar will receive approximately ₹42,000 per month once the pension resumes. (PC: PTI)

An Israeli airstrike on August 28, 2025, struck a gathering in Sanaa, Yemen—killing Ahmed al-Rahawi, prime minister of the Iran-backed Houthi government, and several ministers during a workshop reviewing the past year’s performance. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the precision strike, calling it a “crushing blow” aimed at top Houthi leadership responsible for “terror actions.” Houthi leadership condemned the attack, pledging vengeance, while Muhammad Ahmed Miftah, the deputy PM, was appointed acting prime minister on August 30, 2025. (PC: PBS)  

During a June 17 call, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming credit for ending a military escalation between India and Pakistan. Modi firmly rejected the implication, clarifying that the ceasefire was negotiated bilaterally and that the U.S. had no involvement. This rebuke contributed significantly to the decline in personal ties between the two leaders, already strained by mounting U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and disagreements over strategic autonomy. (PC: PTI)

In Kochi, Kerala, Canara Bank employees staged a symbolic “beef festival” outside their branch after the regional manager allegedly banned beef in the office canteen. The protest, led by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), was initially against mental harassment and insulting behavior by the manager. Upon learning of the beef ban, the protest shifted focus to food freedom. Employees served beef and parotta, asserting that food choice is a constitutional right. Local MLA KT Jaleel backed the protest, warning against Sangh Parivar ideologies. The event reignited debates on cultural autonomy, workplace rights, and resistance to ideological imposition.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has revised match timings for the Asia Cup 2025, with 18 of the 19 matches now starting at 8:00 PM IST to avoid extreme Gulf heat and boost primetime viewership. The only exception is the UAE vs Oman clash on September 15, which will begin at 5:30 PM IST. The tournament, held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, features eight teams split into two groups. The marquee India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for Sunday, September 14 at 8:00 PM IST in Dubai. The final will be played on September 28, with a reserve day on September 29 to accommodate weather disruptions. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

India's economy delivered unexpected strength in Q1 FY2026, expanding 7.8% year-on-year in the April-June quarter, accelerating from 7.4% growth in the previous quarter. This upside surprise reinforces India's position as the world's fastest-growing major economy amid global economic uncertainties. The acceleration contradicts analyst expectations and demonstrates economic resilience despite challenges including inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions. The robust growth likely stems from strong domestic consumption, investment momentum, and favorable base effects. This performance provides the Reserve Bank of India with policy flexibility and strengthens the government's fiscal position. The data supports projections that India will soon become the world's third-largest economy, overtaking Japan and Germany in coming years. (PC: The Week & News Bytes)