CURRENT AFFAIRS INDIA
India, U.S. sign agreement for procurement of Javelin anti-tank missile system. The deal marks a significant step in defence cooperation between the two countries; the Javelin system is currently operated by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and several international customers.
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The medium-range guided missile system, jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and RTX, is designed for use against a range of targets, including armoured vehicles, the embassy said.
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The missile system is already in service with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as several international customers, the embassy added.
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The agreement creates new opportunities for the defence industries of both countries to work together, U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor said.
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“We see tremendous potential for future cooperation that strengthens the defence industrial bases of both countries,” he said.
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New Delhi was not immediately available for comment on the agreement.
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India is the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
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India and the U.S. signed a 10-year defence framework agreement in October.
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Although ties between the countries have deteriorated in recent months, with Washington imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil, and engaging closely with India’s arch-rival Pakistan, the defence relationship has remained unaffected.
How Kerala’s Food Parcels Feed the Hungry and Unite Communities? Discover how Kerala’s food parcels are nourishing the hungry and fostering unity, transcending caste and religious differences.
In the state of Kerala, an initiative has transformed the act of cooking into a powerful expression of compassion and equality. Every morning, as individuals in Kerala prepare packed lunches, they set aside a little extra food – additional rice and vegetables – to create a special meal. This surplus portion, along with condiments, is carefully packed in a banana leaf, wrapped in newspaper, and transformed into a “pothichoru” or food parcel.Hospitals do not provide free meals, and patients from impoverished backgrounds often miss out on essential sustenance due to their inability to afford it. Additionally, it is mandatory for every patient to have a spouse or relative attending to them, resulting in increased financial burden and stress on families. The arrival of these food parcels, however, brings relief and gratitude to those in need.Families are encouraged to prepare one or two parcels, but many go above and beyond, making five, six, or even ten parcels. The meals are cooked at home without incurring any additional costs, and the women take extra care in preparing them, adding fried fish, pickles, chutney, and poppadom to make them even more delightful.Unlike other regions in India, where social divisions persist, the food parcels in Kerala carry no identity markers. Neither the cook nor the recipient knows the caste or religion of the other, reinforcing the notion that these parcels are simply a gesture of nourishment and goodwill. For the past six years, as these parcels are handed out, no questions have been raised about the origins or affiliations of the food. They are gratefully accepted as sustenance, symbolizing unity and the power of food to bridge divides.
Punjab: BJP makes political debut at Baba Bakala fair, Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacks AAP govt. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressing the gathering, linked the BJP’s message to the religious significance of Baba Bakala and called on people to take a pledge for a “developed Punjab”. The BJP made its first political appearance on a separate stage at the annual Rakhar Punnya fair in Baba Bakala on Friday, using the gathering to pitch itself as an alternative to the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government and seek a mandate for the Punjab Assembly elections 2027. The event gave the BJP a platform to take its political campaign directly to a large gathering at a fair associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur. Chouhan said the party had chosen the occasion to make a commitment to forming its own government in the state.
CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERNATIONAL
Nepal floods: PM Balendra Shah, Cabinet donate month’s salary; relief package ordered as toll reaches 475. The Cabinet also cleared the purchase of 25,000 metric tonnes of DAP fertiliser from India through a government-to-government arrangement on 28th August. Nepal’s government has ordered work on a relief and rehabilitation package for people and businesses hit by the devastating floods, while Prime Minister Balendra Shah and members of his Cabinet will contribute a month’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. The decisions came as Nepal continued to deal with the scale of 26th August’s flash flood and faced the prospect of fresh flooding after a large barrier lake near the Chhochen Khola-Purepu Tsangpo confluence was reported to have breached. The Finance Ministry has been directed to prepare assistance measures for individuals and business organisations affected by the floods in Rasuwagadhi, along the Bhotekoshi River and in downstream areas.
Canada slaps tariffs of up to 50% on US goods; White House claims Ottawa needs America to survive. Ottawa’s new C$7.5 billion package includes liquidity assistance, worker training, employment insurance measures and support for businesses seeking new markets. The counter-tariffs of 15, 25, and 50 per cent will take effect on September 8. Canada will impose matching tariffs on C$27.6 billion worth of American goods after suspending trade negotiations with the United States, opening a sharper phase in its trade confrontation with President Donald Trump. Canada rejects US trade terms, suspends negotiations, the Canadian government said it walked away from the negotiations after Washington proposed terms that demanded too much while offering too little in return. “When the United States asked too much and offered too little, we chose to stand up for Canadians,” Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne said. Canada’s response will match the latest American tariffs “dollar for dollar, rate for rate”, according to the country’s Department of Finance.
Bitcoin crosses $80,000 mark as weaker Dollar, Bond buybacks lift crypto. Bitcoin surged above the $80,000 mark on Tuesday for the first time since mid-May, extending a sharp August rally as a weaker US dollar and expectations of a more supportive policy environment boosted demand for digital assets.The world’s largest cryptocurrency climbed to an intraday high of $81,237.94 during Asian trading, its strongest level since mid-May. Bitcoin was last trading around $80,323.24.
MONEY MATTERS
UAE cuts economic ties with Iran as tensions flare up again Fresh attacks in the country appear to have triggered another escalation in the Mideast conflict; Saudi Arabia wants tighter oversight on UAE transfers. The UAE says it has cut all economic ties with Tehran. “In light of regional escalations that undermine regional and international peace and security.
Why Saudi Arabia’s IPOs are under scrutiny ?
The stock market regulator is investigating a string of disappointing public listings. The idea is to send a message. Saudi Arabia has a public listing problem. More than 70% of the companies that listed in 2025 were trading below their IPO prices by January 2026. And new deals have largely dried up. The situation has now caught the stock market regulator’s attention. A report by Semafor late last week says an investigation has been underway by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) for a few months now, looking into the IPOs dating back to at least early 2025
SUPERB SCIENCES
By targeting eleven counties in two major climate zones, IUCN and partners are working with the government of Kenya to build capacity and strengthen institutions to enhance the climate resilience of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Interventions focus on increasing the adaptive capacities of communities and local institutions through evidence-based landscape planning. This is being done by increasing accessibility to climate data and information, enhancing the ability of community-based cottage industries to access markets and financial services, and instituting robust rangeland restoration plans in collaboration with local stakeholders and rightsholders. This initiative aims to reduce the cost of climate change induced drought on Kenya’s national economy by increasing resilience of the livestock and other land use sectors through restored and effectively governed rangeland ecosystems.
IMPACT
The project has placed approximately 310,717 hectares under restoration, directly benefiting 207,939 people across target landscapes. It has created around 4,035 green jobs through community engagement in tree nurseries, grassland restoration, and seedling and hay production. Key policy and planning achievements include the development of 4 policies and 39 plans, while 75 water structures (including 65 roof water harvesting tanks, 9 water pans, and 4 protected springs) have been installed to improve water access. Support to 46 enterprises has led to a 23.3% increase in business turnover and a 16.7% capital growth, with over USD 740,000 disbursed to enhance their sustainability and impact. These achievements have been instrumental in supporting local communities in Kenya’s ASALs, who rely on rangelands and are increasingly threatened by drought and climate change.
SPORTS SCOREBOARD
CRICKET SECOND TEST COLOMBO
India declared on 503 for 9 declared on Day 3. Dhruv Jurel scored unbeaten 115 with 9 fours and 2 sixes and completed his century with a diving run to save his wicket. Rishabh Pant scored 63 on return from forearm injury. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in first innings. Sonal Dinusha scored 103 for Sri Lanka, his third big score of series after 100 and 84 in Galle. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said India will try to take last two wickets quickly to enforce follow on because rain has made time short.
After follow on, Sri Lanka fought back on Day 4. Pasindu Sooriyabandara scored 92 and Kamindu Mendis scored 55 in a 115 run stand for third wicket. Shubman Gill took a brilliant catch to break the partnership. Sri Lanka ended Day 4 on 229 for 6, just 16 runs ahead with four wickets left. India is close to 2-0 series win.
CRICKET FIRST TEST GALLE RECAP
India won first Test at Galle. Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 and Jurel scored 51. India posted 460 for 9 on rain hit Day 2. Only 43 overs were possible on Day 2 because of persistent rain.
HOCKEY WORLD CUP
FIH Mens and Womens Hockey World Cup is on from August 14 to 30. India drew 2-2 with Olympic silver medallists China in opener. Navneet Kaur and Deepika Soreng scored for India. India led twice but China equalised.
FOOTBALL –TEAM INDIA– Indian mens team will play first ever friendly vs Panama on September 26. Panama is ranked 44th in world. After that India will play Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata. Coach Khalid Jamil said these games will give good exposure against World Cup level teams.In Europe, UEFA is set to drop boycott threat against FIFA over commercial rights issue. The U20 Womens World Cup in Poland next week will go ahead with all European teams including hosts.
TENNIS US OPEN BUILD UP
US Open starts August 31 in New York. Novak Djokovic at 39 is chasing record 25th Grand Slam title. He reached Australian Open final and Wimbledon semis this year but struggled with heat in Cincinnati. Alexander Zverev comes as top seed after winning French Open in June and reaching Wimbledon final. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns after 5 month wrist injury. Jessica Pegula beat defending champion Iga Swiatek 7-5 4-6 6-4 in Cincinnati semis. Tommy Paul saved match point to beat Zverev to reach quarters.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
DHRUV JUREL
Unbeaten 115 in Colombo and 51 in Galle. Calm under pressure, good running between wickets.
STAR TO WATCH
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Chasing history for 25th Grand Slam. Four time US Open champion with record 10 finals in New York.
DID YOU KNOW?
1 India has not lost a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2008 and has won five Tests in a row there before this series.
2 US Open is toughest Grand Slam because of late summer heat, humidity and seven rounds on hard courts.
3 This is first time Mens and Womens Hockey World Cups are happening together in same window.
Teen Takeaway
India dominating in Sri Lanka despite rain, hockey team fighting hard vs top teams, and world ready for US Open and Dutch GP. Good time to follow both Indian and international sports.
RECOMMENDED READS
FAHRENHEIT – RAY BRADBURY
The book FAHRENHEIT, a classic by Ray Bradbury, is set in a time when books are against the law. Books are banned because they cause uncomfortable questions and unhappiness. The government authorities want peace and people are not equipped to have original thoughts. Thus it is a world with no fear of argument. The place (setting) in the book is more science fiction than reality. The main character, Montag, is a fireman who has one job only – to burn books and the houses where they are being hidden.
Montag’s wife, Millie, stays home and is happy to be among the thoughtless. Montag’s neighbour, a young girl name Clarisse whose family are considered “outsiders” because they laugh and talk. They stay up late enjoying each other’s company. They engage in conversation. Montag considered Clarisse strange initially, but he soon realises that her family lived in an interesting way. It was far from the mundane and bland life that he lived.
It is not an easy read, but Bradbury’s imagery is vivid, which helps visualise the entire story….. One can feel and touch and see everything each character saw, felt, and touched. Written in 1951, this dystopian sci-fi by Bradbury, conveys the central message that the loss of freedom is as much a fault of the individual as the government.
(Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 had faced challenges and bans primarily due to its vulgar profane language, explicit content and perceived disrespect toward religion).
Unknown facts about Ray Bradbury
Born on 22 August 1920, Ray Douglas Bradbury was an American author and screenwriter. His book, Fahrenheit 451 remains one of his most famous books. Get to know more about the author who predicted modern technology decades before it actually arrived.
A carnival performer changed his life: When Bradbury was 12, he met a carnival performer named Mr. Electrico, who touched him with an electrically charged sword and told him to “live forever.” Bradbury later regarded the encounter as a turning point that inspired him to write every day and pursue a life as an author. Fahrenheit 451 Cost Just $9.80 to Write: Bradbury wrote the first draft of Fahrenheit 451 in nine days using a coin-operated typewriter in the basement of UCLA’s Powell Library. Each half-hour of typing cost a dime, so the entire first draft cost him just $9.80. The novel was initially called The Fireman. (amazon.in). He Never Went to College: Bradbury never attended university. Instead, he spent years educating himself in libraries and reportedly wrote at least 1,000 words a day for decades. He famously considered the library his university and credited reading with giving him the education he needed to become a writer. He Predicted Earbuds and Giant Screens: Decades before wireless earbuds and wall-sized television screens became commonplace, Bradbury imagined “seashell” radios that sat inside the ears and “parlor walls” that filled rooms with entertainment. These details from Fahrenheit 451 are among the reasons his fiction is often described as remarkably prescient. He Turned His Hometown Into Fiction: Bradbury grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, a place he later transformed into the fictional “Green Town.” The town became the setting for works such as Dandelion Wine, allowing him to turn memories of his childhood summers into the backdrop for his stories.He Didn’t Drive: Bradbury never learned to drive after witnessing a horrific car accident as a teenager. The experience left a lasting impression on him, and he remained wary of automobiles. His decision not to drive also became one of the many unusual details that set his life apart from that of many other American writers.
WEEKLY WATCH
