Donald Trump Nominates Longtime Aide Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India
US President Donald Trump has nominated his longtime aide, Sergio Gor, as the next US Ambassador to India. Gor, 38, currently serves as the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office. In his announcement, Trump described Gor as a "great friend" whom he can "fully trust" to deliver on his agenda. Gor will also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs. The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, comes amid ongoing tariff tensions between the two countries.
Cloudburst Hits Uttarakhand's Chamoli, Causing Widespread Damage
A cloudburst in the Tharali tehsil of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has caused significant damage, with several people feared missing. The incident on Friday night triggered flash floods that sent debris through homes, shops, and government buildings. A young woman is reported buried under debris in a nearby village. Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF teams are underway, but road closures due to landslides and heavy rainfall are hampering efforts. The region remains on orange alert for further heavy rain.
World Champions Argentina to Play Football Friendly in Kerala This November
The reigning FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, are confirmed to play an international friendly match in Kerala in November 2025. Kerala's Sports Minister confirmed the news after receiving an official communication from the Argentine Football Association. This will be Messi's first visit to India with the World Cup-winning squad, sparking immense excitement across the country. The match, expected to be held at Thiruvananthapuram's Greenfield Stadium, will be part of Argentina's preparation for 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
GST Council to Meet in September to Discuss Major Tax Reforms
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council will hold a two-day meeting on September 3-4 in New Delhi to deliberate on key reforms. The agenda is expected to include a proposal to simplify the tax structure by reducing the slabs from four to two (5% and 18%), with a special 40% rate for select demerit goods. Discussions may also cover GST exemptions for health and life insurance. Opposition-ruled states have raised concerns about potential revenue shortfalls from the proposed changes.
Online Gaming Bill Receives Presidential Assent, Becomes Law
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 has become law after receiving assent from President Droupadi Murmu. The new legislation imposes sweeping restrictions on money-based online gaming platforms in India. It introduces stringent penalties, including imprisonment up to three years and fines up to ₹1 crore for operators, while advertising such platforms can lead to a two-year jail term and a ₹50 lakh fine. Several real-money gaming platforms have already suspended operations following the bill's passage.
Supreme Court Bars Street-Feeding of Stray Dogs, Mandates Dedicated Feeding Zones
The Supreme Court has issued new national guidelines for managing stray dogs, ordering a prohibition on feeding them on streets and in public places. Instead, municipal authorities must create dedicated feeding spaces in each ward. The court clarified that sterilised and immunised dogs can be released back into their original areas, but aggressive or rabid dogs must be kept in shelters. The Bench has also transferred all stray dog-related cases from various high courts to itself to formulate a final national policy.
Intruder Breaches Parliament Security by Scaling Wall
A man was arrested after a major security breach at the Parliament complex, where he gained entry by climbing a tree and scaling a wall from the Rail Bhavan side. Security personnel promptly apprehended the intruder near the Garuda gate of the new Parliament building. He is being interrogated to ascertain his identity and motive. The incident, occurring just a day after the Monsoon Session concluded, has triggered an urgent review of security protocols at the high-security zone.
OpenAI to Launch First India Office in New Delhi
OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, is set to open its first office in India later this year, located in New Delhi. The Microsoft-backed firm has already established a legal entity in the country and is hiring a local team. Highlighting India as its second-largest market where weekly active users have quadrupled in the past year, CEO Sam Altman described the move as a crucial first step in making advanced AI more accessible and building AI for, and with, India.
ISRO Unveils Model of Bharatiya Antariksh Station
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled a model of its indigenous space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). India plans to launch the first module by 2028 and complete a five-module station by 2035. The first module is expected to weigh 10 tonnes and will be placed in a 450 km low-earth orbit. The BAS will serve as a platform for microgravity research, technology demonstration, and potentially space tourism, marking a major leap in India's space ambitions.
Industrialist and Philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul Dies at 94
Lord Swraj Paul, the eminent Indian-born British business magnate and founder of the Caparo Group, has passed away in London at 94. A life peer in the UK's House of Lords, he was a key figure in the Indian diaspora and a staunch advocate for Indo-British relations. Lord Paul was also a renowned philanthropist, particularly in the fields of education and children's health. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, in 1983 for his significant contributions.
BMW Inaugurates 4,000 km North-South EV High-Power Charging Corridor
Celebrating over 5,000 electric vehicle sales in India, BMW Group has launched a 4,000 km high-power charging corridor spanning the length of the country. The corridor runs along national highways from North to South India, with charging stations strategically placed every 300 km, covering cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. In a significant move to boost the national EV ecosystem, BMW has opened access to this charging network for customers of all electric vehicle brands, not just its own.
US Reviews 55 Million Visa Holders for Potential Deportation Violations
The U.S. State Department is reviewing the records of over 55 million foreigners with valid American visas for potential revocation or deportable violations. Under the Trump administration's policy, all visa holders are subject to "continuous vetting" for indicators like overstays, criminal activity, or threats to public safety. Any individual found in violation could have their visa revoked and face deportation if they are in the United States, creating significant uncertainty for millions of immigrants, including many from India.
Supreme Court Modifies Stray Dog Order, Paving Way for National Policy
The Supreme Court modified a controversial order, ruling that stray dogs in Delhi-NCR can be released back into their original localities after sterilization and vaccination, staying a previous directive for their permanent relocation to shelters. However, the court disallowed public feeding, mandating dedicated feeding spaces instead. Crucially, it transferred all related cases from various high courts to itself, signaling its intent to formulate a comprehensive national policy on the contentious stray dog issue affecting cities nationwide.
Assam to Halt Aadhaar Enrolment for Adults to Curb Illegal Migration
The Assam government will stop issuing new Aadhaar cards to adults from October 1 to prevent suspected illegal migrants from fraudulently obtaining the identity document. A one-year window will remain open for members of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and tea garden communities to complete their enrolment. In exceptional cases, District Commissioners may approve applications for others, but only after rigorous verification through police and foreigners' tribunals reports, marking a significant shift in the state's identity and immigration policy.
Jaishankar Meets Putin in Moscow, Calls India-Russia Ties 'Steadiest' in Post-War Era
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the two nations. During his visit, Jaishankar described India-Russia relations as among the "steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War." The high-level talks focused on expanding trade, geopolitical convergence, and finalizing preparations for President Putin's upcoming state visit to India, highlighting the enduring diplomatic ties amid a complex global environment.