School Assembly News Headlines: 16 August 2025 

National News

1. Centre proposes revised GST rates, cutting taxes on daily-use and high-slab items after PM Modi announces next-generation GST reforms.

2. Indian Railways to launch hydrogen-powered train after successful tests, promoting green transport under ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ on heritage and hill routes.

3. Maharashtra Postal Circle celebrates Sholay’s 50th anniversary with special postcards, golden cancellation, and commemorative album presented to director Ramesh Sippy.

4. India, Singapore hold 4th Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi to strengthen trade, investment, logistics, and cross-border economic cooperation.

International News

1. Trump says U.S. will not negotiate for Ukraine in Putin talks, leaving territorial swap decisions entirely to Kyiv’s discretion.

2. Manipur Governor reports improved law and order under President’s Rule, highlighting progress in welfare, infrastructure, and economic growth.

Sports News 

1. Al-Nassr to face ISL club, Istiklol, and Al-Zawraa in Group D of Asia’s second-tier football competition.

2. Cricketer Saman banned five years for 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 match-fixing attempts, with two years already served from suspension.

Business News

1. India’s forex reserves climb $4.7 billion to $693 billion, mainly due to $2.3 billion rise in foreign currency assets.

2. India, ASEAN to hold next free trade agreement review talks in Jakarta this October after concluding tenth round in August.

1. Centre proposes revised GST rates with tax cuts on daily-use items after PM Modi announces next-generation GST reforms by Diwali.
The Centre unveils revised GST rates, reducing taxes on daily-use goods and high-slab items. The move follows PM Modi’s Independence Day announcement of next-generation GST reforms, marking eight years since its launch.

2. Indian Railways to launch hydrogen-powered train after successful tests, aiming for green transport under ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ initiative across heritage routes.
Indian Railways will soon launch its first hydrogen-powered train after successful prototype tests. Built at ICF Chennai, the project under ‘Hydrogen for Heritage’ aims to promote green transport and achieve zero-carbon emission goals.

3. Maharashtra Postal Circle marks Sholay’s Golden Jubilee with special postcards, golden cancellation, and presentation pack unveiled by Chief Postmaster General.
To celebrate Sholay’s 50th anniversary, Maharashtra Postal Circle released special postcards and a golden cancellation. Chief Postmaster General Amitabh Singh presented the first commemorative album to the film’s director, Ramesh Sippy.

4. India, Singapore hold 4th Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi to boost trade, investment, logistics, and cross-border business cooperation.
India and Singapore’s 4th Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi discussed enhancing trade, investment, and supply chains, with officials focusing on regulatory simplification, improved logistics, and stronger cross-border economic cooperation.

5. Indian missions worldwide mark 79th Independence Day; US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends wishes, praising India-US strategic partnership.
Indian missions abroad celebrated the 79th Independence Day with patriotic fervour. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated India, calling the India-US partnership consequential, committed to addressing global challenges and securing a brighter future.

1. UP CM Yogi highlights Lucknow-made BrahMos missiles, drones as proof of swadeshi strength during 79th Independence Day celebrations in Lucknow.
During 79th Independence Day celebrations in Lucknow, UP CM Yogi Adityanath hailed BrahMos missiles and drones made locally, citing Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s swadeshi technological strength on the global stage.

2. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, 80, passes away in Chennai hospital after treatment for head injury sustained earlier this month.
Nagaland Governor La Ganesan died at 80 while undergoing treatment in Chennai. He was hospitalised after collapsing at home on August 8, sustaining a head injury that required intensive care.

3. Maharashtra declares Ganeshotsav state festival, announces grants for Bhajani Mandals and cultural programs to promote celebrations nationally and internationally.
Maharashtra has declared Ganeshotsav the state festival, offering grants up to ₹5 crore for Bhajani Mandals. The initiative includes cultural programs, spiritual dramas, drone shows, and statewide lectures to promote celebrations globally.

4. National Flag hoisted across states as India marks 79th Independence Day with patriotic ceremonies and community participation nationwide.
On the 79th Independence Day, the National Flag was hoisted at numerous locations across the country, with citizens participating in patriotic ceremonies, cultural events, and community gatherings to mark the occasion.

1. Trump says U.S. won’t negotiate for Ukraine in Putin talks, leaves decision on territorial swaps to Kyiv’s discretion.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated he would not negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf during talks with Putin, leaving territorial swap decisions to Kyiv, aiming only to initiate peace negotiations between the two nations.

2. Manipur Governor says law and order improved, state stable under President’s Rule, highlights progress in welfare, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said the state’s law and order situation has improved and is stable. Under President’s Rule, progress was noted in social welfare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment during Independence Day address.

3. Goa CM pledges to regularise Goans’ houses on government or community land through new laws, easing residents’ eviction concerns.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant assured regularisation of native Goans’ houses built on government or community lands. Speaking on Independence Day, he said recent legislations aim to remove residents’ fears of eviction.

4. U.S. consumer sentiment falls in August to 58.6 amid tariff concerns, defying forecasts of improvement from July’s 61.7 reading.
The University of Michigan reported U.S. consumer sentiment dropped to 58.6 in August from 61.7 in July, as households expected higher prices from tariffs, contrary to economists’ forecast of 62.0.

5. Lavrov says Russia to clarify stance at Putin-Trump Alaska meeting, cites groundwork laid during U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s Russia visit.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will present its position at tonight’s Putin-Trump meeting in Alaska, noting groundwork was prepared during U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent visit to Russia.

1. Al-Nassr drawn with Indian Super League club, Istiklol, and Al-Zawraa in Group D of Asia’s second-tier football competition.
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr will face an ISL club, Istiklol of Tajikistan, and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa in Group D of Asia’s second-tier club competition, with the top two advancing to the next round.

2. Cricketer Saman banned for match-fixing attempts in 2021 Abu Dhabi T10, with two years already served from provisional suspension.
Saman, 39, was banned for breaching the ECB’s Code over match-fixing attempts in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10. His backdated suspension means he has already served two years of his sentence.

3. Ankita Dhyani sets new women’s 2000m steeplechase national record at Grand Slam Jerusalem, boosting World Championships qualification hopes.
Olympian Ankita Dhyani won gold at the Grand Slam Jerusalem, clocking 6:13.92 to break the 2000m steeplechase national record. The victory strengthens her chances of qualifying for the 3000m steeplechase at next month’s World Championships.

4. FC Goa to face Ronaldo-led Al Nassr in Group D of AFC Champions League 2 starting September 16.
FC Goa will meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2 from September 16. Al Nassr, captained by Ronaldo, missed AFC Champions League Elite qualification.

5. Ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Saliya Saman banned five years for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code during 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Saliya Saman received a five-year ban after an ICC tribunal found him guilty of breaching the ECB Anti-Corruption Code during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League.

1. India’s forex reserves rise $4.7 billion to $693 billion, driven by foreign currency asset gains after previous week’s decline.
India’s foreign exchange reserves grew by $4.7 billion to $693 billion in the week ending August 8. The increase came mainly from a $2.3 billion rise in foreign currency assets, RBI data showed.

2. India, ASEAN to hold next round of free trade agreement review talks in Jakarta this October after tenth round concludes.
The next round of India-ASEAN free trade agreement review talks will take place in Jakarta this October. The tenth round concluded in August, focusing on enhancing AITIGA’s effectiveness, accessibility, and trade facilitation.

3. Rupee’s REER eases to 100.36 in June from 101.12 in May, signalling weaker value against basket of global currencies.
RBI data shows the rupee’s real effective exchange rate fell to 100.36 in June from 101.12 in May. REER measures the rupee’s weighted value against currencies of 40 key trading partners.

4. PM Modi urges swadeshi spirit, promises GST reforms to ease tax burden during 79th Independence Day address amid U.S. tariff challenges.
In his 79th Independence Day speech, PM Modi called for swadeshi and atmanirbharta. He announced upcoming GST reforms to reduce taxes on daily essentials, aiming to ease costs amid U.S. tariff pressures.