School Assembly News Headlines: 22 August 2025

National News

1. Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed in Rajya Sabha; Ban on Real Money Games Awaits President’s Nod.

2. GoM Approves Centre’s Two-Rate GST Plan; 12% and 28% Slabs to Be Scrapped, Council to Decide.

3. INDIA Bloc VP Nominee B. Sudershan Reddy Files Candidature; Key Opposition Leaders Attend.

4. Supreme Court Continues Hearing on Timelines for Governors and President; Centre Opposes Fixed Deadlines.

International News

1. Pakistan Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former PM Imran Khan; Eight May 9 Violence Cases Affected.

2. Nikki Haley Urges U.S. to Reverse “Downward Spiral” in India Ties; Calls India a Key Democratic Partner.

Sports News 

1. India to Skip Bilateral Sports with Pakistan; Cricket Team Cleared for Multi-Lateral Asia Cup.

2. Indian Women’s Hockey Team Eyes World Cup Spot at Asia Cup Despite Key Player Injuries.

Business News

1. Nazara Technologies Shares Plunge Nearly 10% After Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed; Real Money Games Banned.

2. India Imports Canola Oil from UAE for First Time in Nearly Five Years Amid Local Price Surge.

1. Online Gaming Bill 2025 Clears Rajya Sabha; Heads to President for Approval
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, passed the Rajya Sabha within 72 hours of Cabinet clearance. The law aims to ban real money games and awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent.

2. GoM Approves Centre’s Two-Rate GST Plan, Ending 12% and 28% Slabs; Proposal Moves to Council
The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation has supported the Centre’s proposal to end 12% and 28% GST slabs. The recommendation will now be placed before the GST Council for final approval.

3. INDIA Bloc’s VP Nominee B. Sudershan Reddy Files Candidature in Presence of Top Opposition Leaders
Former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy, INDIA bloc’s Vice-Presidential nominee, filed his nomination on Thursday. Congress and key opposition leaders were present, as Reddy called the election a battle of ideology over numbers.

4. Supreme Court Bench Continues Hearing on Presidential Reference Over Timelines for Governors and President
A five-Judge Constitution Bench heard arguments for the third day on whether timelines can be set for Governors and the President to act on state bills. Centre opposed fixed deadlines, while Madhya Pradesh began arguments.

5. GoM Backs Removal of 12% and 28% GST Slabs; Council to Decide on 5%, 18% and Possible 40% Rates
The Group of Ministers supported scrapping the 12% and 28% GST slabs following PM Modi’s Independence Day announcement. If approved, 5% and 18% slabs will remain. A 40% rate may be introduced for ultra-luxury goods.

6. Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to Visit India for Three Days, Meet PM Modi and President Murmu
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will visit India from Sunday. He will hold talks with PM Modi, attend a lunch hosted in his honour, meet President Droupadi Murmu, and deliver a talk at ICWA on Ocean of Peace.

1. Thousands Attend Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s Second State-Level Conference Led by Actor-Politician Vijay
Thousands of TVK cadres and fans gathered in Madurai for the party’s second state-level conference. Seating for over 1.5 lakh people was arranged, as attendees came early to see and hear party president C. Joseph Vijay.

2. Supreme Court Denies Urgent Hearing on Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Stray Dog Capture Notification
The Supreme Court refused urgent listing of a plea challenging MCD’s notification on mass capture and sheltering of stray dogs. The bench noted that an application was already filed, despite orders reserved on August 14.

3. NHRC Issues Notice to UP Chief Secretary and DGP Over Patient Death, Seeks Detailed Report on Kanpur Medical College Mismanagement
The National Human Rights Commission has directed the UP chief secretary and DGP to submit a detailed report within two weeks. The notice follows a media report alleging mismanagement leading to a patient’s death at Kanpur Medical College.

4. Heavy Rains Lash Gujarat’s Coastal Districts; Dams Overflow, Relief Operations Underway
Widespread heavy rains hit Saurashtra and South Gujarat, causing rivers and dams to overflow. Waterlogging has disrupted daily life. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing in affected districts, including Junagadh, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, and Gir Somnath.

1. Pakistan Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former PM Imran Khan in Eight May 9 Violence Cases
Pakistan’s Supreme Court granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9, 2023, violence. The cases involve alleged rioting and vandalism by Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders following his detention.

2. Nikki Haley Urges U.S. to Reverse Downward Spiral in India Ties, Calls India a Key Democratic Partner
Republican leader Nikki Haley said the U.S. should prioritise improving relations with India. She described India as a “prized free and democratic” partner amid tensions following former President Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian goods.

3. Saudi Arabia Launches Nusuk Umrah Service Allowing Pilgrims to Apply Online Without Intermediaries
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched the Nusuk Umrah platform for international pilgrims to apply for visas and book services directly online. The service aims to simplify the pilgrimage process and improve the overall pilgrim experience.

4. NASA’s James Webb Telescope Discovers 29th Moon of Uranus, Named S/2025 U1
NASA announced that the James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new Uranus satellite, S/2025 U1. Identified on February 2, 2025, by a team from Southwest Research Institute, the discovery brings Uranus’ total known moons to 29.

5. Tribeny Rai’s Debut Film Shape of Momo Selected for Vision Section at Busan International Film Festival 2025
Tribeny Rai’s debut feature, Shape of Momo, has been chosen for the Vision Section of BIFF 2025 in South Korea. The section highlights independent Asian films with bold, original stories by emerging and mid-career directors.

1. India to Avoid Bilateral Sports with Pakistan, Allows Participation in Multi-Lateral Asia Cup
India and Pakistan will not play bilateral sporting events, but the Indian cricket team can participate in the Asia Cup next month. The Sports Ministry said the new policy reflects India’s overall approach towards engagements with Pakistan

2. Indian Women’s Hockey Team Eyes World Cup Spot at Asia Cup Despite Key Injuries
The Indian women’s hockey team will compete in the Asia Cup in Hangzhou from September 4 to 15, aiming for a World Cup berth. Key players Savita Punia and Sushila Chanu are sidelined due to ankle and knee injuries.

3. Salima Tete Retained as Captain of Indian Women’s Hockey Team for Asia Cup in Hangzhou
Seasoned midfielder Salima Tete will captain the 20-member Indian women’s hockey team at the Asia Cup in Hangzhou from September 5 to 14. The tournament’s winner earns a direct spot in the 2026 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup.

4. Pranavi Urs, Tvesa Malik and Vani Kapoor to Lead Seven-Member Indian Contingent at Hills Open in Sweden
Pranavi Urs, Tvesa Malik, and Vani Kapoor will lead seven Indian golfers at the Euro 300,000 Hills Open in Sweden from August 22 to 24. Diksha Dagar will skip the event to rest ahead of the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

1. Nazara Technologies Shares Drop Nearly 10% Following Passage of Online Gaming Bill 2025
Nazara Technologies’ stock fell 9.70% to ₹1,103.15 after the Lok Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025. The law prohibits pay-to-play online games and halts regulated Real Money Gaming operations.

2. India Buys Canola Oil from UAE for First Time in Nearly Five Years Amid Price Surge
India purchased 6,000 tons of canola oil from the UAE for August delivery, its first in nearly five years. Rising local prices made imports attractive. India primarily imports palm, soy, and sunflower oils from various countries.

3. RBI Receives Rs 31,025 Crore Bids at Overnight VRR Auction to Ease Liquidity Pressure
The Reserve Bank of India received bids worth Rs 31,025 crore at the overnight variable rate repo auction against a notified Rs 50,000 crore. The auction aims to ease liquidity pressures amid tax payments, with net banking liquidity at Rs 2.65 trillion.

1. Godavari Floods: Heavy Rains Increase Inflow in Gowthami Branch; Dowleswaram Barrage Issues Warning
Heavy rains in Godavari catchment areas have raised floodwater levels in the Gowthami branch near Yanam. About ten lakh cusecs of water were released into the Bay of Bengal, with some households in Francetippa beginning to experience flooding.

2. Jammu School Education Directorate Issues SOP for Student Safety During Inclement Weather
The Directorate of School Education Jammu has issued an SOP to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors during bad weather. Heads of institutions must enforce measures, including student vigilance and precautions for schools near water bodies.

3. Telangana Issues First Flood Warning as Godavari River Reaches 43 Feet at Bhadrachalam
Telangana authorities issued a flood warning after the Godavari River reached 43 feet at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Officials forecast further rise in water levels, prompting caution and preparedness in the region.