School Assembly News Headlines: 24 August 2025

National News

1. India halts postal services to US from August 25 amid new customs rules, higher tariffs, and escalating bilateral trade tensions.

2. Jaishankar highlights Trump’s unusually public diplomacy, says foreign policy and trade moves mark significant shift in US engagement style.

3. Jaishankar defends Russian oil imports, stresses stability and independence as US prepares additional 25 percent tariff on Indian trade.

4. GST Council to decide September 3-4 on two-slab structure, replacing four rates with simplified 5% and 18% system.

International News

1. Trump administration retreats from defending Hispanic-Serving Institution program, jeopardising $350 million annual funding for colleges with significant Hispanic enrollment.

2. Sri Lankan leaders visit former President Ranil Wickremesinghe at Welikada Prison Hospital after remand on charges of misusing public funds.

Sports News 

1. Heavy rains cause flash floods in Chamoli’s Tharali tehsil; Tunri stream overflows, debris floods homes and markets, rescue operations ongoing.

2. Tamil Nadu introduces community service punishments, assigning offenders tasks like hospital cleaning, traffic regulation, library upkeep, and tree plantation.

Business News

1. Foxconn withdraws 300 Chinese engineers from Tamil Nadu factory, deploys Taiwanese staff as Apple’s India expansion efforts face new hurdles.

2. RBI clears Sumitomo Mitsui’s plan to acquire 24.99% stake in Yes Bank through purchases from SBI and seven banks.

1. India suspends postal services to US from August 25 after new customs rules, rising tariffs, and escalating trade tensions.
The Department of Posts has halted all postal services to the US from August 25. The suspension follows new customs rules and growing trade disputes, including tariffs and penalties imposed on India.

2. Jaishankar says Trump’s public approach to foreign policy, trade, and tariffs marks a major shift in US diplomatic style.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted Trump’s unusually public handling of foreign policy and trade. He highlighted tariffs on India and clarified that Russian oil purchases were not discussed before US actions.

3. Jaishankar defends India’s Russian oil imports, calls purchases vital for stability as US plans additional 25 percent tariff soon.
EAM S Jaishankar asserted India’s right to buy Russian oil, stressing national and global benefits. He criticised US trade accusations, urging respect for India’s independent energy decisions amid looming tariffs.

4. GST Council to meet on September 3-4, likely to decide on shifting from four tax slabs to simplified two-slab structure.
The 56th GST Council meeting will review GoM’s proposal to retain only 5% and 18% slabs. Officials aim to abolish 12% and 28%, creating a transparent and simpler tax regime.

5. PM Modi celebrates National Space Day 2025, praises youth and scientists while highlighting India’s journey from Aryabhata to Gaganyaan mission.
In his National Space Day address, PM Modi lauded India’s scientific achievements and youth enthusiasm. Emphasising “From Aryabhata to Gaganyaan,” he said the space sector inspires national pride and future aspirations.

1. Heavy rainfall triggers flash floods in Chamoli’s Tharali tehsil, debris enters homes and market; relief, rescue operations underway.
Intense rainfall in Tharali, Chamoli district, caused Tunri stream overflow, flooding homes and market areas. District administration and disaster management teams swiftly launched relief and rescue operations to assist affected residents.

2. Tamil Nadu introduces community service punishments, offenders to clean hospitals, maintain libraries, assist in public care and environmental tasks.
The Tamil Nadu Government, with court consultation, approved rules assigning offenders tasks like cleaning wards, managing libraries, aiding outpatient care, traffic regulation, and tree planting as alternative punishment measures.

3. Telangana to launch Heli-Tourism, offering helicopter services between Hyderabad, Somasila and Srisailam to boost domestic and international tourism.
Tourism Minister J. Krishna Rao announced plans for Heli-Tourism in Telangana. Proposals include helicopter rides connecting Hyderabad, Somasila and Srisailam, aiming to provide unique aerial experiences and attract more visitors.

4. Supreme Court directs Election Commission to accept online voter claim forms, allows Aadhaar or 11 listed documents without physical submission.
The Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to accept online voter claim forms. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi clarified submissions can use Aadhaar or 11 approved documents, removing physical requirement.

1. Trump administration withdraws support for Hispanic-Serving Institution program, halting defense of $350 million annual funding for Hispanic-focused colleges.
Federal officials confirmed they will not defend the HSI program in court. The initiative provides $350 million yearly to colleges with 25% Hispanic enrollment, now facing a constitutional challenge.

2. Sri Lankan leaders visit ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe in prison hospital after remand on public funds misuse charges.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe was remanded for alleged misuse of funds. Admitted to Welikada Prison Hospital, he received visits from key leaders after his bail plea was rejected despite health concerns.

3. Germany plans revival of military conscription with draft law allowing voluntary enlistment, mandatory service possible if recruitment goals fail.
Germany is preparing a draft law to revive conscription amid recruitment struggles. The proposal, awaiting cabinet approval, prioritises voluntary enlistment but permits mandatory service if defence targets remain unmet.

4. Fed Chair Jerome Powell signals possible September rate cut, cites employment concerns while warning inflation risks remain elevated.
Speaking at Jackson Hole, Jerome Powell indicated a potential September rate cut but avoided firm commitments. He highlighted worsening employment conditions while stressing inflation risks are still tilted to the upside.

1. Lionel Messi and Argentina to play historic friendly in Kerala this November, confirmed by Argentine Football Association.
Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced Argentina’s visit for a November 2025 friendly. Lionel Messi and the World Cup champions will play during FIFA’s international match window, marking football history.

2. India’s Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan win gold in 10m air rifle mixed team at Asian Shooting Championship.
Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan clinched gold in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. He defeated China’s Dingke Lu and Xinlu Peng 17-11 after a strong comeback performance.

3. BCCI invites applications for selectors in senior men’s, women’s, and junior men’s committees to shape national cricket teams.
BCCI announced openings for selection committee roles, including two senior men’s selectors responsible for picking India’s squads across formats. Applications also cover women’s and junior men’s national teams.

4. ICC shifts five Women’s ODI World Cup matches from Bengaluru to Navi Mumbai after safety concerns at Chinnaswamy stadium.
The ICC relocated five World Cup matches to DY Patil stadium, Navi Mumbai. Karnataka Cricket Association failed to secure police clearance after a deadly IPL stampede led to safety concerns.

1. Foxconn recalls 300 Chinese engineers from Tamil Nadu plant, replaces them with Taiwanese staff amid Apple’s India expansion challenges.
Foxconn pulled about 300 Chinese engineers from its Tamil Nadu factory, marking another setback to Apple’s India expansion. The company is flying in Taiwanese engineers as replacements, sources confirmed.

2. RBI approves Sumitomo Mitsui’s proposal to acquire up to 24.99% stake in Yes Bank from multiple Indian shareholders.
Yes Bank announced RBI approval for SMBC’s 24.99% stake acquisition. The deal includes 13.19% from SBI and 6.81% from seven banks, strengthening Japanese lender’s presence in India’s banking sector.

3. Global investors pull $1.8 billion from India equity funds, shift towards China and Hong Kong amid emerging market rotation.
India-focused equity funds saw $1.8 billion outflows in four weeks, the largest since January. Meanwhile, China attracted $3 billion and Hong Kong $4.5 billion, signalling renewed North Asia preference.

4. Trump signs $8.9 billion deal for 10% Intel stake, aiming to revive chipmaker and boost US semiconductor production.
President Trump finalised a deal acquiring 9.9% of Intel through US grants. The move seeks to support the struggling chipmaker and strengthen America’s semiconductor industry under the Chips Act.

1. Heavy rains trigger floods in Eastern Rajasthan; red alert issued in Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, orange and yellow alerts across districts.
Eastern Rajasthan faces flood-like conditions after 50 cm rainfall in Bundi. Red alert issued for Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, with heavy rains reported in Kota, Baran, Jaipur, Tonk, Karauli and Sawai Madhopur.

2. Regional Met predicts widespread rains in Tamil Nadu, low pressure forming over Bay of Bengal to intensify showers.
The Met Department forecast rainfall across Tamil Nadu for two days, linked to a new Bay of Bengal low pressure and a north-south trough extending up to 1.5 km altitude.