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Showing posts from August, 2025

Sports News (26th August, 2025)

1. Luis Torrens Powers Mets with a Five-RBI Game New York Mets’ Luis Torrens smashed a three-run homer and matched his career-high with five RBIs to lead his team to a comeback victory over the Phillies, turning a three-run deficit into a commanding 13–3 win. 2. Golden Double for India’s Sift Kaur Samra At the Asian Shooting Championships in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, Olympian Sift Kaur Samra clinched both individual and team gold in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event. She finished with a stellar 459.2 in the final and led the team to a 1753-point haul. 3. Ref Cam Debuts in Premier League, Some Fans Feel the Motion Sky Sports introduced a new “referee cam” during the Newcastle vs. Liverpool match, giving viewers an immersive, on-field perspective. However, the feature sparked complaints—some fans reported feeling motion sickness. 4. Divyanshu Singh Named CEO of JSW Sports Divyanshu Singh has been promoted to CEO of JSW Sports, succeeding Mustafa Ghouse who will now focus o...

Economics News (23rd August, 2025)

India–U.S. Trade Negotiations & Tariffs India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed that trade talks with the U.S. are still underway. However, hefty U.S. tariffs—25% currently in effect and another 25% set to be imposed on August 27—loom over Indian exports, particularly due to India’s increased purchases of Russian oil. A planned visit by U.S. trade negotiators from August 25–29 has been canceled, dimming hopes of relief. Economists at Capital Economics warn that if fully enforced, these tariffs could shave 0.8 percentage points off India’s economic growth in both 2025 and 2026, and potentially undermine India’s future as a global manufacturing hub. U.S. Interest Rate Outlook – Jackson Hole Speech by Fed’s Powell Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a closely watched speech at the Jackson Hole symposium, hinting that interest rate cuts may be on the horizon—potentially as early as September. He cited a weakening labor market and persistent inflati...

SmartPhones Launches in September 2025

Apple iPhone 17 Series Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September 2025, with the event likely during the week of September 8–9. One leak suggests the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be announced between September 11 and 13, with sales starting around September 19. Apple is also reportedly manufacturing all iPhone 17 models in India, marking a significant shift in its supply chain. TECNO’s World’s Slimmest Curved 5G Smartphone TECNO is gearing up to launch what it claims to be the world’s slimmest curved 5G smartphone in India, expected in September, priced around ₹80,000. Other Upcoming Smartphones (Possibly in September or Broader Q3) These models appear on curated upcoming launch lists for August/September—it’s not guaranteed all will release in September, but they’re noteworthy: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Vivo T4 Pro 5G Bluefox NX1 Motorola Edge 70 Pro iQOO Z10 Turbo Plus Nokia Oxygen Ultra 5G Realme GT 100...

Business News (20th August, 2025)

Target announces upcoming CEO transition Target has revealed that Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke—who started as a summer intern in business school—will succeed Brian Cornell as CEO in February 2026. Fiddelke plans to refocus the company on its unique merchandise and in-store experience, while addressing fulfillment and supply-chain issues. Despite recent challenges, Target remains confident in its full-year targets. This leadership change also led to a nearly 9–10% drop in Target’s stock during premarket trading. Private Equity Deal: Carlyle acquires Intelliflo The Carlyle Group has purchased UK wealth-management software provider Intelliflo for around $205 million, outbidding competitors like Bain Capital. Intelliflo—the former Invesco-owned business—serves over half of the UK's financial advisers, managing $1 trillion in assets. Though it generated £44 million in revenue last year, its post-tax profit was a modest £400,000. Pritzker Private Capital raises record $...

Sports News (19th August, 2025)

MLB: Phillies Dominate Mariners Philadelphia Phillies surged to a commanding 12–7 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Trea Turner notched four hits, including his 1,500th career hit, while Bryce Harper homered twice. J.T. Realmuto also added a homer. Pitcher Ranger Suárez struck out 10 in 6⅔ innings to secure the win. Cricket: Asia Cup Squad Announcement Delayed by Mumbai Rains Heavy rains in Mumbai disrupted BCCI's press conference originally scheduled for 1:30 PM IST, now expected at 2:00 PM IST. Speculation is rife over the 15-member Asia Cup squad, with Suryakumar Yadav set to captain. Potential inclusions may be Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, and Riyan Parag. The wicketkeeper options include Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, and Dhruv Jurel, while KL Rahul’s place remains uncertain. Tennis: US Open Mixed Doubles Revamped The 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles kicks off today (August 19), with a new format designed to spotlight top singles stars. Notable pairings ...

GeoPolitical News (18th August, 2025)

1. High-Stakes Ukraine Diplomacy in Washington Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and several European leaders to discuss peace negotiations and ensure unity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Zelenskyy strongly rejected any territorial concessions to Russia and stressed the need for concrete security guarantees. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Russian missile and drone attacks killed civilians in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, adding urgency to the diplomatic talks. European concerns are mounting over possible U.S. pressure on Ukraine to make concessions. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed sending British troops to Ukraine as part of a potential security arrangement, emphasizing the need for meaningful support. 2. U.S.–India Tensions Amid Trade and Energy Dispute The U.S.–India relationship is embroiled in escalating tension. The Trump administration has imposed hefty tariffs—up to 50%—on I...

Business News (13th August, 2025)

Market & Macro Highlights Global markets rally on rate-cut optimism U.S. stock futures rose sharply, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq at record highs, driven by a steady July inflation reading and growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut. Treasury yields and the dollar weakened. Treasury Secretary pushes for sizable Fed cut Scott Bessent called for a 50 basis-point rate reduction at the Fed’s upcoming September meeting, citing stable inflation. This propelled global indices—including the MSCI World, U.S., and Japanese markets—to all-time highs. Oil prices dipped amid higher OPEC+ supply projections. Wall Street responds favorably to inflation data Markets closed sharply higher following softer-than-expected U.S. inflation numbers for July. Corporate and Industry News Perplexity bids $34.5 billion for Google Chrome In a surprising move, AI startup Perplexity launched an unsolicited takeover offer for Google’s Chrome browser—an unusual bid amid increasing regulato...

GeoPolitical News (12th August, 2025)

Ukraine & Russia tensions escalate ahead of Trump–Putin summit Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that Russia appears to be preparing a new offensive. Meanwhile, as the upcoming Trump–Putin summit (scheduled for August 15 in Alaska) approaches, Russian forces are advancing in eastern Ukraine—raising concerns over strategic motives behind these movements.Analysis suggests that this summit could trigger broader geopolitical shifts in defense, energy, and market alignments. Global trade relationships evolving amid U.S.–China tensions Asian markets rose following a 90-day extension of the U.S.–China tariff truce. Tech-fueled gains lifted Japan’s Nikkei to record highs, while investor sentiment improved broadly. Concurrently, economic ties are being reframed by strategic interdependence—governments and firms are favoring resilience and flexibility over cost-driven globalization. Tech industries at center of geopolitical maneuvering Semiconductors remain strategic assets in the U...

Sports News (11th August, 2025)

Lok Sabha Passes National Sports Governance Bill (India) On August 11, the Lok Sabha approved the National Sports Governance Bill, incorporating key reforms like easing age and tenure restrictions for sports administrators. Officials emphasized its role in fostering transparency and paving the way for a potential future Olympic bid. Maharaja Trophy Shifted to Mysuru After Bengaluru Stampede Following a safety-related stampede in Bengaluru, the Karnataka State Cricket Association has moved the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament from M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to Mysuru's Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Stadium. The event, now to be held without spectators, runs from August 11 to 28. Concerns also linger regarding venue safety for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Brewers Extend Winning Streak with Dramatic Walk-Off The Milwaukee Brewers secured a thrilling 7–6 walk-off win over the Mets—thanks to Isaac Collins, who launched a solo home run off Edwin Díaz in the 9th inning, pushing t...

Current Affairs News (8th August, 2025)

Key Updates from India & Around the World 1. NASA Confirms Two Large Asteroids Will Fly Past Earth—No Danger Two sizeable asteroids—2025 OJ1 (~300 ft) at about 3.2 million miles, and 2019 CO1 (~200 ft) at approximately 4.24 million miles—will make close passes today. NASA assures there is no collision risk, while highlighting the importance of ongoing tracking of near-Earth objects. 2. MSCI Index Rebalancing to Add Four Indian Stocks In its August 2025 rebalance, MSCI is likely to include Vishal Mega Mart, Swiggy, Hitachi Energy India, and Waaree Energies—potentially drawing up to $287 million in inflows following the official announcement expected today. 3. Putin’s Scheduled Visit to India in Late August According to Interfax, citing India’s NSA Ajit Doval, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in late August 2025, signaling continued diplomatic engagement. 4. India–US Trade Tensions Escalate with New Tariffs The U.S. has slapped a sweeping 25% tariff ...

Business News (7th August, 2025)

India–US Trade Tensions Escalate The United States, under President Donald Trump, has announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Indian imports—raising them from 25% to 50%, effective in 21 days. The immediate 25% tariff applies now, with the balance kicking in by August 27, 2025. This dramatic escalation is a response to India’s continued import of Russian oil, which now comprises about 40% of its total imports. India has denied claims it is reselling the oil for profit and has framed the move as seeking affordable energy in a volatile global market. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to stand firm, stating he would not compromise Indian farmers, fishermen, or domestic interests “even at a personal cost.” Meanwhile, the Indian government has intervened to stabilize the rupee amid the fallout. Markets & Industry Impact in India Indian stock indices reacted sharply: initially Sensex dropped over 500 points and Nifty dipped toward 24,400, reflecting market jitters over loo...

Industry News (6th August, 2025)

1. Tariff Turbulence Across Multiple Sectors The U.S. is ramping up trade barriers under President Trump, with potential 250% tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals and a confirmed 50% tariff on copper starting August 1, citing national security concerns. These moves are unsettling global supply chains and raising planning hurdles for companies in affected industries. Molson Coors slashed its outlook again, attributing sharp cost inflation to recent aluminum tariffs—doubling aluminum duties has pressured profit margins despite falling demand across beer markets. 2. Nuclear Energy Sector Gains Amid Investment Caution The nuclear sector ETF (VanEck Uranium and Nuclear) is up about 40% YTD, and BWX Technologies posted a 17% stock rise thanks to strong earnings. Still, U.S. utilities remain wary of large-scale nuclear expansion, citing financing and regulatory challenges. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are gaining traction, albeit still in early stages. 3. Big Media Merger Finalized ...

Sports News (5th August, 2025)

WNBA Trade Deadline Drama With the WNBA’s trade deadline looming on Thursday, August 7, a flurry of moves is expected. Contending teams like the Minnesota Lynx are adding pieces—such as DiJonai Carrington—to boost playoff hopes. Meanwhile, struggling sides like the Dallas Wings may trade veterans including Diamond Miller as they focus on rebuilding. Other teams—Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Mystics, Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, and Las Vegas Aces—are all navigating tough cap and roster decisions in what's shaping up to be a dramatic week. MLB Prop & Betting Insights August 5 matchups bring notable prop bets: In Dodgers vs. Cardinals, expect Over 2.5 first‑five-innings runs for LA and under 3.5 strikeouts from Cardinals’ starter Miles Mikolas. Against the Mariners, the White Sox offense is projected to underperform, making their first‑five-innings team total under 1.5 a smart play. And watch for Yu Darvish under 15.5 outs against high-contact Diamondbacks hitters. Talksport ...

Current Affairs News (4th August, 2025)

India • National Affairs RBI Policy Outlook The Reserve Bank of India is widely expected to maintain the benchmark repo rate at 5.50% during its monetary policy meeting on August 6, 2025. This stance reflects subdued inflation—retail inflation dropped to 2.10% in June, a six-year low—though economists now anticipate a possible rate cut due to weaker growth prospects following recent U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. India‑Philippines Naval Drill & Presidential Visit India and the Philippines launched their first-ever bilateral naval exercise near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on August 2. The drill underscores shared concerns over China’s maritime assertion. Simultaneously, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is visiting India from August 4 to 8, focusing on deepening trade, investment, and defence cooperation, including discussions around integration of the BrahMos missile system. MEA Clarifies Diplomatic Position India’s Ministry of External Affairs officially...

Upcoming SmartPhones in August 2025

Confirmed Launches Vivo V60 5G Launch Date: August 12, 2025 Price (est.): ₹37,000–₹40,000 Key Specs: Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC; 6,500 mAh battery with 90 W fast charging; 6.67″ quad‑curved AMOLED 120 Hz; triple rear camera co‑engineered with ZEISS (50 MP + 50 MP telephoto + 8 MP ultrawide); 50 MP front; IP68/IP69 rating. Available Colors: Moonlit Blue, Auspicious Gold, Mist Grey. Google Pixel 10 Series Launch Date: August 20, 2025 in India Models: Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold Pixel 10 Pro Fold Highlights: Tensor G5 chipset (TSMC 3 nm), up to 16 GB RAM External 6.4″ and internal 8.0″ OLED displays (120 Hz, 3,000 nits peak brightness) 48 MP + 10.5 MP ultrawide + 10.8 MP telephoto (5x optical zoom) rear setup, 10 MP front 5,015 mAh battery Expected Pricing (India): Pixel 10: ~₹79,999 Pixel 10 Pro: ~₹99,999 Pixel 10 Pro Fold: up to ₹1,79,999 Likely Launches Based on Rumors These are widely expected to debut in early to mid-August—dates aren’t all confirmed y...