1 Trump and Putin summit concluded in Alaska
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday (local time). Both leaders said the meeting was “good” and “a lot of progress” was made, but no formal agreement has been reached yet . Trump said he would soon talk to NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders over the phone. Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and other officials at the meeting. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov were present from Russia. The three-phase summit was shortened and the second phase of talks were held directly.
President Draupadi Murmu has appointed Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to discharge the charge of Governor of Nagaland in addition to his own duties . A press release from Rashtrapati Bhavan said that Nagaland Governor La. Ganesan has passed away. , the President has appointed Mr. Bhalla as the Governor of the State.
3 ISRO inaugurates space lab in remote district of Arunachal Pradesh
In a significant step towards making space science education accessible to the masses, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) inaugurated a state-of-the-art space laboratory at Mechuka Government Higher Secondary School in the remote Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh . The initiative, launched in collaboration with Muskan Foundation, was formally inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Pasang Dorjay Sona on 16 August 2025. The laboratory is named after Pasang Wangchuk Sona, father of Education Minister Pasang Dorjay Sona, who was a lifelong proponent of the transformative power of education.
4 Three new attractions added to Amrit Udyan, inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu
Three new attractions have been added to the Amrit Udyan located in Rashtrapati Bhavan this year . President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the Plumeria Garden , Banyan Grove and Babbling Brook on Saturday. These three gardens will be open to the general public from August 16 to September 14, 2025. According to the official social media account of Rashtrapati Bhavan ‘ President of India ‘, the Plumeria Garden is decorated with grass mounds and specially planted plants . The Banyan Grove has a reflexology path, Panchtatva path and sound landscapes like the jungle. At the same time, Babbling Brook includes waterfalls, sculptural spouts, stepping stones and a pool , giving the place a very attractive and calm atmosphere. Registration for entry into the Amrit Udyan is mandatory and free. Visitors can register online on the Rashtrapati Bhavan website or register directly from the self-service kiosk outside Gate No. 35.
The Indian tricolour was hoisted at the 605-foot-tall Space Needle in Seattle to mark India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. This is the first time a flag of a foreign nation was hoisted at a popular US landmark, the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a statement . Consul General Prakash Gupta , Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and other select dignitaries from the Seattle city leadership attended the event. Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle is an icon of the Seattle skyline and a symbol of the tech-driven future of America’s Pacific Northwest region.
6 Microsoft tops TopBrands 2025 global brand list
Microsoft – $1,062.505 billion
Nvidia – $1,046.760 billion
Apple – $997.685 billion
Amazon
Alphabet (Google)
7 United States secures final spot for 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
In cricket , the United States secured the final qualification spot for the 2026 ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup after remaining undefeated in the Americas Qualifier held in Rydal, Georgia . Under the captaincy of Arjun Mahesh , the US team dominated the regional tournament and secured their place with one match to spare. Victories over Canada, Bermuda and Argentina in the double round-robin format ensured an unassailable lead at the top of the table. The US will join 15 other teams for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia . Ten teams qualified automatically, including defending champions Australia, hosts Zimbabwe and full members India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh and West Indies. They are joined by regional qualifiers Afghanistan, Tanzania, Japan, Scotland and now the United States. The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four each, with the top three teams from each advancing to the Super Six stage. The top two teams from each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals, followed by the championship final.
8 India will host the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 for the first time
India is going to host the biggest international winter sports event for the first time. The Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy 2025 will be held from 20 to 23 August 2025 at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Raipur , Dehradun . ISAI President Amitabh Sharma said that more than 11 Asian countries will participate in this historic competition. These include China, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and India. Athletes will show their skills in 9 different events, from 222 meter sprint to 5000 meter relay.
9 Tanya Hemant won the women’s singles title at Saipan International 2025
In Badminton , Indian shuttler Tanya Hemanth won the women’s singles title at the Saipan International 2025 in Northern Mariana Islands . The top seed, ranked 86th in the world, defeated Kanae Sakai of Japan 15-10, 15-8 in the final under Badminton World Federation ‘s new 3×15 scoring format . On her way to the title, Tanya defeated Ririna Hiramoto of Japan in the semi-finals, Lee Shin Yee Megan of Singapore in the quarter-finals and Nodoka Tsunakawa of Japan in the Round of 16. This is Tanya’s first International Challenge title of the year and the fourth of her career, having won at India International (2022), Iran Fajr International (2023) and Bendigo International (2024). She was also the runner-up at Azerbaijan International last year.
10 Former Australia captain and coach Bob Simpson dies at the age of 89
Former Australian captain and coach Bob Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89. Renowned as an opener, fielder, spinner and coach, Simpson led Australia to Ashes, World Cup and West Indies series victories and was widely respected in international cricket. Robert Badley Simpson played 62 Tests for Australia between 1957 and 1978 and scored 4869 runs at an average of 46.8.1, including 10 centuries and 27 half-centuries, with a highest score of 311. He took 110 catches and 71 wickets at an average of 42.26, including two five-wicket hauls and a best of 5/57. He captained Australia in 39 of his 62 Tests. Simpson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1978 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2006.