- Global & Politics
Conflict in Gaza: Israel has not yet answered, but Hamas has “positively” reacted to a proposed truce. Israeli raids have persisted in the interim, and at least 40 people have been killed in Gaza.
Al Jazeera
U.S.-Ukraine Relations Shortly after Trump and Zelensky met, Ukraine was hit by a massive Russian offensive that is largely regarded as the biggest assault in weeks.
India-Russia Diplomacy: Amid rising diplomatic sensitivities with the United States, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began a three-day official visit to Moscow (August 19–21).
India Focus
- Mumbai Weather Crisis: Because of the city’s continuous, intense rain, a red alert has been issued. The BMC has called on private companies to permit workers to work from home, and all government and semi-government offices are closed.
- State-by-State School Holidays: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala have closed their schools and institutions due to severe weather. A holiday was also proclaimed in Manipur for cultural reasons.
Business & Markets
Changes in the Market:
Although Home Depot’s full-year guidance is still in place, the company’s quarterly performance (adjusted EPS: $4.68) fell barely shy of forecasts.
Following a purported $2 billion investment by SoftBank, which may have been facilitated by the US government, Intel’s stock increased 5% before the market opened.
Palo Alto Networks’ impressive results (EPS: $0.95; revenue: $2.54 billion) propelled the company’s above 6% increase.
Apple intends to increase iPhone 17 production in India in order to combat tariff concerns and lessen dependency on Chinese factories.
Australia
Political Developments: The new Liberal administration was able to maintain its hold on power when Tasmania’s no-confidence motion against it was unsuccessful. In the meantime, a roundtable on federal economic reform with an emphasis on increasing productivity got underway in Canberra.
Diplomatic Tensions: Israel withdrew visas for several Australian diplomats to the Palestinian Authority in retaliation after Australia refused a visa to far-right Israeli MP Simcha Rothman. Penny Wong, the foreign minister, denounced the action as unwarranted.
United Nations
Luca Renda, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, issued a statement addressing regional safety and security issues.
Entertainment & Tech
Nintendo Surprise: A “Kirby Air Riders Direct,” a special announcement event for franchise enthusi
Tasmanian regional
Between August 12 and August 19, a number of significant events took place in Tasmania, including:
In a van accident close to Apsley, a 63-year-old man suffered severe injuries.
many fires (at the hospital mattress, the school staircase, and the home).
rescue efforts in the gorge of the Bluff River.
Charges were brought against a Burnie hotel for arson and a rural house invasion.
More than 30 illicit firearms and 6,000 rounds of ammunition were seized by police.
There is still no resolution to a missing plane event.
A car and truck collided fatally close to Ross.
Three adolescents are accused of setting fire to an Invermay apartment building.
1. Mumbai Flood Crisis
Mumbai is suffering greatly from the effects of the monsoon. There is extensive waterlogging in places like Goregaon, Andheri, Matunga, Chembur, Dadar, and Kurla as a result of the red alert. The city saw two fatalities: one from electrocution in Kanjurmarg and another from a wall fall near Napean Sea Road. There were seven more recorded deaths in Maharashtra. Schools, colleges, and government and semi-government offices were given a holiday by the BMC; private offices were encouraged to implement work-from-home policies. The situation has been made worse by significant traffic jams, delayed flights, and the Andheri Subway’s temporary stoppage (for more than six hours).
2. Duty-Free Imports of Cotton to Support the Clothing Industry
The Indian government has temporarily removed the 11% import tax on cotton from August 19 to September 30, 2025, in an effort to boost the textile and apparel sector. In response to CITI’s recommendations, this ruling attempts to counteract the 50% U.S. tariffs on Indian apparel exports, which are made up of a 25% current duty and another 25% that will go into force later this month. The exemption supports India’s target of $100 billion in textile exports by 2030 and aims to keep the country competitive with nations like China (30%), Vietnam (20%), and Bangladesh (20%).