Daily Current Affairs 16th August 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

NHAI Launches FASTag Annual Pass for Seamless Highway Travel

• The NHAI has launched the FASTag Annual Pass across 1,150 toll plazas nationwide from 15th August 2025, allowing non-commercial vehicles unlimited travel for a one-time fee of ₹3,000 (valid for 1 year or 200 crossings).
• With over 1.4 lakh users activating it on Day 1 and 98% FASTag penetration, this initiative aims to simplify travel, reduce toll hassles, and enhance the ‘Ease of Living’.
• Users can activate passes via the Rajmargyatra App, and a strengthened 1033 helpline ensures smooth support and grievance redressal.

International News

Putin-Trump Alaska Summit Concludes Without Ukraine Peace Deal

• The Putin-Trump summit in Alaska ended without a deal on the Ukraine conflict after nearly three hours of talks at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base.
• While both leaders called the meeting productive and expressed hope for future progress, no agreement was reached.
• Putin emphasized ending the conflict by addressing its root causes and warned against sabotage, while Trump highlighted the potential for dialogue and said final agreements depend on Ukraine and NATO.
• The brief joint press conference signaled cautious optimism but no immediate resolution.

India’s Russian Oil Imports Surge to 2 Million Barrels per Day in August

• In August, India’s Russian oil imports surged to 2 million barrels per day (bpd), making up 38% of its total crude oil imports of 5.2 million bpd.
• This marks an increase from 1.6 million bpd in July, as Indian refiners prioritized economic factors in sourcing. Meanwhile, imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia declined, with Iraq falling to 730,000 bpd from 907,000 bpd and Saudi Arabia dropping to 526,000 bpd from 700,000 bpd in July.

Economy News

Centre Unveils Two-Slab GST Overhaul: 5% and 18% Rates, 40% for Sin Goods

• The Centre has proposed a two-slab GST overhaul with 5% and 18% rates, alongside a 40% tax on sin goods like tobacco and pan masala, aiming to simplify the tax structure, boost consumption, and ease compliance.
• Key changes include shifting most common-use goods from 12% to 5%, and aspirational items like TVs from 28% to 18%.
• The reform also includes structural fixes like correcting inverted duty structures, streamlining classifications, faster registrations, and automated refunds, with implementation likely by Q3 FY 2025-26.

India’s Merchandise Exports Jump 7.3% in July; Trade Deficit Widens

• India’s merchandise exports rose 7.3% to $37.24 billion in July 2025, driven by growth in engineering goods, gems and jewellery, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
• Notably, electronics exports surged 34% to $3.77 billion. However, imports increased by 8.6% to $64.59 billion, pushing the trade deficit to an eight-month high of $27.35 billion.
• From April to July, exports grew to $149.20 billion, imports to $244.01 billion, and total goods and services exports reached $277.63 billion, up 5.23% year-on-year.

India’s Forex Reserves Surge by $4.74 Billion to Reach $693.62 Billion

• India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $4.74 billion to reach $693.62 billion as of August 8, 2025, driven by increases in foreign currency assets ($2.37 billion), gold reserves ($2.16 billion), special drawing rights ($169 million), and the country’s IMF reserve position ($45 million).
• Despite a recent dip from a record high of $704.885 billion in September 2024, the Reserve Bank of India continues to monitor and manage the forex market to maintain exchange rate stability and prevent sharp rupee depreciation.

India’s Exports to US Surge 20% in July; Bilateral Trade Hits New High

• India’s exports to the US rose 19.94% to $8.01 billion in July 2025, while imports increased 13.78% to $4.55 billion, making the US India’s top trading partner during April–July FY26, with exports reaching $33.53 billion (↑21.64%) and imports $17.41 billion (↑12.33%).
• India also recorded strong export growth to China (↑27.39% in July), while trade declined with countries like the Netherlands, Singapore, and Australia. A bilateral trade agreement with the US is under negotiation, with the 6th round of talks scheduled for August 25.

Business News

Microsoft Tops TopBrand 2025 Global Brands List; NVIDIA and Apple Follow

• At the 19th China Brand Festival held in Shenzhen, the TopBrand 2025 “Top 500 Global Brands” list was unveiled. Microsoft claimed the top spot with a brand value of $1,062.5 billion, followed closely by NVIDIA ($1,046.8B) and Apple ($997.7B).
• The rest of the top 10 includes Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Saudi Aramco, Walmart, Meta (Facebook), Berkshire Hathaway, and Broadcom. PetroChina emerged as the highest-ranked Chinese brand, placing 14th.

Agreement News

NFR, IIT-Guwahati Join Hands to Replace Plastics with Biodegradable Materials

• Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has partnered with IIT-Guwahati to promote environmental sustainability by replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable and compostable materials.
• As part of a pilot initiative, NFR introduced eco-friendly green bed-roll bags on trains, replacing plastic linen packaging.
• These bio-plastics, developed at IIT-Guwahati’s R&D facility, are designed to degrade quickly in compost, marking a significant step toward reducing plastic waste in Indian Railways.

Awards News

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound Wins Big at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

• At the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025, Neeraj Ghaywan’s poignant drama Homebound swept the top awards, winning Best Film and Best Director.
• Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jetwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, the film explores belonging, displacement, and the emotional weight of returning home. Homebound will also serve as the closing film of the festival on August 24.

Defense News

Indian Naval Ships Arrived in Sri Lanka for SLINEX‑25

• Indian Naval Ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti arrived in Colombo for the 12th edition of SLINEX-25, a bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka from 14–18 August 2025, aimed at boosting interoperability, maritime cooperation, and exchange of best practices.
• The drill includes a harbour phase (professional and cultural interactions) and a sea phase (joint operations like VBSS, gunnery firing, and refueling at sea), with participation from Sri Lankan ships SLNS Gajabahu and Vijayabahu and Special Forces.
• SLINEX reflects the growing maritime ties under India’s MAHASAGAR policy.

Sports News

Real Madrid Named World’s Most Valuable Football Club in 2025

• Real Madrid has been named the world’s most valuable football club in 2025 by the Brand Finance Football 50 report, boasting a brand value of €1.921 billion and a near-perfect brand strength score of 94.9.
• Leading the ranking for the fourth consecutive year, Real Madrid’s success stems from its global fanbase, record revenues, and strategic sponsorships, highlighted by their 15th UEFA Champions League title.
• Other top clubs include FC Barcelona (€1.7bn), Manchester City (€1.4bn), Liverpool (€1.4bn), and PSG (€1.4bn), reflecting the commercial power of Europe’s elite football teams.

Science & Technology News

ISRO Inaugurates Space Laboratory in Remote Arunachal Pradesh District

• ISRO has inaugurated a cutting-edge space laboratory at Mechuka Government Higher Secondary School in Shi-Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Opened by Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, the lab—established in collaboration with ISRO and Muskaan Foundation—aims to spark interest in space science among students through hands-on learning.
• Named Pasang Wangchuk Sona ISRO Space Laboratory after the minister’s father, the initiative honors his belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Obituaries News

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan Passes Away at 80 in Chennai

• Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, aged 80, passed away on August 15, 2025, at a Chennai hospital after being admitted following a collapse on August 8.
• A veteran politician, he earlier served as Manipur Governor and a Rajya Sabha MP, and was known for his dedication to public service, integrity, and commitment to national development.
• Leaders including PM Modi, CM Neiphiu Rio, and Dy CM Yanthungo Patton paid rich tributes, remembering him as a principled nationalist and a promoter of Tamil culture and social harmony.

Miscellaneous News

India Post Celebrates 50 Years of Sholay with Special Post Card Releases

• To mark 50 years of the iconic film Sholay, the Maharashtra Postal Circle released special picture postcards, a presentation pack, and an exclusive golden cancellation on Independence Day 2025. T
• he commemorative items were unveiled by Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General, and presented to director Ramesh Sippy.
• The event, attended by film and postal dignitaries, drew philatelists and cinema lovers, showcasing the film’s enduring cultural impact. India Post has previously honoured sports icons like chess champion D Gukesh and India’s 2025 Cricket Champions Trophy win with similar special cancellations.

Current Affairs Today | 16 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam