Daily Current Affairs 19th August 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Urban Extension Road-II: Delhi’s New Lifeline to Decongest NCR and Boost Connectivity

• The newly inaugurated Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) is a major infrastructure project aimed at decongesting Delhi and improving regional connectivity in the Delhi-NCR region.
• It connects NH-44, NH-09, and the Dwarka Expressway, reducing travel time and easing movement across states like Haryana, Punjab, J&K, and Uttarakhand.
• Key features include multiple six-lane and four-lane highway packages, major interchanges, RoBs, and links to Sonipat and Bahadurgarh bypasses.

Six-Day Indian Cinema Festival Kicks Off in Sri Lanka to Celebrate Cultural Ties

• A six-day Indian cinema festival began at the Trincomalee campus of Eastern University, Sri Lanka, showcasing six Indian films in multiple languages.
• The event was inaugurated by Governor Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera. Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, highlighted Indian cinema’s rich diversity and growth over 111 years.
• The festival aims to strengthen cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka through the art of cinema.

Why ‘SabhaSaar’, the AI Tool for Gram Sabhas

• The government has launched SabhaSaar, an AI-powered tool that auto-generates structured minutes from Gram Sabha video/audio recordings, ensuring transparency and uniformity across panchayats.
• Built on the BHASHINI platform, it supports transcription in multiple Indian languages. Linked with e-GramSwaraj and monitored through the Panchayat NIRNAY portal, SabhaSaar promotes digital governance and enhances participatory democracy under the Panchayati Raj system, a key part of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

International News

Dubai Launches AI-Powered Passenger Corridor to Replace Immigration Counters

• Dubai International Airport (DXB) has launched an AI-powered passenger corridor that enables travelers to clear immigration in seconds without showing documents, using facial recognition and pre-registered biometric data.
• Part of the “Travel Without Borders” initiative, this system can process up to 10 passengers simultaneously in just 14 seconds, eliminating traditional passport controls.
• Initially deployed in Terminal 3’s First and Business Class lounges, it builds on Dubai’s 2020 “smart tunnel” and aims to create a frictionless, secure travel experience.

Over 500 Humanoid Robots Compete at World Robot Games in Beijing, Showcasing Speed, Skill, and Stumbles

• Over 500 humanoid robots from 16 countries competed at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The four-day event featured 26 competitions including track and field, soccer, dancing, and kickboxing.
• Highlights included a robot completing the 100-meter sprint in 21.5 seconds and impressive agility in kickboxing. However, some challenges surfaced, such as robots collapsing during soccer and relay races, highlighting both the progress and limitations in humanoid robotics.

Banking News

SBI Launches Collateral‑Free ₹4 Lakh Loan for Agniveers; Revises IMPS Charges for Online Transfers Above ₹25,000

• On the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, SBI launched a collateral-free personal loan scheme for Agniveers enrolled under the Agnipath scheme, offering loans up to ₹4 lakh with zero processing fees and a flat 10.50% interest rate valid till September 30, 2025.
• The repayment tenure aligns with the Agnipath service period.
• Additionally, SBI has revised IMPS charges for online fund transfers above ₹25,000, now ranging from ₹2 to ₹10 plus GST, effective August 15, 2025.

Economy News

FPIs Infuse ₹4,469 Crore into Indian Debt Markets in August, Exit ₹20,975 Crore from Equities

• In August 2025, foreign investors infused ₹4,469 crore into Indian debt markets, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) withdrew ₹20,975 crore from Indian equity markets between August 1-15.
• This follows July’s trend where FPIs pulled out ₹17,741 crore from equities, after notable investments of ₹14,590 crore in June and ₹19,860 crore in May—the best-performing month of 2025 so far.

India’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.2% in July 2025, Rural Economy Fuels Job Growth: Govt Survey

• India’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.2% in July 2025, with rural India driving the majority of job growth, according to the latest Government survey (PLFS).
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) was higher in rural areas at 57.1% compared to 50.6% in urban regions. Self-employment dominates in rural sectors, while regular wage jobs prevail in urban areas.
• Agriculture remains the largest employer in rural India, whereas the services sector leads in urban employment.
• The revamped PLFS methodology now offers monthly, quarterly, and annual labour data for better policy planning.

Awards News

Manika Vishwakarma Crowned Miss Universe India 2025, to Represent India at 74th Miss Universe in Thailand

• Manika Vishwakarma, a model from Ganganagar, Rajasthan, has been crowned Miss Universe India 2025 at the national pageant held in Jaipur.
• Previously titled Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, she will now represent India at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand.
• Currently modeling in Delhi, Manika expressed gratitude for her journey and those who supported her.
• The event saw appreciation from jury member Urvashi Rautela and former titleholder Riya Singha, who praised Manika’s performance among 50 contestants.

Defense News

Assam Rifles Signs MoU with IIIT Manipur to Boost Drone Technology for Defence

• Assam Rifles signed an MoU with IIIT Manipur to promote drone technology for defence and security applications.
• The collaboration, formalised at Mantripukhri, includes launching an Advanced Drone Training and Refresher Course for Assam Rifles personnel, focusing on flight operations, maintenance, and DGCA-certified training.
• The initiative enhances capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics, and strengthens defence-academia cooperation, with over 80 participants from the armed forces and academia attending the event.

Sports News

Carlos Alcaraz Wins First Cincinnati Open Title 2025 After Sinner Retires in Final

• Carlos Alcaraz won the 2025 Cincinnati Open, claiming his sixth title of the year and eighth ATP Masters 1000 crown, after Jannik Sinner was forced to retire early in the final due to illness.
• Alcaraz now leads the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin by 1,890 points, boosting his chances of ending the year as World No. 1.
• The victory also ended Sinner’s 26-match hard court winning streak, while Alcaraz improved to a 9-5 head-to-head lead over Sinner.
• This marks his third Masters 1000 title this year after Monte-Carlo and Rome, extending his Masters-level win streak to 17.

Iga Świątek Wins Cincinnati Open, Sends Warning Ahead of U.S. Open

• Iga Świątek sent a strong warning to her U.S. Open rivals by winning the 2025 Cincinnati Open, defeating Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 in the final.
• With this victory — her first hard court title since Indian Wells 2024 and 24th career title overall — Świątek climbs back to World No. 2 and regains momentum after recent struggles.
• She has now won two titles in the past two months, including Wimbledon, and enters the U.S. Open as a top contender.
• Her performance showed renewed mental resilience, variety, and defensive strength, signaling she’s back at her best.

Science & Technology News

Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal Launches AI Startup ‘Parallel’ to Build a Web for Machines

• Parag Agrawal, former Twitter CEO, has launched Parallel Web Systems, an AI startup aiming to build a “web for machines.”
• Parallel’s platform provides low-level search tools and deep research APIs designed specifically for AI agents, enabling them to perform complex web-based tasks—like research and data verification—in minutes.
• Its APIs have reportedly outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-5 in benchmarks like BrowseComp and DeepResearch Bench.

India Targets Indigenous Space Station by 2035 and Crewed Moon Mission by 2040: Dr. Jitendra Singh

• Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the government’s goal to establish the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and launch a crewed Indian mission to the Moon by 2040, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he praised IAF Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla for his historic mission aboard the International Space Station, calling it a proud moment for India.

Russia to Launch Venera-D Mission to Venus by 2036 with Lander, Orbiter, and Balloon Probe

• Russia plans to launch the Venera-D mission to Venus between 2034 and 2036. The mission will feature a lander, a balloon probe, and an orbital spacecraft.
• Preliminary design work starts in January 2026 under Russia’s new national space programme, with a two-year design phase led by the Space Research Institute (IKI) in collaboration with the Lavochkin Association. The exact launch date will be finalized post-design.

World Photography Day 2025: Celebrating “My Favorite Photo” Theme

• World Photography Day 2025, celebrated on August 19, marks the invention of the Daguerreotype process in 1839 and celebrates the art, history, and impact of photography.
• This year’s theme is “MY FAVORITE PHOTO”, encouraging people to share their most meaningful image and its story using hashtags like #WorldPhotographyDay2025.
• The week-long celebration (August 12–26) as World Photography Week highlights personal photo journeys.

Important Days News

World Humanitarian Day 2025: Date, Theme, Significance, and Quotes to Honour Global Humanitarians

• World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed on August 19, honours the courage and dedication of humanitarian workers worldwide.
• This year’s theme — “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities” — emphasizes the importance of local participation in global aid efforts.
• Established in memory of the 2003 UN Baghdad bombing, the day raises awareness about global crises, promotes unity and compassion, and inspires action through UN initiatives, community events, and digital campaigns that spotlight real stories and encourage personal involvement.

Obituries News

Veteran Actor Achyut Potdar Passes Away at 91: A Tribute to His Remarkable Legacy in Indian Cinema

• Veteran actor Achyut Potdar passed away at the age of 91 on August 18, 2025, at Jupiter Hospital, Thane, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Hindi and Marathi cinema.
• Known for his iconic line “Kehna kya chahte ho?” from 3 Idiots, his career spanned 125+ films over four decades, including Aakrosh, Tezaab, Rangeela, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, and Ventilator.
• A former professor and Indian Oil employee, Potdar transitioned from Marathi theatre to cinema in the late 1970s, earning love for his versatile performances. His death sparked widespread tribute and mourning, though the cause remains undisclosed.

Current Affairs Today | 19 August Current Affairs 2025 | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam