Daily Current Affairs 8th August 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Arunachal Mountaineer Kabak Yano Successfully Scales Mount Kilimanjaro

• Kabak Yano, a mountaineer from Arunachal Pradesh, has successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters, as part of her Seven Summits expedition.
• The climb marks another achievement for Yano, an Everest summiteer, showcasing her courage, determination, and the spirit of Arunachal Pradesh. The expedition was flagged off by Governor KT Parnaik on July 28, who praised her perseverance and achievement.

‘Bharat’ Taxi: Cooperatives Launch ₹300-Crore Ride-Hailing Platform to Rival Ola and Uber

• In a transformative move, eight major cooperatives have launched ‘Bharat’ Taxi, a cooperative-driven ride-hailing service with ₹300 crore capital, aimed at challenging Ola and Uber.
• Operated by the Multi-State Sahakari Taxi Cooperative Ltd, and backed by institutions like IFFCO, NCDC, and Amul, the initiative prioritizes fair driver earnings and affordable fares via a commission-free, community-focused model.
• With 200 drivers onboarded and an India-wide app launching by end-2025, it signals a shift towards cooperative-led urban mobility, supported by IIM-B and a tech consultant for strategy and expansion.

International News

Illinois Bans ChatGPT and AI from Providing Therapy

• In a landmark move, Illinois has become the first U.S. state to ban AI platforms like ChatGPT from providing therapy services without human oversight, under the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act.
• Signed by Governor JB Pritzker, the law prohibits AI from performing core therapeutic functions like diagnosis, treatment planning, or emotional assessments unless supervised by a licensed professional.
• This comes amid rising concerns over AI’s misuse in mental health, echoing warnings from the American Psychological Association.

WHO Classifies Hepatitis D as Cancer-Causing: Why the Hepatitis B Vaccine Is Your Best Shield

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially classified Hepatitis D (HDV) as a cancer-causing virus, citing its strong link to liver cancer when co-infected with Hepatitis B (HBV).
• Since HDV requires HBV to replicate, the Hepatitis B vaccine becomes the most effective shield against this dangerous coinfection.
• HDV significantly accelerates liver cirrhosis, increases cancer risk by up to six times, and is spreading through blood, sexual contact, and childbirth.
• With vaccine coverage in India still around 50%, experts urge stronger prevention, screening, and public awareness to curb HDV transmission and protect vulnerable populations.

Appointments News

Major Leadership Shift at Airbus India: Who Is Jürgen Westermeier?

• Airbus has appointed Jürgen Westermeier as President and Managing Director for India and South Asia, effective September 1, 2025. He will oversee commercial aircraft sales and drive Airbus’ expansion in the region across services, engineering, digital innovation, and training.
• Westermeier will lead operations including the Airbus-Tata joint ventures manufacturing military transport aircraft and helicopters in India.
• His role also involves strengthening Airbus’ collaboration with ISRO and supporting the Make in India initiative to boost local manufacturing and technology growth.

Agreements News

Atal Innovation Mission Partners with Bhashini to Boost Vernacular Innovation Across India

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Bhashini have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to promote vernacular innovation and language inclusivity across India’s innovation ecosystem.
• This collaboration aims to break language barriers by integrating Bhashini’s language technologies into AIM’s programs, including translating WIPO Academy content into multiple Indian languages and supporting startups with multilingual product development.
• The partnership focuses on empowering grassroot innovators through skilling initiatives and inclusive platforms, advancing India’s goal of digital empowerment and inclusive innovation nationwide.

Awards News

PM Modi Launches Global M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace, Honours Nigerian Scientist

• At the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the M.S. Swaminathan Global Award for Food and Peace to honour scientists from the developing world working to fight hunger and promote global peace.
• The first recipient was Nigerian scientist Dr. Arenare, recognized for his work in combating hunger in Nigeria.

Banking News

IFC and HDFC Capital Launch $1 Billion Fund for Green Affordable Housing in India

• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is partnering with HDFC Capital Advisors to launch a $1 billion real estate fund aimed at promoting green affordable housing in India.
• IFC is anchoring the H-DREAM Fund with a $150 million investment, which will help mobilize an additional $850 million from other investors.
• The fund focuses on financing projects that adhere to green building standards, addressing the country’s significant housing gap while fostering sustainable urban development.
• Managed by HDFC Capital, this initiative supports the expansion of environmentally friendly and affordable housing options across India.

AU Small Finance Bank Makes History: First SFB to Get RBI Nod for Universal Bank Status

• AU Small Finance Bank (AU) has made history by becoming the first Small Finance Bank in India to receive in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a Universal Bank.
• This landmark achievement highlights AU’s strong business model, sound governance, and unwavering commitment to financial inclusion.
• The approval validates AU’s growth into a full-service bank offering a wide range of retail, business, and digital banking solutions.

Economy News

India’s Electronics Exports Soar Over 47% in Q1 FY26, Driven by Mobile Phones

• India’s electronics exports soared over 47% year-on-year to $12.4 billion in Q1 FY26, driven largely by a 55% surge in mobile phone exports, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).
• Non-mobile electronics, including solar modules, networking equipment, and chargers, also grew by 37%. With momentum building, ICEA projects FY26 exports to hit $46–50 billion, up from $38.6 billion in FY25.
• Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo emphasized the need for a domestic supply chain and globally competitive Indian brands to ensure long-term electronic sector sovereignty and value addition.

RBI Survey: India’s Merchandise Imports to Grow Twice as Fast as Exports in FY26

• The recent RBI Survey of Professional Forecasters projects that India’s merchandise imports will grow by 2.5% in 2025-26, more than twice the 1.2% growth expected in exports, leading to a widening trade imbalance and a current account deficit of 0.8% of GDP, rising slightly to 0.9% in 2026-27. Despite this, India’s economy is forecast to grow steadily, with GDP expanding by 6.4% in 2025-26 and 6.7% the following year.
• Private consumption and investments are also expected to grow moderately, while inflation is projected to remain manageable, with headline CPI rising from 3.1% to 4.4% over the same period.

Business News

Tata AutoComp to Acquire Slovakia-Based IAC Group: Expanding Its Global Footprint

• Tata AutoComp Systems has signed an agreement to fully acquire the Slovakia-based IAC Group through its British subsidiary, Artifex Interior Systems Limited.
• While the company has not revealed the financial details, the acquisition involves a conditional agreement to purchase 100% of IAC Group’s share capital, expanding Tata AutoComp’s global footprint in the auto components sector.

LIC Q1 FY26 Results: Net Profit Rises 5% to ₹10,987 Crore, Asset Quality Improves

• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) reported a 5% rise in standalone net profit to Rs 10,987 crore for Q1 FY26, up from Rs 10,461 crore in the same quarter last year.
• Its net premium income also grew 5% year-on-year to Rs 1.19 lakh crore during April-June 2025-26. LIC’s solvency ratio improved to 2.17 from 1.99 in Q1 FY25, indicating stronger financial health.
• Asset quality showed improvement with gross NPAs down 21% to Rs 8,436.5 crore and net NPAs down 36% to Rs 4 crore.

Ranks & Reports News

Housing Price Index for 13 Indian Cities Rises to 132, Signals Market Stabilization

• The Housing Price Index (HPI) for 13 major Indian cities rose by 8 points year-on-year to 132 in March 2025, according to a Housing.com–ISB report. Despite remaining stagnant since February, the market reflects a healthy consolidation phase, following previous surges.
• This price stabilisation—driven by cautious buyer sentiment, supply-side adjustments, and global headwinds—is viewed as a foundation for sustainable growth.
• Cities tracked include Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurugram, and others. Experts predict continued market maturity, supported by rate cuts, income growth, and rising affordability.

India Lost 18 Times More Forest Area Than It Gained Between 2015–2019: Read This Report