1. Temporary Suspension of Postal Services to the United States of America

The Department of Posts has taken note of the Executive Order No. 14324 issued by the U.S. Administration on 30th July, 2025, under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 will be withdrawn with effect from 29th August, 2025. Consequently, all international postal items destined for the USA, regardless of their value, shall be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. However, gift items up to the value of USD 100 shall continue to remain exempt from duties.

As per the Executive Order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network, or other “qualified parties” approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments. While CBP issued certain guidelines on 15th August, 2025, several critical processes relating to the designation of “qualified parties” and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined. Consequently, U.S. bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness.

2. Kerala declared first fully digitally literate State in the country

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala as the first fully digitally literate State in India, marking the completion of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project, a grass-root level intervention across all local bodies to bridge the digital divide. To ensure continuity of digital literacy, the second phase of the Digi Kerala will also include training to identify and prevent cybercrimes and misuse of social media.

At present, around 9,000 government services have been made available online. In addition, services are being provided through K-SMART. Citizens can now obtain documents such as birth and income certificates, and even file police complaints, without having to visit offices. NRIs too can access services without having to travel home. 

3. PNB becomes 1st PSB in India to Migrate to ‘.bank.in’ Domain
 Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the 1st Indian PSB to migrate its corporate website www.pnb.bank.co.in to the secure ‘.bank.in’ domain This move is in alignment with Reserve Bank of India’s circular on ‘Migration to ‘.bank.in’ Domain’ issued in April 2025. The ‘.bank.in’ internet domain reserved exclusively for Indian banks, aims to combat fraud in digital payments, cyber security threats and malicious activities such as phishing, and enhance public confidence in the digital banking.
As per RBI directions, the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) will act as the exclusive registrar for this domain. RBI is also planning to introduce an exclusive domain i.e. ‘fin.in’ for other non-bank entities in the financial sector

4. Japan's SMBC gets Indian central bank approval to buy up to 24.99% of Yes Bank

Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation has received Indian central bank approval to buy up to 24.99% of India's Yes Bank, the Indian bank said in a stock exchange filing. The Reserve Bank of India has also decided that SMBC would not be treated as a "promoter" of Yes Bank following the deal, which would have involved additional regulatory requirements. 

In May, the banks informed exchanges that SBMC had inked a deal to take a 20% stake in Yes Bank for $1.6 billion, making it the largest cross-border merger and acquisition deal in India's financial sector.  Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters last month that SMBC was seeking approval to buy an additional 4.9% stake in Yes Bank.

5. Anish Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA to PM
The central government has appointed Anish Dayal Singh, a retired IPS officer and former Director General of the CRPF, as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his new role, 60-year-old Singh will report directly to NSA Ajit Doval.
Anish Dayal Singh is a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Manipur cadre. He was serving as the Director General of the CRPF since January 1, 2024. Singh was born in 1964 in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. After being selected for the Indian Police Service in 1988, he completed training as a police officer at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy located in Hyderabad.

6. Suzlon Becomes First Indian Energy Firm to Join RE100 Initiative
The Suzlon Group has taken a major step in clean energy by joining the Renewable Energy 100 (RE100) Initiative, becoming the first Indian company from the energy sector to do so. RE100 is a global platform that brings together leading businesses committed to running entirely on renewable electricity. Globally, more than 400 companies are part of RE100 Under this pledge, Suzlon plans to power all its 15 factories only with renewable sources by 2030. 

7. DRDO successfully tests indigenous air defence system, advancing ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ goals for 2035

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), off the Odisha coast around 12.30 pm Sunday. This marks another step towards developing a homegrown nationwide security shield from multidomain enemy attacks under Mission Sudarshan Chakra by 2035.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW).The shield is expected to offer multiple layers of protection by combining surveillance, cybersecurity, and air defence systems to detect and destroy threats, including long-range missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, along the borders and at critical installations.

8. Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the foremost Test specialists in 21st century, retires
Cheteshwar Pujara's quiet retirement highlights a common trend in cricket, where legends like MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag also missed grand farewells. Many Indian cricket stars, including Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, exited without fanfare due to form, injuries, or team decisions. The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remains uncertain, raising concerns about potential unceremonious departures.

Pujara, the rock of India’s Test batting for over a decade, last played for the country in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. His retirement came via social media, not the middle of a cricket ground. With 103 Tests, 7,195 runs and a reputation for resilience unmatched in modern cricket, Pujara deserved a bigger stage for his farewell. Instead, like many before him, he slipped away without a parting game.

9.  Kishore Lakshman Appointed As Commissioner, DDA
The Delhi government has issued posting orders for IAS officer Kishore Kshirsagar Lakshman (IAS:2016:AGMUT). He has been appointed as Commissioner in Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on a deputation basis. Lakshman had been awaiting his posting orders since June 8, when he was transferred from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Delhi. Meanwhile, Sanjeev Kumar (DANICS:1996), who is currently serving with DDA on a deputation, has been repatriated from DDA and directed to report to the Service Department.

10. Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt Completes Port Call At Surabaya
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kadmatt, an indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) corvette, successfully completed a three-day port call at Surabaya, Indonesia, strengthening the bond of friendship, trust, and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), according to a release from the Ministry of Defence. During the visit, professional and cultural engagements were conducted to enhance maritime cooperation and mutual understanding. Key activities included professional interactions and cross-deck visits - fostering operational synergy between the two navies.
According to the release, the crew also participated in a combined yoga session onboard and a friendly volleyball match with TNI AL personnel, showcasing the shared spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. The visit of INS Kadmatt reaffirmed the Indian Navy's role as the preferred security partner in the region and reinforced the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Indonesia under the shared vision of 'Partnership Across Sea'. (ANI)