Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football
Lionel Messi said on Monday (August 31, 2026) he is retiring from international football after leading Argentina to a second successive World Cup final in July. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep in my soul, but I understand that it is the right time,” Messi, 39, wrote on Instagram. “I swear I always gave everything, not just in the last few years when we won everything but before that too, and I always fought and gave my all for this shirt,” he added.
Draft voter lists see over 6 crore deletions so far in SIR third phase
As the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls nears its end, more than 6 crore names have been deleted from the voters’ registry as per the draft lists published so far. The third phase was carried out in 16 States and 3 Union Territories. Draft rolls of all these States have been published, except for Nagaland and Tripura, which will be out on September 20 and October 21, respectively.
Citing lack of jurisdiction, India rejects Hague court’s Indus Waters Treaty ruling
Hours after the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague said the Indus Waters Treaty remains “fully in force” and called on India to “observe its obligations”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected this, saying that the “very establishment of this alleged arbitral body” itself was a “grave violation” of the treaty. “This so-called Court was constituted by the World Bank in patent breach of the terms of the Treaty, and India categorically rejects its so-called award,” the Ministry said on Monday (August 31, 2026).
World must move from endless war to end of war: PM Modi to Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 31, 2026) met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek and said the world “must move from endless war to an end of war for the benefit of humanity”. The External Affairs Ministry said the two leaders discussed conflicts in West Asia and in the Black Sea region, where, in recent months, Indian seafarers have been attacked by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Bihar, Jharkhand sign agreement on sharing Sone River water
Bihar and Jharkhand signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sharing Sone River water on Monday. The agreement was inked in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
At least 11 killed, several injured in explosion at firecracker factory in U.P.’s Kaushambi
A massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi district on Monday (August 31, 2026) killed at least 11 people and left several injured, officials said. The blast occurred within the Pipri police station limits, after which police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Indian Air Force personnel stationed nearby launched a joint rescue operation.
We need more mega-science projects, says CERN Director-General
The world needs more mega-science projects, said Director-General of CERN, Mark Thomson, during his visit to Mumbai on Monday (August 31, 2026) for the India premiere of ‘The Peace Particle’, a documentary on CERN. The documentary was premiered at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. During the programme, Mr. Thomson also delivered an address on ‘particle physics: today and tomorrow’.
India’s GDP growth at 7.8% in Q1, slower than last quarter but quicker than last year
The growth in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter (Q1 FY27), quicker than the 6.9% recorded in Q1 of last year, but slower than the 8.6% of the January-March 2026 quarter. The stronger performance in Q1 of this year as compared to last year has been driven by the manufacturing sector as well as some broad services categories such as utilities, financial services, real estate, IT, and public administration and defence.
Congress calls GDP numbers a ‘Greatly Distorted Picture’ of economy
The Congress on Monday (August 31, 2026) questioned the 7.8% GDP growth recorded in the April-June quarter, with the party’s communication chief Jairam Ramesh describing the figures as a “GDP — Greatly Distorted Picture” of the state of the economy. In a post on X, Mr. Ramesh said the quarterly numbers failed to reflect the “decidedly depressed” private investment sentiment among both domestic and foreign investors. He said consumer confidence had fallen to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic, while prices of household essentials were rising and educated unemployment remained at alarming levels.
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump’s ballroom project to proceed
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday (August 31, 2026) allowed President Donald Trump to continue construction of his White House ballroom, granting him a major victory against opponents of the project. The conservative-dominated court voted 5-4 to lift a lower order demanding construction be halted, with Chief Justice John Roberts notably joining the court’s three liberals in dissent. Mr. Roberts earlier this month issued a temporary order to allow construction while the full court weighed the matter.
