NEWS 05-08-2025. News For 15th-Aug (Friday) *National* 1. Dr. A Rajarajan, an expert in composites, has taken over as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center from 1st August 2025. 2. The govt has approved four new semiconductor fabrication units in Odisha, Punjab, & Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated investment of around ?4,594 crore. 3. ISRO has announced that within the next couple of months, India will launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the United States using an Indian launcher. This will further strengthen India’s reputation as a global space launch hub. *Defence* 1. Indian Navy will commission two Project 17A stealth frigates — Udaygiri and Himgiri — at Visakhapatnam on August 26. 2. The Australian Army Chief, Lt Gen Simon Stuart, is on a four-day official visit to India to strengthen defence ties. 3. Japan has proposed to supply a 200 kN jet engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, inviting the Gas Turbine Research Establishment for a confidential review. This has attracted global attention due to its strategic implications. 4. Philippines is exploring a deal to acquire Indian made submarines and more BrahMos missile systems from India to counter Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. *INTERNATIONAL* 1. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska, on 15th Aug to discuss the future of the Ukraine war. India has officially welcomed this summit. 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit New Delhi in Sep '25. The agenda includes a major defence pact for 60 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets with technology transfer, source code access, & its coproduction at HAL’s Nashik facility. 3. Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will formally recognise the State of Palestine during the 80th UN General Assembly session in September. 4. On 11 Augu '25, the US State Department officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs). *SPORTS* 1. In Asian U19 & U22 Boxing Championships '25 – India secured a total of 27 medals. • *U19 team*: 14 medals – 3 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze; finishing second overall. • *U22 team*: 13 medals – 1 gold (by Ritika), 4 silver, 8 bronze. < < Back