The Hindu Morning Digest: August 27, 2025

Supreme Court asks why judiciary can’t review inaction of Governors on bills

If courts can review a Governor’s recommendation for President’s rule, why cannot the judiciary examine a Governor for sitting on crucial State Bills for years together, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, heading a Presidential Reference Bench, asked the Centre and BJP-ruled States on Tuesday (August 26, 2025).

India, U.S. move to enhance defence partnership

India and the U.S. have agreed to expand defence ties, with talks underway on a new 10-year framework at the India-U.S. 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue held on Monday (August 25, 2025).

Bill to remove Ministers facing serious criminal charges will test government’s strength in Parliament

The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks the removal of Ministers — of Central and State governments, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers — facing serious criminal charges, has thrown up an unexpected challenge for the government. More than a week since the draft law was referred to a Parliamentary Joint Committee, the panel has not been formed amidst boycott calls from three Opposition parties — the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Congress, according to sources, is also strongly considering following suit. 

56 jurists counter statement by 18 ex-judges criticising Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Salwa Judum judgment

A group of 56 retired judges on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) countered the joint statement of 18 other former judges who had defended the Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s criticism, describing it as remarks “determined to cloak their political partisanship under the language of judicial independence”. 

Chandrababu Naidu government negotiates land swap deal for Oberoi hotels near foothills of Tirumala temple

An investment proposal for the Oberoi group near the foothills of Sri Venkateswara temple, Tirumala, which had been cleared by the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh but had got caught in religious sentiments, has been resolved through a land swap deal negotiated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.  

Trump to chair ‘large meeting’ on post-war Gaza, Witkoff says

US President Donald Trump will host a meeting on Wednesday (August 27, 2025) on post-war plans for Gaza, his envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday (August 26, 2025). “We’ve got a large meeting in the White House tomorrow, chaired by the president, and it’s a very comprehensive plan we’re putting together on the next day,” Mr. Witkoff said in a Fox News interview, without providing more details.

IAF chief proposes joint planning, coordination centre in Delhi

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) cautioned against going ahead with the theaterisation plan in a hurry and proposed the setting up of a joint planning and coordination centre in Delhi comprising top military brass to ensure tri-Services synergy.

ED raids Saurabh Bharadwaj in Delhi hospital ‘scam’

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) launched searches at 13 locations in and around the Capital, including the residence of former Delhi Health Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj, as part of its probe into the alleged hospital construction “scam”.

Duleep Trophy back in its traditional style

Not many things in Indian cricket change as quickly as the Duleep Trophy format. From being a zonal event for more than 50 years, the multi-day competition, in recent times, has alternated between being a zonal tournament and having inorganically formed teams named after colours and alphabets.

Half of pregnant, lactating women in Bhubaneswar slums use smokeless tobacco on waking

Despite smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption posing several adverse impacts on pregnancy and child health, 45% of pregnant women and 55% of lactating women in slums of Bhubaneswar reported consuming SLT immediately after waking up, says the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) study.

Protesters in Israel demand release of hostages as Israeli strikes kill 16 in Gaza, hospitals say

Protesters in Israel on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) torched tires, blocked highways and clamoured for a ceasefire that would free hostages still in Gaza, even as Israeli leaders moved forward with plans for an offensive which they argue is needed to defeat Hamas.

Meeting on FMR, Myanmar border fencing inconclusive

A meeting between a Manipur Naga delegation and Central government officials on the India-Myanmar border fencing and the Free Movement Regime (FMR) ended inconclusively in New Delhi on Tuesday (August 26, 2025).