1 India-US first space collaboration NISAR placed in precise orbit
India and the US celebrated their first space collaboration with the successful flight of a GSLV rocket that placed an earth observation satellite, NISAR , in a precise orbit. NISAR was jointly developed by ISRO and NASA . According to ISRO, GSLV has successfully placed NISAR in the designated orbit. ISRO’s GSLV F-16 placed the synthetic aperture radar satellite in the intended sun synchronous polar orbit (SSPO) after a flight of about 19 minutes and a distance of about 745 km . The successful launch of this satellite will prove to be an important milestone in the history of earth observation missions, as its dual radar capability, L-band and S-band systems , will provide precise data about the cryosphere, ecosystem and solid earth. NISAR ( NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar ) is a landmark project. It is the first project to use two different frequency radars, NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band , to observe the earth. NISAR will not only help in precise management of disasters like cyclones, floods etc. but it also has the capability to penetrate fog, dense clouds and snow layers .
PM Modi expressed happiness over the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha to India after 127 years and called it a proud moment for the country’s rich cultural heritage. Piprahwa relics are sacred objects that were found in the year 1898 by British officer William Claxton Peppe during the excavation of Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh . These included bone fragments, crystal vessels, gold ornaments and other offerings , which were placed in the stupa according to Buddhist tradition . An inscription in a Brahmi script confirms that these relics were dedicated to Lord Buddha by the Shakya clan , which was the family of the Buddha himself. In the year 1899, most of the relics were handed over to the Indian Museum in Kolkata , although some parts remained privately with the family of British officer Peppe . For years, these remained in private collections and in 2025 these relics suddenly appeared at Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong , seeing which the Indian government became alert. Since these relics are ‘AA’ category ancient heritage according to Indian law , it is illegal to sell or take them out of India. In such a situation, the Ministry of Culture of India took cognizance of the matter and immediately intervened. Through diplomatic and legal efforts, India stopped the auction and the relics were brought back safely.
3 India, UAE sign agreement on maritime safety and security cooperation
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the UAE National Guard Command signed an Agreement on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation in New Delhi . It aims to enhance bilateral maritime cooperation and contribute to a safe, secure and sustainable maritime environment in the region. This is the tenth such agreement between Coast Guard Agencies of Friendly Countries (FFCs) , designed to strengthen professional ties between the two Coast Guards in key functions including Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), combating transnational maritime crimes, Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Marine Pollution Response (MPR) and joint capacity building. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian Coast Guard Director General Parmesh Sivamani and UAE Coast Guard Group Commander Brigadier Staff Khalid Obaid Shamsi during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and the UAE.
4 Maharashtra to celebrate August 7 as Sustainable Agriculture Day in honour of Dr M.S. Swaminathan
The Maharashtra government has announced that August 7 will be celebrated as ” Sustainable Agriculture Day ” every year to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr M S Swaminathan, the architect of India’s Green Revolution. Dr Swaminathan’s pioneering research in increasing the productivity of wheat and rice helped India achieve food self-sufficiency and economic stability. Recognising his contributions, the Indian government has conferred on him the Bharat Ratna in 2024. The United Nations has also recognised him as the Father of Economic Environment.
5 YouTube banned for children under 16 years of age in Australia, other social media platforms are already banned
Taking a big decision , the Australian government has announced the inclusion of YouTube in the social media platforms banned for children under the age of 16. Earlier, YouTube was exempted from this rule, but the government has now changed it. However, YouTube Kids will be exempt from this. The new rule will come into effect from December 10. In its latest order, the Australian government has banned YouTube for children under the age of 16. In Australia, children under the age of 16 are prohibited from using social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X.
6 Magnitude 8.7 earthquake strikes Kamchatka, Russia
An earthquake of magnitude 8.7 struck Russia ‘s Far Eastern region of Kamchatka at 11:24 pm (GMT) on Tuesday night . According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) , the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 19.3 kilometers near Avacha Bay, 125 kilometers southeast of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Due to this, strong tremors were felt on the surface. Although the USGS had earlier reported the magnitude of the earthquake as 8.0, it was later increased to 8.7 according to new data. After this powerful earthquake, a tsunami warning has been issued in many parts of the Pacific Ocean. The Kamchatka region is known for seismic activities as it is located on the ” Pacific Ring of Fire “. This is the area where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently due to the movement of tectonic plates.
7 Trump announced 25 percent tariff on India
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 25 percent tariff and additional punitive duty on imports from India . This decision will come into effect from August 1. Trump made this announcement on his social media platform ‘Truth Social’. Trump said that this decision has also been taken regarding India’s purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump criticized India for continuing to buy weapons and energy from Russia amid the Ukraine war.
8 Kho-kho gets official recognition in AIESCB’s sports calendar
Kho-Kho will now be at par with 16 major sports like cricket, hockey, kabaddi . Not only this, now it will also provide employment opportunities to the players. Yes, the Indian traditional sport Kho-Kho has achieved another historic achievement in the sports world. The All India Electricity Sports Control Board (AIESCB) has decided to include Kho-Kho in its official sports calendar in its Annual General Body Meeting held in Mumbai . Under this decision, Kho-Kho has been given a place at par with 16 other major sports like cricket, football, hockey, kabaddi, badminton and tennis. AIESCB, which is the premier sports body of the departments related to the energy and power sectors of India , has been promoting various sports for years. The inclusion of Kho-Kho in this calendar will not only provide a competitive platform to the players, but will also provide permanent employment opportunities under the sports quota. Earlier, organizations like the Indian Army and Indian Railways had also included Kho-Kho in their sports calendar, and now the recognition of AIESCB has further strengthened the national identity of this sport.
9 PM Modi condoles the death of renowned economist Meghnad Desai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of renowned economist Meghnad Desai . He also praised his role in strengthening India-UK relations . Meghnad Desai was born in Gujarat , he received education from Bombay University. He was also awarded the title of Lord. He was a professor at the London School of Economics, he has made invaluable contributions especially in the field of education and politics. Desai founded the Center for the Study of Global Governance at LSE in the year 1992. From 1990 to 1995, he was the director and founding member of the Development Studies Institute of LSE. His research lasted for more than 50 years. Desai worked on topics related to the impact of the private sector and the state on development and Marxist economics, including globalization and market liberalization. Some of his books include Marxist Economic Theory, Marx’s Vengeance: The Resurgence of Capitalism and the Death of State Socialism, Rediscovery of India and Who Wrote the Bhagavad Gita.