As of August 2, 2025, Indian officials confirmed that oil procurement from Russia remains unchanged, despite U.S. President Donald Trump warning of a 25% tariff and unspecified penalties if India continues buying Russian energy . Authorities emphasized that long-term contracts and market-based factors—such as price, grade, logistics, and inflation control—guide their choices, not political pressure . State refiners paused purchases recently due to narrowing discounts, but private players like Reliance and Nayara continue importing. Russian crude still makes up approximately 35% of India's oil imports, underscoring New Delhi’s stance on independent energy policy and economic pragmatism. (PC: The Guardian)

On July 30, 2025, the joint NASA‑ISRO NISAR (NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard GSLV‑F16 . The $1.5 billion mission features dual-frequency radar (NASA’s L‑band and ISRO’s S‑band) capable of detecting surface changes as small as 1 cm, through clouds and darkness, revisiting each location every 12 days . NISAR will revolutionize monitoring of ice‑sheet collapse, land deformation, earthquakes, tsunamis, and ecosystem shifts, aiding disaster response, climate science, and infrastructure planning globally . As the first Earth‑observation mission co‑developed by NASA and ISRO, it marks a milestone in international collaboration and space innovation. (PC: NASA)

On January 29, 2025, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet over Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 aboard. NTSB testimony cited multiple failures: faulty altimeters under‑reported by 80–130 ft, causing the helicopter to exceed its 200‑ft ceiling, while night‑vision goggles hampered pilots’ peripheral and color‑light visibility, making it hard to spot the jet against bright ground lights . Miscommunication from busy air traffic control—handling dozens of aircraft—led to unheeded warnings and improper visual separation . Systemic FAA funding and oversight gaps compounded the tragedy. A final NTSB report is expected next year. (PC: AP)

The Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, operating from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff on 12 June 2025, killing 241 onboard and 19 on the ground, with only one survivor . The AAIB’s preliminary investigation points to both engines losing power after fuel control switches were moved to “CUTOFF,” a highly unlikely event given safety locks . Cockpit audio features a tense exchange—one pilot asking why fuel was cut off, and the other replying, “I didn’t do it” . However, aviation experts argue the report ignored critical FADEC telemetry and omitted altitude data, sparking claims of narrative bias toward pilot blame. (PC: India Today)

NDTV investigated former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the “Indian economy is dead” by asking five major American AI platforms—ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Meta AI, and Copilot—“Is the Indian economy dead?” Each responded emphatically that India’s economy is robust and fast‑growing . Trump’s assertion came alongside his announcement of a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports and hinted penalties over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil . Union Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirmed that India remains the fastest-growing major economy, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sparked controversy by endorsing Trump’s claim, drawing swift criticism from other leaders. (PC: NDTV)

A cofferdam at the Malana‑I Hydropower Project in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, collapsed on August 2, 2025 following prolonged heavy monsoon rainfall, unleashing flash floods that swept away vehicles and heavy machinery—including a hydra crane, dumper truck, rock breaker and camper—at the construction site . Though the damage was significant, fortunately no casualties have been reported . The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events linked to climate change. Emergency response and safety assessments are reportedly underway to evaluate structural resilience. 

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced on August 1, 2025, that the failure analysis for the PSLV‑C61 mission carrying EOS‑09 has been completed, describing the anomaly as “small.” The mission, launched on May 18 at 05:59 AM IST from Sriharikota, failed when a pressure drop occurred in the third-stage PS3 motor, preventing satellite deployment. A National Failure Analysis Committee had been convened shortly after to investigate the root cause. The final report is expected to be formally submitted to the Prime Minister in the coming days. (PC: PTI)

In a heartfelt interview with Piers Morgan, Qasim and Sulaiman Khan, sons of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to help secure their father's release. They described the charges against Imran Khan as politically motivated and expressed concern over threats of arrest if they return to Pakistan. The brothers applied for visas through the Pakistan High Commission in London, but approval is pending. They emphasized Trump’s past rapport with their father and believe he’s uniquely positioned to influence Pakistan’s establishment. Their plea marks a shift toward seeking international intervention amid growing frustration with the Pakistani regime and deteriorating prison conditions. (PC: Firstpost & The Print)

Global crude oil prices are projected to surge to $80–82 per barrel amid escalating tensions between the U.S., Russia, and India. President Donald Trump has issued a 12-day ultimatum to Russia to end its Ukraine offensive or face 100% secondary tariffs on nations trading with Moscow. Analysts warn this could disrupt global oil flows, especially with Russia exporting 5 million barrels per day. Brent crude has already climbed from $72.07 to $76, with forecasts reaching $100–$120 if Russian oil is squeezed out. While India may avoid supply shortages due to diversified imports, retail fuel prices could spike. OPEC+ output delays and tight spare capacity may worsen short-term volatility. (PC: NDTV & Geology)

A Berlin-based company, Tomorrow Bio, is offering cryopreservation services—the process of freezing human bodies after legal death—with hopes of future revival. For around ₹2 crore, clients can opt for full-body preservation, while brain-only options cost about ₹67 lakh. After death, a 24/7 emergency team rushes to begin cooling and transport to a storage facility in Switzerland, where bodies are kept at −196°C in vacuum-insulated tanks. Though the technology to revive preserved bodies does not yet exist, over 650 clients have signed up. Experts remain skeptical, calling the concept highly speculative. (PC: NDTV)