India’s first satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure, known as Required Navigation Performance – Category H (RNP CAT H), was operationalised at the HAL Airport in Bengaluru. This landmark achievement makes HAL Airport the pioneer in utilizing satellite-based precision landing paths for rotary-wing aircraft in India. Developed to manage challenging urban terrain and weather limitations, this system significantly reduces helicopter approach time from roughly 12 minutes to just 4 minutes. This technology is vital for civil air ambulances, defense operations, and disaster management.

Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies has unveiled EVEREST, an 80-tonne-class rocket engine built entirely in India. The engine uses liquid oxygen and liquid methane (methalox) and is designed to generate about 800 kN of thrust. EVEREST uses the advanced Full-Flow Staged Combustion (FFSC) cycle, a highly efficient rocket propulsion technology. The company has previously tested smaller versions of the technology, including a scaled-down engine in 2025. Astrobase plans to conduct the first full-scale hot-fire test at its private facility in Andhra Pradesh

Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Sonitpur district of Assam, at the foothills of the Great Himalayan Range. The sanctuary is bordered by the Gabhoru and Panchnoi rivers, Rowta Reserve Forest, and Kameng Reserve Forest of Arunachal Pradesh. It has four perennial rivers—Dolsiri, Gabharu, Gelgeli and Belsiri—along with wetlands locally known as “bheels. Assam Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah inaugurated the newly constructed Kalamati Wildlife Range Office at the sanctuary.

Qadr-F missile was recently in the news amid heightened Middle East tensions and Iran–Israel military exchanges. Qadr-F is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Iran. It has an estimated range of around 2,000 km and is derived from the Shahab-3 missile family. The missile is a key long-range asset of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is deployed alongside Iran’s Emad and Kheiber missiles as part of its strategic missile capabilities.

Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as the 36th President of Colombia on August 7, 2026. He assumed office for the 2026–2030 term, succeeding Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella won the June 21, 2026 runoff election with 49.66% of the vote. His administration has pledged a hardline approach to drug trafficking and a reduction in the size of the state. Colombia is a vibrant country in northwestern South America. It has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The capital and largest city is Bogotá.