Globe at a Glance: EOS-05 Launch, Hormuz Plan, Trump Games & More

The world saw a series of significant developments across space, geopolitics, defence, disasters and US politics on Friday. India successfully launched its advanced Earth observation satellite EOS-05, South Korea considered a military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, while Estonia’s defence minister resigned following controversy over an ammunition deal linked to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, India expanded forensic assistance to Nepal after devastating floods, a Russian general was reportedly shot in Saratov and the White House unveiled a set of arcade-style games promoting President Donald Trump’s political agenda.

Here are the major global stories to watch.

ISRO launches EOS-05

The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The rocket lifted off at 2:55 am and placed the approximately 2,367-kg satellite into its intended Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. ISRO described GSLV-F17 as the 19th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

EOS-05 is India's first imaging satellite designed to operate from a geosynchronous orbit. The spacecraft is expected to provide frequent observations of large geographical areas and support applications including disaster management, agriculture, environmental monitoring and resource management.

South Korea weighs Hormuz deployment

South Korea is preparing plans to deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz by the end of the year to support freedom of navigation, according to reports cited in the original roundup.

The possible deployment comes as tensions around the strategic waterway remain high amid the continuing US-Iran conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial global energy route, making any military escalation in the area significant for international shipping and oil markets. Oil prices were already heading for their strongest weekly gains since July amid intensifying US-Iran tensions.

Estonia minister resigns

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned, taking political responsibility following controversy surrounding a €70-million ammunition procurement intended to supply Ukraine.

The deal involved an Italian-registered company owned by an Indian defence firm and came under scrutiny over delays, procurement procedures and ammunition quality.

The controversy has also raised questions about oversight of defence spending and the use of European funds.

India offers Nepal DNA aid

India has opened its government forensic network to families trying to identify relatives missing after devastating floods and related disasters in Nepal.

First-degree relatives can provide biological samples for DNA profiling at designated forensic facilities in India. The resulting profiles can be compared with DNA recovered from unidentified remains in Nepal.

India has also sent forensic and DNA specialists to Nepal to assist local authorities with disaster victim identification.

The assistance comes as rescue and identification operations continue following the catastrophic Himalayan floods.

Russian general shot in Saratov

Russian Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich was reportedly shot in Saratov and critically injured, according to reports cited in the roundup.

Varpakhovich has been accused by Ukraine of ordering the 2024 missile strike on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt children's hospital. The identity and motive of the attacker were not immediately established.

The shooting adds another high-profile security incident involving a senior Russian military figure amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

White House launches games

The White House has launched a collection of arcade-style games built around themes associated with Trump's political agenda.

Among the games is Rio Run, which uses mechanics inspired by Snake and features a digital representation of border czar Tom Homan pursuing migrants near the Rio Grande.

Another game, Build the Wall, draws on Tetris-style gameplay and focuses on border security. The White House has also used the platform to promote Trump Accounts and other administration priorities.

The initiative has triggered criticism from migrant rights advocates, who argue that the games trivialise serious issues involving deportation, detention and migrants' lives. The White House has defended the project as an innovative way of communicating its policies.

Vance questions Iran strike claim

US Vice President JD Vance has expressed scepticism over Iran's claim that a US strike hit a wedding ceremony and killed civilians.

Vance said Washington was investigating the allegation while maintaining that US forces do not deliberately target civilians.

The issue comes amid a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions. The conflict has also affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed global oil prices higher.

Big number: India GDP

World Bank economist Neelkanth Mishra has defended India's reported 7.8% GDP growth for the first quarter, rejecting claims that changes in the GDP methodology artificially inflated the figure.

He pointed to indicators including vehicle sales, tax collections and credit growth as evidence supporting the headline growth number.

The debate comes as India's economic performance continues to draw attention amid global trade and geopolitical uncertainty.

Quote of the Day

“The future of rebuilding this country is going to be for people who use their heads, who use their hearts, who use their hands to build the next generation of American products.”

— US Vice President JD Vance

This Day in History

On September 4, 1998, Google was officially incorporated as a privately held company by Stanford University PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

What began as a research project at Stanford would eventually become one of the world's most influential technology companies.