US Ambassador and special envoy Sergio Gor’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir in six years has triggered a diplomatic row after he called the Union Territory “an important part of India” during his Srinagar visit on August 19. Pakistan strongly rejected the remarks and summoned US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad. Gor met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss regional development, bilateral ties and deeper US-J&K engagement, including tourism and the economy. He also indicated Washington could review its Level 4 “do not travel” advisory for J&K, citing improved security. A downgrade could benefit local businesses, with tourism accounting for 7% of the region’s GDP. Mehbooba Mufti also urged the US to reconsider the advisory.

A Rajdhani Express train halted in Assam’s Hojai district on August 19 to allow a herd of wild elephants to safely cross the railway tracks. The incident occurred near Hawaipur in the Lanka Range, where forest officials spotted the herd approaching as the Down Rajdhani Express neared the area. Immediate communication between forest personnel, the loco-pilot and Lumding Railway Control Room helped avert a potential disaster. The train stopped completely until the elephants crossed safely before resuming its journey. Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah praised the coordination and highlighted the efforts of frontline teams monitoring railway stretches through wildlife corridors. The incident underscores efforts to prevent elephant-train collisions and reduce human-wildlife conflict.

London’s River Thames is set to host a special Ganga Aarti on September 13, 2026, bringing a centuries-old Indian spiritual tradition to one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks. Traditionally performed at sunset along the Ganges in Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi, Ganga Aarti involves lighting lamps, chanting and devotional music. The Thames event will be open to people of all faiths and backgrounds and will feature Indian culture, music, food and community activities before culminating in the evening aarti. The ceremony aims to showcase India’s spiritual and cultural heritage thousands of kilometres from the Ganga. The Thames, at 346 km, is England’s longest river and the UK’s second longest. (PC: X)

A government school in Santuk Pimpri village, the native place of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, has received its first-ever computer. The development came days after Dipke highlighted shortcomings in basic facilities at the school. Sharing the update on X on Tuesday, Dipke said, “When the Govt Fails, People Step Up! First ever computer arrives at my village. Change is possible!” The arrival marks a new technological resource for the government school, which had reportedly lacked even a computer until now. Dipke’s post highlighted the role of community intervention in addressing gaps in basic educational infrastructure and bringing technology to the rural institution.

Israel’s military has announced its first criminal investigations into troop conduct during the Gaza war, focusing on the deaths of five-year-old Hind Rajab and 15 Palestinian paramedics. Hind was trapped in a vehicle with slain relatives in February 2024 and pleaded for help before being killed. The paramedics were killed in March 2025, after which their bodies were reportedly bulldozed into a mass grave. The military said it reviewed 150 incidents and decided not to investigate three attacks involving World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders workers. Rights groups accuse Israel of war crimes and genocide, allegations Israel rejects. Israeli officials say its justice system can address violations, while rights groups dispute its effectiveness. (PC: US News)

India and Palestine have finalised paperwork for a new India-supported hospital in the West Bank, with Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah Mohammad Abu Shawesh welcoming New Delhi’s assistance for infrastructure and humanitarian projects. The development comes as Palestinians face a humanitarian crisis, with the health sector under intense strain. Abu Shawesh said the project is expected to begin soon, reflecting India’s expanding development partnership with Palestine. The initiative is part of broader Indian support for Palestinian healthcare and services. The hospital is intended to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and address pressing medical needs in the West Bank. The move also highlights continued India-Palestine cooperation in humanitarian assistance, development and capacity-building amid the regional crisis.

Reports indicate Russia has been sending explosives, drone components and ammunition to Iran through the Caspian Sea as Tehran seeks to replenish military stocks depleted during its war with the US and Israel. A European government document obtained by NBC News and confirmed by a Western official says the shipments include TNT, drone parts and ammunition. Satellite imagery assessed by analysts also suggests the cargo contains components needed for ballistic missile production. The reported transfers come as Iran works to rebuild its military capabilities following the conflict. The shipments, if confirmed, could indicate continued Russian support for Iran’s military replenishment efforts, particularly in areas involving explosives, unmanned systems, ammunition and missile-related components. (PC: TOI)

Rhossi, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle native to the Gulf of Mexico, is recovering in Houston after surviving a 5,000-mile journey to Wales. A local dog found the cold-stunned turtle, weighing just 2lb, on a Welsh beach in December 2023. Anglesey Sea Zoo spent two years nursing him back to health, helping him reach 46lb before he flew to Houston on August 10. Houston Zoo veterinarians found him healthy, active and vigorous, but scans showed lingering pneumonia, delaying his planned return to the Gulf. Multiple agencies and nonprofits are supporting his recovery. With only 7,000-9,000 nesting females estimated, Rhossi could potentially return to the wild and breed within a few years.

Iran’s Consulate General in Hyderabad mocked US President Donald Trump’s claim over the Strait of Hormuz by posting a map depicting California as “NEW TERRITORY OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.” The satirical post came after Trump shared an image on Truth Social portraying the strategic waterway as “NEW US Territory.” Iran’s diplomatic response appeared designed to mirror Trump’s territorial claim and underline Tehran’s rejection of Washington’s position on Hormuz. The exchange comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions and an ongoing dispute over control and navigation through the strategically important strait. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had also criticised Trump’s claim, while Tehran maintains that the waterway remains subject to its demands and restrictions.

China has successfully recovered a rocket’s first stage on land for the first time, marking a major advance in its reusable-spaceflight programme, state media reported. The Zhuque-3, developed by private aerospace company LandSpace, launched on Wednesday and its first stage was subsequently recovered. China had previously achieved a rocket-stage recovery at sea in July using a net-capture system. Wednesday’s mission was the country’s first land recovery using deployable landing legs. SpaceX and Blue Origin have been recovering rockets since 2015, helping reduce launch costs through reusable hardware. Japan also conducted its first experimental reusable-rocket flight in July. The developments highlight intensifying competition to lower launch costs and strengthen commercial space capabilities.