Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the issue between Pakistan and the United States following US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir was a matter for the two countries. Gor, during his Srinagar visit on Wednesday, described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” after meeting Abdullah. Pakistan subsequently summoned a US diplomat to express its strong objections to the ambassador’s statement. Reacting to the development, Abdullah said, “This is between Pakistan and the US. Neither you nor I can do anything here,” according to news agency ANI. The remarks came hours after Pakistan’s diplomatic action over Gor’s comments.

A 25-year-old woman whose confrontation with security personnel during a road closure in Ladakh went viral has apologised to the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and Ladakh Police. Speaking to NDTV, she said she regretted her remarks, made after waiting several hours during a VIP movement, and never intended to insult the armed forces or gain popularity. The road near the Minimarg check post in Dras was restricted around Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. The woman said the viral clip presented the incident negatively and left her deeply distressed. She acknowledged her words were wrong and also apologised to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying she was ashamed that people were hurt. (PC: NDTV)

India is diversifying crude imports as Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz uncertainty threaten Gulf supplies. Venezuelan crude surged in August to around 444,000 barrels per day, making Venezuela India’s fourth-largest supplier, while Russia remains the biggest at nearly 2 million bpd. Latin American crude accounted for 12.7% of imports between April and July, up from 3.5% a year earlier, while West Asia’s share fell from 43% to around 30%. India is also increasing domestic output, suppliers, shipping routes and inventories while expanding alternatives including gas, biofuels, electric vehicles and renewables. However, Gulf oil remains difficult to replace because of shorter, cheaper transport. India remains dependent on imports, making energy security critical. (PC: X)

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday demanded Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse’s resignation over the alleged poor condition of government schools. During a visit to a Zilla Parishad school in Ujani village, Latur’s Ausa tehsil, Dipke said students were being forced to study without basic facilities, including proper classrooms, benches, toilets and safe access roads. The visit was part of CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, launched last week. Dipke said elected representatives and ministers must be held accountable for the condition of schools. He also urged people to increase pressure on political leaders to prioritise education and called for urgent education reforms.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrived in Leh on August 20, 2026, a day after visiting Srinagar and meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. His arrival marks his maiden visit to Ladakh and a significant diplomatic engagement in the strategically important frontier region. During his Srinagar visit, Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as “an important part of India” and said the United States would reconsider its travel advisory for the region amid improved security. Gor was also expected to meet the Dalai Lama, although the meeting was reportedly removed from his schedule at the last minute. (PC: PTI)

Elon Musk’s Starlink has reportedly reapplied to India’s space regulator, IN-SPACe, for approval to deploy its next-generation Gen 2 satellite constellation. The proposed network could involve nearly 30,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites and includes direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, allowing compatible mobile phones to connect directly with satellites without specialised ground equipment. The fresh application marks Starlink’s renewed push into India’s satellite communications market after earlier regulatory hurdles. The move comes as India develops rules for satellite-based mobile connectivity and spectrum access. If approved, Starlink could expand connectivity in remote and underserved areas while competing with other satellite communication providers. (PC: Reuters)

Moderna’s shares surged nearly 177% after the US biotechnology company and Merck announced positive results from a late-stage trial of their personalised mRNA cancer vaccine. The Phase 3 study involved 1,137 melanoma patients whose tumours had been surgically removed but who remained at high risk of recurrence. The experimental treatment, intismeran autogene, was administered alongside Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda. The companies said the combination met key trial goals, reducing the risk of melanoma returning or spreading compared with Keytruda alone. The results represent a major milestone for personalised cancer treatment and renewed investor confidence in Moderna’s mRNA technology. (PC: India Today)

A young girl from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, has touched millions of hearts after an emotional video highlighting racial discrimination went viral on social media. In the video, she tearfully describes how a man asked whether she was Chinese, prompting her to defend her identity and belonging to India. She says, “Mera abbu India hai, hum bhi India hai... Humko India bolo, Chinese mat bolo.” Her innocent yet powerful words have sparked widespread discussions about the discrimination and stereotyping faced by people from India’s Northeast. The viral video has also renewed calls for greater awareness, respect and acceptance of India’s cultural and ethnic diversity.

The Vande Bharat train reportedly reached nearly 100 kmph while crossing the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major railway milestone. The Railway Ministry approved raising the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Katra–Banihal broad-gauge section to 100 kmph. Earlier, speeds were limited to 85 kmph between Katra and Sangaldan and 75 kmph between Sangaldan and Banihal. The speed enhancement is expected to reduce travel time and improve connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir, while supporting tourism, trade and economic activity. However, Northern Railway later clarified that approval was granted, but no train had yet operated at 100 kmph. 

Hyderabad-born researcher Rohan Naidu has drawn attention for his remarkable journey from engineering dropout to contributing to a significant discovery involving a black hole and a star. After leaving engineering, Naidu pursued his interest in astronomy and astrophysics, eventually entering the field through research. His work reportedly helped scientists identify an unusual celestial system involving a black hole and a companion star, offering valuable insights into how such extreme objects interact and evolve. The discovery highlights the importance of perseverance and curiosity in scientific research. Naidu’s journey has also inspired attention in India, demonstrating how unconventional academic paths can lead to important achievements in astronomy. (PC: X)