US Ambassador Sergio Gor has called Jammu and Kashmir an “important part of India” during his first visit to Srinagar since taking charge. Gor met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed tourism, horticulture, economic cooperation and other opportunities for deeper engagement. The US envoy also said Washington would review its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing improvements in security. A downgrade could help boost foreign tourism in the region. Gor’s visit is also significant as it marks renewed direct engagement between the US envoy and Jammu and Kashmir’s elected government. He is scheduled to visit Ladakh next. (PC: India Today)

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has harvested and cooked fresh vegetables grown aboard the International Space Station, sharing a video of the experiment. Menon and fellow astronaut Jessica Meir grew kale and wasabi mustard greens for about a month inside NASA’s Veggie plant-growth chamber. The astronauts harvested the leaves and prepared them as part of a fresh meal in space. NASA is studying how plants grow in microgravity to support future long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Growing fresh food in space could provide astronauts with nutrients and reduce the amount of food that needs to be transported from Earth.  

Israel's military has confirmed for the first time that its soldiers fired at a car carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed along with six relatives in Gaza in 2024. Hind initially survived and pleaded for help during a phone call with Palestinian Red Crescent operators. An ambulance sent to rescue her was also hit, killing two paramedics. The Israel Defense Forces said it has opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of Hind, her family and the paramedics. The IDF will also investigate the killing of 15 Palestinians, including medics and a UN worker, in Rafah in 2025. (PC: BBC)

The Congress Working Committee has reaffirmed its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party programmes. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party’s position remains unchanged and is based on a resolution adopted in 1937 in the presence of several national leaders. The decision comes amid a political row with the BJP over the rendition of the National Song at the Congress headquarters on Independence Day. The controversy has intensified after the Centre introduced a new protocol requiring the six-stanza version at designated government functions. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has defended the party’s position. (PC: India Today)

At least 36 girl students fell ill after allegedly consuming a mid-day meal containing detergent powder instead of salt at a government school in Nalanda, Bihar. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Middle School in Parasi, under Noorsarai police station. Students reportedly complained of dizziness and vomiting after eating soybean rice. The school principal said the salt and detergent containers were kept in the same place, and the cook allegedly mistook detergent for salt. The affected students were taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, where officials said they were stable and out of danger. Bihar minister Shravan Kumar visited the hospital and ordered a detailed inquiry. (PC: NDTV)

A video from Ladakh’s Minimarg check post has gone viral after a female tourist confronted security personnel over restrictions on road movement. Reports say tourists faced a delay of nearly five hours due to traffic controls and security checks. During the heated exchange, the woman questioned the prolonged wait and reportedly said, “We are Gen Z, and we won’t tolerate this.” She was also seen threatening to raise the matter in Parliament. The incident has sparked debate online, with reactions divided between sympathy for frustrated tourists and criticism of confronting personnel at a strategically sensitive border area.

At least nine people, including a four-year-old child and several Bangladeshi nationals, were killed after a fire broke out early Wednesday in a five-storey building housing multiple hotels on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata. The blaze erupted around 1:45 a.m., with dense smoke hampering rescue efforts. Six people were injured, while around 80 occupants were rescued by firefighters and disaster-management teams. Authorities suspect a short circuit, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Officials have also raised concerns over possible fire-safety and construction violations. Police said the building’s owner has fled, while legal proceedings and further investigations are underway. (PC: X)

India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series. Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the standout performer, claiming 10 wickets in only his second Test. He took 4/76 in Sri Lanka’s first innings before producing a match-winning 6/55 in the second, as the hosts were bowled out for 206 while chasing 372. Suthar’s overall figures of 10/131 are the best by an Indian bowler in Sri Lanka, surpassing records held by Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin. (PC: X)

A Bengaluru BBA student shared his three-month experience working as a Rapido captain during his college vacation, offering insights into earnings and the realities of gig work. He typically worked from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and earned around ₹1,200 a day before fuel and other expenses. When ride demand was low, he also delivered food orders. His reported earnings rose from ₹5,650 in May to ₹16,660 in June, before reaching ₹14,222 in July. The student said the experience exposed him to waiting times, fuel costs, uncertainty, platform rules, customer issues and the pressure faced by workers dependent on gig employment. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court on August 19 sought an update from the Centre on steps taken to implement recommendations of expert committees formed after the NEET-UG paper-leak controversy. The Court stressed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) needs stronger infrastructure, manpower, technology and institutional safeguards to conduct examinations securely. The Centre told the Court that existing security measures are robust, including GPS tracking of question-paper transportation, while outlining additional reforms. The proceedings follow the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 after a paper leak, raising concerns about examination integrity. The Court is pushing for systemic, long-term reforms rather than temporary measures. (PC: The Hindu)