Author: Nupur Rohila

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance held a phone conversation on Saturday, Aug. 8, focusing on opportunities to further expand the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the United States. During the call, Modi also congratulated Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son. The prime minister extended his greetings and best wishes to the family while discussing the broader trajectory of bilateral relations. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders highlighted the continued pace of high-level engagement between New Delhi and Washington. They reaffirmed their intention to strengthen…

The United States has become India’s largest source of liquefied petroleum gas, signaling a notable change in the country’s energy import strategy. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on August 7 that American supplies now account for approximately 67 percent of India’s LPG imports. The development represents a significant change from India’s earlier plans. According to Puri, the government had initially decided to obtain about 10 percent of its LPG requirements from the United States. That decision was made as part of India’s independent energy strategy and was not prompted by concerns about potential disruptions in…

India’s commercial coal mining reforms have brought significant changes to the country’s coal sector by improving competition, increasing private sector involvement, and creating a more efficient mining environment. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy highlighted the progress made through these reforms during a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament associated with the Ministry of Coal. The minister stated that policy changes introduced over the past 12 years have transformed the coal industry by establishing a transparent auction-based system. These measures have encouraged greater participation from private companies, increased investment opportunities, and helped create a…

India has expanded its international efforts to combat drug trafficking by strengthening cooperation with several countries, including the United States. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that India has established bilateral agreements with 27 nations and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries to improve coordination against illegal drug networks. Responding to questions raised by Shiv Sena MPs Naresh Ganpat Mhaske and Shrikant Shinde, Rai highlighted the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in maintaining regular discussions with international agencies. The NCB conducts Director General-level meetings and bilateral talks with countries such…

The third edition of the ISRO Robotics Challenge–URSC (IRoC-U) 2026 has highlighted India’s growing talent in robotics, artificial intelligence, and space technology, with students developing advanced autonomous systems aimed at supporting future planetary exploration missions. Organized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), the national-level competition attracted nearly 590 student teams from across India. After multiple rounds of design improvements, testing, and experimentation, 20 shortlisted teams participated in the final field round held in Bengaluru from July 21 to July 23. The 2026 challenge, titled “Towards Swarm Expedition: Autonomous Surveyor Challenge for Exploration, Navigation and Dynamics” (ASCEND), required participants to…

A powerful solar event produced dazzling auroras across parts of the Northern Hemisphere, while astronauts aboard the International Space Station enjoyed an extraordinary view from orbit. Among those witnessing the colorful display was Indian-American NASA astronaut Anil Menon, who experienced the phenomenon from space for the first time. The auroras appeared after a coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth’s magnetosphere around midday on August 2, generating a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm. Scientists believe the solar material originated either from a slower-moving CME released on July 27 or from a weaker eruption that occurred on July 30. The interaction between the…

Indian-American student Aryash Shyam has added another milestone to his growing list of accomplishments after being selected as the host of Teen Scientist, an award-winning monthly program on WDIY 88.1 FM, a National Public Radio affiliate serving Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. As a ninth-grade student with an impressive background in science and engineering, Shyam will lead conversations with renowned researchers while making advanced scientific topics accessible to younger audiences. His debut episode, scheduled for August 6, will explore one of today’s most discussed educational topics—whether artificial intelligence is reshaping learning or simply making it easier for students to complete assignments. Through…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide initiative aimed at creating a drug-free youth population, emphasizing that healthy and empowered young citizens are essential to achieving the vision of a developed India. Speaking during the virtual launch of the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan” on August 2, 2026, the Prime Minister called for collective efforts from communities, institutions, and citizens to address the growing challenge of drug abuse. Modi stated that as India works toward becoming a developed nation, it is important for young people to maintain both physical and mental well-being by staying away from…

A simple observation of a cluster of grapes led Indian-American scientist and inventor Sumita Mitra to develop a revolutionary dental material that changed modern tooth restoration. Her nanotechnology-based innovation has helped restore more than 1 billion teeth worldwide and has become a landmark achievement in dental care. While working at 3M’s Dental Products Division in the 1990s, Mitra focused on solving a long-standing challenge faced by dentists. Existing tooth-colored filling materials often required compromises. Some offered excellent strength but became rough over time, while others provided a smoother and more natural appearance but lacked the durability needed for areas exposed…

NASA astronaut Anil Menon is preparing for a significant mission milestone as he gets ready to participate in the first of three planned spacewalks at the International Space Station (ISS) in August. The Expedition 75 crew has been focused on final preparations, including spacesuit checks, scientific research, and regular station activities as they continue their work in orbit. Menon will join Expedition 75 commander Jessica Meir for the scheduled spacewalk on August 6. The mission is expected to last approximately six-and-a-half hours and will involve important maintenance work to support the ISS power system. The astronauts will prepare the station…