Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 43, has pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles court to four counts of ketamine distribution linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry. While Plasencia did not provide the fatal dose, he supplied Perry with ketamine in the weeks before the "Friends" star was found dead in October 2023. The doctor admitted buying the drug from another physician and selling it at inflated prices. Sentencing is set for December 3, with Plasencia facing up to 40 years in prison. The case involves five individuals, including the alleged “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, who has pleaded not guilty. (PC: NDTV)

Ten more Palestinians in Gaza have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as over 100 aid agencies accuse Israel of causing “mass starvation.” The UN Security Council is meeting urgently to discuss the worsening crisis. Despite Israel claiming that 950 truckloads of aid are waiting to be distributed, aid is reportedly not reaching civilians. Gaza’s residents describe unbearable conditions, with basic food like lentils and bread costing over 600 shekels daily. Meanwhile, Israel’s military operations continue, with 17 more people reportedly killed in air strikes, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence agency. (PC: BBC)

South Korea’s ARAIB has confirmed that, following a bird strike during the December 29, 2024 landing at Muan Airport, Jeju Air pilots mistakenly shut down the less‑damaged left engine, instead of the heavily impacted right one. This misstep dramatically reduced thrust and electrical power, leading to a belly‑landing, runway overrun, embankment collision, and a devastating fire that killed 179 of the 181 onboard . The investigation’s early focus on pilot error has provoked strong backlash from victims’ families and pilots, who demand full disclosure of cockpit data and a broader examination of contributing factors like the airport embankment.(PC: The Times of India)  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said, “Trump has said 25 times that he got the ceasefire done. The Prime Minister has not replied even once.” He accused PM Modi of hiding from questions over Donald Trump’s repeated claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. Gandhi also slammed large-scale voter deletions in Bihar, calling it part of a “pattern of fraud.” “They deleted voters in Maharashtra, added 1 crore new ones—now they’re doing the same in Bihar,” he alleged. Gandhi said India was diplomatically isolated and that Modi “can’t face Parliament” because “the truth is out.” (PC: India Today)

Over 100 UK-based and international aid agencies have accused Israel of imposing a "siege" on Gaza, warning that mass starvation is spreading rapidly. “We are witnessing our own colleagues waste away before our eyes,” they said in a joint statement. The agencies claim food aid is being blocked from distribution. Israel, which controls all crossings, insists 950 trucks’ worth of aid await collection inside Gaza. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health ministry reports 33 starvation-related deaths in just 48 hours. Prices of essentials have skyrocketed, with lentils reportedly costing £22 per kilo. “We’re exhausted,” one Gaza resident told the BBC. (PC: BBC)

A homemaker from Assam discovered her identity was stolen to create viral erotic AI content under the fake Instagram persona "Babydoll Archi". The account, which amassed 1.4 million followers, used deepfakes based on private photos. Her ex-boyfriend, Pratim Bora, was arrested for creating the content as revenge. Police say he monetised the account, earning over ₹10 lakh. The case has sparked outrage, with calls for stricter laws on AI misuse. Experts warn such deepfake crimes may be under-reported. The account is now offline, but its content remains widely circulated. Sanchi, the victim, is receiving counselling with her family in Dibrugarh. (PC: BBC)

On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training jet crashed into Milestone School & College in Dhaka, killing at least 25 children and 31 people total, and injuring over 160. The pilot reported technical issues shortly after takeoff. This tragedy has spotlighted the safety of China-made F-7 jets, which have now been involved in seven crashes in Bangladesh over two decades. Public anger has surged, with students protesting, demanding justice and grounding of the aircraft. Authorities have launched a high-level inquiry and declared a national day of mourning. (PC: Reuters)

A ballistic missile, reportedly a "Palestine 2" hypersonic weapon, was launched by Yemen’s Houthi militants toward Ben Gurion International Airport, triggering air-raid sirens. The Israeli military successfully intercepted it before reaching the terminal . The attack also damaged the dock at a nearby port—recently rebuilt after previous strikes—according to Houthi sources . The Houthis claimed the strike was in solidarity with Palestine. This escalation follows Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Hodeidah. The exchange highlights intensifying regional tensions amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.  

Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has died at 76, weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final concert in Birmingham. Known as the "Prince of Darkness", Osbourne was a pioneer of heavy metal, with hits like Iron Man, Paranoid, and Crazy Train. He sold over 75 million albums worldwide and won multiple Grammys. His chaotic life and battle with health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, were widely documented. Tributes have poured in from Metallica, Rolling Stones, and others. Ozzy leaves behind his wife Sharon and five children. Fans remember him as a cultural icon who shaped music history. (PC: Sky News)

US House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly adjourned the House, blocking a vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files until September. The decision follows bipartisan pressure and a committee’s move to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell. Johnson accused Democrats of playing "political games" and defended his decision. Meanwhile, the Justice Department seeks to question Maxwell, convicted for aiding Epstein’s abuse of minors. Calls to declassify Epstein’s files have grown, especially from Trump supporters. DOJ officials insist Epstein had no “client list” and confirm no evidence implicating others. Maxwell’s lawyers said she would testify truthfully if questioned by US authorities. (PC: BBC)