Nari Hira, the founder of the magazine Stardust and a key figure in Indian media, died on August 23 at the age of 86. Hira was a prominent film producer and owner of Magna Publishing, responsible for popular magazines such as Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society, and Health. His work significantly impacted the Indian publishing industry. His family issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over his passing, highlighting his role as a pioneer in print media and a dedicated family man. Hira’s contributions to journalism and publishing are remembered for their influence on the Indian media landscape.

Sukhchain Singh, a non-resident Indian (NRI) who recently returned from the US, was shot by two unidentified assailants at his home in Daburji village on Saturday. The incident happened in front of his wife and two children from his first marriage. Singh was going for a morning walk when the motorcycle-borne attackers stopped him outside his residence. They forced him back inside his house and demanded the registration papers for his luxury car before shooting him. Police are currently investigating the case, and the suspects are still at large.

Hyderabad authorities are demolishing actor Nagarjuna's N-Convention Centre following allegations that it encroached on the Full Tank Level (FTL) area and buffer zone of Thammidikunta Lake. The FTL is the maximum spread of a water body where construction is prohibited, and the buffer zone is meant to protect against encroachments. The demolition comes after the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) formed lake protection committees to address the city's growing issue of water body encroachment. A recent report by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) revealed that Hyderabad's lakes have shrunk by 61% between 1979 and 2024.

African cheetahs will be released into the wild at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, after the monsoon season. The Cheetah Project Steering Committee decided to release the big cats in phases, starting with adults, followed by cubs and their mothers after December. This decision comes after a year of health monitoring in enclosures and field visits by officials to assess conditions at Kuno. The release marks a significant step in the world's first intercontinental translocation of big cats, aimed at reintroducing cheetahs to India.

Pimpri Chinchwad Police in Pune have arrested seven school staff members, including the Principal, PT teacher, and a trustee, in connection with the alleged sexual harassment of a minor student. The arrests were made on Friday evening. The PT teacher, who is the primary suspect, allegedly harassed the student over the past two years. This teacher has a prior record of similar offenses, having been previously arrested under the POCSO Act for molestation. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and protection of students within educational institutions. The investigation is ongoing to address these serious allegations.

Investigators in the rape and murder case of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have released a CCTV image showing the suspect, Sanjay Roy, entering the hospital at 1:03 a.m. The footage also shows Roy wearing a Bluetooth earphone around his neck, matching an earphone found at the crime scene. The victim’s body was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital. During interrogation, police presented Roy with the CCTV evidence, leading him to confess to the crime. This evidence is a key part of the investigation into the assault and murder of the 31-year-old doctor.

Bengali actor Payel Mukherjee was reportedly assaulted and had her car vandalized by a bike rider in Kolkata on Friday evening. The altercation followed a minor collision between Mukherjee's car and the biker. Mukherjee live-streamed the incident on Facebook, describing the attack and calling for help. Viewers tagged the Kolkata Police, leading to their intervention. The incident took place in the Southern Avenue area of south Kolkata. According to Mukherjee, the biker stopped her car, broke the window by punching it, and attempted to attack her. The police are investigating the matter.

A Kolkata special court has approved a polygraph test on Sanjay Roy, accused of raping and killing a 31-year-old trainee doctor. Roy was arrested on August 10 and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. He sustained injuries on his left cheek, hand, and thigh during the incident. The polygraph test will aid in the investigation. The victim was found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where she worked. The case has sparked widespread outrage, and authorities are working to ensure justice is served. The next hearing is scheduled after the polygraph test results are obtained.

The prime accused in a gang rape case in Assam’s Nagaon district died after attempting to escape police custody early on Saturday. Tafazul Islam, who was arrested on August 23 for his alleged involvement in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl, was being taken to the crime scene for investigation. Around 4 a.m., he tried to escape by jumping into a nearby pond. Police launched a rescue operation, and his body was recovered from the water after two hours. The incident occurred during an official investigation at the site of the crime.

The Calcutta High Court has transferred the investigation into financial irregularities at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital to the CBI from the state-appointed SIT. This decision, made on August 23, 2024, follows a petition by former deputy superintendent Akhtar Ali. The CBI is required to take over the probe by 10 am on August 24. This development comes after the West Bengal government set up the SIT to investigate financial discrepancies dating back to January 2021, amid ongoing protests related to a recent rape and murder case.