The United States, France, and allied countries have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, alongside support for a truce in Gaza. This announcement followed an emergency UN Security Council meeting regarding the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The joint statement from the White House noted that the situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023, has become intolerable and poses an unacceptable risk of wider regional escalation. This date marks when Hezbollah began its attacks on northern Israel in response to Hamas’s assault on October 7. A U.S. official mentioned that a decision regarding the ceasefire could be expected “within hours” from Israel and Hezbollah.

Sanjay Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP and leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has been convicted in a defamation case and sentenced to 15 days in jail. The judgment was delivered by a metropolitan magistrate in Mumbai’s Mazgaon, which also imposed a fine of ₹ 25,000 on Raut. The case was initiated by Dr. Medha Kirit Somaiya, the wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who accused Raut of making false and defamatory statements regarding her and her husband. Raut alleged their involvement in a ₹ 100 crore scam concerning the construction and maintenance of public toilets in Mira Bhayandar. The court found Raut guilty of defamation.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals and revealed that the upcoming Kanpur Test against India could be his last Test match. During a press conference ahead of the second Test between India and Bangladesh, Shakib expressed his wish to play his final red-ball match in Mirpur, Bangladesh. However, if that does not happen, he stated that the Kanpur Test would be his last appearance in Test cricket. Shakib, one of Bangladesh's most successful cricketers, has been a key player in all formats for over a decade. His retirement marks the end of an era for Bangladesh cricket.

An Iraqi Airways flight en route to China was diverted to Kolkata’s international airport on Thursday after a passenger fell sick 30 minutes before the plane was set to land. The flight crew made the decision to divert for emergency medical assistance. Upon landing, Kolkata airport authorities provided immediate medical support. The nature of the passenger’s illness and their current condition have not yet been disclosed. The quick response ensured the passenger received timely care, though further details about the incident are awaited. The flight resumed its journey after the emergency was addressed.

Senior U.S. officials have indicated that a ceasefire deal along the Israel-Lebanon border is expected to be implemented 'in the coming hours.' Following extensive diplomatic efforts, the ceasefire is planned for 21 days along the demarcation line known as the Blue Line, allowing both sides to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing conflict that escalated after Hezbollah's attack on October 8. While this ceasefire focuses solely on the northern border, it is hoped that it will facilitate progress regarding the situation in Gaza. The U.S. official stated that a pause in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah would create "space" for further discussions related to Gaza.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a high-level inquiry following the death of a 45-year-old woman who fell into a drain during heavy rain in Andheri (East) on Wednesday. A three-member inquiry committee has been established, led by Deputy Commissioner Devidas Kshirsagar, with Chief Fire Officer Ravindra Ambulgekar and Chief Engineer (Quality) Avinash Tambe as members. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagarani has requested a report from the committee within three days to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine accountability. This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure and public safety during adverse weather conditions in Mumbai.

In Doha, Qatar, a display of 15,000 teddy bears was set up to honor the children killed in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Each teddy bear wore a black t-shirt with the message, "I am not just a number. I am human with an identity." The initiative aims to raise awareness of the plight of children in Gaza and to collect funds for their support, with proceeds intended for the affected children in the enclave. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 14,000 children have reportedly died in Gaza since the conflict escalated on October 7, with thousands more suffering injuries due to the violence.

Ranveer Alahabadia, known as Beerbiceps, has reported that his YouTube channels have been hacked and deleted, along with all his videos. This incident follows a similar attack on the Supreme Court of India's YouTube channel, which was also hacked and deleted the previous week. The hacking of prominent channels raises concerns about online security and the vulnerability of content creators and institutions on social media platforms. Alahabadia has not yet disclosed further details regarding the hacking incident or any steps being taken to address it.

A video from Arijit Singh's recent concert in the UK is gaining attention after the singer defended a fan who was grabbed by the neck by security personnel. The incident happened when a woman approached the stage, stating that Arijit was calling her. Despite her pleas, security attempted to stop her aggressively. Noticing the situation, Arijit told the audience, "It's not fair to grab somebody like that," and asked everyone to sit down. He then apologized to the woman, saying, "I am really sorry, ma'am. I wish I was there to protect you." Fans praised his actions on social media.

The Meteorological department forecasts heavy rainfall in several West Bengal districts, with extremely heavy downpours expected in sub-Himalayan areas. A low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal will bring rain and thunderstorms to south and north Bengal over the next seven days. Coastal districts, including North and South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur, will experience very heavy rainfall through Thursday. Kolkata and other south Bengal districts can expect heavy rain. The weather alert comes ahead of Durga Puja celebrations, potentially disrupting festivities.