One-year-old conjoined twins Minal and Mirha from Pakistan were successfully separated during a 14-hour surgery at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital on July 19, 2024. Led by British surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, the complex procedure utilized mixed reality technology to guide the separation. The twins, who were joined at the head and shared vital brain tissue and blood vessels, are recovering well and expected to return home next month. Supported by the charity Gemini Untwined, the operation marks a significant achievement in separating craniopagus twins.

R Ashwin scored his 6th Test century on September 19, 2024, during the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Ashwin, batting at 144 for 6, reached his hundred in 108 balls, including 10 boundaries and 2 sixes. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja helped India recover and reach 339/6 by stumps. Ashwin’s knock follows his match-winning performance against Bangladesh in 2022 and is his second consecutive century at Chepauk. India dominated Day 1, with Ashwin ending unbeaten on 102.

At least 32 people were killed and over 3,250 injured following two days of explosions in Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon. The blasts were caused by walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah members, sparking fears of a wider conflict with Israel. Hezbollah accused Israel of responsibility, while Israeli forces have not officially commented. The U.S. and UN have urged restraint, warning of potential escalation in the region. Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in conflict since October 2023, following Hamas's attack on Israeli towns.

  “Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama,” the acclaimed anime adaptation of Valmiki’s epic, will finally release in Indian theaters on October 18 after 31 years. The film, which originally debuted in 1992, will be shown in Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu. Known for its vibrant animation and faithful depiction of the Ramayana, it was co-produced by Japan’s Yugo Sako and India’s Ram Mohan. Screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad has contributed creatively to this release. The film’s return, coinciding with Dussehra and Diwali, has generated significant anticipation among fans.

London’s Air Ambulance Charity has surpassed its £15M “Up Against Time” appeal target after raising £4M through a partnership with Omaze’s London house draw. This milestone secures two new helicopters to replace its aging fleet, ensuring the charity continues its 24/7 emergency response service. The campaign began in 2022, and Omaze’s community contribution broke fundraising records, pushing the total to £16M. The helicopters will be operational from October 2024, allowing the charity to provide life-saving trauma care to critically injured patients across London for years to come.

Albert Einstein’s 1939 letter, urging President Roosevelt to prioritize nuclear research due to fears of Germany developing nuclear weapons, has sold for $3.9 million (Rs 32.7 crore) at a Christie's auction. This letter, co-signed by physicist Leo Szilard, played a crucial role in the U.S. government’s decision to accelerate nuclear research, leading to the creation of the atomic bomb. Though it changed the course of history, Einstein later expressed deep regret, calling his involvement in nuclear weapons his "one great mistake" after witnessing the devastation caused by atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Inclusive cafes across India are providing employment to marginalized groups, including transgender individuals, abuse survivors, and people with disabilities. Writer's Cafe in Chennai hires abuse survivors, while Mumbai’s Trans Cafe is run by transgender employees. Mitti Cafe in Bengaluru employs over 200 people with disabilities, offering them work opportunities. Cafes like Mirchi & Mime in Mumbai train servers with hearing impairments, creating inclusive dining experiences. These cafes aim to empower individuals who face stigma and struggle to find employment, using their platforms to drive social change while offering great food and service.

Around 1,500 workers of Samsung India Electronics in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, have been on strike for 11 days, demanding better wages and recognition of their newly-formed union, the Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU). Workers claim unsafe conditions, low wages, and management pressure against the union. The protest has significantly disrupted production at the plant, which contributes $4 billion to Samsung’s annual revenue in India. Police detained 104 protesters for marching without permission. Samsung denies allegations of mistreatment and insists discussions are underway. Labour unions backed by leftist parties are supporting the workers' demands for collective bargaining.

Germany has paused the approval of new arms exports to Israel as it faces legal and political pressure regarding humanitarian law. A senior official revealed that legal cases challenging these exports have led to a hold on new licenses. Last year, Germany approved €326.5 million in military exports to Israel, a significant increase from previous years. However, approvals for 2024 have drastically fallen to €14.5 million by August. Legal challenges have been brought in the International Court of Justice and in Berlin, though no case has yet succeeded.

In Round 7 of the 2024 Chess Olympiad, Gukesh secured a crucial victory for India by defeating Wei Yi, China’s top player, in an 80-move marathon. This win sealed India’s triumph in the open section, with the other three games ending in draws. Meanwhile, in the women’s section, International Master Vantika Agrawal and Grandmaster Vaishali ensured India's victory over Georgia, propelling both Indian teams to the top with 14 match points. India's men's and women's teams remain undefeated, leading their respective categories in the tournament.