Rome is planning to introduce a €2 ($2.25) entry fee for the Trevi Fountain, a popular tourist site traditionally free of charge. This proposal aims to manage visitor numbers and protect the site from damage. The plan, supported by City Council and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, follows Venice’s trial of a similar fee. The fee would apply only to those accessing the fountain’s stone steps and would be implemented via a reservation system and QR codes, set to launch by spring 2025. Romans will be exempt, and passersby will not be charged.

A woman was raped on a footpath in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, in broad daylight on Wednesday. Despite the incident occurring at a busy intersection, passersby chose to record the assault rather than assist. Police promptly arrested the accused, Lokesh, who confessed to the crime. The woman was examined medically, and the case is now under judicial review. The incident has sparked a political clash, with Congress criticizing the BJP-led state government for failing to ensure public safety. BJP leaders countered by highlighting their tough stance on such crimes and ensuring legal action.

India has yet to decide on Bangladesh's request for a meeting between interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month. Yunus, who criticized former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India's handling of her exile, made the request earlier this week. The Indian side is reportedly cautious due to Yunus's recent comments, which were poorly received in New Delhi. Modi's schedule for bilateral meetings is still being finalized, and Yunus's remarks may affect the prospects of the meeting.

In a significant development, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has publicly acknowledged the army's involvement in the 1999 Kargil War with India, marking the first such admission in 25 years. During a Defence Day speech, General Munir referenced the Kargil conflict, where Pakistani troops had infiltrated Indian territory in Kargil. Previously, Pakistan had denied direct military involvement, referring to the fighters as “freedom fighters” or “mujahideen.” The acknowledgment has sparked discussion online, with critics and former officials revisiting past denials and the controversial nature of the operation.

Sanjay Roy, accused of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, denied involvement during a recent polygraph test. Initially confessing to the crime, Roy now claims he ran away in fear after discovering the body, asserting his innocence. The polygraph test, conducted on August 25, reportedly highlighted numerous inconsistencies in his statements. Despite CCTV footage and a Bluetooth device linking Roy to the crime scene, he maintains he is being framed. The case has sparked nationwide protests demanding safety for medical professionals.

Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm in Asia this year, made landfall in northern Vietnam, hitting Hai Phong and Quang Ninh provinces with winds reaching 203 km/h (126 mph). The storm has caused significant damage, including flying debris and power outages, with at least one fatality reported in Hai Phong. Earlier, Yagi devastated China's Hainan island, resulting in three deaths and nearly 100 injuries. The storm has led to widespread evacuations, school closures, and disrupted airport operations. Scientists link the increasing strength of such storms to climate change, exacerbated by warmer ocean waters.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 67 Shahed drones in a mass overnight attack, targeting Kyiv and other regions. The air defense successfully intercepted 58 drones. Debris from the attack was found near Kyiv's parliament building, highlighting the city's vulnerability despite robust air defense systems. The drones, launched from Russia and Crimea, are a cost-effective alternative to missiles, designed to evade conventional air defenses. The attack comes amid ongoing Russian aggression, with thousands of missiles and drones having been used against Ukraine since February 2022.

Bajrang Punia has strongly criticized former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his comments on Vinesh Phogat's Olympic disqualification. Singh had claimed Phogat's loss was "God's punishment" and alleged she had cheated to reach the Olympics. Punia accused Singh of gloating over Phogat's loss and mocked those celebrating it. He also alleged that Singh's comments expose his mentality and criticized the BJP for allegedly shielding Singh and targeting wrestlers who spoke out. Punia, who recently joined Congress, defended Phogat and condemned Singh's remarks as harmful and disrespectful.

Boeing's Starliner has made history as the first spacecraft to launch with crew and return to Earth without them. The spacecraft, part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, launched on June 5, 2024, with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. After docking with the ISS, technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems, led NASA to bring Starliner back uncrewed. The spacecraft landed at White Sands, New Mexico, on September 7, 2024. Williams and Wilmore will stay aboard the ISS and return on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The mission underscores the challenges in human spaceflight.

The US has warned of a significant escalation in the Ukraine war following reports that Iranian ballistic missiles have arrived in Russia. White House spokesperson Sean Savett expressed alarm at the potential deepening of the Russia-Iran security partnership, stressing that any missile transfer would mark a severe escalation in Iran's support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine. While the US has not confirmed the delivery, reports suggest that Russia has received Fath-360 missiles and is training personnel in Iran. Iran has denied the allegations, condemning military aid that exacerbates the conflict.