Avani Lekhara made history by winning her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Lekhara scored 249.7, surpassing her own record of 249.6 set in Tokyo 2020. Mona Agarwal, who took up shooting in 2022, secured a bronze with a score of 228.7. Lekhara, who is wheelchair-bound due to a past accident, continues to inspire as the first Indian woman to win multiple Paralympic golds in shooting. Her latest victory cements her status as a leading figure in para-shooting.

India's Manish Narwal secured a silver medal in the P1 men's 10m air pistol SH1 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Narwal scored 234.9 in the final round, finishing behind South Korea's Jo Jeongdu, who took gold with 237.4. China's Yang Chao won bronze with 214.3. This is Narwal's second Paralympic medal, following his gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. India's medal tally now stands at four, including Avani Lekhara's gold and Mona Agarwal's bronze in shooting, and Preethi Pal's bronze in the 100m T35 event.

India’s Gaganyaan mission will carry fruit flies on its first uncrewed flight to study kidney stone formation in space. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), with support from ISRO, developed the experiment. The flies will be exposed to space conditions to understand the effects on their kidney-like organs. This research could offer insights for long-term space missions, addressing health risks like kidney stones. The launch is scheduled for December 2024. “These are experiments with long-time horizons,” said lead scientist Kumaran Sreejalekshmi.

Vistara will cease operations on November 12, 2024, following its merger with Air India. This comes after Singapore Airlines received clearance to hold a 25.1% stake in the newly merged entity. Vistara's last flight is scheduled for November 11, 2024. Bookings for flights beyond this date will shift to Air India’s website starting September 3. Vistara’s loyalty program, Club Vistara, will merge with Air India’s Flying Returns. The aircraft, crew, and routes will gradually transition under the Air India brand, though service changes are anticipated during the rebranding process.

On August 29, 2024, Russian forces targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian military hangar in the Sumy region using a nuclear-capable Iskander-M tactical missile. The hangar reportedly stored Western-supplied weapons, including U.S.-made HIMARS and German military equipment. The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the successful strike, continuing their efforts to dismantle Ukraine's Western military assets amid the Kursk incursion. Just a day earlier, on August 28, a Russian fighter jet also destroyed another hangar with U.S. HIMARS systems, further intensifying the conflict in the region.

In a 2009 interview with Charlie Rose, Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised Tata Group's Ratan Tata, calling him a "gentleman and scholar." Musk admired the Tata Nano, introduced in 2008 as the world's cheapest car, but expressed concerns about its long-term viability due to rising fuel costs. Musk stated that while the Nano's affordability was revolutionary, the rising gasoline prices could hinder the car's success. Despite initial excitement, the Tata Nano faced branding issues and safety concerns, leading to its discontinuation in 2018.

Protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College continue in Kolkata, with the BJP’s women’s wing staging a demonstration on August 30, 2024. Leaders, including Locket Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul, demanded the resignation of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and accused the State Women’s Commission of inaction. Mamata Banerjee, in response, wrote to PM Modi, urging stricter Central legislation for heinous crimes like rape and murder. Kolkata remains on edge as political parties and civil society groups organize more rallies and demonstrations.

Vistara will cease operations on November 11, 2024, as it merges with Tata group’s Air India. Bookings for Vistara flights on or after November 12 will be redirected to Air India, and all Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India. The merger follows the Indian government’s approval of Singapore Airlines' ₹2,059 crore investment in Air India, which now holds 25.1% stake in the merged airline. This consolidation is part of Air India’s transformation program, Vihaan.AI, aiming to create a globally competitive airline with both full-service and low-cost operations.

A village in southern Iran may have reached a dangerous heat index of 82.2°C on August 28. The weather station at Dayrestan Airport recorded a temperature of 38.8°C, combined with 85% humidity. If verified, this could be one of the highest heat index readings ever recorded. Prolonged exposure to such conditions increases the risk of heatstroke, underscoring the growing threat of extreme weather in West Asia. Experts warn that heatwaves are likely to become more severe and frequent in the Global South due to climate change.

Delhi court has ordered charges to be framed against former Congress MP Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Rouse Avenue Court found sufficient grounds to proceed with charges of murder, rioting, and abetment under various IPC sections. The case relates to the killings of Sikhs in Delhi's Pul Bangash area. This development marks a significant step forward in the long-pending case. Tytler has been accused of orchestrating the violence that led to the deaths of several Sikhs. The court's order brings hope for justice to the victims' families after nearly four decades.