UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his government is considering a ban on smoking in outdoor venues, including pub gardens, sports areas, and hospital grounds, due to the "huge burden" smoking places on the NHS and taxpayers. The proposal aims to prevent over eighty thousand annual smoking-related deaths. "This is a preventable cause of death, and we've got to take action," Starmer stated. Although supported by health campaigners, the plan faces opposition from the hospitality industry, which fears economic damage. Critics argue that further regulations could lead to closures and may over-regulate personal freedoms.

India’s armless archer, Sheetal Devi, narrowly missed setting a new world record in the women's individual compound competition at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday. Sheetal, scoring a personal best of 703 points, initially broke the Para Games record but was overtaken by Turkey's Oznur Cure, who shot 704 in her final attempt. Despite missing the top spot, Sheetal's remarkable performance solidified her position among the world’s best para archers. Having overcome immense challenges, including a congenital condition that left her without arms, Sheetal’s resilience continues to inspire many as she advances in the competition.

Twenty-one-year-old Houston Community College student Muna Pandey, originally from Nepal, was found dead in her southwest Houston apartment on Monday, after being shot multiple times during an armed robbery. Authorities identified and arrested fifty-two-year-old Bobby Sinh Shah in connection with the murder. Shah was apprehended during a traffic stop in northwest Houston and is charged with capital murder. Pandey’s body was discovered after an anonymous tip. The Nepalese Association of Houston is assisting her mother, who had been trying to reach her for days. A fundraiser has raised over $14,000 to cover funeral expenses and bring her mother to Houston.

India's competition watchdog has provisionally approved an $8.5bn merger between Disney and Reliance Industries, creating the country's largest entertainment company. The venture, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, will hold the majority of broadcasting rights for key sports events, including cricket. The deal, which is expected to be finalized in six months, will be chaired by Nita Ambani. Concerns about control over cricket broadcasting were addressed, with the companies pledging not to raise advertising rates excessively. The merger will also give them rights to other major events like Wimbledon and the English Premier League.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will remain in space for six more months due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Her mother, Bonnie Pandya, expressed relief that NASA prioritized safety, saying, "I’m relieved they didn’t rush her return." Despite missing her daughter, whom she calls her best friend, Pandya is reassured knowing Williams is safe. "She’s doing fine and loves being in space," Pandya shared. Williams is happy to have another chance to view Earth from above, even though this might be her last mission. "I understand," Pandya said, acknowledging the challenges of space travel.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has a strained relationship with her 86-year-old father, Donald J Harris. Despite living just a mile from the White House, he has never visited her or attended her public events. Donald, a retired Stanford professor with Marxist views, has distanced himself from Kamala, critiquing her political career. In her Democratic National Convention speech, Kamala acknowledged her father's advice to be "fearless," but emphasized that her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, played a central role in her upbringing. The estrangement, rooted in her parents' divorce, remains significant.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started returning money seized from corruption cases in West Bengal, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pre-election promise. On August 29, 2024, the ED returned ₹19.5 crore seized in the Rose Valley case to depositors. This marks the beginning of a broader effort to return funds from various corruption cases, including those related to chit funds and teacher recruitment scandals. Modi had pledged during the Lok Sabha campaign to return ₹3,000 crore to the people of Bengal. The ED is set to return additional funds as part of this initiative.

India has commissioned its second nuclear submarine, INS Arighaat, in Visakhapatnam. This Arihant-class submarine will boost the nation's nuclear triad, enhancing its defense capabilities and ensuring strategic balance in the region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the milestone as a major achievement, stating, "This is a testament to our government's unwavering resolve to achieve self-reliance in defense." The submarine features advanced technology and systems developed by Indian scientists and industry. With INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, India strengthens its deterrence and safeguards national security. The project also created jobs and boosted the Indian defense industry.

Fires are ravaging Brazil's Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland. These are the worst fires since records began in 1998, destroying vast areas and killing many animals. The flames have claimed rare species, including jaguars, giant anteaters, and hyacinth macaws. Conservationists fear the loss of this rich biodiversity, which includes unique plants and animals. The Pantanal, usually flooded, has been hit by severe droughts linked to deforestation and climate change. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the outlook is bleak as the fires continue to spread.

In Volos, Greece, hundreds of thousands of dead fish have flooded the tourist port after being displaced by last year’s severe flooding. The dead fish, creating a stench and environmental hazard, have spread across the port and into the Pagasetic Gulf. Authorities have collected over forty tonnes of fish in the past day, but the situation remains critical. The flooding from last year expanded a nearby lake, leading to the fish's displacement into saltwater, which they could not survive. Local businesses face severe impacts, and an investigation is underway.