The UK government is considering extending the indoor smoking ban to outdoor spaces, including pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and sports grounds, according to leaked Whitehall documents. The proposed measures aim to reduce smoking-related illnesses and are part of a revised tobacco and vapes bill. The plans would prohibit smoking outside hospitals, universities, and children's play areas, as well as on pavements next to restaurants and clubs. Additionally, the sale of tobacco would be banned to those born on or after January 2009. The proposals are part of a broader effort to reduce smoking rates and improve public health.

Senior IPS officers Rajwinder Singh Bhatti and Daljit Singh Chaudhary have been appointed as the chiefs of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF), respectively. Bhatti, a 1990 batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre, is currently serving as the Director General of Police in Bihar, a position he has held since December 2022. Chaudhary, from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, will now head the BSF. Their appointments were announced on August 28, 2024, marking significant leadership changes in these key paramilitary forces responsible for national security and industrial safety.

Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope have discovered the brightest object ever observed, a quasar named J0529-4351. This quasar is over 500 trillion times brighter than the Sun and is growing at a rate of one Sun per day. Quasars are extremely luminous cores of galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, which emit intense light as gas and dust fall into them. The discovery, published in Nature Astronomy, marks J0529-4351 as the "most luminous object ever observed" and highlights its rapid growth and extreme brightness, making it one of the most extreme cosmic phenomena known.

The 2024 Paralympic Games begin in Paris on August 29, following a grand opening ceremony. This edition, the 17th Summer Paralympics, occurs two weeks after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. India, achieved a record 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, is set to compete in multiple sports. The youngest Indian athlete, 17-year-old Sheetal Devi, will participate in para archery. In badminton, athletes including Palak Kohli, Thulasimathi Murugesan, and gold medalist Krishna Nagar will compete. Aruna Tanwar will participate in para taekwondo, while Jyoti Gaderiya aims for medals in para cycling's C1-3 3000m individual pursuit.

Kolkata Police arrested five individuals for allegedly conspiring to vandalise Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence. The plot was uncovered in a WhatsApp group, "We want justice", where an audio clip threatened to vandalise the CM's home and force her resignation. Subham Sen Sharma, the clip's creator, and four others, including the group's creator and admin, were arrested. The police monitored the group's activity and intercepted the plot, leading to the arrests. The accused are being held for further investigation and charges. The police action foiled the alleged plot to vandalise the CM's Kalighat home.

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old founder of Telegram, is under formal investigation in France for suspected organized crime on the messaging app. He was detained at Le Bourget airport and released under judicial supervision, with conditions including a €5m deposit, twice-weekly check-ins at a police station, and a ban on leaving French territory. A Russian-born French national, Durov has not been charged and will be required to comply with the conditions until the investigation is complete, which is being overseen by Paris prosecutors.

Digvijay Patil, an Indian Foreign Service officer, has completed the 'Ironman 140.6 European Championship', becoming the first Indian diplomat to achieve this feat. The event consisted of a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, and 42.2 km run, which Patil finished in 14 hours and 22 minutes. Currently serving as Second Secretary in the Indian embassy in Kazakhstan, Patil showcased his endurance and dedication. His achievement marks a notable milestone, earning him the coveted 'Ironman' title. Patil's remarkable performance highlights his commitment to pushing boundaries beyond his diplomatic duties.

Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer accused of cheating and misrepresenting information to secure OBC and disability quota benefits, has contested the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) decision to cancel her candidature. Khedkar argues that once selected and appointed, the UPSC lacks the power to disqualify her. She claims only the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) can take action against her now. The UPSC had alleged that Khedkar misrepresented information in her application to get reservation benefits and debarred her from future exams. Khedkar is seeking anticipatory bail in the criminal case against her.

Protesting doctors in West Bengal refused to return to work despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal, citing a perceived threat in her recent speech. Banerjee had warned that filing a police complaint could ruin someone's future and hinder their ability to obtain a passport or visa. Doctors viewed this as a covert threat. The Supreme Court had asked junior doctors to resume work, but they remain on strike, demanding justice and action on their grievances. The standoff continues, leaving many poor patients without access to medical treatment.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, initially set to return to Earth on Boeing's Starliner, will now come back in February 2025 on a SpaceX capsule. Their return was delayed due to helium leaks and thruster issues on the Starliner, which will now return empty. NASA administrator Bill Nelson cited safety concerns for the decision, emphasizing that "space flight is risky" and "safety is our core value." The astronauts will remain on the International Space Station until February, when they will hitch a ride back to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle.