A four-year-old girl in Badlapur is in shock after being sexually assaulted by a school cleaner. The incident occurred on August 13, but police only filed the FIR three days later after the family waited 12 hours at the station. The family suspects more children were abused but fear is stopping them from speaking out. The school claims its CCTV system was down, raising concerns about evidence tampering. The accused cleaner was arrested, and three school staff members were suspended. The community protested, leading to the suspension of three police officers.

Nineteen Afghan women have arrived in Edinburgh to complete their medical studies, which were halted when the Taliban took power. Their journey was made possible by a three-year campaign led by the parents of Linda Norgrove, a Scottish aid worker killed in Afghanistan in 2010. The Linda Norgrove Foundation worked with UK and Scottish officials to secure safe passage and student visas. These women, who had been confined to their homes in fear, will now attend four Scottish medical schools. They express hope that, by the time they qualify, it will be safe to return to Afghanistan.

Pakistan is experiencing a significant internet slowdown, disrupting businesses and daily life. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blames the issue on damage to a submarine cable, expected to be fixed by August 28. The slowdown has caused frustration nationwide, with some speculating that a national firewall is being installed, which the PTA denies. The Lahore High Court is demanding clearer explanations, while the PTA also pointed to a major ISP error and VPN usage as contributing factors. Additionally, the PTA claimed Indian interference worsened the situation, though no evidence has been provided.

A devastating fire at the Escientia Advanced Sciences pharmaceutical plant in Anakapalle district, Andhra Pradesh, claimed 13 lives and injured 17 others. The incident occurred at 2 p.m. in the Achutapuram Special Economic Zone and is suspected to have been caused by an electrical issue, not a reactor blast as initially reported. Around 30 injured individuals were taken to nearby hospitals. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, assuring support for the victims' families. This marks the third fatal incident in the SEZ area in recent months.

Farhan Asif, a 32-year-old freelance web developer from Lahore, Pakistan, has been charged with cyberterrorism for allegedly spreading false information that fueled widespread riots in the UK. The misinformation, shared on social media, falsely claimed that a UK-born knifeman involved in a fatal stabbing in Southport was an asylum seeker. This led to violent attacks on mosques and over one thousand arrests across England and Northern Ireland. Lahore police arrested Asif, who claims to have only reposted the content. The case has been handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency. British authorities have not yet requested Asif's extradition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Warsaw, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to Poland in 45 years. "This trip will add momentum to India-Poland friendship," Modi said upon landing. During the two-day visit, he will meet Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk to strengthen bilateral relations. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Modi will also engage with the Indian diaspora and attend cultural events. After Poland, Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23 at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky, further enhancing ties with Eastern Europe.                  

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized police inaction in the Badlapur sexual assault case, highlighting the twelve-hour delay in filing an FIR after a complaint was lodged. Gandhi expressed concern over rising crimes against women and condemned efforts to conceal crimes rather than seeking justice. He questioned why protests are needed to even register a complaint, referencing other cases in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Gandhi emphasized that all governments and citizens must work together to create a safer environment for women, asserting that justice should not depend on the whims of the police and administration.

Londoners were surprised when a German Navy ship played the iconic Darth Vader theme, the Imperial March, while sailing down the Thames near Tower Bridge. The ship was in London for training and a supply stop when the music echoed across the river. A German Navy spokesperson told the BBC that the music had "no deeper message" and that the commander was free to choose the tunes played. The spectacle attracted attention from both Star Wars fans and curious onlookers, with many capturing the moment as the familiar melody filled the air over central London.

The Centre has written to the West Bengal government, seeking the deployment of CISF forces at Kolkata’s R G Kar Hospital after the rape and murder of a young doctor on the hospital premises triggered nationwide protests. Junior doctors have been on strike for thirteen days, affecting healthcare services at state-run hospitals. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has continued questioning the hospital’s sacked principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, for the sixth day, with a possible polygraph test ahead. Despite state government requests, junior doctors have refused to return to work, demanding safety and justice for their colleague.

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Barack and Michelle Obama endorsed Kamala Harris while warning of a tight race against Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election. The former president emphasized that "it will be a fight" and stressed America's readiness for a "President Kamala Harris." Michelle Obama echoed her husband’s message, stating that Democrats must vote in overwhelming numbers. Both Obamas criticized Trump’s presidency, highlighting its "bluster and chaos." Despite Harris’s narrow lead in national polling, the race remains close in key swing states. The Obamas’ speeches aimed to energize the Democratic base.