The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of six hostages' bodies from Gaza, including British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, after a complex operation near Khan Younis. The men, kidnapped during Hamas attacks on Israel in October, included Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, and Chaim Peri. While five deaths had been confirmed earlier, Munder was thought to be alive. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated Israel's commitment to dismantling Hamas, and the Hostage Families Forum called for a negotiated deal to bring remaining hostages home.

A POCSO court sentenced six individuals involved in the 1992 Ajmer rape case to life imprisonment. Judge Ranjan Singh also imposed fines of Rs 5 lakh on each. The convicted men, Nafees Chishti, Naseem alias Tarzan, Salim Chishti, Iqbal Bhati, Sohail Gani, and Sayed Zameer Hussain, were found guilty of exploiting over 100 girls, aged 11 to 20, by befriending and blackmailing them into compromising situations, then raping them. The scandal shook Ajmer, and after years of legal proceedings, the court delivered this long-awaited verdict. Some other accused were previously acquitted or completed their sentences.

Mpox deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have risen to over 570, as the country awaits vaccines from the United States and Japan. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba highlighted that the virus, which now affects children more severely, has spread across all 26 provinces. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency and urged increased vaccination efforts. Japan has pledged 3.5 million doses, while the U.S. promised 50,000. The new strain, clade 1b, has a mortality rate of 3.6%.

During his visit to Raebareli, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi referred to questions about the Kolkata rape-murder case as a "distraction." He emphasized his focus on Dalit rights and promised to address the case in the coming days. "I won't allow any distraction," Gandhi stated. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Gandhi's remarks, calling them "shocking beyond imagination." Poonawalla accused Gandhi of avoiding questions on West Bengal due to political alliances, saying, "This is an insult to the protesting women and the victim's family." The rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College has led to nationwide protests.

In Badlapur, Maharashtra, protests broke out after two kindergarten girls, aged three and four, were allegedly sexually abused by a school attendant. The incident led to angry demonstrations with protestors vandalizing the school and blocking train services at Badlapur station. The accused was arrested, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed that charges be filed under the POCSO Act. He ordered the case to be fast-tracked. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General Aarti Singh will probe the case, while the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights announced an investigation into the delayed FIR registration.

A Dalit nurse was allegedly raped by a doctor inside a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh on the night of August 18, 2024. The incident, which occurred around midnight, was reported by the victim's father. According to the police, the nurse was held hostage before being assaulted. On August 19, police arrested three suspects in connection with the case. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sandeep Kumar Meena confirmed the arrests and stated that an investigation is ongoing. The case has drawn significant attention, with authorities under pressure to ensure a thorough investigation and accountability.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has pledged full support to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid BJP-led demands for his resignation over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. In an interview with India Today TV, Shivakumar asserted that there is "no evidence" against Siddaramaiah and dismissed the resignation calls as "political drama" by the BJP. He emphasized that the Congress party is "100 percent" behind the Chief Minister and expressed confidence in the law to protect Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar also downplayed any ambitions to become Chief Minister, stating it's up to the party's high command.

A rocket engine exploded during a test at SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, Shetland, where Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) was conducting a nine-engine trial. The explosion caused large flames and smoke, but no one was injured, as safety protocols ensured the site was evacuated. The test is part of preparations for the UK’s first vertical rocket launch. SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch facility in Western Europe, plans up to thirty launches annually. Investigations are underway to understand the cause of the explosion.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has changed his social media profile picture to black in solidarity with protests demanding justice for a trainee doctor raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. This move comes after Ganguly faced backlash for his earlier comments dismissing the incident as an isolated case. Critics accused him of downplaying the severity of the crime, prompting a wave of criticism online. Ganguly has since expressed his dismay at the crime and called for severe punishment for the perpetrators. The CBI is investigating the case, with one arrest made so far.

An Israeli airstrike on Monday targeted a Hezbollah arms depot in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, injuring at least eight people, including two children. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it aimed at multiple Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in the area. According to Lebanon's health ministry, the injured included six Lebanese citizens and two Syrian children. No fatalities were reported, according to security sources. The attack highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group with significant influence in Lebanon.