Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly’s wife, Dona, clarified her absence from the women’s protest on August 14 against the RG Kar Medical College incident. She stated that she did not attend due to her daughter Sana's severe illness that night. Despite support for the cause, Dona emphasized that Sana's health crisis prevented their participation. Sourav Ganguly had previously condemned the incident and called for stringent punishment for the perpetrators. However, his statements have faced criticism and misinterpretation. The Gangulys reaffirmed their commitment to supporting women’s safety and justice for the RG Kar case.

Supreme Court lawyer and human rights activist Prashant Bhushan has accused India of aiding genocide through its arms exports to Israel. Speaking at St. Albert’s College in Kochi, Bhushan argued that such exports violate Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees fundamental rights to all, including non-citizens. He emphasized that the International Court of Justice has ruled Israel’s actions against Palestinians as genocide, and India’s support through arms sales contravenes international conventions. Bhushan is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt these exports, citing concerns about judicial accountability and foreign policy implications.

In response to nationwide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, the Union Home Ministry has instructed all state police forces to submit law and order reports every two hours. Reports can be sent via email, fax, or WhatsApp. This directive aims to monitor the situation and ensure swift responses to any developments. The victim's case, now under CBI investigation, has sparked widespread outrage, with demands for justice and reforms to protect healthcare workers and improve their working conditions.

A female Air India crew member was assaulted in her hotel room at the Radisson Red Hotel, Heathrow, London, on Thursday night. The intruder entered her room while she was asleep and attempted to attack her with a clothes hanger, dragging her on the floor. Her screams alerted nearby colleagues, who intervened and restrained the assailant until hotel staff arrived. The crew member suffered bruises and was taken to the hospital. Air India condemned the attack and highlighted past security concerns at the hotel. The crew member has returned to India for recovery and counseling.

A petition to illuminate Marble Arch and Oxford Street in observance of Diwali is getting momentum on change.org. The petition started by Dipika Khaitan urges the Mayor of London to illuminate the iconic streets of London on Diwali, with a Sunday firework spectacle at Marble Arch. We at shorts91.com urge all our readers to be a part of this historic movement and sign the petition. The celebration of light symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and promotes cultural understanding in this diverse city. By honoring Diwali, we acknowledge the Hindu community's contributions and strengthen London's multicultural spirit. Join this cause and sign the petition by clicking on the change.org link below.

At least 50 rockets were fired by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh. The strike on Friday targeted a house and warehouse, killing ten, including two children and their mother, and injuring five. The Israeli military claimed it was a missile depot, but locals insist it was a metal factory with no political ties. Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem reports that the killings are likely to escalate tensions in the region and jeopardize ongoing efforts to prevent a broader conflict. Attempts to de-escalate the situation continue amid rising hostilities.

Ukraine's surprise ground offensive in Russia's Kursk region has disrupted potential ceasefire negotiations set to take place in Doha, Qatar. The talks, mediated by Qatar, aimed to end attacks on energy infrastructure affecting both nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces were consolidating their positions in Kursk, intensifying their military efforts. This move, intended to disrupt Russian supply routes, led Russian officials to view the incursion as an escalation, causing a postponement of the meeting. Previous diplomatic efforts, including secret talks in Istanbul and at the UN, failed due to ongoing hostilities.

Mpox cases have emerged outside Africa as Sweden and Pakistan report infections days after the WHO declared the virus a “public health emergency.” Sweden confirmed its first case of the clade 1 strain, which originated in Africa and is noted for severe symptoms. Pakistan reported a case linked to travel from Saudi Arabia. The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing the largest outbreak, with cases up 160% and deaths rising 19% this year. The European CDC has raised the risk alert to "moderate." Prevention includes maintaining personal hygiene and vaccination where available.

The highly anticipated Durand Cup Kolkata Derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, scheduled for August 18, has been canceled due to security concerns. The Kolkata Police informed the Durand Cup committee that they could not provide adequate security for the match because of ongoing citywide protests over the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College. As a result, both teams have been awarded one point each, with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan qualifying for the knockout stage. Ticket holders will be refunded within two days. The remaining matches may be shifted to Jamshedpur.

Russia's Shiveluch volcano in Kamchatka erupted on Sunday following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the region's eastern coast. The state-owned TASS news agency reported that the volcano began spewing ash and lava, with the ash column reaching up to eight kilometers above sea level. The earthquake, which occurred late Saturday, had its epicenter in a sea area at a depth of fifty kilometers. Although the US initially issued a tsunami threat, it was later retracted. The region experienced a series of aftershocks ranging from 3.9 to 5.0, though most were not felt on land.