Hezbollah launched rockets and artillery attacks on Israel on Friday, resuming hostilities after a brief lull. The attacks came in retaliation for Israel’s recent airstrike that killed Hezbollah’s military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Hezbollah claimed to have forced an Israeli warplane to turn back and targeted military positions in northern Israel. Israel’s military intercepted an aerial target from Lebanon and retaliated with airstrikes in southern Lebanon, killing several Hezbollah fighters and Syrian migrant workers. The conflict, ongoing since October 2023, threatens to escalate further amid heightened tensions.

Tom Cruise will headline the Paris 2024 Olympic Games closing ceremony with a daring stunt, rappelling 42 meters from the Stade de France roof. Following this live descent, prerecorded footage will showcase Cruise racing through Paris on a motorbike and skydiving from a plane to the Hollywood sign, carrying the Olympic flag. The actor, known for his high-risk stunts, proposed the sequence himself. The ceremony, titled "Records," will also feature acrobats, dancers, and circus performers, highlighting a journey through time and culminating in a dramatic presentation of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

In Wayanad, Kerala, a forest officer team led by K Hashis undertook a perilous trek to rescue a tribal family stranded in a cave following a landslide. The family, including four toddlers, was trapped atop a hill without food. The four-member team navigated dangerous, slippery terrain for over four hours to reach them. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised the officers' bravery, highlighting their critical role in saving the family. The children were provided with food and clothing upon their return to safety.

The Israeli military announced it killed Al Jazeera journalist Ismail Al-Ghoul in a Gaza airstrike, asserting he was a key Hamas operative involved in the October 7 attack on Israel. Al Jazeera has vehemently denied these claims, calling them baseless and demanding proof. The network stated that Al-Ghoul, who had been with them since November 2023, was solely a journalist. Alongside Al-Ghoul, cameraman Ramy El Rify was also killed in the strike. Al Jazeera reserved the right to take legal action, emphasizing that the journalist had no affiliations with Hamas.

India's Lakshya Sen made history by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the Olympic men's singles semifinals. After losing the first game, Sen switched tactics to defeat Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien Chen 19-21, 21-15, 21-12 in a marathon match lasting over an hour. Guided by coach U Vimal Kumar's advice, Sen adapted his game and overcame his opponent's powerful smashes. The 22-year-old now prepares for his next match, aiming for a medal in Paris.

Three people were killed and four injured when a portion of a two-storey building collapsed in Jahangirpuri, northwest Delhi. The building, housing three factories, was old and dilapidated. Rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force, fire department, and police lasted until evening. The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Kumar, Phoolwati, and Vinod, all factory workers. The injured, working on the terrace, are receiving treatment. A case has been registered and an investigation is ongoing.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime astronaut for an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, the youngest of ISRO's astronaut-designates, will be the mission pilot, while Group Captain Prashanth Nair will serve as his backup. This mission follows a joint statement from PM Modi's 2023 US visit, enhancing ISRO-NASA cooperation. Training begins in August 2024, marking India's return to manned spaceflight after 40 years. The astronauts will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations on the ISS.

Italian boxer Angela Carini seeks to apologize to Algerian opponent Imane Khelif after their controversial Olympic boxing match. Carini abandoned the bout after 46 seconds, citing intense pain from a punch. Expressing her regret publicly, Carini acknowledged her emotional decision and lamented not shaking hands with Khelif post-fight. She emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and safety, while the match fueled discussions about Khelif's eligibility, supported by the IOC. Carini expressed her desire to reconcile and move past the incident, highlighting the broader conversation on safety and sportsmanship in competitive sports.

The BJP dismissed Rahul Gandhi's claims of imminent ED raids as a diversion from his alleged failures in Wayanad, where landslides have killed nearly 300 people. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar called Gandhi's assertions a "silly, ham-handed effort" to shift focus from Wayanad's crisis. Opposition leaders supported Gandhi, accusing the BJP-led government of misusing central agencies to target political adversaries. Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Raut, along with other leaders, argued that Gandhi’s accusations highlight a broader misuse of power by the government. Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion against the alleged political harassment.

In response to the Wayanad landslide tragedy, the Centre has proposed a draft notification to declare around 57,000 sq km of the Western Ghats as an ‘ecologically-sensitive area.’ Issued on July 31, the draft includes 13 villages in Wayanad and about 10,000 sq km in Kerala. This designation aims to curb commercial activities that contribute to environmental degradation. Citizens have 60 days to provide feedback before the final notification is published. The protected area spans six states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Gujarat, with restrictions on mining, new thermal plants, and large construction projects.