In a historic achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024, Lakshya Sen became the first Indian man to reach the badminton men's singles semi-final. The 22-year-old defeated Taiwan's 12th seed Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling come-from-behind victory, winning 19-21, 21-15, 21-12. Sen, competing in his maiden Olympics, showcased exceptional grit and determination, overcoming a first-game defeat to secure his place in the semi-finals. With this victory, he keeps India's hopes for an Olympic badminton medal alive. Sen will next face the winner of the quarter-final between Viktor Axelsen and Loh Kean Yew.

In response to the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, that have claimed over 300 lives, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has pledged to build more than 100 houses for survivors. Over 10,000 people have been relocated to relief camps, with hundreds still missing. Gandhi, visiting the disaster area with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, emphasized the need for urgent and comprehensive aid. He committed to raising the issue with both Union and State Governments, calling the tragedy one of the worst Kerala has ever faced. Rescue operations continue despite challenging conditions.

Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have led to at least 18 deaths and significant disruption. In Uttarakhand, 13 bodies have been recovered, with 16 still missing. An orange alert is in effect for Uttar Kashi, and the Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended. Himachal Pradesh reports five deaths, with 49 people missing. Multiple roads and highways are closed, hampering rescue efforts. Authorities have deployed NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and Army personnel, and rescue operations continue despite challenging weather conditions.

Samaresh Jung, coach of Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker, has received a demolition notice for his Delhi home, requiring him to vacate within two days. The Land and Development Office (LNDO) claims the land belongs to the Ministry of Defence and has declared the Khyber Pass colony illegal. Jung, who recently returned from the Olympics, expressed frustration over the short notice and lack of clarity. He has requested a two-month extension to vacate and appealed for a “dignified exit” given the circumstances.

The Stade de France was placed under lockdown on August 2, 2024, following a bomb alert related to a 'suspicious object' found by police. The surrounding area, including the nearby Porte de Paris train station, was evacuated as a specialist bomb squad responded to the alert. The stadium was empty at the time, with the day's first Olympic session concluded and the next session scheduled to start later. Security measures were heightened, with 18,000 soldiers and 30,000 police officers deployed for the Olympics. The situation returned to normal by 5 PM local time.

India’s archery mixed team, comprising Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat, narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, losing 2-6 to the USA’s Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold on August 2. The Indian team, which had previously lost to South Korea in the semi-finals, struggled in the bronze medal match, with Ankita Bhakat facing pressure and inconsistency. Despite a close contest, India’s bid for a historic archery medal ended in disappointment at the Invalides.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been chosen as the prime pilot for an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), as announced by ISRO. Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will serve as the backup pilot. The mission, part of a space flight agreement with Axiom Space Inc., aims to conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations on the ISS. Both pilots will start training in August 2024. This mission will enhance India’s human spaceflight program and strengthen collaboration with NASA.

Following her impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, where Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals, her endorsement fee has skyrocketed. Previously charging INR 20-25 lakh per deal, Bhaker's fee has now surged to around INR 1.5 crore. She has been approached by about 40 brands, reflecting her heightened market value. Neerav Tomar of IOS Sports & Entertainment, Bhaker's agency, confirmed several deals are already in progress. The focus is on securing long-term associations, though short-term digital engagements are also being considered.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that managing India’s relations with its neighbors is challenging due to historical contexts, sociological differences, and the size of the countries involved. Despite these difficulties, Jaishankar highlighted India's success in mitigating intense situations through effective measures and enhancing its regional influence with infrastructure and energy resources. He noted that political volatility in neighboring countries often leads to India being a focal point, but India has effectively navigated these complexities to assert its interests and build robust relationships.

The death toll from the Wayanad landslides in Kerala has exceeded 300, with rescue operations ongoing for the fourth day. Heavy rain and muddy terrain have complicated efforts, with 130 body parts recovered. Approximately 300 people remain missing, and 9,328 have been relocated to relief camps. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi visited the affected areas, promising 100 new homes. A recently constructed bridge is aiding rescue operations. The Kerala government is prioritizing the rescue and rehabilitation of survivors, with an orange alert issued until Saturday.