Monsoon rains have caused devastation across India, leading to 32 deaths in seven states since Wednesday. Record-breaking rainfall in Delhi-NCR inundated streets and disrupted traffic. Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh resulted in at least 14 fatalities and numerous missing individuals. Wayanad in Kerala is the hardest hit, with 256 deaths due to landslides. The IMD predicts more heavy rain through August, exacerbating the crisis as rescue operations continue.

Veteran Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec won silver in the mixed 10m Air Pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Dikec, who competed with minimal gear—regular prescription glasses and simple earplugs—paired up with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan. His low-tech look contrasted with other competitors' specialized equipment, sparking a meme fest online. A viral photo showed Dikec aiming with one hand in his pocket, leading to humorous comments on social media. This silver medal is Dikec’s first Olympic medal since his debut in 2008. India's Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won bronze in the same event.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Wayanad, Kerala, after devastating landslides. He expressed deep sorrow, saying, "Today, I feel how I felt when my father died." Gandhi, along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and MP KC Venugopal, saw the destruction and met with survivors. About 250 people died and over 200 were injured in the tragedy. Gandhi urged for aid and assistance, stating, "I don't think this is the time or place to talk about political issues." Priyanka emphasized the need to support and comfort the affected, saying, "We are here to offer as much comfort and support as possible."

Lakshya Sen has reached the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics after defeating fellow Indian shuttler HS Prannoy. Sen won in straight games, 21-12, 21-6, on Thursday, August 1. The match lasted 39 minutes at La Chapelle Arena. Prannoy, fatigued from a tough match the previous day, struggled against Sen's strong play. This is Sen's first Olympic appearance. He will face Chou Tien Chen from Chinese Taipei next. Sen has a 1-3 record against Chou, with their last encounter in Singapore Open 2023 ending in Chou's favor.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia as part of a significant prisoner swap with the US. Both men were jailed on espionage charges that they and the US deny. They are currently en route to destinations outside of Russia. The US and its allies will reciprocate by returning prisoners held under the deal. Details of the exchange remain undisclosed. The US has been negotiating their release for years, with the State Department designating them as wrongly detained.

Central China has been devastated by torrential rains triggered by Typhoon Gaemi, resulting in at least 30 deaths and 35 missing persons, state media reported on Thursday. The hilly Hunan province was particularly affected, with Zixing city experiencing record rainfall of 645 millimeters in just 24 hours. Over 11,000 residents were evacuated, and infrastructure, including roads, power, and communications, was severely impacted. While some services have been restored, search and rescue operations continue. Initial reports indicated fewer casualties, but the numbers have since increased as more areas are reached.

The Indian men’s hockey team lost 2-1 to defending champions Belgium in their opening match at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Abhishek scored for India in the 18th minute, but Belgium's Thibeau Stockbroekx and John-John Dohmen turned the game around in the second half. Despite a strong start and excellent goalkeeping by PR Sreejesh, India couldn't maintain their lead. The Indian team, which had already secured a quarter-final spot, will face Australia in their final Pool B match on Friday.

The Indian Embassy in Lebanon has strongly advised all Indian nationals to leave the country due to rising tensions following Israel's recent strikes on Lebanon and Iran's plans to retaliate against Israel. This advisory comes after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Indian nationals in Lebanon are urged to avoid travel, exercise extreme caution, and remain in contact with the embassy. The situation has led to canceled flights at Beirut airport and similar advisories from other countries, including the US, Australia, and Canada, for their citizens to leave Lebanon.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are heading for divorce, with sources confirming their divorce documents are finalized but not yet submitted. Affleck’s purchase of a $20.5 million mansion on Lopez's 55th birthday has been described as a "stab to the heart." The couple, last seen together in March, have spent the summer apart, with Affleck in Los Angeles and Lopez in New York. Despite efforts to reconcile, they couldn't resolve their differences and plan to release a joint statement soon.

ISRO has released high-resolution satellite images of the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, which has claimed over 250 lives. The images, captured by Cartosat-3 and RISAT satellites, reveal the extensive damage caused by the landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall. Approximately 86,000 square meters of land has slipped, with debris flowing nearly 8 kilometers along the Iruvaiphuzha River, widening its course. The satellite images provide a clear picture of the disaster's scale, aiding rescue operations and future disaster management planning. The images were taken by the National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) in Hyderabad.