Boeing's Starliner has made history as the first spacecraft to launch with crew and return to Earth without them. The spacecraft, part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, launched on June 5, 2024, with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. After docking with the ISS, technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems, led NASA to bring Starliner back uncrewed. The spacecraft landed at White Sands, New Mexico, on September 7, 2024. Williams and Wilmore will stay aboard the ISS and return on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The mission underscores the challenges in human spaceflight.

The US has warned of a significant escalation in the Ukraine war following reports that Iranian ballistic missiles have arrived in Russia. White House spokesperson Sean Savett expressed alarm at the potential deepening of the Russia-Iran security partnership, stressing that any missile transfer would mark a severe escalation in Iran's support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine. While the US has not confirmed the delivery, reports suggest that Russia has received Fath-360 missiles and is training personnel in Iran. Iran has denied the allegations, condemning military aid that exacerbates the conflict.

Sanjay Roy, the prime suspect in the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, has denied involvement during a CBI polygraph test. Roy, arrested on August 10, initially confessed but later retracted his statement. During the test, he claimed to have fled the scene upon discovering the victim's body. The polygraph reportedly indicated deceptive responses. The CBI has ruled out gang-rape and identified Roy as the sole suspect. The investigation is nearing completion, with charges expected soon.

India is on the brink of making history at the Paris Paralympics 2024, needing just 3 more medals to hit the 30-medal mark. India has already secured its best-ever Paralympic medal haul with 26 medals, including 6 golds. High jumper Praveen Kumar, shooter Avani Lekhara, and archer Harvinder Singh are among the stars. On September 7, India’s athletes are scheduled to compete in multiple events, including road cycling, canoe sprint, swimming, and athletics. Harvinder Singh and Preethi Pal have been named flag bearers for the closing ceremony on Sunday.

The beluga whale known as "Hvaldimir," rumored to have been trained as a Russian spy, was found dead with multiple bullet wounds in a bay on Norway's southwestern coast. The whale first appeared in 2019, wearing a harness marked "Equipment St. Petersburg," sparking speculation about its ties to Russia. Animal rights groups, including NOAH and One Whale, have called for a criminal investigation into the whale's death, describing the injuries as alarming. The whale’s carcass was sent to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for autopsy, with results expected in three weeks. Hvaldimir had become a celebrity in Norway.

The UN demanded a full investigation into the killing of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a US-Turkish national, during a protest against Jewish settlement expansion in Beita, West Bank. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired shots, hitting Eygi in the head. The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, stating that they were responding to stone-throwing during the protest. The US and Turkey also called for an inquiry. Eygi, a recent University of Washington graduate, was attending her first protest with the International Solidarity Movement. Turkish President Erdogan condemned the killing as "barbaric."

Five people were killed in a gunfire exchange between Kuki and Meitei groups in Jiribam district, Manipur, on Saturday. One Meitei village volunteer was shot dead in his sleep, and four armed men were killed in subsequent clashes. The violence escalated after militants attacked a house and launched rocket attacks in Bishnupur, killing one person and injuring five. Drones were also used for bombings in Imphal West district earlier this week. Amid growing unrest, the Manipur government closed schools on September 7. Security forces remain on high alert as tensions persist in the region.            

BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh accused Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat of cheating to attend the Tokyo Olympics. He claimed she didn't win a medal because "God punished her." Singh's remarks follow Phogat's political entry into the Congress party, where she was announced as the candidate for the Haryana Assembly elections. Bhushan alleged that Phogat took another wrestler's spot at the Olympics by manipulating trials. He also accused Bajrang Punia of participating in the Asian Games without trials. Both Phogat and Punia had led the protests against Bhushan last year over sexual harassment allegations.

In a remarkable achievement, India has won its highest ever gold medals in a single Paralympics edition, with six gold medals at Paris 2024. Praveen Kumar, 21, won gold in the men's high jump T64 event, breaking the Asian record with a season-best jump of 2.08m. Kumar finished ahead of USA's Derek Loccident and Uzbekistan's Temurbek Giyazov. This historic feat marks a milestone for Indian para-athletes, surpassing previous records. Kumar's win has brought pride and glory to the nation, showcasing India's growing prowess in para-sports.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. In Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, heavy rain has caused issues, with four gates of the Bisalpur Dam opened. A yellow alert has been issued for eastern Rajasthan. Andhra Pradesh has 226 relief camps housing 46,320 flood-affected individuals, with 50 NDRF and SDRF teams engaged in relief efforts. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain in several districts, including Udaipur, Jaipur, and Chittorgarh, over the next seven days.