A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Leh in Ladakh early Thursday morning, August 13, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The tremor occurred at 6:05:15 am IST at a depth of 10 kilometres, with the epicentre located at 36.881°N latitude and 74.402°E longitude. NCS classified the event as a “Felt Quake” and recorded it as reviewed. The earthquake was also reported as being about 302 km north-northwest of Kargil. Initial reports indicated no casualties or significant structural damage, although authorities continued monitoring the situation. The shallow earthquake was felt in the region, with further assessments awaited. (PC: Times Now)

The Air India commander of flight AI2379, which suddenly lost altitude on the Phuket-Delhi route on August 4, told investigators he had been struggling with sleep due to personal circumstances and had taken medication prescribed by his family doctor. Two people familiar with his questioning said he slept for 30–35 minutes during the flight before returning to the cockpit. The first officer was flying when the altitude event occurred, while the commander was monitoring. The pilot’s confirmatory drug test was positive for cannabis after an initial “non-negative” screening. Investigators also examined nine aircraft warning messages involving hydraulic systems, autopilot and elevator controls recorded within a minute during the altitude drop. The aircraft lost about 360 feet. (PC: X)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is set to step down later this month, with US President Donald Trump announcing her departure on Tuesday. Leavitt, who became the youngest White House press secretary at 27 when she took office in January 2025, called the decision “bittersweet”. In a lengthy social media post, she described her tenure as “the honour and adventure of a lifetime” and thanked Trump for trusting her to represent his administration. Her decision was influenced by the demanding nature of the job and her responsibilities as a mother. Trump praised Leavitt as a “real leader” and one of his most trusted aides, while wishing her well as she leaves the role. (PC: Radar Online)

Families of sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln say its nine-month deployment, including a record 250 consecutive days without landfall, is taking a severe toll, with reports of multiple suicide attempts. At a San Diego town hall, around 200 relatives confronted Navy officials over repeated deployment extensions and deteriorating conditions. One sailor’s wife said her husband tried to jump overboard after his deployment was extended, while another sailor reportedly stopped a colleague from doing so. The carrier’s roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines have spent only two days ashore since November 21 and are now in their fifth month of combat operations against Iran. Families also reported mouldy showers, broken toilets, laundry failures, water shortages and inadequate food. (PC: AFP)

A 17-year-old Indian-origin teenager, Arjun Aravind, has been charged with allegedly killing his mother, 45-year-old Sudha Venkatesan, and younger brother, 14-year-old Siddharth Aravind, at their family home in Acton, Massachusetts. Arjun, a student at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, faces two murder charges, along with counts of assault and battery involving family members and assault and battery. He also faces charges related to unauthorised use and theft of a motor vehicle. Authorities discovered the victims Tuesday evening after a tutor arrived at the family’s Martha Lane home shortly after 6:30 pm for a scheduled appointment but could not enter or contact anyone. Investigators reportedly found concerning online activity, including ChatGPT searches about hypothetical scenarios or fantasies involving killing his family.

The Delhi High Court questioned Meta’s copyright-protection system after creator Mohit Kumar alleged that unauthorised users were exploiting its Rights Manager tool to falsely claim ownership of original videos. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani directed Meta to disclose details of its Rights Manager policy, including eligibility requirements and criteria for granting access. Kumar, an artificial intelligence, e-commerce and business coach, claimed that individuals downloaded his original educational videos and subsequently used Rights Manager to assert copyright ownership, while he could not access the same protection system. The court’s remarks highlighted concerns over potential loopholes in Meta’s copyright safeguards. The proceedings seek greater transparency around access, verification and safeguards governing Meta’s copyright enforcement mechanisms. (PC: Unsplash)

A senior adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander has said Tehran could deliberately prolong its war with the United States until President Donald Trump leaves office. Mohammad Reza Naqdi told PBS NewsHour that extending the conflict could impose attrition and deter future attacks by demonstrating that aggression against Iran carries a significant cost. Naqdi said Iran believes it is currently winning the war and suggested that maintaining the conflict could strengthen Tehran’s strategic position. His remarks indicate that Iran may view prolonged confrontation as a means of building deterrence and signalling staying power. The comments come amid continuing tensions between Iran and the US, with Trump maintaining pressure on Tehran. (PC: India Today)

Millions of people across the UK and Europe gathered to watch a rare solar eclipse, described as the most significant visible from the UK since 1999. More than 90% of the Sun was covered by the Moon in most parts of the UK, creating a striking spectacle. The eclipse was also visible across large parts of Europe, while a total eclipse could be seen in parts of Iceland and Spain. In Spain’s Benavente, crowds fell silent during 84 seconds of totality. People in Edinburgh cheered when clouds cleared, while a beach cafe in Cornwall was described as “absolutely buzzing” during the event. (PC: X/Reuters)

China on Wednesday said the border situation with India is “generally stable” amid reports of tensions in Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese spokesperson Guo Jiakun said both countries had agreed to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels to preserve peace along the Line of Actual Control. His remarks came a day after India’s Ministry of External Affairs said border affairs have implications for bilateral ties. People familiar with the situation said face-offs were reported in the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district since early July. India and China have been rebuilding ties after the 2020 Galwan clash severely strained relations again. (PC: X)

A major Ukrainian drone and missile attack on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk damaged 2 major grain export terminals and struck Russia’s key naval base, reports said. Local officials said 3 people, including an 8-year-old child, were killed and 24 injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack used rockets, jet and naval drones in a “unique operation”. Ukraine’s military said 4 Russian warships were hit. Russia’s agriculture ministry said it was redirecting cargo to ports in the Baltic and Caspian Seas and overland routes due to logistical constraints. The attack has further disrupted grain shipments through the Black Sea. (PC: BBC)