The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report on an August 4 Air India Phuket–Delhi flight has raised fresh questions about a serious in-flight incident. The Airbus A320neo, cruising at 36,000 feet, temporarily lost pressure in all three hydraulic systems within seconds, causing the autopilot to disconnect, a stall warning and a sudden altitude drop. The systems recovered shortly afterward, but 24 passengers and crew members were injured. Experts have questioned why the three hydraulic systems failed almost simultaneously, what triggered the violent altitude changes, and why the crew continued toward Delhi instead of diverting to a nearer airport. The investigation continues. 

Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has strongly criticised the alleged police assault on students and other protesters during a demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Describing the incident as “very, very distressing,” the judge said he was dismayed to see police personnel allegedly using force against protesters. The remarks came amid a wider controversy surrounding the CJP protest and allegations of police excesses. The incident has triggered concerns over the handling of peaceful demonstrations and police conduct. The developments have also intensified scrutiny of the authorities as legal and political attention remains focused on the Jantar Mantar protest row. (PC: AFP)

Eighty-two educators will receive the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 on Teachers’ Day, September 5, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours in New Delhi. The awardees include 48 school teachers, 21 higher-education and polytechnic educators, and 13 teachers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Their work spans creative pedagogy, STEM education, digital learning, community engagement and inclusion. Among the recognised educators are an asteroid-tracking mentor and a mathematics innovator. Some awardees have also promoted Indian Knowledge Systems, including Vaastu Shastra, the Bhagavad Gita and Sanskrit integrated with artificial intelligence, highlighting diverse approaches to modern education. (PC: The Hindu)

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has filed a complaint with Delhi Police against influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, accusing him of allegedly misusing Paswan’s name and claiming political backing in connection with a Jantar Mantar assault case. Bhardwaj reportedly claimed during an interview that he had “cracked the skull” of a student activist’s father during a CJP protest. Paswan’s party said such claims were false and sought legal action. Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Bhardwaj in Uttar Pradesh after CJP supporters protested outside Parliament Street Police Station demanding his arrest. Police said the complaint was being examined. (PC: India Today)

Air India has dismissed a pilot who tested positive for a psychoactive substance following a safety-related incident involving a Phuket–Delhi flight. The action came after the pilot underwent a mandatory post-flight examination, which detected the prohibited substance. The incident has raised renewed concerns about aviation safety and strict compliance with rules governing alcohol and psychoactive substance use among flight crew. Air India has taken disciplinary action in accordance with applicable aviation regulations and its internal safety procedures. The case highlights the importance of mandatory testing, medical fitness assessments and strict enforcement of safety standards to prevent impaired crew from operating commercial flights. (PC: Reuters) 

Eight engineering students from Tamil Nadu were killed after their car crashed into a parked lorry at Panambikkunnu in Kaipamangalam, Thrissur, Kerala, around 11:40 pm on Friday. The students were travelling from Guruvayur towards Kodungallur along NH-66 when their car rammed into the rear of the Maharashtra-registered lorry. Police said the lorry was allegedly parked illegally on the right side near a barricaded construction zone, while the car was travelling at high speed. Six victims have been identified, while two identities remain unconfirmed. Police have registered a culpable homicide case against the lorry driver, who fled. 

Iranian state media claimed that Tehran launched a surprise missile attack targeting a US military base in Jordan, reportedly striking an American facility in the country. However, US officials denied the claim, saying no such confirmed attack had taken place. The conflicting accounts came amid heightened tensions and recent exchanges of strikes between Iran and the United States across the Middle East. Reuters separately reported Iran’s claim of missile attacks on US bases in Jordan, though details of the reported strikes and their impact remained unclear.

Air India has terminated the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance following an August 4 mid-air altitude loss incident. The airline acted after the AAIB’s preliminary report flagged the positive test and a rare temporary failure of all three hydraulic systems. The Airbus A320 lost nearly 300 feet of altitude while cruising over Odisha, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members before landing safely in Delhi. The investigation has not established a direct link between the pilot’s drug test and the incident. Air India cited its “zero-tolerance” safety policy.

Activist Swatantra Bhardwaj has been detained in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr over an alleged assault on Sanjay Kumar, the father of a student protester, during a June protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Police said Bhardwaj was traced near Dhamra Nara village after a video and podcast clip revived the case. The FIR also names Suraj Kumar and alleges that Sanjay Kumar suffered head injuries during the scuffle. The case later drew political pressure, with the CJP and opposition leaders demanding action. Police have added provisions of the SC/ST Act and are considering further legal charges after obtaining medical opinion. (PC: India Today)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) secured a major breakthrough after Delhi Police added an attempt-to-murder charge against Swatantra Bhardwaj in the Jantar Mantar assault case. Bhardwaj is accused of attacking Sanjay Kumar, father of student activist Nishu Azad, during a protest. CJP leaders had demanded stricter action after a viral video allegedly showed Bhardwaj discussing the assault. Following the protest, police detained him in Bulandshahr and said further legal action was underway.