A licensed pistol carried by an Air India Express passenger accidentally discharged during a mandatory weapons check at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday. The passenger, travelling to Mumbai with his wife, had declared the firearm and was taken to the designated screening area. During inspection, a round was fired and reportedly ricocheted, injuring two AAICLAS cargo screeners. A woman was struck on the leg, while another person suffered a thumb injury. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. The passenger was detained, while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is examining the circumstances and adherence to prescribed firearm-handling procedures. (PC: AFP)

Student and job aspirants in Jharkhand have intensified their protest over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Protesters announced plans to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts. They have also announced a gherao of Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20 if their demands are not addressed. Their demands include cancellation of the JSSC CGL and JPSC examinations, an independent CBI probe and Soren’s resignation. Protesters have accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to act, while also urging Rahul Gandhi to withdraw Congress support from the state government. (PC: AP)

A CISF jawan deployed at a Delhi Metro station has reportedly come under scrutiny after a video showed him allegedly photographing a woman without her consent and pointing his service pistol towards passengers. The incident, captured on video, has raised concerns over the conduct of security personnel responsible for protecting commuters. The footage reportedly shows the jawan using his phone while holding the firearm in a manner that alarmed passengers. Authorities are expected to examine the video and determine whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted. The incident has also renewed concerns about passenger safety and professional conduct within Delhi Metro security.

India finished Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 460/9 in Galle, remaining in a strong position despite rain interruptions. Devdutt Padikkal produced a superb 167, his maiden Test century, before being dismissed. KL Rahul returned after retiring hurt and scored 82, while Dhruv Jurel contributed a valuable 51. Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Keshara Nuwantha, fought back strongly, taking seven wickets. Rishabh Pant scored 39 before falling. Only 43 overs were possible because of rain, but India still added 172 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna remained unbeaten at stumps. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities. The students reportedly raised concerns about police action during earlier demonstrations and demanded accountability over issues affecting medical aspirants. Gandhi expressed solidarity with the protesters and criticised the government’s handling of their concerns. The protests have become a major political issue, with opposition parties questioning the Centre’s response and demanding stronger action over alleged irregularities. The government has maintained that students’ interests are a priority and announced measures, including fast-track courts for cases involving examination paper leaks. (PC: X)

Bengaluru engineer Gaurav Sen has developed an AI-powered system that detects potholes and identifies the contractors responsible for maintaining affected roads. The system uses a dashcam, GPS and an accelerometer to collect road data while driving. AI vision models analyse footage to identify potholes, including those that may resemble speed breakers, and record their locations. Sen also modified the app to search through around 2,900 government contracts and match potholes with responsible contractors. The technology could help authorities and citizens report road defects more efficiently, particularly where contractors remain legally responsible for repairs under existing road-maintenance contracts. 

India began their Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-2 draw against China in their opening Pool D match. Navneet Kaur and Deepika scored for India as the team fought back to secure a valuable point. China also found the net twice, keeping the contest closely balanced until the final whistle. India showed attacking intent but struggled to convert opportunities consistently. The result gives both teams a point at the start of their World Cup campaign. Captain Salima Tete and her teammates will now look to improve their performance and secure stronger results in their remaining pool matches. (PC: X)

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow claiming hundreds of drones were intercepted overnight. Russian authorities said at least six people were killed, including an 83-year-old man, while several others were injured. A major Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, near Moscow, caught fire during the assault. Russia claimed 822 Ukrainian drones were shot down, including around 600 targeting Moscow, though these figures could not be independently verified. The attack comes as Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russian infrastructure. Russia simultaneously launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, causing further civilian casualties and damage. (PC: AFP)

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka said a “propitious environment” must be created before Rahman’s bilateral visit can proceed. Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said officials from both countries have been discussing the visit for several weeks, but Hasina’s August 5 public interaction in New Delhi affected the process. Dhaka has urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition, along with other fugitives, and is awaiting New Delhi’s response. The development highlights continuing diplomatic tensions and the sensitive nature of India-Bangladesh relations. (PC: AP)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demanded the immediate arrest of those allegedly responsible for the death of Janab Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, in Bankura, West Bengal. Hafeez, 25, reportedly inspected a government school in Karisunda on August 13 as part of the “School Thik Karo” campaign highlighting poor infrastructure. CJP alleges that armed men, identified as local BJP workers, later attacked Hafeez and his family after demanding an apology video. Hafeez suffered injuries, while his father sustained severe head trauma and died on August 15. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed to pursue justice. (PC: ANI)