A gun accidentally fired at Varanasi airport, injuring two security staff members. The passenger, Kamlesh Rai, was travelling to Mumbai on an Air India Express flight. He had declared his licensed pistol at the airport. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the gun went off during mandatory security checks. The bullet ricocheted and injured Rohit Raj and Suman Kumari. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment. However, the victims gave different accounts about the gun. Raj said the pistol was loaded, while Kumari said it was not. Police detained the passenger. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is investigating the incident. (PC: iStock)

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could retire from football in 2028. The 41-year-old Portuguese star said this may be his final year in the sport. Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr. His contract is set to expire next summer. He said he wants to leave behind a “spectacular legacy” after 25 years of football. Ronaldo also wants to spend more time with his family after retirement. He plans to travel, play padel and enjoy life. Ronaldo is also chasing 1,000 career goals. He needs only 24 more senior goals to reach the mark.

Flipkart is facing criticism over a Freedom Sale advertisement that used the style of obituary notices. The ad showed photographs and details of people inside memorial-style boxes. It said Flipkart was not sad, as the people would keep living while its sale was ending. Many social media users called the campaign insensitive and inappropriate. Author Shobhaa De also criticised the ad and urged people to boycott Flipkart. Some users questioned whether the images were made using artificial intelligence. Others defended the campaign as attention-grabbing. Flipkart has not commented on the controversy. The Freedom Sale began on August 8 and ends on August 16.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has ordered fresh UGC-NET June 2026 exams for English, Commerce and Sociology after an expert panel found serious issues in the question papers. The review identified factual and typographical errors, translation mistakes, missing scholar names, unclear wording, grammatical and numerical errors, and problematic answer options. The fresh exams will be held on September 9 for English and Commerce, and September 10 for Sociology. Candidates will not have to pay an additional fee. The NTA said results for the other 84 subjects will continue as scheduled, while details of centres and admit cards will be announced separately. (PC: News18)

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that the 2026-27 season could be his last in professional football. The 41-year-old Portuguese star made the revelation in an interview with Vogue, saying, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.” Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, is chasing the milestone of 1,000 senior career goals and currently has 976, according to the report. He has enjoyed a remarkable career with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal, winning five Ballon d’Or awards and multiple major trophies. Ronaldo also recently married longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez. (PC: NDTV)

Iran’s Army has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures and hands over an American military personnel, according to state media. Army chief Amir Hatami said the reward is equivalent to 5 billion tomans and was created after requests for public participation in financial support. He also said Iranian women who carry out such an act would receive double the reward. Hatami did not specify where or when the bounty could be claimed. The announcement comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high, with both sides continuing to exchange threats and strikes amid the wider conflict in the region. (PC: HT)

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 53 people and displacing around 5,000 residents. More than 130 people were injured, while rescuers continued searching for survivors in areas hit by landslides and collapsed buildings. The shallow quake damaged more than 900 homes and disrupted roads and other infrastructure. Hundreds of aftershocks have followed, adding to fears among residents sheltering in temporary camps. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake but was later lifted. Emergency teams are delivering food, water and medical supplies as authorities assess the full extent of the damage. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said officials from both countries had discussed the visit for several weeks, but the process was affected by Hasina’s August 5 press interaction in New Delhi. Dhaka said a “propitious environment” must be created before the visit can proceed. Bangladesh has asked India to act on requests to extradite Hasina and other fugitives, and hand over suspects accused in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka is awaiting New Delhi’s response.  

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)