Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight AI2379 faced multiple technical warnings before suddenly losing about 300 feet in altitude on August 4, documents reviewed by NDTV show. The aircraft reported low pressure in all 3 hydraulic systems, low fluid levels in 2 reservoirs and problems involving its elevator controls. The autopilot also disconnected during the flight. Air India initially described the incident as a brief turbulence-related event but later removed the word “turbulence” from its statement. At least 20 passengers and 4 crew members were injured. Both pilots have been removed from flying duties pending an inquiry. 

A rare total solar eclipse is taking place on August 12, with the first visuals emerging from Iceland as skywatchers gather to witness the celestial event. The eclipse is passing across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and parts of Portugal. Several regions across Europe, North America and Africa are also witnessing a partial eclipse. However, the event will not be visible from India, either as a total or partial eclipse, as the country lies outside the eclipse’s visibility path. The eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth, briefly blocking sunlight in areas along its path. (PC: HT)

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced plans for a fresh protest, with founder Abhijeet Dipke calling it “Season 2 of Jantar Mantar.” The announcement came after a CJP volunteers’ meeting in Delhi was cancelled, with Dipke alleging that the venue owner faced pressure from the BJP. The BJP has not immediately responded to the allegations. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party will begin a nationwide “listening tour” to gather public feedback, with education as a key focus from Independence Day. The CJP had earlier ended its 36-day Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET paper leak issue on July 25. (PC: India Today)

The Ministry of Defence has issued a Rs 1-lakh-crore tender for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Soviet-origin AN-32 fleet. HAL, Tata and Mahindra will partner foreign manufacturers, with technology transfer required. Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Embraer are competing with the A400M, C-130J and C-390 Millennium respectively. The aircraft must carry 18-30 tonnes, operate from short, unprepared runways and support high-altitude logistics along Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. They should transport equipment including the 25-tonne Zorawar tank and M777 howitzers. Twelve aircraft will be imported, while 48 will be manufactured in India. Local content is expected to exceed 50%, alongside domestic MRO facilities and open architecture for future upgrades. (PC: The Tribune)

Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station sent Independence Day greetings to India ahead of its 80th Independence Day, holding the Indian tricolour in a video message. They highlighted the decades-old friendship between India and Russia and described space exploration as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation. The message recalled the long history of collaboration between Moscow and New Delhi in space exploration, spanning major milestones from India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, to the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. The gesture underscored the enduring partnership between the two countries in space. The cosmonauts congratulated the people of India while celebrating the longstanding cooperation that has connected the two nations through their shared achievements and ambitions in space.

Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday clarified her controversial “gutter” remark, saying it targeted a specific section of young people, not the entire youth population. The BJP MP and Mandi Lok Sabha representative said her comments were misinterpreted as blanket criticism of young people. Ranaut explained that those who identify themselves as “cockroaches” would naturally “live in a gutter,” adding that she would reject such a description if applied to her. She stressed that discussing youth involved in drugs, betting, gambling or the dark web did not mean condemning all young people. Her remarks followed criticism of young participants in Cockroach Janata Party protests, whom she called “Generation Gutter”. She also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s conduct in Parliament and predicted his current Leader of Opposition term would be his last.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariqe Rahman is likely to visit New Delhi for a bilateral trip, while he is “almost certain” to skip the upcoming BRICS summit, according to Bangladeshi government sources. The proposed visit comes amid efforts to stabilise strained India-Bangladesh ties following tensions over former PM Sheikh Hasina’s political activities from India. A meeting between India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Rahman was viewed as reassuring, with discussions covering Hasina’s extradition, alleged killers linked to Osman Hadi’s assassination, illegal immigration and border security. The bilateral agenda is also expected to include renewal of the 1996 Ganga Waters Treaty, expiring December 31, 2026, and stalled cooperation projects. India said extradition matters remain under established procedures. (PC: Times Now)

Reports have emerged alleging that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is blocking Indian forces from accessing key patrolling points along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh’s Taksing sector. A fact-finding committee of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) claimed the PLA is steadily expanding control over traditional Indian grazing and hunting grounds. However, government sources rejected the allegations on Wednesday. China, meanwhile, said the border situation was “stable.” The PPA, a regional political party founded in Arunachal Pradesh in 1977, currently has two MLAs in the state’s 30-member Legislative Assembly. The claims have raised fresh concerns over Chinese activity along the sensitive India-China border despite official assurances. (PC: PTI)

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday said the long-running dispute over Vijay Mallya’s unpaid dues should “be brought to an end” after his lawyer argued that a 2020 petition had become redundant. Mallya’s petition challenged a Prevention of Money Laundering Act court order allowing a State Bank of India-led lender consortium to use Enforcement Directorate-confiscated assets to recover his dues. Senior advocate Amit Desai said the petition was filed while settlement talks were underway and sought protection for certain assets, but most had since been attached and dealt with. The bench appeared to agree, with Justice Jadhav saying, “The idea is to move on,” warning that prolonged disputes could affect relations and India’s economy. (PC: AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo sent a heartfelt message to Lionel Messi following the death of Messi’s father, Jorge, on August 8 after an illness. Messi, 39, shared his first public reaction on Wednesday, posting an emotional tribute to his father on Instagram and recalling their bond. Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime football rival, responded directly to the post with condolences for the Argentine star and his family. “Huge hug to you and your loved ones in this difficult moment, Leo. Stay strong,” Ronaldo wrote. Jorge, who had been battling illness for several months, did not travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo’s gesture offered a rare moment of solidarity between two iconic football rivals. (PC: NDTV Sports)