An Air India Airbus A320 experienced a sudden drop of 300 feet during a flight from Phuket to Delhi, injuring passengers and crew but landing safely. Both pilots were tested for drugs; reports say the captain tested positive for cannabis, but this result has not been officially confirmed and does not necessarily explain the incident.
Key Facts
The Air India flight lost about 300 feet in altitude on August 4, injuring 13 passengers and 4 crew members.
The plane carried 137 passengers and 8 crew and landed safely in Delhi.
Both pilots underwent routine drug screening after the flight.
The captain’s initial drug test needed confirmatory testing, and both pilots were taken off flying duties during the investigation.
Media reports say the captain tested positive for cannabis, but Air India has not officially confirmed this.
Investigators are looking at many possible causes, including technical and human factors.
Studies show cannabis can impair pilots' skills and attention for hours after use, but such tests can’t determine exact impairment timing.
The situation is still under investigation, and no clear link between cannabis use and the altitude drop has been established.
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Jason Arday, a former professor at the University of Cambridge and the youngest Black professor there, died at the age of 41. He resigned recently because of accusations that he copied others' work without proper credit.
Key Facts
Jason Arday was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge.
He resigned last week amid plagiarism claims.
Plagiarism means using someone else's work and saying it's your own.
Arday was found dead on a Friday.
He was 41 years old at the time of his death.
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Jason Arday, a British sociologist and the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead in London shortly after resigning amid plagiarism allegations and questions about his academic record. The police said his death was unexpected but not suspicious, and Cambridge expressed sadness while offering condolences to his family.
Key Facts
Jason Arday was a 41-year-old professor known for his research on race, inequality, and education.
He resigned from Cambridge on August 5 after the university launched an investigation into his qualifications and academic conduct.
Police found Arday dead at a home in Battersea, south London, and ruled the death unexpected but not suspicious.
Arday denied any wrongdoing but said the public scrutiny affected him and his family deeply.
He was the youngest Black professor at Cambridge, appointed in 2023.
Arday had an autism diagnosis and overcame challenges like delayed speech and literacy to build an academic career.
His 2015 Ph.D. thesis was alleged to have over 100 passages very similar to another doctoral thesis.
Arday's family stated he faced ongoing harassment since joining Cambridge and asked for privacy.
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A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Indonesia’s Flores region early Saturday, causing a tsunami warning and prompting many people to evacuate. There were no immediate reports of deaths, but aftershocks followed, and small tsunami waves were detected.
Key Facts
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred at a depth of 10 km.
The epicenter was 68 km north-northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province.
Two aftershocks occurred, one measuring magnitude 6.1.
Indonesia’s agency BMKG issued a tsunami warning for East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara provinces.
Tsunami waves of 0.5 to 3 meters were predicted, but detected waves were between 19 and 30 centimeters.
Residents evacuated to higher ground, especially in the town of Maumere and nearby areas.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Australia’s tsunami warning center said there is no tsunami threat to Australia from this quake.
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"Mothers' Instinct" is a psychological thriller movie set in a U.S. suburb in the early 1960s. It shows how the close relationship between two best friends and neighbors changes forever after a tragic accident involving their sons.
Key Facts
The story takes place in the early 1960s in suburban America.
The main characters are two best friends who live next door to each other.
Both women have sons of the same age.
A tragic accident changes the relationship between the neighbors.
The film contains some scenes with sexual content and violence.
Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain star in the movie.
The movie runs for 1 hour and 29 minutes.
It is available to watch for 10 months on the BBC iPlayer.
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Jason Arday, the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge, was found dead at age 41 after resigning amid allegations of plagiarism and questions about his achievements. Cambridge has opened an investigation into the accusations, and Arday's family said he faced a prolonged campaign of abuse.
Key Facts
Jason Arday became the youngest Black professor at Cambridge University in 2023.
He resigned last week following public accusations of plagiarism and media scrutiny.
Arday denied plagiarism but acknowledged mistakes in his doctoral work.
The Metropolitan Police said his death was unexpected but not suspicious.
Cambridge University has started an investigation into the plagiarism claims and their hiring processes.
Arday’s family said he was subjected to sustained abuse and misinformation over three years.
Questions were raised about his academic work and claims of fundraising and athletic achievements.
More than 20 academics and politicians called the plagiarism accusations a “smear campaign” against Black academics.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck off the coast of Indonesia near Flores island. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and asked people to stay away from the shore and move to higher ground as a precaution.
Key Facts
The earthquake occurred at 5:58 a.m. local time near Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.
The quake’s depth was 10 kilometers below the surface.
The epicenter was about 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake.
Residents near the coast were told to avoid beaches and riverbanks and to move to higher ground.
No immediate reports of deaths or damage came in after the quake.
Officials are watching tide gauges closely to detect any tsunami changes.
Indonesia is located on the “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to many earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a site that honors Japan’s war dead but is controversial because it also commemorates World War II criminals. Countries like China and South Korea criticize such visits, seeing them as a sign that Japan does not regret its past military actions.
Key Facts
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2023.
The shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including some officials convicted of war crimes from World War II.
China and South Korea view visits to the shrine as insensitive and disrespectful.
Koizumi regularly visits the shrine on the anniversary of the war’s end and other times each year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi usually visits the shrine but chose not to this year to help maintain good relations with neighboring countries.
The shrine remains a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past for many of its Asian neighbors.
Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine often cause diplomatic tensions in the region.
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Sue Nyathi, a Zimbabwean author, wrote a novel called The Polygamist about a man with multiple secret wives. The book became a big success after Nyathi self-published it and was adapted into a popular Netflix series, now streamed in many countries including the United States.
Key Facts
Publishers initially said there was no market for Nyathi's novel about a polygamous man.
Nyathi self-published 500 copies of the book in 2012, which later became very popular.
The story is about Jonasi, a man who secretly marries several women, while one wife thinks the marriage is monogamous.
Polygamy is legally recognized in Zimbabwe and South Africa under certain customs, but the novel shows a secretive, modern form based on deception.
Nyathi’s own family practiced traditional polygamy where roles and responsibilities were clear and respected.
The book focuses on women’s struggles with lack of power and control in their relationships, including health risks like HIV.
The Netflix version is filmed in South Africa, in the Zulu language, and features fewer wives than the book.
The novel highlights women's perspectives, narrated entirely by the wives, unlike the TV show.
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In Singapore, a group of senior citizens is practicing parkour to help stay healthy and avoid injuries. Their coach says the sport builds their confidence, and the seniors enjoy the social connection it creates.
Key Facts
Singapore is one of the fastest aging countries in the world.
Seniors in Singapore have started practicing parkour, a physical activity involving running, jumping, and climbing.
Parkour helps improve seniors' confidence and physical health.
The activity also helps bring the community of seniors closer together.
Training sessions take place in local playgrounds.
Coach Tan Shie Boon leads the parkour sessions for seniors.
The BBC reporter Kelly NG observed one of the training sessions.
This effort is part of seniors creatively finding ways to stay healthy as they age.
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A strong earthquake measuring 7.7 in magnitude occurred off the coast of Indonesia near the Flores region early on Saturday morning. The quake happened at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers and was located about 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende.
Key Facts
The earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter scale.
It struck near Indonesia’s Flores region.
The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The event happened at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday.
The epicenter was about 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Ende city.
Indonesia has many earthquakes due to its position on the "Ring of Fire," a zone with many volcanoes and fault lines.
The U.S. Geological Survey provided the earthquake information.
Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands and is known for frequent seismic activity.
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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is asking for a clear schedule for Israel to leave Lebanese land and to stop destroying property. Hezbollah's leader criticized Lebanon’s government for risking the army’s safety by supporting the current deal with Israel. Talks involving the US are ongoing, but both sides have major disagreements, especially about Hezbollah’s weapons and Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon.
Key Facts
Lebanon’s Prime Minister wants Israel to stop damaging areas and leave Lebanese territory on a set timetable.
Hezbollah’s leader accuses Lebanon’s government of putting the army under pressure by agreeing to the deal.
US Ambassador to Beirut called the discussions positive but gave no date for future talks.
Hezbollah must disarm for Israeli attacks to stop, according to the US Ambassador.
Israel refuses to leave Lebanon’s south until Hezbollah gives up its weapons.
Israeli forces still occupy some towns in southern Lebanon and have destroyed homes and farmland.
Lebanese officials report thousands of deaths, injuries, and over a million displaced since attacks started in March.
The next round of negotiations is planned for early September.
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Six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group hit the al-Makha port controlled by Yemen’s government. The attack killed at least four people and caused a fire at the port, raising concerns about a return to full-scale war after a 2022 ceasefire.
Key Facts
The Houthi group fired six ballistic missiles at al-Makha port in Yemen.
The port is under the control of the Yemeni government.
At least four people died in the missile attack.
The attack caused a fire at the port facility.
There was a truce between the Houthis and Yemen’s government starting in 2022.
This missile strike has raised fears that the fighting could start again on a larger scale.
The conflict involves Yemen’s government forces and the Houthi group.
Al-Makha port is an important location for trade and supplies in Yemen.
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Thirty lions and tigers are being moved from a closed zoo in Argentina to wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa and the United States. The animals were kept in small concrete cages for years, and the rescue is one of the largest relocations of big cats in the world.
Key Facts
The animals come from the former Luján Zoo, located near Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Thirty big cats, including lions and tigers, are being transported in large crates.
Nine tigers and six lions will go to Lionsrock sanctuary in South Africa.
Eight tigers and seven lions will travel to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, USA.
The cats traveling to Colorado will have a flight stop in Chile.
Those going to South Africa will fly via Frankfurt or Amsterdam to Johannesburg, then drive to the sanctuary.
Some cats entered the transport crates willingly, but others needed sedation.
The Luján Zoo was shut down; it was known for allowing visitors to handle and take pictures with big cats.
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An air traffic controller in Phoenix prevented a possible accident when two American Airlines planes flew with the same flight number at the same time. The controller used clear instructions and kept the planes at safe distances until they passed each other safely.
Key Facts
Two American Airlines planes both used flight number 2482 and were in the same airspace near Phoenix at the same time.
One plane was arriving from Chicago while the other was departing from Phoenix.
The air traffic controller quickly clarified which plane was arriving and which was departing to avoid confusion.
The controller kept the arriving plane higher and directed the departing plane to stay lower to keep them safely separated.
The arriving pilot praised the controller for handling the situation well.
An aviation expert said the airline's dispatch center likely missed the overlap of these two flights with the same number.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and American Airlines will investigate the cause of this error.
Both the FAA and airline praised the professionalism of the controller and pilots for preventing an accident.
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A heat wave is setting new temperature records across Europe. At the same time, cities in Japan face floods caused by heavy rain, and Hawaii is preparing for rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Lala. In Italy, police recovered three stolen paintings by famous artists.
Key Facts
Europe is experiencing a heat wave with record high temperatures.
Several Japanese cities are flooded due to heavy rainfall.
Hawaii is getting ready for Tropical Storm Lala, which will bring strong winds and rain.
Italian authorities found three stolen artworks by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse.
The artworks were recovered recently by the police.
The heat wave and storms highlight unusual and extreme weather events in different parts of the world.
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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is growing quickly. More than 4,600 cases have been confirmed, and over 2,100 people have died, making it one of the deadliest Ebola outbreaks in history.
Key Facts
The outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There are over 4,600 confirmed Ebola cases.
More than 2,100 people have died from the disease.
The death toll has risen almost three times faster than in a previous outbreak over ten years ago.
Dr. Anne Rimoin, an expert in global health security, has discussed the situation publicly.
The outbreak is currently one of the worst by both cases and deaths in history.
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The Houthi group fired six ballistic missiles at the Yemeni port city of al-Makha, killing at least four people, according to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The attack involved targeting civilian and military sites and is part of growing conflict linked to wider regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Key Facts
The Houthis launched six ballistic missiles at al-Makha, a Red Sea port in Yemen.
At least four civilians were reported killed, with some sources saying up to eight people including security personnel died.
Several fishing boats caught fire during the attack.
The Houthis said they targeted military supplies, weapons, and warships of Saudi-backed forces.
The Houthi-run news agency reported a separate drone attack on a Saudi Aramco facility in Najran.
Saudi authorities and Aramco have not confirmed the drone attack.
The conflict is increasing amid stalled US-Iran talks and disputes involving Iran’s demands and President Donald Trump’s responses.
This violence is part of a broader regional conflict involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
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Greece is increasing efforts to stop illegal boat crossings from North Africa to the Greek island of Crete. Five European Union countries have reached an agreement to deport migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, with Uganda agreeing to take some migrants, though the deal is not yet finalized.
Key Facts
Greece is acting to reduce illegal migration by stopping boats coming from North Africa to Crete.
The migration crisis in this region has lasted for eleven years.
Five European Union countries have worked together to improve migrant deportation processes.
Uganda in East Africa has agreed to accept some migrants from the Mediterranean crossings.
The agreement with Uganda has not been officially signed yet.
The news report is from Athens by correspondent Malcolm Brabant.
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Tropical Storm Lala is expected to become a hurricane before reaching Hawaii’s Big Island early Saturday. It could cause heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds, with a hurricane warning issued for the Big Island and tropical storm warnings for nearby islands.
Key Facts
Lala should reach hurricane strength before hitting the Big Island.
If Lala makes landfall, it would be the first hurricane to do so on the Big Island since 1871.
The storm could bring up to 25 inches (63.5 cm) of rain to some areas, causing flooding.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Big Island; tropical storm warnings cover Maui County.
Shelters have opened and events have been canceled ahead of the storm.
Officials urge residents to stay alert and take safety precautions.
Dry and windy conditions may increase wildfire risks despite no red flag warnings.
Lala was located 340 miles east-southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with winds of 60 mph, moving west-northwest.
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