Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji, 21, has spoken out about severe online abuse following her silver-medal-winning 140kg deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in South Africa. Her performance went viral, but the attention reportedly led to sexual harassment, impersonation, offensive comments about her identity, and thousands of AI-generated images using manipulated versions of her face and body without consent. Banerji created a new Instagram account after her private profile was suspended, saying she wants control over her identity and sporting story. She stressed that she simply wants to be known as a girl who enjoys deadlifting. 

Authorities in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, demolished a mosque located within the district Collectorate complex early Saturday under heavy security. The action followed a July order by the City Magistrate declaring the structure an illegal occupation of government land and directing its removal. On September 2, the district court dismissed a challenge by the mosque’s custodian and upheld the earlier order. The July ruling also imposed compensation of more than ₹6.41 crore. The demolition has triggered political controversy, with opposition leaders questioning the action and alleging restrictions on their movement. Authorities maintain the demolition followed the judicial process. (PC: X)

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. 

Explosions were heard on Saturday near Iran’s Kharg Island, a strategically important oil terminal in the Persian Gulf, amid renewed US-Iran tensions. Iranian media reported that a US missile strike targeted an Iranian oil tanker near the island, although the exact cause of the explosions was not immediately confirmed. Kharg Island is central to Iran’s crude-oil exports, making any attack in the area particularly significant for regional energy security. The incident comes amid escalating military activity around the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian maritime infrastructure. Independent verification of the reported tanker strike and damage remains pending. (PC: India Today)

The UK is set to increase the financial maintenance requirement for international students applying for Student visas from November 2026. Under the revised rules, students will need to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover higher living costs during their stay. The change is part of broader amendments to the UK’s Immigration Rules announced by the Home Office. The existing framework already requires applicants to show funds for accommodation and living expenses, with different thresholds for London and other parts of the UK. The increase could raise the upfront financial burden for students, including Indians planning to pursue higher education in Britain. 

A Guardian investigation has reported that seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April 2024 may have been targeted under an Israeli military policy allowing strikes based on suspected association with militants. The workers’ convoy had briefly interacted with armed men who were mistakenly believed to be Hamas members. Despite the vehicles being marked and the convoy having coordinated movements, Israeli drones struck three vehicles after they had left the delivery site, killing workers from Australia, Britain, Poland, the US and Palestine. The findings raise renewed questions about targeting procedures, accountability and protection of humanitarian personnel. (PC: Getty Images)

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)

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution supporting the Equal Earth map projection, designed to represent continents and countries more accurately. The move addresses distortions caused by the widely used Mercator projection, which makes regions near the poles appear disproportionately large while shrinking areas around the equator, including Africa. The resolution received 164 votes in favour, while the United States voted against it and six countries abstained. The US criticised the initiative as an ideological distraction from pressing global issues. The resolution is not legally binding but encourages wider use in education, institutions and digital mapping.

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)