Julia Molchanova, a Russian design student who met Jeffrey Epstein at 22, has spoken publicly for the first time about her years inside his network. She says Epstein initially promised to support her fashion career but gradually subjected her to psychological control, sexual abuse and strict rules. He presented young women as “assistants,” which Molchanova says concealed the abuse taking place in his homes. In 2019, she discovered unexplained credit cards and financial activity linked to her name, prompting her to challenge Epstein and seek help. Her account highlights the coercive tactics and financial manipulation she says enabled his exploitation. (PC: X)

India has supported a United Nations resolution promoting the Equal Earth map projection, designed to provide a more accurate representation of global land areas, particularly Africa. However, New Delhi clarified that its vote does not endorse any specific map, projection or depiction of national boundaries. The Ministry of External Affairs raised concerns over how Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which India considers sovereign territory, may be represented in maps. India stressed that cartographic representations should respect its territorial sovereignty and established position. The UN resolution passed overwhelmingly, with 164 countries supporting it, while the United States opposed it. (PC: AFP)

India produced a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai. Pakistan struggled against India’s spin attack and were bowled out for just 55 runs, their lowest-ever T20I total. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat claimed three wickets each, while Deepti Sharma took two, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup. India initially lost three top-order wickets for 29 runs but recovered calmly. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 18, while Deepti Sharma scored 12 not out. India reached 57 for three in just 8.4 overs, winning with 68 balls remaining and advancing unbeaten to the semifinals. (PC: The Hindu)

Singapore police are investigating racist and xenophobic online comments linked to the Nepal-Tibet disaster and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said. He called the remarks “shameful” and “totally unacceptable,” particularly comments targeting missing Singaporeans and the Indian community. Authorities may ask social-media platforms to remove content violating guidelines. Shanmugam also warned that allowing racist rhetoric to become normalised could damage Singapore’s multiracial social harmony. The controversy has intensified amid scrutiny of SIA’s Air India investment, with some online users directing ethnic attacks at company executives. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also condemned the racist backlash and urged Singaporeans to stand together. 

West Bengal’s 17-year-old powerlifter Madhura Kar has made India proud by winning four gold medals at the IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. Competing in the Sub-Junior Women’s 52kg category at a body weight of 49.35kg, the Jalpaiguri athlete recorded a total of 292.5kg. She won gold in the squat with 107.5kg, bench press with 60kg, deadlift with 125kg and the overall total. A Class XII student, Madhura previously won national championships in 2024 and 2025 and a National Bench Press gold in 2026. 

At least 10 students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have accused a professor of sexual harassment, prompting an investigation by the university’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The complaints, reportedly submitted about a month ago, allege that the professor invited students to gatherings at his on-campus residence, where he allegedly made inappropriate sexual advances, obscene gestures and remarks. Students have also accused him of making lewd comments during classes. The allegations are currently under investigation, and the claims have not been established as fact. University officials are examining the complaints through the ICC process. (PC: India Today)

Nearly 11 lakh names were deleted from Delhi’s electoral rolls between January 2025 and June 2026, before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) began. Some voters said they were unaware that their names had been removed.   The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s office said the deletions may have happened during routine voter list revisions or due to errors by Booth Level Officers.   Officials said affected voters can apply again using Form 6. Claims and objections can be submitted until September 30. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4, 2026.  

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for Muslims to be barred from garba and dandiya events during Navratri in Maharashtra. The group has asked organisers to check Aadhaar cards and apply tilak to identify Hindu participants.   VHP spokesperson Shriraj Nair said Navratri is a religious festival centred on worship of the Goddess. He questioned why people who do not follow idol worship should take part.   The announcement comes a month before Navratri begins on October 11. The VHP said the measures were precautionary and not aimed at targeting any community.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on Saturday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The talks come as Washington pushes for a new peace plan.   Russia and Ukraine also agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals for three days. The Kremlin said Russia would not target Kyiv, while President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would stop attacks on Moscow until Monday.   The US envoys are expected to visit Kyiv on Sunday. The renewed peace effort comes as missile and drone attacks continue to cause civilian deaths. (PC: AP)  

Iran has claimed that its Revolutionary Guard fired several ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer. The IRGC said the warships were targeted for interfering with Iranian ships and supporting a naval blockade.   Iran claimed both vessels were damaged and later left the area. The US military, however, said its ships evaded the attacks and no American personnel were injured.   The clash followed US strikes on Iranian oil tankers. Iran has warned that any further US action against its shipping could lead to stronger attacks on American military vessels.