India's External Affairs Ministry demanded Russia cease recruiting Indian nationals as military support staff and release those currently serving in Russian armed forces. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal warned Indian citizens against joining Russian military, calling it "fraught with danger" amid reports of fresh recruitment. India has repeatedly raised concerns with Russian authorities in Delhi and Moscow over past year, urging end to this practice. The government remains in contact with affected families while emphasizing "risks and dangers inherent" in such offers. Indians have been serving as support staff like cooks and helpers with Russian military units. Prime Minister Modi previously raised this issue during his Russia visit, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: NZZ & BBC)

The UK will begin mass-producing interceptor drones to support Ukraine against Russian air attacks. The drones were designed by Ukraine with help from British scientists and are said to be highly effective against Moscow’s Shahed drones. Defence Secretary John Healey will announce details at a London trade show. The project is the first under a new UK-Ukraine technology-sharing deal signed earlier this year by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The news came after Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO forces to respond. Poland called the incident the most serious threat to its security since World War Two. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has asked the European Union to place 100 percent tariffs on China and India, reports said. The move is aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Trump told US and EU officials that Washington would raise tariffs only if Europe joined. He warned of higher duties on China and India, both major buyers of Russian oil. Last month, Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent. He said he would soon speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi responded that talks would boost India-US ties and support a stronger partnership. (PC: Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's military strike on Hamas headquarters in Qatar's Doha, drawing parallels to America's post 9/11 response. Netanyahu called October 7 Israel's "9/11 moment" and accused Qatar of harboring Hamas terrorists while providing them "sumptuous villas" and financing. He referenced US operations against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and killing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, stating "We did exactly what America did." Netanyahu urged nations harboring terrorists to "either expel them or bring them to justice" or face Israeli action. Qatar condemned the strike as "cowardly" and violating international law. The attack occurred as Hamas leaders gathered to consider a US ceasefire proposal, marking significant escalation.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot dead on Wednesday during a student event at Utah Valley University. Police said the shooter fired from a rooftop overlooking the courtyard, striking Kirk around 12:20 pm local time. He was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital but later died. Nearly 3,000 people were present at the event. Two men, George Zinn and Zachariah Qureshi, were briefly detained but released after questioning. The FBI has now launched a manhunt and opened a digital tip line. Utah’s governor called it a “political assassination.” US President Donald Trump called Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom.” (PC: Reuters)

Charlie Kirk, right-wing activist and a close aide of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead at Utah University on Wednesday during a college event. Amid the tragedy, Kirk’s controversial remarks on Indian migrants have resurfaced. On September 2, he posted on X: “America does not need more visas for people from India… We’re full. Let’s finally put our own people first.” His comments responded to Laura Ingraham’s post opposing visa concessions in U.S.-India trade deals. President Trump mourned Kirk as “great, and even legendary,” calling him a “martyr for truth.” Trump extended condolences to Kirk’s family and vowed action against those responsible for the killing and broader political violence, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to law and order.

India is set to approve a joint project between French firm Safran S.A and DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment to develop 120-140KN jet engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Safran will transfer 100% technology to DRDO under Indian IPR, including crystal blade technology. The collaboration will produce nine prototypes over 12 years, starting with 120KN capacity and scaling to 140KN. This follows PM Modi's Independence Day call for indigenous jet engine development. Unlike the conditional 70% technology transfer from US's GE-414 engines, France offers complete technology sharing. The engines will power twin-engine AMCA fighters developed by Indian private sector including Tata, L&T, and Adani Defence, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. (PC: Wikipedia & Hindustan Times)

Charlie Kirk, 31, conservative activist and Turning Point USA CEO, was fatally shot during a Utah Valley University debate. The incident occurred moments after Kirk responded to questions on gun violence. Spectators captured the shooting on video, showing Kirk bleeding heavily from the neck. President Donald Trump mourned Kirk as “Great, and even Legendary.” The suspected shooter remains at large, with one person detained but not identified as the assailant. The event had sparked campus controversy, with nearly 1,000 petitioning against Kirk’s appearance. The tragedy adds to a growing wave of political violence in the U.S., including recent attacks on lawmakers and public figures. Officials across party lines condemned the act.

The European Union is unlikely to impose steep tariffs on India and China despite President Trump's pressure during Washington talks this week. Trump urged 100% tariffs on both nations to squeeze Russia's energy revenues by targeting major Russian oil buyers. EU sources explained that unlike sanctions, tariffs require formal investigations lasting months to establish legal basis. The EU has already tightened Russia sanctions, adding Chinese banks and an Indian refinery in July, but considers sweeping tariffs a separate, higher threshold matter. Brussels is negotiating a trade agreement with New Delhi and won't jeopardize it. Officials warn broad tariffs are risky and overly blunt compared to targeted entity listings. (PC: Mint & News 18)

India strongly rebuked Switzerland's criticism at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th session, with diplomat Kshitij Tyagi calling Swiss remarks "surprising, shallow, and ill-informed." Switzerland had urged India to protect minorities and uphold freedom of expression and media rights. Tyagi, counsellor at India's Geneva mission, countered that Switzerland, currently holding the council's presidency, should avoid "blatantly false narratives" and instead address its own issues of racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia. He emphasized India's status as the world's largest, most diverse democracy with civilizational pluralism, offering to help Switzerland tackle these domestic challenges. The exchange occurred during a general debate, highlighting diplomatic tensions over human rights criticisms between the two nations.