The Jantar Mantar assault controversy intensified after a viral podcast clip in which influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj appeared to claim he struck student protester Nishu Azad’s father, Sanjay Kumar, on the head with an iron bracelet. Bhardwaj later described the incident as self-defence and said his earlier remarks were made jokingly. The CJP has demanded his arrest and stronger charges, including an attempt-to-murder provision and action under the SC/ST Act. Delhi Police disputes claims that Kumar suffered a skull fracture, saying medical records classified the injuries as simple. Police have added the SC/ST Act and ordered a fresh medical examination. (PC: X)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed the successful launch of ISRO’s GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the advanced Earth Observation Satellite EOS-05, calling it a proud moment for the country. The mission successfully placed EOS-05 into its intended transfer orbit, marking an important step in India’s satellite and Earth-observation capabilities. Designed for operation from geosynchronous orbit, the satellite will provide continuous imaging of India and surrounding regions, supporting applications including disaster management, agriculture, weather monitoring and strategic needs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated ISRO, describing the achievement as a reflection of India’s growing technological capabilities and space-sector strength. (PC: ISRO)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she became Italy’s longest continuously serving prime minister in the postwar era. Meloni reached the milestone after 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous record associated with Silvio Berlusconi. Modi described the achievement as a reflection of the trust and confidence of the Italian people in Meloni’s leadership. He also highlighted her friendship and role in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership. Modi expressed his intention to continue close cooperation between the two countries and wished Meloni continued success in the years ahead. (PC: X)

OpenAI has launched GPT-6 Astra, describing it as its most intelligent and aligned AI model yet. Released on September 3, Astra is designed to handle advanced reasoning, software engineering, scientific research, cybersecurity and professional workflows. The model can interact with computers, browse the web, complete forms, manage calendars, update records, write and test software, and create documents and presentations. OpenAI reports strong benchmark results, including 99.9% on ARC-AGI-3 and 100% on ExploitBench. Astra has also reached the company’s highest cybersecurity capability threshold, prompting additional safeguards. Its rollout began with selected organisations, followed by wider availability. 

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered Indian conglomerate Tata Chemicals to end its operations in the country, accusing the company of failing to deliver sufficient economic and industrial benefits to Kenya. The dispute centres on Tata Chemicals Magadi, which operates a major soda ash facility near Lake Magadi in Kajiado County. Ruto said the government plans to bring in two new companies to replace Tata, including facilities for glass and chemical production in Kajiado. Kenya had already suspended Tata’s mining operations in July over regulatory concerns. Tata Chemicals says it has submitted the requested documentation and remains committed to resolving the dispute through legal and regulatory channels. (PC: X)

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s much-anticipated memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, will be published in India by HarperCollins on November 10, 2026, after Penguin Random House India withdrew from the project. � The book is expected to cover Gandhi’s childhood in Italy, marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, his assassination, her entry into politics and her decades at the centre of Indian public life. The change of publisher follows a dispute over proposed editorial changes and deletions. Congress leaders alleged political pressure, while Penguin denied such claims and said its editorial process involved fact-checking and recommendations. (PC: X)

A preliminary investigation into Air India flight AI2379, which experienced a sudden altitude drop while flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4, has revealed a serious technical failure. The Airbus A320neo temporarily lost pressure in all three hydraulic systems, causing the autopilot to disengage and flight controls to be affected. The aircraft climbed 372 feet before dropping nearly 292 feet, injuring 20 passengers and four crew members. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau also found the captain’s confirmatory test “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance and called the finding a serious concern, recommending priority action by DGCA. The investigation into the incident continues. (PC: India Today)

US Vice-President JD Vance faced criticism after a US missile strike in southern Iran reportedly killed four people, including a child, during a wedding celebration. The Iranian Red Crescent said shrapnel struck a residential home in Kuhestak, Sirik county, killing four and injuring more than 50 people. When asked whether the US was responsible, Vance said he was “extremely skeptical” of Iranian reports and insisted that America does not target civilians, adding that “sometimes things happen.” The incident has intensified scrutiny of US military operations in Iran and renewed concerns over civilian casualties as the conflict continues into its seventh month. (PC: Getty Images)

Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned, taking political responsibility for problems surrounding a €70 million ammunition procurement deal intended to supply artillery shells to Ukraine. The agreement, signed in 2024, involved Italy-registered Datasel S.R.L., owned by Indian company Neco Defence Munitions. Reports said the companies had no previous record of selling artillery ammunition when the contracts were awarded. Estonia had paid around €70 million upfront using European Union funds. The procurement later faced concerns over delays and ammunition requirements, triggering a dispute. Estonia’s National Audit Office criticised weaknesses in defence procurement, prompting Pevkur to step down. 

Director Vishal Chaturvedi has criticised the Hindi film industry for failing to support Hanuman Ansh when it was struggling, saying some people who did not help are now congratulating him after its success. The film, released on August 7, initially had more than 350 shows nationwide but faced reduced screenings because of competition from other releases. Chaturvedi said the movie gained momentum through word of mouth and direct audience engagement, with the film reportedly nearing ₹75 crore. He also described Bollywood as divided between genuinely passionate filmmakers and those pursuing filmmaking without sufficient commitment, questioning the industry’s understanding of what audiences will embrace. (PC: NDTV)