US President Donald Trump confronted CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at the United Nations on September 22, telling her that CNN “should not be here” covering him. Trump appeared to suggest CNN had previously said it would not cover him, but Collins later said the network had made no such statement. The confrontation came after the White House barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from its grounds and removed CNN from presidential pool coverage. The three outlets have sued the administration, arguing the restrictions violate First Amendment protections. A federal court hearing on their request for temporary relief was scheduled for Wednesday. 

Iran reportedly offered to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eased military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports. The proposal, attributed to a senior Iranian official, was linked to efforts to revive diplomatic negotiations during the UN General Assembly. Reports of the possible reopening briefly pushed oil prices lower as markets anticipated reduced supply disruption risks. However, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency later denied that Tehran had made such an offer, calling the reports inaccurate. The conflicting statements have increased uncertainty over diplomacy and the future of shipping through the vital waterway. (PC: X)

The United States has announced an additional $31 million to support Nepal’s recovery from devastating floods. The package includes $10 million for permanent bridges to restore damaged transport links and improve regional connectivity. Another $8 million will fund water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, protection, livelihoods and winterisation assistance for affected communities. The remaining $13 million will support US-made drones for future disaster-response operations. The announcement was made by US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker during a meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in New York. The latest commitment brings total US flood-response assistance to Nepal above $36 million. (PC: AP)

A young couple travelling on a motorcycle towards Kapilash in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district was allegedly stopped and assaulted by a group of people. A video circulating on social media appears to show several men surrounding the couple, assaulting the man and behaving inappropriately towards the woman, who repeatedly pleaded for them to stop. The circumstances that led to the confrontation remain under investigation. Gondia police said three people—Saroj Nayak, Samir Nayak and Sangram Rath—have been arrested. The incident surfaced days after a similar assault involving two minors in Bihar’s Jamui, drawing renewed attention to public safety and harassment.

Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, 23, won the silver medal in the women’s road race at the 2026 Asian Games near Nagoya, Japan, finishing behind China’s Guo Li. Hashimi began cycling as a teenager in Afghanistan and said she sometimes disguised herself as a man to train, facing attacks and intimidation. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, she fled Afghanistan with assistance from former world champion Alessandra Cappellotto and relocated to Italy. Hashimi, who competed at the Paris Olympics, said the silver medal represents resilience among Afghan women. She hopes future Afghan girls can compete without fear. (PC: Reuters)

A nearly seven-hour hostage standoff in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, ended early Wednesday after Arvind Singh, accused of killing his wife and two priests during a dispute over a puja, was shot by police. Singh had allegedly locked himself inside a room with his three children and refused repeated appeals to surrender. During the standoff, his eight-year-old son was critically injured in the firing and later died in hospital. Police subsequently rescued Singh’s two daughters safely. Singh also died from injuries sustained during the police response. Authorities have launched an investigation, with forensic teams collecting evidence from the scene.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan must demonstrate a firm commitment and take credible action against cross-border terrorism before its assurances are trusted internationally. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks on September 22 while responding to comments by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who said Pakistan’s armed forces were determined to defeat terrorism. India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to end support for cross-border terrorism. Jaiswal’s comments came amid heightened regional tensions, including Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Afghanistan, which India condemned as harmful to regional peace and security. (PC: ANI)

US President Donald Trump again claimed at the United Nations General Assembly that his administration helped stop a full-scale India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Trump said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for helping save “30 million lives.” He presented the episode as part of his foreign policy record and said US diplomatic efforts helped de-escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. India, however, has repeatedly rejected the claim that Washington mediated the ceasefire. Indian officials have said the cessation of military action was agreed through direct communication between the Indian and Pakistani militaries. Trump’s latest remarks came during his September 22 UNGA speech.

India faces a busy day at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on September 23, with Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu among the major names in action. Bhaker will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol qualification alongside Suruchi Inder Singh and Esha Singh, with the final scheduled later if they qualify. Mirabai will contest the women’s 49kg weightlifting final, seeking her first Asian Games medal. India’s men’s badminton team will face China in the semifinal after beating Japan in the quarterfinals. Wushu athlete Roshibina Devi will also compete in the 60kg Sanda semifinal. India’s women’s hockey team will meet Thailand. (PC: India Today)

A Sri Lankan court has sentenced 15 men to 220 years of rigorous imprisonment each for their roles in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar found them guilty on Tuesday after a lengthy trial. The coordinated attacks on April 21, 2019, targeted three churches and three hotels and killed 269 people, while more than 500 were injured. The court also ordered the confiscation of the convicts’ movable and immovable property. Nine other accused were acquitted and released. The attacks were carried out by nine suicide bombers, including Zahran Hashim, and were linked to the banned National Thowheeth Jama’ath group.