Canada has designated Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang as a "terrorist entity" under the Criminal Code, enabling authorities to freeze or seize gang assets including cash, vehicles, and property. The gang is linked to murder, extortion, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking operations in India and abroad. This designation grants law enforcement enhanced powers to prosecute terrorism financing offences. Immigration officials can now deny suspected gang members entry into Canada. Under Canadian law, it's now a criminal offence for citizens domestically or abroad to knowingly deal with property connected to the Bishnoi gang or provide resources benefiting its activities. The move significantly strengthens legal tools against the transnational criminal organization. (PC: Gulf News)

The Indian High Commission in London condemned the vandalism of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Tavistock Square, calling it a "shameful act" and violent attack on nonviolence's legacy. The incident occurred three days before International Day of Nonviolence. The Commission has strongly raised the matter with local authorities, demanding immediate restoration to the statue's original dignity. Sculpted by Fredda Brilliant and unveiled by British PM Harold Wilson on May 17, 1968, the statue has stood for over half a century. Tavistock Square, known as London's "peace park," also houses memorials for Hiroshima victims and conscientious objectors. The seated Gandhi figure was historically used by Doordarshan for news bulletins.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in New York on Monday to discuss strengthening diplomatic ties. Jaishankar described the meeting as positive and welcomed the recent High Commissioner appointments as crucial for rebuilding relations. He expressed eagerness to welcome his Indian-origin counterpart to India soon. India-Canada relations deteriorated after former PM Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government involvement in Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 2023 killing, which India strongly denied. The diplomatic crisis saw envoy recalls and diplomat expulsions. However, ties improved after Liberal Party leader Mark Carney became Prime Minister in April. At June's G7 summit, Modi and Carney agreed on constructive steps, including early envoy returns. (PC: X/@ANI)

Haifa's Mayor Yona Yahav announced Monday that the city's school history books are being corrected to credit Indian troops, not British forces, for liberating the city from Ottoman rule in 1918. Indian cavalry regiments like Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers executed the last great cavalry campaign in history, clearing Mt. Carmel's rocky slopes. Over 74,000 Indian troops died in WWI, including 4,000 in West Asia. History textbooks now teach this story from grades 3-5. India commemorates September 23 as Haifa Day annually. Memorials exist in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle, with 900 Indian soldiers interred there. Teen Murti Chowk was renamed Teen Murti Haifa Chowk in 2018 honoring this sacrifice. (PC: India Today)

Canada has officially designated the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, citing violent operations nationwide. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated groups using fear, violence, and extortion must be held accountable. The transnational criminal organization, operating primarily from India with presence in Canadian diaspora communities, engages in murder, shootings, arson, and extortion. The listing enables authorities to freeze assets, prosecute members, and restrict financing and recruitment. Lawrence Bishnoi, currently jailed in Gujarat's Sabarmati Central Jail, leads the gang linked to high-profile crimes including Sidhu Moosewala's murder and threats to Salman Khan. The gang gained prominence after Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 2023 killing, straining India-Canada relations. (PC: NDTV)

A coordinated online campaign targeting Indian H-1B visa holders caused major travel disruptions as users rushed to the U.S. following H-1B fee announcements. Ms. Tamanam faced repeated crashes on airline websites, with checkout pages timing out faster than normal. After multiple attempts, she rebooked a one-way Qatar Airways ticket to Dallas for around $2,000 — over double her original round-trip fare. The campaign, originating from 4chan and shared among far-right supporters on Telegram, encouraged users to “clog the flight reservation system” to delay Indians’ travel. Many faced panic-induced high costs. (PC: Reuters)  

A Durga Puja pandal in Baharampur, West Bengal, has shown US President Donald Trump as the ‘asura’ or demon. The Khagra Shmashanghat Durga Puja Committee said this was a protest against Trump’s recent actions, including 50% tariffs on Indian goods and strict visa rules. Organisers also accused him of betraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had once called him a friend. Local artist Asim Pal made the idol, which was inaugurated by Baharampur Municipality Chairman Narugopal Mukhopadhyay. Videos of workers styling the idol with Trump-like hair and eyebrows went viral, sparking mixed reactions online. (PC: Facebook.com/Soumavo's Creations)

Navratri 2025 celebrations have taken social media by storm in Pakistan, with videos of Garba and Dandiya dances going viral. The Indian festival, traditionally celebrated with music, dance, and devotion, is gaining popularity among diverse communities in Pakistan, reflecting a cultural crossover. Clips from various cities show participants enthusiastically performing traditional dances, dressed in vibrant attire, generating excitement online. Social media users have praised the celebrations for promoting cultural appreciation and cross-border unity. Experts say such trends highlight the influence of Indian traditions beyond national boundaries, fostering shared cultural experiences and mutual understanding between the two nations.

For the first time, New York City will host Sharadiya Durga Puja at Times Square on October 3–4, 2025. Organized by the Times Square Durga Utsav Association, the event will be staged at Father Duffy Square, inspired by Kolkata’s Maddox Square and Dhaka’s Dhakeshwari Temple. A specially crafted idol from Kumartuli, Kolkata, will be the centerpiece. Traditional rituals like Sindoor Khela and Dhunuchi Naach will be performed, alongside cultural programs by artists from India and Bangladesh. Open to all, the festival will also be streamed globally, showcasing unity and cultural pride for the diaspora.      

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick escalated trade tensions with India, saying the country "needs fixing" and must "play ball with the President" to access American consumers. Lutnick grouped India with Brazil and Switzerland as countries requiring correction, demanding they open markets and stop harming US interests. India currently faces steep US tariffs reaching 50% on certain goods, plus 100% duties on pharmaceutical products. The 50% tariffs include a 25% penalty for India's Russian oil purchases. Roughly 40% of Indian pharmaceutical revenue comes from the US market. Despite threats, India-US trade talks resumed with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's September 22-24 Washington visit, described as "productive" by both sides seeking mutually beneficial agreements.