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.

Mithun Manhas was elected as the 37th president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during Sunday's Annual General Meeting in Mumbai. The 45-year-old former Delhi captain becomes the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to head the BCCI and the first uncapped player to lead the world's richest cricket board. Manhas was elected unopposed, succeeding Roger Binny who stepped down after turning 70. The appointment aligns with Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee recommendations requiring former players to head the board. Manhas had an impressive domestic career with 9,714 first-class runs and 27 centuries. Harbhajan Singh praised the decision, hoping Manhas will strengthen cricket infrastructure across India. (PC: India Today)

Indian researchers Vikash Kumar and Sarthak Mittal won the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in engineering design for studying how smelly shoes affect shoe rack usage. Their study with 149 first-year Shiv Nadar University students found shoe odor is a common problem in India, worsened by heat, humidity, and poor ventilation. The research originated from Mittal's observations at youth hostels where guests left shoes outside rooms as courtesy. Kumar, 42, assistant professor at Shiv Nadar University, taught Mittal during undergraduate years. They developed a prototype shoe rack with UVC tube light to kill odor-causing bacteria. The Ig Nobel celebrates quirky but legitimate scientific research that makes people laugh then think. (PC: BBC & India Today)

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco confirmed their marriage on September 27, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. The couple announced their wedding on Instagram with photos showing them in wedding attire. They got engaged in December 2024 after dating since 2023, though they've known each other for over a decade. The ceremony took place at a private estate in Santa Barbara with guests staying at the exclusive El Encanto hotel. Selena wore a satin halterneck gown with lace details for the intimate celebration. The former Disney Channel star and music producer shared polaroids and film footage from their special day, marking the next chapter in their relationship.

Kohinoor Islam, a 76-year-old Muslim man from Tentuldinga village in Odisha, has been organizing Sarbajanina Durga Puja for 39 years, creating remarkable communal harmony. Starting in 1986 to help local women avoid traveling to Baripada town for puja rituals, Kohinoor founded the celebration with 24 supporters. The committee has grown from 25 to 550 members from both Hindu and Muslim communities. Kohinoor credits "Allah and Goddess Durga" for the puja's success, while his daughters contribute financially despite living elsewhere. Priest Paritosh Nanda, serving 25 years, praises Kohinoor's devotion. The celebration distributes bhoga to all communities, with committee member Deepak Mishra calling it a festival where "Muslims too are important." (PC: The New Indian Express)

A Durga Puja committee in Murshidabad's Khagra area has sparked controversy by depicting Donald Trump as the demon Mahishasura in their pandal. The Khagra Crematorium Ghat Durga Puja Committee crafted the unique Trump-shaped demon for their 59th annual Durgotsav celebrations, created by renowned artist Asim Pal. Committee member Pratik explained the decision stems from Trump's fifty percent tariff policies, claiming he "betrayed Modi and India" despite being considered a friend. He stated they view Trump as a demon who "stabbed India from behind." The unconventional representation has drawn significant attention from visitors and locals, receiving positive responses from the neighborhood community. The pandal showcases the committee's bold political commentary through traditional religious festivities. (PC: Indian Express Bengali)

Survivors of the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur described the scene as a “human flood.” At least 39 people—including 10 children, 17 women, and 12 men—lost their lives, while over 80 were injured. Attendees from distant districts like Theni, Madurai, and Virudhunagar were caught in the chaos when ropes and hoardings along the Karur-Erode highway blocked escape routes. Many were trapped, and some injured while trying to flee. The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd management, prompting a government inquiry and relief measures.  

Andee Vaughan, a U.S. volunteer nurse who recently left Gaza, recounted the harrowing conditions at Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. She shared messages from former colleagues expressing fear, saying, "They are telling me they are going to die." During Israel's two-week ground offensive, two clinics were destroyed and two damaged hospitals shut down. A children’s hospital and an eye center also ceased operations. Shortages of medicine, equipment, food, and fuel have left facilities barely functioning. Patients and staff were forced to evacuate, leaving few medical personnel to care for the most vulnerable.

On September 28, 2025, Russia launched one of its largest drone and missile strikes on Kyiv since the full-scale war began. The early morning assault triggered widespread air raid alerts across multiple Ukrainian regions. At least six people were reported injured, and residents sought shelter in metro stations as anti-aircraft fire lit up the skies. Neighboring Poland temporarily closed airspace near two southeastern cities and scrambled fighter jets in response. The ongoing attacks highlight escalating threats to civilian infrastructure and regional security, underscoring the intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine. (PC: Reuters)

Following the U.S. decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, Canada is actively wooing skilled tech professionals, particularly from India, which accounts for over 70% of H-1B holders. Canadian officials, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, emphasized reviewing immigration policies to provide an alternative pathway for talent that might have gone to the U.S. This initiative aims to boost Canada’s tech sector and economy, positioning the country as a favorable destination for global tech talent. Other nations like the UK and Germany are also exploring similar opportunities for skilled professionals.