A U.S. State Department spokesperson clarified that President Donald Trump is not interested in mediating the Kashmir conflict, reiterating Washington’s long-standing stance that the matter should be resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan. The official noted Trump already faces several global crises and does not want to be drawn into South Asia’s long-standing territorial dispute. However, the U.S. remains open to offering diplomatic support if both nations formally request it. This position reflects continuity in American foreign policy, discouraging outside interference while encouraging direct dialogue to maintain regional stability. (PC: NDTV)  

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived at the White House before 5 p.m. local time for a private meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. This marked the first time a Pakistani prime minister entered Trump’s Oval Office, with no prior PM doing so since Imran Khan in 2019. The closed-door talks are expected to cover bilateral relations, trade, regional security and global challenges. Trump praised both Sharif and Munir as “great leaders,” reflecting a visible shift toward closer U.S.–Pakistan engagement. 

Small US companies are worried after President Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. The programme allows skilled foreign workers to join US firms. Startups and nonprofits say the fee is too high and may stop hiring foreign staff. Abhishek Singh, a software manager, and Karen Brady of Ryther, a health nonprofit, expressed concern over workforce shortages. Big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft can afford it, but smaller firms struggle. Experts warn the policy could hurt innovation and push firms to hire abroad. For now, the fee applies only to future applicants. (PC: BBC)

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav attended an ICC hearing after his comments following India’s Asia Cup 2025 win over Pakistan. He dedicated the victory to Indian armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The hearing, presided over by Richie Richardson, followed an official ICC complaint. Suryakumar was accompanied by BCCI COO Hemang Amin and Cricket Operations Manager Summer Mallapurkar. The incident is classified as Level 1, and he may receive either a warning or a fine of 15% of match fees. The ICC will also review complaints against Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan. (PC: NDTV)

The UK government plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID for all adults. The “Brit Card” would prove a person’s right to live and work in the country. People would need it to start a job or rent a home. The move aims to reduce illegal work and small boat crossings. The system, inspired by Estonia, will be app-based and linked to a central database. Civil liberty groups have criticized the plan, calling it intrusive. A government consultation and legislation will be required before rollout. (PC: Sky News)

Pakistan Survived A Tense Match Against Bangladesh To Reach The Asia Cup 2025 Final. Chasing A Modest Total Of 136, Bangladesh Faltered Under Pressure, Losing Key Wickets Early. Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi Shone With Both Bat And Ball, Scoring 19 Runs And Taking 3 Wickets For 17 Runs. Bangladesh Struggled Against Pakistan’s Spinners Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub, And Abrar Ahmed, Collapsing To 124 All Out. Pakistan Won By 11 Runs, Booking A Historic Final Against India On Sunday, 28 September. This Marks The First India-Pakistan Final In Asia Cup History. (PC: India Today)

Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor at the 2025 International Emmy Awards. His role in Imtiaz Ali’s biopic Amar Singh Chamkila also earned a nomination for Best TV Movie/Mini-Series. The film, released on Netflix on April 12 last year, tells the story of Punjabi singer Chamkila and his wife Amarjot, who were assassinated at a young age. Parineeti Chopra played Amarjot. Diljit thanked director Imtiaz Ali and Netflix India for the recognition. The nominations also include David Mitchell, Oriol Pla, and Diego Vasquez. (PC: X)

Musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, present during the yacht trip linked to singer Zubeen Garg’s death, has been arrested by Assam’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning. Officials have not yet disclosed the nature of allegations or whether formal charges will follow. The SIT, led by Special DGP MP Gupta, is also investigating cultural activist Shyamkanu Mahanta and other associates, including members of the Singapore Assam Association. Authorities continue reconstructing the events that led to Garg’s sudden death during a swim in Singapore on September 19. (PC: India Today)

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail for criminal conspiracy in a case linked to illegal funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Paris court acquitted him of other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007-2012, said he will appeal and called the case politically motivated. He was also fined €100,000. Other accused included former interior ministers Claude Gueant and Brice Hortefeux, found guilty of corruption and criminal conspiracy. Sarkozy could face imprisonment in Paris in the coming days. (PC: BBC)

The death toll in the illegal stone quarry collapse at Nalhati, West Bengal, rose to seven. Tapan Mal, transferred from Bardhaman to Kolkata for treatment, died in a hospital on Thursday.   The accident occurred on September 12 at a quarry in Bahadurpur’s Shaldanga area. Six workers died immediately when soil and stones fell on them. Four others were critically injured. Rescue teams dug through the debris and took survivors to hospitals. The earlier deceased workers were Samaul Molla, Abid Sheikh, Hazrat Ali, Lalbabu Sheikh, Rath Mondal, and Kajal Let, all from poor families. (PC: Ganashakti)