A provocative bronze statue titled Best Friends Forever was installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2025, depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and late financier Jeffrey Epstein holding hands in a dance-like pose. Accompanied by a plaque celebrating their “long-lasting bond,” the artwork is credited to the anonymous group, The Secret Handshake Project, and will remain on display until Sunday under a National Park Service permit. The installation follows previous anti-Trump artworks in D.C. White House spokespersons dismissed it as a waste of money, while Trump denies any wrongdoing and is pursuing legal action against media reports linking him to Epstein.    

Protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent on Tuesday in Leh. The BJP office was set ablaze and a security vehicle torched as demonstrators clashed with police, who used tear gas and baton charges to control the unrest. The agitation was led by the youth wing of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), coinciding with a hunger strike by activists including Sonam Wangchuk. Following health concerns, Wangchuk ended his fast while urging peace. Talks with the Centre and regional representatives are slated for October 6. 

French President Emmanuel Macron declared that former U.S. President Donald Trump must push to end the Gaza war if he seeks a Nobel Peace Prize. Macron stressed that only Washington, given its military and political leverage over Israel, can decisively influence the conflict. He emphasized France does not provide the same level of military aid to Israel, making U.S. intervention vital. Trump, meanwhile, used his UN General Assembly speech to highlight his peace achievements but dismissed Palestinian statehood, underscoring a sharp divide between his approach and international expectations for peace in the Middle East.  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket membership immediately, citing repeated governance breaches, failure to establish a functional structure, and reputational damage. Despite the suspension, the United States’ cricket teams will still be allowed to compete in tournaments leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—such as the upcoming T20 World Cup. The ICC will temporarily oversee US team management to safeguard athletes' participation and the sport’s integrity. (PC: Getty Images)

A self-styled “African tribe” called the Kingdom of Kubala has refused to leave woodland in the Scottish Borders despite a second eviction notice. The group, led by Ghanaian Kofi Offeh, 36, and Zimbabwean Jean Gasho, 43, set up camp near Jedburgh earlier this year. They describe themselves as King Atehehe and Queen Nandi, joined by Texan “handmaiden” Kaura Taylor. After being evicted from private land, they moved a few metres onto council property. On Monday, they remained by a campfire, singing songs. Scottish Borders Council has started legal action, saying no one is above the law, and removal will continue. (PC: BBC)

As of September 2025, the State of Palestine has been recognized by 157 of the 193 United Nations member states, accounting for approximately 81% of the international community. This significant diplomatic milestone reflects a surge in global support for Palestinian statehood, particularly following Israel's intensified military actions in Gaza. Notably, several Western nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, and Monaco, have formally acknowledged Palestine's sovereignty in recent months. This collective recognition enhances Palestine's international standing, enabling it to establish embassies, engage in trade agreements, and pursue legal actions at international forums. However, despite this widespread recognition, the ongoing conflict and occupation continue to pose significant challenges to the realization of a viable Palestinian state.   

At the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi sharply criticized Pakistan for its recent airstrike in Matre Dara village, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the deaths of at least 30 civilians, including women and children. Tyagi accused Pakistan of "bombing their own people" and misusing the UNHRC platform to level baseless allegations against India. He also urged Pakistan to vacate the illegally occupied territories in Jammu and Kashmir and focus on addressing its internal issues, including economic challenges and human rights concerns. (PC: PTI)

Indian-born author Kiran Desai has been shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize for her novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, marking her return to the literary spotlight nearly two decades after winning the award in 2006 for The Inheritance of Loss. The novel intertwines the love story of its titular characters with themes of class, race, nationhood, and migration, earning praise from judges for its "unforgettable epic" quality. The shortlist also includes works by Susan Choi (Flashlight), Katie Kitamura (Audition), Ben Markovits (The Rest of Our Lives), Andrew Miller (The Land in Winter), and David Szalay (Flesh). The winner will be announced on November 10, 2025. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump admitted his personal friendship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin did not help in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Trump said, “I thought that would be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin. But unfortunately, that relationship didn’t mean anything.” Earlier, Trump welcomed Putin with red carpets and even shared his limousine during a summit in Alaska. But despite the show, Putin gained more from the optics. Now, Trump calls Russia a “paper tiger” and praises Ukraine’s fight, signaling a major shift in his stance. (PC: India Today)

A luxury Rolls-Royce Ghost was left stranded on a flooded road in Kolkata after record rainfall hit the city. The car, stuck in the middle of the waterlogged stretch with branches placed on its hood, quickly went viral online. Locals mocked the situation, writing “Lord Alto zindabad.” Heavy downpour has caused flooding in many areas, blocking traffic and disrupting daily life. Social media users criticized Kolkata’s poor drainage system and linked the crisis to climate change. The city has recorded its heaviest rain in 37 years, leaving 10 people dead and many public transport services suspended ahead of Durga Puja. (PC: HT)