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)

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo has condemned Aryan Khan's directorial debut, The Ba*ds of Bollywood, for allegedly undermining the credibility of anti-drug agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Kanoongo accused the series of portraying law enforcement officials as corrupt or biased, thereby violating their human rights. He also highlighted a scene featuring actor Ranbir Kapoor using an e-cigarette, which contravenes India's 2019 ban on such products. The NHRC has issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Mumbai Police, urging action against the show's producers and distributors.     

Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati, the head of a prominent ashram in Delhi's Vasant Kunj, is on the run after more than 15 women accused him of molestation. The Sri Sringeri Math administration has removed him from his post as director, and the police have revealed his last known location in Agra. According to the police, Chaitanyananda Saraswati is originally from Odisha and had been living in the ashram for 12 years, serving as both the operator and caretaker. The ashram has lodged complaints with the relevant authorities regarding his illegal acts. This isn't the first time that Chaitanyananda Saraswati, formerly known as Swami Parthasarathy, was accused of criminal charges. In 2009, a case of fraud and molestation was filed in Defence Colony, and in 2016, a woman in Vasant Kunj filed a molestation complaint. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that India is "mostly" on Ukraine's side, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's claim at the UN General Assembly that India and China are "primary funders" of Russia's war by purchasing Russian oil. Zelenskyy acknowledged India's energy-related challenges but emphasized its support for Ukraine. Trump criticized European allies for hypocrisy in buying Russian energy while opposing the war, urging them to cease such purchases. This exchange highlights differing perspectives on India's role in the ongoing conflict. (PC: Reuters)

Paramjit Singh, a 48-year-old Indian-origin businessman and U.S. green card holder, was detained by ICE at Chicago O’Hare Airport on July 30, 2025, over a 1999 payphone-related felony. Although he served a short sentence and completed community service, a 2023 court order had expunged the felony. Singh’s family claims ICE ignored this ruling, misrepresented his criminal record, and denied him bond. He faces serious health issues, including a brain tumor and heart problems, with inadequate medical care in detention. The case raises concerns over ICE detention practices and treatment of long-settled immigrants.

In a recent address to the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump falsely claimed that London sought to implement sharia law under its mayor, Sadiq Khan. Trump described Khan as a "terrible" mayor and suggested that London had "changed" under his leadership. These remarks have been widely condemned by UK Labour MPs, who have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take action against Trump's "bigoted" statements. A spokesperson for Khan dismissed Trump's comments, emphasizing London's safety and its appeal to American citizens.   

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, an escalator unexpectedly stopped mid-ascent just as Donald Trump and Melania Trump stepped on it. The couple then climbed the stationary escalator on foot. The White House called for a probe, implying potential sabotage. UN officials countered it was a triggered safety mechanism activated by someone ahead. Trump later quipped about “a bad teleprompter” too — both incidents fueling speculation amid tense US-UN dynamics.   

The Luv Kush Ramleela Committee in Delhi has removed actress Poonam Pandey from the role of Mandodari following protests by the VHP and BJP, citing concerns over “public sentiments.” A steering-committee meeting led to the decision, and she was formally informed in writing. Originally, Pandey had been cast opposite Arya Babbar (as Ravana) in the UNESCO-recognized Ramleela at Red Fort. Critics, including BJP’s Praveen Shankar Kapoor and VHP’s Surendra Gupta, had urged her replacement on grounds of her past public image. (PC: The Hindu)