External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. This was their first top-level meeting since President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and raised H-1B visa fees to $100,000. The talks focused on trade and visa concerns. India and the US are now working toward a trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal leading negotiations in Washington. Both sides have also resumed discussions on a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Trump recently said he was confident the two countries would reach a deal. (PC: X/ANI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the $100,000 fee on H-1B visas announced by US President Donald Trump may hurt in the short term but could benefit India later. “Let’s not be doomsayers about this H-1B thing… let’s not allow ourselves to constantly feel that we’re the victims,” he told The Wire. Tharoor argued US firms may move jobs to India and Europe since America lacks enough engineers. He called Trump “a law unto himself” but said ties with India could still improve. While Congress leaders criticised PM Modi, Tharoor praised the government’s “measured and sensible” response. (PC: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo)

France is preparing to recognise a Palestinian state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia. The announcement is expected at the UN General Assembly in New York with support from other European nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the move, calling it “a huge reward to terrorism” and saying a Palestinian state “will not happen.” UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also urged Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported 61 deaths from Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours, raising the total toll since October 2023 to 65,344. (PC: X)

At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed after the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday. Reports said eight LS-6 bombs hit Matre Dara village in Tirah Valley around 2am, targeting Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Police claimed the Taliban stored explosives in a compound, which worsened the blasts. Opposition leaders condemned the attack, accusing the government of killing its own citizens. “This is an open crime against humanity,” PTI’s Abdul Ghani Afridi said. Locals shared videos showing injured children on makeshift beds. The Pakistan government has not issued a statement yet. (PC: HT)

Elon Musk's position on the H-1B visa program reflects a complex interplay of personal experience, corporate imperatives, and public statements that often appear contradictory. Musk himself entered the United States on an H-1B visa, a fact he credits with enabling his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of companies such as Tesla and SpaceX. While he openly praises the program for attracting critical talent from across the globe, he has also criticised its systemic flaws, calling it “broken” and advocating for reforms such as higher salary thresholds to prevent misuse and protect domestic workers. This nuanced stance places Musk at the center of a broader debate over immigration policy and its impact on the tech industry. (PC: AP)

The Supreme Court on Monday said it may be time to decriminalise defamation in India. Justice MM Sundresh made the remark while hearing a plea against a criminal defamation case filed by a JNU professor against The Wire. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for The Wire, agreed with the court’s view. Defamation is still a criminal offence under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code. In 2016, the Supreme Court had upheld criminal defamation, saying reputation was part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked anger by supporting pacer Haris Rauf’s provocative gesture during the Asia Cup clash in Dubai. Rauf made a Rafale-downing sign while facing boos from the crowd. Asif claimed, “6/0 will not be forgotten by India,” referring to Pakistan’s false claim of downing Indian fighter jets. India has denied the claim, with Dassault calling it incorrect. Experts said Pakistan is trying to deflect from its defeat as India chased 172 with ease, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 74 and a 105-run stand with Shubman Gill. Fans called Pakistan’s actions “humiliating and insensitive.” (PC: Times Now)

A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet once belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope was stolen from Cairo's Egyptian Museum on September 9. The artifact, featuring a lapis lazuli bead, was taken from a restoration lab lacking security cameras. It was sold for approximately $4,000, passed through multiple dealers, and ultimately melted down into new gold jewelry. Four individuals, including a museum restoration specialist, were arrested and have confessed to their involvement. The incident has ignited public outrage in Egypt, with calls for enhanced security measures at museums and a suspension of overseas exhibitions until better safeguards are implemented. (PC: AP)  

King Charles has firmly rejected Prince Harry's potential return to royal duties, maintaining the late Queen's strict "half-in, half-out" prohibition. Following a brief 54-minute meeting at Clarence House, the King made clear that royal responsibilities and commercial ventures cannot coexist. Harry reportedly desires increased UK presence and public appearances, but only as a private citizen without royal privileges. This decisive stance upholds Queen Elizabeth II's established precedent that working royals cannot simultaneously pursue private commercial deals. The decision marks a definitive new chapter for the Sussex relationship with the monarchy, where family connections may persist but official royal status and associated privileges remain permanently severed.

Lionel Messi is officially returning to India for the first time since 2011. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the Argentine World Cup champion will visit Mumbai on December 14, 2025, as part of the GOAT Tour. The 38-year-old eight-time Ballon d'Or winner sent Fadnavis a personally signed ball ahead of the visit. Young under-14 footballers from across Maharashtra will be selected to train directly with Messi, creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring players. Additionally, Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed Argentina's national team, including Messi, will play a friendly match in Kerala during the November 2025 FIFA International Window, expanding his India tour.