In a recent Fox & Friends interview, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump criticized pop star Taylor Swift for endorsing his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris. Trump claimed Swift, known for her support of Democratic candidates, would "probably pay a price for it in the marketplace." Swift announced her support for Harris on Instagram, praising her as a “steady-handed, gifted leader” and urging first-time voters to register. Trump also expressed preference for Brittany Mahomes over Swift, who faced backlash for the endorsement. Trump’s comments come after his debate with Harris.

Indian-origin teen Agastya Goel won his second gold medal at the 36th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), held in Egypt. Agastya, son of 1990 IIT-JEE topper and Stanford professor Ashish Goel, ranked 4th overall with a score of 438.97 out of 600. The IOI, one of the five toughest international science Olympiads, challenges high schoolers to solve complex algorithmic problems. Agastya’s achievement is celebrated globally, with many praising his academic excellence, following in his father's footsteps.

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan at 12:58 pm IST today, with tremors felt across North India, including Delhi-NCR. The quake, centered near Dera Ghazi Khan in Pakistan’s Punjab province, also affected parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. No casualties or significant damage were reported. Videos on social media showed ceiling fans shaking in Delhi. This earthquake follows a 5.4 magnitude quake in Islamabad on August 29.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based pro-Khalistan activist, has backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Sikhs in India, calling it "bold and historically accurate." Pannun, general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), said Gandhi’s remarks about the “existential threat to Sikhs” justified SFJ’s Khalistan Referendum campaign. Gandhi’s statement was made during his address in Washington D.C., where he highlighted the RSS's alleged discrimination against certain communities. Pannun, wanted in India on terror charges, said the Congress leader’s comments align with SFJ’s call for a referendum on Punjab’s independence.

The Congress accused the Centre of being responsible for the violence in Manipur, with spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stating, "Amit Shah must be sacked for his total failure." The party slammed PM Modi for not visiting the state, as Manipur burns with escalating violence. Inner Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam added, "The government has subverted the Constitution, and 60,000 people are displaced." RPG and drone attacks have worsened the situation since May 2023, leaving the state in turmoil. Congress questioned the government’s plan to resolve the crisis amidst blocked highways and economic distress.

A BJP-backed Sikh group protested outside Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi after his recent remarks on religious freedom during a visit to the US. Gandhi spoke about the challenges Sikhs face in practicing their religion in India, drawing criticism from the BJP. The protestors, carrying placards accusing Gandhi of defaming Sikhs abroad, tried to break through police barricades at Janpath Road. BJP leaders accused Gandhi of creating a "dangerous narrative" by raising sensitive issues internationally. The protest highlighted the ongoing debate over religious freedom in India and its political implications.

Palestine has secured a seat in the United Nations General Assembly Hall during its 79th session, despite not being a full member. The representative of Palestine, Riyad Mansour, sat at a table labeled "State of Palestine." Egypt's ambassador praised the moment as historic, while Israel denounced the decision as political favor. A prior UN resolution allowed Palestine additional participation rights. India voted in favor of the resolution and reiterated its support for a two-state solution. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for global solutions to conflicts, poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Kolkata junior doctors, protesting the rape and murder of a trainee at RG Kar Medical College, agreed to meet CM Mamata Banerjee on the 33rd day of their strike. However, they set conditions, including an open-forum discussion streamed live, justice for the murdered doctor, and safety for women professionals. The West Bengal government invited a 12-15 member delegation for talks, but the doctors rejected an earlier meeting with the health secretary, demanding his resignation. The BJP criticized Banerjee for avoiding direct dialogue with the doctors.

A case has been registered against an unidentified person for posting a false claim on social media that the Statue of Unity in Gujarat is developing cracks and could collapse anytime. The post, which has since been deleted, sparked alarm among tourists and authorities. An FIR was filed under section 353 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for spreading false information and causing public fear. The complaint was lodged by the Deputy Collector of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority. The police are investigating the matter to identify the person responsible for the misleading post.

A new bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has sparked controversy, with many criticizing its likeness to the royal couple. The sculpture, created by artist Anto Brennan, has been mocked online, with one commentator questioning the decision to approve it. The statue, intended to commemorate the late Queen, has divided opinions, highlighting the subjective nature of art. While some may appreciate the tribute, others have expressed disappointment and disbelief, suggesting it bears little resemblance to the royal pair. The backlash raises questions about the challenges of capturing public figures in art.