Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Trump says he believes Ukraine can win back territory lost to Russia with NATO’s help

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) that Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader’s call on Kyiv to make concessions. Mr. Trump offered his position in a social media posting soon after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Mr. Trump, in part, wrote, “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

India, China ‘primary funders’ of Russian war: Trump at UNGA

Taking his oft-repeated allegations against India to the floor of the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) accused India and China of being “primary funders” of the Russian war in Ukraine. He also claimed again that he stopped the India-Pakistan conflict in May. Mr. Trump said he was prepared to impose “very strong tariffs” that would end the purchase of Russian oil but wanted European countries to join in the effort. He said that many NATO countries continued to purchase Russian energy, including gas.

Ex-winner Kiran Desai shortlisted for Booker Prize for ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’’

Booker Prize-winning author Kiran Desai, on Tuesday (September 23, 2025), returned to the coveted literary award shortlist with ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’, a novel described by the judges as a “vast and immersive” tale about a pair of young Indians in America. The 53-year-old Delhi-born author, who won the Booker Prize 19 years ago in 2006 with ‘The Inheritance of Loss’, joins six writers from around the world on the coveted literary shortlist. Ms. Desai’s latest novel stands out as the longest, weighing in at 667 pages and published by Hamish Hamilton.

Don’t let boundary issue of the past define current India-China ties: Chinese envoy

India-China ties reached a “new level of improvement” after the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said on Tuesday (September 23, 2025). He said the two countries should not let the boundary dispute define ties between them.

Nine electrocuted as rain pounds Kolkata, suburbs

At least nine people died due to electrocution in Kolkata and its suburbs after heavy rains lashed the city on Monday night (September 22, 2025) and the early hours of Tuesday (September 23, 2025) due to a low pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal. The city received about 247. 5 mm rainfall in 24 hours till 6.30 a.m. on Tuesday (September 23, 2025), leading to waterlogging in several neighbourhoods. Suburban railway and metro services were disrupted as normal life came to a standstill in the city, just days before Durga Puja festivities are set to begin.

71st National Film Awards: President Murmu lauds women-centric films

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) presented the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023 to actor Mohanlal and gave away awards to the other winners at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony. “Cinema is the heartbeat of my soul. Jai Hind!” said Mr. Mohanlal after receiving the country’s highest cinema honour. Congratulating all the winners, Ms. Murmu spoke about Mr. Mohanlal’s phenomenal contributions, stating that the accomplished actor effortlessly portrayed emotions ranging from the most gentle to the most intense.

Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Vikrant Massey honoured with National Film Award

After over 30 years in the film industry, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan finally received his first National Film Award for Best Actor. On Tuesday, Shah Rukh was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. The National Film Award winners were announced in August, with Shah Rukh Khan named Best Actor in a Leading Role. After the announcement, SRK had taken to social media to share an emotional video of gratitude for his fans, team, family, and colleagues.

Yunus meets Trump envoy Gor, reiterates need for ties with ‘landlocked’ Nepal, Bhutan & India’s northeast

Bangladesh needs to strengthen economic relations with “landlocked” Nepal, Bhutan, as well as the northeastern States of India, said Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, in a meeting on Monday (September 22, 2025) with Sergio Gor, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ambassador-Designate for India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.

Allahabad High Court stays EOW probe against 558 aided madrassas in Uttar Pradesh

The Allahabad High Court, earlier this week, stayed a probe by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) against 558 aided madrassas in Uttar Pradesh. The probe into alleged violations of human rights in the Madrassas was being conducted by the EOW on the directions of the National Human Rights Commission, which acted on a complaint made by a person named Mohammad Talha Ansari.

Iran’s supreme leader rejects direct talks with U.S. over his country’s nuclear programme

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected direct negotiations with the United States over his country’s nuclear programme on Tuesday (September 23, 2025). Mr. Khamenei’s remarks come as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian travelled to New York for the UN General Assembly. The comments likely will constrain Pezeshkian and halt any possible outreach to the Americans.

Norway police investigate explosion in central Oslo

Norwegian police said on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) they were investigating a blast on a street in central Oslo and later conducted a controlled detonation of a second explosive device found on the site, adding that a suspect had been apprehended for questioning. There were no reports of injuries at the location, in the immediate vicinity of a university campus and some 500 metres (546 yards) from the royal palace and the Israeli embassy.

Ryan Routh found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at Florida golf course

A man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course was found guilty on Tuesday (September 23, 2025). The jury of five men and seven women found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts that he was facing after 2 hours of deliberation. After the jurors were on their way out of the courtroom, Routh tried to stab himself in the neck. He grabbed a pen and started trying to stab himself in the neck. Marshals swarmed him and picked him up and dragged him out of the courthouse.

India to hold biggest drone, counter-drone drill since Operation Sindoor — ‘Cold Start’ in October

In the first week of October, India will conduct a large-scale joint exercise named ‘Cold Start’ in the Central Sector to test existing drone and counter-drone systems. Officials described it as the biggest such drill since Operation Sindoor, aimed at assessing the effectiveness and shortcomings of current air defence capabilities.

Former umpire Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird dies aged 92

Former Test umpire Harold “Dickie” Bird has died at the age of 92, Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced on Tuesday. Bird was one of the best-known and most respected officials in the game, standing in 66 Tests and 69 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals. Yorkshire issued a statement on their website saying Bird, “one of cricket’s most beloved figures”, had died peacefully at home.

India extends airspace closure for Pakistan aircraft till October 24

India has extended the closure of its airspace for Pakistan’s civilian and military planes till October 24. The neighbouring country has also closed its airspace for Indian aircraft till October 24. Both countries have shut their respective airspace for each other’s planes since April in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Karnataka High Court stays government’s rule capping cinema ticket price at ₹200

The High Court of Karnataka stayed the new rule capping cinema ticket prices at ₹200 (excluding GST) in all theatres and multiplexes across the State. On September 23, Justice Ravi V. Hosmani passed an interim order on the petitions filed by Multiplex Association of India, film production houses Hombale Films, Keystone Entertainment, and VK Films.