Guterres Calls for Security Council Reform in Final UNGA Address
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that the 15-member body must better reflect today’s geopolitical realities. Speaking in his final high-level address to the 81st UN General Assembly, Guterres said the international institutions created after World War II no longer fully
Supreme Court Says State Can Set National Song but Conscience Cannot Invite Criminal Penalty
New Delhi | September 22, 2026 The Supreme Court has said that an elected government can determine the scope and prescribed version of the National Song, but a person who respectfully refuses to sing it on grounds of religion or conscience should not face criminal punishment. A three-judge Bench headed
Trump Vows Iran Will Never Get Nuclear Weapon at UN General Assembly
New York | September 22, 2026 US President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly that he would never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, while presenting negotiations and continued military pressure as the two possible paths forward. Speaking at the 81st UN General Assembly, Trump said the
R N Kao and R&AW: How India Built Its External Intelligence Agency
New Delhi | September 22, 2026 India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), marked its 58th anniversary this week, bringing renewed attention to its founder and first chief, Rameshwar Nath Kao. Established in 1968, R&AW was created as a dedicated external intelligence organisation after the security challenges
Political Shell Parties: Rising Donations Raise Questions Over India’s Party Finance System
New Delhi | September 22, 2026 India has more than 2,800 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), reflecting the scale and diversity of the country’s political system. But unusually large donations reported by some little-known parties are raising questions about how the political registration and tax framework is being used. An
India vs Sri Lanka Asian Games 2026 Final: Women Battle for Cricket Gold
Nisshin, Japan | September 22, 2026 India and Sri Lanka face each other in the women’s cricket gold-medal match at the Asian Games 2026, with India looking to defend its title and add the country’s first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Games. The final is being played at Korogi Sports
US Threatens Global Shutdown of Iranian Airlines From September 23
Washington | September 22, 2026 The United States has warned that Iranian airlines could be effectively shut out of international operations from September 23, as Washington expands sanctions pressure on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said foreign airports, fuel suppliers and other companies could face consequences if they continue
V4 Countries Back India’s Permanent UNSC Membership Bid
India’s campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) received fresh support from four Central European countries during the first V4-India foreign ministers’ meeting in New York. The Visegrád Group (V4) — Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic — collectively backed India’s demand for permanent
Government May Phase Out UPI Subsidies as MDR Revenue Begins
The Indian government is considering phasing out subsidies for low-value UPI transactions as the introduction of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected higher-value payments creates a new revenue stream for banks and payment companies. The move would mark a shift from a largely subsidy-supported UPI model towards a more commercially
Noel Tata Proposes Tata Sons Restructuring to Avoid RBI-Mandated Listing
Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata has proposed exploring a restructuring of Tata Sons, including potentially splitting the holding company into multiple entities, as an alternative to a public listing required under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. The proposal was discussed at a Tata Sons board meeting on September 17,
