External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for reforms to the United Nations, saying the organisation has become “largely irrelevant” to decision-making on major global challenges because of persistent divisions within its Security Council. Speaking at the fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Monday, October 5, he argued that the world body’s decision-making structure no longer adequately represe

Voting began on Tuesday, October 6, for by-elections to six constituencies across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The contests cover five Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat, with several major parties competing in closely watched electoral battles. According to the ANI report, polling is taking place in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar, Tamil Nadu’s Madurantakam and Dharap

India-US Trade Talks Face a Difficult Phase India’s efforts to secure a trade agreement with the United States face fresh uncertainty after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said negotiations had reached a plateau. Her comments indicate that finding additional room for compromise could become increasingly difficult for both countries. Speaking at the Munic

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has set out three demands concerning the electoral process: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the use of ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines. Kharge described these demands as non-negotiable on Monday, October 5. His remarks come amid a dispute over the Election Commission

Israelis thank Smit Machchhar after flydubai attack Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has received an outpouring of gratitude from Israeli social media users after his actions during an alleged cockpit attack helped avert a disaster aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to Israeli authorities, Machchhar was seriously in

Indian captain injured in cockpit attack A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged attack inside the cockpit left Indian Captain Smit Machchhar seriously injured. Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, trigg

Gandhi Jayanti will be observed on Friday, October 2, 2026, marking the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The day honours his contribution to India’s freedom struggle and highlights his principles of truth, non-violence, simplicity and social responsibility. It is also an occasion to reflect on how these values can guide individuals and communities today. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, in present-day Gu

An Indian captain reportedly fought back after being stabbed during an alleged cockpit attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. His resistance helped prevent a potential disaster involving more than 180 people on board. The aircraft subsequently landed in Saudi Arabia, reportedly after two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers intervened. Initial accounts describe a violent confrontation inside the

Sonia Gandhi and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh reportedly expressed differing views over Nitish Kumar’s departure from the INDIA bloc during a Congress Working Committee meeting. Which cited Congress sources, Singh argued that the Opposition should have made greater efforts to retain the JDU leader, while Gandhi rejected that assessment. The reported exchange came during discussions on the Congress’s political strategy and its confrontation with th

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to skip the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi on Wednesday, September 30, has renewed questions about relations between the SP and Congress ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The Opposition gathering was called to discuss a joint agitation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and to press for Chief Election Commissioner

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged young people across India to join peaceful protests demanding safer public spaces for women. In a post and accompanying video, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha argued that the response to harassment and sexual violence should focus on those who commit the crimes, rather than on restricting women’s movements. Gandhi criticised what he described as a system that b

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held bilateral meetings with representatives of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Jordan and Nepal on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s annual meeting in Doha. The discussions covered investment agreements, infrastructure opportunities, trade, financial services and Nepal’s recovery needs after flooding. The Finance Ministry had listed the bilateral meetings as part of her September 2

India has not introduced a nationwide ban on social media accounts for everyone under 18. The issue is under consideration after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to address how minors sign up for platforms and agree to their terms of service. Reports on the government’s response suggest changes to the Information Technology Rules may follow, but the final wording and scope of any new rule have not been announced. The

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has drawn criticism from BJP leaders after contrasting the political use of Lord Ram and Lord Shiva during a conclave in New Delhi on September 28. Reddy described Shiva as the god of the poor and Ram as the god of the rich while arguing that the BJP has made Ram a prominent part of its political identity. His remarks have since become the centre of a dispute over religion and regional identity. Reddy also compared politic

New York, September 25, 2026: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah thanked India and China for their assistance after devastating floods in Nepal and called on the two countries to join a new Himalayan climate resilience mechanism. Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Shah said the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli disaster showed why countries sharing the mountain region must work together before the next emergency strikes.