Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reaffirmed Moscow’s support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Lavrov argued that the Council should better reflect the current global balance and opposed adding further Western countries, specifically mentioning Germany and Japan. Russia has consistently supported India’s permanent membership alongside Brazil. The UNSC currently has five permanent members—Russia, the US, UK, France and China—along with 10 elected members. India has been seeking Council reform to increase representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The Election Commission has revised rules governing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leading to stricter verification of voters’ eligibility. The changes were introduced after the experience of the Bihar SIR exercise, where electors were required to provide documents establishing eligibility, including citizenship, birth and residence details. Under the revised process, voters may receive notices where discrepancies or eligibility concerns arise, requiring them to submit supporting documents. The Election Commission says the exercise aims to ensure accurate electoral rolls and remove ineligible entries. The increased scrutiny has also triggered concerns over documentation requirements and the transparency of the verification process. (PC: The Hindu)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 26, said governments involved in terrorism must be held accountable. Without naming Pakistan, he criticised a “serial practitioner of terrorism” for allegedly misrepresenting facts and attempting to normalise terrorism. Jaishankar asserted India’s right to defend itself against terrorism and said its zero-tolerance policy would not be diluted. He also argued that friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism and called for terrorism financing to be exposed and countered. Jaishankar separately condemned attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers amid ongoing regional conflicts. (PC: X)

China used the United Nations General Assembly to call for peace and oppose what it described as unilateral US actions involving Iran and Cuba. Chinese representatives stressed that dialogue, diplomacy and respect for national sovereignty should guide efforts to resolve international conflicts. Beijing has also urged an immediate halt to military operations involving Iran and called for negotiations to prevent further escalation. The comments came after US President Donald Trump criticised Iran and Cuba during his UN address, prompting Iranian and Cuban delegates to walk out. China’s position reflects its broader call for de-escalation and negotiated solutions to international disputes. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and reducing hostilities in the Middle East. Iran proposed reopening the waterway within seven days and resuming talks on its nuclear programme. In return, Tehran sought the lifting of a US naval blockade, relief from oil sanctions, and a ceasefire covering the wider region, including Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the plan could begin once Washington accepted the terms. The proposal comes amid prolonged disruption to oil shipments through the strait, raising concerns over global energy supplies and economic stability. (PC: Reuters)

Indian squash player Anahat Singh produced a remarkable comeback at the Asian Games 2026, defeating Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe 3-2 in the women’s singles semifinal. The 18-year-old lost the opening two games 9-11 and 11-13 but fought back brilliantly. She saved two game points in the third game to win 12-10, followed by an 11-6 victory in the fourth. Anahat then dominated the deciding game 11-3 to complete the comeback. The victory makes her the first Indian woman to reach the Asian Games squash singles final and guarantees her at least a silver medal. (PC: AP)

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, began an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding action against those named in the case. The couple had initially planned to protest outside the IIT Bombay campus but were stopped by police, who said they had permission to demonstrate at Azad Maidan instead. They have alleged that Sahil faced caste-based discrimination and sought a speedy, independent investigation. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death, while IIT Bombay has constituted an internal committee. A faculty member named in the FIR has been sent on leave pending the probe. (PC: PTI)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel to 16 September 11 attacks, measuring the deaths proportionally to the populations of Israel and the United States. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu said about 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 people were taken hostage during the attack. He used the comparison to illustrate the scale of the assault for an American audience. Netanyahu also rejected allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and defended Israel’s military actions. His speech was marked by a mass walkout of delegates as he approached the podium. (PC: NDTV)

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke renewed his demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation after former Kerala chief secretary Jiji Thomson alleged that Kumar offered him a BJP candidature in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Thomson reportedly said Kumar asked him in 2016 whether he would contest from Pathanamthitta, but he declined. Dipke shared the allegation and called for Kumar to step down. The controversy comes amid wider disputes over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that its decisions were taken through established procedures. (PC: ANI)

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu advanced to the women’s singles quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in the Round of 16. Sindhu controlled the contest from the beginning, winning the opening game 21-9 and maintaining a strong advantage over the Japanese shuttler. Her composed play and effective shot placement kept Miyazaki under pressure throughout the match. Sindhu had earlier defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Pin-chian in straight games to reach the pre-quarterfinal stage. The quarterfinal victory keeps Sindhu’s campaign for an Asian Games singles medal on track. (PC: Reuters)