The Government of India said on Saturday it will act in its own interest and is not under external pressure, after US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law.  The law lets the US President impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, but does not automatically impose them on any country.  Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh called such tariffs unfair and said energy is a primary concern for India. India will buy from commercially viable sources, he said. (PC: The Tribune)

A new study has found that glaciers in Uttarakhand are shrinking quickly, mostly because of global warming and changing weather. Khatling glacier is retreating fastest, at about 88 metres a year. Milam is pulling back by up to 37.8 metres annually, and Gangotri is shrinking by 22.02 metres each year. These glaciers feed major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, so rapid melt could seriously affect water for irrigation, drinking and hydropower projects in India and neighbouring countries. The findings add to growing concern over the fragile Himalayas. (PC: X)

Thick black smoke and flames were seen near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, causing major flight disruptions. Flight tracker Flightradar24 rated the airport 5.0, its highest disruption level, citing long delays and several cancellations.   The incident followed an overnight air raid alert from Saudi civil defence. Residents in Riyadh and Al-Kharj were told to stay indoors because of a "hostile aerial threat." An all-clear was issued on Saturday morning. It was the first such alert since fighting in neighbouring Yemen intensified this month.   Saudi authorities have not yet commented on the cause of the smoke. Passengers should check flight status with their airlines. (PC: HT)

The United States and Denmark have agreed on a new security arrangement involving Greenland after months of tensions over President Donald Trump’s calls for greater US control of the Arctic territory. Trump said the pact would give the US permanent control over Greenland’s security and allow Washington to develop a larger military presence. However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the agreement recognizes Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. The deal is expected to be formally signed during the UN General Assembly in New York next week and will require parliamentary approval. (PC: Getty Images)

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) Election 2026 results were declared on September 19 after 20 rounds of counting. ABVP won three of the four central posts—President, Secretary and Joint Secretary. Yash Dabas secured the President post with 24,576 votes, defeating NSUI’s Vijay Shankar Meena, who received 22,523 votes. Riya Chhawdi won Secretary with 21,650 votes, while Lakshya Raj Singh became Joint Secretary with 16,615 votes. Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, a former NSUI member, won the Vice-President post with 30,615 votes, defeating ABVP’s Ishu Maurya. The Delhi High Court had barred victory processions following the results. (PC: X)

Tamil Nadu is considering adding non-vegetarian options, including chicken biryani, to its school meal programme. School Education Minister A. Rajmohan said a special committee has been formed to explore more diverse and appealing menus. He questioned why schoolchildren should not receive chicken biryani when it is served to prisoners. However, the proposal would require a pilot project and rigorous testing to ensure hygiene and food-safety standards. The expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme is set to cover classes 6–8 from September 22, benefiting about 15.3 lakh additional students. The government has allocated ₹217.63 crore for the expansion. (PC: PTI)

An India-Pakistan naval collision in the North Arabian Sea has renewed attention on the two countries’ long history of maritime confrontations. On September 15, Pakistani offshore patrol vessel PNS Hunain collided with Indian Navy destroyer INS Kolkata in international waters. India said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred unsafely, while Pakistan disputed India’s account. The incident prompted diplomatic protests from both sides. India also cited the 1991 bilateral agreement requiring naval vessels to maintain at least three nautical miles of separation. The episode follows earlier clashes, including confrontations during the 1965 and 1971 wars. (PC: LCM)

The 20th Asian Games officially begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, with the opening ceremony at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The ceremony, themed “Harmonic Heart Beat,” brings together athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports. India’s flag-bearers are Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat, with Sehrawat replacing shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor after a logistical issue prevented Toor from attending. Competition in several sports, including cricket, teqball and soft tennis, has already started. More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete during the Games, which run through October 4. (PC: The Hindu)

US President Donald Trump has announced a three-way security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he says gives Washington permanent control over Greenland’s security needs. The agreement has not yet been published and requires parliamentary ratification in Denmark and Greenland. According to US officials, the pact would provide the US permanent access, basing and overflight rights while restricting military bases and sensitive investments by countries such as Russia and China. Greenland’s strategic location supports missile-warning and space-surveillance operations, while its mineral resources add economic importance. Existing US facilities include Pituffik Space Base. Reports of three additional bases remain unconfirmed. (PC: Reuters)

Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the candidate chosen by Mamata Banerjee’s faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, withdrew his nomination on September 19. His decision came a day after the faction’s Nandigram candidate, Sanchita Pradhan Dey, also withdrew from the contest. Chowdhury said he discussed the decision with Mamata Banerjee and cited the ongoing dispute over the TMC’s name and election symbol, along with alleged intimidation of party workers. The Election Commission has temporarily frozen the TMC’s traditional name and symbol, assigning new names and symbols to the rival factions ahead of the October 6 bypolls. (PC: India Today)