TODAY NEWS ON September 26, 2025

Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Trump says he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (September 25, 2025) that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. “There’s been enough,” Mr. Trump, apparently referring to Israel, told reporters in the Oval Office while signing executive orders unrelated to Middle East policy. He added, “It’s time to stop now.”Mr. Trump has long bragged about his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the President has faced pressure from Arab leaders, who have publicly expressed concerns about the Israeli military acting to annex more territory.

Leh remains tense a day after death of four persons

Leh town of Ladakh remained tense on Thursday (September 25, 2025) amid curfew as the bodies of four locals, who died during violent protests, were handed over to the families for last rites. Dozens of locals were also detained in a crackdown on those suspected to have participated in the street protests on Wednesday. The prominent Buddhist group, Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), was engaged by the Leh administration to perform the last rites of the four persons. “The bodies were handed over to the families. As per the family wish, all the four, who belong to different villages, will be cremated in Leh with all respect,” Chering Dorjey Lakrook, president of the LBA and also co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), said.

Government revokes FCRA licence of Wangchuk’s organisation

The Union Home Ministry on Thursday (September 25, 2025) cancelled the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of an organisation founded by Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, citing alleged violations. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also conducting an inquiry involving another non-profit organisation established by Mr. Wangchuk regarding similar allegations.

Supreme Court to examine whether Foreigners’ Tribunals discriminate against rural women in Assam

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 25, 2025) decided to examine a petition contending that Foreigners Tribunals apply an “incorrect standard of proof” by insisting that women in Assam, who are illiterate, marginalised, marry at a young age, and hail from rural areas, produce documentary evidence of their parental information and birth to establish Indian citizenship.

Supreme Court raps Madhya Pradesh government, CBI over delay in arrest of police officers in custodial death case

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 25, 2025) castigated the Madhya Pradesh government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for failing to arrest two police officers allegedly responsible for the July 2024 custodial death of 25-year-old Deva Pardhi. The court said that the failure to comply with its May 15 directions amounted to “aggravated contempt”.

Trump signs order declaring TikTok sale plan meets U.S. requirements

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday (September 25, 2025) declaring that his plan to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to U.S. and global investors will meet the requirements in a 2024 law that says the short video app will be banned unless its Chinese owners sell it. The new U.S. company will be valued at around $14 billion, Vice-President JD Vance said.

Trump says U.S. will impose new tariffs on heavy trucks, drugs and kitchen cabinets

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (September 25, 2025) announced a new round of tariffs, saying the United States will impose a 100% tariff on imported branded drugs, 25% tariff on imports of all heavy-duty trucks and 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets. Mr. Trump also said he would start charging a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture next week.

Chinese Premier says U.S. and his country need to ‘work in same direction’

Chinese Premier Li Qiang told a group of American business executives on Thursday (September 25, 2025) that the U.S. and his country need “to work in the same direction” to further what he called “the most important bilateral partnership in the world.” Mr. Li told the roughly 20 executives and others interested in U.S.-China relations that their insights were valuable, and “the actions that you take are crucial.” Journalists were escorted from the room after Mr. Li’s brief opening remarks at the event, hosted by two nonprofit groups, the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

Hamas will have no role in governing postwar Gaza, says Palestinian President at UNGA

The Palestinian President, speaking over video after the United States revoked his visa, told world leaders on Thursday (September 25, 2025) that his people “reject” the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and pledged that the militant group would have no role in governing Gaza after war ends and must hand over its weapons. Mahmoud Abbas told the U.N. General Assembly that Palestinians in Gaza “have been facing a war of genocide, destruction, starvation and displacement” by Israel. His speech came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to New York to give his own address in person on Friday (September 25, 2025).

Karnataka High Court declines to stay ongoing Social and Educational Survey

The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday (September 25, 2025) declined to stay the ongoing social and educational survey, popularly known as the caste survey. Directing the State government to maintain confidentiality of data, the Court also maintained that the survey should be voluntary.

BCCI announces India Test squad for West Indies series; Ravindra Jadeja made vice-captain

Karun Nair has been dropped from India’s Test squad for the two-match series against West Indies starting in Ahmedabad on October 2. The 33-year-old could manage only 205 runs in four Tests in England at an average of 25.62 on being recalled after eight years. Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal, who has played two Tests so far, has earned a recall.

Government inks pact with HAL for procurement of 97 Tejas jets for IAF

The Defence Ministry on Thursday (September 25, 2025) sealed a ₹62,370 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

Supreme Court lifts Allahabad HC stay on 100-year-old Ramlila festivities at U.P. school playground, but asks State to find another spot in future

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 25, 2025) walked the middle path by lifting a stay on the conduct of Ramlila celebrations at a school playground in Uttar Pradesh but directing, at the same time, the State to find an alternative spot to hold the religious event in future so that children do not lose their play space.

China, world’s largest carbon polluting nation, announces new climate goal to cut emissions

With China leading the way by announcing its first emission cuts, world leaders have said they are getting more serious about fighting climate change and the deadly extreme weather that comes with it.