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U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited controversy after accusing Democrats of election cheating during the final day of the Republican Party convention. Trump urged supporters to stay engaged ahead of the midterm elections and repeated his proposal for a $5,000 cash incentive linked to voter participation efforts. His remarks, including warnings about low voter turnout and sharp criticism of political opponents, have intensified debate over campaign rhetoric as the race for Congress heats up.


Trump accuses Democrats of cheating, asks Republicans to cheat

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in New Delhi and went straight into bilateral talks with PM Modi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit. Trade, energy, and defence topped the agenda, with BrahMos missile upgrades, S-400 deliveries and Su-57 jets all reportedly on the table. Putin arrived with a high-level delegation, and the two leaders are expected to review decades of strategic partnership before world leaders gather at Bharat Mandapam this weekend.


BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi reiterates dialogue key to resolving conflicts

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a solemn memorial ceremony at the Pentagon to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The observance will honour the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, including the 184 victims at the Pentagon. The ceremony comes as Americans reflect on a quarter-century since one of the deadliest days in U.S. history, remembering the lives lost and the lasting impact of 9/11 on national security and global affairs.


9/11 Attack anniversary: 25 years after 9/11, America confronts divisions that followed

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, America once again pauses to read the names, lower the flags and remember nearly 3,000 people murdered on a morning that transformed the United States and much of the world.But a quarter-century later, remembrance alone may no longer be enough.The more difficult question is whether America learned from what followed.September 11 produced an extraordinary moment of national unity. It also unleashed a global War on Terror that would span presidencies, continents and generations.George W. Bush invaded Afghanistan to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban government that sheltered it. But his administration then invaded Iraq over weapons of mass destruction that were never found.Barack Obama eventually oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, but his administration dramatically expanded America's use of drone warfare.Joe Biden ended America's longest war by withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021, but the chaotic final evacuation from Kabul left another painful image in the history of the conflict.Donald Trump built part of his political identity around rejecting America's "endless wars". Yet 25 years after 9/11, the United States once again finds itself fighting a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict — this time against Iran.That contradiction becomes even sharper when compared with American public opinion.A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 48 per cent of Americans believe the Afghanistan war was not worth its toll and 51 per cent say the same about Iraq. Just 25 per cent believe the current Iran conflict has been worth it.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/RaceToPower?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaceToPower</a> | 25 years after 9/11, America remembers. But after Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran — and a rising fear of extremism from within — has America actually learned? THE VERDICT with <a href="https://x.com/eriknjoka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eriknjoka</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/September11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#September11</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/911Anniversary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#911Anniversary</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TheVerdict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheVerdict</a> <a href="https://t.co/YLzzYu9mfH">pic.twitter.com/YLzzYu9mfH</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2098452221021352377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>The threat came home</h2>Perhaps the greatest transformation, however, is in what Americans now fear.September 11 focused American attention overwhelmingly on terrorism originating overseas.Today, 61 per cent of Americans say ideology-driven attacks by domestic extremists pose the greater threat, compared with 34 per cent who point to extremists abroad. When asked more broadly about threats to ordinary Americans, mass shootings ranked even higher.America spent decades hunting terrorism thousands of kilometres from its shores. Twenty-five years later, its citizens increasingly fear violence emerging from within their own country.That is an extraordinary reversal.<h2>The people 9/11 never stopped killing</h2>Then there is another legacy — one measured not in geopolitics but in hospital wards.Thousands of first responders, recovery workers, survivors and residents have suffered illnesses associated with exposure to the toxic aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse. This year's commemoration even added, for the first time, a moment of silence for people who later died from 9/11-related illnesses.And just days before the anniversary, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration released the first 170,000 pages of previously withheld city records concerning air quality and the government's response after the attacks. The release followed years of litigation and campaigning by 9/11 advocates. More documents are expected over the next year.It creates a striking political juxtaposition.Former mayor Rudy Giuliani, whose public image became inseparable from his leadership after September 11, has been among Mamdani's fiercest critics. Yet Mamdani's administration is now opening records concerning what City Hall knew about toxic conditions after Ground Zero and when it knew it.For survivors and families, accountability cannot end with memorial ceremonies."Never forget" must also mean never forgetting those who survived the morning but have spent decades living with its consequences.<h2>America's unfinished lesson</h2>There is no denying that America changed after September 11.Airport security was transformed. Intelligence agencies were reorganised. Al-Qaeda's leadership was devastated. Osama bin Laden was killed.But America also paid heavily for some of the choices made in the shadow of those burning towers: long wars, expanded surveillance, enormous expenditure, civilian casualties abroad and deep political arguments at home.A quarter-century later, America is considerably more politically divided than the country that briefly united on September 12, 2001. The Financial Times notes how starkly today's polarisation contrasts with the extraordinary national solidarity immediately following the attacks.That may be the uncomfortable lesson of this anniversary.Grief without reflection can become policy.Fear without restraint can become war.And remembrance without accountability can become ceremony.America has kept its promise to never forget September 11.Twenty-five years later, the harder question is whether it has finally learned from everything that came after.&nbsp;

Donald Trump built part of his political identity around rejecting America's "endless wars". Yet 25 years after 9/11, the United States once again finds itself fighting a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict — this time against Iran.

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, America once again pauses to read the names, lower the flags and remember nearly 3,000 people murdered on a morning that transformed the United States and much of the world. But a quarter-century later, remembrance alone may no longer be enough. The more difficult question is whether America learned from what followed. September 11 produced an extraordinary moment of national unity. It also unleashed a global War on Terror that would span presidencies, continents and generations. George W. Bush invaded Afghanistan to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban government that sheltered it. But his administration then invaded Iraq over weapons of mass destruction that were never found. Barack Obama eventually oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden, but his administration dramatically expanded America's use of drone warfare. Joe Biden ended America's longest war by withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021, but the chaotic final evacuation from Kabul left another painful image in the history of the conflict. Donald Trump built part of his political identity around rejecting America's "endless wars". Yet 25 years after 9/11, the United States once again finds itself fighting a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict — this time against Iran. That contradiction becomes even sharper when compared with American public opinion. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 48 per cent of Americans believe the Afghanistan war was not worth its toll and 51 per cent say the same about Iraq. Just 25 per cent believe the current Iran conflict has been worth it.

Donald Trump built part of his political identity around rejecting America's "endless wars". Yet 25 years after 9/11, the United States once again finds itself fighting a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict — this time against Iran.

The Verdict | 25 years after 9/11: America remembers — but has it learned?

Every side is talking about how the Iran war ends. Almost everything they are doing suggests they are preparing for it to continue. President Donald Trump says the fighting could end “immediately after” America's November midterm elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran and its regional axis are approaching collapse.&nbsp;Yet the battlefield is sending a very different message.&nbsp;Iran is still resisting. The Houthis remain capable of opening another front of pressure around vital shipping routes. Hezbollah, while badly weakened, has not disappeared. And Washington is now warning Tehran over reported activity at Pickaxe Mountain, raising the possibility of another major strike even as Trump predicts the conflict is approaching its conclusion.&nbsp;The contradiction is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.&nbsp;Netanyahu has offered one of the most confident assessments yet of where the war is heading, declaring that defeating the Iranian regime is now within reach and predicting that Tehran's wider axis will ultimately collapse.&nbsp;There is evidence behind some of Israel's confidence.&nbsp;Hamas has been severely degraded after years of war. Hezbollah has been battered militarily and politically. Iran's regional network has suffered blows that would have seemed extraordinary only a few years ago.&nbsp;But weakened is not the same as defeated.&nbsp;Hezbollah retains military capabilities. The Houthis remain capable of threatening Saudi Arabia and maritime traffic around one of the world's most important shipping corridors. Recent attacks have again demonstrated how quickly instability can spread beyond the immediate US Iran battlefield.The axis may be damaged. Declaring it dead is another matter.&nbsp;Trump, meanwhile, has attached an extraordinary political timetable to the conflict.&nbsp;He says the war could end immediately after the November midterms, arguing that Tehran is desperately attempting to hold out long enough to influence the American election.&nbsp;That assertion inevitably raises another question: why should the military endurance of Iran suddenly expire when Americans finish voting?&nbsp;The timing matters because the war is no longer only a foreign policy problem for the White House. Disruption across the Gulf has helped drive energy prices higher, increasing economic and political pressure at home as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress.&nbsp;Trump is therefore selling two messages simultaneously: America is winning, and Americans will not have to endure the consequences for much longer.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/15-000-police-200-paramilitary-companies-deployed-routes-secured-hotels-fortified-as-delhi-gears-up-for-brics-summit-1789056700020">15,000 police, 200 paramilitary companies deployed, routes secured, hotels fortified as Delhi gears up for BRICS Summit</a>&nbsp;But his own threats complicate that promise.&nbsp;Attention is now turning to Pickaxe Mountain, near Iran's damaged Natanz nuclear complex.Trump has warned Tehran against further activity there, threatening a powerful American response if Iran crosses Washington's line.&nbsp;It is a remarkable juxtaposition.&nbsp;One moment, the president predicts that Iran can barely hold out beyond November. The next, he is publicly contemplating another significant military strike.&nbsp;The language of conclusion is colliding with the mechanics of escalation. Iran, meanwhile, is hardly speaking like a government preparing to surrender.&nbsp;Tehran has attached sweeping conditions to ending the conflict, including demands involving Lebanon, Yemen, frozen Iranian assets and non interference in its nuclear and missile programmes.&nbsp;Several are unacceptable to Israel and Washington in their present form. That leaves diplomacy theoretically possible, but politically and strategically distant.&nbsp;And then there is the timeline reportedly being discussed behind closed doors in Washington.&nbsp;The Wall Street Journal reports that senior Trump advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have discussed with the president the possibility that Tehran could withstand American pressure far longer than publicly suggested, potentially stretching the conflict through the remainder of Trump's presidency.&nbsp;That means Washington may effectively be operating with two clocks.&nbsp;The public clock runs to November.&nbsp;The strategic clock could run to January 2029.&nbsp;Perhaps neither prediction will prove correct. Wars have an unpleasant habit of destroying the timetables politicians construct for them.&nbsp;But the widening gulf between rhetoric and reality matters.&nbsp;Netanyahu says Iran's axis is approaching collapse. Trump says Tehran cannot hold out much longer. Yet Iranian resistance continues, regional actors remain active, shipping routes remain vulnerable, and Washington is threatening another target buried beneath an Iranian mountain.&nbsp;Six months into this conflict, perhaps the most revealing question is no longer who says they are winning.&nbsp;It is this:&nbsp;If Iran is close to defeat, its axis close to collapse and the war close to ending, why does everyone appear to be preparing for what comes next?

Despite Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu predicting Iran's defeat and the war's end, continued Iranian resistance, regional attacks and threats of further US strikes suggest the conflict could continue well beyond the November midterms.

Every side is talking about how the Iran war ends. Almost everything they are doing suggests they are preparing for it to continue. President Donald Trump says the fighting could end “immediately after” America's November midterm elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran and its regional axis are approaching collapse. Yet the battlefield is sending a very different message. Iran is still resisting. The Houthis remain capable of opening another front of pressure around vital shipping routes. Hezbollah, while badly weakened, has not disappeared. And Washington is now warning Tehran over reported activity at Pickaxe Mountain, raising the possibility of another major strike even as Trump predicts the conflict is approaching its conclusion. The contradiction is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Netanyahu has offered one of the most confident assessments yet of where the war is heading, declaring that defeating the Iranian regime is now within reach and predicting that Tehran's wider axis will ultimately collapse. There is evidence behind some of Israel's confidence. Hamas has been severely degraded after years of war. Hezbollah has been battered militarily and politically. Iran's regional network has suffered blows that would have seemed extraordinary only a few years ago. But weakened is not the same as defeated. Hezbollah retains military capabilities. The Houthis remain capable of threatening Saudi Arabia and maritime traffic around one of the world's most important shipping corridors. Recent attacks have again demonstrated how quickly instability can spread beyond the immediate US Iran battlefield. The axis may be damaged. Declaring it dead is another matter. Trump, meanwhile, has attached an extraordinary political timetable to the conflict. He says the war could end immediately after the November midterms, arguing that Tehran is desperately attempting to hold out long enough to influence the American election. That assertion inevitably raises another question: why should the military endurance of Iran suddenly expire when Americans finish voting? The timing matters because the war is no longer only a foreign policy problem for the White House. Disruption across the Gulf has helped drive energy prices higher, increasing economic and political pressure at home as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress. Trump is therefore selling two messages simultaneously: America is winning, and Americans will not have to endure the consequences for much longer. Also Read: 15,000 police, 200 paramilitary companies deployed, routes secured, hotels fortified as Delhi gears up for BRICS Summit But his own threats complicate that promise. Attention is now turning to Pickaxe Mountain, near Iran's damaged Natanz nuclear complex. Trump has warned Tehran against further activity there, threatening a powerful American response if Iran crosses Washington's line. It is a remarkable juxtaposition. One moment, the president predicts that Iran can barely hold out beyond November. The next, he is publicly contemplating another significant military strike. The language of conclusion is colliding with the mechanics of escalation. Iran, meanwhile, is hardly speaking like a government preparing to surrender. Tehran has attached sweeping conditions to ending the conflict, including demands involving Lebanon, Yemen, frozen Iranian assets and non interference in its nuclear and missile programmes. Several are unacceptable to Israel and Washington in their present form. That leaves diplomacy theoretically possible, but politically and strategically distant. And then there is the timeline reportedly being discussed behind closed doors in Washington. The Wall Street Journal reports that senior Trump advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have discussed with the president the possibility that Tehran could withstand American pressure far longer than publicly suggested, potentially stretching the conflict through the remainder of Trump's presidency. That means Washington may effectively be operating with two clocks. The public clock runs to November. The strategic clock could run to January 2029. Perhaps neither prediction will prove correct. Wars have an unpleasant habit of destroying the timetables politicians construct for them. But the widening gulf between rhetoric and reality matters. Netanyahu says Iran's axis is approaching collapse. Trump says Tehran cannot hold out much longer. Yet Iranian resistance continues, regional actors remain active, shipping routes remain vulnerable, and Washington is threatening another target buried beneath an Iranian mountain. Six months into this conflict, perhaps the most revealing question is no longer who says they are winning. It is this: If Iran is close to defeat, its axis close to collapse and the war close to ending, why does everyone appear to be preparing for what comes next?

Despite Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu predicting Iran's defeat and the war's end, continued Iranian resistance, regional attacks and threats of further US strikes suggest the conflict could continue well beyond the November midterms.

Words of victory, plans for war: The dangerous contradiction over Iran | Race to Power

India is positioning itself as a leading voice of the Global South as New Delhi hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026.

With India holding the BRICS chairship, the summit provides New Delhi with a major platform to push issues affecting developing and emerging economies, including trade, investment, technology, digital payments, development and reforms to global institutions.

The expanded BRICS grouping brings together major emerging economies at a time of intense geopolitical tensions. India is seeking to use its diplomatic relationships across different power blocs while presenting BRICS as a platform for cooperation and a stronger voice for the Global South.

Watch this report for the latest from BRICS 2026, India’s diplomatic push and New Delhi’s growing role on the global stage.

 India Positioning Itself As Leading Voice of the Global South

Donald Trump wants Americans to believe several things at once.The Iran war — or “military conflict,” as he has also called it — will end immediately after the November midterms. Iran cannot hold out much longer. Republicans must retain Congress. And if they do, every American adult could receive a $5,000 “Trump dividend.”There is only one problem.The arithmetic, the battlefield and even some of Trump's own advisers appear to be telling a different story.A war with two deadlinesTrump says Iran will not be able to sustain its resistance beyond the midterm elections.Yet the Wall Street Journal reports that senior advisers including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have privately discussed with Trump the possibility that Tehran could withstand American pressure through the remainder of his presidency — potentially beyond January 2029.That is not a minor difference.It is the difference between weeks and years.It also exposes the strange ambiguity surrounding America's confrontation with Iran. Trump himself has played down the terminology, describing it as a “military conflict” and “small potatoes” for the United States.But terminology cannot alter consequences.Americans are dead. Military assets are deployed. Oil markets have been disrupted. Fuel prices have become a political liability. And Washington is threatening further strikes against Iran.Call it a war or call it a military conflict. Americans ultimately experience its consequences through lives, prices and public money.Welcome to the Trump showThen came Dallas.Republicans staged their first-ever midterm convention, an unusual spectacle designed to energise a party facing a difficult November election.Trump made clear who the central character was.“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he told supporters.The convention became so centred on the president that Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters informally called it “Trumpapalooza.”But the spectacle also exposed the risk of building an entire congressional election around one man.Several Republicans facing difficult races stayed away. Trump described the arena as packed, although reporters observed largely empty sections in the upper levels. Online viewership was modest.The show was enormous.Whether the enthusiasm matched it is another question.$5,000 for a Republican victoryThen came Trump's biggest promise.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/RaceToPower?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaceToPower</a> | A war that ends after an election. A $5,000 cheque if Republicans win. A bill that could hit $1.35 TRILLION. Trump says: pretend he&#39;s on the ballot. But who pays for the promises? Tonight&#39;s <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TheVerdict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheVerdict</a> with <a href="https://x.com/eriknjoka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eriknjoka</a> <a href="https://t.co/JZTgjHxqHB">pic.twitter.com/JZTgjHxqHB</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2098081923126141031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If Republicans retain the House and Senate, Trump says he will issue a $5,000 dividend to every American adult.It is an extraordinary proposition.With roughly 270 million American adults, distributing $5,000 to each would cost approximately $1.35 trillion.And that follows Trump's earlier proposal for a $2,000 tariff dividend — another cash promise that never materialised.Critics immediately asked the obvious question: is promising voters money if your party wins effectively buying political support?Legally, the answer is more complicated than the accusation. The proposed payment is not directly conditioned on an individual casting a Republican vote, and any actual distribution would require congressional approval.Politically, however, the optics are extraordinary.Vote Republican, Trump says, and there could be $5,000 waiting on the other side.But where does $1.35 trillion come from?That is the question the spectacle could not answer.The United States is already running enormous annual deficits and carrying a colossal national debt.American households remain concerned about affordability. The Iran conflict has put additional pressure on energy prices. Tariffs have created their own costs.Trump's answer to economic anxiety is now another enormous cheque.But governments cannot create $1.35 trillion without consequences.Either the money must come from additional revenue, spending cuts, borrowing — or some combination of all three.A dividend without a credible funding mechanism is not an economic programme.It is a promise.The Democrat at the Republican conventionThere was another extraordinary moment in Dallas.Democratic Senator John Fetterman appeared by video to introduce Republican Senator Dave McCormick, describing him as a friend and promising cooperation with Trump to protect Pennsylvania's steel industry.For Democrats, the optics were uncomfortable.But suggestions that Fetterman had somehow been “bought” go beyond the available evidence. He subsequently reaffirmed that he remains a Democrat.What his appearance demonstrated instead was something more politically interesting: the ideological fractures inside America's parties are becoming increasingly difficult to conceal.And then there is VenezuelaBehind the spectacle and the cheques sits another extraordinary economic gamble.Washington has taken a 35% position, structured through warrants, in a Venezuelan oil venture as the Trump administration attempts to turn access to Venezuela's enormous petroleum reserves into an American strategic asset.Trump has promoted the Venezuelan arrangement as a route toward greater energy security and lower fuel prices.The attraction is obvious.A prolonged confrontation with Iran threatens energy flows through the Gulf. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. Washington therefore has powerful incentives to diversify where its energy security comes from.But this too raises questions.The Venezuelan arrangement has already attracted scrutiny over its structure, legality and the extraordinary involvement of the Pentagon in a commercial oil venture.America is therefore fighting — or conducting a “military conflict” — against one major oil power while simultaneously deepening its economic leverage over another.That may prove strategic foresight.It may also demonstrate just how complicated and expensive America's new geopolitical order is becoming.Reality versus spectacleThis was ultimately the contradiction running through Dallas.Trump spoke about American greatness while voters worry about affordability.He promised $5,000 cheques while the government is already deeply in deficit.He predicted an imminent end to the Iran conflict while his own advisers reportedly contemplate a struggle lasting years.He asked Americans to pretend that his name is on the ballot.Perhaps that was the most revealing statement of the convention.Because November increasingly appears to be about Donald Trump — his war, his economy, his promises and his political survival.But Americans cannot pay grocery bills with political theatre.They cannot fill their tanks with applause.And before Washington writes a $1.35 trillion cheque, voters are entitled to ask the simplest question of all:Who is going to pay for it?

Republicans staged their first-ever midterm convention, an unusual spectacle designed to energise a party facing a difficult November election. Trump made clear who the central character was.

Donald Trump wants Americans to believe several things at once. The Iran war — or “military conflict,” as he has also called it — will end immediately after the November midterms. Iran cannot hold out much longer. Republicans must retain Congress. And if they do, every American adult could receive a $5,000 “Trump dividend.” There is only one problem. The arithmetic, the battlefield and even some of Trump's own advisers appear to be telling a different story. A war with two deadlines Trump says Iran will not be able to sustain its resistance beyond the midterm elections. Yet the Wall Street Journal reports that senior advisers including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have privately discussed with Trump the possibility that Tehran could withstand American pressure through the remainder of his presidency — potentially beyond January 2029. That is not a minor difference. It is the difference between weeks and years. It also exposes the strange ambiguity surrounding America's confrontation with Iran. Trump himself has played down the terminology, describing it as a “military conflict” and “small potatoes” for the United States. But terminology cannot alter consequences. Americans are dead. Military assets are deployed. Oil markets have been disrupted. Fuel prices have become a political liability. And Washington is threatening further strikes against Iran. Call it a war or call it a military conflict. Americans ultimately experience its consequences through lives, prices and public money. Welcome to the Trump show Then came Dallas. Republicans staged their first-ever midterm convention, an unusual spectacle designed to energise a party facing a difficult November election. Trump made clear who the central character was. “I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he told supporters. The convention became so centred on the president that Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters informally called it “Trumpapalooza.” But the spectacle also exposed the risk of building an entire congressional election around one man. Several Republicans facing difficult races stayed away. Trump described the arena as packed, although reporters observed largely empty sections in the upper levels. Online viewership was modest. The show was enormous. Whether the enthusiasm matched it is another question. $5,000 for a Republican victory Then came Trump's biggest promise.

Republicans staged their first-ever midterm convention, an unusual spectacle designed to energise a party facing a difficult November election. Trump made clear who the central character was.

The Trump Show: A $5,000 promise, a war without an end and a trillion-dollar question | The Verdict

Can India become the bridge that a deeply divided world desperately needs?

As New Delhi prepares to host the BRICS Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic balancing act comes under the global spotlight. With leaders from Russia, China and Iran expected in New Delhi, key bilateral meetings could offer opportunities for dialogue amid some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts.

The Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel remain major challenges. India maintains working relationships with countries on opposing sides of these conflicts, giving New Delhi a unique diplomatic position.

But can BRICS become a meaningful space for peace? And can India use its role as BRICS chair to build common ground among members with competing interests?

WION speaks to former Indian ambassador and diplomat Gurjit Singh about India’s diplomatic role, the expansion of BRICS, China’s vision for the bloc and New Delhi’s challenge of keeping BRICS focused on the Global South.

Watch the full report and interview for an in-depth look at India’s biggest diplomatic test at BRICS 2026.

BRICS 2026: Modi, Putin & Xi Meet in New Delhi | Is a New Global Power Shift Coming

China and the Philippines are locked in a fresh diplomatic spat over their competing claims in the South China Sea.

The latest confrontation has once again put the disputed waters at the centre of regional tensions, with Beijing and Manila defending their respective positions.

The South China Sea remains one of Asia’s most closely watched maritime flashpoints, with territorial claims, strategic interests and freedom of navigation continuing to shape relations between the two countries.

Watch WION for the latest developments in the China-Philippines dispute and the wider South China Sea tensions.

China And Philippines Engage In a Diplomatic Spat Over South China Sea Dispute

Political pressure is mounting on Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party after British police widened a criminal investigation into allegations involving foreign political funding.

The Metropolitan Police said new information following an undercover investigation had identified potential offences under UK electoral law. The probe follows a Channel 4 investigation involving undercover recordings of senior Reform figures discussing funding arrangements with supposed foreign donors.

Reform UK denies wrongdoing and has pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the latest claims.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of Reform UK’s finances, while Farage faces additional questions over other donations and the party’s recent political momentum.

Watch WION for the latest developments in the growing Reform UK funding scandal.

Nigel Farage Under Pressure | UK Police Widen Reform UK Probe Over Alleged Illegal Foreign Donations

Alice Weidel embodies one of the strangest contradictions in European politics.She leads a party fiercely opposed to mass immigration, yet her partner is Sri Lanka-born. She is in a same-sex relationship while leading a political movement that has championed the traditional heterosexual family. She raises children with her partner while her party has fought liberalisation of family policy. And the woman selling German nationalism has spent significant parts of her private life in Switzerland.Then there is economics. The former investment banker carries distinctly market-oriented instincts while commanding a populist movement drawing heavily from workers who feel abandoned by Germany's political and economic establishment.Welcome to the paradox of Germany's Alternative für Deutschland.Except the AfD is no longer merely an alternative.It is becoming a dominant political force.In Saxony-Anhalt, voters handed the AfD an extraordinary 43.8 per cent of the vote. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU managed just 17.2 per cent. The AfD secured 39 of the state parliament's 83 seats — short of governing alone, but comfortably the largest party.The political shockwaves have reached Berlin.Merz described himself as deeply shocked and acknowledged a devastating defeat. Former chancellor Angela Merkel has also reacted with dismay. Meanwhile, thousands have taken to German streets protesting the AfD's advance.But protests cannot erase ballots.And that presents Europe's liberal establishment with an uncomfortable democratic dilemma.If an election is free and fair, what happens when voters choose the political movement the establishment has spent years warning them against?AfD's opponents have legitimate concerns. Germany's history makes scrutiny of extremist rhetoric especially important. Its Saxony-Anhalt branch has been classified as right-wing extremist by the state's domestic intelligence authorities.But condemning a political movement is not the same thing as understanding why people vote for it.Immigration. Economic insecurity. National identity. Cultural anxiety. Anger at established politicians. Frustration with institutions voters believe no longer listen to them.These forces are not confined to Germany.Across Europe, nationalist and right-wing populist movements have moved from the political fringes towards government, parliament and increasingly the mainstream.Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump's movement speaks much of the same political language: borders, sovereignty, cultural conservatism, national pride and rebellion against an establishment accused of abandoning ordinary citizens.Yet there is a crucial difference.

America's populist Right captured one of the country's two dominant political parties. Europe's insurgent Right operates through multiple parties and political systems, often confronting coalition barriers designed to keep it away from executive power.And inevitably, Germany's history hangs over this debate.Comparisons with the interwar years must be handled carefully. Europe in 2026 is not Europe in 1933. Its constitutions, institutions and political conditions are fundamentally different, and today's right-wing movements cannot simply be labelled replicas of twentieth-century fascism.But history offers warnings rather than photocopies.Economic anxiety, resentment towards political elites, arguments over national identity, hostility towards outsiders and the conviction that existing institutions no longer represent ordinary citizens all existed in Europe's darkest political periods.That does not mean history is repeating itself.It means politicians would be foolish not to listen when history rhymes.The lesson from Saxony-Anhalt therefore extends far beyond the AfD.Europe's establishment can build firewalls. It can organise protests. It can condemn extremists and challenge rhetoric that threatens minorities or democratic institutions.But none of those things answers the most important question:Why are so many voters moving Right in the first place?Until Europe's political centre answers that question convincingly, the insurgency will continue.The Right is no longer knocking on Europe's door.Voters are increasingly handing it the keys.

AfD's opponents have legitimate concerns. Germany's history makes scrutiny of extremist rhetoric especially important. Its Saxony-Anhalt branch has been classified as right-wing extremist by the state's domestic intelligence authorities.

Alice Weidel embodies one of the strangest contradictions in European politics. She leads a party fiercely opposed to mass immigration, yet her partner is Sri Lanka-born. She is in a same-sex relationship while leading a political movement that has championed the traditional heterosexual family. She raises children with her partner while her party has fought liberalisation of family policy. And the woman selling German nationalism has spent significant parts of her private life in Switzerland. Then there is economics. The former investment banker carries distinctly market-oriented instincts while commanding a populist movement drawing heavily from workers who feel abandoned by Germany's political and economic establishment. Welcome to the paradox of Germany's Alternative für Deutschland. Except the AfD is no longer merely an alternative. It is becoming a dominant political force. In Saxony-Anhalt, voters handed the AfD an extraordinary 43.8 per cent of the vote. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU managed just 17.2 per cent. The AfD secured 39 of the state parliament's 83 seats — short of governing alone, but comfortably the largest party. The political shockwaves have reached Berlin. Merz described himself as deeply shocked and acknowledged a devastating defeat. Former chancellor Angela Merkel has also reacted with dismay. Meanwhile, thousands have taken to German streets protesting the AfD's advance. But protests cannot erase ballots. And that presents Europe's liberal establishment with an uncomfortable democratic dilemma. If an election is free and fair, what happens when voters choose the political movement the establishment has spent years warning them against? AfD's opponents have legitimate concerns. Germany's history makes scrutiny of extremist rhetoric especially important. Its Saxony-Anhalt branch has been classified as right-wing extremist by the state's domestic intelligence authorities. But condemning a political movement is not the same thing as understanding why people vote for it. Immigration. Economic insecurity. National identity. Cultural anxiety. Anger at established politicians. Frustration with institutions voters believe no longer listen to them. These forces are not confined to Germany. Across Europe, nationalist and right-wing populist movements have moved from the political fringes towards government, parliament and increasingly the mainstream. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump's movement speaks much of the same political language: borders, sovereignty, cultural conservatism, national pride and rebellion against an establishment accused of abandoning ordinary citizens. Yet there is a crucial difference.

AfD's opponents have legitimate concerns. Germany's history makes scrutiny of extremist rhetoric especially important. Its Saxony-Anhalt branch has been classified as right-wing extremist by the state's domestic intelligence authorities.

Europe turns right: The revolution the establishment cannot ignore | The Verdict

US Midterm Elections 2026: Republicans are betting heavily on Donald Trump’s political influence and star power as they fight to maintain control of Congress.

Trump has been placed at the center of the GOP’s midterm strategy, with the president campaigning for Republican candidates and taking a prominent role at the party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas. The strategy is designed to energize Trump’s loyal base and drive turnout in key races.

But the strategy also carries risks. Trump’s approval ratings remain under pressure, while inflation, the economy and the Iran war are major concerns for voters. Some Republican candidates in competitive races have quietly reduced the prominence of Trump in their campaign messaging as they try to appeal to a broader electorate.

With control of the House and Senate at stake, the 2026 midterms could become a major test of Trump’s continuing influence over the Republican Party.

Watch the full report for the latest US midterm election developments, Trump’s role in the GOP campaign and the battle for control of Congress.

Republicans Bet on Donald Trump's Star Power in the Upcoming Midterm Elections

India is pushing to take UPI beyond its domestic success by linking it with payment systems in other countries. PM Narendra Modi has called for greater cross-border integration, especially with nations that have large Indian communities and strong trade ties with India.

PM Modi's push to link UPI with foreign payment systems during BRICS summit

PoK Protests: People across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are observing a shutdown while demanding justice for protesters killed during clashes. The region has witnessed continued unrest, with markets and businesses closed amid growing public anger.

The shutdown comes as protest groups continue to raise demands over governance, political representation and accountability following the deaths during the unrest.

Watch the full report for the latest developments from PoK, the shutdown across the region and the growing demands for justice.

PoK Demands Justice for Killed Protesters, People Observe Shutdown Across the Region

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has released more than 170,000 pages of municipal records involving the impact of the September 11 attacks on air quality health, as well as the city’s response.

Mamdani announced the documents and an online portal for accessing them on Tuesday. The release comes alongside the settlement of two lawsuits pursued by 9/11 Health Watch, which fought for access to these long-withheld documents.

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani releases 170,000 pages of city's response to 9/11 attacks

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on 12 and 13 September. For many years, the West...America and Europe...have seen the grouping as a threat.&nbsp;So, is it really a threat?&nbsp;Well, BRICS is not trying to conquer the world. However, it is definitely challenging the idea that the West owns the world.&nbsp;For decades, the global order was largely written, financed and enforced by Western powers. Institutions like the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund remained heavily tilted toward the realities of 1945, World War II, and not the realities of 2026.&nbsp;BRICS is an attempt to tell the world that times have changed, and inclusivity is the need of the hour.&nbsp;What is in it for India?&nbsp;India has never been anti-West, it has been non-West. And the difference lies in the name.&nbsp;India's objective is strategic autonomy...the freedom to work with America, Russia, Europe, Japan, the Gulf, Africa and China simultaneously, without compromising on any relationship. And that is precisely why BRICS matters.&nbsp;BRICS gives India the leverage to demand reform of institutions that no longer adequately represent the developing world....for instance, the UNSC. It gives the global south strong bargaining power. It can help create alternatives in finance, trade and technology. and it sends a very simple message: the age of one power writing the rules for everyone else is ending.&nbsp;Remember, BRICS is not NATO. It's not a military alliance. So, it's not a politically aligned group, but has diverse membership, reflecting wide-ranging political systems, economic agendas, and strategic priorities. A genuinely multipolar world that will serve everyone.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, not anti-American. Not pro-Chinese. not anti-Western. BRICS makes the international order truly international.&nbsp;So when you watch the BRICS Summit unfold in New Delhi this weekend, remember that the only agenda that India has in BRICS is to be pro-India.

For decades, the global order was largely written, financed and enforced by Western powers. Institutions like the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund remained heavily tilted. BRICS is an attempt to tell the world that times have changed, and inclusivity is the need of the hour.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on 12 and 13 September. For many years, the West...America and Europe...have seen the grouping as a threat. So, is it really a threat? Well, BRICS is not trying to conquer the world. However, it is definitely challenging the idea that the West owns the world. For decades, the global order was largely written, financed and enforced by Western powers. Institutions like the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund remained heavily tilted toward the realities of 1945, World War II, and not the realities of 2026. BRICS is an attempt to tell the world that times have changed, and inclusivity is the need of the hour. What is in it for India? India has never been anti-West, it has been non-West. And the difference lies in the name. India's objective is strategic autonomy...the freedom to work with America, Russia, Europe, Japan, the Gulf, Africa and China simultaneously, without compromising on any relationship. And that is precisely why BRICS matters. BRICS gives India the leverage to demand reform of institutions that no longer adequately represent the developing world....for instance, the UNSC. It gives the global south strong bargaining power. It can help create alternatives in finance, trade and technology. and it sends a very simple message: the age of one power writing the rules for everyone else is ending. Remember, BRICS is not NATO. It's not a military alliance. So, it's not a politically aligned group, but has diverse membership, reflecting wide-ranging political systems, economic agendas, and strategic priorities. A genuinely multipolar world that will serve everyone. So, not anti-American. Not pro-Chinese. not anti-Western. BRICS makes the international order truly international. So when you watch the BRICS Summit unfold in New Delhi this weekend, remember that the only agenda that India has in BRICS is to be pro-India.

For decades, the global order was largely written, financed and enforced by Western powers. Institutions like the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund remained heavily tilted. BRICS is an attempt to tell the world that times have changed, and inclusivity is the need of the hour.

BRICS is not anti-West, it’s just challenging the West’s monopoly on power | The Verdict

The countdown to the 18th BRICS Summit has begun.India's national capital is preparing for the arrival of global leaders at the high-stakes gathering, where countries at war, countries affected by war, and those pushing for peace will be under the same roof.What began as a BRIC summit in 2009 became BRICS with South Africa's inclusion in 2011.But in the last few years, BRICS has expanded exponentially, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining in 2024. The latest country to join the grouping is Indonesia. With the exception of America and its Western allies, BRICS provides a counterbalance to Western hegemony over the global order.The rules of this new and emerging world order are no longer being drafted in Western capitals. Despite internal differences and disputes, BRICS provides a critical platform for convergence on shared interests, especially trade and the economy.Trump's tariff threats and wars in West Asia and Ukraine have left the Western consensus fractured. At the same time, countries like China and India are positioning themselves as stabilising forces.But there is a caveat. There is still a huge difference between what BRICS can be and what it really is. This untapped potential of the grouping can be realised if the member states manage to work out their differences.China and India have a border dispute to resolve; Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been dragged into the West Asia conflict. Iran and Russia have their own active wars to resolve.The internal power dynamics have certainly not stopped these countries from engaging on common interests. But can they move further without resolving these issues? That remains a big question.BRICS will bring together India, China and Russia once again after last month's SCO Summit.Increased diplomatic engagements and coordination on the bilateral front have revived speculation regarding the RIC trilateral. Russia is striving to revive the activities of the Russia-India-China troika.New Delhi, on the other hand, has shown cautious openness.BRICS nations are facing three big challenges, which boil down to one aspect: the economy.Tariffs, wars and energy — all of these affect the economy.The strings of all these issues are, one way or another, attached to Washington, where the Trump administration will be watching the summit very closely. China and India are the world's second-largest economy and fastest-growing major economy, respectively.Both countries are net importers of oil. The longer the Hormuz blockade continues, the greater will be the cost of energy.Then come tariffs. The US President's tariff onslaught has left countries searching for new markets, and the economic component of BRICS could come into play on this front.The grouping collectively represents 49.5 per cent of the global population, 40 per cent of world GDP and 26 per cent of global trade.Last year's BRICS declaration called for comprehensive UN reform, multilateral trade reform and inclusive governance, while strengthening the group's role as a platform for Global South solidarity.New Delhi has outlined four pillars for its BRICS chairship — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.The focus will be on strengthening economic resilience to navigate global uncertainties and deepening multilateral engagement through policy coordination, development finance and trade facilitation.When BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, all eyes will be on how the forum positions itself in the wake of global challenges.More importantly, how countries position themselves within the group itself amid internal differences and disputes.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/role-of-brics-in-re-balancing-global-order-can-it-expand-scope-of-cooperation-1788883516936/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/role-of-brics-in-re-balancing-global-order-can-it-expand-scope-of-cooperation-1788883516936/embed</a>&nbsp;

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi will bring together major emerging economies as they navigate tariffs, wars, energy concerns and internal differences.

The countdown to the 18th BRICS Summit has begun. India's national capital is preparing for the arrival of global leaders at the high-stakes gathering, where countries at war, countries affected by war, and those pushing for peace will be under the same roof. What began as a BRIC summit in 2009 became BRICS with South Africa's inclusion in 2011. But in the last few years, BRICS has expanded exponentially, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE joining in 2024. The latest country to join the grouping is Indonesia. With the exception of America and its Western allies, BRICS provides a counterbalance to Western hegemony over the global order. The rules of this new and emerging world order are no longer being drafted in Western capitals. Despite internal differences and disputes, BRICS provides a critical platform for convergence on shared interests, especially trade and the economy. Trump's tariff threats and wars in West Asia and Ukraine have left the Western consensus fractured. At the same time, countries like China and India are positioning themselves as stabilising forces. But there is a caveat. There is still a huge difference between what BRICS can be and what it really is. This untapped potential of the grouping can be realised if the member states manage to work out their differences. China and India have a border dispute to resolve; Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been dragged into the West Asia conflict. Iran and Russia have their own active wars to resolve. The internal power dynamics have certainly not stopped these countries from engaging on common interests. But can they move further without resolving these issues? That remains a big question. BRICS will bring together India, China and Russia once again after last month's SCO Summit. Increased diplomatic engagements and coordination on the bilateral front have revived speculation regarding the RIC trilateral. Russia is striving to revive the activities of the Russia-India-China troika. New Delhi, on the other hand, has shown cautious openness. BRICS nations are facing three big challenges, which boil down to one aspect: the economy. Tariffs, wars and energy — all of these affect the economy. The strings of all these issues are, one way or another, attached to Washington, where the Trump administration will be watching the summit very closely. China and India are the world's second-largest economy and fastest-growing major economy, respectively. Both countries are net importers of oil. The longer the Hormuz blockade continues, the greater will be the cost of energy. Then come tariffs. The US President's tariff onslaught has left countries searching for new markets, and the economic component of BRICS could come into play on this front. The grouping collectively represents 49.5 per cent of the global population, 40 per cent of world GDP and 26 per cent of global trade. Last year's BRICS declaration called for comprehensive UN reform, multilateral trade reform and inclusive governance, while strengthening the group's role as a platform for Global South solidarity. New Delhi has outlined four pillars for its BRICS chairship — resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. The focus will be on strengthening economic resilience to navigate global uncertainties and deepening multilateral engagement through policy coordination, development finance and trade facilitation. When BRICS leaders gather in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, all eyes will be on how the forum positions itself in the wake of global challenges. More importantly, how countries position themselves within the group itself amid internal differences and disputes. https://www.wionews.com/videos/role-of-brics-in-re-balancing-global-order-can-it-expand-scope-of-cooperation-1788883516936/embed

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi will bring together major emerging economies as they navigate tariffs, wars, energy concerns and internal differences.

Race To Power: Can India, China and Russia bridge differences amid global crises?

BRICS is pushing for a greater role in reshaping the global order, challenging Western dominance while expanding cooperation among emerging powers. As the bloc grows, can BRICS turn its growing economic and geopolitical weight into a stronger alternative to the existing international system?


Role of BRICS in re-balancing global order, can it expand scope of cooperation? 

Today, we are not going to begin with the usual race to power story.We are going to talk about a far more grim reality — years of neglect, corruption, governance failure, and the blatant flouting of rules that have left innocent people paying with their lives in India’s national capital.Because in Delhi, tragedy has become a familiar cycle.A disaster strikes. A few officers are suspended or sacked. Compensation is announced. Promises are made. And then, silence. Until the next tragedy.This time, it began like any other Sunday for students living in a PG hostel in Satya Niketan, a student hub next to South Delhi's most expensive neighbourhoods. An area surrounded by Delhi University colleges and home to thousands of young students.And then, in a matter of seconds, their world came crashing down, literally.The building collapsed, turning the hostel into a death trap. At least seven people have lost their lives. Twelve have been rescued. And more than 24 hours later, there is still no clear answer to the most basic, most terrifying question: how many people are still buried under the debris?<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/delhi-hostel-collapse-7-killed-still-no-clear-tally-of-trapped-1788796236611/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/delhi-hostel-collapse-7-killed-still-no-clear-tally-of-trapped-1788796236611/embed</a>&nbsp;This is not just a story about a building that collapsed. It is a story about a system that collapsed long before the building did.Police nabbed the owner of the building, Hariram Bansal, from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.The Delhi civic body suspended five officials with immediate effect: Deputy Commissioner, South Zone, Rakesh Kumar; Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh; Executive Engineer Lalit Kumar Goel; Assistant Engineer Sunil Chauhan; and Junior Engineer Ashish Kumar of the South Zone.The Delhi High Court called for a high-level probe into the incident.The court said hostel facilities for students who come from outside the city to study are in a pathetic condition. The judges issued strong remarks against the Delhi government and the civic body, directing one to increase the number of hostels and ordering the other to ensure that building by-laws are maintained, their condition is examined, and a report is submitted within a week.Notices have been issued to Delhi University, the civic body, the National Human Rights Commission, the Delhi government, the Central government, and the Delhi Police.After the High Court rap, the DU Vice Chancellor urged college principals to review student accommodation and explore plans to construct new hostels.The incident has triggered questions over the safety of buildings used as PG accommodation and the enforcement of construction and fire safety norms in densely populated parts of the national capital.According to the MCD's preliminary assessment, the property had no sanctioned building plan for the existing structure, unauthorised construction in its basement, and no fire NOC.Yet the report also said there was no record of the property having been booked or sealed before the collapse.However, locals living in the area claim that authorities had earlier issued a notice against the now-collapsed building. This has once again put the civic body’s building-safety enforcement under scrutiny.In 2020, following directions from the Delhi High Court, the three erstwhile municipal corporations set a six-month deadline for structural safety certificates for specified categories of high-risk and older buildings, including structures built before seismic provisions were incorporated into Delhi’s building bye-laws.Six years later, the compliance figures remain limited.According to figures reported by Hindustan Times, the MCD identified 4,762 high-risk and old structures and issued notices to 4,571. Structural audit reports were received for only 1,155, with demolition being carried out in 56 cases and retrofitting in 47.Delhi has seen deadly building collapses for years.They happen when multiple failures converge: poor construction practices, illegal land use, inadequate safety systems, weak enforcement, administrative negligence, and a lack of public awareness.Preventing future tragedies requires more than arrests.It demands a culture of compliance, regular audits, strict accountability, and active participation from building owners, authorities, and occupants alike.Because if systemic failures remain unaddressed, the cycle will continue.There will be outrage after every tragedy. A few arrests. Promises of action. And then silence, until another building turns into a death trap.

The Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people has raised questions over unauthorised construction, safety enforcement and Delhi's student housing crisis.

Today, we are not going to begin with the usual race to power story. We are going to talk about a far more grim reality — years of neglect, corruption, governance failure, and the blatant flouting of rules that have left innocent people paying with their lives in India’s national capital. Because in Delhi, tragedy has become a familiar cycle. A disaster strikes. A few officers are suspended or sacked. Compensation is announced. Promises are made. And then, silence. Until the next tragedy. This time, it began like any other Sunday for students living in a PG hostel in Satya Niketan, a student hub next to South Delhi's most expensive neighbourhoods. An area surrounded by Delhi University colleges and home to thousands of young students. And then, in a matter of seconds, their world came crashing down, literally. The building collapsed, turning the hostel into a death trap. At least seven people have lost their lives. Twelve have been rescued. And more than 24 hours later, there is still no clear answer to the most basic, most terrifying question: how many people are still buried under the debris? https://www.wionews.com/videos/delhi-hostel-collapse-7-killed-still-no-clear-tally-of-trapped-1788796236611/embed This is not just a story about a building that collapsed. It is a story about a system that collapsed long before the building did. Police nabbed the owner of the building, Hariram Bansal, from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan. The Delhi civic body suspended five officials with immediate effect: Deputy Commissioner, South Zone, Rakesh Kumar; Superintending Engineer Ranvir Singh; Executive Engineer Lalit Kumar Goel; Assistant Engineer Sunil Chauhan; and Junior Engineer Ashish Kumar of the South Zone. The Delhi High Court called for a high-level probe into the incident. The court said hostel facilities for students who come from outside the city to study are in a pathetic condition. The judges issued strong remarks against the Delhi government and the civic body, directing one to increase the number of hostels and ordering the other to ensure that building by-laws are maintained, their condition is examined, and a report is submitted within a week. Notices have been issued to Delhi University, the civic body, the National Human Rights Commission, the Delhi government, the Central government, and the Delhi Police. After the High Court rap, the DU Vice Chancellor urged college principals to review student accommodation and explore plans to construct new hostels. The incident has triggered questions over the safety of buildings used as PG accommodation and the enforcement of construction and fire safety norms in densely populated parts of the national capital. According to the MCD's preliminary assessment, the property had no sanctioned building plan for the existing structure, unauthorised construction in its basement, and no fire NOC. Yet the report also said there was no record of the property having been booked or sealed before the collapse. However, locals living in the area claim that authorities had earlier issued a notice against the now-collapsed building. This has once again put the civic body’s building-safety enforcement under scrutiny. In 2020, following directions from the Delhi High Court, the three erstwhile municipal corporations set a six-month deadline for structural safety certificates for specified categories of high-risk and older buildings, including structures built before seismic provisions were incorporated into Delhi’s building bye-laws. Six years later, the compliance figures remain limited. According to figures reported by Hindustan Times, the MCD identified 4,762 high-risk and old structures and issued notices to 4,571. Structural audit reports were received for only 1,155, with demolition being carried out in 56 cases and retrofitting in 47. Delhi has seen deadly building collapses for years. They happen when multiple failures converge: poor construction practices, illegal land use, inadequate safety systems, weak enforcement, administrative negligence, and a lack of public awareness. Preventing future tragedies requires more than arrests. It demands a culture of compliance, regular audits, strict accountability, and active participation from building owners, authorities, and occupants alike. Because if systemic failures remain unaddressed, the cycle will continue. There will be outrage after every tragedy. A few arrests. Promises of action. And then silence, until another building turns into a death trap.

The Satya Niketan building collapse that killed seven people has raised questions over unauthorised construction, safety enforcement and Delhi's student housing crisis.

Race to power: 7 dead, Satya Niketan collapse exposes student housing crisis

Stop calling the Satya Niketan building collapse an 'accident.' Call it human greed. Shame on every corrupt official, politician and owner whose corruption and negligence have led to students losing their lives. This tragedy was waiting to happen, and let me warn you - it can happen at many other places in Delhi.&nbsp;For those of you who have grown up in Delhi, or studied in South Campus colleges, you would know how cramped Satya Niketan has always been.&nbsp;For more than 15 years, Satya Niketan has been a chaotic mix of illegal expansion, hanging wires, and narrow lanes.&nbsp;I have three questions today.&nbsp;My first question tonight is to the MCD: how did you let house owners construct illegally?&nbsp;In most cases, there is no on-paper record of approvals. How are building after building allowed to expand, wall-to-wall, without any adherence to the law?&nbsp;What, and up to which rank, is corruption happening?&nbsp;My second question is to every political party that has governed Delhi so far: why did you not stop illegal violations in Satya Niketan, which were happening right under your nose?&nbsp;When you ruled Delhi, what were you doing?&nbsp;This has not happened suddenly. It has been allowed to happen. So if you are questioning, question yourselves too. Successive governments, for decades, have promised action against illegal construction. Notices are issued. Yet unauthorised construction continues across the city.&nbsp;And my third and final question is to the owners of these houses: when will your greed for money end?For some extra rent, you put students' lives in danger and break rule after rule.&nbsp;Unfortunately, in Delhi, enforcement often begins after the body bags come out, as they are now.Could this have been prevented? Yes, entirely.&nbsp;What's the solution now? Clean the local civic agencies of corrupt officials irrespective of rank, tighten the noose around local netas, audit every structure in Delhi and follow the rules laid out.&nbsp;The Satya Niketan tragedy is a heart-wrenching example of failed governance, corruption and negligence. We are sitting on a ticking time bomb, and preventive action needs to be taken from this very second. &nbsp;

Satya Niketan collapse called 'human greed', not an accident. The author blames decades of illegal construction, MCD corruption and political inaction; questions house owners' greed and demands accountability, audits and enforcement before more lives are lost.

Stop calling the Satya Niketan building collapse an 'accident.' Call it human greed. Shame on every corrupt official, politician and owner whose corruption and negligence have led to students losing their lives. This tragedy was waiting to happen, and let me warn you - it can happen at many other places in Delhi. For those of you who have grown up in Delhi, or studied in South Campus colleges, you would know how cramped Satya Niketan has always been. For more than 15 years, Satya Niketan has been a chaotic mix of illegal expansion, hanging wires, and narrow lanes. I have three questions today. My first question tonight is to the MCD: how did you let house owners construct illegally? In most cases, there is no on-paper record of approvals. How are building after building allowed to expand, wall-to-wall, without any adherence to the law? What, and up to which rank, is corruption happening? My second question is to every political party that has governed Delhi so far: why did you not stop illegal violations in Satya Niketan, which were happening right under your nose? When you ruled Delhi, what were you doing? This has not happened suddenly. It has been allowed to happen. So if you are questioning, question yourselves too. Successive governments, for decades, have promised action against illegal construction. Notices are issued. Yet unauthorised construction continues across the city. And my third and final question is to the owners of these houses: when will your greed for money end? For some extra rent, you put students' lives in danger and break rule after rule. Unfortunately, in Delhi, enforcement often begins after the body bags come out, as they are now. Could this have been prevented? Yes, entirely. What's the solution now? Clean the local civic agencies of corrupt officials irrespective of rank, tighten the noose around local netas, audit every structure in Delhi and follow the rules laid out. The Satya Niketan tragedy is a heart-wrenching example of failed governance, corruption and negligence. We are sitting on a ticking time bomb, and preventive action needs to be taken from this very second.

Satya Niketan collapse called 'human greed', not an accident. The author blames decades of illegal construction, MCD corruption and political inaction; questions house owners' greed and demands accountability, audits and enforcement before more lives are lost.

The Verdict | Satya Niketan building collapse wasn’t an accident. It was a failure of governance

US special envoy Jared Kushner says Israel’s upcoming October 27 election is pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to act “a little irrational” on Gaza. He says the political uncertainty has also delayed progress on the US-backed peace roadmap.

US special envoy Jared Kushner points to Israel's upcoming election for Gaza delay

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky faces mounting challenges as the grinding war with Russia continues. Alongside the battlefield pressure, questions surrounding corruption, governance and the prospects for peace are adding to the political strain facing Kyiv. As Ukraine navigates a prolonged conflict and uncertain diplomatic path, how will these pressures shape Zelensky’s leadership and the country’s future?

Ukraine's president Zelensky faces additional challenges amid war against Russia

South Korea, Japan and the United States have joined forces in a fresh military drill aimed at strengthening deterrence against North Korean threats. The exercise highlights growing security cooperation among the three allies as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. With Pyongyang closely watching military activity in the region, what message are Seoul, Tokyo and Washington sending to North Korea?

S. Korea, Japan, U.S. Military drill to enhance deterrence to North Korean threats 

Pakistan is witnessing a fresh political showdown over a proposed plan to divide its existing provinces. The proposal has triggered debate over Pakistan’s political map, provincial boundaries and the balance of power between the centre and the provinces. As political forces clash over the idea, could any move to redraw Pakistan’s provinces reshape the country’s political landscape?


Political showdown over proposed plan to divide existing provinces in Pakistan

Saudi Aramco is assessing damage after a reported fresh strike on its Jizan oil complex near the Yemen border. The extent of damage and impact on production remain unclear, with no group claiming responsibility so far.


Houthis launch missile Salvo on Saudi Arabia, Aramco oil facilities hit

The Delhi building collapse in a student hub has sparked outrage across India. With seven people reported dead and anger growing over accountability, questions are mounting over how long such tragedies can continue.


Delhi hostel collapse tragedy exposes administrative loopholes, neglect & corruption

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