Photo: Dr. Rajendra Shende

Beyond Earth Overshoot Day: Why Humanity Needs an Earth Budget Framework

If Earth Overshoot Day falls on 30 July in 2026 , humanity is currently effectively requiring nearly one and three-quarter Earths to sustain its present patterns of production and consumption.

Climate Security Becoming South Asia’s Biggest Strategic Threat: Need for Regional Framework for Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Climate change is reshaping national security in South Asia. Military preparedness, though important, cannot make up for decaying infrastructure, failing water systems, or recurrent economic disruptions brought on by extreme weather. Governments must expand the definition of security to incorporate climate resilience as a central strategic goal.

Indus Waters Treaty and the Limits of Control: India Cannot Restrict Flow to Pakistan, Only Optimise Use

Even full development of India’s permitted hydropower and storage rights under the Indus Waters Treaty expands utilisation, but does not translate into control over downstream flows into Pakistan. The debate, therefore, is not about the ability to stop water. It is about how effectively each side uses what geography and law already permit.

India's Net-Zero Commitment and Energy Transition: Need to Avoid Disruptions in Job Security and Livelihood Opportunities

A just transition in India therefore requires targeted, context-specific strategies—supporting coal-dependent regions, strengthening reskilling and social protection (especially for informal workers), and aligning sectoral decarbonisation with employment generation. Ultimately, the transition’s success will depend not only on reducing emissions, but on its ability to protect livelihoods and enable inclusive, equitable growth.

More on Climate, Sustainability and Energy

UN rights chief welcomes reforms in Sri Lanka, but concerns remain over violations

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet acknowledged Sri Lanka’s legal, institutional, and constitutional reforms, but added concerns remain about the lack of accountability in Sri Lanka after gross violations of human rights

India abstains on US-proposed resolution condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine

India, along with China and the United Arab Emirates, abstained on a Security Council resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine

As New Delhi remains neutral, US, Russia seek India's support ahead of crucial UN Security Council vote on Ukraine

The UN resolution would be a test of India's position in a post-Cold War world that is quickly plunging into a new Cold War

India avoids criticising Moscow; warns of 'major crisis' as Russia starts 'special military operations' in Ukraine; Pakistan PM lands in Moscow

As Russian President Vladimir Putin announced “special military operations” in Ukraine even as the Security Council was meeting in a late-night emergency session, India warned of a looming major crisis

India warns Ukraine developments could undermine peace and security; Russia gets little international support

India's statement was one of the mildest straddling the East and the West while most of the members roundly criticised Putin's actions

UNICEF to pay two months salaries to Afghan teachers

In what comes as huge relief to Afghan teachers, who remain unpaid for months, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has said it will pay a fixed stipend for two months to support them

India maintains neutral stance, reiterates call for diplomatic dialogue as Ukraine tensions heighten

Tirumurti expressed India's support for the Minsk Agreements and the Normandy format of diplomacy for finding a solution to the Ukraine situation

UK to co-host aid conference for Afghanistan next month as UN seeks $4.4 billion

The United Kingdom will co-host next month an international aid conference for Afghanistan with the United Nations, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss confirmed on Tuesday, as the UN seeks $4.4 billion, the largest the UN has ever sought for a single country for meeting the growing humanitarian needs

'Appalling culture of impunity': UN rights monitors excoriate Bangladesh over journalists’ murder probe

The lack of progress in the investigations involving the killings of journalists in Bangladesh highlights an “appalling and pervasive culture of impunity” in the country, the United Nations’ human rights monitors said, urging authorities to “conduct thorough, independent and effective investigations”

India criticises UN terrorism report for ignoring JeM, LeT terror linkages

'There are no recent signs that the Taliban has taken steps to limit the activities of foreign terrorist fighters in the country', the UN report said

Nine among 76 Bangladeshis, listed missing by UN, 'reappear', amid coercion charges by victims’ families

About eight to nine people, who were among 76 listed as missing by the United States, have reappeared, a senior Bangladesh official said, amid reports that authorities were coercing families to give false testimonies about victims

UN rights commission seeks release of detained Afghan women activists amid growing Taliban crackdown

A UN rights body has called for the release of four Afghan women activists and their relatives detained or arrested by the Taliban in the last few weeks

Terrorists have rebranded themselves as humanitarian organisations, says India

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa has a charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation which was banned by Pakistan in 2019 amid intense global pressure

UN chief says Lata Mangeshkar was the ‘voice of subcontinent’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condoled the death of Indian singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, calling her the “voice of an entire subcontinent.”

Osama’s son met top Taliban leaders after the fall of Kabul; terrorists now enjoy greater freedom in Afghanistan: UN report

The Taliban haven’t taken any steps to limit the activities of foreign fighters; they, in fact, enjoy greater freedom under them