FirstUp: London Tube workers' strike, Fed chair interviews to begin... Headlines today

It is set to be a busy Thursday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, commuters are expected to face travel misery as a series of disruptions in the Tube will begin with some union members at Ruislip depot in west London staging a walk out for 24 hours. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to begin interviewing candidates to become the next Chair of the Federal Reserve from today.

Australia and Japan will be holding their latest “2+2” defence and foreign ministers meeting today. The deadline for Afghans without the right to leave Iran is today. In India, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is set to host its annual all-India coordination meeting in Jodhpur.

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Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.

London Tube strike to begin

Commuters of the London Tube can expect some disruptions in travel schedule today as some union members at the Ruislip depot in west London will stage a walkout for 24 hours, reported news website The Independent. Organised by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, the strike is triggered by unresolved disputes with Transport for London (TfL) over wages, job security, and working conditions.

The RMT has made it clear that TfL’s cost-cutting measures, introduced after pandemic-related revenue losses and limited government funding, have placed undue strain on workers. Union leaders said staff were being asked to work longer hours with fewer resources, while pay offers lagged behind inflation.

Some of the affected stations are Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City, among others. Meanwhile, from Sunday (September 7), different groups of RMT members will walk across the Tube network each day till September 11, affecting travel in different regions.

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Interviews for federal reserve chair to begin

Treasury Secretary Bessent will reportedly begin interviews for candidates to succeed Jerome Powell as the next Federal Reserve Chair from today. Powell’s term as Fed Chair will end in February 2026, and the Trump administration aims to finalise its nominee well ahead of time to ensure a smooth transition.

According to officials, the shortlist includes current Fed governors, seasoned economists, and former central bank officials, each bringing different perspectives on monetary policy, inflation control, and financial stability. Among the front runners are Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, among others.

Bessent’s role in leading the interview process underscores the administration’s intent to balance economic stability with political considerations ahead of the 2026 election season.

Australian, Japan 2+2 defence and foreign ministers meeting

Australia and Japan will hold their latest “2+2” defence and foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo today. This meeting aims to reaffirm their commitment to deepening security and strategic ties amid rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

At the meeting, the ministers are expected to emphasise the importance of upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, a principle central to both countries’ foreign policy. With increasing tensions in the South China Sea, concerns over North Korea’s missile programme, and uncertainty around Taiwan, the talks are expected to underscore the need for closer bilateral and multilateral collaboration.

According to a statement by Australia’s Ministry of Defence, the meeting will focus on shared geostrategic priorities as well as increasing collaboration across critical areas including economic ties, cyber security, regional security, and multilateral affairs.

Iran’s deadline for Afghans to leave the country

The Iranian government’s final deadline for Afghan nationals without legal residency documents to leave the country comes today.

Ahmad Masoumi-Far, a representative of Iran’s Foreign Ministry in Khorasan Razavi province, warned that Afghan nationals who remain in Iran beyond this date will be subject to fines for illegal residency. He added that if migrants choose to leave Iran voluntarily after the deadline, their household belongings will also be subject to customs duties upon departure.

Iran has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, many fleeing conflict, poverty, or Taliban rule. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 3.6 million Afghans currently live in Iran, with only about one million formally registered. The remaining population faces uncertain futures amid rising economic pressures and stricter border controls.

RSS all-India coordination meet

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will host its annual all-India coordination meeting in Jodhpur from today (September 5). RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will be leading the proceedings, while nearly 320 workers are expected to participate in the event.

Sunil Ambekar, the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, conveyed during a press briefing that this gathering will include all Sah-Sarkaryavahs and various office-bearers, highlighting the importance of their presence.

Representatives from 32 RSS-inspired organisations will meet to discuss social issues, national unity, and security. The goal is to share experiences and achievements, which will help set a course for future initiatives and improve coordination for upcoming RSS centenary events.

With inputs from agencies