U.S. House passes Russia sanctions bill seeking to impose up to 100% tariffs on India
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) passed a legislation targeting Russia’s energy sector, individuals and “shadow fleet” of tankers, including authorising the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia. The House voted 262-159 in favour of the Bill.
India rejects Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission ‘which is without any legal basis’
India on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) rejected the “so-called” boundary joint commission set up by Pakistan and China, saying that the body has no legal basis to decide on arrangements related to Indian territory under illegal occupation. New Delhi’s reaction came following the first meeting of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission in Islamabad.
Plea in Supreme Court challenges levy on UPI payments above ₹2,000
A petition has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging a decision by the government to levy a 0.4% charge on merchants for specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions in excess of ₹2,000. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced the merchant discount rate (MDR) of 0.4% on UPI payments, applicable from October 15.
Oman pitches new port that could give India better access to Gulf energy
With the Strait of Hormuz in a chokehold due to Iran-U.S. hostilities, Oman has pitched to India investment opportunities in a new port that could provide uninterrupted access to energy resources from the Persian Gulf. The Sohar port is located on the Omani coast on the Gulf of Oman, and ships can access hubs in the Gulf through this port as it sits far from the Strait of Hormuz.
Old Census town criteria will not capture India’s urbanisation, Ministry tells House panel
The four-decade-old criteria used to classify Census Towns will not be able to capture the actual scale of urbanisation in India, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) told a parliamentary committee, arguing that the present rigid definition, which the Registrar General of India (RGI) has decided to continue with despite the Ministry’s objections, does not account for economic and spatial transformations.
I faced them as freedom fighters faced bullets, says Mahua Moitra after eggs thrown at her
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) alleged that BJP workers pelted eggs at her during a visit to her Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal’s Nadia. “Big shout out to Hon’ble Justice Dipankar Datta! MiLord - I came to my constituency for a mtng [meeting] informing @WBPolice & BJP workers with their help pelted eggs on me. True to your advice I faced them as a freedom fighter faced bullets,” Ms. Moitra posted.
Govt. cuts windfall tax on export of petrol, diesel and ATF
India has lowered windfall taxes on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) with immediate effect, according to a government order issued late on Wednesday (September 16, 2026).
In post-BRICS outreach, Jaishankar reaches Bhutan; Nepal Finance Minister to arrive in Delhi
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Thimphu on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) for a two-day visit to discuss India’s development assistance, while Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle will arrive in Delhi on Thursday (September 17, 2026) for talks that are expected to discuss India’s support for Nepal’s reconstruction post-floods, as the government intensifies its outreach in the neighbourhood.
Dadasaheb Phalke honour for Kannada film artist Anant Nag
In a big honour for Kannada cinema, veteran actor Anant Nag became the second artist from the State to win the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on Wednesday (September 16, 2026). The recognition comes a year after the actor was conferred with the Padma Bhushan.
Nabi, Dhir get maiden ODI call-ups for West Indies series
Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir have earned maiden ODI call-ups for the home series against the West Indies beginning on September 27. With the three-match ODI series clashing with the Asian Games, the selectors have had to ensure there is no overlap between the two squads. All-rounder Nitish Kumar, who was originally part of the Asian Games contingent, has been pulled out of the multi-sport event and instead included in the ODI squad.
