India on Thursday said it would take all necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests after the US Congress passed a sweeping bill targeting Russia and Iran. The legislation gives US President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue significant trade with Russia, including Russian oil and gas.   India’s External Affairs Ministry said the government remains committed to securing energy supplies for its 1.4 billion people. It said India would continue sourcing energy based on market conditions and through diversified suppliers, while assessing the impact of the US measures. (PC: India Today)

Indian athletes are facing accommodation and logistical difficulties in Japan ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, according to sources. The Games begin September 19 and end October 4. Athletes, including members of the shooting contingent, are reportedly waiting for rooms, while shooters are taking more than two hours to reach training venues. Sources claimed some room bookings were cancelled and athletes and officials spent hours at the airport before receiving accommodation. India's Chef de Mission has reportedly booked 15 additional rooms. Venues allegedly lack adequate facilities apart from drinking water. More than 11,000 athletes from over 45 countries are expected, with accommodation split between hotels, containers and Costa Serena.

A unit of Adani Power’s Godda thermal plant in Jharkhand, which supplies electricity to Bangladesh, shut down on September 10 after a boiler fault, halving supplies. The unit was restored on September 13, while Bangladesh was facing a power deficit of around 2,500 MW and outages lasting three to 10 hours in several regions. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Secretary-General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged the shutdown was linked to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman skipping the Brics Summit in New Delhi. Speaking outside Dhaka’s Jatiya Press Club, Rizvi accused India of creating a “web of conspiracy” against Bangladesh and said Rahman’s decision upheld Bangladesh’s “independence and sovereignty,” according to Bangladeshi media reports. (PC: BNP/Social Media)

The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The State Department said Abbas’ application was rejected, preventing him from travelling to the US and addressing the gathering in person. Abbas will miss the UN meeting for a second consecutive year, with Palestinian officials expected to arrange a remote or prerecorded address. Washington has cited US laws concerning security, associations and statutory compliance for restrictions on Palestinian officials. The decision raises questions over US obligations under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, which requires facilitating access for foreign officials attending UN business, though Washington says domestic laws can affect decisions. (PC: X)

A Pakistan Navy vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in the Arabian Sea on September 15 after manoeuvring at high speed, India said the Pakistani vessel acted in an “unprofessional and unsafe” manner and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires to lodge a strong protest. The collision occurred in international waters and caused no damage to the Indian warship, while India said the conduct violated Article 10 of the 1991 agreement requiring naval vessels to maintain three nautical miles’ distance. Pakistan later summoned India’s charge d’affaires, alleging the Indian vessel made aggressive manoeuvres inside Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone. Both sides urged adherence to international law and agreements to prevent incidents at sea.

Muslim-majority countries condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with several governments calling for restraint and an end to regional escalation. Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, outside the prohibited airspace over the city. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions in Yemen, which have affected Saudi energy infrastructure and international shipping routes. The Houthis have denied responsibility for the incident. The reported drone incident has drawn condemnation from governments across the Muslim world, with reactions focused on the security of Mecca and the need to prevent further regional escalation. (PC: Times Now)

Two terrorists, believed to be foreigners and likely affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were killed in a late-night gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Wednesday. Security forces launched a major cordon and search operation in the Sohan area after receiving inputs about suspicious movement. A heavy gunbattle followed between the forces and the terrorists. In the early morning hours, security forces recovered the bodies of the two terrorists and arms and ammunition from their possession. Their identities were being ascertained. The operation came after security forces received information regarding terrorist movement in the area, prompting the search operation and subsequent encounter. (PC: X)

The US House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill on Wednesday, clearing the final hurdle for legislation that grants President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil and natural gas, including India and China. Officially titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, the bill passed 262-159 and is expected to be signed by Trump, and now awaits President Trump's signature. It previously cleared the Senate 86-11 but faced delays in the House over disagreements about expanding presidential economic powers. While 58 Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure, Democratic leadership opposed its expanded tariff provisions.

The United States has so far held back from direct military intervention in Yemen after US officials met Houthi leaders in Oman, according to reports. The talks reportedly focused on keeping the existing ceasefire between Washington and the Houthis and preventing attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea. The development comes as the Iran-backed group advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and launches attacks inside Saudi Arabia. Washington’s decision not to intervene directly has increased pressure on Riyadh to respond to the Houthi advance. US officials have maintained contact with the group, while regional tensions and oil prices remain elevated. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan has said its defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey has “no aggressive element” and is “purely defensive” as tensions rise following recent Houthi attacks in the region. Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the agreement was based on “collective deterrence” and reflected decades of strategic, cultural and military ties between the countries. His remarks came after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca. The Houthis denied targeting the holy city. Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and warned that attacks could threaten regional security and global energy supplies. (PC: HT)