The US House of Representatives has advanced legislation targeting Russia and Iran, clearing a procedural hurdle before a final vote expected on September 16. The bill, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026, could give President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries, including India, that purchase Russian oil and gas. The measure passed the procedural vote 214–211. Its advancement does not mean the bill has become law. The proposed sanctions could create significant implications for India-US trade and India’s purchases of Russian energy. (PC: Reuters)

New Zealand’s Parliament has approved legislation implementing the free trade agreement (FTA) with India, clearing the way for the removal or substantial reduction of tariffs on nearly 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India. The bill passed 93–29, with the opposition Labour Party supporting it. The agreement, signed by both countries on April 27, is likely to take effect from October 19, according to an official. More than half of covered products will become duty-free when the pact begins. New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said exporters would see benefits that are “immediate and substantial”. The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries. (PC: X)

Hundreds of fans gathered outside London’s tallest building, The Shard, on Tuesday to see Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, but his event was cancelled after the Metropolitan Police intervened over safety concerns. A member of Vijay’s team announced that the programme was being called off because permission had not been granted due to safety concerns. The cancellation disappointed fans, some of whom had queued for hours. Vijay is leading a state delegation to the UK to attract investments into Tamil Nadu. His office said the delegation had signed multiple memoranda of understanding involving around Rs 12,300 crore in investments, expected to generate more than 9,400 high-value jobs. Vijay is scheduled to return to India Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised India’s concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Modi stressed that both sides should show sensitivity to each other’s core concerns and be guided by “three mutuals”: mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. The Chinese readout quoted Modi as saying India’s position on Tibet and Taiwan had not changed and that New Delhi does not allow anti-China activities on its soil. India’s position on Tibet and Taiwan has remained consistent under successive governments, despite no longer publicly articulating its One China policy since 2010.

The US House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100 per cent tariffs on India and other countries buying oil and gas from Russia, while extending existing sanctions on Iran. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a procedural hurdle on Tuesday evening after two Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans in supporting it. The measure is expected to face a final House vote on Wednesday. A resolution advancing the bill, alongside other legislation, passed 214-211, surprising House Democratic leadership. The measure increases pressure on Russia while creating potential trade risks for India, a major buyer of Russian energy supplies.

A US federal judge has blocked new Trump administration rules that would have sharply cut how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the country, a day before they were due to take effect. The rules would have capped student stays at four years and journalist visas at just 240 days. India, the largest source of international students in the US with 3,63,019 enrolled in 2024-25, stood to be hit hardest. The pause means Indian students in longer programmes, like PhDs, won't scramble for extensions, and Indian journalists can keep working without filing for renewal every eight months, for now. (PC: HT)

India is concerned about risks around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait as Iran-backed Houthis escalate attacks in the Red Sea region. The chokepoint connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a gateway between the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted amid the US-Iran conflict, Bab-el-Mandeb has become more important for energy supplies. India said attacks on Saudi infrastructure and economic assets threaten stability and freedom of navigation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India continues receiving energy and said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the attacks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Prolonged disruption could increase shipping, insurance and energy-security pressures. (PC: Reuters)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Pakistan’s fresh increase in the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as “gimmicks” and demanded concrete action against terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan’s “hoodwinking” was not new, noting that similar announcements had been made previously, once again. Responding to a question about Pakistan maintaining the bounty on Azhar, Jaiswal called the announcement “phoney” and said that, for a state sponsor of terrorism, such declarations were hollow. He stressed that Pakistan must take concrete action instead of making phoney announcements, adding that the bounty announcement was “of no consequence” in practice. Azhar is believed to be operating from Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. (PC: AFP)

Indian-Americans had steadily shifted towards Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the 2024 election, drawn by shared conservative values and economic messaging. That trend now faces a setback after Texas GOP candidate Bo French called South Asian students celebrating at a University of Texas football game a "problem," triggering allegations of racism. Senator John Cornyn and other Republicans condemned the remarks, while Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi called it xenophobic hate. Indian-American groups have voiced anger, warning the episode risks reviving fears of discrimination within the GOP. Analysts say the backlash could stall the community's rightward political shift ahead of upcoming elections.

Two Indian-origin former Rutgers University students, identified as Navam Kaul and Malaika Chitre, died after being struck by a Number 4 train at Canal Street Station in Manhattan on Sunday. A viral video showed the pair sitting on the tracks before the train arrived. Police are investigating whether drugs or alcohol were involved, and are also examining the possibility of suicide, though no note has been found. The train operator reportedly saw the two on the tracks moments before the collision. Around 100 passengers aboard were evacuated safely. The incident remains under investigation by New York transit authorities. (PC: HT)