US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clearing way for tariffs of up to 100 pc on India among others

Washington, Sep 17 (UNI) The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy sector, officials and its “shadow fleet” of tankers, giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, including India.

Jaishankar arrives in Paro after Bumthang visit, set for Royal audience

Siliguri, Sep 17 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister DN Dhungyel arrived at Paro International Airport on Thursday as part of the ongoing high-level engagement between India and Bhutan.

US officials met Houthi representatives in Oman, Iran-backed militia promised not to attack American or Israeli ships: Report

Muscat, Sep 16 (UNI) US officials met representatives of Yemen's Houthis in Oman over the weekend, five sources familiar with the talks said, days after the Iran-backed group seized a strategic stretch of Yemen's Red Sea coast in an offensive that pushed back Saudi-backed forces.

European Commission proposes making Canada EU's first 'associate member' amid strained ties with US

Brussels/Ottawa, Sep 16 (UNI) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the EU's first "associate member", bringing both Ottawa and Brussels closer for greater collaboration on economy and security matters, as they seek to reduce dependence on the US market amid strained relations with Washington.

Nepal FM Shisir Khanal bids farewell to Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, expresses gratitude for New Delhi's aid to Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Sep 16 (UNI) Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held a farewell meeting with India's Ambassador to the country Naveen Srivastava, on Wednesday, with the two discussing the progress of, and prospects for, Nepal-India relations.

Iran war cost US $38bn in first five months, another $2-3bn to add up in each month

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The Iran war has cost the Pentagon about $38 billion in its first five months, with another $2- 3 billion expected to add up for each additional month of fighting, according to a new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis.

Search team uncovers four bodies in Nepal's Chilime Hydropower tunnel in Rasuwa district

Kathmandu, Sep 16 (UNI) A joint search and rescue team, including foreign personnel, recovered four bodies on Wednesday from inside a tunnel at the Chilime Hydropower Project in Nepal's Rasuwa district, where people had been trapped since the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26.

Newly released photos reveal massive damage across US military installations in West Asia after Iranian strikes

Washington/Tehran, Sep 16 (UNI) Newly released photographs have revealed the extent of damage to buildings, vehicles and military equipment at several US positions across West Asia following Iranian missile and drone attacks.

US Vice President JD Vance says Washington can't allow its 'Middle East policy to become subservient' to Israel

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) US Vice President JD Vance said Washington cannot allow its "Middle East policy to become subservient" to Israel and should instead put American interests first.

Epstein Files scandal threatens to make its return as one GOP lawmaker secures almost enough votes to open another vote

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The Epstein Files controversy which froze the White House last year last year is threatening to return, with Rep Thomas Massie now just one Republican signature away from securing enough GOP support to force another vote.

An aging US Congress faces greater pressure to regulate AI even as half its members have barely ever used it

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) Members of Congress and governors are facing growing pressure to regulate AI, even as more than two dozen elected officials who spoke to Axios said they either do not use the technology or have done so only rarely.

Wang Yi, Araghchi hold talks in Beijing amid West Asia tensions

Beijing, Sep 16 (UNI) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, with the two sides discussing bilateral ties and regional and international issues amid continuing tensions in West Asia.

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The US House of Representatives advanced legislation that would give President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, potentially exposing major buyers such as India and China to higher duties.

US House passes war powers resolution directing Trump to withdraw forces from Iran

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a war powers resolution directing President Donald Trump to remove American forces from hostilities with Iran, in the third such congressional effort to limit the administration's military action in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi drone near Mecca, warns holy sites are a ‘red line’

Riyadh, Sep 16 (UNI) Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Mecca before it could enter the holy city's restricted airspace, the Saudi-led coalition said, accusing Yemen's Houthi movement of launching the aircraft toward Islam's holiest city.