TODAY NEWS ON September 19, 2026
News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp and others
Nepal Finance Minister meets Jaishankar, as both sides plan for PM Balen Shah visit
Nepal’s reconstruction plans post-floods and the “reset” of India-Nepal ties with the newly elected government were at the top of the agenda as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on Friday (September 18, 2026), as both sides prepare for a visit by Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah to Delhi later this year.
Mamata moves Supreme Court against ECI’s freeze on Trinamool Congress symbol
The Trinamool Congress faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee moved the Supreme Court on Friday (September 18, 2026) against a decision by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to freeze the party’s symbol. The Mamata-led faction got the name ‘Mamata All India Trinamool Congress’ with ‘football player’ as its symbol.
JPC members question Centre on foreign funds, asset takeover provisions in FCRA amendments
At the first meeting of Parliament’s Joint Committee on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, members raised a barrage of questions on the proposed changes, with the thrust of the ruling party MPs’ queries focused on utilisation of foreign contributions and Opposition members questioning provisions dealing with assets when an organisation’s FCRA licence is cancelled.
T.N. government writes to PM Modi seeking to change the operator of Chennai airport
In a significant development, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking to change the operator of the Chennai airport. Unhappy with a few aspects of the airport, the State has asked the Centre to bring in an operator other than the Airports Authority of India (AAI), sources said.
Passports for children below 15 years valid for 5 years or till they turn 18: MEA amends rules
The ordinary passport issued to a child under 15 years of age will be valid for five years or until the child turns 18 years, whichever is earlier, as per the new rules notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified this week amend the Passports Rules, 1980. The notification also stated that the rules came into force on the date of their publication in the official gazette.
FSSAI initiates legal action against Nestle India over infant nutrition products
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday said it has initiated legal action against Nestle India Limited for alleged non-compliance with food safety norms in three infant nutrition products. According to FSSAI, it examined NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up formula along with their promotional material available on e-commerce platforms. FSSAI said it had sought clarifications from Nestle India on these claims.
Karnataka accords second official language status to Tulu
Fulfilling a long-pending demand, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to accord the second official language status to the Tulu language, widely spoken in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, as well as in the neighbouring Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made the announcement during the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, 2026
Tamil Nadu government firm on two-language policy, not to provide land for Navodaya schools
Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education Rajmohan on Friday (September 18, 2026) asserted that the government remained firm on its two-language policy in schools and would continue its existing stand of not providing land for establishing Navodaya schools (CBSE syllabus). Mr. Rajmohan was responding to a question during a press conference at the Secretariat in Chennai on the Supreme Court giving three months’ time to the Tamil Nadu government to comply with its December 15, 2025, direction to identify the requisite land in each district to establish Navodaya schools.
MDR apprehension unlikely to spur higher cash usage: RBI Deputy Governor
Concerns that introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) would spur a surge in cash transactions are unlikely to materialise, RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu said on Friday (September 18, 2026), adding that it was only an “initial apprehension”. From October 15, a 0.4% MDR will apply to person-to-merchant UPI payments above ₹2,000.
Asian Games | Indian contingent formally welcomed amidst chaos, confusion at flag-hoisting ceremony
The Asian Games chaos in Aichi-Nagoya continued ahead of the formal opening ceremony on Saturday (September 19, 2026), with the official welcome ceremony for several nations, including India, marred by disruptions, delays and confusion.
International News
News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp and others
Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, a post he has held since 1970
Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after serving in the role for more than 50 years. Mr. Buffett, 96, will become chairman emeritus and will take on his new role immediately, the company said Friday (September 19, 2026). His son, Howard, will become Berkshire Hathaway's new chairman. Howard Buffett has been on the Berkshire Hathaway board since 1993. Warren Buffett will remain a director. He had served as Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman since 1970.
Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into law
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (September 18, 2026) signed the Russia sanctions bill into law, the White House said in a statement. The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act seeks to impose steep levies on Moscow and its top energy buyers, including India and China.
U.S. national arrested by NIA under terror charges gets bail after 180-day probe deadline lapses
As the National Investigation Agency did not file a charge sheet covering the alleged terror offences within the mandatory 180-day period, a Delhi court on Friday granted default bail to U.S. national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, who was arrested in March in connection with an alleged cross-border conspiracy involving ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
Hundreds of thousands attend Iran’s biggest government-organised rally since the war began
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied Friday (September 18, 2026) in a government-organised show of defiance after months of war, pledging their readiness to take up arms in the biggest such demonstration since the United States and Israel attacked in February. Iran’s government has sought to rally the people and stress national unity, even as the economy worsens under a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and new U.S. sanctions.
At least three students killed in Philippine school shooting, including suspected gunman
At least three people were killed in a school shooting in the southern Philippines on Friday (September 18, 2026), including the 16-year-old suspected gunman, with eight others injured, the town’s Mayor said. Four of the eight injured were in critical condition, and all the victims were students aged 14 to 17, Banga town Mayor Albert Palencia told Reuters.
Trump extends push for $100,000 H-1B visas by another year
President Donald Trump has extended an executive order that would impose a fee of $100,000 for H-1B non-immigrant visas by another year, the White House said on Friday. US employers seeking to hire skilled foreign workers can use the federal government’s H-1B visa program for a fee, allowing tech and other professionals from abroad to work in the United States for a few years.
Trump will be at airport to greet Xi when China's leader arrives for his US state visit
The first state visit by the leader of China in more than a decade takes place next week when President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for high-stakes talks – and a little schmoozing – at the White House with President Donald Trump. When Xi’s plan lands at Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington on Wednesday, Trump will be there to welcome Xi for the state visit, senior administration officials told reporters. That’s unusual — Trump typically meets foreign leaders at the White House.
Trump signs bill extending Iran sanctions to 2031
President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation that expands US sanctions, tariffs and other restrictions on Russia while also extending long-standing sanctions on Iran, the White House announced. The measure, H.R. 5334, known as the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” and named for the late senator, targets Russian officials, financial institutions and other entities, along with provisions affecting Russian energy and trade, while also pushing back the expiration of the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act by five years, from 2026 to 2031.
Trump has a deal to build US military presence in Greenland while leaving island in Denmark's hands
President Donald Trump announced Friday he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the US military presence in Greenland after months of threatening to take the island by force from the NATO ally an agreement that also keeps the Arctic territory in Denmark’s hands.Trump in a social media post announcing the deal said the emerging agreement “gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many US concerns.
UK PM Burnham and Irish PM Martin reaffirm commitment Good Friday Agreement
Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Irish premier Micheal Martin on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Good Friday Agreement, Downing Street said in a statement issued after the two leaders met in Manchester. The comments come after U.S. President Donald Trump raised the question of Irish unification up the political agenda during a visit to Ireland last week, saying he would love to see Ireland and Northern Ireland unified. Reuters
16 killed, 50 injured in suicide blast at Pakistan mosque during Friday namaz
At least 16 people were killed and more than 50 others were injured after a powerful suicide blast struck a mosque near the old Police Lines in Kohat district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers, officials said.
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