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Current affairs — 20 September 2026

3 prelims-relevant stories, each distilled into quick facts — with a 3-question quiz at the end.

Indian Economysecondary-tariffs

How will the U.S.’s Sanctioning Act affect India? | Explained

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026 allows the U.S. to impose an additional 100% tariff on goods from major importers of Russian oil or gas that continue such imports after 30 days. India faces risks to export competitiveness and energy security, though the U.S. President may waive tariffs in the national interest.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • The Act allows a 100% tariff 30 days after enactment on goods from a qualifying country that continues importing Russian oil or gas.
  • One trigger covers a country among the five largest Russian crude-oil or natural-gas importers by volume during the preceding 12 months.
  • Russia accounted for more than 51% of India's crude oil imports in July 2026, according to the data cited in the article.
  • A tariff imposed under the Act would be additional to other duties, including tariffs under Sections 301 and 232 of U.S. trade laws.
  • The U.S. President may waive the tariff after giving Congress a written national-interest certification and a report explaining its basis.
Sciencespace-security

Why has U.S. deployed ‘space weapons’? |Explained

A U.S. official disclosed that ‘space control’ weapons are deployed in Earth orbit, without revealing their capabilities or rules of engagement. The Outer Space Treaty bans nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit but does not categorically prohibit conventional orbital weapons, leaving their legality dependent on undisclosed details and wider international law.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu — International (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • On September 14, 2026, U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said ‘space control’ weapons were deployed in Earth orbit.
  • The U.S. Space Force framework recognises three counter-space categories: orbital, electromagnetic and cyberspace operations.
  • The Outer Space Treaty entered into force in 1967 and bans nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
  • The Outer Space Treaty does not categorically prohibit conventional weapons from being placed in orbit.
  • Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty requires parties to act with due regard for the interests of other treaty parties.
Current Affairsmaritime-confidence-building

What is the India-Pakistan conflict at sea about? | Explained

Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain collided with Indian Navy destroyer INS Kolkata in the North Arabian Sea on September 15. India blamed a dangerous Pakistani overtaking manoeuvre and invoked Article 10 of a 1991 bilateral agreement requiring three nautical miles of separation in international waters; Pakistan disputed India's account.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement requires their naval ships and submarines to maintain three nautical miles of separation in international waters.
  • INS Kolkata is the lead ship of the Indian Navy's Project 15A Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers and was commissioned in August 2014.
  • PNS Hunain is an OPV 2600-based offshore patrol vessel built by Damen Shipyards in Romania and commissioned in July 2024.
  • India said INS Kolkata suffered no major damage and remained at sea, while the damaged PNS Hunain returned to harbour.
  • In June 2011, PNS Babur came close to INS Godavari during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, causing minor damage.

Today's quiz

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Question 1 of 3

What must the U.S. President provide before waiving tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026?

Answer key

Take the quiz above first. This key is for revision after you finish.

  1. Q1

    What must the U.S. President provide before waiving tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026?

    (A) A written certification to Congress that the waiver is in the U.S. national interest, with a report explaining the basis

  2. Q2

    Consider the following statements about the Outer Space Treaty: 1. It prohibits nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in orbit. 2. It categorically prohibits every conventional weapon in orbit. Which is/are correct?

    (A) 1 only

  3. Q3

    Which provision is contained in Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement discussed in the article?

    (A) Their naval ships and submarines should remain at least three nautical miles apart in international waters

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