Morning Digest: Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into law; Mamata moves SC against freeze on TMC symbol, and more

US President Donald Trump looks on from inside a vehicle near the White House in Washington, D.C., US, en route to Sterling, Virginia, U.S., on September 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into lawU.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.Mamata moves Supreme Court against ECI’s freeze on Trinamool Congress symbolThe 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 amendmentsAt 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.Nepal Finance Minister meets Jaishankar, as both sides plan for PM Balen Shah visitNepal’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.Coaching centres ‘being threatened’ to keep students away from Rahul’s Indore event: Congress The Congress on Friday (September 18, 2026) accused the Madhya Pradesh authorities of pressurising coaching centres and student hostels in Indore to prevent youth from taking part in Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj event, scheduled for Saturday (September 19, 2026).DUSU polls record 40.46% turnout, highest in three yearsThe Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections recorded a voter turnout of 40.46% across 52 polling stations as of 10.30 p.m. on Friday (September 18, 2026), the highest in the past three years, with around 1.51 lakh students casting their votes, a university official said. The figure was subject to change as the final turnout was still being calculated, the official added.T.N. government writes to PM Modi seeking to change the operator of Chennai airportIn 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.MDR apprehension unlikely to spur higher cash usage: RBI Deputy GovernorConcerns 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.Hundreds of thousands attend Iran’s biggest government-organised rally since the war beganHundreds 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.Asian Games | Indian contingent formally welcomed amidst chaos, confusion at flag-hoisting ceremonyThe 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. Published - September 19, 2026 07:22 am IST