Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia's Samara region overnight on September 15, extending Kyiv's campaign against Russian energy and industrial infrastructure. Monitoring channels reported fires at several points inside the complex, although the full scale of damage was not immediately independently confirmed. Ukraine Syzran refinery strike targets Russian energy

Libya's role as a regional drug trafficking hub is attracting renewed attention after authorities announced the seizure of 100,000 ecstasy tablets hidden inside a cargo vehicle. The case comes as United Nations research warns that Libya's fractured political and security environment has helped trafficking networks expand routes linking North Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Libya ecstasy seizure exposes expanding drug routes

Israel is facing widening diplomatic pressure over Gaza, settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and its relations with traditional allies. The debate intensified after Jared Kushner said the Trump administration used Israel's isolation following the Doha strike to help advance a Gaza deal.    Doha strike Gaza deal increased diplomatic pressure Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and s

A Stockport husband has admitted 60 offences against his wife after pleading guilty to the remaining charges in a case involving more than two decades of sexual abuse. The man, who cannot legally be identified because doing so could reveal his wife's identity, remains in custody while related proceedings continue. Stockport husband guilty plea reaches 60 offences The man, who is in his 60s and

Indian-origin woman shot dead after stalking in California has raised concerns over repeated harassment and restraining order violations. Shalini Thakur was killed in a Sacramento shooting, while police later found the suspect dead after a Highway 50 operation.  Indian-origin woman shot dead after stalking in California A 38-year-old Indian-origin woman, identified as Shalini Thakur, was shot d

India to U.S. parcel customs duty may be collected differently depending on whether a shipment travels through FedEx, UPS, DHL or the postal network. CBP determines applicable government charges, while carriers may collect them and add separate clearance or advancement fees. When a parcel arrives in the United States from India, the delivery company may ask for payment of customs charges. That does not mea

A customs duty email can be legitimate when a carrier is collecting import charges, but fake parcel-payment messages are also common. U.S. recipients should verify the tracking number, carrier, shipment details and payment portal before entering card or personal information. An email or text demanding customs duty on a parcel from India should not automatically be treated as either genuine or fraudulent. Shipping companies can legitimately con

Customs duty on gifts from India to the U.S. does not apply automatically to every parcel. CBP maintains a separate exemption for qualifying unsolicited gifts worth up to $100 per recipient per day, even as broader de minimis treatment remains suspended. A gift sent from India to a friend or relative in the United States can still qualify for duty-free treatment in certain circumstances, despite major changes to U.S. rules

Tamil Nadu Secretariat Pattinapakkam protest has intensified as fisherfolk oppose the Chennai Secretariat project over livelihood and coastal concerns. Political parties are also backing a Secretariat site shift demand and wider consultation.   The Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to build a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai is facing growing resistance from fishing communities, en

The 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi 2026 brings leaders together for BRICS bilateral meetings, the BRICS Business Forum, trade cooperation and Global South diplomacy under India’s BRICS chairship.  

Diesel prices in the United States have climbed to record territory, with GasBuddy reporting the national average above $6 a gallon and AAA listing diesel at $5.9773 on September 10. That is sharply higher than AAA’s year-ago average of $3.7060 and raises fresh concerns about transport costs, inflation and pressure on businesses that depend on heavy-duty fuel. Oil shock The latest oil shock h

President Donald Trump closed the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas with an emphatic appeal for supporters to turn out in the November 2026 elections, telling voters to approach the congressional contests as though his own name were on the ballot. The Trump midterm push placed voter participation at the center of his closing message as Republicans fight to retain control of the House and Senate. Trump repeatedly linked the

The Russian Orthodox Church has sent a fragment of medieval Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s remains toward Russian military units fighting in Ukraine, presenting the relic as a source of spiritual strength for soldiers. The Donskoy relic sent to Russian troops comes as fighting continues around Donetsk and the Church maintains its public support for Moscow’s military campaign. Donetsk The Mos

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting is set to focus on defence ties, energy, nuclear cooperation, technology and the wider India-Russia strategic partnership. India will host the summit on September 12 and 13. Defence ties Defence ties are expec

India to U.S. parcel charges can include government customs duties and separate carrier fees. This guide explains tariffs, customs duty, brokerage, disbursement and processing costs, and why the amount due can vary by product, value, entry type and shipping carrier. A parcel sent from India to the United States can generate more than one type of import charge. A bill may combine government customs charges with courier fees

A customs bill after delivery can surprise U.S. recipients of parcels from India. Carrier billing practices, shipment paperwork and current U.S. import rules can allow duties and related charges to be invoiced after delivery, depending on who was listed to pay them. Receiving a parcel from India does not necessarily mean every U.S. customs charge connected with the shipment has already been paid. Depending on the carrier,

Parcels arriving in the U.S. from India may now face duties even at low values after the $800 de minimis exemption was suspended. CBP rules and carrier billing practices explain why recipients can see customs charges, including invoices after delivery. Americans receiving parcels from India may now encounter customs duty or other import charges even on relatively low-value packages. The change follows the U.S. suspension of the de minimis exem

A Michigan ID printing error affected about 8,200 enhanced driver’s licenses and state IDs produced on August 26, 2026. The cards showed a stock photo and generic birth date. Corrected replacements are being mailed automatically, with temporary IDs available. Michigan ID printing error affects one batch About 8,200 Michigan residents who applied for or renewed an enhanced driver’s license o

The Cognizant PERM suspension blocks new permanent labor certification filings as federal investigators examine alleged H-1B and PERM fraud. Cloudera remains under an earlier 180-day PERM processing freeze tied to a Justice Department recruitment case. Cognizant PERM filings suspended The U.S. Department of Labor has suspended Cognizant’s PERM filings as federal investigators examine alleged

President Donald Trump used his Republican Midterm Convention speech in Dallas to rally GOP voters ahead of the November 2026 elections, but early online viewing figures remained modest. His remarks covered the economy, elections, Republican turnout and the party’s challenge of avoiding traditional midterm losses. Fox Coverage Carries Trump’s Full Address Trump took center stage Wednesday n