⚡ Today in History

On September 17, 1787, delegates in Philadelphia signed the U.S. Constitution, setting up the checks Congress still uses on the presidency. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords at the presidential retreat in Maryland. Today, Congress used that same constitutional authority to send President Trump a new Russia and Iran sanctions bill that limits his power to lift penalties on Moscow.

Top News

Congress sends Russia-Iran sanctions bill to Trump's desk 262-159

The House passed a sanctions bill named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham by a vote of 262 to 159 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, aiming to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Passed in Washington, the bill lets President Trump impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries such as China and India that buy Russian oil and gas. The bill now heads to his desk for a signature.

UN Security Council votes today on Iran nuclear panel DAY 202

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran's refusal to allow inspectors into its facilities raises serious proliferation concerns. The UN Security Council votes Thursday, September 17, on reestablishing the 1737 Committee, the panel that oversees sanctions on Iran's nuclear program. Russia and China have said the council cannot move forward, deepening divisions over the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States that began in February 2026.

Oil prices surge past $107 a barrel

Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West pipeline this month after Houthi rebels intensified attacks on shipping routes near the Red Sea. Brent crude climbed above $107 a barrel this week, its highest level in four months. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the outage should last only a few more days, but the disruption has already pushed fuel costs higher worldwide.

India warns of new US tariffs over Russian oil buys

The new sanctions law lets Washington tax countries that buy Russian oil, and India ranks among the largest purchasers of discounted Russian crude. India's government said Thursday, September 17, 2026, that it would take steps necessary to protect its trade and economic interests. The exchange adds friction to US-India relations just days after the two countries met at the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

Iran executes 61 prisoners in three weeks

Islamic Republic authorities ramped up capital punishment as the war with Israel and the United States continued into its seventh month. Iran executed at least 61 prisoners between August 23 and September 15, 2026, across detention facilities nationwide, according to the opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran. Rights advocates call it the highest execution count recorded since the war began in February 2026.

World

BRICS leaders adopt New Delhi Declaration 11 NATIONS

Leaders sought common ground despite deep divisions over the wars in Iran and Ukraine. The 18th BRICS Summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, 2026, at India's Bharat Mandapam venue. The document calls for restraint in the Middle East and criticizes the global trade war, without naming the United States, Israel, or Iran directly.

US drone destroys two Iranian boats in Gulf

CENTCOM said Iranian small boats attempted to seize a US unmanned surface vessel in the Persian Gulf. An American drone destroyed two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats on Monday, September 14, 2026, killing most of those aboard. The strike was the first US action attributed to Iran since September 8, adding to more than six months of fighting that began in February 2026.

Ukraine's parliament ends VAT break on parcels

Lawmakers moved to meet commitments tied to IMF and European Union funding programs. Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved a bill Tuesday, September 15, 2026, ending VAT exemptions on international parcels under 150 euros. The change is expected to generate about 10 billion hryvnia, or $224 million, a year for Kyiv's government.

Iran, UAE leaders hold highest-level meeting since war began

Iran and the United Arab Emirates have taken opposing sides since fighting with Israel and the United States began on February 28, 2026. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi ruler Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12, 2026. The meeting marked the highest-level contact between the two governments since the war started.

Flash flood alert issued for Surat, India

Days of heavy rainfall have battered western India's Gujarat state this week. Authorities issued a red alert for the city of Surat on Thursday, September 17, 2026, warning of flash floods. The warning follows a fire that damaged a local textile market for the second time in a week, prompting a broader safety crackdown.

Politics

Democrats warn new Russia bill hands Trump too much power 58 DEMS

The bill lets Trump define any country as a facilitator of evading Russian sanctions, opponents say. Representative Don Beyer of Virginia warned Wednesday, September 16, 2026, that the provision could allow tariffs of up to 100% with no oversight or expiration date. Despite the objection, 58 House Democrats joined Republicans to help pass the bill 262-159 in Washington.

India's Modi turns 76 as BRICS chairmanship wraps up

India capped last week's BRICS chairmanship with a milestone for its leader on Thursday, September 17, 2026. President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday in New Delhi. Modi marked the day by inaugurating a semiconductor conference drawing more than 600 companies from 52 countries.

Modi renews UN Security Council reform push

BRICS nations have pushed for years to gain greater representation on global bodies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewed India's call for reform of the UN Security Council during the summit's closing session on September 13, 2026, in New Delhi. The New Delhi Declaration stopped short of endorsing any single reform formula, reflecting continued disagreement among the bloc's eleven members.

Seven Republicans break ranks over Russia bill

Support for Ukraine has increasingly split the Republican caucus in recent years. Seven Republicans joined most Democrats in voting against the sanctions bill Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in the House. The bill passed comfortably regardless, 262 to 159, and now awaits President Trump's signature.

Constitution Day spotlights war-powers debate

The anniversary highlights long-running tension between Congress and the presidency over foreign policy authority. Americans mark Constitution Day every September 17, the anniversary of the document's 1787 signing in Philadelphia. This year's holiday coincides with lawmakers deciding how much tariff power to hand President Trump under the new sanctions law.

Markets

Fed hikes rates for first time in three years 3.75%-4%

Persistent inflation kept pressure on the Federal Reserve to act. The central bank raised its benchmark rate by a quarter point Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to a range of 3.75% to 4%, its first hike in three years. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled one more increase is likely before year's end.

Dow drops 631 points after Fed's hawkish tone

Financial stocks led Wednesday's sell-off after the Fed's rate announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 631 points, or 1.2%, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in New York. Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citigroup each fell more than 3% on the day.

US crude stockpiles fall as supply stays tight

Middle East supply disruptions continue to squeeze the oil market. US crude inventories fell by 640,000 barrels last week, according to government data released Wednesday, September 16, 2026. West Texas Intermediate crude traded near $102 a barrel Thursday, September 17, up more than 20% over the past month.

Stock futures rise after Wednesday's sell-off

Investors welcomed Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's resolve to keep fighting inflation. Dow futures climbed roughly 0.7% early Thursday, September 17, 2026, recovering part of Wednesday's losses. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced as well, up 0.7% and 0.9% respectively.

Entertainment

Emmys ratings fall 9% to 6.7 million viewers 6.7M

NBC's telecast faced competition from Monday Night Football this year. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards drew 6.7 million viewers across NBC and Peacock on Monday, September 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. The total is down about 9% from last year's ceremony on CBS, even as it topped social media engagement for the night.

Emmys could leave broadcast TV for Amazon in 2027

The Television Academy's broadcast deal expires this year after nearly a decade. The Academy is in advanced talks to move the annual ceremony to Amazon Prime Video starting next year, Variety reported this week. The shift would end a 31-year tradition of rotating the Emmys among ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.

Lady Gaga welcomes first child with fiancé

Lady Gaga and fiancé Michael Polansky have kept their relationship largely private for years. Multiple outlets confirmed on September 11, 2026, that the couple welcomed their first child. The singer has not publicly disclosed further details about the birth.

Stephen Colbert returns to late night

CBS canceled "The Late Show," ending Stephen Colbert's decade-long run earlier this year. Colbert returned to late night this week, about four months after his final broadcast, Entertainment Tonight reported. The comeback restores a nightly platform for Colbert after his exit from CBS.

Netflix in talks for 'KPop Demon Hunters' tour

"KPop Demon Hunters" won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 2026 Oscars this year. Netflix is negotiating with concert promoters to stage a live tour built around the film's songs, Bloomberg reported this week. Promoters are aiming to perform in arenas worldwide in 2027, ahead of the film's planned sequel.