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Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India make dominating start to title defence with 13-0 win over Bangladesh

Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026: India thrash Bangladesh 13-0 in campaign opener

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Ex-Miss Switzerland details alleged 1993 rape by Trump in house report

'The show must go on': Ex-Miss Switzerland details alleged 1993 rape by Trump in house report

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Former Miss Switzerland Beatrice Keul has accused Donald Trump of raping her inside a hotel room during a 1993 Atlantic City pageant event, expanding on her previous groping allegations.

The offer requires evidence to lead to an arrest and conviction.

Opinion polls suggest no political bloc is on course to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

Israel election 2026: ‘We want a change’ – can Netanyahu defy voters’ anger?

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israels election, while the Israeli prime minister has warned of a possible nuclear threat from Iran.

Israel elections 2026: Did Netanyahu clash with IDF chief over Iran attack plans?

Iran says diplomatic messages are still being exchanged through intermediaries, while conflicting claims over reopening the Strait of Hormuz have added uncertainty to efforts to ease tensions with Washington.

Trump rules out Iran strike on Oct 25: Is a deal with Tehran still possible?

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latest news on Donald Trump trending stories news, videos, photos on Donald Trump| Zee News

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Former Miss Switzerland Beatrice Keul alleged that Donald Trump raped her in a hotel room in Atlantic City in November 1993. The claim has been made in a 53-page report released by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee that examines historical links between Trump and Epstein, who was convicted of being a sex offender. Keul had accused Trump of groping her in the same incident in the past.<h2>Plaza Hotel incident details</h2>According to reports, Keul told Congress that the incident took place at the Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City during the American Dream Pageant.First encounter: Keul said she met Trump when she was 24 years old and that he had promised to help her obtain a US visa and get admitted to New York University.Epstein encounter: Keul reported that after meeting Trump, Epstein came up to her, calling himself Trump's friend and invited her to Mar-a-Lago.Incident: Reportedly, a representative then led Keul to a suite where, according to Keul, Trump grabbed her from behind and raped her brutally causing her torn dress and injuries.Aftermath: Keul testified that Trump made similar offers of help with visas after the incident, advising her to be silent and telling her that "the show must go on."<h2>Findings of the House Committee and White House reaction</h2>The ranking member of the committee Jamie Raskin and other House Judiciary Democrats referred to Keul's testimony alongside another 11 victims' testimonies, suggesting that modeling contests were used to lure young women.Democrats requested the attorney general Todd Blanche to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the way federal officials handled the Epstein files and his co-conspirators.However, the White House denied all allegations mentioned in the report of Congress, with one of the White House representatives calling this report a political distraction by Democrats before the upcoming elections in Congress. Trump has denied any criminal activity regarding Epstein and sexual assault charges.ALSO READ | <a href="https://english.zeenews.com/india/article-china-60000-mw-tibet-dam-india-siang-project-brahmaputra-water-capacity-3160718">Twice the size of three gorges: What 60,000 MW China's Tibet mega-dam means for Assam and Arunachal</a>

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has announced a $1 million reward for evidence of voter fraud in past elections and the upcoming 2026 midterm polls. The reward will be paid only after the arrest and conviction of those responsible.He made the announcement in a post on Truth Social while reiterating his allegations of irregularities in the US electoral process."Anybody reporting Voter Fraud in the past Elections, or the upcoming 2026 Midterm Election, will be paid $1,000,000 upon the arrest and conviction of those that created the Fraud! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote.<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="border-width:0;max-width:100%;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/117508870323063258/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>Trump made the offer ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of the US Congress and influence his legislative agenda for the next two years.<h2>Why midterm elections are important</h2>The elections take place halfway through a US president's four-year term. Voters will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate, along with several state and local offices across the country.The results will determine the balance of power in Congress and influence how easily the Trump administration can advance its legislative agenda. The party controlling each chamber has considerable influence over legislation, government spending and congressional investigations.The elections also serve as a measure of public support for the incumbent president and his administration. The outcome can affect the political calculations of both parties ahead of the next presidential election.Trump made the offer as Republicans prepare to defend their congressional seats while voters face economic difficulties and the president's approval ratings fall. The results will offer an indication of how voters view his presidency as the administration approaches the second half of its term.<h2>Trump's approval rating</h2>A September poll by The Wall Street Journal puts Trump's approval rating at 37 per cent, the lowest for a president approaching midterm elections in the publication's polling history, which dates back to 1990.The poll result adds to the challenges facing Republicans as they seek to retain control of the Congress. The party's performance will determine the legislative room available to the president for the remainder of his term.Voters across the country will elect members of the Congress on November 3, and the results will determine the administration's priorities and the balance of political power in Washington.

Jerusalem (Israel): “We want a change.” That is the message from several Israeli residents ahead of legislative elections scheduled to be held on Tuesday (October 27). They described years of war, loss and uncertainty and called for peace, political change and national unity.Speaking to ANI, first-time voter Nave said that wars had affected young people and called on the government to reach agreements with other countries and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.“My expectation from the government is that after three years of war, we need to get some agreements with the other countries and with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and we need to get some peace and quiet because these three years of war have affected us very much as young people and as first-time voters,” he said.He stated that most of his friends wanted a change in government, although some members of his family still supported incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“Most of my friends think we need a change in government. Some members of my family still support Netanyahu, but most of my friends around my age want change,” he said.Gideon Ros also called for a change in government, saying that repeated violence had made it difficult for people to live peacefully.“I don’t like what is happening in Israel. There is constant war and killing on both sides, and we need some time to live in peace. Life here in Israel is good, but what is happening around us is not,” he said.Ido said the past few years had been difficult for him and his friends. The deaths of people they knew had affected their everyday lives.“It changed everyone’s outlook and their lives. I have a couple of friends who died, and all my friends know people who have died. You can feel the impact in everyday life,” he said.He described the election as important to his generation and expressed hope for a better future.“We have been through a very difficult couple of years, and my friends and I are hoping for a change. I really hope things will get better. This election is very important to us. We are excited, and we really want to see a change,” Ido said.Sharda called for national unity regardless of the result and said women should have a greater role in political decisions.“No matter what the election result is, we must stand together as one. Our unity is Israel’s strength,” she said.On women's participation in politics, she said women needed a greater role in decision-making. She emphasised that this was an issue in many countries, not just Israel.<h2>Trump backs Netanyahu</h2>Calls for change have come to fore as Netanyahu campaigns on security and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Netanyahu for a second time and urged Israelis to vote for the incumbent prime minister.“When you go to the Polls, please remember that Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister!” he wrote and referred to chants of “Death to America, Death to Israel”. He appealed voters to support the incumbent prime minister, adding, “we have to finish the job that we started”.<iframe style="border-width:0;max-width:550px;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/117462449149582042/embed" width="100%" height="600" allowfullscreen="">
 </iframe> <script async="" src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js"></script>Netanyahu has also warned of alleged threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. On Sunday (October 25), he shared an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion in Tel Aviv and warned that voting for another candidate could expose the country to the danger of a “second Holocaust”.<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The post quoted right-wing activist Yuval Blumberg, who described a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. It argued that Netanyahu’s relationship with Trump offered a limited window to act against Tehran.The prime minister’s main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, played down Trump’s endorsement, saying the US president would work with any leader chosen by Israeli voters.“Donald Trump is a true friend of Israel. I appreciate his actions and commitment to Israel's security, and I am convinced that he will work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people,” he said.Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also said that the decision on who will be asked to form the next government would be his own. Speaking to American cable news network MS NOW, he said that neither Trump nor anyone else could intervene in his discretion, although he expected pressure.<h2>Liberman seeks probe over Iran strike plans</h2>The Iran issue has become a point of dispute after local media reported a confrontation between Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir over possible military action against Tehran.Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman has asked Israel’s attorney general to open a criminal investigation against Netanyahu, accusing him of pressuring security officials to take steps that could lead to a miscalculation with Iran before the election.“The attempt to drag the State of Israel into war on the eve of elections, together with the willingness to sacrifice IDF soldiers solely due to fear of losing the elections, constitutes treason against the state, its security and the IDF soldiers,” he said on X.<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Zamir had resisted a proposed operation and sought further deliberations and written legal authorisation from Netanyahu. The report cited anonymous sources but did not specify the proposed action. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”, according to The Times of Israel.Defence Minister Israel Katz also rejected reports of a rift between Netanyahu and Zamir, calling them “completely baseless and false”.“I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force,” he said.Eisenkot criticised the prime minister over the alleged dispute, saying national security should not be used for political purposes. He expressed confidence in Zamir and other military commanders and warned against putting political interests above the country's security.<h2>No clear majority </h2>The election is being contested by Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition, which includes Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party. Eisenkot has presented himself as a political alternative with a strong emphasis on security. Other contenders include an alliance led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Liberman’s party and a four-party coalition headed by Yair Golan, which has substantial representation from Israel’s Arab minority.According to The Jerusalem Post, four election surveys that closed on October 23 showed Eisenkot’s Yashar party leading Likud. Neither of the two main political blocs had enough projected seats to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset.Israel uses a party-list proportional representation system. Voters choose lists of candidates, and seats are allocated according to each list’s share of the vote. Parties must receive at least 3.25% of valid votes to qualify for seats.After the election, President Herzog will ask a member of the Knesset to form a government. The proposed government must then win a vote of confidence in parliament. All Israeli governments formed to date have been coalition governments.(With ANI inputs)

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing resistance from military chief General Eyal Zamir over plans for a possible military operation involving Iran, according to Israeli media reports published a day before the country's election.Citing anonymous sources, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Zamir had sought further deliberations on the proposed action and written documentation from the prime minister confirming its legal authorisation. The report did not disclose the details of the military instructions, although it has led to speculation about preparations for another attack on Iran.A military source quoted by the channel said, “This relates to an action that could lead to a flare-up with Iran, at a sensitive and dramatic moment, creating this potential miscalculation.”It also cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter who said military leaders feared that the political leadership could seek “to utilize the Iranian issue for political benefit”.Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense” in an interview with Israel's Channel 14, according to The Times of Israel.<h2>Iran plans and election campaign</h2>The reported disagreement emerged just a day before election in the country that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday (October 26). Opinion polls projected a close contest between Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot.In an earlier television appearance, the prime minister said that he had instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Mossad to work towards toppling the Iranian regime.He has also made Iran's nuclear programme a major part of his election campaign. On Sunday (October 25), he shared an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv and warned that a vote against him could expose Israelis to the threat of a “second Holocaust”.The post quoted right-wing activist Yuval Blumberg, who described Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons as an existential danger to Israel.“The State of Israel is in real and tangible existential danger. If the Iranians acquire nuclear weapons, nothing will ever be the same again. Everything is so trivial compared to the existential threat of Iran and the Shiite axis,” the post read.It also argued that Israel had a limited period to complete its efforts against Iran while US President Donald Trump was in office.“We have another two years of Trump to finish the work in Iran, and there is no telling what will come after that – whether it's Kamala Harris or some other mediocre. This is the window of time we have left to complete the necessary work to ensure our physical existence for the coming years,” the post said.It further argued that Israel needed a prime minister who could maintain close communication with Trump to carry out the task.<h2>Trump extends support for Netanyahu</h2>The US president has publicly endorsed Netanyahu again on Sunday, sharing an earlier endorsement on his Truth Social and urging Israeli voters to return the prime minister to office.He cited US military operations against Iran, including Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, while claiming that Iran had lost its navy and air force and that its military and economy were in disarray. He also referred to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and claimed that Iran's inflation rate had reached 301%.“Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started,” Trump wrote.The US president described Netanyahu as “an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister” and said their cooperation had helped prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.Final election projections published on October 23 showed that neither Netanyahu's governing coalition nor the Opposition bloc was expected to win enough seats to form a government after Tuesday's vote.(With ANI inputs)

US Iran Tensions: US President Donald Trump on Sunday ruled out an American strike on Iran, saying the United States would not attack the country on October 25. The announcement follows deliberations in Washington over its next move against Tehran. Regional intermediaries are pursuing diplomatic efforts.Asked by a reporter whether the United States would attack Iran, Trump first responded, “Would I tell you that?” He then said, “The answer is no. There will not be a strike today,” according to Al Jazeera.<h2>Trump weighs Iran deal or more strikes</h2>Trump has left the possibility of military action on a later date open.Earlier on Sunday, the US president said that he was still considering whether to reach an agreement with Tehran or continue military operations. He described the choice as whether to “finish the job” or make a deal.His recent statement followed his earlier suggestion that the United States could strike Iran as soon as Sunday.<h2>Diplomatic contacts continues</h2>Iran has said messages are still being exchanged with the United States through intermediaries, even as direct negotiations between the two countries are stalled.Tehran has rejected American demands that it views as requiring “complete surrender”. Iranian officials have said diplomatic channels are still open.Qatari mediators were also in Tehran on Sunday as part of efforts coordinated with Washington to reduce tensions, according to reports.<h2>US-Iran standoff</h2>The Strait of Hormuz is the main issue in the dispute because of its importance to international energy shipments.Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan said that Tehran had conveyed through Pakistani mediators that it was prepared to reopen the Strait if Washington lifted its naval blockade.An Iranian publication affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) disputed that claim, saying Tehran had made no new proposal.

US Iran Tensions: Hours after US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of new strikes against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that further military action by the United States and Israel would not change Tehran’s policies. He said that the war had changed the regional security situation and that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war status.Speaking at a televised event in Tehran on Sunday (October 25), he said Iran would stick to its policies regardless of whether fighting resumed. According to the Associated Press (AP), he said that Iran’s policies would continue unchanged, whether war broke out or not.Trump said on Saturday (October 24) that Washington could launch another attack or reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. The statement followed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.<h2>‘US won’t try again if there’s any rationality’</h2>Araghchi argued that Washington and Tel Aviv would gain little from another military offensive after having already attacked Iran twice.“If there is any rationality, they will not try military action against Iran again,” he said. He described the military confrontation, which Iran calls the “Ramadan War”, as a turning point for regional security and said the region had entered a new phase.“Nothing will be like it was in the past,” he said.He also called for any settlement to cover every front where hostilities had taken place. “The end of this war must be across all fronts,” he said.Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also accused Washington of miscalculating its military campaign. He said the United States could not force Iran to submit through threats or pressure in the media.“The Americans entered a quagmire due to their own miscalculations, and it is up to them to take the necessary steps to extricate themselves,” he said.He described Iran as a country determined to defend itself and rejected the idea that a foreign power could dictate terms to Tehran.<h2>‘Strait of Hormuz will never be the same again’</h2>Araghchi said that the war had changed the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for world energy supplies.“The Strait of Hormuz will not be the same as before the 40-day war,” he said.Iran has claimed control over the waterway since the military confrontation began and has targeted vessels attempting to pass without its authorisation. The actions have faced opposition from Washington and countries in the region. The United States has responded by maintaining a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.Araghchi also claimed that Iranian forces had destroyed more than 80 American aircraft and fighter jets during the war between the two countries. He alleged that nearly all of them had been hit by missiles while on the ground.“In this war, we destroyed more than 80 American aircraft and fighter jets, nearly all of which were hit by missiles on the ground,” he said.Iran’s ISNA news agency also quoted him as claiming that Iranian attacks had destroyed nearly all American bases in the region and hundreds of buildings at those facilities. He called for foreign forces to leave the region.<h2>Trump keeps strikes and a deal on the table</h2>The US president raised the possibility of another attack on Iran on Saturday while also suggesting that an agreement could be reached.“Maybe tomorrow… There’s a possibility I will. There’s also a possibility we’ll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement,” he said.He claimed that Tehran wanted a deal but questioned whether Iran would honour its terms. He defended US military operations in West Asia and praised the performance of American forces.“We have done an amazing job. Our Navy and military have done an amazing job,” Trump said.He also claimed that 259 ships had been sunk and that Iran was facing record inflation.<h2>Iran denies Hormuz deal offer</h2>The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamnei and several senior officials. Iran retaliated with attacks on US bases in the Gulf and shut down the Strait.A ceasefire between Washington and Tehran on April 8 halted the sustained bombardment. Tensions over the waterway and the US naval blockade have flared since then.The two sides reached a diplomatic agreement in June. It later fell apart, and both countries accused each other of violating its terms. Tehran has called for a return to the agreement as a way to secure a lasting settlement.Iran has also denied reports that it offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its naval blockade. Iranian news agency Tasnim said that Tehran had made no new proposal through Pakistani mediators.Press TV described reports published by a Saudi media outlet as “a lie and fabrication”. The publication had claimed that Iran sent a proposal to the US administration through Pakistan, offering to restore access through the strategic waterway if Washington ended its blockade.

Iran has rejected claims that it offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to the US naval blockade. Tehran has also disputed reports of a new proposal through Pakistani mediators, while the two sides continue to disagree over the terms of a possible deal.

Will Trump strike Iran again? Tehran warns Strait of Hormuz will never be the same

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said negotiations on the India-US trade deal are approaching completion, while cautioning that the final stages can throw up unexpected hurdles. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi on Thursday (October 22), he said that both sides were working to resolve the outstanding issues, but declined to disclose details of the negotiations."It's never done till it's done," he said, responding to questions about the status of the agreement.He said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had also reported progress towards a deal. The negotiating teams are working to settle the outstanding issues, he added."What you have heard not just from Secretary Rubio, but from Minister Piyush Goyal, from others, from me, is that we are moving towards it. But, as I said, often the last mile or the penultimate miles do pose their challenges. I think the (negotiating) teams are working through them now," Jaishankar said.He declined to discuss the specific sticking points, saying, "If you are asking me to tell you what exactly those challenges are, I am sorry I won't. That’s for the negotiators to sort out."Adding to expectations that the two countries could announce progress soon, US President Donald Trump has also described the agreement as "pretty close".<h2>Trade, energy and tariffs drive talks</h2>India and the United States have spent more than a year negotiating market access, tariffs, agricultural products, industrial goods and regulatory barriers. New Delhi and Washington announced an outline for an interim trade agreement in February 2026, while negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral trade deal carried on. The US administration has sought greater access for American goods in India, including agricultural products, and action on non-tariff barriers. Rubio discussed the negotiations during his meeting with Jaishankar in Mumbai on October 20. Speaking to reporters, he said the two countries were "about as close as you can be without having an executed agreement" and that only a small number of issues were left to settle.He added that Washington hoped to make an announcement soon, after which the leaders could sign the agreement. He also described India as a petroleum-refining "superpower" and called for greater energy cooperation, including the processing of Venezuelan crude by Indian refineries.During his visit, Rubio toured the Jamnagar refinery operated by Reliance Industries. The complex is one of the world's largest refining hubs, giving India the capacity to process crude from different sources. <h2>Jaishankar calls for diversified energy supplies</h2>The minister also used the summit to discuss the risks countries face when trade, energy supplies and geopolitical conditions become unpredictable. He said governments and businesses needed to plan for disruption and avoid excessive dependence on a single supplier."Countries can no longer take stability in trade, energy and geopolitics for granted, as the world has become turbulent and unpredictable. Governments and businesses must factor this volatility into their planning and build resilient strategies around it," he said.The minister compared energy planning to managing an investment portfolio, arguing that countries should spread their requirements across different sources. He cited uncertainty over trade, sanctions, conflicts and restrictions on resources as reasons for reassessing energy procurement.The October 20 meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio dealt with trade, energy security, defence, technology and people-to-people ties. According to the US State Department, the two also exchanged views on regional affairs and international issues, including the situation in West Asia. The department said that Rubio had encouraged India to increase energy trade with the United States to diversify its supply chains and meet domestic demand. It also cited progress in defence and civil nuclear cooperation and called for greater purchases of American technology and systems.US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the talks as productive and said both countries had discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in security, energy, advanced technology and commerce.Rubio was also asked whether Washington was still dissatisfied with India's past purchases of Russian crude and its efforts to reduce those imports. He said that New Delhi had expressed a desire to diversify its energy sources and that the process could not happen overnight."I think they have made substantial progress in that regard, and we are happy to see that. But in the end, it’s not just about Russian oil, it's about their desire to diversify. And obviously, we think we can be a source of some of their energy inputs," he said.(With ANI inputs)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says only a few issues stand in the way of an agreement. Tariffs, energy trade and Indias efforts to diversify crude oil supplies featured in the bilateral talks.

‘Never done till it’s done’: Why Jaishankar is cautious on India-US trade deal

New Delhi: Acknowledging the difficulty India faces in reducing its dependence on Russian oil, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered an explanation for President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily waive sanctions and tariffs targeting major buyers of Russian energy. Washington now has 60 days to assess how the proposed penalties could affect energy supplies, international trade and the US economy. Speaking to reporters on Saturday (October 17) before leaving for Uzbekistan and India, he said that New Delhi had diversified its energy sources but still bought substantial quantities of Russian crude. He said India would find it difficult to move away from Russian supplies overnight and called the country an important US ally and partner.“The problem is that these sanctions were not just sanctions on Russia. They include tariffs on a number of countries, India, for example, and others. And so I think the president wants to take the 60-day period of time to sort of analyse what imposing both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the US economy,” Rubio said.Trump announced the waiver on Friday (October 16) under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The law authorises sweeping penalties against Moscow and tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported into the United States from major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, including India and China. He cited national interest in granting the waiver. <h2>Why Trump granted a 60-day waiver</h2>Rubio said that the administration needed to account for several military confrontations affecting energy supplies and prices. These include the war involving the United States and Iran, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.“I think when the bill was passed, one of the reasons the waivers were put in there is understanding that they would need some period of time to study this, given all the different things that are going on in the world right now,” he said.He added that the administration needed to weigh the economic effects of sanctions and tariffs before deciding how to proceed. The proposed penalties could affect countries buying Russian energy and push up prices in international markets and the United States.The waiver also comes after Trump announced plans for the United States to import diesel from Russia in an effort to ease domestic fuel prices ahead of the November midterm elections. The move puts energy costs along with the administration’s efforts to impose economic penalties on Moscow. <h2>Why India turned to Russian oil</h2>India’s purchases of Russian crude increased considerably after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Western sanctions and restrictions pushed several traditional buyers away from Russian oil. It led Moscow to redirect supplies towards Asian markets at discounted prices.The European Union banned seaborne imports of Russian crude, while the G7 introduced a price cap intended to limit Russia’s oil revenue without cutting supplies from the international market. Russian Urals crude was offered at steep discounts to benchmark Brent during parts of 2023, with the discount at times approaching $40 per barrel.Indian refiners increased purchases to take advantage of these prices. Russian crude, which accounted for around 2 per cent or less of India’s oil imports before the war, became a major source of supply. Russia eventually emerged as India’s largest crude supplier, at times accounting for around 40 to 50 per cent of imports.India imported about 1.9 million barrels per day of Russian crude last month, equivalent to roughly 35 per cent of its total oil imports. <h2>India puts energy security first</h2>New Delhi has repeatedly said its oil purchasing decisions are based on the need to secure supplies for a population of around 1.4 billion people. After the US Congress passed the sanctions legislation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India was “firmly committed” to ensuring energy security through diversified sourcing and changing market conditions.“This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors. Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side,” the MEA said in a statement on September 17.“The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” the ministry added.Rubio’s comments came ahead of his visit to India, where energy supplies, trade and broader bilateral ties are expected to feature in talks. He said Washington would use the 60-day period to assess the effects of sanctions and tariffs and determine the appropriate course of action.

Russian crude made up around 35% of India’s oil imports last month, complicating Washington’s plans to penalise major buyers of Moscow’s energy. New Delhi says its purchasing policy prioritises the energy needs of 1.4 billion people and protects the country’s trade interests.

‘India can’t switch off Russian oil overnight’: Why Trump paused 100% tariffs on crude

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