Sugar prices have surged 29% in a month, prompting the Centre to tighten rules governing raw sugar imports to curb hoarding and ensure faster domestic supply. Under a revised notification issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, importers must now refine and sell imported raw sugar in India within two months of its arrival. The move comes as domestic prices rise amid supply and crop pressures and ahead of the festive season. The earlier provision required importers to process raw sugar within a reasonable timeframe and sufficiently ahead of October 31, allowing it to be sold domestically by then. The latest framework replaces that broader requirement with a fixed two-month deadline for processing and sale. (PC: Times Now)

Heavy rain lashed Delhi on Tuesday morning, leaving several key roads and junctions waterlogged and severely disrupting traffic across the national capital and adjoining NCR areas. The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for Delhi and forecast more heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning. Rain affected areas including Parliament Street, Connaught Place, AIIMS, ITO, RK Puram and Ferozeshah Road, with vehicles seen navigating flooded roads. The downpour also disrupted air travel at Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to Flightradar24, 18 flights were cancelled and 146 delayed. The weather comes a day after more than 250 flights were delayed and 15 diverted across Delhi-NCR as monsoon activity intensified, with further showers expected.

The Reserve Bank of India’s FCNR(B) forex swap scheme mobilised $73 billion in foreign exchange inflows, significantly exceeding the $26 billion attracted by its 2013 FCNR(B) swap scheme over nearly three months. Of the latest mobilisation, FCNR(B) deposits accounted for $65.40 billion. The strong response led the central bank to close the facility early. The scheme was aimed at mobilising foreign exchange through FCNR(B) deposits, with the scale of inflows highlighting strong participation from banks and depositors. The latest mobilisation marks a substantial increase compared with the 2013 initiative and underscores the scale of foreign exchange raised through the RBI’s latest swap facility. The RBI’s forex initiative therefore generated considerably higher inflows than its previous programme. (PC: X)

Indian Railways is moving towards introducing waterless urinals for loco pilots operating its most powerful 12,000-horsepower electric locomotives, addressing a long-standing operational challenge caused by the absence of toilets or urinals inside locomotive cabins. The initiative is particularly significant as Railways continues inducting women as loco pilots. Manufactured at the Madhepura Electric Locomotive factory in Bihar, the locomotives will come with inbuilt waterless urinals, while those already rolled out will be retrofitted. Discussions with Railways are at an advanced stage, according to a senior official of Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL). MELPL is a joint venture between Indian Railways and France’s Alstom, which holds a 74% majority stake. (PC: Express photo by Dheeraj Mishra)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a €320 million acquisition of Germany-based Porsche AG’s automotive and industrial-consulting arm, MHP Management- und IT-Beratung GmbH. The deal will be anchored by a five-year partnership between TCS and Porsche worth €1.25 billion, strengthening TCS’ AI-transformation strategy and its position among European automotive and industrial customers. TCS will acquire 100 per cent of MHP’s shares within the next three to four months. The digital-transformation, AI and SAP-transformation-focused consulting firm recorded €742 million in turnover in calendar year 2025 and employs approximately 4,500 people. The acquisition will expand TCS’ presence across Germany, Romania, the UK, the US, India and Mexico, while deepening its strategic relationship with Porsche. (PC: Santosh V Perumal _12549)

Around 150 Pakistani Sindhi women engaged to men in India have travelled to the country for their weddings after receiving visas despite restrictions following Operation Sindoor. With the Wagah-Attari route closed, the brides and their families entered India through air transit routes via Dubai, Oman, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries. The restrictions had left at least 150 weddings on hold, with the women waiting to move to their marital homes. The families approached Sant Yudhishtirlal Shadaani, spiritual head of Shadaani Darbar in Pakistan’s Sindh province, whose shrine helped prepare a list submitted to India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. Since April, 150 brides and families have arrived, while nearly 300 more women await visas. (PC: X)

Actress and former beauty queen Urvashi Rautela judged the Miss Universe India 2026 finale in Jaipur, making a striking appearance in a dramatic tricolour-inspired gown featuring saffron, white and green panels, an Ashoka Chakra-inspired blue motif and crystal-and-pearl fringe. Calling herself “India,” she said the outfit was inspired by the national flag. The look drew mixed reactions online, with some praising its patriotic interpretation while others called it disrespectful. The evening was also emotional for Rautela as Sushmita Sen, who crowned her Miss Universe India in 2015, joined the selection committee. Rautela called Sen her “first guru” and hoped her journey had made her proud. Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala won the 2026 title.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India for the Brics summit in New Delhi, accompanied by around 400 officials, Reuters reported. If confirmed, it would be Xi’s first India visit in seven years. India will host the summit on September 12 and 13. Chinese officials are reportedly working on hotel bookings and security arrangements, though Beijing has not confirmed his plans. India-China relations deteriorated after the deadly June 2020 border clash that killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, followed by a prolonged military standoff. A 2024 disengagement agreement eased tensions, while recent diplomatic engagement has indicated a gradual thaw. Xi’s visit could deepen dialogue and address outstanding issues. (PC: AFP)

The US Department of Homeland Security is reportedly planning to raise the H-1B visa fee to $103,265, a move that could significantly affect Indian workers and employers. Indians account for more than 70% of H-1B visa beneficiaries, making them particularly vulnerable to higher costs. The proposal is still under review and its final details have not been released. The administration is also considering a possible $100,000 fee for certain OPT applications. Separately, DHS has proposed ending the 60-day grace period for unemployed H-1B workers, potentially forcing affected workers and their families to leave the US sooner.  

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, targeting sectors including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and maritime transport. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that countries and entities helping Iran move or launder money could face secondary sanctions and possible exclusion from the US dollar-based financial system. The measures are part of Washington’s wider effort to cut Iran’s access to global trade and financial networks. The latest sanctions target dozens of individuals, companies and vessels. The move increases pressure on Tehran and raises concerns for countries and businesses that maintain financial or commercial ties with Iran. (PC: X)