A new study titled The Many Urban Indias, by PRICE in collaboration with Tata Sons Research, highlights major differences in household financial behaviour across India’s cities. Bengaluru records the highest average household income, while Chandigarh has the highest household spending. Chennai has the highest household debt-to-income ratio, making it the leading city for borrowing, whereas Hyderabad records the lowest borrowing levels. Bengaluru also leads household savings among India’s six major metros. Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR remains the country’s largest consumption market, with the top six metros accounting for a significant share of urban consumption. The findings underline India’s varied patterns of earning, saving, spending and borrowing. (PC: ET)

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana created history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A match against Hong Kong in Dubai, surpassing legendary Mithali Raj to become the highest-ever run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats. Mandhana crossed Raj’s career tally of 10,868 runs while producing a spectacular 124 off 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes. She reached the landmark at 113 runs with a six in the 18th over. Her innings also delivered her 18th international century, moving her ahead of Meg Lanning. India posted 193/5 and defeated Hong Kong by 137 runs. (PC: NDTV)

New York City Public Schools will impose a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI for students from 2-K through eighth grade during the 2026–27 school year. The policy, described as the nation’s broadest school AI restriction, aims to protect critical thinking, creativity, human interaction and independent problem-solving. High school students will instead receive AI-literacy education twice yearly and gain limited access to five vetted AI programs under direct teacher supervision. Companion chatbots will be prohibited across all grades. The city will also recommend daily screen-time limits and continue allowing necessary assistive technology for students with disabilities and English-language learners. (PC: Getty Images)

India will finalise its proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after securing preferential tariff treatment for Indian exporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on September 3. New Delhi wants Indian goods to receive a competitive tariff advantage over products from rival economies in the US market. Goyal said India has secured favourable terms in sensitive sectors and will announce the agreement’s final details once Washington provides the required tariff advantage. The negotiations reflect India’s focus on protecting export competitiveness while expanding global trade partnerships. Goyal also highlighted continued growth in India’s merchandise exports and urged industry to set ambitious targets. (PC: ANI)

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman will coach India’s men’s cricket team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He returns to the role after guiding India to a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Laxman, currently associated with the BCCI Centre of Excellence, will be supported by former spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Subhadeep Ghosh. The appointment comes as head coach Gautam Gambhir will be unavailable because of India’s international commitments during the tournament. India will aim to defend its Asian Games cricket title, with the men’s competition scheduled for later this month. 

Brazilian football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Cafu is set to visit Darjeeling on September 6, bringing international football attention to the hills. Cafu will launch two new futsal teams, Darjeeling Warriors FC and North Bengal Fighters FC, and virtually lay the foundation stone for the proposed Sidra Hills Sports & Wellness Resort at Arya Tea Estate, around 10 km from Darjeeling town. The ceremony will take place at Gorkha Stadium in Lebong. The project aims to combine sports, wellness and tourism, while Cafu’s presence is expected to inspire local football enthusiasts and promote Darjeeling as a sporting destination. (PC: Reuters)

Indian professionals seeking U.S. employment-based Green Cards face extraordinarily long delays, with some EB-2 applicants potentially waiting up to 179 years, according to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). Nearly one million Indians are estimated to be in the employment-based backlog, representing about 79% of the total 1.26 million cases. The backlog is driven by annual visa limits and the U.S. 7% per-country cap, despite much higher demand from India. NFAP estimates potential waits of 179 years for EB-2, 38 years for EB-3 and about 4–5 years for EB-1 applicants filing in 2026. 

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) will honor Lionel Messi following his retirement from international football by pausing matches across the country this weekend. Every game, including men’s, women’s, futsal and beach football, will stop in the 10th minute for a 60-second round of applause, reflecting Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt. Stadiums with video screens will also show a commemorative tribute before matches. Messi, 39, ended his Argentina career after 21 years, becoming the national team’s record appearance holder and top scorer with 125 goals in 207 games. He also led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles. (PC: Reuters)

Russia says financial settlement problems with India have largely been resolved, with the two countries now using a functioning payment system based on the rupee and rouble. The mechanism handles about 96% of bilateral trade, according to Ivan Nosov, head of Sberbank’s Indian operations. Around 22 Russian and 17 Indian banks currently facilitate transactions. Nosov said 90% of payments are completed within 10 minutes, while more than half take less than a minute. The development is particularly important for energy trade, as India remains a major buyer of Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Bilateral trade reached a record $70 billion in 2024. (PC: Reuters)

Gloria Steinem, the influential American journalist, author and feminist activist, has died at 92 at her home in New York City, according to her foundation. She passed away peacefully on September 2, surrounded by loved ones; no cause of death was disclosed. Steinem became a leading voice of the U.S. women’s liberation movement from the 1960s onward. Her 1963 investigation into working conditions at Playboy Clubs helped establish her as a prominent journalist. She later co-founded Ms. magazine and several organizations supporting women’s political participation and equality. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Steinem continued advocating for gender equality and reproductive rights for decades. (PC: X)