Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured India of continued supplies of fuel and fertilisers despite disruptions caused by the escalating crisis in West Asia. The assurance came amid concerns over global energy supplies and rising prices as the conflict affected key shipping routes. Russia remains a major supplier of crude oil and fertilisers to India, making uninterrupted deliveries crucial for the country’s energy and agricultural needs. The development highlights the close economic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow as India works to secure essential supplies and reduce the impact of the regional crisis on its economy. (PC: HT)

Mumbai faced transport disruptions on Monday as several auto-rickshaw drivers went on strike, leaving commuters struggling to find rides. The protest was linked to concerns over a compulsory Marathi language test, which drivers claimed included questions beyond the prescribed syllabus. The shortage of auto-rickshaws also increased pressure on taxis and app-based cab services such as Ola and Uber, with commuters reporting longer waiting times and limited availability. Drivers demanded changes to the examination process, arguing that the test was unfair and difficult. Authorities are expected to address the concerns as Mumbai’s transport services remain affected.

Iranian state television aired a video titled “Where to Kill Barron Trump” that allegedly tracked the movements of US President Donald Trump’s son and announced a $10 million bounty. The report said the video was produced by IRGC-affiliated media and broadcast on Channel 3. It also made claims about Barron Trump’s communications and security arrangements. The broadcast follows an earlier video targeting First Lady Melania Trump. Barron and Melania receive round-the-clock protection from the US Secret Service. The development comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed US economic pressure on Iran. (PC: NDTV)

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.