Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted normal life across Delhi-NCR on Monday, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic jams and major flight delays. According to FlightRadar24, over 390 flights were delayed, 26 cancelled and 15 diverted due to adverse weather. Several areas of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram reported severe congestion. Gurugram authorities advised offices, schools and other institutions to allow work from home on August 25. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Gurugram and Faridabad and forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of Delhi-NCR and nearby states. (PC: India Today)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to begin an eight-day official visit to Canada and the United States, focusing on strengthening India's economic and bilateral ties. During her visit, Sitharaman is expected to hold meetings with government officials, business leaders and international financial institutions. The discussions will focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation. In Canada, she will attend key meetings aimed at deepening engagement between the two countries. Her US visit will include engagements with global financial institutions and business representatives. The trip comes as India seeks to expand international economic partnerships and strengthen cooperation with key global partners. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a march in Delhi on September 5, as the group continues its campaign over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and other public issues. The proposed march is expected to head towards India Gate, though permission from Delhi Police is yet to be confirmed. CJP leaders have been organising protests and campaigns in recent weeks, drawing attention to issues including education and government accountability. The announcement comes as the organisation expands its activities beyond its earlier protests. Police and organisers are expected to coordinate on security and other arrangements ahead of the planned march. (PC: BBC)

Gurugram authorities have advised offices to allow employees to work from home and asked schools to conduct online classes after heavy rain caused widespread flooding and traffic disruption. The city received around 70 mm of rainfall by 1.30 pm, affecting major areas including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk and Old Delhi Road. Several roads and parts of the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway were submerged, leaving vehicles stranded and commuters stuck in long traffic jams. The district administration issued the advisory as residents raised concerns over repeated waterlogging and poor civic infrastructure during the monsoon season. (PC: NDTV)

Ukraine launched a wave of drone strikes targeting warehouses of Ozon, Russia's second-largest online retailer, causing major fires and injuries across several southern regions. Ozon said its logistics facilities in Krasnodar, Dagestan, Stavropol and Adygea were affected, with workers evacuated from some sites. Russian authorities said three children were killed in a drone strike in the Krasnodar region, while several others were hospitalised. The attacks follow recent Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries logistics hubs, which Kyiv says support Russia's military supply network, a claim Moscow denies. Ozon shares fell sharply as the Kremlin considered possible support for affected businesses. (PC: BBC)

A ginger cat at Mumbai's Gundavali Metro Station has become an internet sensation after receiving the playful title of “Chief Feline Officer” from the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd. The unusual honour came after commuter Sandesh Samant shared a photo and jokingly asked the metro operator to give the station's familiar feline an official role. Playing along, MMMOCL said the cat's duties included station inspections, observing commuters and sitting where passengers could admire it. The operator added that its performance had been “purrfect”. The light-hearted exchange quickly went viral, winning smiles from commuters and social media users.  

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has written to education ministers across India, seeking state-wise data on government school infrastructure, teacher vacancies and funding. Calling public education an urgent priority, Dipke raised concerns over the lack of basic facilities such as safe drinking water, functional classrooms, toilets and benches. He asked states to disclose details of school repairs, vacant teaching posts, education spending and digital and sports facilities. The move is part of CJP's ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign, under which party teams are visiting and auditing government schools. Dipke urged governments to improve schools on a war footing. (PC: HT)

Nearly 90,000 people have been told to evacuate or prepare to leave as the fast-spreading Hawk Fire approaches Reno, Nevada. About 42,000 residents were ordered to evacuate immediately, while another 45,000 were placed on alert. The human-caused wildfire has burned around 15,000 acres and remained completely uncontained as of Sunday evening. Six people, including three emergency responders, were injured. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared an emergency in Washoe County and deployed the National Guard. Authorities have closed most schools and imposed road closures as firefighters battle the blaze amid strong, unpredictable winds. (PC: BBC)

The US Department of Homeland Security has begun reviewing proposals for new fees under the H-1B visa and F-1 Optional Practical Training programmes, potentially increasing costs for Indian students and technology professionals. The exact fee amounts have not been confirmed. Reports suggest the proposals could significantly affect the popular F-1 to OPT to H-1B pathway. Indians accounted for 71% of approved H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal 2024. While H-1B filing costs are generally paid by employers, OPT fees are typically borne by students, making any major increase a serious concern for international students. (PC: India Today)

Kerala's 19-year-old Kaziah Liz Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026 after defeating 52 finalists at the grand finale in Jaipur. She received the crown from outgoing titleholder Manika Vishwakarma. Mejo will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico in November. India's first Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, was among the judges. Vaishnavi Gannesh was named first runner-up and Miss International India 2026, while Anushri Satavlekar finished second runner-up. Tejaswini Shrivastava and Anubha Vashist Chaudhary were named third and fourth runners-up, respectively. (PC: NDTV)