tirupati l saturday l september 12, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION SC seeks timeline for FSSAI’s food warning label rollout Supreme Court has asked FSSAI to come up with more clarifications on its planned labels of nutrients of concern — fat, sugar and salt ‘clarify threshold levels of nutrients’ sc for nutritional literacy in schools Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed phased implementation of front-of-package labelling (FoPL) on packaged foods high in added saturated fat, added sugar and salt. The bench asked FSSAI how it proposed to identify sweetened beverages which fall under Phase I; and what are threshold levels of the specific nutrients for such beverages ■ ■ A bench of justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran also asked the Centre how it plans to increase nutritional literacy in schools while flagging that children are under risk of unhealthy eating behaviours The bench said FSSAI should revisit its design of the FoPL labelling keeping in mind consumer behaviour and online sale of food products 10 days time granted to fssai to file its affidavit on the sc’s queries CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI 1 Modi suggests study to remove the bloc’s top 10 trade barriers, supporting 100 startups a year to expand into other BRICS markets and creating 1,000 new business partnerships annually 2 3 Maritime security mandatory for expanding global trade, says PM, warning economic growth and supply-chain resilience could not be separated from the security of shipping routes Putin highlights BRICS’ growing economic weight relative to G7, saying the former accounted for over 40% of global GDP over the past five years, compared with 29% for the G7 4 Modi holding Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s hand and walking side-by-side along with other global leaders showed not just solidarity, it sent a loaded message to the US Big PM push for BRICS trade integration Security, peace, minerals widen ties with Russia PUSHPITA D E Y @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a threepillar strategy to deepen trade within the expanded BRICS grouping, while stressing that stronger economic integration would depend on secure sea lanes, open supply routes and the safety of seafarers as geopolitical conflicts increasingly disrupt global commerce. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum here, Modi urged the BRICS Business Council to identify and remove the bloc’s top 10 trade barriers, support 100 startups every year to expand into other BRICS markets and create 1,000 new business partnerships annually with progress reviewed every year. , “As BRICS enters its third decade, I would like to urge the BRICS Business Council: Can you prepare a report on removing the top 10 trade barriers among BRICS nations? Can we support 100 BRICS startups annually to scale up in other BRICS markets? Can we forge a thousand new partnerships among our businesses? We should review our progress on these three parameters every year,” Modi said. At the same time, Modi placed maritime security at the heart of his vision for expanding global trade, warning that economic growth and supply-chain resilience could not be separated from the security of shipping routes. This carries significance as conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea have disrupted shipping routes, raised freight Global trade can and insurance costs and exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains. only progress if Modi’s proposals came against a sea lanes are broader backdrop of rising protectionsecure, supply ism, sanctions and geopolitical fragmenroutes remain tation, with emerging economies seekopen, and ing to build more resilient trade and investment links within the Global seafarers are safe. South. His pitch was to move BRICS toIndia is a staunch wards measurable economic supporter of integration. freedom of “The economic strength of BRICS has grown at nearly twice the pace of the navigation and rest of the world,” Modi said, describing safety of seafarers BRICS nations as emerging hubs for inNarendra Modi novation and solutions. The economic agenda unfolded alongside a sharper geopolitical message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who criticised sanctions and what he described as coercive economic pressure. Putin also sought to highlight BRICS’ growing economic weight relative to the Western-led G7. “Over the last five years, more than 40% of the world GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called G7, the Group of Seven—I don’t know why they call that the Group of Seven—stands at only 29%,” he said. Putin stressed that Russia is not working against anyone. “What we are doing is not against anyone. We are in favour of our interests,” he said while calling for greater cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, finance and technology . on p7 Xi jinping’s first bilateral trip in seven years today Moderate to heavy rainfall likely in North Andhra today E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The low-pressure area over the northwest and west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of South Odisha and North Andhra continues to persist, and is likely to move westnorthwestwards and intensify during the next 24 hours, said Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) Managing Director Prakhar Jain. On Saturday, Srikakulam is likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorm is expected at some places in Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Polavaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada and Konaseema districts. East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR and Guntur districts are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at isolated places, the APSDMA said. Strong winds with speeds of 50-60 kmph are likely along the North Andhra coast and 40-50 kmph along the South coast. APSDMA urged people to exercise caution. j aya n t h j a c ob @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks hand-in-hand with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along the red carpet of the BRICS Business Forum. Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also seen in the picture | PTI India, Iran seek long-term ties J AYA N TH J AC O B @ New Delhi INDIA and Iran have agreed to pursue a long-term, ‘win-win’ approach to their bilateral relationship as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks against the backdrop of an escalating conflict in West Asia. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, was the second interaction between the two leaders in two weeks. They had met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. “From Bishkek to Delhi, the productive discussions continue,” Modi said after the meeting. He said the two sides discussed the India-Iran friendship and agreed on the need to take the relationship forward with a Local currency pitch Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the existing global financial system remains vulnerable because of its concentration on a limited number of currencies. He called for a stronger shift toward local currencies in BRICS trade long-term perspective. The escalating situation in West Asia figured prominently in the discussions. “The prevailing situation in the region was also discussed. India remains steadfast in its commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace,” Modi said. According to the official readout, Modi reiterated India’s India lines up 15 bilateral engagements in three days consistent position that all issues in the region must be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy”. He underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability while safeguarding free, dom of navigation and commerce and the safety and well-being of seafarers. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, Pezeshkian called for greater use of national currencies in trade among BRICS members. “One of the most important steps is to expand the use of national currencies in trade among the members,” he said, stressing that the move should be accompanied by mechanisms for managing currency risks and enabling reciprocal settlements. Modi gifts Putin a Russian translation of Thirukkural PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the way forward to resolve conflicts as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin reviewed an expanding India-Russia agenda spanning maritime security, critical minerals, industrial partnerships and civil nuclear cooperation. Modi said India was ready to assist in peace efforts. In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said the two leaders discussed closer trade ties, including implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030, as well as cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and culture. India-Russia According to the official readout, the leaders “shared perspectives on key reeconomic gional and global issues of mutual interpartnership est, including the conflicts in West Asia gathers and the Black Sea region which have immomentum. pacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.” President Putin The talks also covered the broader Inand I participated in INNOPROM, dia-Russia strategic partnership. The two leaders “agreed to remain engaged ... to bringing together further strengthen the Special and Privicompanies from leged Strategic Partnership between the two countries”, which they said continboth countries ued to show “significant growth”. Trade Narendra Modi, PM and economic diversification are expected to shape the next phase of the relationship. India and Russia are working towards a $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, even as the sharp increase in Russian energy imports has widened the trade imbalance. The economic agenda is moving beyond oil and defence. Rail and tunnelling cooperation is being explored as part of an industrial push. Critical minerals is another strategic priority Officials said . the two sides are looking at cooperation across exploration, processing and recycling. Both countries are also examining a potential steel value-chain partnership, spanning raw materials to finished products. Civil nuclear cooperation remains another key pillar. Discussions also covered nuclear fuel-cycle cooperation and life-cycle support for existing Russian-designed reactors in India, while keeping alive talks on a second Russiandesigned reactor site. unified digital payment system call for the bloc Russia exploring services, pharma import from India TTD puts cap on number Focus on clearance of files, not on of private vehicles on hills WhatsApp messages: CM to officials B M u r a l i @ Tirumala In a historic first, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), in coordination with the Tirupati police and TTD Vigilance Wing, has implemented a strict traffic regulation protocol to cap the overwhelming influx of private vehicles travelling up to the sacred hills. The unprecedented intervention sets a daily threshold permitting a maximum of 10,000 to 15,000 private vehicles to ascend the Tirumala ghat roads. Once this cap is reached, all remaining private vehicular traffic will be halted at the Alipiri checkpoint at the foothills. To prevent inconvenience to pilgrims, the administration has structured a seamless doorstep public transit mechanism, guiding them directly into designated foothill parking bays. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has been mandated to deploy dedicated buses right at the doorstep of these parking bays, with instructions to keep at least two to five buses on standby at any given moment P4 for immediate boarding. S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu pulled up ministers, secretaries, collectors and other officials over delay in clearing files, and stressed the need for faster decision-making to ensure efficient administration. He pointed out that some officials were not interested to go through the files related to their respective departments, but were very much interested in checking their WhatsApp messages. Reviewing the status of file clearance on the second and final day of the Collectors Conference at the State Secretariat on Friday Naidu expressed dis, pleasure over officials taking excessive time to clear files. He appreciated those who disposed of files within two days or less, and particularly commended officials who cleared them within hours. The Chief Minister advised ministers taking up to four days to clear files to expedite the process. He also took serious exception to the absence of some officials at the Collectors’ Conference, and directed Chief Secretary Sai Prasad to obtain explanations from them. Revealing that ministers M Ramprasad Reddy Kollu Ravin, dra and Payyavula Keshav were taking more time to clear files, Naidu noted that all the ministers should expedite the file clearance. Naidu said a 360-degree assessment of IAS officers would be prepared after obtaining feedback from various stakeP4 holders.  E x p r e s s Re a d Prakasam tops AP in unincorporated units Visakhapatnam: Prakasam district has the highest estimated number of unincorporated nonagricultural establishments in Andhra Pradesh, with 2,13,162 units, while YSR (Kadapa) has the highest estimated number of workers at 3,26,865 | P5 Excise policy retains 3,736 liquor shops Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has notified the Excise Shop Policy 2026-27, retaining the existing 3,736 retail liquor shops across the State for another year from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Of the total liquor shops, 3,396 will be in the open category | P5 Gauhati High Court upholds talaq-e-hassan, says it is a valid form of divorce e x p r e s s ne w s s e r v i c e @ Guwahati THE Gauhati High Court has ruled that talaq-e-hassan is a valid form of divorce and is not prohibited in India. Justice Arun Dev Choudhury passed the order on September 8 after hearing a petitioner, Rakibul Bhuyan, who sought registration of his divorce pronounced through ta- How is it different from talaq-e-biddat Talaq-e-hassan spaces three pronouncements of divorce by at least a month each; the first two are revocable, permitting reunion, while the third makes divorce irrevocable, as clearly prescribed in the Quran. Talaq-e-biddat means instant triple talaq, which the SC banned laq-e-hassan, where a husband pronounces the word talaq once a month over three straight months. According to the petitioner, he got married in 2016 but his wife left him and returned to her parental home in 2018 following differences with him. Despite efforts by the petitioner, she did not return to her husband’s house. Later, the man pronounced talaq-e-hassan on three different days in March, April and May this year in the presence of witnesses. The petitioner argued that following the pronouncement of the third talaq-e-hassan, the marriage had become void. However, the state government submitted that since the 1935 Act for divorce registration had been repealed and the post of Registrar of Muslim Marriages and Divorce consequently abolished, the petitioner’s divorce could not be registered under the repealed law. The government further submitted that the petitioner could approach the jurisdictional marriage and divorce registrar. The court held that if the petitioner satisfies the requirements under Section 12 of the Act of 2024 and its proviso, the jurisdictional registrar will record the divorce in the divorce register and if it is refused, he may seek recourse under Section 17 of the Act. The court said the wife, who was not present, was free to challenge the talaq-e-hassan before an appropriate forum.