Energy Storage Push: India’s Smart Grid Forum and the Long Duration Energy Storage Council signed an MoU to speed long-duration storage deployment via policy, market design, demos, financing and a planned Centre of Excellence. Rural Connectivity Bid: Elon Musk again urged India to clear Starlink for commercial rollout, arguing satellite internet can bridge rural “least served” gaps where 4G coverage remains patchy. Nuclear Sector Opening: The US nuclear industry, through USISPF, will submit detailed feedback to India’s Department of Atomic Energy on draft SHANTI rules by Sept 4, as private participation expands. Trade & Investment Links: India and Mauritius signed an oil-and-gas cooperation MoU, including a five-year IndianOil supply deal for petroleum products. Market Watch: India’s sugar policy shock hit stocks after duty-free raw sugar imports of 1 million tonnes were announced to cool prices. Cyber Defence Shift: Japan is moving to expand state powers under a new Cyber Defence Act to neutralise computers used to launch major cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Regional Climate Risk: Britain is bracing for wetter, stormier autumn and early winter as an unusually strong El Niño develops in the Pacific. China’s Labour Rights Plan: China’s trade union five-year plan targets gig and platform workers with stronger union access, bargaining and social protection.