NEW DELHI (AP) — Bad traffic is a fact of life in New Delhi, but it's often at its worst when foreign dignitaries come to town.
As India's capital prepares to host a summit of the BRICS grouping of countries this weekend, parts of one of the world’s busiest urban centers have been turned into tightly controlled security zones.
Even as many Delhi residents are proud to play host to a gathering of world leaders, the traffic chaos is testing their patience and prompting widespread complaints about how the city plans for major events. BRICS is a grouping of 11 major emerging markets and developing countries, named after an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed Friday, with barricades, checkpoints and traffic curbs in place across major roads and key areas a day before the summit begins Saturday. City authorities also declared it a public holiday in an effort to reduce traffic and limit movement across the city.
Government offices, schools and many private businesses were closed, reducing traffic and giving security agencies greater control over movement. Some schools shut their doors on Thursday. Similar measures were imposed in 2023, when New Delhi hosted the G20 summit.
The restrictions are disrupting daily life in a capital already notorious for chronic congestion. Millions of vehicles compete for space on its roads each day, and even short trips can stretch into lengthy commutes.
Officials said the restrictions were necessary to ensure the smooth running of the major multilateral gathering. They urged residents to work from home where possible, plan journeys in advance and follow official traffic advisories.
But millions of Delhi residents still needed to go to work. Office workers, delivery drivers and daily wage earners reported difficulties reaching work as roads were closed, routes diverted and traffic restrictions changed. Taxi fares rose in some areas as drivers faced longer routes and congestion, while residents complained of confusion over changing restrictions.
Some took to social media to post images of barricaded roads and ask for advice about getting around.
Neeraj Kumar, an autorickshaw driver, said the restrictions were hitting poorer residents hardest.
“If a one-kilometer journey turns into an eight-kilometer detour, what are we supposed to do?” he asked.
Kumar, who has been driving for 35 years, said authorities should ensure that security measures for foreign delegates do not come at the expense of residents.
“The government should make proper arrangements for foreign delegates so that neither the public nor the guests should face any trouble,” he said.
Mohammed Eliyas, a young delivery driver, said the restrictions would prevent many workers from earning for several days.
“Even if we reach work, we will get stuck in traffic. We won’t be able to work,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders expected to attend the summit Saturday and Sunday.
BRICS has expanded from its original membership to include 11 countries that together represent about half the world’s population and a significant share of global energy, resources and economic output. The group has sought a larger role in a global order long dominated by the United States and its Western allies and has gained support in parts of the Global South, where countries have criticized Western-led financial institutions.
Delhi police personnel stand guard outside the illuminated Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the BRICS summit, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
The illuminated Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the BRICS summit, is seen in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
A three-wheeler drives past BRICS summit banners bearing an image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — It's election season, and No. 1 Miami would like a select group of people to seriously consider two candidates when casting ballots.
Vote for Darian Mensah.
Or vote for Malachi Toney.
When it comes to the race for the Heisman Trophy, the Hurricanes are already campaigning. They want those entrusted with selecting the winner of college football's top individual honor to choose one of their two stars — who are near the top of the national rankings in a slew of categories.
And yes, the Hurricanes (7-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are touting the duo as — wait for it — Heismen.
“When your best players prepare and focus a certain way, I think it definitely rubs off on everybody,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said this week. “We're lucky right now that our best players are the ones that prepare a certain way, they are focused a certain way, and they bring a certain intensity to the game. That definitely filters through the group. It's contagious.”
Neither Mensah nor Toney is likely to concede much about what winning the Heisman — or even being a top candidate for the award — would mean to them individually, though it should be noted Toney struck the Heisman pose while celebrating a touchdown catch on the Hurricanes' very first drive of the season back in September. He's done it a few more times since.
But when asked by The Associated Press on Wednesday to make the case for the other, neither disappointed with their answers.
— Toney, speaking on Mensah: “He's just an unbelievable player. Puts the ball wherever it needs to be. He's just a leader. The play speaks for itself."
— Mensah, speaking on Toney: “The biggest thing that sets him apart from everybody else is his eagerness to go out and block for his teammates. I think if you turn on the tape, he does it at such a high level that it's different. He's obviously a great person but he wants to see his teammates win. And I think he's just a selfless person. I think that's why he should win.”
Mensah enters this week leading the country in yards per attempt (10.54) and completion percentage (81.4%, such a wide margin over No. 2 Noah Fifita of Arizona that the Miami quarterback could misfire on his next 19 throws and still hold the top spot). He’s thrown for 22 touchdowns and just one interception.
“One of the best quarterbacks in the country,” said North Carolina coach Bill Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion whose Tar Heels (4-3, 2-2) will play host to the Hurricanes on Saturday night. “I mean, I haven’t seen them all, but he’s got to be right up there. Can’t imagine there’s too many playing better than he is.”
Toney leads the nation with 66 catches, plus ranks third with 11 touchdown catches and 952 receiving yards. And he, too, got rave reviews from Belichick — on everything from his blocking to his route running to even being able to handle success at such a young age.
“He can kill you on a screen pass. He can kill you on an intermediate play. He can kill you on deep balls. Returns, improvised plays,” Belichick said. “He helps the quarterback out a lot because he gets open, finds ways to get open even when he's double-covered. That doesn't really stop him. You would think it would, but not really.”
Mensah has even found Toney in a couple of triple-covered situations this season.
“Malachi has the trust of the entire organization — and certainly the quarterback,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said.
Most sportsbooks have Mensah and Toney in the top three for this year's award, both trailing the presumed favorite, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State. It's not unheard of for teammates to finish in the top three; there are three such instances in the last 50 seasons with DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones for Alabama in 2020, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart for for USC in 2005, and Adrian Peterson and Jason White for Oklahoma in 2004.
Mensah and Toney — in some order — could join that list in a few weeks. And they're already at the point where Dawson can see an unspoken communication in games, making little adjustments to a play on the fly because one already knows what the other is thinking.
“Man, me and Darian have gotten close within these past few months,” Toney said. “It's just been crazy.”
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Miami quarterback Darian Mensah (10) calls out on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) celebrates with quarterback Darian Mensah (10) after scoring a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
