Kathmandu hosts SAWEN General Assembly; Kathmandu Declaration adopted
South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) held its first General Assembly in Kathmandu, where the Kathmandu Declaration was adopted to strengthen regional cooperation against illegal wildlife trade. SAWEN is a regional inter-governmental network that coordinates efforts among South Asian countries to combat wildlife crimes and trafficking. The declaration calls for enhanced enforcement, information sharing, joint field operations, and capacity building to protect biodiversity across the region. Delegates reviewed crime patterns, agreed on priority actions, and emphasised harmonising laws and rapid cross-border cooperation. Experts noted the need for sustained funding and technical training.
Kathmandu hosted SAWEN General Assembly and Kathmandu Declaration.
SAWEN coordinates regional actions against wildlife crimes.
Declaration calls for enforcement, information sharing, and joint operations.
Emphasis on harmonised laws and cross-border cooperation.
Need for sustained funding and technical training highlighted.
BRICS New Delhi Declaration released; emphasis on resilience, innovation, and sustainability
BRICS issued the New Delhi Declaration on September 12, 2026, during the XVIII BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with leaders emphasising resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable development. The document outlines common commitments across trade, investment, technology, climate action, and people-to-people ties, while reaffirming reform of global governance institutions to better reflect emerging economies. The declaration highlights digital connectivity, inclusive growth, and responses to supply-chain disruptions. It also notes collaboration in science, health, and energy, and calls for more structured BRICS-plus partnerships. The summit, running from 12 to 13 September 2026, showcased regional diplomacy and a shared agenda for greater South-South cooperation.
New Delhi Declaration released during BRICS Summit (12–13 Sep 2026).
Focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability.
Calls for reform of global governance to include emerging economies.
Emphasis on digital connectivity and inclusive growth.
BRICS-plus partnerships and cross-sector collaboration highlighted.
PM Modi meets South Africa's Ramaphosa on BRICS sidelines; talks on cooperation
On the sidelines of the XVIII BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, on 13 September 2026. The leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional security, and BRICS jointly advancing trade, investment, and technology cooperation. The meeting underscored India’s role in shaping the expanded BRICS agenda and the importance of shared development goals. Officials noted follow-up steps, including upcoming high-level dialogues and potential cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity. The encounter reflected ongoing diplomatic engagement in New Delhi as BRICS leaders consolidated their plans for multilateral collaboration. Public remarks highlighted friendship and shared regional responsibilities.
Meetings on 13 September 2026 on BRICS sidelines in Delhi.
Modi and Ramaphosa discussed trade, investment, and tech cooperation.
India’s role in BRICS expansion highlighted.
Follow-up dialogues planned in energy, infrastructure, digital connectivity.
Diplomatic engagement emphasised friendship and regional responsibility.
Tata Steel launches India's first Coke Oven Gas Injection Project
Tata Steel Limited commissioned India’s first Coke Oven Gas (COG) Injection Project at the Meramandali Steel Plant in Odisha. The initiative, launched at Blast Furnace 1, marks a major step toward reducing fossil fuel consumption in steelmaking and lowering carbon emissions. Coke oven gas is injected into the blast furnace as a supplementary fuel, reducing reliance on coal and improving energy efficiency. The project aligns with Tata Steel’s Net Zero by 2045 roadmap and contributes to national decarbonisation efforts in heavy industry. Industry experts expect broader deployment of COG injection across facilities as part of cleaner production goals.
First COG Injection Project at Meramandali, Odisha.
COG used as supplementary fuel in blast furnace.
Reduces coal use and lowers carbon emissions.
Aligns with Net Zero by 2045 goal.
Potential for wider adoption in the steel sector.
World’s longest steel slag road opens in Raigarh; Guinness record
India set a Guinness World Record for building the world’s longest steel slag road in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The 1.85-kilometre stretch uses processed steel slag, a by-product of steel manufacturing, as an alternative construction material. The project demonstrates the potential of industrial by-products to create sustainable infrastructure and reduce extraction of natural aggregates. Experts say the road showcases a model for circular economy in road construction and could cut maintenance costs over time. Local authorities emphasise that steel slag recycling lowers emissions from material transport and reduces landfill waste. The project signals a broader push to use sustainable materials in public works.
Guinness World Record for longest steel slag road (1.85 km).
Uses steel slag as construction material.
Promotes circular economy in road building.
Aims to reduce raw-material extraction and emissions.
Global Flyways Summit 2026 in Nairobi highlights migratory bird concerns
The Global Flyways Summit 2026 was held in Nairobi, Kenya, organized by BirdLife International as part of its quadrennial Partnership Meeting. The gathering brought together conservation organisations, government agencies, and stakeholders to strengthen migratory-bird protection and habitat management. The latest report highlighted concerns over declining migratory bird populations, with many species facing habitat loss and climate pressures. Participants discussed policy coordination, habitat restoration, surveillance against illegal hunting, and cross-border research collaboration. The summit stressed integrated conservation strategies and greater funding for flyway networks, with India emphasising its shared responsibility to protect migratory birds along the South Asian flyway.
Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya (Global Flyways Summit 2026).
Focus on migratory-bird protection and habitat management.
Highlights declines in migratory bird populations.
Discussed policy coordination, restoration, and anti-poaching.
India emphasised shared responsibility along the South Asian flyway.
Global Chess League 2026 final held in Bengaluru; Ganges Grandmasters win
The Global Chess League (GCL) 2026 concluded with Bengaluru, Karnataka hosting the final of the fourth edition. The Ganges Grandmasters claimed their maiden GCL title after defeating Alpine APL Pipers by 7–5 on overall score. The team-based competition brings together leading chess clubs and players from several countries to compete in fast-paced formats over a season. The win marks a historic milestone for the Ganges Grandmasters, highlighting the growing popularity of chess in India and among regional clubs. Several players praised the format for fast games and audience engagement.
GCL 2026 final held in Bengaluru (fourth edition).
Ganges Grandmasters win 7–5 against Alpine APL Pipers.
Event features team-based, fast-format chess.
Boosts popularity of chess in India and region.
Players praised fast games and audience engagement.
Ramanathaswamy Temple backdrop at BRICS Summit in New Delhi
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, a 12th-century temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, served as a cultural backdrop during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Officials highlighted India’s civilisational heritage as part of diplomatic hospitality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed world leaders at the summit, framing cultural heritage as a soft-power element in multilateral dialogue. Journalists noted the ceremonial significance of ancient monuments alongside economic and strategic discussions. The arrangement illustrated how heritage assets can accompany discussions on science, technology, and development during major international gatherings.
Ramanathaswamy Temple used as BRICS backdrop in Delhi.
IAF Dronathon-2026 was inaugurated at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The three-day event showcases and evaluates Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) technologies developed by Indian defence companies, startups, and innovators. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, inaugurated the event, which features live demonstrations, testing protocols, and industry showcases. Organisers emphasise collaboration with defence labs and private partners to accelerate indigenous drone design, development, and production, strengthening India's security, border surveillance, and disaster-response capabilities.
Inauguration at Pokhran Range, Rajasthan.
Focus on UAS and CUAS technologies.
Involves defence companies, startups, and innovators.
Rajbhasha Kirti Award honors 2025–26 achievements in official languages
The Department of Financial Services received the First Prize under the Rajbhasha Kirti Award for outstanding implementation and innovative achievements in the field of official language during 2025–26. The award was presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 6th All India Official Language Conference and Hindi Diwas celebrations. The citation highlighted bilingual formats, digital portals, and staff training as key success factors. Officials noted that the recognition encourages wider adoption of Hindi and other official languages in financial services, banking, and public administration, aligning with government language policy goals.
First Prize awarded for 2025–26 official-language work.
Presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Emphasis on bilingual formats, digital portals, training.
Encourages broader use of official languages in finance and public admin.
78th Primetime Emmy Awards 2026: Hacks leads with Jean Smart win
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held in Los Angeles on 14 September 2026, honouring television productions from the 2025–26 season. In the comedy categories, Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress for Hacks, continuing her Emmy-winning run, while Matthew Rhys took Outstanding Lead Actor for Widow’s Bay. The evening featured a mix of established favourites and new entrants, with several wins going to streaming platforms. The ceremony highlighted evolving formats such as limited series and high-velocity streaming releases, and promoted diversity and inclusion in casting and storytelling. Winners offered thanks to colleagues, mentors, and fans.
Emmys held in Los Angeles on 14 September 2026.
Jean Smart wins Lead Actress in a Comedy for Hacks.
Matthew Rhys wins Lead Actor in a Comedy for Widow’s Bay.
Streaming platforms secure several wins.
Event notes focus on diversity and evolving formats.
Ganesh Gyanarthi Exhibition was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 13 September 2026 in Mumbai, organized by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. The event highlighted preservation, digitisation, and promotion of India's knowledge traditions for future generations. Shah discussed Indology, covering history, archaeology, linguistics, philosophy, literature, grammar, epigraphy, and numismatics. The exhibition aims to showcase manuscripts, rare books, and artefacts to scholars and the public, while encouraging digitisation and access to rare materials. The organisers emphasised collaborations with libraries, universities, and cultural institutions to sustain research. The inauguration underscored government support for heritage and safeguarding India’s intellectual heritage for posterity.
Inauguration date and location: 13 September 2026, Mumbai.
Amit Shah officiated the event.
Focus on preservation, digitisation, and promotion of knowledge traditions.