Morocco appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first woman Prime Minister
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed as Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister in September 2026 by King Mohammed VI, making her the second woman to hold the post in the Arab world after Tunisia's Najla Bouden. Before becoming prime minister, El Mansouri served as the mayor of Marrakesh and held the role of Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy. Her appointment signals a shift in Morocco’s political history, with observers noting increased female leadership at the highest levels. Analysts expect the new government to pursue reforms in housing, urban planning, and regional development, while maintaining stability and international engagement.
El Mansouri named Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister (Sept 2026)
Appointed by King Mohammed VI; second woman PM in Arab world
Former Marrakesh mayor and urban planning minister
FICCI FRAMES 2026 held in Mumbai with industry focus
The 26th edition of FICCI FRAMES 2026 took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, bringing together leaders from the media and entertainment sectors. Organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the convention highlighted developments in films, television, animation, gaming, and digital media. The event featured panel discussions, product showcases, and networking sessions designed to shape India’s creative economy. The theme, 'India’s Media Moment: Creating Value in an Age of Infinite Content,' focused on monetization, audience engagement, and new distribution models. Delegates from government, industry, and academia discussed policy support, investment opportunities, and collaboration across platforms to accelerate growth.
26th FICCI FRAMES held in Mumbai, 2026
Sectors covered: films, TV, animation, gaming, digital media
Theme focuses on value creation in content abundance
Panels and showcases for industry growth
Policy and investment discussions with government and industry
Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank
Apple Pay launched its digital payment service in India in collaboration with Axis Bank, marking a significant step in the country’s mobile wallet ecosystem. The service enables contactless payments through Apple devices by adding eligible cards to Apple Wallet. It uses tokenisation, device-level security, and biometric authentication to protect payment information. Merchants adopting the system can offer faster checkouts, while customers gain convenient access to a wide range of cards. Axis Bank will issue cards compatible with Apple Pay, and partnerships with additional banks are expected. The launch aims to expand digital payments in India and spur financial inclusion. The rollout will cover major metros first, with gradual expansion nationwide.
Apple Pay launches in India with Axis Bank
Contactless payments via Apple Wallet and tokenisation
Axis Bank to issue compatible cards; more banks expected
Aims to expand digital payments and financial inclusion
Neeru Dhanda wins Asian Games gold in women’s trap
Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda won a historic gold medal in women’s trap at the Asian Games 2026, becoming the first Indian to win an individual gold in this event. She scored 26 points in the final, finishing ahead of rivals from China and Kuwait. Dhanda had earlier contributed to India’s success by winning a silver medal in the women’s trap team event alongside Aashima Ahlawat and Manisha Keer. The achievement marks a milestone for Indian shooting sports, reflecting rising performance levels and strong national coaching support. Officials attributed the success to focused training, selection trials, and persistent dedication of the athletes.
Dhanda wins India’s first individual gold in women’s trap at Asian Games
Final score: 26 points; rivals from China and Kuwait finished behind
Silver in women’s trap team event with Ahlawat and Keer
Milestone for Indian shooting and coaching programs
Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old chess prodigy of Indian origin representing England, created history by becoming the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in chess. She achieved her third and final WGM norm during the 46th Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Playing on the top board for England’s women’s team, she scored eight points from eleven games. Her achievement surpassed the previous age record for earning the prestigious WGM title and marks a major milestone in international chess. Her success is celebrated in both India and the United Kingdom as an example of talent rising through youth.
11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan represents England
Achieved final WGM norm at the 46th Chess Olympiad, Samarkand
Scored 8/11 on the top board for England women
Becomes youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster
Celebrated as a milestone for Indian-origin players
Uttarakhand installs first real-time GLOF warning system at Vasundhara Tal
Uttarakhand has begun installing its first real-time early-warning system at Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli district to monitor Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The lake lies among 13 high-risk glacial lakes identified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with technical institutions. The system will continuously track lake level, temperature, inflow, and other environmental changes, and will issue alerts if conditions indicate a possible flood threat. A joint team from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is leading the installation and calibration effort. Officials say the project will strengthen disaster preparedness in the Himalayas amid rising temperatures and rapidly changing glaciers.
Real-time early-warning system installed at Vasundhara Tal, Chamoli
NDMA identifies 13 high-risk glacial lakes for monitoring
System tracks lake level, temperature, inflow and other changes
Alerts issued if flood threat indicators are detected
Joint effort by CBRI Roorkee and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
Mandar from Jharkhand gains Geographical Indication tag
Jharkhand’s Mandar, a traditional folk percussion instrument, has received the Geographical Indication tag, announced by the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, in September 2026. The GI marker links Mandar to the cultural heritage and geographical identity of Jharkhand. The instrument holds a prominent place in tribal and folk traditions and is widely used during festivals and cultural performances. GI status is expected to promote local artisans, protect against counterfeit products, and boost tourism by highlighting Mandar’s unique musical sound and regional roots. Experts say the recognition could inspire broader efforts to preserve endangered crafts in eastern India.
Mandar awarded Geographical Indication tag in Sep 2026
Registry: Chennai, linking Mandar to Jharkhand’s heritage
Instrument central to tribal and folk traditions
GI status to aid artisans and tourism
Aims to protect against counterfeit products
65th National Exhibition of Art held in New Delhi
The Lalit Kala Akademi organised the 65th National Exhibition of Art in New Delhi during September 2026, showcasing contemporary Indian visual art and inviting artists from across the country. The event highlighted painting, sculpture, and mixed media works, reflecting diverse regional styles and experimental practices. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended as Chief Guest, praising artists for sustaining creative dialogue. During the exhibition, 20 Lalit Kala Akademi Awards were announced to recognise outstanding contributions in Indian art. The award ceremony celebrated emerging talents alongside established figures, reinforcing the Akademi’s role in promoting modern Indian art on national and international stages.
65th National Exhibition of Art hosted by Lalit Kala Akademi