- Bilkul Online | Sunday Special
- The Week It Was | Sept 05 – 12 Sept 2026
1. BRICS Summit puts India at centre of global diplomacy
The 18th BRICS Summit began in New Delhi, bringing together leaders of major emerging economies. India used its BRICS presidency to push themes of cooperation, peace, sustainability and a stronger voice for the Global South.
2. Modi-Xi meeting signals cautious thaw in India-China ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first bilateral meeting in India in seven years. Both sides stressed peace along the border, dialogue and greater cooperation, while recognising that differences remain.
3. India launches ‘Bhu-Aadhaar’ for rural land records
The Rural Development Ministry introduced ULPIN, popularly described as Bhu-Aadhaar, aimed at giving land parcels a unique identification number and improving transparency in land records.
4. Supreme Court pushes States on judicial retirement age
With more than five crore cases pending in district courts, the Supreme Court asked States to take a decision on raising the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 62.
5. Aravalli protection remains under Supreme Court scrutiny
The Supreme Court extended the timeline for the committee examining issues concerning the Aravalli hills, keeping the spotlight on protection of one of India’s most important ecological zones.
6. India takes a step forward in geothermal energy
India’s geothermal-energy push gained momentum with the commissioning of its first two geothermal wells at Puga Valley in Ladakh, opening possibilities for clean, round-the-clock renewable power in the future.
7. India launches new marine research vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers launched Sagar Manthan, a marine research vessel aimed at strengthening India’s oceanographic research capabilities.
8. Heavy rains trigger fresh weather alerts in Maharashtra
The IMD issued an orange alert for Mumbai and yellow alerts for neighbouring districts as heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds threatened disruption in parts of Maharashtra.
9. Delhi building collapse claims six lives
A five-storey paying-guest accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan collapsed, killing six people and triggering a major rescue operation. Authorities began examining construction activity at the site.
10. Kerala introduces elderly-friendly office certification
Kerala launched a programme aimed at making government offices more accessible and convenient for senior citizens, reflecting the growing need for age-friendly public services.
1. Ukraine peace efforts remain under pressure
US diplomatic efforts involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv continued, but fresh Russian attacks and Ukrainian counter-strikes underlined how difficult a breakthrough remains in the war.
2. Houthis intensify pressure around Red Sea shipping route
The Iran-backed Houthi movement made fresh advances in Yemen, increasing concern over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s strategically important maritime routes.
3. Strait of Hormuz faces renewed security concerns
Reports of a commercial vessel being struck near the Strait of Hormuz raised fresh fears about the safety of shipping through the vital waterway.
4. Germany’s far-right AfD makes major political gains
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) recorded a major victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, intensifying debate over the rise of the far right in German politics.
5. NATO allies expose alleged Russian undersea cable threat
NATO countries reportedly disrupted a suspected Russian operation involving submarines and technology capable of targeting critical undersea cables — highlighting growing concern over Europe’s vulnerable underwater infrastructure.
Quote of the Week:
“Differences should not become disputes.”
— Narendra Modi, during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit.
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