A Belgian chocolate replica of India Gate, intended as a gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broke during its journey to India, the Belgian Embassy said. Prime Minister Bart De Wever had planned to present the elaborate sculpture to Modi during his India visit. Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi, De Wever joked that chocolate was “excellent for diplomacy” but not for diplomatic travel. He said a backup replica remained in Belgium and promised to deliver it to Modi safely. India Gate was chosen to reflect the shared history of India and Belgium, including Indian soldiers who fought in Belgium during World War I. (PC: India Today)

Twenty-year-old Surendra Singh Choudhry, popularly known online as Bittu Tabahi, has drawn global attention after spending months cleaning the heavily polluted Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh largely on his own. He removed plastic, discarded waste and other rubbish from the river and nearby public spaces, paying for basic supplies himself. Surendra also shared before-and-after pictures showing the visible difference made by his efforts. His work later caught the attention of Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat, founder of The Ocean Cleanup, which works to remove plastic pollution from oceans and rivers. Slat responded to a post about Surendra’s work, saying, “Come work with us.” (PC: India Today)

The University of Oxford has agreed to repatriate 39 ancestral human remains belonging to the Naga people that were taken during British colonial rule and kept in its collections for decades. The remains are held by Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum, which has around 8,000 Naga objects, including human remains. A Naga delegation is expected to travel to the museum in November to receive the remains. The planned handover is expected to be the largest repatriation of human remains in the museum’s history. Naga representatives have sought their return for years, with formal discussions with the museum beginning in 2020. (PC: Scroll)

Denmark will introduce a new immigration pathway from January 1, 2027, allowing eligible employers to hire foreign workers from 16 selected countries, including India. The Collective Agreement-Based Business Scheme aims to help employers address labour shortages while ensuring workers receive proper employment conditions. Applicants must have a job with a certified Danish employer and earn at least DKK 322,000 annually under the 2026 salary level. Employers must meet requirements including having a relevant collective agreement and certification. The scheme will cover citizens of countries including India, the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, China and Singapore, among others. (PC: X)

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Europe ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier warnings about the dangers of depending too much on other countries for trade and industry.   Speaking at a CII event, De Wever said Europe was now facing a “rude awakening” as economic dependence was being used as a tool for pressure.   He said India understood these risks earlier than Europe. De Wever also called India an important partner for Europe. He said both sides should work together on trade, investment, technology and stronger supply chains in a changing global environment.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she became Italy’s longest continuously serving prime minister in the postwar era. Meloni reached the milestone after 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous record associated with Silvio Berlusconi. Modi described the achievement as a reflection of the trust and confidence of the Italian people in Meloni’s leadership. He also highlighted her friendship and role in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership. Modi expressed his intention to continue close cooperation between the two countries and wished Meloni continued success in the years ahead. (PC: X)

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered Indian conglomerate Tata Chemicals to end its operations in the country, accusing the company of failing to deliver sufficient economic and industrial benefits to Kenya. The dispute centres on Tata Chemicals Magadi, which operates a major soda ash facility near Lake Magadi in Kajiado County. Ruto said the government plans to bring in two new companies to replace Tata, including facilities for glass and chemical production in Kajiado. Kenya had already suspended Tata’s mining operations in July over regulatory concerns. Tata Chemicals says it has submitted the requested documentation and remains committed to resolving the dispute through legal and regulatory channels. (PC: X)

The Ganga’s rising water level has put eight Bihar districts—Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad—on high alert. At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the river reached about 1.65 metres above the danger mark, with forecasts warning it could cross the Highest Flood Level. Authorities have been instructed to monitor embankments, alert residents in low-lying areas and prepare shelters, medical facilities, food and drinking water. SDRF and NDRF teams remain ready for rescue operations. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government, alleging inadequate flood preparedness and relief arrangements in affected areas. (PC: India Today)

Dr. Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England, has said Britain should learn from India’s healthcare system, highlighting the country’s growing potential as a global healthcare model. She particularly pointed to India’s use of digital technology and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. According to her, India’s expanding digital healthcare infrastructure demonstrates how technology can improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen access to medical services. Her comments come as the UK’s National Health Service faces pressure to improve productivity and manage rising healthcare demands. The remarks highlight India’s emerging influence in global healthcare innovation and technology-driven service delivery. (PC: X)

India will finalise its proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after securing preferential tariff treatment for Indian exporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on September 3. New Delhi wants Indian goods to receive a competitive tariff advantage over products from rival economies in the US market. Goyal said India has secured favourable terms in sensitive sectors and will announce the agreement’s final details once Washington provides the required tariff advantage. The negotiations reflect India’s focus on protecting export competitiveness while expanding global trade partnerships. Goyal also highlighted continued growth in India’s merchandise exports and urged industry to set ambitious targets. (PC: ANI)