Uzbek Alphabet Overhaul: Uzbekistan’s Senate approved Latin-script amendments that expand the Uzbek alphabet to 28 letters plus one apostrophe, replacing several two-letter combinations (e.g., Ş, Ç, Ö, Ğ) to fix long-running digital typing and search inconsistencies. BRICS Summit Security & Media: Ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12–13), Delhi Police says it has mobilized 15,000+ personnel and about 200 CAPF units, with route “sanitisation” and traffic controls; the MEA also expects 1,200–1,300 journalists and is setting up an international media centre at Bharat Mandapam. Uzbekistan’s Investor Push: Saida Mirziyoyeva was appointed manager of the Tashkent International Financial Center, a special legal-regime hub aimed at attracting long-term foreign investment, including digital assets and Islamic finance. Regional Tech & Culture: Uzbekistan’s contemporary arts scene gets a boost as the Center for Contemporary Arts Tashkent (CCA Tashkent) expands residencies, research, and education, including a Samarkand programme on “Climate Cartographies.” Afghanistan Security Warning: A new look at the 9/11 legacy says al-Qaeda-linked armed groups still operate in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, despite claims of “no sanctuary.”