🐻 Astronomers spot 'bear' shape on Mars, but it's just geology

An orbiter captured a hill on Mars that resembled a little bear on December 12, 2022. The feature was photographed by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE camera above the southern highlands. The structure included two pits, a pale ridge, and a circular crack, forming the 'head' outline. Scientists explained this as pareidolia, meaning human brains see faces in random patterns, not actual bears. Future missions will look for biosignatures in Martian features, like a recent smiley salt deposit found in August 2024.

🚨 NCPCR investigates Meta over child safety ads on Instagram

The NCPCR summoned Meta officials for a hearing regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse material on Instagram. This inquiry stems from a BBC investigation and subsequent IT Ministry action. Reports showed hundreds of CSEAM ads on platforms, including some served in India. The issue involves automatic moderation systems failing to catch all violations effectively. Authorities are examining the platform's handling of child safety content and enforcement mechanisms.

✨ Autumn's celestial lineup: 5 nights to watch

Autumn brings great chances to stargaze with several impressive night sky events ahead. The Pleiades cluster is visible early on, followed by the Orionid meteor shower peaking around October 21, 2025. Mid-November features a planetary parade of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, before the Leonid shower peaks on November 17. Finally, a supermoon, the Beaver Moon, will reach full phase on November 24, 2025. These events offer fantastic opportunities for skywatching as the nights get longer.

🤝 India deepens defence ties with Malaysia and Ethiopia

PM Modi met Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahm-ed Ali at the Brics summit on Saturday. Malaysia and Ethiopia showed strong interest in beefing up their defence cooperation with India. Discussions covered joint training, defence procurement, and investment opportunities from Indian industry. Furthermore, Malaysia agreed to open a new Indian consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with India. 🤝

🌟 Diljit Dosanjh makes history at Wembley Stadium

Diljit Dosanjh became the first Punjabi singer to headline the world-famous Wembley Stadium on Saturday night in London. He addressed his fans, calling the occasion a moment that will go down in history books. The show, which ran for two-and-a-half hours, featured his biggest hits like G.O.A.T and Lover. Dosanjh also announced a future performance at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in November. This milestone cements his status as a massive global star and cultural ambassador. 🎤

🏦 HDFC Bank names CEO picks for RBI review

HDFC Bank has submitted two preferred names to the RBI for the next Managing Director and CEO appointment. This action kicks off the succession process before Sashidhar Jagdishan's tenure ends in October 2026. The board also approved Jimmy Tata's elevation and sought an extension for V Srinivasa Rangan. These structural changes aim to strengthen oversight of the bank's subsidiaries like HDFC Life and HDFC AMC. The final CEO shortlist and proposed ED appointments are now awaiting formal RBI approval. 🏦

🏛️ RBI blocks Tata Sons bid to stay private

The Reserve Bank of India rejected Tata Sons' request to cease its CIC registration, impacting the holding company of the $185bn Tata Group. This decision comes after Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, tried to keep the company private. The RBI instead mandated compliance with regulations for large investment companies, as per its Sept 11 letter. Tata Sons' board meeting on Sept 17 will decide whether to proceed with the IPO or challenge the ruling. This move strengthens support for listing, which could prompt discussions about N Chandrasekaran's future.

♻️ Samsung drops refurbished S26 series deals

Samsung has started selling refurbished Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra models across several international markets. The Certified Re-Newed program is now available in India, France, Germany, and the UK. Customers can save approximately 15% on these devices, which undergo over 100 quality checks. These phones retain the seven-year update commitment, although warranty terms vary by region. Stock availability and specific configurations differ across the listed countries. ♻️

🏆 Rybakina wins US Open, claims World No. 1 spot

Elena Rybakina secured her first US Open title on Saturday, September 12th, defeating Aryna Sabalenka at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This victory earned her a second Grand Slam crown in 2026 and a third overall title. She officially became the world No. 1 on Monday, following her win against Sabalenka. Rybakina dominated the match, winning 85% of her first-serve points. She expressed her surprise and happiness about achieving this significant milestone. 🏆

😠 Thousands protest far-right party AfD in Germany

Tens of thousands marched across Germany to protest the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Approximately 150,000 demonstrators gathered in around 20 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, on Saturday. This follows the AfD winning nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, far surpassing the CDU's 17%. The party is now in talks to form a government, which would be historic since 1945. Despite calls for a ban, the AfD needs a coalition partner as mainstream parties refuse to work with them.

😠 Villagers attack police after councillor's husband is shot dead

Angry villagers attacked a police team in Sitamarhi after Baidyanath Mahto, the husband of ward councillor Khushdil Devi, was shot dead by unidentified criminals. This incident occurred at Kaitharia village on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Mahto had filed a case on August 29 against several criminals, but felt the police response was slow. The mob damaged vehicles and injured two officers while protesting the perceived inaction. Authorities have suspended the SHO and Investigating Officer and are conducting raids to find all involved parties. 😠