🚨 Fake UPI payment scammer busted in Kerala

Feroke police arrested a 29-year-old man named Sabith regarding a supposed fake UPI payment at a jewellery store in Ramanattukara. The accused allegedly bought a 1.2-gram bracelet on September 19 by showing a fake payment screenshot and then left without paying. Authorities found he scouted escape routes beforehand, suggesting involvement in multiple similar scams across Kerala. The police remanded him to judicial custody on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The investigation has already yielded leads in over five comparable cases.

💡 Telangana Govt Scrutinizing 12GW Data Centre Plans

The Telangana government is currently reviewing new applications for data centres totaling 12 gigawatts. Minister D. Sridhar Babu made this statement at the Microsoft AI Infrastructure Summit in the state. Currently, the state hosts 300 MW of capacity with 2 GW more in the pipeline as of September 24, 2026. The goal is to hit 5 GW and attract USD 30 billion in investments by 2029 by using green power and recycled water. The government believes Hyderabad's strong ecosystem is key to attracting global AI and Cloud Computing centres.

🚨 Watchman found dead in Bengaluru

A 58-year-old security guard named Nagaraju was allegedly found dead by Sridhara and Pradeep on Thursday morning. He was working at the premises of local JD(S) leader Andanappa in Laggere, under the Rajagopalnagar Police Station. Nagaraju had been a resident of Laggere Main Road for about 25 years. The reason behind the alleged suicide was not immediately known to the authorities. Further investigation is currently underway by the Rajagopalnagar police. 😔

🚨 Meta's Muse AI had a sneaky macOS security bug

Security researcher Patrick Wardle found a zero-day vulnerability in Meta's Muse AI desktop client for macOS. The flaw allows unprivileged software to hijack the app by overwriting a debug setting, endo_voyager_dictation_endpoint. This lets attackers reroute audio and steal authentication tokens, enabling prompt injection attacks. The vulnerability bypasses macOS security boundaries because Muse has broad system permissions. Meta deployed a hotfix by removing the internal setting after the public disclosure. 🤖

📉 India's birth rate hits 1.9-2.0, signals big change

India's overall Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to around 1.9 to 2.0 children per woman. This drop was highlighted by Sanjeev Sanyal at News18 DEFCON 2026. The rate is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, which is a major shift. This trend is visible across Southern and Western states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Policymakers must now adapt strategies to support families amidst this demographic turn. 📉

🏛️ Court holds on bail plea for Anto Augustine

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court reserved its order on Anto Augustine’s anticipatory bail plea on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The plea concerns an alleged multi-crore fraud linked to the failed Lionel Messi bid in Keralam. The court is expected to decide on the matter by Friday, as SIT conducted searches last week. Augustine previously faced arrest fears after the search and is also fighting a case regarding CM V.D. Satheesan’s alleged second marriage. His other case is scheduled for September 26 before the court.

🚀 Google to test AI chips in space with Project Suncatcher

Google is planning its initial test of specialized AI chips in a space environment. This ambitious project, called Suncatcher, involves deploying the hardware into space. The initial tests are scheduled to take place sometime in 2024. This move aims to push the boundaries of computing power in extreme environments. The success of this mission could pave the way for advanced space-based AI applications. 🚀

⚠️ Kozhikode travel ban due to rough weather warning

The district administration has imposed a total ban on non-essential travel to hilly and high-altitude areas. This measure is for Kozhikode due to an intense depression forming over the Bay of Bengal. The ban is active from 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, until 7 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026. Authorities warned of potential landslips, landslides, and flash floods in the hilly regions. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary trips and follow official guidelines strictly.

🚨 Saudi Arabia warns Mecca amid Houthi attacks again

Saudi Arabia issued an emergency alert for Mecca on Thursday due to escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthis, warning of potential danger in the holy city. This alert was later lifted by Saudi Civil Defence, advising residents to follow safety instructions. The Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis at locations like Taif and Yanbu. This incident follows an initial warning issued on September 15 for Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif during the latest flare-up. The coalition vowed a firm response to any violations by the Houthi militia.

🚨 VDO and aide caught taking bribe in Kalaburagi

The Karnataka Lokayukta police apprehended a Village Administrative Officer and his private aide on Thursday. The individuals were caught in Kalaburagi district, specifically at Udnur village, for allegedly accepting a ₹10,000 bribe. This bribe was demanded for the mutation of seven acres 34 guntas of agricultural land belonging to Mallamma. The operation was guided by Superintendent of Police Siddaraju C and led by inspector Rajshekhar S. Badadesar. Further legal action is expected following the successful entrapment.

🛰️ NASA's Space Farming Experiments Revealed

NASA recently conducted studies focused on growing plants inside space environments. These research activities took place aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The experiments involved specific plant samples monitored over several months. The primary goal was to understand sustainable food production beyond Earth's atmosphere. Future missions plan to leverage these findings for long-duration space travel. 🛰️