🛶 J&K Govt finally clears Bilquis Mir for Asian Games

International canoeing coach Bilquis Mir has finally been cleared by the J&K government to join India's national team for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The decision followed a long court battle, including intervention from the Supreme Court. The association first sought her services on February 3, 2026, but faced delays and denials. The Supreme Court eventually quashed the government's denial order, which had been issued on June 19. This clearance allows her to fulfill her role as Coach/Chief Coach for the upcoming international assignments. 🛶

🏏 Varun Aaron's shift from player to coach

Varun Aaron transitioned into coaching after retiring in 2025, initially enjoying broadcasting. He developed his own coaching methods through personal injury recovery and assisting friends. His major project was the MRF Pace Foundation High Performance Center, which he designed. He joined Sunrisers Hyderabad, focusing on young quicks like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. Aaron emphasized that coaching requires simplifying basics while tailoring methods to each bowler's uniqueness.

👮 Cop suspended for gun reels at BRICS summit

A Delhi Police constable was suspended after posting reels on Instagram while on duty at the 18th BRICS Summit. The constable, Deepak Bangar, was posted with the Foreigners Cell of Northwest Delhi during the summit. The videos, posted during the September 12 and 13 event, showed him posing with a light machine gun and a pistol. This action drew the attention of the Delhi Police after the reels went viral online. A departmental inquiry is currently underway regarding this incident. 👮

🏏 Abhishek ranks second in T20I batting

Abhishek Sharma moved up to No. 2 in the ICC men's T20I batting rankings after scoring 82 against Afghanistan. This rise happened in the first T20I of the series played in India. Sanju Samson also climbed to No. 30 after the second T20I, securing a 2-0 series lead. England's Ollie Robinson reached No. 3 in Test bowling after taking 21 wickets against Pakistan. Further gains were noted for Indian bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. 🏏

✨ Miss Universe finalist back at Google job

Miss Universe India 2026 finalist Umanga Kumawat returned to her role as a Google Cloud engineer in Bengaluru after the pageant. Kumawat represented Madhya Pradesh and reached the Top 20 out of 52 finalists. The national finale, where Kaziah Liz Mejia won, was held in Jaipur on August 23. Her social media post showed a normal corporate day, proving her tech career remains her focus. This highlights varied paths where pageant life coexists with a steady corporate career.

🦕 Pig-like dino found in London museum

Researchers re-examined old remains and discovered a new prehistoric species called Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda. This ancient animal belonged to the dicynodont herbivorous group found in Tanzania. The fossils were originally unearthed during a 1963 expedition and later studied in the 1990s. This find confirms the genus Dinodontosaurus outside of South America, linking two fossil-bearing regions. Further study is ongoing to understand its place in prehistoric life. 🦕

🎬 OpenClips turns product link into ready-to-run video ads

OpenClips can now convert a single product URL directly into a finished, production-ready video advertisement. This new feature was rolled out in Dubai, UAE, on September 16, 2026, by the company. It skips the lengthy process of writing prompts, scripting, and planning shots for campaigns needing dozens of variants. OpenClips uses the product page's imagery and features to create a scene-by-scene storyboard automatically. The platform aggregates over 45 video and image models, making ad creation much faster for marketers. 🚀

🏡 Rinku Singh's Aligarh mansion reveal before December wedding

Rinku Singh is set to marry Priya Saroj on December 4, 2026, at the Ramada Hotel in Lucknow. The cricketer's home in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, is a six-bedroom bungalow valued at ₹3.5 crore. The property, located in The Golden Estate at Ozone City, spans about 500 square yards. This luxurious house contrasts sharply with his modest beginnings, featuring a private pool and rooftop bar. The home also showcases memorabilia from his IPL 2023 five consecutive sixes innings. 🏏

🥝 NZ passes free trade deal with India, cuts import duties

New Zealand's Parliament officially passed the bill to implement its free trade agreement with India. This move involves both nations, with the agreement signed on April 27. The legislation passed with 93 votes in favour and 29 against. The deal eliminates or significantly reduces tariffs on 95% of New Zealand's exports to India. Wellington has also committed to investing $20 billion in India over the next 15 years. 🥝

⚖️ CMRL pay-off case: UDF deciding on ED demands ⚖️

Kerala's CM V.D. Satheesan indicated the UDF government is close to deciding on the ED's demand for prosecution in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case. The ED issued a 25-page report demanding that Pinarayi Vijayan, T. Veena, and P. A. Mohamed Riyas be booked for accepting bribes. This follows an ED raid in May 2026 where they reportedly confiscated a diary detailing illicit transactions. The government is currently scrutinizing the legality of the ED's case and available law enforcement options. Riyas suggested the UDF is questioning the ED's actions against CPI(M) rivals.

🤔 MPs Question New UPI Merchant Fee Hike

Opposition MPs voiced strong concerns regarding the government's plan to charge merchants for UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000. The issue was raised during a meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by members like N.K. Premchandran. Starting October 15, the government will introduce a 0.4% fee on such high-value merchant transfers. This move ends the near six years of entirely free UPI transactions for merchants. The Finance Ministry assured that everyday person-to-person payments will remain free for users. 💸