🕌 Makkah's Grand Mosque Muezzin Sheikh Ibrahim Passes Away

Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Madani, the muezzin of Makkah’s Grand Mosque, passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 21. He was a prominent figure associated with the Two Holy Mosques, serving at the Grand Mosque for many years. His final Azaan was recorded on Monday, 11 Rabi Al-Awwal 1448 AH. He was known for his distinct Fajr Azaan and his deep connection to the spiritual atmosphere of the holy sites. His funeral prayer is scheduled for Monday after the Asr prayer at the Grand Mosque.

😠 Congress claims BJP misuses state agencies for pressure

Congress leader Tikaram Jully alleged that the BJP government is misusing police and administration to pressure elected councillors in Rajasthan. This accusation was made by Jully, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, on Monday, September 21, 2026. Specific incidents included police stopping councillors from Tijara and harassment in Khairthal, while GST action was taken against a Congress councillor in Malakhera. Jully claimed revenue officials were also threatening demolition to force votes for the BJP in Malakhera. Elections for chairpersons are ongoing in 309 urban local bodies across the state.

✈️ Airline upgrade secrets: How they pick who gets the free seat ✈️

Sometimes passengers receive a free upgrade from economy to business class on flights. This selection process is managed by sophisticated airline systems, not pure luck. Factors like frequent-flyer status, ticket type, and cabin balance are key criteria used by the carriers. Operational needs, such as fixing oversold flights or aircraft changes, often trigger these upgrades. Ultimately, each airline has its own unique rule set determining who gets bumped up.

🤖 Meta's top earner apologizes for travel joke

Meta's highest-paid employee, Alexandr Wang, apologized for a lighthearted joke made on X. The incident occurred after WebFlow CTO Utkarsh Sengar publicly shared booking flights using Meta's AI agent, Muse. This happened after Muse, launched this month, was shown booking travel tasks. Wang initially celebrated but then joked about booking a return flight, calling it a 'dumb joke.' Muse aims to deliver 'personal superintelligence' across Meta's platform for users.

⚽ Footballer Rijohn Jose dies in Kozhikode accident

Footballer Rijohn Jose tragically passed away after being involved in a road accident. The incident occurred at the Gandhi Road Flyover in Kozhikode on Sunday night, September 21, 2026. Jose was 29 and played as a defender for Calicut FC in the Super League Kerala. He was part of the Calicut FC team that won the inaugural Super League Kerala in 2024. Another player, Gani Ahammed Nigam, involved in the accident, is currently receiving treatment.

🐝 NYT Spelling Bee Answers for Sept 21, 2026

The New York Times Spelling Bee answers for September 21, 2026, have been released. The puzzle was available on The New York Times official platform. The target word for that day was known to be specific to the September 2026 edition. This daily puzzle challenges users to find words using a given set of letters. Players are encouraged to check the official site for the definitive answer.

✈️ Why keep airplane windows open during take-off?

Keeping airplane window shades open during take-off and landing is a crucial safety procedure for everyone on board. This rule, advised by agencies like EASA, allows crew to spot external hazards like smoke or fire quickly. Furthermore, it helps passengers acclimate their eyes to external light for potential evacuations. This preparedness is vital because take-off and landing are recognized as critical phases of flight operations. Therefore, the open view aids in quick decision-making if an emergency scenario arises. ✈️

🔭 Cosmic gas speeds toward X-ray pulsar

XRISM detected plasma falling towards the X-ray pulsar GX 301−2 at extreme velocities as it passed through Wray 977's stellar wind. The Japan-led observatory observed BP Crucis starting February 1, 2025, collecting data near a strong flare. Spectroscopic evidence shows inflow, with speeds calculated between 150 to 180 kilometers per second under the adopted ephemeris. This observation helps test models of how gas feeds the city-sized neutron star remnant. Future repeat observations are needed to confirm the gas flow's progression in subsequent orbits. 🔭

👑 BRS leader asks to name Mamnoor airport after Rani Rudrama Devi

A senior BRS leader has requested the renaming of the Mamnoor airport to honor Rani Rudrama Devi. B. Vinod Kumar sent a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy regarding this proposal. He noted that BRS representatives sought central help for the airport in 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023. The leader also mentioned that the previous BRS government and K. Chandrasekhar Rao worked on this project. He felt it was incorrect to claim full credit for realizing the airport.

🚗 Tata Sierra Dark Edition lands in India

The Tata Sierra Dark range has officially launched in India with a starting price point of Rs. 13.99 lakh. This new edition is available in the Legend series, covering all engine options across various variants. Bookings for the Sierra Dark are open starting today, with customer deliveries anticipated next month. The exterior features Frissian Black and blacked-out 19-inch wheels, while the interior adds new violet purple elements. This SUV competes with models like the Kia Seltos X-Line and Hyundai Creta N-Line. 🚗

😥 Khan's son claims family members were abducted in Pakistan

Imran Khan's son, Kasim Khan, has alleged that several relatives were detained from their homes without explanation. This incident reportedly involved his aunts Dr Uzma and Noreen, along with cousins Shershah and Shahrez, in Lahore. The allegations surfaced ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's planned September 27 protest march. Kasim described these detentions as 'criminal behaviour' and called for international attention on the matter. Authorities have recently detained Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. 😥