🌿 PhD student turns tiny balcony into healing garden

A 50-square-foot balcony at Kerala University was transformed into a stunning, healing vertical garden. Fourth-year PhD scholar Reshma PR initiated this project while researching indoor air-purifying plants against formaldehyde. Guided by Dr Bindu R Nair, the garden uses local plants like sansevieria and follows the university’s green protocol. Visitors are asked to leave phones and walk barefoot to promote relaxation and nervous system benefits. This green haven offers a peaceful pause for people saturated from library life.

😟 Teen dies at Bihar juvenile home after toilet fall

A 16-year-old boy died in a juvenile home in Bihar's Kaimur district shortly after a court hearing. His family alleges foul play, while officials suggest he might have slipped in the toilet. The incident occurred on September 11, 2026, after he returned to the facility. Family members demand a thorough investigation and strict action against anyone responsible. Postmortem and forensic reports are pending to determine the actual cause of death. 😟

🚨 Delhi Influencer Alleges Sexual Assault and Extortion

A Delhi-based influencer, who has a two-year-old child, accused an associate of an SSB assistant sub-inspector of rape. The alleged incident took place in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, after the influencer traveled there on September 7 last year. The accused, Rajiv Rai, is alleged to have raped her and recorded a video, later extorting Rs 20,000. She claims she was also coerced into relations with ASI Vikas Kumar, facing threats against her child. An investigation is underway following her formal complaint to the Nagar Police Station. 😔

🛡️ SUV owners take oath for safer roads in Daman

Mahindra Thar and Toyota Fortuner owners recently participated in a public road-safety oath ceremony. This event took place in Daman, where vehicle owners committed to responsible driving and traffic rule adherence. The initiative was shared by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who praised the Daman Collector's approach. She suggested that such public pledges can be more effective than relying solely on road signs. This campaign highlights an unconventional method to boost road safety awareness.

⚖️ Lalu Yadav & others face money laundering charges

A Delhi court framed money laundering charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav over alleged IRCTC hotel leasing irregularities. The case concerns tender manipulation during Lalu Yadav's 2004-2009 tenure as railways minister for Ranchi and Puri hotels. Specific allegations involve a three-acre plot transfer to an associate, later to Rabri Devi. Formal charges are set for October 3, with suspicion of abuse of office noted by the judge. Seven other suspects were discharged, while the CBI case began in July 2017. ⚖️

💰 NSE IPO sets price band; opens Sept 17

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has finalized its IPO price band between ₹1,700 and ₹1,785 per share. This ₹22,569-crore public issue will start its subscription on September 17 and close on September 21, 2026. The issue size is the second-largest in India, surpassing the 2022 LIC IPO but below Hyundai Motor India's 2024 offering. It is structured entirely as an Offer for Sale, meaning proceeds go to existing shareholders. Shares are reserved for QIBs at 50%, NIIs at 15%, and retail investors at 35%. 📈

📺 Best TVs under ₹75k for gaming and picture quality

Five budget-friendly TVs offer better picture and sound quality without exceeding ₹75,000. The options include models from Xiaomi, Samsung, Hisense, Lumio, and TCL, catering to different viewer needs. Prices range from ₹49,999 for Hisense to ₹51,990 for Samsung. These TVs boast features like Mini LED, QLED, and 144Hz refresh rates for enhanced experiences. Buyers should check contrast and HDR, while high refresh rates benefit serious gamers. 📺

🇧🇩 Bangladesh clarifies BRICS invite for BIMSTEC, not PM

Bangladesh confirmed that its Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, was not invited to the BRICS summit in an official capacity. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir stated that India invited him only as the head of BIMSTEC. This clarification came amidst speculation after India extended an early invite in August 2026. Kobir clarified that the initial visit must be bilateral, separate from multilateral events. Other regional heads are confirmed to attend the 2026 BRICS summit hosted by India.

🚆 Railways hits record bookings during festive rush

IRCTC recorded its highest-ever single-day bookings surpassing 20 lakh tickets on September 7. This massive surge in demand occurred across Indian Railways as the festive season approached. A total of 20,06,353 tickets were booked on September 7, followed by 19,50,699 on September 8. Currently, nearly 89 percent of reserved tickets are booked online, which has necessitated new server deployments. IRCTC is also cracking down on bots, having deactivated 3.04 crore user IDs to manage the volume. 🚆

🤝 BRICS Business Forum kicks off, focusing on resilience

The BRICS Business Forum commenced its inaugural session just before the main Summit took place. The forum gathered enterprises from various sectors across the BRICS nations. The discussions focused on exploring commercial opportunities, supply chain connectivity, and trade facilitation. India’s chairship theme emphasizes building resilience, innovation, and sustainability amid global economic issues. Future plans include strengthening the ecosystem with initiatives like the BRICS Incubator network. 🤝

🌵 Desert donkeys create oasis in Israel

In 1982, Israel released 28 wild donkeys into the Ramon Crater of the Negev Desert to aid conservation. These animals, Persian onagers and African wild asses, were carefully introduced after breeding programs began decades prior. Today, the population ranges between 500 and 600 across the region. They dig waterholes and disperse acacia seeds, restoring the arid ecosystem significantly. This effort has turned a harsh environment into a globally studied model of ecological resilience. 🌵