🤔 Rajasthan order sparks row over Modi birthday events

A government order directing college students to participate in PM Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations has caused controversy. This directive came from the Commissionerate of College Education across Rajasthan on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The celebrations include 12 diverse activities, starting with 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' on September 17. Opposition Congress and civil rights groups criticized the move as excessive sycophancy. They argued the focus should be on independent thinking rather than political fanfare.

🗳️ DUSU polls today: Big student groups battle it out

Voting for the Delhi University Students' Union elections is happening today, with ABVP, NSUI, and AISA-SFI competing in this major student contest. The polls are scheduled for Friday, with voting times set for day and evening classes, and vote counting is set for September 19. This election holds significance after the Satya Niketan tragedy and recent protests that led to a minister's resignation. Key issues include student safety and accommodation, as various groups present their manifestos to the students.

⛽ US bill threatens tariffs on India for Russian oil

The US House passed a bipartisan sanctions bill giving President Donald Trump power to impose up to 100% tariffs on nations like India for Russian energy imports. India stated it will take all necessary steps to protect its energy security and economic interests against this move. The bill was passed by the US Senate late Wednesday and is expected to become law soon. New Delhi has already informed Washington about the potential impact on bilateral ties and the global oil market. India plans to diversify its energy sources as Piyush Goyal travels to the US later this month. ⛽

🧐 Modi quizzes new BJP team on organizational work

PM Narendra Modi met with 64 newly appointed BJP national office-bearers on August 22 in New Delhi. He spent over four hours individually questioning them about their past organizational contributions. This focus on service highlights the BJP's attempt to reset amid political anxieties for the 2029 polls. Analysts suggest the party is now prioritizing capability over individual personality for future tasks. This shift partly addresses post-2024 Lok Sabha election tensions between the BJP and the RSS.

🩺 NEET-SS cut-off lowered for vacant medical seats

The Centre has agreed to lower the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS admission for a special stray vacancy round. This decision was made after the Supreme Court asked the government to reconsider its stance. The percentile may drop from the current 50th to 30th for this upcoming round. This move aims to optimally utilize the available training capacity and prevent super specialty seats from remaining vacant. Students already admitted will not be eligible to participate in this new special round. 🩺

✈️ US F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia sparks debate

The US administration approved the sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, sparking controversy among some members of Congress. This major deal is set for Riyadh, with the figures totaling $24bn, and Congress has 30 days to review it. Critics worry that advanced US military tech could fall into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. The State Department insists the deal supports regional stability and US security objectives. This proposal comes amid Saudi Arabia's ongoing conflict with the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

✨ New Friday OTT drops: Lust Stories 3, Kattalan, and more

Seven new movies and shows are hitting OTT platforms on September 18, 2026. 'Best of the Best' is coming to Netflix, while 'Thudakkam' is on JioHotstar for that day. 'Lust Stories 3' returns to Netflix, featuring Konkona Sen Sharma and Radhika Apte. 'The Scandal' is a Joseon Dynasty romance on Netflix, and 'Kattalan' is on SonyLIV. Viewers can catch action, romance, and drama across these services. 🎬

📱 Samsung tests Apple's foldable hype with digs

Samsung launched cheeky social videos featuring a local Tim Cook to promote the Galaxy Z Fold8. Samsung Mobile US also posted on X on September 10th, taking shots at Apple's latest moves following the iPhone launch. The iPhone 18 lineup generated 464,674 mentions and 21.5 million engagements globally between August 12th and September 11th. This buzz has sparked consumer debate over whether the foldable innovation justifies its high price tag. The industry is watching to see if the hype translates into actual sales for Apple's new foldable device.

🏏 Abhishek surges past Sooryavanshi in six-hitting race

Abhishek Sharma has overtaken Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the six-hitting race for 2026. The opener achieved this milestone in Delhi, where he scored 108 off 34 balls against Afghanistan. This performance included a blistering 30-ball century, setting a new record for an Indian batter in a T20I. Abhishek now leads Sooryavanshi with 96 sixes, while Sooryavanshi has 86 in the year. He will continue his dominant form in future matches. 🏏

🔮 Horoscope vibes for September 18, 2026 ✨

Pisces needs to push through fears, while Cancer should redirect focus to what brings joy in their life. Aries is seeing positive changes after tough times, finding new perspective. Taurus is realizing inner peace matters more than external validation. Gemini is experiencing a positive turn of events, urging mindful pacing.

🏸 Table tennis medals: Sharma bets on doubles for India 🏸

Neha Aggarwal Sharma commented on India's table tennis medal prospects for the Asian Games 2026. The 10-member Indian contingent is heading to Japan for the Aichi-Nagoya competition starting on September 20. Currently, India ranks as world number three in men's doubles, showing a phenomenal mindset shift. However, Sharma notes that consistent wins against China, Japan, and Korea are still missing. She believes mixed, men's, and women's doubles are India's biggest medal chances.