🌠 Universe's first stars ignited and vanished early

The universe's first stars, known as Population III stars, likely formed between 100 and 250 million years after the Big Bang. These stars were made purely of hydrogen and helium, lacking heavier elements forged in previous stars. Massive first stars could live for only a few million years before exploding or collapsing into black holes. Their intense radiation was crucial for creating the first heavy elements in space. The light from these short-lived stars still travels across the universe to be observed today. 🌠

🎬 'Toxic' earnings dip, but total hits Rs 249.04 cr

The Yash starrer 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' saw a decrease in theatrical earnings on Day 19. The film was starring Yash, Tara Sutaria, Nayanthara, and Kiara Advani in India. It collected Rs 26 lakhs on Sunday, September 13, bringing the India net to Rs 249.04 cr. The Kannada version contributed the most on this day, earning Rs 23 lakhs from 236 shows. The movie continues its run, with Kiara Advani recalling a physically demanding scene from filming.

🎬 NLSIU postpones Umar Khalid film over security fears

The Law and Society Committee at NLSIU has postponed the screening of the documentary "Prisoner No. 626710 is Present." This event, originally set for September 14, was meant to mark Political Prisoners' Day and the sixth anniversary of Umar Khalid's detention. The postponement was officially cited due to logistical and security concerns, not external pressure. This decision comes amid strong opposition from the ABVP student group against the screening. The committee plans to reschedule the event later within the current academic trimester. 😥

🧐 LoP alleges govt. is shielding big players in job scam probe

The Leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, accused the Soren-led government of protecting influential people during the CID probe. This alleged cover-up concerns irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams in Jharkhand. Complaints surfaced on September 13, 2026, detailing omitted details about bribery and high-profile involvement. Marandi demanded the probe be videotaped to prevent officials from altering statements for convenience. He urged CM Hemant Soren to recommend a CBI inquiry immediately. 🧐

💰 Tata Sons IPO might unlock value for group companies

Nine Tata companies, including seven listed entities, collectively hold a 12.8% stake in Tata Sons. These stakes, treated as dead capital for three decades, are set to change if Tata Sons lists per RBI rules. Listed holders like Tata Steel and Tata Motors are expected to see gains on Tuesday. Spark Capital previously valued Tata Chemicals' stake at Rs 15,594 crore as of March 2024. This listing aims to provide liquidity and value unlocking for over 1.2 crore public shareholders. 📈

💻 NEET-UG set for digital switch soon

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is planning to switch the NEET-UG exam from paper to Computer-Based Test (CBT). This massive transition is being guided by a task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. NTA DG Abhishek Singh confirmed this shift is coming very soon, as NEET-UG is the last major national exam still offline. This move aims to eliminate risks like transit breaches and manual evaluation errors associated with physical papers. The NTA will finalize infrastructure and security checks before rolling out the new digital format.

🚖 Chennai Airport finally gets new cab pick-up plaza

The long-awaited cab pick-up plaza at Chennai airport officially opened for air passengers on Sunday morning. This facility is located near the T1 Domestic Terminal, and Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu inaugurated it virtually. Developed at a cost of ₹22.88 crore, it can handle 28 vehicles at a time and has a seating capacity of 150. Initially, Ola, Uber, and other taxis will use this plaza, which aims to ease passenger congestion. The Minister also mentioned T3 Terminal completion by April 2027, boosting capacity to 35 million passengers annually.

⛈️ Mumbai on orange alert for heavy rain 🌧️

Mumbai is currently on an orange alert due to the IMD forecasting heavy to very heavy rain at isolated spots. This warning was issued by the RMC, Mumbai, on September 13, 2026, affecting parts of Maharashtra too. On September 13, 2026, the BMC noted a 4.46-metre high tide in the city. The IMD warned that heavy rain can cause flooding, traffic disruptions, and rough sea conditions. Rainfall intensity is expected to ease starting from Monday, September 14, 2026.

🌎 Ancient landmass was way bigger than thought

Scientists found evidence for a massive ancient supercontinent called Gondwana covering 80% of Earth's crust. This discovery was made by researchers from Curtin University across Asia, Europe, and North America. The reconstruction added millions of square kilometers to the previous 64% estimate, reaching roughly 80% of continental crust. This finding helps settle the debate on whether Gondwana qualified as a true supercontinent. The research also links its assembly to a major volcanic and subduction system affecting Earth's climate. 🌎

🔥 Oil prices spike amid Middle East conflict fears

Oil prices surged near $110 a barrel on Thursday due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The IRGC attacked tankers and U.S. destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for prior strikes. Brent crude traded at $103.58 and WTI was over $98 by Friday morning. Analysts predict sharper, more frequent oil price spikes through the third quarter amidst the stalemate. This volatility is expected to make refined products more vulnerable to disruptions. ⛽

🦖 90-million-year-old fossil shows small dinosaur in Japan

A small iguanodontian fossil has provided new evidence about Late Cretaceous coastal ecosystems. This find is from Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, and dates back approximately 90-88 million years. The specimen, identified as a styracosternan, suggests a wider range of body sizes existed in East Asia. This contrasts with the larger iguanodontians already known from the same formation. The discovery adds crucial data to understanding ancient dinosaur diversity in Japan. 🦖