🚄 Vande Bharat: India's rail tech upgrade 🚄

Vande Bharat Express marked a major technological leap for Indian Railways, succeeding Rajdhani and Shatabdi. It was launched in 2019, featuring a 16-coach, all-air-conditioned train set. This evolution blends speed, modern comfort, and improved onboard services into contemporary travel. The progression shows a shift from ICF to LHB coaches, aiming for global standards. The next big move for Indian Railways is reportedly towards bullet trains.

🎨 Mysore Ganjifa Art Training Kicks Off 🎨

A training program for traditional Mysore Ganjifa art was officially inaugurated on Saturday. This 10-day course is happening at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Southern Regional Centre in Mysuru. The program runs from September 19 to September 28, taught by artist Pavitra and her assistant. The goal is to teach participants the history, techniques, and cultural weight of this intricate, centuries-old playing card art. This initiative supports the center's push to keep India's rich artistic heritage alive for younger folks.

🏭 20+ companies eyed for ₹15k Cr investment in Karnataka

Discussions with over 20 companies at SEMICON India 2026 in Delhi projected over ₹15,000 crore investment into Karnataka. Lam Research committed ₹9,298 crore, while Applied Materials plans ₹3,600 crore over the next 10 years. These projects will boost Karnataka's semiconductor supply chain and R&D capabilities significantly. Lam Research's 73-acre facility in Doddaballapura expects over 1,000 high-tech jobs. Applied Materials will expand in Bengaluru, with foundation stone laying happening soon. 🚀

💧 CM Naidu promises water solution for Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu pledged long-term solutions for Visakhapatnam's drinking water issues. He made these commitments during the 'Pedalaku Pattabhishekam' programme at AU Engineering College Grounds on Saturday. The government is developing an action plan, considering industrial needs, and has already completed projects like Handri-Neeva and Velugonda. Water will be supplied via canals, including the Polavaram LMC, which brings 2 tmc ft daily. The government assures adequate water for investments despite El Nino's impact.

👶 Deepika and Ranveer welcome second baby girl

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second daughter on the occasion of Radha-ashtami. The couple shared the news from Mumbai, marking the arrival of their new baby girl on September 19, 2026. This follows the birth of their first daughter, Dua, on September 8, 2024. The couple previously shared maternity shoot glimpses before this latest announcement. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the first glimpse of the newest member of their family. 💖

🚨 Woman's Dismembered Body Parts Found in Vijayawada Canal

A gruesome murder case came to light after dismembered parts of a woman were discovered in the VTPS cooling canal at Ibrahimpatnam. The incident occurred in the NTR Police Commissionerate limits of the West Zone. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, police recovered the torso and limbs from the canal. The victim is reported to be around 25 years old, and efforts are underway to identify her. Authorities have alerted nearby police stations and deployed clues teams and sniffer dogs.

😠 Manju Warrier sues filmmaker over social media posts

Actor Manju Warrier has filed an injunction cum defamation suit in the Munsif Court, Ernakulam. She is seeking to stop filmmaker Sanalkumar Sasidharan from publishing defamatory content, primarily on social media platforms. Ms Warrier also targeted YouTuber Shajan Skariah and asked Meta to remove the offensive material online. The court promptly issued an interim injunction against Mr. Sasidharan. Furthermore, the court directed Meta to take down the defamatory contents published as of September 19, 2026. 😠

🪐 Venus might have self-destroyed its moon

New research suggests Venus might have destroyed its own moon through planetary mechanics. This theory, proposed by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane, posits that Venus's slow rotation caused the moon to spiral inward. The study modeled hypothetical moons with masses ranging from half to ten times Earth's moon. Under these conditions, the tidal evolution would eventually drive a Venusian moon into the planet's surface. This finding has implications for how we assess exoplanet habitability. 🪐

🏛️ Calicut Uni brings separate union for research scholars

The University of Calicut is introducing a dedicated union for its research scholars, replacing the existing Department Students' Union. This change was approved by the Syndicate on Saturday, September 19, as part of reforms for campus elections. All research scholars will now be under the 'Calicut University Research Scholars' Union,' while Thrissur and Wayanad centers get separate unions. Election rules are being revamped to promote democratic understanding among students. This move follows recurring instances of violence during past college union elections. 🏛️

⚖️ Same-Sex Couples Need Marriage for Tax Perks

The central government has clarified that same-sex partners cannot claim spouse tax benefits without formal marriage recognition. This ruling was communicated to the Karnataka High Court regarding their ongoing case. The government reiterated that tax benefits are tied to legally recognized marital status, not just partnership. This stance follows ongoing legal discussions about LGBTQ+ rights and family recognition in India. Future legal proceedings will depend on how the court interprets this definitive central government directive. ⚖️

📱 Should you upgrade your new Apple gear?

The new iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 have officially landed in stores this week. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, while the Series 12 begins at $399. The Pro models feature a better camera and extended battery life compared to the 17 Pro. Upgrading is suggested if serious about AI tools or if the current device is old. The Series 12 offers more accurate heart-rate tracking and a new Readiness feature.