33 Litres For Rs 270? Iran’s Petrol Price Leaves Indian Travellers Stunned

‘He’s Lying, I’m First’: Sydney Buyers Clash Over Who Got Apple’s Latest iPhone First; India Join Frenzy

Bharathi SP — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:56:25 +0530

iPhone launch News: The race to become the first person to get Apple’s latest iPhone has taken an amusing turn online, with two buyers in Sydney getting into a public argument over who actually managed to buy the device first. A video circulating on social media shows one buyer celebrating after apparently becoming the first person to get the iPhone 18. The moment drew cheers and applause from people gathered around. However, another buyer quickly disputed the claim, insisting that he had reached the Apple Store a day earlier and was the actual first customer.

Sydney Buyers Clash

The second buyer confronted the first and said, "He's lying, I'm the first. From yesterday, I have been in Apple store."

Another person also appeared in the video and declared, "I am the first" in Sydney, NSW, adding to the confusion surrounding the unofficial race for the first iPhone 18.

The exchange quickly attracted attention online, although several users questioned why buyers were competing so intensely over who owned the device first. One social media user asked, "In the greater scheme of things, does it even matter?"

Another criticised the frenzy, writing, "it's is embarrassing, guys its a phone. People lining up are wild. Sheep and heard mentality to be the first to get one."

ALSO READ: UPI MDR: Govt To Monitor Daily From October 15 To Ensure Merchants Don’t Pass Fee To Consumers

India Joins The Frenzy

The enthusiasm surrounding the iPhone 18 was not limited to Australia. Apple’s latest smartphone series also drew large crowds in India as sales began on Friday. Customers arrived early at Apple stores across Delhi, Maharashtra and Karnataka, with particularly long queues reported outside Apple’s outlets at Mumbai’s BKC and Delhi’s Select Citywalk.

Sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began at 8 am, with some customers travelling considerable distances to be among the first buyers.

One customer said he had travelled from Gujarat and reached the Mumbai store at around 6 am after visiting Lalbaugcha Raja. He said he had booked the iPhone 18 Pro for around Rs 1.64 lakh.

The buyer highlighted features including the new camera shutter, a smaller Dynamic Island and the A20 processor, while also mentioning the new Cherry Red colour.

Another customer travelled from Surat and bought both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Delhi's First iPhone 18 Pro Buyer Didn't Even Check Specs

For Gagan, Delhi's first customer to walk out with the new iPhone 18 Pro, the decision to buy was never about the specs sheet. "I upgrade every year," he said outside the store, phone in hand. "It's just time for a new iPhone."

[insta]https://www.instagram.com/reels/DdacMz3hFf4/[/insta]

His purchase captures a familiar pattern among loyal Apple buyers: for them, the annual upgrade isn't a decision weighed on features — it's tradition.

Vicky Kaushal At BKC

The launch also attracted celebrity attention, with actor Vicky Kaushal visiting Apple’s BKC store in Mumbai as sales of the iPhone 18 series got underway.

In India, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is priced from Rs 1,79,900.

Both models are available in four colours: Black, Silver, Glacier and the new Burgundy. Early reports from customers and store staff suggested strong interest in the Burgundy variant, with many walk-in buyers asking for it first.

ALSO READ: HTT-40 Trainer Aircraft: India Set To Hand Over First Indigenous Trainer To Air Force

Six Apple Stores

Apple currently has six physical retail outlets in India, located in Saket in New Delhi, Noida, BKC and Borivali in Mumbai, Koregaon Park in Pune and Hebbaal in Bengaluru.

All six stores began sales simultaneously at 8 am. Customers could also place fresh orders through Apple’s India online store and major e-commerce platforms.

The launch-day scenes across India, coupled with the viral Sydney dispute, underline the intense attention surrounding the latest iPhone series.

'Get On A Train': Australian High Commissioner Reveals The Best Way To Know India

Sagarika Chakraborty — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:53:07 +0530

India’s vast railway network does more than connect cities, villages and historic destinations. For Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green, a train journey offers a closer look at the country’s diversity, culture and people.

Recalling his own experiences of travelling by train in India, including a recent journey to Chandigarh, Green told news agency ANI that rail travel remains one of the best ways to understand and engage with the country.

His remarks also highlight the people-to-people dimension of India-Australia ties.

'If You Want To Know About India, Get On A Train'

Reflecting on rail travel, Green cited advice from Australia's top leader and told ANI, "My prime minister says if you want to know about India, get on a train."

He recalled travelling across India by train and bus when he was younger, around 40 years ago. One of his journeys took him from Kolkata to Jaisalmer, an experience he said gave him a deeper understanding of India.

"I learnt about India that way. I met so many people. I had so many conversations, mostly about cricket," he noted.

"It's a great way to learn about India. It's a great way to engage with other people," he stated.

Green also recalled the warmth of Indian families he met during his travels, saying they would often offer him food.

ALSO READ: HYROX Faces Backlash After Athlete Poops Mid-Race, Issues Apology

From Chai In Earthen Cups To Conversations With People

Speaking about his recent train journey, Green said rail travel gives visitors an opportunity to experience India's culture more closely.

He also spoke about childhood memories of travelling by train in India, particularly the chai served in small earthen cups.

"It's one of my profound experiences of India, and I loved it on the train from Chandigarh the other day," he said.

For Green, such experiences are an important part of what makes travelling by train in India distinctive, bringing visitors into direct contact with the country's people and everyday culture.

Philip Green Praises Vande Bharat Trains

Green also noted that India's railway network has changed significantly over the years and has modernised, the report said.

Praising the Vande Bharat trains, he said, "The train network's changed. It's modernised. I have been on the Vande Bharat. I love that train."

However, Green said traditional train journeys continue to offer travellers a way to experience India's culture.

"Even the old trains still are a way to experience India and get deep in the culture," he said.

ALSO READ: CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Gets Physical With PETA Activists At COS Fall 2026 Show, Later Apologises

HYROX Faces Backlash After Athlete Poops Mid-Race, Issues Apology

ABP Live News — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:15:23 +0530

Fitness racing brand HYROX has come under fire after Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk continued competing after losing control of her bowels during a race in Beijing, with videos of the incident triggering widespread criticism online.

The company has since apologised over the handling of the incident and announced immediate changes to its rules and event procedures. Moritz Furste, co-founder of the Hamburg-based international athletics brand, acknowledged that HYROX “did not handle the situation like we should have”.

“I apologise to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have,” Furste said in a statement posted on Instagram.

Athlete Continued Race Despite Bowel Incident

Wietrzyk, 24, was competing at the HYROX event in Beijing over the weekend when she suffered what appeared to be a bout of faecal incontinence. Footage from the event showed her continuing through different stages of the competition, including running, rowing and lunging.

Despite the incident, Wietrzyk went on to finish first. Photos and videos from the race quickly spread across social media, with viewers sharply divided over her decision to continue competing.

Some users praised her determination, while others questioned why she was allowed to remain in the race given concerns about hygiene and the safety of other competitors.

HYROX Faces Questions Over Hygiene, Safety

The incident also raised concerns about the use of shared equipment and the condition of the race course after the incident. According to reports, event staff cordoned off affected areas, disinfected the venue and removed contaminated equipment.

However, participants and spectators claimed that traces of faecal matter remained on parts of the equipment and track, with some athletes reportedly slipping during the competition.

The controversy intensified after Wietrzyk appeared to defend her decision to finish the race. She initially posted on Instagram, “Go hard or go home they say… a win is a win,” before deleting the post as criticism mounted.

One social media user called for her to be disqualified, while another argued that continuing the race had put other competitors at risk.

At the same time, some users defended Wietrzyk, describing her decision to finish despite the incident as an extraordinary display of mental toughness.

HYROX's apology and announcement of changes to its event procedures came amid the growing debate over how such incidents should be handled during fitness competitions.

CFDA CEO Steven Kolb Gets Physical With PETA Activists At COS Fall 2026 Show, Later Apologises

Sneha — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:45:02 +0530

The head of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Steven Kolb, has apologised for reacting “inappropriately” during an altercation with animal rights protesters who disrupted a New York Fashion Week runway show.

Kolb, the CFDA’s CEO and president, was filmed appearing to physically restrain two activists who interrupted Swedish fashion brand COS’s Fall-Winter 2026 presentation on Sunday.

Videos show Kolb grabbing the protesters, snatching their printed signs and covering their mouths with his hands as they shouted slogans including “get wool off the runway now”. He was also filmed wrapping his leg around one of the activists, appearing to pin the protester to the floor as models continued walking the runway.

CFDA Chief Apologises After Protester Altercation

Shortly after the incident, Kolb apologised in an Instagram Story, saying he had reacted inappropriately and should have allowed the security team to handle the situation.

“It wasn’t my place to do so. I should have let the security team handle the situation,” Kolb wrote.

Neither Kolb nor the CFDA responded to a request for further comment.

PETA Says Activists Were ‘Assaulted’

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said its activists had been “assaulted” by Kolb.

The group said it targeted COS as part of an ongoing campaign urging its parent company, H&M Group, to stop using wool in its products.

One of the protesters, Mason Melito, told CNN shortly after the incident that he did not know who Kolb was until he was ejected from the show. Videos show Kolb appearing to push Melito into a corner and attempt to cover his mouth.

“The violence the CEO of the CFDA showed toward us, in his attempt to silence us, just completely mirrors the violence inherent in the wool industry,” said the 22-year-old, who described himself as a senior PETA campaigner.

Protesters Consider Legal Action

PETA said the protesters were “filing a police report and plan to pursue criminal charges”. However, Melito said they were “just considering our options right now”.

He added that what they really wanted was to speak with Kolb.

Why Did PETA Protest The COS Show?

PETA said the protest was part of its campaign against wool and H&M Group’s use of the material.

The group has alleged that H&M Group is linked to a South African wool facility that it secretly filmed and accused of treating sheep cruelly. PETA also claimed that the facility had been certified by Nativa, an ethical fibre industry standard used by the Swedish retail giant.

A PETA spokesperson alleged that the facility sells wool to an auction house used by H&M Group. However, the investigation did not find evidence explicitly linking the farm to H&M Group’s products.

Neither H&M Group nor Nativa’s parent company, Chargeurs, immediately responded to a request for comment.

H&M Group has shared its goal of ensuring that 100 per cent of the wool it uses comes from certified responsible wool farms, recycled sources or is replaced with non-animal fibres by 2026.

CFDA’s Fur Ban Does Not Cover Wool

The CFDA, which represents more than 300 designers and labels, organises New York Fashion Week and hosts an annual awards ceremony.

Kolb has served as the organisation’s CEO since 2011.

In December last year, the CFDA announced a ban on animal fur at New York Fashion Week. The move, however, does not cover wool or other products derived from shorn animal hair.

PETA had welcomed the fur ban at the time. The organisation has a long history of protests at fashion events, including a naked demonstration at Oscar de la Renta’s New York Fashion Week runway show in 1991.

COS Show Continues Despite Protest

COS has been a regular fixture at New York Fashion Week since making its debut in 2022.

The brand’s Fall-Winter 2026 show continued despite the interruption, with celebrities including Lupita Nyong’o, Sharon Stone, John Boyega and Michelle Williams attending the event at the WSA Building in downtown Manhattan.

Apple iPhone Duo Gets Trolled: Duolingo’s Duo And Samsung Team Up For A Roast

Animesh Bhardwaj — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:48:19 +0530

Apple may have launched its much-awaited foldable iPhone, but the internet seems to have found something else to fold — the jokes.

The spotlight quickly shifted to the phone’s iPhone Duo name, with Duolingo’s famously mischievous green owl, Duo, wasting no time reacting to the news. And because Duo apparently wasn’t enough, Samsung also joined the fun, taking a few cheeky digs at Apple’s latest foldable.

What followed was a social media roast involving SEO panic, complaints to Apple’s boss and a not-so-subtle reminder from Samsung about who has been making foldable phones for years.

Duolingo’s Duo Has An Identity Crisis

The name “Duo” appears to have hit a particularly sensitive nerve for Duolingo’s mascot.

Reacting to the iPhone announcement, Duo posted a hilarious reaction that perfectly captured the owl’s apparent horror at sharing its name with Apple’s new device.

“it’s called the iPhone WHAT??? oh god oh god my SEO my SEO.”

Duo didn’t stop there. In true “@johnternus pick up the phone pls” fashion, the mascot even directed its complaint towards Apple CEO John Ternus.

@johnternus pick up the phone pls
— Duolingo (@duolingo) September 9, 2026

The whole episode quickly turned the iPhone Duo name into an easy target for social media users, with one X user jokingly suggesting that Duolingo should rename itself “Foldlingo”.

Samsung Joins The Trolling Game

Apple’s biggest smartphone rival was clearly not going to miss the opportunity.

Samsung’s US division responded directly to Duo, appearing to sympathise with the owl while simultaneously taking a swipe at Apple.

“I’m so sorry, @DuoLingo. They copied us too #Solidarity.”

I'm so sorry, @DuoLingo. They copied us too #Solidarity
— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) September 9, 2026

But Samsung wasn’t finished.

In another post aimed at Apple without actually naming the company, Samsung wrote:

“Let us know when you’re done reheating our leftovers.”

Let us know when you're done reheating our leftovers 😉
— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) September 9, 2026

That line was a clear reference to Samsung’s long-running presence in the foldable smartphone market and its repeated launches of Galaxy Fold and Flip devices.

Then Came The Three-Fold Dig

Samsung saved another punchline for Apple’s foldable launch.

Taking a dig at the iPhone Duo, the company posted:

“Making us wait? Fine. We'll be over here, folding 3 ways.”

Making us wait? Fine. We'll be over here, folding 3 ways.
— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) September 9, 2026

The post was a playful way of highlighting Samsung’s focus on foldable smartphone technology, while suggesting that Apple was arriving late to a category Samsung has already been developing for years.

From Foldable Phones To Foldable Jokes

The iPhone Duo launch may have been a major Apple moment, but social media had other plans.

Duolingo’s Duo had a name to defend; Samsung had a foldable-phone rivalry to highlight, and users had plenty of jokes to add to the mix.

CEO: "Behold! The iPhone Duo! It runs two apps at the same time!" 🍏📱

Live Stream Comments: The entire board is now on the floor rolling in laughter. 🤣🤣 "Wait, we told them to stop selling 'Duo' as a camera trick and now they're selling 'Duo' as basic multitasking? https://t.co/Nr3yLTp5aT
— 𝓹𝓲𝔁𝓮𝓵𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓹 (@Baglamukhipahd1) September 10, 2026

For now, Apple has the iPhone Duo. Duolingo still has Duo. And Samsung? Well, it appears to have plenty of jokes ready to fold into the next round.

Visa Rejected? Indian Creator Shares 3 Mistakes Behind Her Schengen Visa Refusal, Check What To Avoid

ABP Live News — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:16:35 +0530

An Indian content creator has opened up about her Schengen visa rejection, sharing three reasons she was given for the refusal and warning other travellers not to repeat the same mistakes.

Garima Singh shared her experience in a video on Instagram, where she explained what went wrong with her application. Her post has drawn attention to the importance of presenting consistent travel and personal details while applying for a Schengen visa.

“Don’t make the mistakes I made!” she warned while discussing her experience.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Garima Singh | Solo Travel Filmmaker (@girrlwithagimbal)

Itinerary Was Considered Unreliable

According to Singh, the first reason mentioned in her rejection was related to her travel itinerary.

“Teen reason mujhe mile hain. Pehla reason ye mila hai ki that your itinerary is not reliable,” she said.

The comment indicated that the travel plan submitted as part of her application was considered unreliable or inconsistent by the visa authorities.

For travellers applying for a Schengen visa, the itinerary forms an important part of the application. Singh's experience highlights why applicants need to pay close attention to the travel plans and supporting details they submit.

Purpose Of Stay And Hotel Booking Questioned

Singh said the second issue concerned the purpose of her stay and her accommodation arrangements.

“Doosra reason usne bataya ki your stay is also not reliable, like purpose of stay. Toh maine ChatGPT kiya ki what does that supposed to mean? Toh usme bola ki hotel accommodation temporary sound kar rahe hain,” she said.

According to the explanation she received, her hotel accommodation may have appeared temporary or doubtful, raising questions about the purpose and arrangements for her trip.

Name Spelling Error In Document

The third issue was a document containing an incorrect spelling of Singh's name. She blamed the mistake on the visa agent she had hired to handle the application.

“What was the point of hiring an agent agar ye silly mistake toh main khud hi kar leti bhai? Maine kisi ko paise diye hain ki ye beavkufi kar? (What was the point of hiring an agent. I could have made such silly mistakes myself. Why did I pay someone for this foolishness?)” she said.

The creator's experience also serves as a reminder to check personal information and documents carefully before submitting a visa application, even when an agent is handling the process.

Creator Shares More Schengen Visa Tips

In the caption accompanying her post, Singh shared additional points for people planning to apply for a Schengen visa.

“Don’t show multiple professions without establishing one clear primary profession,” she warned. She also pointed to “sudden income jumps” without proper documentation as a potential concern.

Singh further said that having a high bank balance or a strong ITR does not automatically guarantee a successful visa application.

She also highlighted an “unnecessarily long Schengen trip” as one factor that can contribute to a rejection, particularly when someone is travelling for the first time.

Her post has offered a candid account of her own visa experience while drawing attention to the importance of consistency across travel plans, professional details, financial information and submitted documents.

Why Are Calls To Boycott iPhone 18 Trending?

Varun Bhasin — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:54:10 +0530

Calls to boycott Apple's newly launched iPhone 18 have started gaining attention on social media, with campaigners raising concerns over the sourcing of minerals used in electronic devices. Team Congo, a group that works on issues related to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shared an Instagram post titled “Why Boycott iPhone 18?” Climate activist Greta Thunberg later shared the post on her Instagram Story. However, Thunberg has not issued any separate statement against Apple or the iPhone.

Why Is The iPhone Being Targeted?

Team Congo claims that minerals such as cobalt and tantalum are used in the manufacture of mobile phones and other electronic devices, with the DRC being a major source of several critical minerals. The group alleges that illegal trade in these minerals helps fund armed groups operating in the region, contributing to violence, displacement and child labour.

The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt and is also a major source of minerals such as tin, tantalum and tungsten. These materials are used in a range of electronic products, including smartphones, computers and batteries.

Concerns over conflict minerals from the DRC have been raised for years. Apple itself says it has systems in place to trace and audit minerals in its supply chain. In its latest conflict minerals report, the company said it found no reasonable basis to conclude that identified smelters or refiners in its supply chain had directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or neighbouring countries.

What Is Team Congo Asking Consumers To Do?

As part of its campaign, Team Congo is urging consumers to reconsider how often they replace their electronic devices.

The group is calling on people to:

Use their existing phones for as long as possible.
Consider buying used or refurbished phones instead of new ones when an upgrade is necessary.
Ask whether they actually need a new phone before purchasing one.
Question the origins and supply chains of minerals used in electronic devices.
Avoid buying more electronic products than they need.
Support its Congo Accountability Network (CAN) campaign.

The Team Congo post claims that more than 15 million people have died in three decades of conflict in the DRC. However, this figure has not been independently verified, and should therefore be treated as a claim made by the campaign rather than an established figure.

The DRC's mineral wealth has long been linked to conflict in its eastern region, where armed groups have operated and allegations of illegal mineral trading and smuggling have persisted. Recent investigations have also raised concerns about conflict-linked minerals entering global supply chains.

What Has Apple Said?

Apple has previously instructed its suppliers to stop sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold directly or indirectly from the DRC and Rwanda. According to Apple's 2024 Conflict Minerals Report, the company issued the instruction in June 2024 following reports of escalating regional conflict, smuggling and illegal taxation.

Apple said that, based on its due diligence and information from third-party audits, upstream traceability programmes, independent reporting and suppliers, it had found no reasonable basis to conclude that any identified 3TG smelters or refiners in its supply chain had directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or adjoining countries as of December 31, 2024.

At the same time, Apple acknowledges that tracing specific minerals through the entire supply chain remains challenging.

Legal Cases Against Apple

Apple has also faced legal scrutiny over allegations linked to minerals from the DRC.

In December 2024, lawyers representing the Congolese government filed complaints in France and Belgium against Apple's European entities, alleging that the company's supply chain could contain minerals linked to conflict in the region.

Apple has denied knowingly sourcing conflict minerals and has said it maintains strict responsible-sourcing requirements for its suppliers. Reuters reported that Apple had directed suppliers to stop purchasing the relevant minerals from the DRC and Rwanda amid the conflict.

In November 2025, the US-based International Rights Advocates also filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that minerals linked to child labour and armed groups had entered its supply chain.

This Is Not The First iPhone Boycott Call

The campaign against Apple over Congo's mineral resources is not new. Team Congo had also called for a boycott around the launch of the iPhone 16 in 2024.

In 2025, organisations raising concerns over minerals from the DRC reportedly staged a demonstration outside an Apple Store in London around the launch of the iPhone 17.

The latest campaign has once again brought the issue of conflict minerals, responsible sourcing and consumer electronics into the spotlight, with Team Congo urging consumers to think beyond the device itself and consider the origins of the materials used to make it.

Iran Embassy Uses Akshay Kumar Meme To Mock Trump Over IRGC’s Drone Claims

ABP Live News — Wed, 9 Sep 2026 23:04:01 +0530

Iran’s embassy in Tunisia has used an Akshay Kumar meme to mock US President Donald Trump, turning a confrontation near the Strait of Hormuz into a social-media taunt. The embassy posted the Bollywood meme on X after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had captured an unmanned US underwater vessel near the strategic waterway. Its caption pointed to the reported loss, oil prices approaching $100 a barrel and upcoming US elections, asking Trump: “How’s it going?”

The post drew attention from Indian social-media users, who embraced the Bollywood reference widely.

Lost an underwater . Oil is nearing $100. Elections are coming. How’s it going, Trump? pic.twitter.com/XxcNCHwlmu
— I.R. Iran in Tunisia🎒(تونس) (@IranembTun) September 8, 2026

The image, from the 2006 comedy Deewane Huye Paagal, linked Iran’s claim of capturing a US underwater drone with rising oil prices and the upcoming US elections. It drew attention because an Iranian diplomatic mission had chosen an Indian film star for its political message

Also Read: Philippines Defence Chief Reads China’s Note Aloud, Then Tears Into Beijing’s South China Sea Claims

X Users React

Indian users reacted. One commenter joked that Akshay Kumar had become a “geopolitical asset”, while another warned that Trump should not discover the meme was Indian because it could lead to more sanctions on India.

Another user said the meme should have been used by the “Iran in India” account. Others called the post a “banger” and described Kumar as a “meme lord”.

Iran has previously used Bollywood humour in its online messaging. In April, its consulate in Mumbai shared a scene from 'Dhamaal' to mock the US, captioning it “Indian memes are GOAT”.

Iran’s Claims

The meme followed an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claim that its forces had seized an unmanned US underwater vessel near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media described it as a complex operation.

Iran also claimed its air defences intercepted and destroyed a US-made MQ-1 drone over the waterway. There was no immediate US confirmation.

The Pentagon disputed aspects of Tehran’s account of the underwater vessel, describing it as an older model that had malfunctioned and saying it was not carrying sensitive data.

Also Read: Iran Claims Seizure Of ‘Most Modern’ US Unmanned Submarine, Says MQ-1 Drone Shot Down

‘Come Work For Us’: Bittu Tabahi, Who Cleaned Trash-Filled River In MP, Gets Job Offer From Dutch CEO

Sneha — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 15:36:43 +0530

A 20-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh, who is receiving praises from all over the world for his efforts to clean a heavily polluted river in the state, has received an unexpected job offer from a Netherlands-based organisation. Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as Bittu Tabahi, has been independently removing plastic waste, algae and accumulated debris from the Ajnar River.

His efforts have now attracted the attention of Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, who responded to a post on X highlighting Choudhary’s work with a simple message: “Come work for us.”

Als Read: Influencer Swatantra Bharadwaj Arrested By Delhi Police, Sent To 1-Day Custody

Who Is Bittu Tabahi?

Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as Bittu Tabahi, is from Biaora in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district. He has shared several videos on Instagram documenting his efforts to clean several rivers including Ajnar River, where he can be seen manually removing plastic waste, algae and accumulated debris.

Choudhary reportedly began the cleanup drive in January this year and continued working on the river for months, transforming parts of it and making them free of rubbish.

According to digital content creator KR Talks, Choudhary has spent around Rs 30,000 on the cleanup effort so far. While cleaning the river, he also fall sick, had skin infection but didn't stopped the work.

How Did Bittu Tabahi Clean The River?

Choudhary’s cleanup involved manually removing waste, algae and debris that had accumulated in the Ajnar River. His efforts were documented through videos, which eventually attracted wider attention online.

An X user highlighted his work in a post, noting that the 20-year-old had been cleaning the heavily polluted river on his own for months. The post also included pictures showing the river before and after his efforts.

Anand Mahindra Had Praised Him Earlier

Choudhary’s work had already received attention in India. In March, industrialist Anand Mahindra praised his efforts on social media after he faced criticism from some quarters over claims that he was cleaning parts of the river primarily to gain social media views.

Mahindra said that if the desire for social media attention could be turned into a force for good, he had no issue with it. He described Bittu Tabahi as his “#MondayMotivation”.

Who Is Boyan Slat?

Boyan Slat is the founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based organisation that develops and scales solutions to tackle plastic pollution in oceans.

According to the organisation’s official website, Slat is a Dutch inventor and entrepreneur passionate about creating large-scale projects to address planetary problems.

Also Read: Chirag Paswan Files Complaint Against Swatantra Bhardwaj Over Alleged Misuse Of His Name, Seeks Strict Action

What Does The Ocean Cleanup Do?

The Ocean Cleanup is a Netherlands-based organisation focused on developing and scaling solutions to remove plastic pollution from oceans.

The organisation says its long-term goal is to put itself out of business by removing 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.

33 Litres For Rs 270? Iran’s Petrol Price Leaves Indian Travellers Stunned

Sneha — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 18:41:23 +0530

A video showing a traveller refuelling a vehicle in Iran has drawn attention to the country’s remarkably low petrol prices, with 33 litres of fuel reportedly costing them below 300.

In the video, the travellers are seen attempting to fill petrol for the first time in Iran. They explain that a fuel card is required to buy petrol, and since they did not have one, a staff member initially used their card.

After a brief issue with the card, the fuel pump starts working and the travellers ask the staff member about the quantity and cost of the fuel.

Rs 270 for 33 Litres?

The staff member says 33 litres of petrol have been filled and asks for 500 in payment. The travellers initially struggle to understand the amount, given Iran’s currency denominations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gaurav Sharma 🦄 (@wander.da)

They then calculate that they have paid 50 lakh Iranian rials, equivalent to around Rs 270, for 33 litres of petrol.

Petrol Costs Around Rs 8 Per Litre

The travellers calculate that the fuel works out to approximately Rs 8 per litre.

The speaker jokes that the price is so low that even his father’s generation may not have seen petrol this cheap.

“I’m shifting here,” he says jokingly, before noting that electric vehicles are hardly relevant in such a situation because petrol is so inexpensive.