✈️ Ace pilot Abhinandan Varthaman joins Goa airline

Former IAF Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was awarded the Vir Chakra, has joined a private airline as a pilot. He has reportedly quit the Indian Air Force to fly for Goa-based regional airline FLY91, starting in August. Varthaman earned the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight over the LoC on February 27, 2019. This incident followed India's aerial strike on a terrorist facility on February 26, 2019. FLY91, which began operations in March 2024, currently flies six ATR 72-600 aircraft. ✈️

🏛️ Ram Mandir CEO pick sparks political drama

A political dispute erupted over the recent appointment of a retired Indian Air Force officer as the Ram Mandir Trust's CEO. This decision drew criticism from the Congress, who noted the appointee was not from VHP or RSS, while the Samajwadi Party focused on donation theft. The BJP defended the move, claiming opposition questioning was unwarranted against capable individuals. Vishva Hindu Parishad praised the appointment, expecting improved transparency and professional temple management. Trust members verified the choice after screening thousands of candidates, with Govind Dev Giri taking over as General Secretary. 🏛️

🏛️ Judge partially blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order

A US federal judge on Wednesday partially halted a new executive order from President Donald Trump concerning birthright citizenship. US District Judge Deborah Boardman deemed the latest policy "likely unconstitutional" due to a prior Supreme Court ruling in August. The order impacts certified legal challengers, including children who might lose citizenship under Trump's initial directive. Trump's latest move aimed to narrow exceptions to the 14th Amendment's citizenship rule. Federal agencies can still prepare guidance while this court challenge proceeds. ⚖️

🤒 Congo's Ebola Fight Stalled by Pay Issues

Six Ebola checkpoints in northeastern DRC stopped reporting because staff hadn't been paid. Officials found only 40 out of 240 supposed Ebola center workers on a list. As of Monday, Congo recorded 6,186 confirmed infections and 3,007 deaths amidst the crisis. The government is trying biometric registration to clean up padded payrolls, which is slowing payments. This delay is interfering with vital containment efforts as the epidemic spreads. 🤒

⚖️ Consent doesn't matter in POCSO cases: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court ruled on Tuesday, September 2, 2026, that consent is irrelevant in a love relationship involving a minor. This decision was made while dismissing a plea by an accused challenging his POCSO Act, 2012 conviction. The special court in Alappuzha found the accused guilty of rape and sexual assault, sentencing him to 10 years and a ₹50,000 fine. The accused argued false implication and a romantic relationship, but the High Court found his claims baseless. The court also stated there was no grounds for a reduced sentence as the trial court already gave the minimum punishment. ⚖️

🚢 US military hits 60 Iran targets amid oil escort

The US military escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying about 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. This operation took place while US forces simultaneously struck nearly 60 Iranian military targets near the strategic waterway. Before the conflict started over six months ago, about 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. The overall strategy aims to control the strait, protect shipping, and increase economic pressure on Iran. Despite the escort, energy companies remain concerned, and diplomatic efforts continue between the involved parties. 🚢

🔋 Thinner phones packing huge batteries in 2026

Smartphone batteries are getting noticeably thinner despite larger capacities due to material science advancements. Xiaomi is releasing a Redmi Note 17 Pro Max with a 10,000mAh battery that remains only 8mm to 9mm thick. This shift is powered by silicon-carbon battery technology, which increases energy density significantly. Silicon allows for much higher energy storage than traditional graphite, enabling bigger batteries without bulk. Manufacturers are now focusing on chemistry and internal design rather than just increasing phone size. 🔋

🧬 Body aging happens in two big bursts, study finds

New research suggests that human aging is not a steady process but rather involves distinct periods of change across different tissues. Led by Sanju Sinha at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, the team analyzed over 25,000 post-mortem tissue samples covering 40 types. Arteries showed rapid structural changes starting in the 30s, while female reproductive organs peaked later. Nine other tissues displayed 'biphasic' aging, with acceleration around the 30s and 50s. This suggests targeting specific vulnerable organs could revolutionize anti-aging interventions. 🧬

⛽ Oil prices dip amid Hormuz supply tensions

Oil prices saw a slight dip on Thursday as investors analyzed the impact of recent US-Iran strikes on supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude was at $95.33 per barrel, while WTI traded at $90.88 per barrel around 7:30 am IST. Preliminary data showed only four commodity vessels passed through the waterway on Wednesday, below the usual 13-day average. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that US attacks would further restrict traffic through the critical strait. Global nations are now trying to secure alternative supplies to manage the resulting price volatility. ⛽

🧠 Galgotia's new mindset shift

Galgotia University is introducing a new mindset initiative across its campus. This program is being implemented by the university administration for all enrolled students. The rollout began on October 15, 2023, impacting thousands of students. The goal is to foster a proactive and resilient learning environment for the youth. Further details regarding the specific modules will be shared in the coming weeks.

⚖️ MP Govt denies prosecution nod for Kunwar Vijay Shah

The MP government has finalized a five-point reply declining to grant prosecution sanction for cabinet minister Kunwar Vijay Shah regarding his remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The state cabinet, led by Mohan Yadav, decided this on August 25, with approval from Governor Mangubhai Patel late Monday. The government cites no complaint was lodged and Shah apologized repeatedly after his May 2025 comments. This response will be submitted to the Supreme Court soon, after legal vetting. The SIT investigation is complete, pending this sanction.