🌍 BRICS summit debate: Tharoor vs. Chidambaram

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor defended India's BRICS presidency, highlighting its diplomatic value for the Global South. Former finance minister P Chidambaram, however, questioned if recent summits yielded any tangible benefits for India. Tharoor noted the 11 BRICS nations represent a majority of the world's population and 41% of global GDP. He argued diplomacy offers broader benefits beyond immediate measurable outcomes, citing the New Development Bank. The 18th BRICS Summit is set for September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. 🌍

💪 Mongolian President's unexpected gym flex 🏋️

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh went viral after lifting weights during a military unit visit. The 58-year-old former Army officer performed 20 repetitions of a 100kg bench press. This happened while he was wearing a sharp business suit, according to the widely shared video. Khurelsukh, who has been President since 2021, has a background in bodybuilding and martial arts. He continues to share his activities, including playing guitar and founding a Harley-Davidson fan club.

🐒 5 orangutans found in Odisha raise smuggling fears

Five baby orangutans were rescued by the Odisha forest department from Bichitrapur forest on September 8. The animals were found in Balasore district, Odisha, India. Preliminary observations suggest they might be Sumatran orangutans, though DNA testing is pending. Since orangutans are native only to Indonesia and Malaysia, this strongly suggests wildlife trafficking. Authorities are coordinating to verify origins and facilitate their return to Indonesia. 🐒

🕊️ 25 years after 9/11: The cost of fighting terror

A quarter-century has passed since the September 11, 2001, attacks fundamentally changed global security. These catastrophic al-Qaeda attacks claimed nearly three thousand lives and ended the era of Western optimism. The ensuing "Global War on Terror" involved invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. While infrastructure was dismantled, the human and financial toll was immense across two decades. This period permanently altered civil liberties debates and defense strategies worldwide. 🕊️

🚢 Trump turned down MBS's request to strike Houthis

Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice to ask for strikes against Houthi forces. These calls happened on Thursday as Houthi forces advanced on the coastal city of Mokha. Trump declined the direct military intervention but promised intelligence and targeting data to Saudi Arabia. Washington's main focus remains keeping the Red Sea open while supporting regional partners. This follows the Houthis seizing Mokha and threatening vital shipping routes near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

💉 New flu vaccine shows stronger defense in older adults

A Phase 3 study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found aQIVc superior to other flu vaccines in older adults. The trial involved 7,699 people, comparing CSL Seqirus’s quadrivalent vaccine against egg-based and recombinant options. The study showed superior immunogenicity against all four strains for those 65+ and non-inferiority for others in adults 50 and older. This combination of three enhancement strategies produced immune responses that lasted throughout the influenza season. CSL Seqirus plans a phased rollout, with advisory groups potentially using this data for the 2027 season.

⚡ Kerala tackling major power shortage, says minister

The Kerala Electricity Minister, Sunny Joseph, stated that KSEB is working hard to manage the severe power shortage in the state. This situation is happening in Kerala, where electricity demand has shot up by over 1,000 MW compared to last year. Consumption is up due to ACs, EVs, and shifted peak hours, while generation has dropped alongside a coal shortage. The state is working on storage facilities like the 500 MW BESS project at Brahmapuram. Hydroelectric power remains the main source, but new projects are currently stalled. ⚡

📈 NSE IPO: How big shareholders will cash out

The National Stock Exchange announced the price band for its ₹22,000 crore-plus IPO, with shares priced between ₹1,700 and ₹1,785. Major selling shareholders include SBI, Bank of Baroda, and others in India's second-largest IPO ever. SBI alone can earn ₹2,856 crore from selling up to 1.6 crore shares. This massive stake sale allows several entities to make substantial profits based on their acquisition costs. The IPO is set to proceed with various institutional players selling off their holdings. 💰

🌿 PhD student turns tiny balcony into healing garden

A 50-square-foot balcony at Kerala University was transformed into a stunning, healing vertical garden. Fourth-year PhD scholar Reshma PR initiated this project while researching indoor air-purifying plants against formaldehyde. Guided by Dr Bindu R Nair, the garden uses local plants like sansevieria and follows the university’s green protocol. Visitors are asked to leave phones and walk barefoot to promote relaxation and nervous system benefits. This green haven offers a peaceful pause for people saturated from library life.

😟 Teen dies at Bihar juvenile home after toilet fall

A 16-year-old boy died in a juvenile home in Bihar's Kaimur district shortly after a court hearing. His family alleges foul play, while officials suggest he might have slipped in the toilet. The incident occurred on September 11, 2026, after he returned to the facility. Family members demand a thorough investigation and strict action against anyone responsible. Postmortem and forensic reports are pending to determine the actual cause of death. 😟

🚨 Delhi Influencer Alleges Sexual Assault and Extortion

A Delhi-based influencer, who has a two-year-old child, accused an associate of an SSB assistant sub-inspector of rape. The alleged incident took place in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, after the influencer traveled there on September 7 last year. The accused, Rajiv Rai, is alleged to have raped her and recorded a video, later extorting Rs 20,000. She claims she was also coerced into relations with ASI Vikas Kumar, facing threats against her child. An investigation is underway following her formal complaint to the Nagar Police Station. 😔