🔬 Drug combo cuts uric acid stone volume

Phentermine/topiramate helped reduce uric acid stone volume in patients with obesity and diabetes during an 18-month trial. Nineteen participants were randomized to the drug or controls for the study. In the per-protocol analysis, stone volume saw a statistically significant drop with the intervention. This group also achieved more weight loss and better HbA1c reduction than the controls. These results suggest more research is needed for broader uric acid stone management. 🔬

🩺 Are surgeries often just a placebo?

Over 300 million operations happen globally each year, with about 60% of people in England expecting surgery. New surgical RCTs are showing some procedures are no better than antibiotics or placebos. For example, certain spinal fusions show effects similar to non-surgical care, and some surgeries can cause more harm than good. Researchers suggest two-thirds of perceived post-op improvement is due to natural healing or placebo effects. 🩺

🎬 Iran mocks Trump with action film clip

Iran responded to Donald Trump's 'annihilate' threat with a Telugu movie fight clip. The Iranian Embassy in Zimbabwe shared a scene from Nandamuri Balakrishna's Bhagavanth Kesari to counter the warning. This 58-second clip, posted on September 23, suggested Iran is not defenseless against US action. The embassy used the footage to visually imply Iran would stand its ground against pressure. Despite a mix-up calling it Bollywood, talks between US and Iran continue via mediators. 🎬

🤖 Google Search Console's AI reporting is kinda busted 😵‍💫

Google has admitted its Search Console struggles to track how AI search functions properly. John Mueller stated that tracking traditional rankings for AI features is difficult to make useful for marketers. Search Console uses 'block flattening,' treating entire AI overviews as one single rank, usually position 1. This flawed metric hides real user experience, as links in an overview and in a dropdown are logged identically. Consequently, standard traffic metrics are becoming harder to trust due to these reporting quirks.

🗳️ Rahul Gandhi slams EC over alleged rigged elections

Rahul Gandhi alleged that elections across India are being rigged, pointing to dissent notes from two Election Commissioners. The Congress leader made these serious claims while in New Delhi on Thursday, referencing the SIR of electoral rolls. Two commissioners formally objected at least 14 times over the last 10 months, according to The Indian Express. Gandhi demanded the immediate resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, calling his actions an attack on the Constitution. He further asserted that PM Modi and Amit Shah would face investigation for their involvement in this conspiracy. 🗳️

🏠 Forbes lists 50 top smart home gadgets

Forbes has released its highly anticipated Smart Home Awards featuring 50 top-performing products. These gadgets cover various categories and are designed to upgrade modern living spaces. The list highlights items that have passed Forbes' rigorous vetting process. The awards aim to guide consumers in making smart technology purchases. Users can now shop these recommended products to enhance their home experience. 🏠

🏠 Forbes reveals how it picked 2026 smart home winners

Forbes detailed its selection process for the 2026 Vetted Smart Home Awards. The awards recognized top smart home products across various categories globally. The selection criteria involved rigorous testing and expert evaluation throughout 2025. These winners showcase the latest in home automation technology and design. The list will be announced soon to highlight market leaders.

✨ New Bride Turns Goddess in Lake Cyclone

A young bride named Jai was traveling to Parikud Island for her wedding amidst a warm afternoon on Chilika Lake. She was traveling with her father, facing sadness as she departed her village life. The boat capsized during a cyclone, leading to a divine transformation. Locals now tell the tale that Jai became a goddess after this dramatic event. This folklore continues to be shared about the mysterious lake. 🌊

🙏 Rani Mukerji's mother holds prayer meeting in Mumbai

Krishna Mukerji, the mother of Rani Mukerji, is organizing a prayer meeting in Mumbai. The event is scheduled to take place on September 27th in the city. No specific attendance figures or further details about the agenda have been released yet. This gathering is part of her personal religious observances. Updates regarding the proceedings will be shared as they happen.

🗳️ Rahul Gandhi slams Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting against the nation, demanding his resignation. The accusation came after reports surfaced that Election Commissioners' objections regarding Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls were being ignored. This was stated during a press conference held in New Delhi on Thursday. Gandhi asserted that vote theft invalidates the Constitution, making all laws and institutions illegal. He warned the Congress party would not remain silent while India's democracy is allegedly being destroyed. 🗳️

🏛️ Nagender's DQ boosts Congress chances in Hyderabad

The disqualification of Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender has created a political opening for the Congress in Hyderabad. Nagender previously won the seat on a BRS ticket in the 2023 Assembly elections before joining Congress in 2024. With a potential by-election looming, this offers Congress a chance to strengthen its foothold against the BRS in the city. If he wins, Nagender could vie for a ministerial spot, addressing both representation and community needs. This development supports CM A. Revanth Reddy's ongoing push to expand the party's influence in Hyderabad. 📈