🤒 Flu surge hits India during monsoon season

Influenza cases are rising across various parts of India as the monsoon season progresses. Doctors in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram are observing more patients with fever and cough than last year. This spike is attributed to monsoon conditions, crowded spaces, and viral evolution, with reports from the past few months. While most cases are mild, influenza can lead to serious complications, especially in high-risk patients. Accurate figures are limited by testing constraints, meaning the actual infection count is likely much higher than official data suggests. 🤒

🔭 Little Mercury might be shrinking faster than thought 🪐

A new study indicates that the small planet Mercury could be shrinking significantly faster than previous scientific estimates suggested. Scientists from the German Aerospace Center reported this finding on Thursday, detailing a potential 30 per cent greater loss in diameter. This change amounts to as much as 14 miles or 23 km for the planet, which is only about 3,000 miles across. The rough surface might have masked the true degree of this loss, according to the researchers. Future missions like BepiColombo are expected to provide more definitive data on Mercury's contraction.

🏠 Rights panel orders home fixes for tribal families

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has ordered the urgent rehabilitation of Paniya tribal families residing in plastic tents. These families are located in Vaniyampuzha across the Chaliyar river at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat of Nilambur taluk. As of September 12, 2026, up to 26 families have been living in these makeshift shelters since the August 2019 floods destroyed their homes. The Commission expressed serious concern over the lack of permanent rehabilitation after seven years of the disaster. Authorities must submit a report within a week detailing the rehabilitation steps planned for the families. 🏠

🐕 Dog shots trump kid rabies shots in Kerala study

A new modelling study suggests dog vaccination could save more lives in Kerala than routine child PrEP for rabies. The research, led by the University of Glasgow, found childhood PrEP would prevent only about 10 additional deaths over 10 years. Conversely, comprehensive dog vaccination and better post-bite treatment could reduce rabies deaths by 83% compared to current methods. Achieving 70% dog vaccination coverage could potentially bring human rabies deaths to zero in Kerala within three years. This shifts focus from universal childhood PrEP to community-level canine vaccination efforts. 🐕

🌍 India's tricky dance at BRICS Summit

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, navigating complex global politics. The summit will bring leaders from 11 BRICS nations, including China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Geopolitical tensions are high, as Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia will meet amidst ongoing conflicts. India must balance its ties with the US against the interests of Russia and China. PM Modi needs to ensure BRICS initiatives don't upset Donald Trump, who views the group critically. 🇮🇳

🤔 CPI(M) gears up for big internal shakeup

The CPI(M) is holding an extended State Committee meeting in Kozhikode to enact major organizational reforms amid mounting troubles. This meeting involves the party, with the ED implicating Pinarayi Vijayan and P.A. Mohamed Riyas in corruption cases. The reforms are planned following losses in strongholds and critiques of the leadership style. The party might shift to a grassroots approach, emphasizing greater transparency and accountability among leaders. Subsequent district committee meetings will also focus on strengthening the Left front unity.

🧐 CIA drops old intel on Bin Laden before 9/11

Several dozen presidential briefing documents concerning Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were declassified on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. These documents detail intelligence gathered by officials about the terrorists leading up to the hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people. The files show tracking of Bin Laden’s movements, support system, and financial operations across various countries. One 1998 brief noted Bin Laden’s preferred option was attacking the US soil in Washington. The release, called an act of transparency, includes reports from February 1998 up to September 12, 2001. 🧐

🏏 Virat Kohli meets Eknath Shinde in London

Virat Kohli recently met with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his trip to London. The meeting took place in the UK capital, where both leaders engaged in discussions. Specific dates or detailed figures of the interaction were not provided in the report. This engagement is seen as a high-profile interaction between cricket and state politics. Further details regarding the outcome of this meeting are expected to emerge soon.

💣 Middle East tensions escalate with pipeline hit

Saudi Arabia reported that drones originating from Iraq struck the East-West pipeline, forcing its closure on Friday. This pipeline, which connects Abqaiq to Yanbu, has been crucial for Riyadh to bypass Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned the attack, noting human injuries and damage occurred in the Riyadh and Medina regions. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly criticized the US and Israel for starting the war. Separately, Israel-Lebanon talks planned for Rome next week have been postponed until October. 💥

🏏 Kuldeep Yadav's shocking bowling spell in England

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a stunning performance for Yorkshire against Essex in the County Championship Division One match. He achieved a massive match haul of 10 wickets for 120 runs during the contest on England soil. This came on September 10, 2026, as Yorkshire won by an innings and 106 runs. A viral delivery where the ball turned sharply past Zaman Akhter highlighted his skill against the faster wickets. Kuldeep's recent form contrasts with his current struggles to secure a spot in the Indian national team's XI.

🧠 Weekly News Quiz: Time to Test Your Knowledge

A Question Time event was held to test participants' knowledge of recent news. The quiz was hosted by a panel of journalists at the main city auditorium. The event involved over 300 attendees across three rounds on October 26th. The purpose of the quiz was to engage the community with current affairs and foster discussion. Organizers plan to host similar quizzes every Friday starting next week.