🚨 Iran knew Trump's spot before secret plane swap

Iranian operatives reportedly knew Donald Trump's exact location in Ankara during the NATO summit. This security threat prompted a covert operation by the Secret Service to move Trump onto a different aircraft. Intelligence suggested a surface-to-air missile could target whichever plane carried the President on July 8th. Trump publicly boarded an older Air Force One, but was secretly transferred to a smaller military aircraft. He later confirmed the Secret Service instructed him to change planes due to a perceived threat. ✈️

👋 Karoline Leavitt stepping down as Press Secretary

Donald Trump announced that Karoline Leavitt will be leaving her role as White House press secretary at the end of August. Leavitt served as the press secretary since January 2025, making her the youngest to hold the post. Trump praised her as one of his most trusted aides during her time in the office. She will continue to work as a top outside advisor and influencer for the Republican Party. This transition comes ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections.

🔬 Quantum effects in superconductors are way more complex

Researchers measured the full differential conductance matrix in normal-superconductor-normal devices made from topological insulator nanowires. The team from Osipyan Institute and HSE University found that bias voltage symmetry isn't due to control, but a self-gating effect. While crossed Andreev reflection enhances at V1 = V2, elastic co-tunneling enhances at V1 = -V2. The analysis shows that Gij alone cannot definitively separate these two quantum processes. Future studies need more data, like shot noise analysis, to get the full picture. 🔬

💣 Iran shifts to offensive military doctrine amid Strait of Hormuz tension 🚢

Iran is signaling a major shift towards an offensive military doctrine, raising concerns over peace prospects in the Gulf. This development comes from Tehran, where Mohammad Reza Naqdi stated the IRGC must be ready for operations inside enemy territory. There has been absolutely no progress reviving the interim agreement from June, which included a 60-day window for talks. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key sticking point as both nations blame the other for treaty violations. Further tensions are fueled by Trump's demand for compensation and recent attacks on commercial shipping.

🏏 Atal and Zadran power Afghanistan to series lead

Sediqullah Atal scored a career-best 143, while Ibrahim Zadran made 107, helping Afghanistan beat Ireland by 42 runs. This victory was secured in the fourth ODI held in Belfast. Afghanistan posted a total of 343 for 9, while Ireland was bowled out for 301 in 48 overs on September 24th. The massive batting display put significant pressure on Ireland throughout the match. With this win, Afghanistan takes a commanding 3-0 lead in the five-match series. 🏏

🔬 Cancer protein p53 shows more order than thought

The study observed the action of the cancer protein p53, providing deeper insights into its function. Researchers conducted this work across various laboratory settings to observe the protein's behavior. The findings detail specific interactions and patterns observed over a defined testing period. This research helps in understanding how cellular regulation operates during cancer development. Future studies will build upon these observations to develop better therapeutic approaches. 🔬

🏘️ Short-term rental limits boost housing affordability

A new study has demonstrated that restricting the availability of short-term rentals positively impacts housing affordability across various markets. Researchers found this trend observed in cities where regulations were implemented against platforms like Airbnb. The data analyzed covered a period spanning from January 2020 to December 2023 in multiple urban areas. This suggests that limiting tourist rentals helps keep housing stock available for long-term residents. Policymakers are now considering how to effectively implement these restrictions moving forward. 🏘️

😔 Joyride turns tragic; two teens killed in crash

What started as a birthday celebration turned into a devastating tragedy early Wednesday morning. The accident occurred near Bharatwada Y Point on the Pavanagaon–Bharatwada road, involving three teenagers. Two teens, Bhaumik Larokar (16) and Sagar Melwani (17), died instantly, while Mihir Behar (17) was injured and hospitalized. The minors were allegedly driving the electric Tata Curvv at high speeds when they hit a stationary truck. Police are investigating the incident and will register further cases based on the probe. 😔

🚗 Woman dies after reversing car into pond

A 42-year-old corporate executive named Sumitra Das died after her car plunged into a 10-12ft-deep pond near Prafulla Kanan West on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred in Kestopur, Kolkata, while she was practicing driving her new car. Cops suspect she hit the accelerator instead of the brake while leaving the garage around 7:45 am. Rescue efforts by locals failed, and the car was pulled out over an hour later, but she was already deceased. Police have started an investigation into the circumstances of this accident. 😟

🧠 Organoids reveal brain development secrets

Researchers uncovered a quantitative framework for Radial Glial Progenitor (RGP) lineage progression in cortical organoids. The team from ISTA used MADM lineage tracing in mouse embryonic stem cells within these self-organizing systems. The study compared these organoids to the real mouse brain, noting similar cell populations at certain developmental stages. However, RGPs in organoids showed less temporal control compared to the in vivo model. Scientists suspect missing external signals from the stem-cell niche are crucial for perfect development. 🧠

💥 Iran might keep the conflict going until Trump's term ends

An IRGC adviser stated that Iran could deliberately extend the conflict with the United States until Donald Trump leaves office. This strategy, according to Mohammad Reza Naqdi, is designed to inflict costs and establish deterrence against future attacks. Naqdi mentioned this during an interview with PBS NewsHour on Tuesday, August 13, 2026. Iran believes it is currently winning but needs this prolonged fight to gain experience against the US military. Furthermore, he warned that if missile stockpiles run out, Iran could become more dangerous by targeting global economic interests. 💥