🛰️ Space station hosts automated plant research lab

A fully automated plant bioscience research facility, the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH), was launched to the International Space Station in 2017. It was delivered on April 18, 2017, and installed in the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo. The facility contains over 180 sensors and can run experiments for up to 135 days. This research helps understand plant growth in microgravity for future missions to Mars and the Moon. Findings could also boost knowledge about crop yields here on Earth. 🚀

🎖️ First woman leads CRPF's CoBRA commando unit

IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has been named the first woman to lead the CRPF's jungle warfare commando unit, CoBRA. She is an officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, and this appointment comes as the force secures forest areas in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. These operations are crucial in nearly eliminating Left-wing extremism by March 2026. Her leadership is part of a wider effort by CRPF to place women in key, combat-heavy roles across various sectors. Parashar previously gained recognition as the 'Iron Lady of Assam' for her anti-militancy actions.

🎮 Gears of War: E-Day hitting Game Pass soon

Gears of War: E-Day is set to join the Xbox Game Pass library on October 6. This addition comes as Microsoft rolls out a wave of new titles across various dates. Upcoming games include Marvel Cosmic Invasion on September 16 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on September 25. Subscribers can expect several other games like Planet of Lana II and Dune: Awakening to arrive soon. Additionally, some titles, such as Atomfall, will be leaving the service catalog on September 30.

🚨 CM blames 'Bhaipo gang' in aide murder case

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the "Bhaipo gang" was behind the contract killing of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath. This incident occurred in Haldia, where Suvendu was with Hasirani Rath. The murder happened two days after the Assembly election results on May 6. Suvendu claimed this based on call recordings from Diamond Harbour, but offered no specific names. The CBI has since arrested 11 persons and filed a chargesheet in the case. 😟

🤝 Modi tells Xi: India-China need mutual sensitivity

PM Narendra Modi conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that both nations must show sensitivity to each other's core concerns during their meeting. This discussion took place on the sidelines of the Brics summit last week in New Delhi. Modi stressed that border peace is essential for advancing the relationship, guided by respect and mutual interest. India's position on Tibet and Taiwan remains consistent, despite past changes in public articulation. Moving forward, the focus is on mutual respect while addressing ongoing border issues. 🤝

🎬 Mirzapur hits 200 Cr mark in 12 days

The film Mirzapur has crossed the 200 crore net mark at the Indian box office. It surpassed Akshay Kumar's Bhooth Bangla while playing in India. As of day 12, the movie earned a total of 200.52 crore, with day 12 bringing in 5.25 crore. This solid performance positions it as the 4th highest-grosser of 2026 in India. The film, released on September 4, aims for the 250 crore club next.

🎬 Drishyam 3 aims for biggest threequel opening

Drishyam 3, the fourth threequel in Ajay Devgn's franchise, is set to premiere on October 2, 2026. The film, directed by Abhishek Pathak, features Vijay Salgaonkar and stars alongside Tabu and Shriya Saran. Expectations are high as it aims to surpass Singham Again's opening of 43.70 crore. This suspense thriller is positioned to become Ajay Devgn's biggest threequel opening ever. All eyes are now on October 2 to see if records get broken at the box office. 🤩

🎬 Mandaadi overtakes Garudan as Soori's biggest hit

The Tamil sports drama Mandaadi has surpassed Garudan to become Soori’s highest grosser in a lead role. The film, which released on September 10, clashed with Sardar 2 in the box office. As of Day 6, Mandaadi has earned 50.25 crore net in India and 10.65 crore overseas. This performance marks a significant milestone for Soori, who transitioned from a character actor to a lead. The movie is directed by Pugazhendi Mathimaran and stars Soori, Suhas, and Mahima Nambiar. 🎬

🔬 New ways to fight lung infections beyond antibiotics

Researchers are exploring host-directed therapies and phages for stubborn lung infections, moving past just killing microbes. Experts discussed these novel approaches at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) 2026 Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Various agents like MMP inhibitors and anti-inflammatory drugs are being studied for different infection stages and types. Current clinical use of these advanced therapies remains low, despite strong biological backing. Future research needs standardized outcomes to properly evaluate these promising treatments. 🔬

🔬 New in-body CAR T therapy helps autoimmune diseases

An experimental in vivo CAR T therapy called JY231 showed promise in a small early-stage trial for neurologic autoimmune disorders. The therapy was administered to 16 patients across MS, MOGAD, and others at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. After 6 months, patients showed reduced disability and improved function in various conditions. This method bypasses complex manufacturing and chemotherapy, making treatment potentially more accessible. Investigators plan to further study its effectiveness and safety profile moving forward. 🧠

👶 Preterm BPD Infants: Respiratory Outcomes Are Similar

Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) showed comparable respiratory outcomes between extremely preterm and later preterm groups after hospital discharge. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania studied infants with BPD born before 26 weeks between September 2018 and February 2025. The study compared 231 extremely preterm infants with 532 infants born at 24-25 6/7 weeks of gestation. Although the extremely preterm group had higher severe BPD rates, their rates of sick clinic visits and readmissions were not significantly different. This research highlights the need to better understand outpatient respiratory paths across the gestational age spectrum. 👶