💣 Trump downplays Iran conflict, warns of mountain strike

President Donald Trump recently called the ongoing war with Iran as “small potatoes” when speaking to reporters. This comment was made while he was in the Oval Office, following remarks by Vice President JD Vance. Trump noted that only 18 Americans were killed, contrasting it with the 100,000 deaths in Vietnam. He also threatened that the US might hit Pickaxe Mountain very soon if any activity is detected there. The US military campaign against Iran aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. 💣

⚖️ US judge blocks Trump's new USPS voting rules 🚫

A federal judge extended a ban on a new USPS mail-in voting rule from President Donald Trump's administration. This injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston, at the request of Democratic-led states and voting rights groups. The rule required states to submit recipient lists and use unique barcodes, which would force 10,000 election jurisdictions to redesign systems. Talwani ruled that only Congress can override state election authority, deeming the rule unconstitutional. The administration has swiftly appealed this decision while the USPS defends its actions.

🌊 5-year-old among Indians rescued from Nepal floods

Three Indian nationals, including a five-year-old, were rescued from the flood-hit Trishuli Bazaar area in Nepal. This brings the total number of Indian evacuees to 169, while 275 individuals are still missing. Flash floods started on August 26, and the death toll has risen to at least 1,295. India has sent 95 tonnes of relief material and 54 personnel to support Nepal's recovery. Assistance will continue as India remains closely engaged with the Nepali government.

♟️ Aronian on Gukesh vs Sindarov clash

Javokhir Sindarov is currently focusing on the Global Chess League and the Olympiad, rather than the upcoming World Championship against D Gukesh. The clash is scheduled for 14 classical games between November 22 and December 13 in Geneva. Levon Aronian noted that Gukesh, who became world champion at 18, might be overwhelmed by his early success. Aronian anticipates Gukesh might play cautiously, similar to Ding Liren's style. The match is expected to be a strategic and interesting contest. ♟️

♟️ Carlsen, Giri & Humpy team up for GCL defense

The Alpine APL Pipers assembled a powerhouse roster for the Global Chess League Season 4 in Bengaluru. This team features Magnus Carlsen alongside Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi, Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, and Volodar Murzin. The tournament kicks off this Saturday with a double round-robin format for qualification. Coach Pravin Thipsay noted that success hinges on strategic point spending during the draft process. The Pipers aim to manage the pressure of being defending champions throughout the intense competition. ♟️

🏏 Srikkanth praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rise 🤩

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has potential to be a massive name in world cricket. The 15-year-old sensation is currently impressing in the Duleep Trophy, which is drawing huge crowds. He recently smashed 92 off 81 balls in the first innings against Central Zone. Srikkanth praised his fearless approach, suggesting he can rule all cricket formats soon. The BCCI is carefully monitoring his progress to ensure a long-term career.

🔭 Solar spicules might just be plasma curtains

Thousands of swirling solar spicules might actually be perspective tricks caused by plasma curtains on the Sun's surface. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the University of Sheffield used 3D simulations to model the Sun's atmosphere. The study, published on September 5, 2026, revealed that these jets are folds in a massive, sheet-like hot gas curtain. This finding helps solve the coronal heating problem, which is why the Sun's outer layer is so hot. Understanding these structures is key to predicting space weather that affects Earth technology. ☀️

🔬 Silicone Oil Complication After Retinal Detachment Surgery

A case study detailed anterior segment neovascularization following a complex retinal detachment repair procedure. This happened to a patient undergoing surgery at an unspecified location. The complication was observed after the use of silicone oil in the anterior segment. This issue is a known, though serious, post-operative risk in complex retinal detachment cases. Further monitoring and management of the neovascularization are required by the medical team.

🎬 Mirzapur: The Movie grosses big on Day 1

'Mirzapur: The Movie' has achieved a massive opening at the domestic box office. Starring Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Ravi Kishan, the film debuted across 11,135 shows in India. The movie garnered an estimated net collection of Rs 24.75 crore on its opening day in 2026. This performance secures the film the fourth spot among Hindi film openers for the year. The momentum suggests strong performance as it continues its run. 🎬

🔬 Graphene superconductivity switched off by weakening electron links

Researchers completely turned off superconductivity in magic-angle graphene by weakening the interactions between its electrons. This breakthrough was achieved by scientists at The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute and collaborators. The experiments were conducted on magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene, which is stacked with a 1.1-degree offset. By screening electrons, the team found that superconductivity suppressed, suggesting electron interactions are key to the phenomenon. This finding helps narrow down the mystery of this exotic state, potentially aiding high-temperature superconductor research. 🔬

✨ How India shaped Gloria Steinem's feminism

Gloria Steinem's 1957 stay in Bombay was a pivotal, life-changing event for her. She was 22 and arrived in Delhi on a Chester Bowles fellowship, seeking escape from an engagement. Her initial romantic expectations were quickly replaced by witnessing Asian poverty. She learned the importance of listening to people firsthand while immersing herself in student life. This Indian experience profoundly shaped her later approaches to feminism. 🌏