Astronomers have confirmed that ASASSN-24fw dimmed by an extraordinary 97% over a period of more than nine months, starting in late 2024 making it one of the longest and deepest stellar eclipses ever recorded. The star, located in the Monoceros constellation, was monitored through sky surveys that track brightness changes in stars over time. The data clearly shows a prolonged and structured drop in light, far beyond what a normal planet could cause. Scientists say the most likely explanation is a massive ringed object passing in front of the star either a brown dwarf or a super Jupiter–type planet. Unlike typical transits that last hours or days, this event stretched across months, pointing to something enormous in size. The ring system itself is estimated to span about 16 million miles (25 million km), making it one of the largest ever inferred. As different parts of the rings moved across the star, they created layered dimming patterns, which allowed astronomers to study the...
Diplomats from the United States and Iran met in Geneva this week for another round of indirect nuclear negotiations under Omani mediation, aiming to salvage a deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme and ease regional tensions. After the talks concluded, officials on both sides described the sessions as constructive, but they stopped short of declaring a breakthrough.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides had agreed on a set of “guiding principles” that will shape future discussions, laying the groundwork for drafting a potential nuclear agreement text. He called the atmosphere “more constructive” than in prior meetings, though he underscored that detailed negotiations lie ahead.
While Tehran and Washington found common ground on these broad principles, the core issues remain unresolved. Both sides face significant obstacles in narrowing their positions, particularly over uranium enrichment levels, inspections, and sanctions relief. Iranian negotiators insist they have the right to peaceful nuclear technology under international treaties, while U.S. officials demand clear limits on activities that could accelerate nuclear weapons development.
The talks took place against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Iran temporarily closed part of the Strait of Hormuz for live‑fire military drills, a rare and symbolic demonstration of force that came as the negotiations unfolded, underscoring how volatile geopolitical pressures continue to shape the diplomatic landscape.
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U.S. officials, while acknowledging progress, emphasize that no agreement has been reached and that substantive differences persist. A U.S. spokesperson noted that Iran would return with detailed proposals in the coming weeks to address outstanding gaps in the talks.
The indirect negotiations — conducted without direct U.S.–Iran dialogue but facilitated through intermediaries and technical teams — are part of a broader effort to prevent a return to hostilities or escalation. However, both sides maintain firm red lines. Iranian authorities have said they will not discuss their ballistic missile programme or regional foreign policy in these talks, focusing strictly on nuclear matters. Meanwhile, U.S. officials continue to press for robust verification mechanisms.
Despite the lack of immediate results, the agreement on guiding principles is being viewed as a sign of diplomatic traction, even if the final deal remains far from certain. Oil markets responded to the news with a modest decline, reflecting cautious optimism that continued talks could reduce the risk of broader conflict and disruption to supplies.
Both sides agreed to keep diplomatic engagement alive, with negotiators preparing to return to substantive discussions in the coming weeks. As the process unfolds, the world watches closely: a deal could ease tensions and reshape Middle East geopolitics, while failure to bridge differences risks renewed confrontation.
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