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...
In a dramatic last-minute shift, Donald Trump has agreed to suspend planned U.S. strikes on Iran for two weeks, stepping back from what had been described as a looming military escalation just hours earlier. The decision came after urgent talks with Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who pushed for a pause to allow diplomacy to take over.
The pause, however, comes with a strict condition: Iran must immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical shipping routes in the world, responsible for roughly 20% of global oil flows.
If Tehran fails to comply, the threat of large-scale strikes on infrastructure including power plants and key facilities could return quickly.
Trump described the move as a “double-sided ceasefire,” suggesting that both sides would hold off on further escalation during the two week window. The decision marks a sharp pivot from his earlier stance, where he had issued a “final deadline” warning Iran of severe consequences if it did not act immediately.
Behind the scenes, Pakistan has emerged as a critical mediator, pushing both sides toward a temporary de-escalation while negotiations continue. According to reports, Iran has already submitted a proposal outlining possible terms for a broader agreement, and U.S. officials believe a deal could be within reach if talks hold.
However, uncertainty remains high. Iran has previously resisted reopening the strait as part of a temporary arrangement, insisting instead on a permanent end to hostilities and broader concessions. That raises a key question: will Tehran accept this condition, or is this pause only temporary before another escalation?

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