Sep 23, 2026 · 7 min listen · Last updated September 23, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Jessica, September 23rd. The day in ten — let's begin with the story drawing the most coverage. Let's get into it. First, from Bloomberg Top. Mobile Payments Firm Airtel Money Announces Plans for London IPO.
Listen · storyflo · daily
The Day's Top 10 Stories · September 23rd
0:00-6:32
Pick your daily storyteller
Subscribe to match with Theo, Jessica, Chloe, Mason, Brock — your voice, every brief.
A ‘devil-like’ flower from Thailand is new to science — and critically endangered
Botanists in Thailand have identified a new-to-science species of “fairy lantern” — plants that live almost entirely buried under leaf litter, emerging aboveground only occasionally to flower. Researchers were surveying evergreen forests in the mountains of Thong Pha Phum National Park when they chanced upon a plant none of them had ever seen before, at an elevation of almost 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet). They’ve since named it Thismia daemona, according to a recent study. Like other plants within the Thismia genus, commonly referred to as fairy lanterns, T.
Mamata-Trinamool leaders assaulted; party accuses BJP of attack
The Mamata Trinamool Congress party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attacking its leaders and workers, including former MLA and IPS officer Humayun Kabir,on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) night. “DEATH OF DEMOCRACY IN BENGAL. Brutally assaulting opposition leaders have become the #NewNormal under @BJP4Bengal,” the party wrote on their social media and shared graphic photos of Mr. Kabir. In the picture the former MLA is seen injured and blood laden.
Sri Lanka economy resilient but risks remain tilted to downside, IMF says
Sept 23 : The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka's economy continues to show resilience amid successive shocks but is still facing risks tilted to the downside, as its staff concluded a visit to the South Asian island nation. • The island nation, backed by a $2.9 billion programme, is clawing its way out of a 2022 economic upheaval triggered by severe shortage of dollars. • The IMF review comes as Sri Lanka looks to maintain growth and contain high inflation caused by soaring energy prices that have prevailed since the Gulf conflict began seven months ago.
Catalonia's far-right surge divides independence camp as migration fears grow
BARCELONA, Sept 23 - Almost a decade after Catalonia's failed independence bid, a growing number of voters are shifting their focus from secession to issues such as immigration and crime, fuelling the rise of the far-right separatist Aliança Catalana.
Mum’s Alzheimer’s has trapped the kids’ NatWest cash
A First Saver account was set up by my mother when the children were born which we planned to use to fund them through university My mother set up NatWest First Saver accounts for my children when they were born. The accounts are held in trust for when they turn 18 and my parents have paid into them monthly to help fund them through university. My mother is now in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and I have registered financial power of attorney for her. Continue reading...
Dune, a cornerstone of science fiction, is making a fascinating shift in how we view its genre. Frank Herbert's original novel, published in 1965, has long been celebrated for its deep dive into complex themes like politics, religion, and ecology. It's not just a story; it’s a rich tapestry that has shaped the sci-fi landscape and inspired countless works over the decades.
Now, the franchise is officially switching genres, which is intriguing. This transition suggests that Dune might explore new narrative styles or themes, potentially drawing in audiences who may not typically gravitate towards traditional sci-fi. It’s a bold move that could breathe fresh life into the story and its characters, making them relevant to even more people.
The iconic elements of Dune, like the arid landscapes of Arrakis and the mysterious Fremen, have already left a lasting mark on pop culture. With this genre shift, we might see these familiar elements reimagined in ways that challenge our expectations and expand the universe in unexpected directions. It’s exciting to think about how this could open up new storytelling possibilities.
As we watch this evolution unfold, it’ll be interesting to see how fans react. Will the essence of Dune remain intact, or will this new approach redefine what we love about it? Either way, it’s clear that Dune is ready to take on new challenges and continue its legacy in a way that resonates with both old fans and newcomers alike.
Wednesday briefing: Can Burnham seek a different path to Trump’s world order?
In today’s newsletter: The PM’s first face‑to‑face with the US president marks a fragile reset Good morning. In the early hours of Tuesday a plane carrying Andy Burnham, a handful of UK ministers, an excited group of British political journalists, and Burnham’s wife, Marie France, landed at a New York airport for one of Burnham’s first major outings as prime minister: a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump.
Russia targets Kyiv gas stations, transport; 8 injured in Kharkiv region
Eight people were injured in the Kharkiv region as Russia ramped up its attacks on infrastructure in Kyiv, specifically targeting gas stations and transport hubs. This escalation is raising concerns in the market about potential territorial advances by Russia, which could further destabilize the geopolitical landscape.
These developments are putting pressure on various sectors, and traders are likely weighing the implications for energy prices and broader market sentiment. The situation remains fluid, and it’s worth keeping an eye on how this impacts not just regional stability but also global supply chains.
For listeners who want low-fee crypto exposure, our markets partner Kraken supports BTC — link in show notes.
- EigenLayer TVL stood at about $11.02 billion on September 21. - The total includes capital from native ETH deposits and liquid restaking tokens. - Protocol TVL should not be confused with stake delegated to any single AVS. EigenLayer has moved back above the $11 billion mark in total value locked, with DeFiLlama showing approximately $11.02 billion on September 21. The milestone gives Ethereum restaking another large headline number at a time when the sector is increasingly being judged on how much economic security it can attract and retain.