President Murmu completed a 30-minute flight in a Rafale jet at the Ambala Air Force Station, becoming the first Indian President to fly in two fighter aircraft. She was pictured standing with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh — a woman Rafale pilot who had previously been falsely claimed by Pakistan to have been shot down and captured during Operation Sindoor — thus publicly dispelling the misinformation. Singh, who joined the IAF in 2017 and qualified on the Rafale in 2020 after flying the MiG-21 Bison, was felicitated earlier this month for earning her Qualified Flying Instructor badge. (PC: X)

Arpita Patra, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has climbed the highest volcanic peaks of four continents. Her latest success came on October 24, when she summited Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, the tallest volcanic peak in North America. Earlier, she scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. Elbrus in Europe, and Mt. Giluwe in Oceania. Prof. Patra began her mountaineering journey in 2024 and trained daily with a four-hour fitness routine. She said climbing Pico de Orizaba was her most difficult and fulfilling climb so far. (PC: The Hindu)

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday flew in a Rafale fighter jet for a 30-minute sortie at the Ambala Air Force Station. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also flew in another aircraft from the same base. Wearing a G-suit and helmet, the President waved from the cockpit before takeoff and received a ceremonial guard of honour. The Rafale jets were key to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ against terror camps in Pakistan earlier this year. The PIB later denied fake videos claiming she made political remarks. Rafale aircraft were inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested Danish Chikna, a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, from Goa. He is accused of managing Dawood’s drug network across India. The arrest is part of a larger crackdown on the don’s drug operations. Earlier, Dubai-based handler Mohammed Salim Sheikh was deported to India and arrested in connection with the same case. So far, 15 people have been arrested, and drugs and assets worth over ₹256 crore have been seized. Officials said the network was linked to a major mephedrone manufacturing unit in Maharashtra. (PC: News18/ Social media)

Amazon is set to cut 800 to 1,000 jobs in India as part of global layoffs driven by AI adoption. The job cuts will affect teams in finance, HR, and technology, mostly those working with global units. The company said the move aims to reduce bureaucracy and focus on key projects. Globally, Amazon plans to replace or avoid 600,000 jobs in the US by 2027. CEO Andy Jassy said AI will make many roles unnecessary while creating new ones. Amazon continues to invest heavily in AI, spending over $100 billion this year. (PC: AFP)

In Goa, the state government’s decision to transfer 34 junior scale civil servants amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered objections from the local Congress unit. The officers included some deputy collectors, chief officers and electoral registration officers (EROs) — personnel directly involved in the SIR process. Congress claimed such transfers violate Election Commission of India guidelines that prohibit reshuffles of officers linked with electoral duties without prior approval. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sanjay Goel, confirmed the matter will be taken up with the government.     

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi’s Environment Minister, said the trial of cloud seeding was carried out even though atmospheric moisture was only around 10–15 %, well below the typical 50 % needed for effective rainfall. The trial performed by IIT Kanpur involved two aircraft sorties dispersing a total of about 7–8 kg of seeding mix, covering areas including North Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar and Khekra. The report noted only a trace drizzle in nearby Noida and Greater Noida and a modest drop in pollution levels at some stations. Sirsa said nine to ten more such trials are planned as efforts ramp up ahead of Delhi’s winter pollution peak. (PC: PTI)

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission. The panel will revise the salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners. Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai will head the commission, with Professor Pulak Ghosh as member and Pankaj Jain as member-secretary. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the commission will submit its report within 18 months. The revised pay is expected to take effect from January 1, 2026. The 8th Pay Commission follows the 7th Pay Commission implemented in 2016. (PC: HT)

Delhi may see artificial rain soon as the second cloud seeding trial was conducted on Tuesday to tackle rising pollution levels. A flight from Kanpur carried out the trial over areas like Burari, Mayur Vihar, and Khekra. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said eight flares were used to seed the clouds, and rain was expected within a few hours. This marks the third such trial in Delhi’s history, and the first in over five decades. The Delhi government partnered with IIT Kanpur for the ₹3.21 crore project aimed at reducing pollution through artificial rainfall. (PC: HT)

A 27-year-old software engineer from Delhi has gone viral after posting on Reddit about his decision to leave India. In his post titled “Finally decided to leave India,” he said he was moving abroad not for money, but for “basic dignity of life.” He blamed poor infrastructure, bureaucracy, and fear of harassment for breaking his love for the country. Many users supported his decision, saying they shared the same frustration. The post reflects a growing trend of young Indians migrating abroad for better living conditions, with India now leading global migration numbers, according to recent reports. (PC: Mint)