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New Delhi recently undertook cloud-seeding experiments, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, to combat severe air pollution by attempting to induce artificial rainfall using silver iodide dispersed from a Cessna aircraft. Although significant rainfall was largely absent due to low cloud moisture, these trials successfully reduced PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 6-10% in seeded areas, offering promising insights into air quality improvement.
OpenAI has officially restructured into a Public Benefit Corporation, achieving a staggering $500 billion valuation as of October 28, 2025, to balance commercial growth with its foundational mission. This pivotal move grants Microsoft a 27% stake while ensuring the original non-profit foundation retains legal control to guide its ambitious AI research and development.
A highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary has been postponed, primarily due to Russia's refusal to consider a ceasefire amidst escalating hostilities in Ukraine. In response to the diplomatic impasse and ongoing conflict, the United States announced new sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed continued hope for the summit and a commitment to circumventing the new US measures.
Scientists have uncovered an enormous, organized "city" of thousands of icefish nests in Antarctica's Western Weddell Sea, a groundbreaking discovery made possible by robotic explorers after the A68 iceberg opened up a previously hidden seafloor. This unprecedented breeding colony offers crucial insights into Antarctic fish reproductive strategies and ecosystem dynamics, bolstering arguments for designating the Weddell Sea as a Marine Protected Area.
Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, becoming the strongest hurricane in the island's recorded history and unleashing widespread devastation. The unprecedented storm caused extensive power outages for over 530,000 Jamaicans, severely compromised critical infrastructure, and prompted rapid mobilization of international aid to address the looming humanitarian crisis.
The Communist Party of China's Fourth Plenary Session solidified President Xi Jinping's authority while unveiling a strategic shift towards technological self-reliance to counter foreign dependencies and drive high-quality development. This pivotal meeting also approved the 15th Five-Year Plan emphasizing scientific independence and saw the largest purge of party and military officials since 2017, underscoring Beijing's determination to bolster domestic capabilities and reinforce Xi's firm grip on power.
The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed object from beyond our solar system, is making its closest approach to the Sun today, October 29, 2025, marking a rare celestial event for astronomers. Scientists are particularly keen to study its unique composition, which includes cyanide and an unusually high carbon dioxide-to-water ratio, though it will require at least an 8-inch telescope for observation when it reappears in early December.
Amazon is reportedly preparing for its most significant corporate workforce reduction since 2022, with plans to eliminate up to 30,000 positions across various departments, including an initial confirmation of 14,000 roles. This strategic move, spearheaded by CEO Andy Jassy, aims to streamline operations and integrate advanced AI, fostering a leaner, more agile organization amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Cyclone Montha made landfall as a severe cyclonic storm on October 28, 2025, along the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting red alerts across coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and leading to the evacuation of thousands. The powerful storm, with wind speeds gusting up to 110 kmph, caused widespread disruption, extensive agricultural damage, and tragically resulted in one fatality, while disaster management teams were actively deployed for relief efforts.
Billionaire Bill Gates advocates for a "strategic pivot" in addressing the climate crisis, urging a shift from solely limiting rising temperatures to prioritizing the prevention of disease and poverty, as detailed in his recent memo. This call for a re-evaluation of climate fight metrics, emphasizing human welfare over temperature goals, comes just after the UN announced humanity missed its 1.5 degrees Celsius global heating target.
The International Monetary Fund's October 2025 World Economic Outlook reveals a continued global growth deceleration, projecting a slowdown to 3.2% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026, signaling a challenging period ahead despite a modest upward revision from earlier forecasts. This outlook highlights a divergence in economic resilience, with robust expansion expected in emerging markets contrasting with modest growth in advanced economies, while global inflation is set to decline, though the United States remains an outlier with persistent above-target inflation.
Groundbreaking research reveals that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines dramatically boost survival rates for patients with advanced lung and skin cancers receiving immunotherapy, potentially revolutionizing oncology care. This unexpected synergy appears to prime the immune system, transforming resistant tumors into immunotherapy-ready targets and suggesting a future where widely available mRNA vaccines could enhance cancer treatment.