In a significant step for Mars exploration and private aerospace collaboration, NASA’s ESCAPADE mission — designed to study the red planet’s magnetosphere — is set to launch aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. Scheduled for liftoff in 2025, this mission marks one of NASA’s most notable partnerships with Jeff Bezos’ space company, reinforcing a growing reliance on commercial providers for interplanetary missions.

Astronomers around the world are delving into fresh analyses of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare celestial visitor that entered our solar system from beyond its boundaries. Building on the legacy of earlier interstellar objects such as 1I/‘Oumuamua, researchers are using advanced telescopes and computational models to decode the comet’s composition, structure, and trajectory. Preliminary findings suggest that 3I/ATLAS may have originated in a distant stellar nursery, offering valuable clues about the formation of planetary systems outside our own.

India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission continues to make significant contributions to lunar science, even years after its launch. The orbiter, equipped with advanced payloads, has delivered new data revealing crucial details about the Moon’s polar regions—areas of immense scientific interest due to their potential water ice deposits. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the latest findings offer refined insights into the surface composition, temperature variations, and mineral distribution across the lunar poles.

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s latest historical drama, The Taj Story, has achieved a notable milestone at the box office, crossing the Rs. 10 crore mark within its first week of release. The film, which explores the political intrigue and emotional depths behind one of India’s most iconic monuments, has drawn both critical acclaim and strong word-of-mouth support. Audiences have praised Rawal’s commanding performance and the film’s nuanced storytelling, while analysts note its steady hold across urban multiplexes and Tier-II cities.

Apple is reportedly considering a significant shift in industrial design for its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, with early leaks suggesting the device may feature a transparent rear panel—an aesthetic approach currently popularised by newer tech brands. If confirmed, the move would mark a departure from Apple’s typically minimalist, opaque glass and metal design language, signaling a willingness to embrace bolder visual experimentation. The speculation reflects broader changes in consumer preferences, as smartphone buyers increasingly value distinctive hardware design alongside performance.

India’s mid-range smartphone segment continues to evolve rapidly, with devices under Rs. 30,000 now offering flagship-grade performance, premium design, and advanced camera systems. As competition intensifies, consumers benefit from powerful chipsets, fast charging, high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays, and enhanced software optimization. Models such as the Poco X7 Pro 5G, Samsung Galaxy F56, Motorola Edge 60 Pro, and others are pushing boundaries with compelling specifications normally reserved for costlier devices.

Consumer electronics brand Boat, preparing for its long-anticipated initial public offering, is encountering rising employee attrition during a pivotal transition period. As the company shifts from a fast-paced startup culture to the stringent governance and operational discipline required of a publicly listed firm, industry watchers note increasing workforce churn across critical departments. The phenomenon comes at a time when the broader wearables and audio accessories market remains fiercely competitive, demanding continuous innovation and operational efficiency.

The Union government has confirmed that the Winter Session of Parliament will take place from December 1 to December 19. Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the schedule, indicating a 19-day sitting period during which several legislative priorities are expected to be taken up. The session holds significance as key policy matters, economic discussions, and pending bills are likely to dominate proceedings ahead of the upcoming fiscal planning cycle.

In a notable development highlighting evolving social attitudes in rural India, two young women in the Sundarbans region have reportedly solemnized their marriage with support from local residents. The union, which comes amid ongoing national debates on marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights, reflects a grassroots shift toward acceptance and individual freedom in traditionally conservative rural communities. According to local accounts, villagers not only acknowledged the couple’s relationship but also assisted in their ceremony, underscoring changing societal perspectives.

• In a continued effort to expand employment opportunities across Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has distributed 2,105 government job appointment letters to young candidates across various departments. The initiative aligns with the state government’s broader workforce development agenda focused on strengthening public services and empowering youth through stable employment avenues.