In Bihar’s two-phased Assembly elections, 121 constituencies are set to go to the polls on Thursday in the first phase of voting.

The contest will see not only the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA take on its primary rival in the Tejashwi Yadav-led Mahagathbandhan, but also the Assembly election debut of strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj.

In the 121 seats of the first phase that are concentrated in central Bihar, NDA in the 2020 Assembly polls bagged 59 seats, trailing the Mahagathbandhan at 61.

In 2020, the BJP had contested 49 of the 121 seats that will vote on November 6, and won 32. Its ally, the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), contested 65 of these seats and won 23. Mahagathbandhan leader RJD contested 71 of these 121 seats, and won 42, while ally Congress contested 31 and won only eight.

In these 121 seats, the NDA had collectively secured a 37.69% vote share in 2020, just behind the Mahagathbandhan at 38.06%.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the NDA had led in 95 Assembly segments among the first-phase seats, with the Mahagathbandhan ahead in 25 segments, and an Independent in one segment.

Since the 2020 Assembly polls, the composition of the alliances in Bihar has changed. While the Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) and the Upendra Kushwaha-led RLM are now in the NDA, the Mukesh Sahani-led VIP has joined forces with the Opposition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Arrah, Bihar, lauded the success of Operation Sindoor and criticised the Congress and its ally, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), for allegedly being unsettled by it. He remarked that while the operation shook Pakistan, it was the Congress “royal family” that lost sleep over it. Taking aim at the Opposition alliance, Modi alleged internal conflict within the INDIA bloc over seat-sharing, claiming the RJD forced Congress to accept its Chief Ministerial candidate through “political bullying.”

He contrasted the NDA’s vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) with what he called the “darkness of Jungle Raj,” accusing RJD of promoting misrule marked by crime, corruption, and superstition. Modi credited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the NDA for restoring peace and governance in Bihar.

The Prime Minister also attacked the Opposition for allegedly supporting infiltrators, warning that such forces threaten Bihar’s resources and future. Questioning the RJD’s ability to attract investment, he said investors would shy away from symbols of “lanterns and red flags.” Modi urged voters to choose the NDA for development, stability, and a prosperous Bihar free from corruption and chaos.

Union Home Minister and BJP’s chief strategist Amit Shah on Wednesday ended weeks of speculation surrounding the NDA’s Chief Ministerial face in Bihar, confirming that Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister if the alliance retains power. Addressing a rally in the state, Shah declared, “Bihar mein na CM ka pad khali hai, na Delhi mein PM ka pad khali hai. Yahan Nitish Kumar hain, aur wahan Modi ji hain,” underscoring that both leadership positions are firmly occupied.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Shah quipped, “Lalu ji, Sonia ji, aapka number nahin lagega,” drawing loud cheers from the audience. His remarks were aimed squarely at the Grand Alliance, which had recently mocked the NDA for not naming its Chief Ministerial candidate and for its delayed campaign rollout.

The Mahagathbandhan — comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties — had sought to gain an edge by announcing its own CM face earlier this week and releasing its manifesto a day later, thereby stepping up pressure on the ruling coalition.

Political observers had speculated that the NDA might introduce a new leader in Bihar, given the alliance’s internal frictions and the shifting political dynamics. However, Shah’s statement firmly reinstates Nitish Kumar’s position as the coalition’s undisputed choice.

Nitish Kumar, who first assumed office as Chief Minister in 2005, has remained a defining figure in Bihar politics for nearly two decades. Except for a brief interval when Jitan Ram Manjhi held the post, Kumar has continued to lead the state through various political realignments.

With Shah’s announcement, the NDA looks to project unity and stability ahead of the high-stakes Bihar polls, countering the Grand Alliance’s attempts to portray it as divided and directionless.

A diplomatic flutter has erupted after Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, gifted a coffee table book to Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. The book, titled “Art of Triumph: Graffiti of Bangladesh’s New Dawn,” reportedly features on its cover an image resembling a map that appears to include parts of India within Bangladesh’s borders.

The meeting took place on Saturday at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, where both sides discussed trade, investment, and defence cooperation. While Dhaka has not issued an official clarification, several Bangladeshi social media users have insisted the image is an abstract depiction of the national flag, not a territorial map.

The controversy revives earlier tensions between India and Bangladesh. In December 2024, New Delhi had lodged a strong protest after a Bangladeshi official posted — and later deleted — a similar map claiming Indian territories. Muhammad Yunus himself drew criticism earlier this year for remarks inviting China to expand its influence in India’s northeast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a meeting with Yunus in Bangkok, had then urged Dhaka to avoid rhetoric that could strain bilateral ties.

Advertising icon Piyush Pandey, the creative force behind some of India’s most memorable campaigns for Fevicol, Cadbury, Asian Paints, and many others, passed away on Friday at the age of 70 after battling an infection. His last rites will be held on Saturday.

Widely regarded as the face of Indian advertising, Pandey spent over four decades at Ogilvy, where he served as Chief Creative Officer Worldwide and Executive Chairman, India. Joining the firm in 1982, he began by writing ads for Sunlight Detergent before revolutionizing brand storytelling with his uniquely Indian touch, humor, and emotional resonance. Under his leadership, Ogilvy India topped The Economic Times’ Agency Reckoner for 12 consecutive years.

A recipient of the Padma Shri in 2016, Pandey also explored cinema and music—appearing in Madras Café, penning “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,” and co-writing Bhopal Express.

Tributes poured in from across industries. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed him as a “titan and legend of Indian advertising,” while Uday Kotak remembered him as “a humble, out-of-the-box thinker” who launched Kotak Mahindra Bank with a campaign rooted in “common sense.”

At least three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said on Friday. The victims, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had travelled from Urgun to Sharana to play in a friendly match. The ACB said the players were killed “after returning home to Urgun” when they were targeted “in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” Five others also lost their lives in the strike.

Condemning the attack, the ACB announced Afghanistan’s withdrawal from next month’s tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka “as a gesture of respect to the victims.” In a post on X, the board expressed “deep sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District.”

Afghanistan’s T20 captain Rashid Khan strongly denounced the attack, calling it “immoral and barbaric.” He said, “The loss of innocent lives, including aspiring young cricketers, is a grave violation of human rights. I stand with our people—national dignity must come before all else.”

Senior player Mohammad Nabi said the incident was “a tragedy for the entire Afghan cricket family,” while pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi described it as “a heinous, unforgivable crime.”

According to Afghan media, Pakistani warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes in Paktika’s Urgun and Barmal districts, striking residential areas and causing significant civilian casualties. Kabul accused Islamabad of breaching a 48-hour ceasefire agreement that had been in place following several days of intense cross-border clashes.

The attacks occurred just as Pakistan called for an extension of the ceasefire to facilitate ongoing peace talks in Doha aimed at reducing tensions. Negotiations between the two sides are expected to resume on Saturday amid heightened regional unease.

US President Donald Trump on Friday defended his proposed 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, calling it a temporary but necessary step to pressure Beijing ahead of his forthcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speaking to Fox Business Network, Trump said, “It’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is. They forced me to do that,” adding that he remained optimistic about the outcome of the talks scheduled in two weeks.

The new tariff plan, announced on October 10, is set to take effect from November 1. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “Given China’s unprecedented stance, the United States will impose a 100 per cent tariff on China, in addition to any tariffs currently in place.” He also indicated plans to tighten export controls on “any and all critical software.”

Trump accused China of “trade hostility” and hinted he might cancel the meeting with Xi if tensions persist. Earlier this year, the tariff war between Washington and Beijing had escalated to record highs of 145 per cent and 125 per cent, respectively. Following recent negotiations, the rates had eased to 30 per cent on US tariffs and 10 per cent on Chinese goods.

President Donald Trump’s preference for one-on-one deals is facing a major stress test as his fragile trade truce with China teeters on collapse. Beijing’s latest move to impose sweeping export controls on rare earths and critical minerals—vital for US defense and tech industries—triggered shockwaves in Washington. Markets initially shrugged off the news, but Trump’s fiery Truth Social post threatening a “massive increase” in tariffs sent Wall Street into a tailspin, marking its worst selloff in six months.

The renewed escalation comes weeks before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in South Korea to finalize a trade pact. Analysts say Beijing’s assertiveness reflects its growing leverage, given US dependence on Chinese materials. “China’s testing the limits of Trump’s transactional diplomacy,” noted Jon Hillman of the Council on Foreign Relations.

While Trump’s bilateral style may work with smaller nations, experts warn it falters against an increasingly self-reliant China. With both sides weaponizing export controls on semiconductors and critical minerals, the specter of another full-blown trade war looms large—one that could reshape global markets and test Trump’s vaunted dealmaking prowess like never before.

In the wake of the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, political tremors are being felt across Tamil Nadu. With Tamil actor Vijay’s political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), under scrutiny, major national parties are eyeing a new opportunity. Sources reveal that the BJP has reached out to TVK leadership, assuring support if Vijay is unfairly targeted by the ruling DMK. The BJP believes DMK could face strong anti-incumbency in the 2026 Assembly elections and sees Vijay’s massive fan base as a potential game-changer.

Vijay had earlier announced TVK would contest alone in 2026, but recent developments may prompt a strategic rethink. The BJP has suggested patience, signalling a possible understanding as it works to consolidate opposition votes. Congress, too, has reached out, highlighting how national parties are keen to break the dominance of Dravidian majors.

While the DMK blames TVK for the stampede, other parties have softened their stance, especially after the NDA claimed the state government also bears responsibility. With the SIT now probing the incident, the outcome may shape TVK’s political trajectory. BJP is cautious not to upset its AIADMK alliance but sees Vijay as vital to expanding its southern reach.

Two people were killed and 22 injured on Monday in violent clashes during protests in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where thousands have taken to the streets against Islamabad’s policies. Eyewitnesses and reports said armed thugs backed by the Pakistan Army and ISI-sponsored Muslim Conference opened fire on civilians demanding basic rights. Videos circulating online show gunmen firing in the air, protesters scaling cars, and locals displaying spent bullet shells as evidence of live fire.

The unrest, led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), has triggered a region-wide shutdown. Shops, markets, and transport services remain closed, paralyzing daily life. Protesters have raised 38 demands, including the abolition of 12 PoK Assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan: a move locals believe distorts representative governance.

“Our campaign is for fundamental rights denied for over 70 years… either deliver on rights or face the wrath of the people,” AAC chief Shaukat Nawaz Mir declared. He warned that the strike was only “Plan A,” with harsher measures in reserve.

Islamabad has responded with force. Heavily armed troops have staged flag marches across PoK towns, and over 1,000 reinforcements have been dispatched from the capital. Additional battalions have been diverted from Punjab province, while internet services across the region face restrictions.

The crisis in PoK comes days after another tragedy, Pakistani Air Force JF-17 jets bombed a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Chinese LS-6 precision-guided munitions, killing 30 civilians. The strikes, meant to target militants, deepened anger in an area already reeling from terror attacks by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, who relocated after India’s Operation Sindoor.

With civil discontent spreading, Pakistan’s military crackdown risks igniting a larger uprising in its restive territories.

Protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status spiraled into violence today, leaving four people dead and 45 injured, including 22 police personnel. The clashes mark a dangerous turn in a strategically sensitive region that borders China and Pakistan, amplifying security concerns for New Delhi. Government sources alleged the unrest was orchestrated, accusing activist Sonam Wangchuk of pursuing personal ambitions and drawing inspiration from Arab Spring-style movements, while also pointing to provocative statements by Congress leaders.

Officials underlined that the Centre had already scheduled a high-powered committee meeting with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for October 6, with discussions to advance the talks to late September. “When dialogue was on the table, why provoke unrest in a fragile borderland?” one source questioned.

The violence saw a BJP office set ablaze and CRPF personnel targeted. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta alleged that mobs even tried to burn paramilitary forces inside their vehicle.

Calling off his two-week hunger strike, Wangchuk appealed for calm, warning that violence undermines Ladakh’s cause. The unrest comes as India faces heightened geopolitical pressures, making Ladakh’s stability crucial to national security and international optics.