Tejashwi Yadav unveiled a significant electoral promise: Jeevika Didis will become permanent government employees with a Rs 30,000 monthly salary. He criticized the current government's Rs 10,000 scheme as a bribe, assuring loan interest waivers and interest-free credit for Jeevika Didis. Yadav highlighted public discontent with the 'double-engine' government over corruption and unemployment.

Los Angeles City Hall celebrated Diwali with a special event hosted by the City Council and the Consulate General of India, recognizing the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump participated in White House festivities, highlighting the symbolic meaning of Diwali and its connection to US-India relations.

An Air India flight from Mumbai to Newark made a precautionary return to Mumbai four hours after takeoff due to a suspected technical issue. The Boeing 777 landed safely, but the return flight from Newark was also cancelled. Affected passengers are being assisted with rebooking and accommodation, with safety being the airline's top priority.

Congress criticizes the government after US President Trump claimed India will reduce Russian oil imports, alleging Prime Minister Modi is concealing details. While Trump stated Modi assured him of cutbacks, the MEA denies any such assurance. The opposition accuses the government of a «frightened» foreign policy and outsourcing decisions to the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked US President Donald Trump for his Diwali greetings and phone call, highlighting India and the US as «great democracies» united against terrorism. Trump also extended Diwali wishes, mentioning discussions on trade and the situation with Pakistan, despite recent US tariffs on Indian oil imports.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar declared his return to the NDA «for good,» citing «circumstances» as the reason for past alliances with the RJD. He criticized the RJD's previous rule, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and law and order under his leadership, while emphasizing his government's focus on women's empowerment.

As Bihar's second phase of elections nears, the INDIA bloc faces internal conflicts with allies contesting against each other on at least 11 seats. Meanwhile, opposition leaders and social media campaigns appear largely inactive, leaving candidates to campaign independently amidst uncertainty about the official launch.

Wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk submitted a representation calling charges against him «flimsy and baseless.» She stated that videos cited by authorities were taken out of context and misinterpreted, arguing his arrest aims to silence peaceful advocacy for Ladakh's statehood and democratic rights.

Congress has withdrawn from the Nagrota assembly bypoll in J&K, supporting ally National Conference to unite against the BJP. This strategic move, despite NC offering the seat, aims to counter the BJP's influence. The byelection follows the death of the sitting BJP MLA, with his daughter now nominated by the party.

India is set to acquire approximately Rs 10,000 crore worth of missiles for its S-400 air defence system, bolstering its capabilities after its reported success in Operation Sindoor. Discussions are underway with Russia to enhance long-range strike and interception, with the Defence Acquisition Council expected to review the proposal soon.

The Delhi High Court has ordered Google to use its technology to stop fake advertisements on YouTube featuring AI-generated images and deep-fake videos of Sadhguru. The court directed Google to immediately halt ads depicting Sadhguru's arrest and to collaborate with the Isha Foundation on a permanent solution. This follows previous court orders protecting Sadhguru's personality rights, yet deceptive ads and scams persist.

India has officially reopened its embassy in Kabul, upgrading its technical mission to a full diplomatic presence. This move aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand India's developmental and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The decision follows a meeting between India's External Affairs Minister and Afghanistan's Foreign Minister.

Bihar's Mahagathbandhan alliance is experiencing internal friction. Seat-sharing issues are causing confusion and overlapping nominations for the upcoming 2025 assembly elections. Smaller allies feel sidelined, with JMM withdrawing from the state-level arrangement. These coordination challenges could impact vote splits in key constituencies. Leaders are working to resolve disputes before polling begins.

AIMIM has released its first list of 25 candidates for the Bihar assembly elections, notably including two non-Muslim nominees. This move signifies Asaduddin Owaisi's strategy to broaden the party's appeal beyond its traditional Muslim base and position it as a social justice platform for all communities, aiming to contest beyond the Seemanchal region.

Tejashwi Yadav has questioned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's fitness to lead, sharing a video of the CM struggling at a rally. Yadav also alleged Nitish's party might have deliberately incapacitated him. This renewed criticism comes as Assembly elections loom, with Yadav suggesting Nitish's behavior raises governance concerns.

Bihar's 2025 assembly elections are set for a high-stakes contest on November 6 and 11. Key constituencies like Raghopur and Mahua will witness intense battles, including family strongholds and 'friendly fights' between INDIA bloc partners, highlighting the RJD-Congress vs. BJP-JD(U) rivalry.