Satellite phone services have been restored for over 30 fishermen from Tamil Nadu. The Department of Telecommunications and BSNL intervened to bring back Inmarsat connectivity. A private operator also provided temporary service. This enabled stranded fishermen to receive weather alerts and return safely. Efforts are ongoing to ensure full service restoration for all.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will not contest the Bihar assembly elections, citing seat-sharing disputes and alleged disrespect from opposition parties. The party also announced it will review its alliance with Congress and RJD in Jharkhand. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions within the Mahagathbandhan over seat allocation for the upcoming polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with naval personnel aboard the INS Vikrant, highlighting their courage and dedication. He emphasized the aircraft carrier's significance as a symbol of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and India's growing defence prowess. PM Modi conveyed Diwali wishes to the soldiers and their families, calling them his own.

DRDO has partnered with Sagar Defence Engineering for the production of the unexploded ordnance handling robot (UXOR). This advanced robot, capable of neutralizing ordnance up to 1,000 kg, will be deployed by the IAF to enhance safety during bomb disposal missions. UXOR features remote operation up to 2 km and cross-terrain mobility, with extensive trials confirming its reliability.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Delhi's historic Ghantewala sweet shop, trying his hand at making imarti. The shop owner recalled serving the Gandhi family for generations. Gandhi shared a video of the visit on Diwali, emphasizing the sweetness of relationships and community.

Bihar's RJD announced its 143 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, asserting its dominance in the Mahagathbandhan despite internal tensions. The party aims to unseat chief minister Nitish Kumar, with Tejashwi Yadav's political future at stake. The alliance faces challenges with overlapping candidacies and ambiguity over a chief ministerial face.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Indian naval personnel aboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He witnessed an impressive air power demonstration and interacted with officers and sailors. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of self-reliance and lauded the courage of the Navy. This visit continues his annual tradition of celebrating Diwali with the armed forces.

US President Donald Trump once again claimed he averted a war between India and Pakistan by threatening steep trade tariffs. He stated that warning both nations of 200% tariffs pushed them to de-escalate tensions following military actions. India, however, has consistently denied any foreign intervention in its diplomatic and military responses.

Delhi-NCR faces Stage II of GRAP as air quality plummets to 'very poor'. Authorities have mandated intensified dust control, expanded public transport, and restricted diesel generator use. Daily road sweeping and water sprinkling are ordered, with increased parking fees to deter private vehicles. Residents voice concerns over recurring pollution.

Ayodhya's Deepotsav 2025 illuminated the city with millions of diyas, marking the ninth edition of the festival celebrating Lord Ram's life. The event set two Guinness World Records for the most people performing simultaneous diya rotations and the largest display of oil lamps. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festivities, which also featured Ramayana-themed tableaux, folk performances, and drone shows.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath launched a strong attack on the Congress and Samajwadi Party at Deepotsav-2025, accusing them of insulting India's faith and obstructing the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He highlighted their alleged past actions, including calling Lord Ram a myth and firing at devotees, contrasting them with the current celebration of truth and faith in Ayodhya.

Karnataka deputy CM D K Shivakumar responded to criticism of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, saying he welcomes feedback but some are “doing it too much.” He accused industry leaders, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, of forgetting their roots. Mazumdar-Shaw rejected this, citing past critiques. Shivakumar highlighted population growth and the “fix my pothole” initiative, while BJP leader R Ashoka condemned the government’s intimidation of citizens.

RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari urged Mahagathbandhan partners to understand ground realities regarding seat-sharing, stating RJD's focus is solely on Bihar. This comes amid disagreements, with JMM deciding to contest six seats alone. Congress, however, claims all decisions are finalized, awaiting announcement.

Bihar's Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary criticized the Mahagathbandhan for internal conflict and a lack of seat-sharing strategy. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will contest Bihar polls independently after failing to agree on pacts. Union Minister Giriraj Singh predicted a major NDA victory, citing the opposition's disarray and lack of public trust in Tejashwi Yadav.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah's demand for statehood to repeal the controversial Public Safety Act. Owaisi highlighted the law's historical misuse by various governments, leading to widespread human rights violations and detentions without trial for thousands since 1978.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will contest the Bihar polls independently, citing contradictions and betrayal within the Mahagathbandhan. The party announced it will field candidates in six seats, asserting its influence in forming the next Bihar government. This decision follows the failure to finalize an alliance pact for the first phase of the Bihar elections.

Bihar's upcoming assembly elections hinge on the Dalit vote, comprising 20% of the population. Both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan are actively wooing this crucial bloc. The Mahagathbandhan is branding the BJP as 'anti-Dalit' following recent incidents, while the NDA relies on key Dalit leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan to consolidate support.

Hundreds of Diwali travelers faced disruptions as an Air India Dreamliner's technical snag at Milan airport led to the cancellation of flight AI138 to Delhi on Friday. Most of the 250 passengers have been rebooked for October 20, coinciding with the festival, with the airline providing hotel accommodations and ground assistance.

India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has achieved a groundbreaking first, detecting the impact of solar Coronal Mass Ejections on the Moon's tenuous atmosphere. Using the CHACE-2 instrument, scientists observed a significant surge in the Moon's exospheric pressure and density when hit by these powerful solar bursts. This direct observation validates long-held theories and offers vital insights for future lunar missions and habitat planning.