Despite losing Faizabad in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP aims to retain its stronghold in Bihar's Mithilanchal region. The party is banking on developmental projects and the consecration of the Ram temple to secure votes in the upcoming assembly elections, while the Mahagathbandhan campaigns to challenge its dominance.

Chirag Paswan has emerged as a significant force within the NDA ahead of the Bihar elections. His party secured a substantial 29 seats in seat-sharing talks, more than any other junior ally. This success, coupled with a 100% win rate in the Lok Sabha polls, bolsters his bargaining power and positions him as a potential kingmaker in government formation.

Pakistan army chief Asim Munir issued a stern warning to India, threatening a «decisive response» and «military and economic losses beyond imagination» amid border tensions. He placed the onus of any escalation on India, urging them to resolve core issues based on equality and mutual respect.

In Bihar's 2020 elections, the Left parties, particularly CPI(ML), showed a strong performance, nearly matching the BJP's strike rate. Five years later, they are pushing for a larger seat share in the Mahagathbandhan, citing their past success and widespread presence, though negotiations remain uncertain.

A viral video shows the difficulties of walking on Indian footpaths. Content creator Caleb Friesen struggled with a baby stroller in Bengaluru, encountering numerous obstructions. His post humorously ranked these obstacles, placing pedestrians last. The video has sparked conversations about footpath accessibility across Indian cities. Friesen aims to raise awareness about these issues.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin criticised the Centre, questioning its «arrogance» in naming projects in Hindi and Sanskrit. He also alleged «vote theft» in Bihar's revision exercise and accused the Centre of suppressing Tamil Nadu's ancient civilisation. Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu echoed these sentiments, citing denied funds and stalled projects as political vendetta.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, a veteran politician and Union Minister, remains a significant figure in Bihar's political landscape despite his party's modest vote share. His influence among Mahadalits and in the Magadh region could prove crucial for the NDA in the upcoming elections, where caste dynamics are decisive.

Commuters who tap in at the six stations between Punggol Coast and Kovan as well as those along the Sengkang-Punggol LRT (SPLRT) during morning off-peak timings will enjoy free rides come Dec 27.This was announced by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow on Saturday (Oct 18), on the sidelines of the official opening of Punggol Coast Bus Interchange.Those who wish to enjoy the free rides will have to tap in at the abovementioned stations before 7.30am or between 9am and 9.45am on weekdays, excluding public holidays, said Siow.According to a statement by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on the same day, no registration is required to enjoy the free rides, but the same fare card or payment mode must be used for entry and exit.Guest of honour for the opening ceremony and Punggol GRC MP, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong told the media that he had received feedback from residents about the crowd on the the North-East Line (NEL), as the northeast region becomes more densely populated.He then suggested bringing back the free off-peak morning rides.

Garowe (HOL) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has signed into law the “Puntland Anti-Terrorism Law,” a new measure granting expanded powers to security agencies in the region.

The mission stressed that the lack of direct condemnation undermined trust in the UN Secretariat’s ability to take a firm stand on protecting freedom of speech

Twelve drones were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

According to the TV channel, the White House meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky «as a tense, frank and, at times, uncomfortable discussion»

Finnish journalist Janus Putkonen also noted that Russian officials had repeatedly said that the Alaska agreements «are still there and all agreements remain in force»

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that the US leader «works around the clock in the pursuit of peace»

The Speaker of Parliament has summoned all Members of Parliament to meet for this year's Second Ordinary Session next week to debate 19 different bills.Members of Parliament will debate on the proposed laws with the aim of refining and passing…

Julia Charley (Host): Hello and welcome to another edition of Kava mo Kajap! I’m your host, Julia Charley. Today, we’re joined by an incredible team from Pacific Cure, an Australia-based company led by a proud Ni-Vanuatu from Ambae Island, Mrs.…

The Government of Vanuatu, in partnership with the Future Fund through the Capital Investment Immigration Programme (CIIP), has broken ground for the construction of the Bellevue–Sweetie Bypass Road.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed recently between the Vanuatu and Indonesia Chambers of Commerce to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.

While the government is focussed on boosting the nation’s cattle production, concerns have been raised during the National Commercial Commodity Forum over cattle allegedly owed by Milai Ltd, despite millions of vatu already spent.

WESTERN BUREAU: Rohan Rose, the security guard who was charged for allegedly concealing information he had received about the death of social media influencer, Aneka ‘Slickianna’ Townsend, who was murdered in Montego Bay in 2022, is slated to stand...

A TOUCH of elegance, class and camaraderie set the perfect backdrop for the installation ceremony of the new administration of the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, held recently at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. The past year was filled with great...

OVER 300 students at the University of Technology (UTech), The University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts continue to benefit from the GraceKennedy Campus Connect Food Bank, as the...

ALEXANDER BUSTAMANTE and Norman Washington Manley are widely regarded as the fathers of Jamaica’s political independence, the process of which ended on August 6, 1962 when Jamaica officially ceased to be a colony of Britain. There were also a new...

PAUL BOGLE was born James Bogle. He was called Paul after he became a deacon in the native Baptist Church. He fathered at least three children – William, Richard and Cecelia. He was a small cane farmer and businessman who owned horses. Along with...

Free schools supported by the Galmudug education authority failed to open in several parts of Adado district this academic year due to a funding shortfall.

Twenty one people were injured in a lorry collision on Wednesday night (Oct 15) and one driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing grievous hurt.The police said in a statement on Friday evening (Oct 17) that the 24-year-old driver was ferrying nine passengers when he allegedly ran a red light at the traffic junction of Choa Chu Kang Way by Sungei Kadut Avenue and Sungei Kadut Loop.The lorry collided with another lorry, which had 11 passengers, as the latter vehicle was proceeding through the junction on a green light.Apart from the driver who ran the red light, the remaining 21 people from both vehicles were taken to hospitals.The injuries they sustained include fractures, lacerations and bodily pains.

Twelve persons aged between 25 and 35 have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the possession and distribution of e-vaporisers on Oct 16. The 12 were arrested at a carpark in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 when they were allegedly gathering and distributing the e-vaporisers.“They are believed to be part of an e-vaporiser syndicate that orchestrated the importation and distribution of e-vaporisers from Malaysia into Singapore, and has been supplying to residents,” the police said in a joint statement with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Saturday (Oct 18).Following the arrests, raids were conducted at Upper Jurong Road, Canberra Drive and Jalan Sendudok, which included two storage locations allegedly used by the syndicate.Police said they coordinated with HSA to seize more than 64,000 e-vaporisers and its related components during the raids. The seized vapes have an estimated street value of $560,000.Eight cars, electronic devices such as mobile phones and SIM cards, and cash amounting to more than $16,000 were also seized during the operation. 

A happy holiday in Singapore took a sour turn when this tourist's $3,000 was allegedly stolen by a hotel housekeeper.A Taiwanese tourist, known as Yang, said his cash was taken by a housekeeper at Village Hotel Sentosa on Friday (Oct 17).In his post on Threads, Yang said he checked into the hotel on Thursday evening (Oct 16) and went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Singapore.Before leaving, Yang said he placed around $3,000 worth of cash in a plastic bag from Marina Bay Sands. He then left the bag on a white counter in his hotel room.According to Yang's post, the plastic bag with cash was stolen on Friday.«When this happened, I felt so helpless,» Yang wrote in Chinese. «The hotel manager said he really trusts his staff and there was no way such an incident would happen.»Rummaged through hotel's garbageYang said he rummaged through the hotel's garbage collection to no avail until the police arrived.After searching the housekeeper and her storage locker, the police found the same Marina Bay Sands plastic bag Yang used for his money, he wrote.

Despite rubble and unexploded ordnance, there is a notable increase in the pace of aid delivery in Gaza, a UN spokesperson said Friday.

Kenya has held a state funeral for revered opposition leader Raila Odinga, a day after security forces killed several people after opening fire to disperse crowds of mourners at a stadium hosting a public viewing of his body.

Doha (HOL) — Somali Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Yusuf Mohamed met with Turkey’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, in Doha, Qatar, on Friday to discuss the implementation of a bilateral labour cooperation agreement between the two countries.