Bihar Elections Heat Up with CM Candidate Announcement and PM's Remarks

The political landscape in Bihar is abuzz as the opposition INDIA bloc officially declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections. This decision comes after weeks of intense deliberations, aiming to project unity within the alliance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, launched a scathing attack on the RJD-Congress alliance, stating that people would not forget the "jungle raj" for another 100 years. The BJP, in response to Yadav's nomination, dismissed his promises as "empty rhetoric" and warned against a return to the "dark era of Jungle Raj." The Congress party's Bihar in-charge, Krishna Alavaru, claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is unwell, alleging that the BJP is governing the state by proxy, and challenged the NDA to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate.

Delhi's Air Quality Plummets to 'Very Poor' Post-Diwali

Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, with the air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category for the fourth consecutive day following the Diwali celebrations. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 325, with most areas falling into the red zone. This persistent hazardous smog has raised significant health and environmental concerns across the Delhi-NCR region.

Major Boost for India's Defence Capabilities

In a significant step towards modernizing the country's military, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared defence proposals worth approximately ₹79,000 crore. This substantial procurement deal aims to enhance the capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, bolstering national security and firepower.

India and Bhutan Strengthen Bilateral Security Cooperation

India and Bhutan held a high-level meeting in Thimphu to review their bilateral security cooperation and border management. Discussions covered crucial issues such as mobile signal spillover, the future roadmap for integrated check posts, maintenance of boundary pillars, and cross-border movement. Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the cordial discussions and reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and prosperous border region.

World Bank Program to Enhance Health Coverage in Kerala

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a new program aimed at improving the life expectancy and quality of life for 11 million elderly and vulnerable people in the state of Kerala. The program focuses on providing wider access to health coverage and building resilient health systems. This initiative is expected to significantly benefit the state, which has already made sustained health gains over the past two decades.

PM Modi to Attend ASEAN Summit Virtually Amidst Political Jabs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to participate in the ASEAN summit virtually, opting out of a physical visit to Malaysia. This decision drew a jibe from the Congress party, which claimed that PM Modi was skipping the summit to avoid being "cornered" by former US President Trump.