After two phases of voting for the Bihar Assembly Elections, the counting of votes and announcement of results is underway on Friday. With a record turnout of over 66 percent in both phases, the stakes are high for both the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. As Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav battle it out, the people of Bihar have cast their votes for development, employment and women's empowerment. Meanwhile, RJD leader Upendra Kushwaha has taken a dig at Yadav, stating that he must change his approach and the behavior of his party in order to return to power in the coming years.
A recent investigation by ProPublica has uncovered evidence that Fox News repeatedly provided misleading coverage of the protests in Portland, Oregon. This was brought to light after President Donald Trump cited something he saw on television as justification for sending National Guard troops to the city. Upon further examination, ProPublica found that Fox News had aired footage from the 2020 protests after the police killing of George Floyd and passed it off as recent events. Their coverage consistently portrayed the protesters in a negative light, using phrases like "violent demonstrators" and "war-like protests."
Following the Congress party's disappointing performance in the Bihar elections, securing only two out of 61 contested seats, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has maintained a surprising silence. While there has been speculation of his whereabouts, with some rumors suggesting he may have traveled abroad, Gandhi has not made any comments on the election results or his party's performance. This has prompted questions and criticism from both BJP leaders and social media users.
Despite predictions of a weakened performance, Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has defied expectations and retained four out of five seats in the Seemanchal region of Bihar. This impressive feat solidifies AIMIM's position as the party with the most Muslim MLAs and a significant increase in vote share. The victories also showcase the party's appeal across different Muslim communities, winning in areas dominated by Kulhaiya and Surjapuri groups. The AIMIM's wins have left other parties, such as the JD-U and RJD, trailing behind in these crucial elections.
Newly released documents from the House Oversight Committee reveal that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein mentioned President Trump in an email exchange about his Thanksgiving plans in 2017. In the exchange, Epstein named prominent figures such as Eva Andersson-Dubin and her husband Glenn Dubin, and then listed "David fizel," "hanson," and "trump" as others who would be present. The White House has dismissed the emails, with a spokesperson stating that they prove nothing and are being used as a distraction from Democratic defeats in the shutdown fight. Attempts to reach those mentioned in the emails were unsuccessful.
The government shutdown may have ended, but the controversy surrounding the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is far from over. As lawmakers returned to session, four Republican congress members took a stand by signing a discharge petition to force a vote on the release of classified documents related to Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell. However, the pressure from their party and the President may cause these congress members to break ranks before the vote takes place.
The investigation into the explosion near Red Fort on Monday evening that killed 13 people has led to the tracing of two vehicles - a white Hyundai i20 and a red Ford EcoSport. However, security agencies are still searching for a third car, believed to be a Maruti Brezza, that is linked to the blast. In the meantime, the death toll has risen to 13 with the passing of another injured person, identified as Bilal, at the LNJP Hospital. Police continue to carry out searches in Delhi-NCR and adjoining states to locate the elusive third car.
The investigation into the Delhi blast case has taken a significant turn as CCTV footage from 50 locations was found, revealing the movements of the blast accused, Dr Umar, across Delhi before reaching the Red Fort. The new footage shows him repeatedly looking at the camera and stopping at various locations, including a mosque, before heading to the blast site. Sources have also uncovered diaries belonging to the accused that mention the planning of the incident during a four-day period in November.
US Senator Marco Rubio has commended India's handling of the investigation into the recent explosion near Delhi's Red Fort, describing it as "very professional" and saying that Indian authorities are more than capable of managing it independently. This comes as Indian agencies continue their efforts to uncover the truth behind the blast, including its possible ties to a major terror module. Rubio's remarks were made following a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where they also discussed bilateral and global issues.
Pakistan's parliament passed a constitutional amendment granting expanded powers to Army Chief Asim Munir and curtailing the authority of the Supreme Court. The reform strips the court of jurisdiction over constitutional cases, transfers them to a new Federal Constitutional Court, and gives Munir lifetime legal immunity. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed it as a step toward “institutional harmony and national unity," opposition lawmakers and legal experts warned that the change further consolidates military power and undermines the separation of powers in a breach of the judicial system. The military will now hold formal constitutional authority, cementing its role at the core of the state's power structure.