Author: Rahul M

After days of negotiations, the Congress Thursday finally announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the chief minister face of the Mahagathbandhan. In addition, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani was declared the alliance’s deputy chief minister face, with Congress leader Ashok Gehlot saying they could consider other names too as Deputy CMs after the polls.The Indian Express had reported that among the main issues holding up the seat-sharing deal between the RJD and Congress was the Congress’s refusal to endorse Tejashwi as the CM face before the polls. The announcement regarding Tejashwi and Sahani was made by senior Congress…

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Thursday heaped more economic sanctions on Russia, adding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s new punitive measures the previous day against the Russian oil industry.It is a broadened effort to choke off the revenue that funds Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and to force President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war.The steps are a triumph for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has long campaigned for the international community to punish Russia more comprehensively for attacking his country.“We waited for this. God bless, it will work. And this is very important,” the Ukrainian…

Good Vs Bad Cholesterol: For years, cholesterol has been painted as the enemy of the heart, but the truth is more nuanced. Cholesterol is essential for hormone production and cell repair. The real concern is the type and balance. LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) can deposit in arteries, while HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) helps clear it away. Problems arise when LDL outweighs HDL.  Dr Dithesh M, Consultant Cardiology, KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, Mangalore, says, “Dietary choices play a part, but genetics often decide how our body handles cholesterol. That is why two people eating the same diet may have very different…

The Bengaluru rural police arrested three men Wednesday for allegedly gang-raping a 30-year-old woman from West Bengal and stealing her valuables during a violent house invasion Tuesday. The accused, identified as Karthik, Glen Verghese, and Suyoga, aged between 22 and 25, along with three accomplices, allegedly forcibly entered the woman’s house, threatened her, and demanded money and valuables. They stole two mobile phones and Rs 25,000 in cash, said the police. While three men allegedly raped the woman, the others stood guard outside. Superintendent of Police C K Baba said they received the complaint around 12.30 am Wednesday. Acting immediately…

Vietnam targets universal preschool education for children aged 3 to 5 Hanoi, Oct 23 (IANS) Vietnam aims to achieve universal preschool education for children aged 3 to 5 by 2030, according to a newly issued government decree, local media reported on Thursday. The decree calls for strengthened investment from both central and local budgets in educational infrastructure, while encouraging the mobilisation of social resources to develop preschool facilities, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting local daily Nhan Dan. By 2030, all classrooms are expected to be permanent structures, fully equipped with functional rooms, libraries, indoor and outdoor play areas, teaching materials,…

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insisted on Thursday that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets that are held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in coming years.Ukraine’s budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around $153 billion, and the European Union’s executive branch has been developing a plan to use Russia’s frozen assets as collateral to drum up funds.The biggest tranche of those assets — some $225 billion worth — are held in Belgium, and…

Wellington, Oct 23 (IANS) New Zealand greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.5 per cent, or 287 kilotonnes, in the June 2025 quarter, local media reported on Thursday. The decline was mainly driven by a 3.2 per cent drop in manufacturing emissions, particularly led by petroleum, chemical, polymer, and rubber product sectors, which declined 41.2 per cent due to natural gas shortages, said Stats NZ environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam, reports Xinhua news agency. Industry emissions, excluding households, decreased 1.5 per cent, or 258 kilotonnes, while household emissions dipped 0.6 per cent, or 12 kilotonnes. This coincided with a 0.9 per cent…

After weeks of tussle over seat-sharing in the INDIA bloc, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has been chosen as the chief ministerial candidate of the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who formally made the announcement during a joint press conference of alliance partners in Patna, said the decision was unanimous among the allies. He described Tejashwi as “young” and “committed to Bihar’s future.” “Our leader is Tejashwi Yadav,” Gehlot declared, before taking a swipe at the BJP. “I want to ask Amit Shah, our Chief Ministerial face is clear. Who is theirs?”…

North Korea says it tested 2 hypersonic projectiles, successfully hit target Seoul, Oct 23 (IANS) North Korea said Thursday it has successfully tested two hypersonic projectiles, calling them a new “important” weapon system, adding that the “cutting-edge” missiles strengthen the North’s war deterrence. “Two hypersonic projectiles launched from the Ryokpho District, Pyongyang Municipality, toward the northeast direction hit the target point on the tableland of Kwesang Peak in Orang County, North Hamgyong Province,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. The test, conducted the previous day by the Missile Administration, was part of a defence capability development programme aimed at…

Two more Baloch civilians killed at hands of Pak-backed death squads: Rights body Quetta, Oct 23 (IANS) At least two Baloch youth were extrajudicially killed by a Pakistan-backed death squad in Balochistan, said a leading human rights organisation on Thursday. The latest act of brutality comes against the backdrop of a continuing cycle of persecution marked by a surge in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture across the province. Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) mentioned that Zahoor Baloch, a 20-year-old labourer and a resident of Paroom region in Panjgur district, was forcibly abducted by a state-backed death squad…