Author: Rahul M

New DelhiNovember 20, 2025 12:55 PM IST First published on: Nov 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM IST As the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar took oath in Patna on Thursday — the 10th time for Kumar — the scale of the victory is illustrated by the strike rates of both the JD(U) and the BJP in the election. Both parties contested 101 seats each out of 243, and won 89 and 85 constituencies, respectively. This put their strike rates, or the percentage share of seats won out of the total contested, at 88.1% and 84.2%. While the JD(U)’s strike…

South Korea’s Labour minister voices need to pass bill to raise retirement age by year-end Seoul, Nov 20 (IANS) South Korea’s Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon called for legislative efforts on Thursday to raise the statutory age of retirement by the end of this year, while emphasising that both companies and labour groups should reach a compromise amid the nation’s rapidly ageing population. Speaking to reporters at the government complex in the central city of Sejong, Kim emphasised that extending the retirement age is “a path that must be taken,” while acknowledging challenges in narrowing differences between the two sides. “Raising…

As the investigation into the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror module, which was behind the Red Fort blast, is progressing, shocking details are emerging, exposing a vicious web of terror activities. According to a report by the Indian Express, the investigating agencies have discovered a “widespread network” that connects “foreign handlers” in Afghanistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to local operatives in India. The agencies have reportedly frozen bank accounts having amounts over ₹2 lakh. They are also examining digital evidence, including call details, chats and money transfer routes. The agencies have identified three foreign handlers named Faisal Ishfaq Bhat, Hashim and Dr Ukasha, who…

New order mandates registration for all beauty centres offering clinical cosmetic treatments, tightening oversight on Botox, fillers, laser therapies and allied health services.The Karnataka government has introduced a major regulatory shift for the beauty and wellness industry by bringing spas, salons and cosmetic centres offering clinical-grade procedures under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007. The decision follows increasing reports of cosmetic treatments being carried out by unqualified individuals without medical supervision.Also Read:Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Mohandas Pai applaud Kundalahalli footpath upgrade; citizens splitAs per the government order issued on November 18, any establishment providing services such as Botox injections, dermal…

HRW urges Nepal interim govt to probe killings, arson linked to Gen Z protests New York, Nov 20 (IANS) Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based advocacy group, has called on Nepal’s interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki to investigate the excessive use of force, as well as arson and mob attacks on people and public properties during the September Gen Z protests. The advocacy group also called on the current administration to investigate the role of those who may have ordered any unlawful acts. According to the HRW, police in Kathmandu indiscriminately opened fire on protesters multiple times…

Bhupender Yadav discusses environmental cooperation with global leaders in Brazil Belem (Brazil), Nov 20 (IANS) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, held a series of bilateral meetings with global leaders on the sidelines of the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP30) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Brazil’s Belem. Yadav met Japanese Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara, where the two sides discussed effective implementation of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and other key areas of the India–Japan cooperation. “Glad to have had a very productive meeting with Hirotaka Ishihara, Minister for the Environment,…

In a shocking daylight robbery, a group of five to six men posing as officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) looted Rs 7.1 crore from a cash van in South Bengaluru on Wednesday (19th November) afternoon. The incident took place between 12:30 pm and 1 pm when the van, operated by CMS Info Systems, was transporting three boxes of cash from HDFC Bank in JP Nagar to HBR Layout, a distance of around 22 kilometres. In one of the major robberies reported recently in Bengaluru, a gang allegedly intercepted an ATM cash-loading vehicle and made off with Rs…

The Bengaluru cyber police last week busted a fake Microsoft tech support racket, allegedly targeting American citizens, after raids at Whitefield’s Sigma Soft Tech Park, and arrested 21 people. Tech support scams often involve a call or other contact informing the victim of an issue with their computer while impersonating an employee of a major software company, followed by the installation of remote access software to steal money. According to a police statement, the fraudulent company, Musk Communications, had been operating out of a 4,500-square-foot premises in the Delta Building of Whitefield’s Sigma Soft Tech Park since August. Story continues…

Indian envoy discusses bilateral ties during 1st official visit to Bolivia’s Beni Department La Paz, Nov 20 (IANS) In a significant step towards strengthening India-Bolivia bilateral ties, the Indian Ambassador to the South American country Rohit Vadhwana met Beni Governor Jose Alejandro Unzueta Chiriqui, at the Autonomous Departmental Government of Beni in Trinidad city, Bolivia. This marked the first visit by the Ambassador of India to the Department of Beni in the South American country. “Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, expanding capacity building opportunities for agriculture and livestock development, and exploring new avenues of…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Pressure is mounting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take stronger action to show accountability in the face of a corruption scandal presenting the greatest threat to his government since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Last week, Zelenskyy dismissed two top officials and imposed sanctions on close associates after government investigators revealed that $100 million had been embezzled from the country’s energy sector through kickbacks paid by contractors.But that hasn’t quieted the political storm. After more than three years of war in which Ukrainians face regular power outages as a result of Russia’s fierce bombardment, corruption in the…