Nitish Kumar resigned as Chief Minister of Bihar on Wednesday, clearing the way to form a new government after the NDA’s big win in the state polls. He was unanimously elected as the NDA legislative leader earlier in the day. Nitish Kumar and senior NDA leaders then met Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and submitted support letters to stake claim. The oath ceremony will be held on Thursday at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, with PM Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders expected to attend. NDA leaders said they will work together for Bihar’s development and fulfil the hopes of the people. (PC: India Today)

Seven Maoists were killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district, a day after top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma was shot dead. Those killed include IED expert Tech Shankar and several key members linked to Maoist units in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Police said the encounter is part of a month-long intelligence-led crackdown. Fifty Maoist cadres have been arrested across multiple districts in recent days. Weapons, documents and cash were recovered. Police said many Maoists fled from Bastar after Hidma’s death and tried to hide in Andhra towns. The operation against the banned CPI (Maoist) continues. (PC: NDTV)

At least 20 people, including two children, were killed in a major Russian drone and missile strike on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil. Officials said 66 others were injured, with 16 children among them. Two apartment blocks were hit, and one collapsed from the third to the ninth floor. Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions were also attacked, and more than 30 people were wounded in Kharkiv. Ukraine said Russia launched over 470 drones and 47 missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned many may still be trapped under debris. The strikes caused power cuts and damaged energy and transport sites across the region. (PC: BBC)

In a viral video speech, Pakistani politician Chaudhry Anwarul Haq claimed that terror groups struck India “from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir.” He referenced the November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort — linked to a Jaish-e-Mohammed-connected “white-collar” module — which killed 14. Haq also pointed to the April Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed, framing them as coordinated retaliation for India “bleeding Balochistan.” 

India head coach Gautam Gambhir responded to criticism over the surface at Eden Gardens after India’s 30-run loss to South Africa national cricket team in Kolkata. He stated the wicket “was what we asked for” and rejected ideas it was unplayable, saying there were “no demons” in it. Former India great Sunil Gavaskar backed Gambhir, arguing India’s batting technique—not the pitch—was to blame. Meanwhile, curator Sujan Mukherjee defended his work, saying he prepared the track as instructed despite widespread criticism of its sharp turn and variable bounce. (PC: HT)

Nitish Kumar has been elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, paving the way for his swearing-in as Chief Minister for an unprecedented tenth term. On 20 November 2025, he will take oath at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders expected to attend. Ahead of this, he has tendered his resignation and submitted a letter of support from all alliance partners, following the formal dissolution of the outgoing assembly. (PC: AFP)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested the indigenous CE20 cryogenic engine in a “bootstrap-mode” start under vacuum conditions, where the turbopumps were initiated without the usual stored-gas system. This ground test marks a critical advancement in enabling multiple in-flight restarts of cryogenic upper-stage engines, a capability crucial for extended missions and orbital manoeuvres. The trial reinforces ISRO’s push toward greater flexibility and reliability in its future launch vehicles. (PC: The Hindu)

Jaish-e-Mohammed is raising funds to prepare a new ‘fidayeen’ attack on India, intelligence sources said. The Pakistan-based group, linked to the Red Fort car bomb, has demanded ₹6,400 donations through digital apps like SadaPay. Sources said Jaish may also be planning a women-led strike. The group’s women’s wing is led by Masood Azhar’s sister, Sadiya. A key suspect in the Red Fort blast, Dr Shahina Saeed, is believed to be part of this wing. The donations will buy winter kits and supplies for fighters. Fifteen people died in the November 10 Red Fort attack carried out by a 10-member cell. (PC: NDTV)

The Bangladesh government is preparing to seek Interpol’s help to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. Both leaders were sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes during the student protests in July 2024. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has already asked India to send them back. Bangladesh’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office is drafting the formal request, which will be sent to New Delhi soon. Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 after mass protests. (PC: HT)

Congress has approved a bill ordering the US Justice Department to release files on Jeffrey Epstein. The House passed it 427-1, and the Senate cleared it without debate. The move follows President Donald Trump’s sudden call to make the records public after backlash from his supporters. The bill requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all unclassified documents within 30 days, though sensitive details can be withheld. Lawmakers from both parties pushed for transparency. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse said the release is vital for justice. Trump denies any wrongdoing and says he cut ties with Epstein years ago. (PC: BBC)