In the recent Bihar Assembly elections, a surge of female participation proved decisive in securing a strong victory for Nitish Kumar’s NDA alliance. Women’s voting turnout—around 71%—far outpaced men’s, reflecting deep support for schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which provided ₹10,000 to over a crore women. Combined with long-term policies like panchayat reservations and self-help groups (Jeevika), this “women-first” strategy consolidated a reliable vote base, tipping the electoral balance firmly in favor of Kumar. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a new "MY formula" after NDA's sweeping Bihar victory, redefining it as "Mahila and Youths" instead of RJD's traditional "Muslims-Yadavs" votebank. Speaking at BJP headquarters, Modi credited women and youth across religions and castes for destroying the "old communal MY formula of Jungle Raj people." The NDA secured 202 seats versus Mahagathbandhan's 35 in Bihar's record 67.13% voter turnout, highest since 1951. Modi contrasted today's peaceful elections with RJD's "Jungle Raj" era of booth vandalization and ballot box theft, declaring "Katta Sarkar will never return to Bihar." He emphasized people voted for development and "Viksit Bharat," hitting out at opposition's alleged appeasement policies.

Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass with figures of 5/27 as India bowled out South Africa for 159 on Day 1 of the first Test at Eden Gardens on Friday. Despite India fielding four spinners for the first time since 2012, Bumrah dominated with his 16th five-wicket haul, turning South Africa's solid 57/0 start into a collapse of 10 wickets for 102 runs. Mohammed Siraj took 2/47 while Kuldeep Yadav grabbed 2/29. India closed at 37/1 with KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) unbeaten, trailing by 122 runs. A crowd of over 36,000 witnessed South Africa's second-lowest total after a fifty-plus opening stand since readmission.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged Bihar's election "wasn't fair from the beginning" after Mahagathbandhan's crushing defeat, with NDA securing 200 seats versus INDIA bloc's 35. Gandhi thanked voters but promised to "deeply review" results and intensify the fight to "protect Constitution and democracy." Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed it was "Gyanesh Kumar succeeding against people," while Jairam Ramesh alleged "vote chori on gigantic scale." Shashi Tharoor called results "seriously disappointing," demanding introspection. Internal critics highlighted organizational failures, with Mumtaz Patel saying "decision-making concentrated in few hands." Congress finished with just six seats, while RJD won 23. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge respected the mandate but vowed continued struggle.

Kylian Mbappe created history on Thursday by scoring his 400th career goal during France's 4-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Ukraine at Parc des Princes. The 26-year-old Real Madrid star netted a brace, breaking Lionel Messi's 21st-century world record to become the youngest player since Pele (62 years ago) to reach this milestone. Mbappe achieved the feat at 26 years and 338 days, surpassing Messi who was 27 years and 95 days old. His tally includes 255 goals for France, 262 for Real Madrid, 246 for PSG, and 27 for Monaco. Mbappe is second-quickest this century (537 games), just behind Messi's 525-game record. Erling Haaland could potentially break both records. (PC: X)

American singer Mary Millben congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA on their Bihar election landslide, declaring women voters "the stars of this election." She praised singer Maithili Thakur's victory and called the result a mandate for development and women's empowerment. Millben stated PM Modi is "the only proven leader" who can deliver jobs, economic equality, and uplift migrant communities. She sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi and Congress supporters who had trolled her, posting "Dear Rahul Gandhi, Congress, and all the 'Gandhi Goons'" as NDA crossed 200 seats. The NDA secured 167 seats with BJP winning 78, JD(U) 66, while Mahagathbandhan managed only 25 seats.

King Charles celebrated his 77th birthday visiting storm-battered south Wales with Queen Camilla on Thursday. At Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, he met local cultural figures including BBC's Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, TikToker Lewis Leigh, and Love Island's Liam Reardon, who jokingly invited him for gym sessions. The King cut a birthday cake shaped like the 200-year-old castle and braved Storm Claudia's rain while meeting umbrella-sheltering crowds. He officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot and test-drove a tram-train. Buckingham Palace released a new photograph showing Charles at Sandringham holding a shepherd's crook. Despite ongoing cancer treatment, the monarch continues working. He's now Britain's fifth longest-lived monarch. (PC: Millie Pilkington/ Buckingham Palace)

Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history by smashing a world record 32-ball century for India against UAE in the Rising Stars Asia Cup at Doha on Friday. The 14-year-old prodigy scored a blistering 144 off just 42 balls, featuring 11 fours and 15 sixes. This marked the joint second-fastest T20 century for India, equaling Rishabh Pant's record and surpassing Rohit Sharma. Remarkably, Suryavanshi became the first batter ever to score two T20 centuries in 35 deliveries or less, having previously achieved a 35-ball IPL century for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. The youngest IPL centurion credited his strict father for keeping him disciplined and focused.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a grand entrance at BJP headquarters in Delhi on Friday evening, celebrating the NDA's resounding Bihar Assembly election victory. He waved a gamcha, Bihar's cultural symbol amid loud "Modi-Modi" chants, signaling the NDA's virtual rout of political rivals. The NDA was projected to win over 200 seats in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly, while the Mahagathbandhan was reduced to just over 30 seats. Modi's symbolic gesture with the traditional Bihari towel emphasized the magnitude of the victory and his connection with Bihar's cultural identity. The rousing welcome at party headquarters reflected the celebration of what has been described as a historic and unprecedented mandate for the NDA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the NDA's historic victory in Bihar's 2025 assembly elections, praising the Election Commission while countering Rahul Gandhi's "vote chori" allegations. The NDA crossed 197 seats in the 243-member assembly, with BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha performing strongly. Congress was reduced to single digits while RJD managed 30s. Modi thanked the EC for record 67.13% voter turnout highest since 1951 with women voters (71.6%) outnumbering men. He contrasted today's peaceful polls with Bihar's past "jungle raj" era of Maoist terror and booth capturing. Modi called Congress a "parjeevi" (parasite) party, warning allies it contributes nothing but seeks their votes. (PC: NDTV)