The NDA alliance in Bihar is under strain after the BJP released its first list of 71 candidates. JD(U) objected to giving its seats — Sonbarsa, Rajgir, Ekma, and Morwa — to Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV) and fielded its own candidates. RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha also protested after Mahua was allotted to Paswan’s party and withheld symbols for his candidates. The BJP further refused LJP(RV) key seats like Danapur and Lalganj. The dispute has delayed the NDA’s campaign plans ahead of the November 6 and 11 assembly polls. (PC: India Today)

Washington’s policy community was stunned after Indian-origin foreign policy expert Ashley Tellis was arrested for keeping classified US documents and meeting Chinese officials. Tellis, 64, is a respected voice on US-India relations and helped shape the landmark US-India nuclear deal. He now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if found guilty. Colleagues expressed disbelief, calling him generous and influential. Tellis, once considered for the role of US Ambassador to India, has advised multiple US administrations. His 2023 essay, America’s Bad Bet on India, questioned India’s rise and drew major debate in Washington. (PC: HT)

Hamas has returned the bodies of four more Israeli hostages, the Israeli military said. The Red Cross handed the remains to the army on Tuesday night. Israel had warned it would limit aid to Gaza until all 28 deceased hostages were returned. The delay has raised fears about the future of the ceasefire agreed under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Israel has accused Hamas of breaking the deal, while Hamas says it cannot locate some bodies. Tensions remain high, with reports of new Israeli drone strikes in Gaza and growing concern that violence could resume. (PC: BBC)

MTV will close its music channels worldwide by December 31, 2025, after 40 years of broadcasting. Channels like MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV Music, Club MTV, and MTV Live will stop airing. Parent company Paramount Global said the decision was due to falling viewership as platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify dominate music consumption. MTV HD will continue to air reality shows. The move follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media and global cost-cutting plans. Fans online shared nostalgic posts, calling it the “end of an era” and remembering when MTV was all about music.

Heavy fighting broke out on Tuesday night between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan’s state media said the Taliban launched unprovoked fire, prompting a strong response. Several Taliban posts were hit, and at least one tank was destroyed. Reports later said more Taliban positions were damaged as fighting spread. The clashes follow a deadly weekend when 23 Pakistani troops were killed in earlier border attacks. Pakistan blamed the Taliban for sheltering militants, while Kabul denied the charge. The Torkham border remains closed, and trade between the two nations is halted. (PC: The Hindu)

Indian-origin US policy expert Ashley Tellis has been arrested for keeping over a thousand classified documents at his Virginia home. The FBI said the papers, marked top secret, were found in filing cabinets, a desk, and even trash bags. Tellis, 64, also allegedly met Chinese officials several times, including a meeting last month where he was seen with a manila envelope. A well-known US-India relations adviser, Tellis faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The US administration has vowed strict action against anyone mishandling national security information. Tellis has not yet commented on the charges. (PC: India Today)

The Israeli military said the Red Cross is entering Gaza to collect the bodies of several deceased Israeli hostages. The move comes after Hamas returned only four of 28 bodies earlier this week. The Israel Defense Forces identified the four as Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peretz. In response, Israel will not reopen the Rafah border crossing and will reduce aid into Gaza. The UN has warned Israel to keep crossings open for urgent humanitarian aid. Officials fear the delay in returning the remaining bodies could strain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (PC: BBC)

At least 20 people were killed and 16 others were critically injured after a bus caught fire near Thaiyat village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Tuesday. The bus, carrying 57 passengers to Jodhpur, reportedly caught fire due to a short circuit. Locals and Army personnel helped in the rescue. The injured were taken to a hospital in Jodhpur. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site and took stock of the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased. President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief, calling the incident “extremely heartbreaking.” (PC: HT)

Madagascar’s military has taken control after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country amid weeks of youth-led protests. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced that the army had seized power soon after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina. The protests, driven by Gen Z activists, began over water and power shortages but grew into a movement against corruption and poverty. Many soldiers joined the demonstrators, forcing the president to escape aboard a French aircraft. The military has promised a quick return to civilian rule, but tensions remain high. France and other nations have urged Madagascar to restore constitutional order. (PC:India Today)

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, India's Director General Military Operations, revealed the Indian Navy was fully prepared during Operation Sindoor, warning further Pakistani hostilities "could have been catastrophic." The Navy had sailed into the Arabian Sea and was well-positioned for action across multiple dimensions. Pakistan initiated cross-border firing immediately after India targeted nine terror sites on May 7. Lt Gen Ghai noted Pakistan's August 14 posthumous awards list suggested over 100 casualties on the Line of Control. He described Pakistan's drone attacks as a "dismal failure." Indian Air Force struck 11 Pakistani air bases, destroying eight bases, three hangars, four radars, and multiple aircraft including C-130 and fighter jets.