Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM for record 10th time on Nov. 20 in presence of PM Modi

Janata Dal-(United) president Nitish Kumar was on Wednesday (November 19, 2025) unanimously elected as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Legislature Party ahead of the formation of a new government under his leadership in the State on November 20. Mr. Kumar, who will take oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a record 10th time, was first elected as leader of the JD-(U) Legislature Party during the meeting with the new MLAs held at his official residence in Patna.

Presidential Reference: Supreme Court verdict on November 20 on fixing timeline for President, Governors to clear bills

The Supreme Court is scheduled on Thursday (November 20, 2025) to pronounce its advisory opinion on a Presidential Reference questioning the apex court’s authority to “impose” timelines and prescribe the manner of conduct of Governors and the President while dealing with State bills sent to them for assent or reserved for consideration.

Climate talks veer away from ‘implementation’

“Stop the blah-blah, down with gas in Asia,” chants a group of activists in the hallways of the COP30 venue in Belém, Brazil, while they raise colourful banners and placards condemning oil and gas drilling. The walls of this sprawling venue hosting the climate talks – once this harbour-city’s airport – are makeshift and porous and these chants bleed through into the more sombre rooms where teams of delegates from a coalition of countries — nearly all of them Asian — cobble together common ground to stone-wall and delay firm action on eschewing fossil fuel use. They are collectively called the ‘Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC).

Authorities begin exercise of inspecting lockers of doctors, medical staff in hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (November 19, 2025) began the exercise of inspecting the lockers of doctors and medical staff in hospitals as part of enhanced security measures after the recent Delhi blast and recovery of arms and ammunition in the “white collar” terror module, officials said.

U.P. ATS seeks details on madrassas; opposition alleges fear mongering

The Uttar Pradesh police’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) recently made inquiries with the administration in Prayagraj for information on madrassas. They have been asked to provide details on students, clerics engaged as teachers, management and other staff. A letter from the Prayagraj field unit dated November 15 has surfaced, and it is assumed similar letters may have been sent to other districts as well. In the letter, written to the District Minority Welfare Officer of multiple districts in the Prayagraj region, the ATS said according to directions from the ATS headquarters, information on these institutions is being sought.

Employment under MGNREGS falls for second year in a row

A comparison of employment generated under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) from April to September 2025 with the corresponding periods in the previous two financial years, 2024-25 and 2023-24, points to a declining trend, according to the biannual tracker released by Lib Tech, a consortium of academics and activists.

Days after delivering death sentence for former PM Hasina, Bangladesh invites NSA Doval to visit Dhaka

Amidst tense bilateral ties, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has invited Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to visit Dhaka. The invitation was extended by the Bangladesh side during a meeting between the two NSAs that took place in New Delhi on Wednesday (November 19, 2025) ahead of the 7th Meeting of the National Security Advisers of the Colombo Security Conclave on Thursday (November 20, 2025).

Taliban’s trade Minister in Delhi amidst Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes to enhance sea connectivity

Against the backdrop of continued hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Taliban administration Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi started a five-day tour of India on Wednesday (November 19, 2025). Official sources said the visit, which highlights Afghanistan’s desire to avoid Pakistani ports for its commercial requirements, will help Afghanistan bypass Pakistan for enhanced connectivity.

Bus tragedy: High-level Indian delegation arrives in Saudi Arabia

A high-level Indian government delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (November 19, 2025) to provide assistance and oversee relief measures in coordination with Saudi authorities following the tragic bus accident involving Indian pilgrims. The delegation, led by Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, arrived in Madina, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said in a social media post.

Israeli strikes hit Lebanon after evacuation warnings

The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in several south Lebanon towns on Wednesday (November 19, 2025), and accused the group of rebuilding its capabilities close to the border. The Israeli military has kept up frequent air strikes in Lebanon in spite of a ceasefire sealed last November that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

U.S. authorises export of advanced American semiconductors to companies in Saudi, UAE

The U.S. Commerce Department said on Wednesday (November 19, 2025) it has authorised the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips, the equivalent of up to 35,000 NVIDIA Blackwell chips, to two companies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The two companies are G42, which is a state-run AI company based in Abu Dhabi, and Humain, which is a Saudi government-backed AI venture.

India’s shift away from Russian oil imports predates Trump tariffs

India is implementing a larger strategy to reduce its dependence on oil imports from Russia, with the higher tariffs imposed by the U.S. coming at a time when India was already cutting its Russian oil imports, according to an analysis of official data. This has also been confirmed by government officials. An analysis by The Hindu of government trade data shows India’s oil imports from Russia in September 2025 — the first full month during which the U.S.’ 50% tariffs on Indian imports were applicable — were 29% lower in terms of value and 17% lower in terms of volume than in September 2024.

272 eminent citizens accuse Opposition of ‘tarnishing’ Election Commission with ‘unsubstantiated accusations’

Over 270 eminent citizens, including retired judges, bureaucrats, diplomats and former armed forces officers, have issued an open letter accusing Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders of attempting to “tarnish” constitutional institutions, the latest being the Election Commission, through “unsubstantiated accusations”. The letter said some political leaders were resorting to “provocative” charges instead of offering policy alternatives, noting that institutions such as the armed forces, judiciary and Parliament had previously faced similar attacks. It alleged that the EC was now being subjected to “systematic and conspiratorial” attempts to damage its credibility.

Al Falah University founder Jawed Siddiqui in ED custody for 13 days in money laundering case

A Delhi court early Wednesday sent Al Falah University founder Jawed Ahmed Siddiqui to Enforcement Directorate custody for 13 days. Mr. Siddiqui, who was arrested under the terror-linked money laundering case on Tuesday evening, was produced before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan at her residence close to midnight. The proceedings lasted till 1 a.m..

Jaishankar inaugurates two new Indian consulates in Russia

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated two new Indian consulates in Russia, saying their establishment will boost trade, tourism, economic, scientific, technological, academic and cultural ties between the two countries. Expanding its diplomatic footprint in Russia, India opened the new Consulate General in the cities of Yekaterinburg and Kazan. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar were also present at the function held to mark the opening.

Russian barrage kills 10 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy heads for talks with Turkish leader

A large Russian drone and missile barrage killed 10 people and injured dozens more in Ukraine overnight, officials said on Wednesday (November 19, 2025), as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due in Turkey for talks on finding a settlement that might end Russia’s invasion of his country. The nighttime attack hit two nine-story apartment blocks in Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Emergency crews were sifting through the rubble in daylight to find any survivors, he said. At least 37 people were reported injured, including 12 children.

Trump designates Saudi Arabia as ‘major, non-NATO ally’

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, as he hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a gala dinner at the White House. “Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,” Mr. Trump said.

U.K. Labour Govt.’s asylum policy changes show cracks in the party

The U.K.’s Labour government shifted further right on Monday after it announced a raft of changes to the country’s asylum laws. The changes will mean, among other things, that U.K. asylum policy will follow Denmark’s example, where refugees are offered protection on a temporary, not long-term or permanent, basis. The policy will also mean refugees will need to wait 20 years, rather than five, for residency and that asylum seekers’ assets could be seized to pay for their accommodation.

India’s shift away from Russian oil imports predates Trump tariffs

India is implementing a larger strategy to reduce its dependence on oil imports from Russia, with the higher tariffs imposed by the U.S. coming at a time when India was already cutting its Russian oil imports, according to an analysis of official data. This has also been confirmed by government officials. An analysis by The Hindu of government trade data shows India’s oil imports from Russia in September 2025 — the first full month during which the U.S.’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports were applicable — were 29% lower in terms of value and 17% lower in terms of volume than in September 2024.