Battling coronavirus: Section 144 imposed in Delhi

Israel is heading towards a crucial general election amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and rising regional tensions with Iran. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confronting serious political challenges following the 7 October 2023 attack and the conduct of the war, voters will decide the future leadership and border security across 120 parliamentary seats. Large numbers of Israeli citizens and expatriates are arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to participate in the balloting process in person, as postal ballots and online voting are not permitted under national electoral rules. The closely watched polls are anticipated to produce another coalition government, determining the nation's forthcoming security posture and diplomatic relations.

A political controversy has erupted following Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial remarks directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late parents during an address in Patna. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (United) launched a sharp counterattack, condemning the statements as indecent, uncouth, and born out of political desperation. NDA leaders asserted that the political discourse had been dragged to a new low, pointing out that personal attacks against the Prime Minister's family disregard public conduct and insult the democratic mandate of the nation. The ruling coalition also rejected allegations regarding the legitimacy of the government in Bihar, maintaining that the electorate democratically chose the NDA while rejecting the opposition alliance. The BJP demanded an immediate apology from the Congress leadership, stressing that voters across the country would not tolerate such abusive political language.

A major political controversy erupted after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made a personal remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an event in Patna, Bihar. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating former Bihar Chief Minister Sri Krishna Singh at Bapu Sabhagar, Kharge was addressing allegations of electoral fraud when a member of the audience interjected to say that Modi would not go anywhere. In response, Kharge retaliated by stating that even Modi's father would go. The comment drew sharp criticism from the National Democratic Alliance, including the BJP and JD(U). Reacting to the remark, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh condemned the Congress chief, asserting that the opposition party has lost its balance and has repeatedly resorted to foul language against the Prime Minister because the public is not supporting their narrative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi, inaugurating a modern garment manufacturing facility alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel. The unit focuses on contemporary manufacturing techniques to create employment for women workers. The Prime Minister also attended an aerial display at Namo Ghat to mark the 94th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force. Around 100 aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi, and indigenous Tejas jets, along with the Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams, staged manoeuvres over the Ganges in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.