Bihar polls on Nov 6, 11; 23 killed in Darjeeling landslides | Daily Wrap

Bihar Assembly elections will be conducted on November 6 and 11 in two phases, with counting on November 14, the Election Commission of India earlier this evening.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar called the Bihar polls “the mother of all elections”. Further adding that a total of 8.5 lakh officers will be deployed for the same.

Darjeeling devastated by heavy rains, 23 killed

Shifting focus, at least 23 people, including seven children, were killed after heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides across Darjeeling in West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the tragedy on “the sudden rainfall exceeding 300 mm in 12 hours in North Bengal”. Moreover, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for sub-Himalayan West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall till October 6.

Jaipur hospital fire claims at 6 lives

Over in Rajasthan, at least 6 people died following a devastating fire in Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital.

Eyewitnesses and relatives have accused the hospital of negligence. They claim the fire in the hospital’s ICU began after a short circuit, and staff failed to evacuate patients in time. Consequently, the Rajasthan government on Monday constituted a six-member committee to investigate the fire.

Hamas-Israel indirect peace talks: Trump tells negotiators to “move fast”

Shifting focus to the Middle East - delegations from Hamas and Israel, along with mediators, are in Egypt for indirect peace talks.

Hamas says its delegation is headed by Khalil al-Hayya - a high-ranking official, who was targeted in an assassination attempt by Israel in Qatar last month.

US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called on negotiators to “move fast” to end the nearly two-year war on the Gaza Strip. Trump expects the first phase should be completed this week.

Lecornu resigns as French PM after 26 days

And in France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned, less than a day after his cabinet was unveiled. The shock move comes just 26 days after Lecornu was appointed following the collapse of the previous government of François Bayrou.

Several French parties are calling for early elections, with some calling for Macron to resign.

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