5 stories you must read today, October 23: From Tejashwi Yadav as Mahagathbandhan CM face to India’s defeat in ODI and more

In a show of "unity" between the allies in Bihar during a joint INDIA bloc press briefing, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was declared as the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan. This comes after days of negotiations between the RJD and the Congress. Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani was announced the alliance's deputy chief minister face. Congress leader Ashok Gehlot who made the announcements on Thursday said they would consider other names as well for the Deputy CM post after the elections. The Indian Express had reported that among the main issues holding up the seat-sharing deal between the RJD and Congress was the Congress’s refusal to endorse Tejashwi as the CM face before the polls. Read more

In a joint operation by Delhi and Bihar Police, Ranjan Pathak, leader of a gang called "Sigma & Company" and one of the most wanted men in the poll-bound state, and three alleged members of his gang were killed on Thursday morning in northwest Delhi. Police claimed that Ranjan was planning a major crime during the Bihar elections and had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for his arrest. The three other gang members killed in the encounter include Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33), and Aman Thakur (21). On September 26, two men on a motorcycle killed one Ram Manohar Sharma alias Ganesh Sharma (40) at Lagma village in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district. Later, Ranjan, took responsibility for the murder. Read more

Australia beat India by 2 wickets in the 2nd ODI at Adelaide leading to the hosts concluding the 3-match series with a game in hand. Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly scored half-centuries while Rohit Sharma 73(97) and Shreyas Iyer 61(77) have helped India to get 264/9 from 50 overs. Earlier, Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first against Shubman Gill’s India in the 2nd of the three-match ODI series at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Read more

Algerian-French artist Hanan Benammar's seven linocut graphic prints, which were on display at Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi, were vandalised by two other artists, alleging obscenity. The alleged vandalism was carried out by artists Hochimin P H and Sudamshu. Benammar's artworks were on display as part of the international exhibition titled Estranged Geographies, curated by Anushka Rajendran and Damian Christinger. Around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, Hochimin P H and Sudamshu allegedly tore away the seven prints. As the gallery was about to close, only two people were present when the alleged incident took place. Read more

In a significant move addressing concerns of Sikh Americans serving in the US Army, a prominent lawmaker has urged the Pentagon to reconsider a policy that calls for a blanket beard-shaving mandate among service members. Congressman Thomas R Suozzi made the appeal stressing that retaining uncut hair and a beard is a core tenet of their faith. In a letter addressed to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Suozzi mentioned that Sikhs have fought alongside American troops for generations, including in both World War I and World War II. “For Sikhs, serving one’s nation is a sacred duty, an embodiment of the Sant-Sipahi (saint-soldier) ideal that blends faith and service. The Sikh religion requires adherents to maintain uncut hair and beards as a symbol of devotion and equality before God,” the US representative for New York’s 3rd congressional district said. Read more