Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has said she has had almost no personal interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he tends to avoid eye contact during their meetings. In her new memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, released on Tuesday, she recalls that their encounters are mostly limited to formal greetings at official gatherings. Gandhi says their differences are rooted in competing visions of India rather than personal disagreements. She describes her vision as one based on inclusiveness, secularism and social justice, while criticising Modi's political ideology. She also acknowledges some common ground in their experiences of elite political circles. (PC: The Indian Express)

Thick smog continues to cover large parts of India two days after Diwali, with NASA satellite images showing a widespread grey haze across the country. The images captured on November 10 show the worst concentration over Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and northern states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Parts of central and southern India are also affected, while Rajasthan, Gujarat and northeastern states appear relatively clearer. Delhi's air quality improved to the 'poor' category, with an AQI of 299 on Tuesday, compared with 376 on Monday. Higher wind speeds helped disperse some pollutants. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly been calling US President Donald Trump every day to push for renewed military strikes against Iran, according to a Financial Times report. The reported calls have raised concerns among regional leaders who want Washington to prioritise negotiations and avoid further escalation. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey have reportedly urged Trump to continue diplomatic efforts. Trump, meanwhile, has indicated that fresh strikes are unlikely and expressed support for maintaining the current economic blockade on Iran. The competing positions highlight growing differences over how Washington should handle the conflict with Tehran. (PC: News18)

India on Tuesday declined to comment on former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s request for a new passport and national identity card ahead of her planned return home in December. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Bangladesh High Commission was better placed to respond to the request. Asked whether a person could be extradited without a passport, he said a travel document was required for movement, calling it a technical matter. Hasina has been living in India since her government was ousted in August 2024. Bangladesh has rejected her passport request and continues to demand her extradition from India. (PC: India Today)

India has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to help end the Russia-Ukraine war as US-mediated peace talks between the two countries began in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. New Delhi confirmed that it is engaging with Moscow, Kyiv and other stakeholders at the highest level. India has proposed measures to protect Black Sea shipping, ensure the safe movement of grain and energy supplies, and explore a possible non-attack arrangement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the talks, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. (PC: India Today)

The University of Oxford has returned the ancestral remains of 39 Naga people to representatives of Nagaland after they were held in its Pitt Rivers Museum for more than a century. The formal handover took place on Monday in Oxford, marking a historic step towards reconciliation and healing. The remains were taken during British colonial rule, mainly between 1910 and 1940, by colonial administrators. The return followed six years of discussions led by Naga community groups and tribal representatives. The remains will be taken to Nagaland and laid to rest at a designated site in Kohima, honouring their ancestors and heritage. (PC: The Hindu)

At least 10 US Air Force refuelling aircraft have left RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, Britain, amid reports of potential Iranian threats. Flight-tracking data verified by the BBC showed the KC-135 tanker aircraft moving to American military bases in Germany and Italy, while one was spotted at Prestwick Airport in Scotland. The Wall Street Journal reported that the departures were linked to an Iranian threat, although the BBC has not independently verified the claim. The move follows the earlier withdrawal of US bombers from RAF Fairford after a suspected Iran-linked security incident. British and US officials declined to disclose operational details. (PC: BBC)

A 26-year-old Army jawan serving as the President's Bodyguard was shot in the head during a dispute over firecrackers in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district on Diwali night. Saurabh Tomar had returned to his village, Gopalpur Khadana, on leave to celebrate the festival with his family. Police said an argument broke out after neighbours Dheeraj and Monu objected to the bursting of firecrackers. Dheeraj allegedly fired a country-made pistol, hitting Tomar in the head. Doctors performed surgery to remove the bullet, and his condition is now stable. Police have registered an attempt-to-murder case against the two accused. (PC: The Indian Express)

A Republican lawmaker has launched an impeachment effort against US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth over the war with Iran. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie introduced 8 articles of impeachment, accusing Hegseth of waging war without congressional approval and abusing his powers. The charges also refer to alleged misconduct involving civilian casualties and US military operations in Yemen and Venezuela. The Republican-controlled House could vote on the resolution as early as Wednesday. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has backed the move, while President Donald Trump has defended Hegseth. Even if impeached, Hegseth would need Senate conviction to be removed from office. (PC: India Today)

Massive Diwali crowds at Hyderabad's Bhagyalakshmi Temple, located beside the historic Charminar, have reignited a decades-old dispute over the shrine's status and the monument's safety. Thousands of devotees gathered to receive free silver coins, while several BJP and BRS leaders visited the temple. The rush prompted traffic restrictions around the area. Muslim activists questioned the authorities' arrangements and raised concerns about the protection of the 435-year-old monument. The Archaeological Survey of India had earlier described the temple structure as unauthorised. In 2012, the Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered a status quo on construction at the shrine. (PC: India Today)