Israel carried out new airstrikes on Gaza after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to launch “powerful” attacks. The strikes hit Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, according to Hamas’s Civil Defence. Explosions were also reported near al-Shifa Hospital. Hamas denied involvement in a shooting on Israeli troops in Rafah and said it remains committed to the ceasefire. The escalation has raised fears that the fragile truce could collapse, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the agreement and delaying the return of Israeli hostages’ remains.

New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after saying his aunt feared riding the subway in a hijab following the 9/11 attacks. Social media users accused him of fabricating the story after learning his only aunt lived in Tanzania in 2001. Mamdani later clarified he was referring to his father’s cousin, Zehra, who has since passed away. Families of 9/11 victims called his remarks “insensitive” and “offensive.” US Vice President JD Vance also criticised him for “downplaying the tragedy.” Mamdani said his words aimed to highlight the fear and Islamophobia faced by Muslim New Yorkers after 9/11. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out “powerful” strikes on Gaza, his office said Monday night. The decision came after Israel accused Hamas of violating a two-week-old ceasefire by handing over a coffin that did not contain the body of an Israeli hostage. Israel called it a “deception plot” and said Hamas fired on its troops in Gaza. Hamas denied the claims, accusing Israel of fabricating excuses for new attacks. It said ongoing Israeli strikes are blocking efforts to recover bodies and urged mediators to ensure humanitarian work continues safely in the Strip. (PC: BBC)

21-year-old Indian truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, accused of causing a crash that killed three people in California, appeared in a US court without his turban, sparking outrage. Sikh leaders, including Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, called it a violation of his religious rights and urged the Indian government to intervene. A petition on Change.org demands that his turban be returned and his faith respected. Singh, who moved to the US illegally in 2022, pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence and manslaughter. His family insists he is innocent and does not consume drugs.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising his role in ending regional conflicts. The announcement came during Trump’s visit to Tokyo, where both leaders signed a key deal on critical minerals to reduce reliance on China. This is Trump’s second Nobel nomination in a week, after Cambodia’s recognition for his peace efforts in Southeast Asia. Takaichi called for a “golden age” of US–Japan ties. Trump thanked her and said their alliance would be “stronger than ever.” He will next visit South Korea for the APEC Summit. (PC: Mint)

Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, has pleaded guilty to killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He admitted in a Tokyo court that “everything is true.” Abe was shot with a homemade gun during a campaign event in Nara in 2022 and died the same day. Yamagami said he targeted Abe for his links to the Unification Church, which he blamed for his family’s financial ruin. His mother had donated large sums to the church. The case led to major investigations and stricter gun laws in Japan. The trial will continue until January, with more witnesses expected to testify. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks in Turkey collapsed Tuesday, with both nations blaming each other for the impasse. Pakistan sought assurances Afghanistan wouldn't allow cross-border terrorism, specifically by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which Kabul denies supporting. Pakistani officials accused Afghanistan of "stubbornness," while Afghan state media claimed their negotiators made "constructive efforts" unlike Pakistan. The breakdown revives concerns over Defense Minister Khawaja Asif's warning of potential "open conflict" if diplomacy fails. Recent violence includes Sunday's clash killing five Pakistani and 25 Afghan soldiers. The failed talks follow a brief October 15 ceasefire. Meanwhile, India-Taliban relations improve after Foreign Minister Muttaqi's Delhi visit, with diplomatic ties restored and Taliban condemning Pakistan-based Pahalgam terror attack.(PC: Modern Diplomacy & NDTV)

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor for being enrolled as a voter in both Bihar and West Bengal. Reports say Kishor’s name appears in voter lists in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur constituency and Bihar’s Kargahar constituency. The poll body reminded that a person cannot be registered in more than one constituency under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Kishor has been asked to respond within three days. His team said he became a voter in Bihar after the Bengal polls and has applied to cancel his Bengal voter card. (PC: HT)

Prince Andrew hosted Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge in Windsor during his daughter Beatrice’s 18th birthday in 2006. The event took place two months after Epstein was wanted in the US for sex crimes. A photo verified by the BBC shows the trio in fancy dress at the royal home. The visit raises new questions about Andrew’s ties to Epstein and how he funds his lifestyle. The prince has denied any wrongdoing and said he was unaware of Epstein’s legal troubles at the time. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the matter. (PC: BBC)

Former Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani sarcastically suggested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deserves Olympic gold for flattering Donald Trump, responding to Sharif's latest praise-filled post. Sharif lauded Trump's "instrumental role in advancing global peace" through international accords, including the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Cambodia-Thailand, Gaza Peace Plan, and Middle East-South Asia stability efforts. This follows Sharif's earlier praise at Egypt's Peace Summit, where he called Trump "a man of peace" and "most genuine candidate" for the Nobel Prize, noting Pakistan's previous nomination of Trump. Haqqani's tongue-in-cheek X post referenced journalist Fareed Zakaria's suggestion that Trump flattery could become an Olympic sport, highlighting Sharif's repeated admiration pattern.