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.

Severe Cyclone Montha made landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The storm is moving north-northwest with wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, south Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. The government has banned vehicle movement in seven districts and warned of crop damage in low-lying areas. Over 3.6 crore alert messages were sent to residents, and rescue teams, earthmovers, and chainsaws have been deployed. Nellore district has so far recorded the highest rainfall in the state. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi may see artificial rain soon as the second cloud seeding trial was conducted on Tuesday to tackle rising pollution levels. A flight from Kanpur carried out the trial over areas like Burari, Mayur Vihar, and Khekra. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said eight flares were used to seed the clouds, and rain was expected within a few hours. This marks the third such trial in Delhi’s history, and the first in over five decades. The Delhi government partnered with IIT Kanpur for the ₹3.21 crore project aimed at reducing pollution through artificial rainfall. (PC: HT)

A 27-year-old software engineer from Delhi has gone viral after posting on Reddit about his decision to leave India. In his post titled “Finally decided to leave India,” he said he was moving abroad not for money, but for “basic dignity of life.” He blamed poor infrastructure, bureaucracy, and fear of harassment for breaking his love for the country. Many users supported his decision, saying they shared the same frustration. The post reflects a growing trend of young Indians migrating abroad for better living conditions, with India now leading global migration numbers, according to recent reports. (PC: Mint)

Hurricane Melissa, the world’s strongest storm this year, is closing in on Jamaica with winds up to 175 mph. The Category 5 storm could cause “catastrophic and life-threatening” damage, officials warn. Thousands have been evacuated, but many remain in their homes. Heavy rain and strong winds are already lashing the capital, Kingston. The government expects major damage to power lines, roads, and buildings. Three people have died while preparing for the storm. Forecasters say Melissa could be the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica, bringing up to 30 inches of rain and dangerous storm surges.

Delhi carried out its first large-scale cloud seeding trial on Tuesday to tackle severe post-Diwali smog. An aircraft from IIT Kanpur released silver iodide and salt-based flares over parts of the city, including Khekra, Burari, and Mayur Vihar, to trigger artificial rain. The operation lasted about 30 minutes and may bring rainfall within a few hours. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the experiment aims to reduce pollution levels and clear toxic air. More trials are planned as part of the city’s winter pollution-control strategy, approved earlier this year by the Delhi Cabinet. (PC: X)

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)

Delhi Police have arrested a woman, her ex-boyfriend, and a friend for murdering 32-year-old civil services aspirant Ram Kesh Meena. His charred body was found in a Timarpur flat on October 6 after a fire. Police said Amrita Chauhan planned the killing after learning that Meena had recorded and kept her private videos on a hard disk. The disk also contained videos of at least 15 other women. Amrita and her accomplices allegedly killed Meena, stole his devices, and set the room on fire to hide the crime. All three have been arrested and charged with murder. (PC: NDTV)

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)