Iran and the United States remain far from reaching an agreement to end their war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday. The official said mediators were working to narrow differences, but Tehran would not accept what it considers excessive US demands. Qatar’s foreign ministry said both sides were studying proposals as Doha intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed escalation after the US midterm elections. The diplomatic push followed overnight US “defensive” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island. A US official said the strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles used against American assets, while another described them as limited and said they did not indicate a return to major combat operations for now. (PC: X)  

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to end American military aid to Israel by the end of 2026. Speaking on Fox News’ Fox and Friends, Trump said the country no longer needed financial support from Washington. He said the United States currently provides Israel $4 billion annually and that the decision to stop payments had been agreed months earlier. Trump added that Washington would still help Israel if needed. He also claimed that some Democrats and left-wing politicians were using US funding for Israel to criticise Republicans. The report did not include responses from Netanyahu or Israeli officials at the time. (PC: Bloomberg)

The Samajwadi Party has distanced itself from left-wing student leader Neha Bora’s remarks calling for freedom from “Brahmanvaad” amid her criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Responding to Bora’s statement, Samajwadi Party leader Rajeev Rai said making such sweeping generalisations was inappropriate, adding that every religion had both good and bad people. He urged people to avoid generalisations. Rai also accused the BJP of pursuing a strategy of dividing people and questioned why the opposition should fall into what he described as the party’s trap. The remarks followed Bora’s criticism of the election authorities. (PC: Times Now)

The government has told the Delhi High Court that the over-century-old Qadeemi Masjid inside Krishi Bhavan must be removed as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. In an affidavit, it argued that retaining a permanent religious structure within a central government office complex is “impermissible and incompatible with the secular character” of government property. The government maintained that Krishi Bhavan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public premises exclusively designated for administrative, governmental and public service activities. The submission forms part of the legal proceedings before the High Court over the mosque’s proposed removal. The supplied report excerpt does not provide the petitioners’ arguments or the court’s response. (PC: X)

India's military leadership is preparing for a major relocation as the Army and Navy chiefs are set to leave the historic South Block in New Delhi. Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, along with the Vice Chief and 7 senior officers, is expected to move to the newly built Shaurya Bhavan in Delhi Cantonment by the end of November. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and senior officers will also shift to Sena Bhavan. The Army War Room and the Director General of Military Operations office are among the facilities being relocated. The move is part of a wider restructuring of defence establishments. (PC: India Today)

Americans are voting in the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress at stake as Republicans seek to retain their narrow majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats are hoping to gain enough seats to challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda during the final 2 years of his term. Rising living costs, immigration policies, healthcare and Trump’s approval ratings have emerged as major campaign issues. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority, while Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats to take control. Voters will also elect governors in 36 states, making the elections a major political test for both parties. (PC: HT)

An Indian sailor was killed after an India-flagged cargo vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman on November 2. The vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, was carrying 14 Indian crew members when it was struck by an unidentified aerial object near the Omani coast. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal identified the deceased as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat. The Omani Coast Guard rescued the remaining 13 crew members after they evacuated the vessel. The Indian government and embassy in Oman are coordinating with local authorities to assist survivors and arrange the repatriation of the deceased sailor's remains. (PC: NDTV)

Fortune Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has reclaimed the title of Asia’s richest person, overtaking ByteDance co-founder Zhang Yiming, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. Ambani’s estimated net worth rose to $88.8 billion after his wealth increased by around $8.5 billion in a single day. The surge followed a nearly 12% jump in Reliance Industries shares on Monday, adding more than $19 billion to the company’s market value. Reliance’s record quarterly earnings and the strong market debut of Jio Platforms also supported the rally. Zhang Yiming now ranks behind Ambani with an estimated fortune of $84 billion. (PC: News18)

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei has claimed that Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir warned of growing ties between Hindus and Jews, describing them as a threat to Muslims and Pakistan. According to Rezaei, Munir made the remarks during a four-nation security meeting involving Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Tehran on October 26. Rezaei discussed the meeting in an interview with Iranian state television on October 31. Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi also referred to the remarks in a YouTube programme. However, Munir's reported comments remain unverified and are based on Rezaei's account of the private meeting. (PC: India Today)

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel, a striker for CD Tenerife, has died aged 30, a day after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision with an opposition goalkeeper during a second-division match. The incident occurred on Monday when FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his area to clear a long ball and struck De Miguel during the challenge. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch and treated the forward before taking him to hospital by ambulance. The match, which was tied 2-2, was abandoned in stoppage time. Tenerife confirmed his death on Tuesday, prompting tributes from clubs and players across Spain. (PC: The times of India)