700 People Killed In Tanzania's Post-Election Violence, Claims Opposition

DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 31: Around 700 people have been killed in three days of election protests in Tanzania, the main opposition party said Friday, with protesters still on the streets in the midst of an internet blackout.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan had sought to cement her position and silence critics in her party with an emphatic win in Wednesday's election, in which her main challengers were either jailed or barred from standing.

But the vote descended into chaos as crowds took to the streets of Dar es Salaam and other cities, tearing down her posters and attacking police and polling stations, leading to an internet shutdown and curfew.

With foreign journalists largely banned from covering the election and a communications blackout entering its third day, information from the ground has been scarce.

The main opposition party, Chadema, said clashes continued between protesters and security forces in the commercial hub on Friday.

"As we speak the figure for deaths in Dar (es Salaam) is around 350 and for Mwanza it is 200-plus. Added to figures from other places around the country, the overall figure is around 700," said Chadema spokesman John Kitoka.

"The death toll could be much higher," he warned, saying killings could be happening during the nighttime curfew.

A security source said they were hearing reports of more than 500 dead, "maybe 700-800 in the whole country".

"We are talking hundreds of deaths," saida diplomatic source.

Pakistan, Afghanistan Agree To Maintain Ceasefire In Istanbul Talks, Taliban Provides 'Assurances'

ISTANBUL, Oct 31: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to maintain a ceasefire following peace talks in Istanbul, after earlier talks collapsed earlier this week. Pakistan said the border ceasefire will hold after the Taliban government provided some “assurances".

The Turkish foreign ministry said “all parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and impose a penalty on the violating party." The sides plan to meet again at a higher-level gathering in Istanbul on Nov 6 to finalise how the ceasefire will be implemented, it added.

The talks were restarted at the request of mediators Turkey and Qatar, aiming to prevent a repeat of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens this month. Despite the collapse of the previous round of talks, a ceasefire has largely held and no new border clashes were reported this week.

104 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes; Ceasefire back

DEIR AL-BALAH, Oct 29: Israel's military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials.

The strikes — the deadliest since the ceasefire was enacted on October 10 — marked the most serious challenge to the tenuous truce to date.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to conduct “powerful strikes” over Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire when the militant group handed over body parts that Israel said were the partial remains of a hostage recovered earlier in the war.

Netanyahu called the return of these body parts a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement, which requires Hamas to return the remaining hostages in Gaza as soon as possible. Israeli officials also accused Hamas of staging the discovery of these remains on Monday, sharing a 14-minute edited video captured by a military drone in Gaza.

In response to the Israeli strikes, Hamas said that it would delay handing over the body of another hostage.

U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a trip to Asia, defended the strikes, saying Israel was justified in carrying them out after what he said was an incident in which Hamas killed an Israeli soldier during an exchange of gunfire in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza.

Hamas denied any involvement in that deadly shooting and in turn accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal.

Hamas has said it is struggling to locate the bodies amid the vast destruction in Gaza, while Israel has accused the militant group of purposely delaying their return.

There are still 13 bodies of hostages in Gaza and their slow return is complicating efforts to proceed to the ceasefire's next phases, which addresses even thornier issues, such as the disarmament of Hamas, deployment of an international security force in Gaza and deciding who will govern the territory.

Putin defies Trump as Russia tests nuclear-powered underwater drone ‘Poseidon’

MOSCOW, Oct 29: President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced that Russia has successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered submersible drone, Poseidon, which he described as having unlimited range.

Putin on Sunday oversaw a test of another advanced nuclear-capable weapon – the Burevestnik cruise missile, which he said had an “unlimited range”. Trump called that exercise not “appropriate”.

“Yesterday, another test was conducted for another prospective system – the unmanned underwater device ‘Poseidon,’ also equipped with a nuclear power unit,” Putin said in televised remarks while visiting a military hospital treating Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine.

The Russian leader said there was “no way to intercept” the drone torpedo, which, according to Putin, can travel at a speed higher than conventional submarines and reach any continent in the world.

Putin said no country could match Poseidon’s speed and diving depth, adding, “it is unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future."

“There is no other platform like the Sarmat in the world. We don’t have one on duty yet. But it will go operational soon,” he said.

Referring to last week’s successful test of the unique nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile with unlimited range, Putin said its reactor is a thousand times smaller than that of a submarine and uses electronics developed for space technology.

132 Killed In Rio Drug Raids; Residents Call It 'Massacre'

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 29: The Rio de Janeiro public defender's office on Wednesday said a total of 132 people died in the bloodiest police raid against drug gangs in the Brazilian city's history, as grieving residents laid out dozens of bodies in the street.

"The most recent update is 132 dead," said the Rio state public defender's office, which provides legal assistance to the poor.

There was no immediate corroboration of the figure from other sources.

Rio state Governor Claudio Castro put the death count from Tuesday's violence at around 60 but warned that the real figure was likely higher as more bodies were being taken to a morgue, where the dead were being counted.

Four police officers were killed during the military-style operation, which involved 2,500 officers taking on Rio's most powerful criminal organisation, the Comando Vermelho, or Red Command.

In Penha Complex -- one of two densely populated, working-class neighbourhoods targeted in northern Rio -- residents wept over a line of at least 50 corpses early Wednesday.

Pak-Afghan Inch Closer To 'Open War' After Failed Turkey Peace Talks

KABUL, Oct 29: Talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan to secure a long-term truce have failed, state media from both countries said Tuesday afternoon, each blaming the other for the apparent deadlock.

Three Pak officials with direct knowledge of the talks said the impasse is over Kabul's reluctance in accepting 'logical and legitimate demands', i.e., assurances were sought from the Afghan side that its soil won't be used to stage terror attacks against Pakistan.

There has been no formal response or comment from either side so far, though Afghan state media RTA said its negotiators "made every effort to hold constructive talks", unlike the Pak camp, which countered by accusing the Afghans of showing "stubbornness and a lack of seriousness", and said, "Further progress depends on the positive attitude of Afghanistan."

If true, the reason for the breakdown will raise eyebrows in India, given Delhi's long-standing position that the Pak deep state funds, trains, and otherwise supports cross-border terrorist attacks on Indian military and civilian assets and individuals.

Wave of Israeli strikes reported in Gaza City

GAZA, Oct 28: Palestinian media reports a wave of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City a short while ago.

There is no immediate comment from the IDF.

The strikes come after Israeli officials vowed to respond to an attack on troops in south Gaza today and Hamas’s failure to return the bodies of hostages still held in the Strip.

Jaishankar, Rubio discuss India-U.S. ties, global issues on ASEAN sidelines

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio here and discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues, amid ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

"Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues," Jaishankar said in an X post.

The meeting came in the backdrop of the proposed bilateral trade deal between India and the U.S., which, according to an official, is "very near" to concluding.

Five rounds of talks have been completed so far for the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement between India and the U.S.

On Sunday, Mr. Jaishankar held separate talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

The 11-nation ASEAN is considered one of the most influential blocs in the region, with India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, being its dialogue partners.

Malaysia is hosting the annual ASEAN summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur in its capacity as the current chair of the grouping.

ASEAN to observe 2026 as maritime cooperation year

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: India and the Southeast Asian nations will observe 2026 as a year of maritime cooperation and will also hold a second naval exercise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he virtually addressed the ASEAN leaders, who assembled for the annual summits in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Modi said that an early conclusion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA) could unleash the full economic potential of New Delhi’s relationship with the 11-nation bloc for the benefit of the peoples and further strengthen regional cooperation. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who hosted the ASEAN conclaves, said that the review of the 2009 trade deal had seen some “real progress” and the Southeast Asian nations would like to conclude the process by the end of this year.

The review of the AITGA started in 2023 after New Delhi complained that India’s exporters were facing higher tariff and varying levels of non-tariff barriers in the Southeast Asian nations. India’s steel and plastic industries complained of higher duties on exports to the ASEAN nations. Besides, the agricultural exports pointed out that the 2009 deal could not ensure a uniform food safety standards and certification process across the Southeast Asian region.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this year called the AITGA a “silly” agreement, alleging that some of the Southeast Asian nations were being used as conduits for China’s goods to reach the market in India, taking advantage of New Delhi’s trade deal with the ASEEAN.

“We are companions in the Global South,” Modi told the ASEAN leaders from New Delhi. “We are not only commercial partners but also cultural partners. ASEAN is a cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy. India has always fully supported ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s outlook in the Indo-Pacific.”

“Even in this era of uncertainties, India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to make steady progress. And this strong partnership of ours is emerging as a robust foundation for global stability and development,” said the prime minister.

He said that India had been standing firmly with its ASEAN friends in every disaster. He noted that cooperation between India and the Southeast Asians in the field of humanitarian assistance and disaster response, maritime security, and the blue economy was growing rapidly. “In view of this, we are declaring 2026 as "ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” said the prime minister.

He proposed establishment of a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University in India to develop regional expertise. The prime minister stated that terrorism was a serious challenge to global peace and security, and stressed the importance of unity in the fight against terrorism.

The India-ASEAN summit saw the leaders adopting a joint statement on sustainable tourism.

2 Suspects Arrested After Priceless Jewels Stolen From Louvre Museum

PARIS, Oct 26: Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of precious jewellery from the Louvre Museum in Paris, according to two sources close to the case.

One of the suspects was detained around 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Saturday at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport as he was about to board a plane abroad, while the second was arrested not long after in the Paris region.

The brazen heist of crown jewels from the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, took place last Sunday. The thieves broke into the museum using a crane to smash an upstairs window during opening hours and stole eight precious pieces worth an estimated $102 million.

They then escaped on motorbikes, prompting a massive search across France.

A new video emerged earlier this week, showing two robbers escaping with precious crown jewels. The footage showed the robbers, dressed in construction gear, using a hydraulic lift to flee after the heist.

New footage reveals the bold Louvre heist: two thieves lowering themselves from a balcony on a stolen lift, jewels in hand. They hijacked the lift days earlier, disguised it, and tried to torch it—but guards intervened.

Paris prosecutors had entrusted the investigation to a specialised Paris police unit known as the BRB, which is used to dealing with high-profile robberies.

The eight stolen pieces span two centuries of history and belonged to queens and empresses of France.

Empress Eugenie's tiara and crown, which were crafted by the renowned jeweller Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier shortly after her marriage to Napoleon III in 1853, were stolen, but the crown was abandoned by the thieves as they fled.

25 Terrorists, 5 Soldiers Dead In Fresh Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes

KARACHI, Oct 26: Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 terrorists have died in clashes near the border with Afghanistan, the military said on Sunday, as delegations from both countries met to try to defuse tensions after the deadliest fighting in years.

The terrorists tried to cross over from Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday in Kurram and North Waziristan districts, rugged areas along Pakistan's northwestern frontier, the Pakistani military's media wing said.

It said the attempted infiltrations cast doubt on the intentions of the government in Afghanistan in "regard to addressing the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil".

In Afghanistan, the Taliban government's chief spokesman and the defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported attacks.

The Taliban denies accusations of sheltering terrorists and says Pakistan's military operations violate Afghan sovereignty.

Officials from both countries are meeting in Istanbul to prevent a relapse into conflict after clashes between their armies earlier this month - the worst border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul.

That fighting erupted after Pakistan demanded the Taliban rein in terrorists it says operate from Afghan sanctuaries, prompting heavy exchanges of fire and Pakistani airstrikes. Both sides reached a truce in Doha last Sunday.

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, said on Saturday the truce was holding and he believed Afghanistan wanted peace. But he warned that failure to reach an agreement in Istanbul would mean "open war".

Pakistan's military described the attackers on Friday and Saturday as members of "Fitna al Khwarij", a term it uses for groups it says are inspired by terrorist ideology and backed by "foreign sponsors".

Israeli Strike Kills Hezbollah Anti-Tank Commander In Lebanon

JERUSALEM, Oct 25: Lebanon's health ministry said one person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli strike that hit a vehicle in the country's south on Saturday, the latest attack despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

In a statement, the ministry attributed the death to an "Israeli enemy strike on a car in Haruf, Nabatiyeh district".

The Israeli military said it had killed Zayn al-Abidin Hussein Fatouni, alleging he was "a commander in the anti-tank unit of the Radwan Force Battalion" of Hezbollah.

According to the army's statement, Fatouni "was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon".

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah.

The Israeli military has intensified its attacks over the past week, killing two people in two separate strikes on vehicles Friday.

The military said it killed a Hezbollah "logistics commander" in the first strike and a member "who was involved in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah's military capabilities" in the second.

Hamas, Palestinian Factions Agree To Hand Gaza To Technocrat Panel

CAIRO, Oct 25: The main Palestinian political factions, including Hamas, said Friday they had agreed that an independent committee of technocrats would take over the running of post-war Gaza.

During a meeting in Cairo, according to a joint statement published on the Hamas website, the groups agreed to hand "over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee composed of independent technocrats."

It said the committee would "manage the affairs of life and basic services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions."

The statement also said the factions had agreed to work on unifying a common position "to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause."

It called for a meeting of all forces and factions to "agree on a national strategy and to revitalise the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people".

Hamas is not part of the PLO, which is dominated by its longtime rival Fatah.

An informed source said on Thursday that delegations from Hamas and Fatah met in Cairo to discuss the second phase of a US-backed ceasefire plan in Gaza.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that both sides agreed to "continue meetings in the coming period and to work on organising the Palestinian internal front in the face of the challenges posed by the Israeli government".

Alongside the Hamas-Fatah talks, Egypt's intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met senior officials from key Palestinian factions.

They included Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, as well as the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine -- both factions within the PLO.

Hamas and Fatah have a history of deep political rivalry, which flared into fighting for a time after a 2006 election, and which has hindered efforts at Palestinian national unity.

In December 2024, they agreed to create a committee to jointly administer post-war Gaza. The agreement was criticised, particularly by members of Fatah.

Hamas, which seized power in the territory in 2007, has already made it clear that it does not wish to govern the post-war territory, but has pushed back against the insistence that it disarm its fighters.

Left-wing Connolly set to win Irish Presidency as opponents concede

DUBLIN, Oct 25: Catherine Connolly, a veteran lawmaker on the far-left of the Irish political spectrum, was set to be elected the country’s next President on Saturday as members of the governing parties conceded defeat.

Early tallies of votes after counting began at 0800 GMT showed a wide lead for Ms. Connolly, 68, an independent candidate. She is a long-time critic of the European Union in overwhelmingly pro-EU Ireland and was far from a household name at the outset.

“It does appear likely that Catherine Connolly will be elected and we now move on to the job of working with her as a government,” Higher Education Minister James Lawless, a member of the Fianna Fail party, told national broadcaster RTE.

Ireland’s president is largely a figurehead, with seldom-used powers to test the constitutionality of legislation. Education Minister Helen McEntee also said that it looked as though Ms. Connolly would win. Her centre-right Fine Gael party’s pick Heather Humphreys was the only other candidate left campaigning. Fianna Fail’s candidate abandoned his bid just days into the campaign.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, part of the entire left-wing opposition bloc that backed Ms. Connolly, said it was “almost certain” that Ms. Connolly would be the 10th President of Ireland.

Ms. Connolly, a former clinical psychologist and barrister, was first elected to parliament in 2016 where she has served as a deputy speaker of Ireland’s Lower House.

In brief remarks to RTE at her local County Galway count centre, Ms. Connolly thanked those who voted for her and said she would do her utmost to represent those who did not.

Russia holds nuclear drills, Ukraine seeks Swedish fighter jets

MOSCOW/KYIV, Oct 22: Russia said on Wednesday it had carried out a major training exercise involving nuclear weapons, a day after the United States announced a delay in plans for a second summit between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on the Ukraine war.

The Kremlin released video showing General Valery Gerasimov, head of the General Staff, reporting to Putin on the drills. Russia said it fired missiles from ground launchers, submarines and aircraft, including intercontinental ballistic weapons that are capable of striking the United States.

At key moments in the war in Ukraine, Putin has issued reminders of Russia's nuclear might as a warning signal to Kyiv and its allies in the West. NATO has also been conducting nuclear deterrence exercises this month.

In a separate development, Sweden said it had signed a letter of intent to export Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, as European governments move to boost Kyiv's defences in a war that has ground on for three years and eight months, and shows no sign of ending soon.

Ukrainian pilots have been in Sweden to test the Gripen, a rugged and relatively low-cost option compared to aircraft such as the U.S. F-35.

"We have started the work to obtain Gripens... and expect the future contract to allow us to acquire no less than 100 such jets," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Swedish defence manufacturer Saab. Kyiv aims to receive and start using them next year, he said.

Russia and Ukraine pounded each other with heavy overnight missile attacks as renewed uncertainty surrounded the U.S.-led peace effort.

After months of stalled diplomacy, Putin and Trump spoke last week and unexpectedly announced they would hold a summit in Hungary that the Kremlin said could take place within a couple of weeks.

But following a phone call on Monday between the two countries' top diplomats, the White House said the next day that Trump had no plans to meet Putin "in the immediate future". Trump said he did not want to have a wasted meeting - something the Kremlin said Putin also wanted to avoid.

Russian officials said, however, that preparations continued for a summit.
"The dates haven't been set yet, but thorough preparation is needed before then, and that takes time," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

A U.S. official said the summit had not been cancelled, but the U.S. side was focusing for now on Trump's upcoming visit to Asia.

Sanae Takaichi, China Hawk, Becomes Japan's First Woman PM

TOKYO, Oct 21: Japan got its first woman prime minister on Tuesday after Sanae Takaichi, a China hawk and social conservative, forged an 11th-hour coalition deal.

Japan's fifth premier in as many years will lead a minority government and has a full in-tray, not least a scheduled visit by US President Donald Trump next week.

Parliament appointed Takaichi, an admirer of Margaret Thatcher, as prime minister on Tuesday, after she unexpectedly won a majority in a first round of voting.

She will formally take office after meeting the emperor later.

The former heavy metal drummer became on October 4 head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost non-stop for decades but is losing support.

Six days later the Komeito party, uncomfortable about Takaichi's conservative views and an LDP slush fund scandal, quit their coalition.

This forced Takaichi to form an alliance with the reformist, right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which was signed on Monday evening.

JIP wants to lower the consumption tax rate on food to zero, to abolish corporate and organisational donations and to reduce the number of MPs.

Takaichi pledged Monday to "make Japan's economy stronger, and reshape Japan as a country that can be responsible for future generations".

Israel Resumes Ceasefire In Gaza, Aid Deliveries Restart

JERUSALEM, Oct 20: Gaza's fragile ceasefire faced its first major test Sunday as Israeli forces launched a wave of deadly strikes, saying Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, and an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory was halted.

The military later said it resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and the official confirmed that aid deliveries resumed Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.

A little over a week has passed since the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war. U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire remained in place and "we want to make sure it's going to be very peaceful."

He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Hamas has been "quite rambunctious" and "they've been doing some shooting." He suggested that the violence might be the fault of "rebels" within the organization rather than its leadership.

"It's going to be handled toughly but properly," he said. Trump did not say whether he thought the Israeli strikes were justified, saying "it's under review."

Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that he may visit Israel in the coming days.

"We're trying to figure it out," he told reporters, saying the administration wants to "go and check on how things are going." Regarding the ceasefire, he said that "there's going to be fits and starts."

Health officials said at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including children. Israel's military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets after its troops came under fire.

A senior Egyptian official involved in the ceasefire negotiations said "round-the-clock" contacts were underway to de-escalate the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to reporters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take "strong action" against any ceasefire violations but didn't threaten to return to war.

Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza, 33 dead

JERUSALEM, Oct 19: Less than 10 days after Hamas and Israel agreed to a much-needed ceasefire after over two years of devastating war, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Sunday that they have begun a series of strikes against Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip.

According to Gaza's local authorities, at least 33 people were killed in the strikes by Israeli forces on Sunday.

The Israeli military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, in what it said was “in response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement”.

Later in the day, a Israeli security official said that they have suspended aid shipments into war-torn Gaza.

Hours after blaming Hamas for violating Gaza ceasefire truce and launching strikes in Gaza strip, Israel has now stopped aid shipments into the region, said a security official.

"The transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has been halted until further notice, following Hamas's blatant violation of the agreement," the official said, according to the report.

Earlier on Sunday, a little over a week after ceasefire in Gaza came into effect, Israel said that its forces struck Gaza to “eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity”.

The IDF said that it launched the strikes after “terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.”

In a statement released later on Sunday, the Israeli forces claimed that several “armed terrorists were identified approaching IDF forces operating in the Beit Lahia area", following which, the Israeli forces struck the “terrorists”.

The IDF added that its troops will “continue to operate to eliminate any threat".

The strikes by Israeli forces came after the US reported on Saturday that it had "credible information" that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was planning an attack on Gazans. Hamas had denied the US statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned on Saturday that Gaza war would end only when Hamas will be disarmed and the Palestinian territory will be demilitarised.

Portugal bans Burqas and Niqabs in public: Fines up to €4,000 for offenders

LISBON, Oct 18: Portugal’s parliament on Friday approved a bill banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs for “gender or religious motives” in most public spaces, with fines ranging from 200 to 4,000 euros for offenders.

Forcing someone to wear a face veil could carry a prison sentence of up to three years. The legislation, proposed by the far-right Chega party and supported by the centre-right coalition, still allows face coverings on airplanes, in diplomatic premises, and in places of worship.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has yet to give assent and could veto the bill or send it to the Constitutional Court for review. Chega leader Andre Ventura defended the measure, saying, “We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day.”

Social Democratic Party lawmaker Andreia Neto added, “No woman should be forced to veil her face.”

Opposition lawmakers, including members of left-wing parties, criticized the bill for targeting foreigners and women of different faiths, arguing that it risks stigmatizing Muslim communities.

Only a small number of Muslim women in Portugal wear full-face coverings. Still, the issue mirrors debates across Europe in countries such as France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which already have full or partial bans on face veils.

Supporters of the law claim that full-face coverings symbolize gender discrimination and pose security risks, while critics warn it infringes on religious freedom and individual rights.

Pakistani strikes hit Afghanistan, truce 'broken': Taliban official

KABUL, Oct 17: Pakistan carried out strikes in a border province in Afghanistan late Friday, breaking a ceasefire that had brought two days of calm to the border, said a senior Taliban official, warning that Kabul would "retaliate."

"Pakistan has broken the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika" province, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Afghanistan will retaliate."

No Phone Call Between Modi, Trump Yesterday: India On US President's Oil Claim

NEW DELHI, Oct 16: India on Thursday firmly denied claims made by US President Donald Trump that he had a recent telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which, he alleges, the PM "assured" him India would cease purchasing oil from Russia.

Responding to the US President's claim, the Centre clarified that no such conversation had taken place.

"Regarding the comment from the US on the energy issue, we have already issued a statement, which you can refer to. As for the telephonic conversation, I can say that there has been no discussion between the Prime Minister and President Trump," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said today.

The clarification followed comments made by Trump at the White House, where he spoke at length about his rapport with Modi and the bilateral relationship between India and the US. Calling Modi "a great man" and India "an incredible country," Trump suggested that the two leaders had spoken recently and might meet on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

When asked about the possibility of that meeting, Trump replied, "Yeah, sure, he's a friend of mine. We have a great relationship." He went on to say, "He's a great man. He loves Trump. I have watched India for years. It's an incredible country, and every single year you'd have a new leader. I mean, some would be in there for a few months, and this was year after year after year. And my friend has been there now for a long time."

In his remarks, Trump claimed that Modi had "assured" him that India would not be buying oil from Russia. "He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia," Trump claimed. "You can't do it immediately - it's a little bit of a process - but the process is going to be over with soon. And all we want from President Putin...is to stop this."

Trump added that if India stopped buying Russian oil, it would make it "much easier" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia, and they'll go back to Russia after the war's over," he said.

Trump also introduced the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who was present in the Oval Office during the press briefing. "We have the new ambassador to India right here. They're well represented. You better represent us, not them, okay? But Sergio is going to do a great job," he said.

Pak, Afghanistan Agree To 48-Hour Ceasefire After Dozens Killed In Clashes

ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire Wednesday evening after dozens of people were killed, and many more wounded, in violence along their shared border earlier in the day

The ceasefire came into effect 6 pm PKT or 6.30 pm IST.

'Both sides will make sincere efforts, through dialogue, to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue', Islamabad said in a statement.

Pakistan claimed Afghanistan asked for the ceasefire. Afghanistan has not yet commented, either on the ceasefire or Pak's claim on who asked for a temporary halt to the fighting.

Earlier today Pak said it had killed 'dozens of Afghan security forces and militants' in overnight military operations, which underlines the deadliest violence between the neighbours in recent years.

Pak also said it had destroyed tanks and military posts as it repelled 'unprovoked' assaults.

However, it firmly denied targeting civilians after the Taliban said a dozen were killed and over 100 others wounded in a strike on a border area in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar.

Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said a Pak Army border outpost was destroyed and an enemy tank commandeered in retaliation.

Pak accuses Afghanistan of supporting gunmen who carry out terrorist attacks on its territory. Pak claims these attacks have increased since 2021, when the Taliban grabbed power.

Afghanistan, however, denies these allegations.

It has insisted, as its Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, told India last week during a State visit, the Taliban will not allow its land to be used to stage attacks on other countries.

Wednesday's clashes were the second this week, stoking fears of a wider conflict in a region where terrorist groups like the Islamic State - as well as outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba that target India - are trying to establish a foothold and resurface.

The fighting stopped briefly Sunday after appeals from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The latest flare-up, the deadliest in the last few years, coincided with Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi's visit to India, which Islamabad views as Delhi trying to reset ties with Kabul.

India has also restored full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to an Embassy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said last week.

Islamabad has long accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists - principally the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan - which it denies.

Hamas Brutally Executes 8 Gazans In Public Amid Trump's 'Disarm' Warning

GAZA, Oct 15: Hamas is reportedly carrying out mass public executions in Gaza as it desperately seeks to maintain control over the Palestinian enclave, even as US President Donald Trump has vowed to disarm the group.

Videos of Hamas' barbaric reprisal have gone viral on social media as the group clashed with other armed Palestinian clans to retain control of the Gaza Strip after a US-brokered truce with Israel.

The footage, apparently from Monday evening, showed the street execution of eight men, whom the armed group branded "collaborators and outlaws". In the graphic video, eight badly beaten men can be seen blindfolded and kneeling in the street before each is shot dead by gunmen wearing the green headbands associated with Hamas.

Chants of 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest in Arabic) can be heard from the crowd surrounding the bodies.

Without providing evidence, Hamas, in a statement, said the victims were "criminals and collaborators with Israel".

Following the IDF's withdrawal, Hamas has quickly looked to reassert its control over Gaza, targeting the "clans," or family-based armed groups that had gained strength during the conflict.

Several Killed As Clashes Erupt Between Hamas And Gaza Clan After Ceasefire: Report

GAZA, Oct 15: Several people were killed over the weekend in Gaza City in violent clashes between Hamas security forces and the members of an armed clan, multiple sources reported on Monday.

Skirmishes first broke out last week between the Palestinian Islamist group and the Doghmush clan after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect.

On Sunday evening, gunfights took place in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to witnesses.

"About 200 members of the (Hamas) security forces were present and fought until they completely subdued" the clan members, a local resident said.

"There were dead and wounded among the (Doghmush) family members, but also martyrs and injured among the security forces," he added.

'Historic dawn of a new Middle East': Trump delares end of Gaza war

JERUSALEM, Oct 13: On a day that Israel, and the world had long waited for, US President Donald Trump stood in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and declared, “the long and painful nightmare is finally over.”

For months, Gaza had been a land of fire and fear, hostages held, rockets fired, and civilians trapped between war and reprisal. Now, with a ceasefire brokered by Trump, the streets of Tel Aviv were calm, families were reunited, and a fragile hope stirred across the region.

Trump framed the moment as more than a pause in fighting: “This long and difficult war has ended. In an unprecedented achievement, virtually the entire region has endorsed the plan that Gaza will be demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed, and Israel's security will not be threatened.”

In his words, the ceasefire was not just a diplomatic feat, but a turning point—a “historic dawn of a new Middle East”.

Speaking for the first time in Israel since his re-election, Donald Trump described the day as marking “the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for the better” in the Middle East. He framed the agreement as “the most challenging breakthrough of them all, the most challenging breakthrough maybe ever.”

The US president, who arrived in Tel Aviv on Air Force One before flying to Egypt for a Gaza summit, hailed the “historic dawn of a new Middle East,” echoing language he had used during his first presidency when Israel signed deals with ArArab states. “At last, not only for Israelis but also Palestinians, the long and painful nightmare is finally over," he said.

Trump, World Leaders Sign Gaza Declaration

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Oct 13: US President Donald Trump hailed a "tremendous day for the Middle East" as he and regional leaders signed a declaration Monday meant to cement a ceasefire in Gaza, hours after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners.

Trump made a lightning visit to Israel, where he lauded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an address to parliament, before flying to Egypt for a Gaza summit where he and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey signed the declaration as guarantors to the Gaza deal.

"This is a tremendous day for the world, it's a tremendous day for the Middle East," Trump said as more than two dozen world leaders sat down to talk in the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"The document is going to spell out rules and regulations and lots of other things," Trump said before signing, repeating twice that "it's going to hold up."

As part of Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, Hamas on Monday freed the last 20 surviving hostages it held after two years of captivity in Gaza.

In exchange, Israel released 1,968 mostly Palestinian prisoners held in its jails, its prison service said.

"From October 7 until this week, Israel has been a nation at war, enduring burdens that only a proud and faithful people could withstand," Trump told lawmakers during an address to Israel's parliament, where he received a lengthy standing ovation upon his arrival.

"For so many families across this land, it has been years since you've known a single day of true peace," he continued.

"Not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over."

Hamas Frees 7 Israeli Hostages

TEL AVIV, Oct 13: Hamas has released seven Israeli hostages into the custody of the Red Cross, the first to be released as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The seven include Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor and Guy Gilboa-Dallal, according to Israeli media reports.

While there was no immediate information on their condition, tens of thousands of Israelis, who were watching the transfers at public screenings across the country, broke into loud cheers as the International Committee of the Red Cross collected the hostages held by Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinians, meanwhile, awaited the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel. The key exchange of hostages and prisoners follows a breakthrough ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump after two years of war.

Trump is en route to the region along with other leaders to discuss the US-proposed deal and postwar plans. A surge of humanitarian aid was also expected into famine-stricken Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless.

'58 Pak Soldiers Killed': Taliban's Big Claim And A Warning After Strikes

KABUL, Oct 12: Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid on Sunday said they killed at least 58 Pakistani soldiers and over 30 were left wounded in retaliatory strikes near the Durand Line in Behrampur district. He also warned Pakistan of leaving "no attack unanswered" and accused it of letting ISIS terrorists hide on their soil.

"Pakistan has turned a blind eye to the presence of ISIS on its soil. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered. Pakistan should expel the important ISIS members who are hiding there from its soil or hand them over to the Islamic Emirate. The ISIS group poses a threat to many countries in the world, including Afghanistan," Mujahid said.

According to the Taliban leader, the Islamic Emirate had cleared its territory of those causing unrest, but they established new centers in Pashtunkhwa.

"Recruits were brought to these centers for training via Karachi and Islamabad airports. Even attacks in Afghanistan are being planned from these centers, and there is documented evidence of this," he said.

Defending the retaliatory strikes, the Taliban spokesperson said, "A significant amount of weapons also fell into the hands of the Islamic Emirate forces. In these clashes, more than 20 members of the Islamic Emirate forces were also killed or wounded. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered."

Mujahid said that anyone who aggresses against their soil or violates their airspace will "face a harsh response".

The airstrikes were eventually stopped at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, he said.

Three explosions were reported in Afghanistan on Thursday - two in Kabul and one in the southeastern Paktika. The Taliban blamed Islamabad and accused it of violating its sovereignty. Pakistan, however, did not confirm it was behind the attacks, but called on Kabul "to stop harbouring the Pakistani Taliban on its soil."

The Afghan forces, hitting back at Pakistan, targeted Pakistani posts in the provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar. All these provinces are located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the airstrikes and said the country's army "not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan's provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat." "There will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response," he said.

Israel expects to receive all living captives from Gaza on Monday

TEL AVIV, Oct 12: Israel says it expects to receive all its remaining living captives from Gaza early on Monday, a key step in the ceasefire now in effect.

Speaking on Sunday, government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Israel anticipates all 20 living captives will be returned together in the early hours of Monday.

As in previous exchanges during the two-year war, the captives will first be handed over to the Red Cross, which will transport them to an Israeli military base inside Gaza for initial medical checks before they proceed to Israel to reunite with their families.

A Hamas source said the captives have been moved to three locations in the enclave ahead of their transfer to Red Cross officials.

Once Israel has confirmed all its captives are inside Israeli territory, it will begin releasing Palestinian prisoners, Bedrosian said.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is to release about 2,000 Palestinians it holds in detention, many without charge. The prisoners include 250 Palestinians serving life sentences. Imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, whose release Palestinians have long sought, will not be among them, Israel has said. Some detainees will be released in the occupied West Bank, where relatives have been instructed by Israel not to hold celebrations or speak to the media.

Israel is also preparing to receive the bodies of 28 captives confirmed to have died in captivity, according to Bedrosian.

Speaking in a televised address on Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped the captives’ release would be a moment of unity for the country despite controversy over his handling of the war.

“This is an emotional evening … because tomorrow our children will return to our borders,” said Netanyahu, quoting a Biblical verse. “Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path – a path of rebuilding, a path of healing and, I hope, a path of united hearts.”

Some of the families of captives have criticised Netanyahu for allegedly prioritising military victory over their release. On Saturday, when US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Netanyahu’s leadership at a rally in Tel Aviv, many in the crowd booed.

The planned exchange comes three days after Israel’s government approved the first phase of a deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza – and just as United States President Donald Trump, who spearheaded the agreement – is to visit Israel before a summit in Egypt.

India restores full diplomatic ties with Afghanistan

NEW DELHI, Oct 10: India has restored full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to an Embassy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Friday morning, with his Afghani counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, by his side.

"India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan. I am pleased to announce the upgrading of India's Technical Mission to status of Embassy'," Jaishankar said.

The minister spoke about a "deep interest" in Afghanistan's development and progress, pointing to many existing India-backed projects in that country, and committed to six more.

He also referred to India's "extended support" for the health of the Afghan people, particularly during the COVID pandemic, and offered a gift of 20 ambulances as a "goodwill gesture", and also a supply of high-tech medical equipment, vaccines, and cancer medications.

The embassy in Kabul had been downgraded four years ago, and consulate offices in smaller cities closed, amid fighting between the Taliban and the then-Afghani government.

The violence prompted India to deploy military aircraft to evacuate embassy personnel; two C-17 transport planes flew in late August 15 and early August 16 to bring back staff.

India resumed diplomatic presence in Kabul 10 months later. A technical team was deployed to the embassy, but only after the Taliban, which had by then captured the government, said adequate security would be provided if Delhi were to send officials back to the Afghan capital.

Fast-forward to October 2025, however, and relations have improved further, highlighted by Muttaqi's firm statement - the Taliban will not allow its soil to be used for anti-India activities.

That remark is significant since it comes against the backdrop of military action by Pakistan in Afghanistan - against what it claims are Afghan-backed terrorists striking on Pak territory.

Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif 'warned' Kabul this week that Islamabad - which supports terror groups and terrorists attacking India - will not "tolerate cross-border terrorism..."

The Taliban's condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack - carried out by a Pak-based group - was also a big moment, particularly in the context of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the region.

Muttaqi, meanwhile, lavished praise on India in, and after, his meeting with Jaishankar, recalling swift support after the devastating earthquake on August 31.

Over 2,000 people were killed in that disaster and more than 5,000 home destroyed.

"I am happy to be in Delhi, and this visit will increase the understanding between the two countries. India and Afghanistan should increase their engagements and exchanges... we will not allow any group to use our territory against others," Muttaqi said.

Taiwan Unveils 'T-Dome' Air Defence System To Counter China Threat

TAIPEI, Oct 10: Taiwan will build a new multi-layered air defence system called "T-Dome" to defend itself against enemy threats and increase defence spending, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, calling on China to renounce the use of force to seize the island.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military and political pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei.

Taiwan is ramping up defence spending and modernising its armed forces, but faces a China that has a far larger military and is adding advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers and a huge array of missiles.

Lai said in his National Day address that Taiwan is determined to spend more on defence, and would propose a special budget for military spending by the end of the year, showing the government's determination to protect the island.

"The increase in defence spending has a purpose; it is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defence industries," he said.

"We will accelerate our building of the T-Dome, establish a rigorous air defence system in Taiwan with multi-layered defence, high-level detection, and effective interception, and weave a safety net for Taiwan to protect the lives and property of citizens," Lai said, to applause from the crowd.

He did not give details about "T-Dome" in his first public mention of the system. Reuters reported on Thursday he would unveil the "T-Dome", which one source said would aim to be like Israel's Iron Dome.

A senior presidential office official told reporters that the "T-Dome" spending plans would be included in the budget proposal to come by the end of the year.

"We are hoping to build a more thorough air defence net with a higher interception rate," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that countries like the United States are also building similar systems.

Taiwan's existing air defence systems are primarily based around the U.S.-made Patriot and the Taiwan-developed Sky Bow missiles.

Taiwan unveiled its latest air defence missile last month at a major arms show in Taipei, called Chiang-Kong, which is designed to intercept mid-level ballistic missiles and reach airspace higher than the Patriots.

Responding to the speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that "seeking independence by force" would only drag Taiwan into conflict.

"He peddles the separatist fallacy of Taiwan independence," Guo told reporters in Beijing. "This once again exposes his stubborn nature as a troublemaker, creator of danger and a war-maker."

China, which held war games around the island in response to his speech last year, says Lai is a "separatist" and has rebuffed his offers of talks.

Lai added that China should renounce the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and that Taiwan will work to ensure peace and stability.

"Looking back at World War Two, we see that so many experienced the suffering of war and the pain of invasion. We should learn from these lessons and ensure that the tragedies of history are never repeated," Lai said.

A U.S. administration official said that the United States welcomed Lai's commitment to increase defence spending and comments on ensuring peace and stability.

"We're not going to speculate on how Beijing might react. But our general policy is that we don't think routine speeches should be used as a pretext for taking any sort of coercive or military action," the official said.

Taiwan's National Day is held on the anniversary of a 1911 uprising that led to the overthrow of China's last imperial dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.

The Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, and the Republic of China remains the island's formal name.

Israel, Hamas agree on Gaza ceasefire start, Trump announces breakthrough

CAIRO, Oct 9: Israel and Palestinian militant outfit Hamas have reached an agreement on the 'first phase' of plan to stop the fighting in Gaza and release hostages as well as prisoners, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (local time) in a post on social media.

Shortly after Trump's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said all hostages will be brought home with god's help. Mediator Qatar also confirmed that agreement has been reached for first phase of Gaza ceasefire.

In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump said he is “very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan”.

Donald Trump said this means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward what he termed was “strong, durable, and everlasting peace”.

“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” Trump's Truth Social post further read.

Hamas also said that an agreement has been reached to end Gaza war, secure Israeli withdrawal and hostage-prisoner swap. Hamas called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel implements Gaza ceasefire deal, according to a statement.

The announcement by Trump comes amid Israel, Hamas and other stakeholders holding talks at an Egyptian resort to stop the fighting in Gaza, which erupted after the Hamas attack on Southern Israel in October 7, 2023.

After Trump's announcement, Netanyahu took to X and said it was a “great day for Israel”. “Tomorrow I will convene the government to approve the agreement and bring all our dear hostages home. I thank the heroic soldiers of the IDF and all the security forces, thanks to whose courage and sacrifice we have reached this day,” Netanyahu wrote.

“I thank from the depths of my heart President Trump and his team for their mobilization for this sacred mission of releasing our hostages. With the help of the Almighty, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors,” he added.

Both Hamas and Israel had reportedly responded positively to US President Donald Trump's proposed roadmap to end the conflict, which has killed thousands and reduced most of the Gaza Strip to rubble. The plan involves the release of Israeli captives in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, though key details are still under negotiation.

Trump earlier on Wednesday said at the White House that he is planning to go to the Middle East this weekend, adding that a deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is "very close."

"I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually… and we'll see, but there is a very good chance. Negotiations are going along very well," Trump said.

Trump made the above statement at a roundtable with antifa at the White House, moments after Secretary of State Marco Rubio discreetly passed a handwritten note to him during the discussion with conservative influencers on the topic of antifa, a left-wing anti-fascist and anti-racist political movement.

Photographers in the room captured the note, which read: “You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first.”

Moments later, Trump turned to the room and declared: “We’re very close to a deal in the Middle East.”

Hamas, Israel Exchange Lists For Hostage-Prisoner Swap Amid Gaza Peace Talks

CAIRO, Oct 8: Hamas said on Wednesday it had exchanged a list of the names of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be released under a swap deal and that it was optimistic about talks in Egypt on US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.

Negotiations are focused on the mechanisms to halt the conflict, withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the swap deal, the Palestinian militant group added.

The timing of the implementation of the first phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point initiative has not been agreed so far during talks in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, said a Palestinian source close to the negotiations.

Trump expressed optimism about progress toward a deal on Tuesday, the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel that triggered Israel's assault on Gaza.

A US team including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law who served as Middle East envoy during Trump's first term, will take part in the talks over a plan that has come closest to silencing the guns.

But officials on all sides urged caution over the prospects for a rapid agreement.

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close confidant - was due to join the talks on Wednesday afternoon, according to an Israeli official.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, a key mediator, and Turkish spymaster Ibrahim Kalin, will also take part in the ceasefire negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Hamas wants a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire, a complete pullout of Israeli forces and the immediate start of a comprehensive reconstruction process under the supervision of a Palestinian "national technocratic body."

Israel, for its part, wants Hamas to disarm, which the group rejects.

US officials suggest they want to initially focus talks on a halt to the fighting and the logistics of how the Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees in Israel would be freed.

In the absence of a ceasefire, Israel has pressed on with its offensive in Gaza, increasing its international isolation.

India's 'Red Lines' Have To Be Respected: S Jaishankar On Trade Deal With US

NEW DELHI, Oct 5: Any trade deal between India and the US has to respect New Delhi's "red lines" and efforts are underway to find a "landing ground", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday amid strain in ties between the two countries over Washington's policy on tariffs.

In an interactive session at an event, Jaishankar acknowledged having issues between India and the US and that many of them are linked to the inability to firm up the proposed trade deal.

The external affairs minister said an understanding on trade between the two sides was necessary as the US is the world's largest market, but at the same time noted that India's red lines should be respected.

"We have today issues with the United States. A big part of it is the fact that we have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions, and the inability so far to reach there has led to a certain tariff being levied on India," he said.

Jaishankar was speaking at the discussion on the theme 'Shaping Foreign Policy in Turbulent Times' at the Kautilya Economic Enclave.

"In addition, there is a second tariff which we have publicly said we regard as very unfair, which has picked on us for sourcing energy from Russia when there are other countries that have done so, including countries that right now have a far more antagonistic relationship with Russia than we do," he said.

The relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.

India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".

"Whatever happens at the end of the day, there has got to be a trade understanding with the US...because it is the world's largest market but also because much of the world has reached those understandings," Jaishankar said.

"But it has to be an understanding where our bottom lines, our red lines, are respected. In any agreement, there are things you can negotiate and there are things you can't," he said.

Jaishankar said India is pretty clear about its approach.

"I think we are pretty clear about that. We have to find that landing ground, and that's been the conversation which has been going on since March," he said.

India and the US have recently resumed negotiations for the proposed trade deal after a brief hiatus of a few weeks.

The external affairs minister also suggested that the strain in the relations has not been impacting every dimension of the engagement.

"There are problems, there are issues, nobody is in denial of it. Those issues need to be negotiated and discussed, and resolved, which is exactly what we are trying to do," he said.

At the same time, he added, "I would really hesitate to read very much more into it than the issues themselves. I think I also want to say a large part of the relationship is actually continuing either as business as usual or, in fact, in some cases even doing more than it was doing before."

Defiant Netanyahu Vows To Disarm Hamas Amid Talks To Free Gaza Hostages

JERUSALEM, Oct 5: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to "disarm" Hamas either the "easy or the hard way" - a day after the Palestinian group accepted parts of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, including to free all hostages.

According to Netanyahu, the demilitarisation of Hamas would be achieved either through Trump's proposal or Israeli military action.

He also signalled that there would not be a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza - something Hamas has long demanded.

"Israel's military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and Hamas will be disarmed in the plan's second phase, diplomatically, or through a military path by us. You heard Trump, he will not accept additional delay. In the second phase, Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarised. This will happen either diplomatically through Trump's plan or militarily by us. This will happen either the easy way or the hard way," Netanyahu said in a video message in Hebrew.

The Israeli Prime Minister said that he hopes to announce the release of all hostages from Gaza "in the coming days," as Israel and Hamas prepare for talks in Egypt on Monday.

"My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, we are on the verge of a very great achievement. This is still not final. We are working on it diligently, and I hope that in the coming days, still during the holiday of Sukkot, I will be able to announce to you the return of all our hostages, the living and the dead. At the same time, the IDF remains in the depths of the Gaza Strip and in the areas controlling it," he said.

Amid PoK protests, India says Pakistan must be held accountable for horrific human rights violations

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: India on Friday said the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are the result of Islamabad’s “oppressive approach and systemic plundering of resources”.

In his weekly briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the violent crackdown on demonstrators, calling on Pakistan to be held accountable for “horrific human rights violations.”

“We have seen reports on protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians. We believe that it is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive approach and its systemic plundering of resources from these territories, which remain under its forcible and illegal occupation. Pakistan must be held accountable for its horrific human rights violations,” Jaiswal said.

At least nine people, including three policemen, have been killed in protests in PoK over the past few days. The protesters, led by Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society group of students, businessmen, and professionals, have a list of 38 demands, ranging from the economic to the political.

From September 29, the JAAC had called for a shutdown to press for its demands. Police action on the protesters worsened the matter.

Ukraine’s gas production sites ‘critically damaged’ in Russia's largest attack on Naftogaz

KYIV, Oct 3: A massive Russian air assault struck some of Ukraine's main gas production facilities, officials said on Friday, in some cases causing critical damage as Ukraine prepares for a new heating season.

Russia fired 35 missiles and 60 drones at facilities of state gas and oil company Naftogaz in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions overnight, said CEO Sergii Koretskyi, adding the attack was the biggest of the war on Naftogaz sites.

"As a result of this attack, a significant portion of our facilities has been damaged. Some of the destruction is critical," he added on Facebook.

"There was no military purpose or rationale. It was yet another display of Russian malice, aimed solely at disrupting the heating season and depriving Ukrainians of the ability to heat their homes this winter," he said.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed its forces had carried out massive overnight strikes on Ukraine's gas and energy infrastructure, saying it had also attacked military-industrial facilities.

Ukraine has boosted gas imports, fearing disruption of domestic supplies, and intends to stockpile 13.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in storage facilities by mid-October. This will include some 4.6 bcm of imported gas.

Russian strikes on Ukraine's gas infrastructure earlier this year cut domestic output by 40%.

Ukraine's top private energy provider DTEK said it had suspended operations at several gas facilities in the Poltava region after the overnight attack.

Over 8,000 consumers were left without power, the regional governor said.

According to Ukraine's air force, the massive Russian strike on 6 out of 24 regions included a total of 381 drones and 35 missiles.

Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine's energy sector as the fourth winter of war approaches, and they have already triggered prolonged blackouts in several regions.

A drone attack on the northern Kyiv and Chernihiv regions on Wednesday knocked out power to the Chornobyl nuclear power plant for three hours, including the new containment vessel erected in 2016 to keep radiation from leaking.

Seeking retaliation, Kyiv's troops have also stepped up deep strikes on oil refineries deep in Russia in recent months, prompting fuel shortages in some regions.

On Friday, Ukrainian drones hit Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in the Russian city of Orsk near the border with Kazakhstan, causing fires.

Taliban's Foreign Minister To Visit India In Historic Diplomatic Breakthrough

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: In a landmark development that could reshape regional geopolitics, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Taliban government is all set to visit India on October 9. This will be the first high-level visit from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, marking a new chapter in India-Taliban engagement.

The United Nations Security Council has confirmed that Muttaqi has been granted a temporary exemption from international travel restrictions, allowing him to visit New Delhi between October 9 and 16. The exemption underlines the significance attached to the visit, both by the Taliban administration and by regional powers seeking to recalibrate ties.

Indian diplomatic circles have been preparing for this moment for months. Since January, Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and senior IFS officer J.P. Singh, have held multiple rounds of dialogue with Muttaqi and other Taliban leaders, often meeting in neutral venues like Dubai.

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, where discussions centred on New Delhi's ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, particularly in strengthening the health sector and supporting refugee rehabilitation.

The turning point came on May 15 immediately after India's successful Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Muttaqi – the first ministerial-level contact since 2021. During that discussion, Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the Taliban's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed India's "traditional friendship with the Afghan people".

Earlier in April, the Taliban had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in India's Kashmir during a high-level meeting with Indian officials in Kabul, where India shared specific details of the terror attack. This significant statement indicated how India and Afghanistan were on the same page on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the region.

India has since expanded direct humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, providing food grains, medical supplies, and development assistance. Sources say the Taliban administration has also formally conveyed several requirements to India, ranging from energy support to infrastructure cooperation.

Following the devastating earthquake in September, India emerged as one of the first responders, swiftly dispatching 1,000 family tents and 15 tonnes of food supplies to the worst-affected provinces. This was soon followed by an additional 21 tonnes of relief material, including essential medicines, hygiene kits, blankets, and generators, underscoring India's commitment to aiding the Afghan people in times of crisis.

Since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, India has supplied Afghanistan with nearly 50,000 tonnes of wheat, more than 330 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and 40,000 litres of pesticides, along with a range of other essential items. These sustained efforts have provided critical help to millions of Afghans grappling with food insecurity, health challenges, and humanitarian distress.

The visit is being widely interpreted as a setback for Pakistan, which has long sought to maintain influence over Kabul. Islamabad's decision earlier this year to repatriate more than 80,000 Afghan refugees strained ties with the Taliban, opening diplomatic space for India to step in more assertively. Analysts note that Muttaqi's presence in New Delhi signals Kabul's willingness to diversify its foreign relations and reduce dependency on Pakistan.

For India, the visit is a delicate but strategic gamble. Engaging directly with the Taliban government allows New Delhi to secure its long-term interests in Afghanistan, prevent terror threats emanating from the region, and counterbalance Chinese and Pakistani influence.

The October 10 bilateral meeting during Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi's visit could mark a turning point, setting India and Afghanistan on a new trajectory of cautious cooperation – one that could redraw power equations across South Asia.

Kremlin On Alert As US Considers Tomahawks, Wider Intel For Kyiv: Reports

MOSCOW, Oct 2: The Kremlin said on Thursday that the United States and the NATO alliance were already supplying intelligence to Ukraine on a regular basis, in response to reports that Washington would provide intelligence on Russian energy targets to Kyiv.

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported that the US would provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy infrastructure targets inside Russia as it also weighs whether to send missiles to Kyiv that could be used in such strikes.

"The United States of America transmits intelligence to Ukraine on a regular basis online," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"The supply and use of the entire infrastructure of NATO and the United States to collect and transfer intelligence to Ukrainians is obvious."

Washington has long been sharing intelligence with Kyiv but has not openly declared its participation in striking Russian energy installations before and the U.S. has been wary of becoming directly involved in attacks on Russia.

The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the reports, which come amid a hardening of U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric toward Russia less than two months after he hosted Russian leader Vladimir Putin at a summit in Alaska.

Trump has expressed deep frustration with Putin's refusal to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine, while some European leaders have complained of regular incursions by Russian drones into their airspace. Moscow denies intentionally violating NATO airspace.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russian refineries over the past two months, disrupting processing and prompting a sharp increase in crude exports from Russia, which is already the world's second-largest oil exporter.

The Wall Street Journal said the reported U.S. move on intelligence sharing would make it easier for Ukraine to hit infrastructure such as refineries, pipelines and power plants with the aim of depriving the Kremlin of revenue and oil.

The U.S. is also currently weighing a Ukrainian request for Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles) - easily enough to hit Moscow and most of European Russia if fired from Ukraine.

After Ukraine fired U.S. ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia last year, Putin ordered a hypersonic missile be fired at Ukraine.

At the time he said Russia reserves the right to strike at military installations in countries that let Ukraine use their missiles to hit Russia. He also said Moscow could deploy its own missiles within striking distance of Western states if Russia is hit.

Israel threatens all staying in Gaza City, kills at least 53 in enclave

GAZA, Oct 2: At least 53 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since dawn across Gaza as Israel threatened tens of thousands remaining in Gaza City with a forced order to leave, saying it was their “last opportunity” to flee or face the “full force” of Israel’s assault.

Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X on Wednesday that anyone who stayed would be considered “terrorists and terror supporters”.

The continuous bombardment of Gaza City has razed the territory’s largest urban centre, killing dozens of people daily, destroying numerous residential buildings and schools, and forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee to an unknown fate to the south, often targeted on the way.

At Least 12 Civilians Killed In Firing, Clashes Amid Huge PoK Protests

MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 1: The number of civilians killed rose to 12 after a third consecutive day of violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir against the Pakistani government. At least four people were killed in Dhirkot in Bagh district, while at least two others died in Muzaffarabad and two in Mirpur, while over 200 civilians have been injured.

Three policemen have also died in the clashes, and at least nine have been injured.

PoK has been wracked by massive protests - led by the Joint Awami Action Committee over the 'denial of fundamental rights' - in the past 72 hours, including a complete shutdown of markets, shops, and local businesses, as well as a halt on transport services.

Protestors threw stones and large shipping containers - strategically placed on bridges to block their march on Muzaffarabad - were tossed into the river below.

Visuals showed dozens of protesters uniting to push them off the bridge.

Sources said the JAAC has blamed the Muzaffarabad deaths on Pak Rangers opening fire, and the others on heavy shelling by Pak security forces, including the Army, on civilians.

The protesters - whose 'long march' on Muzaffarabad continues despite the crackdown - have 38 demands, which include abolition of 12 seats in the PoK Assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. Locals argue this undermines representative governance.

"Our campaign is for fundamental rights denied to our people for over 70 years... either deliver on rights or face the wrath of the people," JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir said.

Sources also said a few caravans of protesters had broken through blockades to reach Muzaffarabad; visuals of large crowds gathered emerged on social media this morning.

Mir also delivered an ominous warning to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration.

He said the strike was 'plan A' - a message that the people's patience has run out and the authorities were now on notice. The JAAC has back-up plans and a severe 'plan D'.

Regarding the Muzaffarabad firing, the JAAC has said the Muslim Conference - reportedly backed by Pak's intel agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence - be labelled a terrorist group. The AAC also wants financial compensation and a government job for the families of those killed.

This amount, they have insisted, must equal the amount paid to the families of two police officers who were killed during these protests. The committee's seven-point list of demands over the PoK unrest includes the release from prison of protesters arrested in Kashmir and Pakistan.

Modi Welcomes Trump's Plan To End Gaza War

NEW DELHI, Sept 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended support to US President Donald Trump's new plan to end the Gaza conflict. The Prime Minister said Trump's 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict' provides a viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace for both Palestinian and Israeli people.

"We welcome President Donald J. Trump's announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It provides a viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace, security, and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people, as also for the larger West Asian region," Modi said in a post on X.

"We hope that all concerned will come together behind President Trump's initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace."