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Hamas on Monday released the last 20 living hostages as part of a ceasefire that brought an end to two years of conflict in Gaza, which had resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The release coincided with a visit from former President Donald Trump to Israel, where he celebrated the U.S.-negotiated truce and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump stated the agreement had effectively brought the war to a close and opened a path toward lasting peace in the region. As part of the arrangement, Israel agreed to free over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and permit humanitarian aid and food into Gaza. Israel Receives 13 Hostages The Israeli military confirmed that it had taken custody of 13 hostages from the Red Cross. These individuals will be brought to a military base in southern Israel to reunite with their families and then flown to hospitals for further care. Hamas Hands Over Remaining Hostages to Red Cross According to the Israeli military, Hamas transferred the final 13 living hostages to Red Cross officials on Monday. Israeli forces will facilitate their transport into the country. Trump Declares End of War Between Israel and HamasIn the Israeli parliament (Knesset), where Trump addressed lawmakers, many attendees wore red hats reading: "Trump, The Peace President." When asked whether the war was officially over, Trump answered, “Yes.” He had made similar remarks earlier aboard Air Force One, despite the ceasefire being in its early stages and still delicate. Summit for Peace in Egypt Nears Launch In Egypt’s resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, final preparations are underway for a high-profile summit led by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The event aims to rally global support behind the ceasefire and begin negotiations on key postwar issues, such as Hamas disarmament, governance in Gaza, Israel’s military withdrawal, and reconstruction funding. Trump Signs Knesset Guestbook During his Knesset visit, Trump was welcomed by Speaker Amir Ohana, who said, “Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset. We’ve been longing for this day.” Trump signed the guestbook with the message: “This is my great honor. A great and beautiful day. A new beginning,” followed by his signature. Trump Envoy Reflects on Personal Loss During Hostage Release Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy who played a major role in securing the ceasefire, reflected on the emotional weight of the moment. He mentioned his son Andrew, who died in 2011 from an opioid overdose, and expressed both relief and sorrow in a message shared on X. Witkoff emphasized the importance of recovering the bodies of deceased hostages, calling it an act of honor and closure. Israeli Forces Use Tear Gas on Crowd Awaiting Prisoner Release Outside Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank, an Israeli armored vehicle fired rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinians waiting for the release of around 250 detainees expected to be freed Monday. Drones hovered overhead as the crowd dispersed. The Associated Press reported the circulation of a flyer warning that individuals supporting “terrorist organizations” could be arrested. The Israeli military did not comment on the flyer.

An attempted coup is underway in Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina said Sunday, a day after members of an elite army unit were seen joining youth-led protests against his government. The Indian Ocean Island nation has been gripped by three weeks of its most serious unrest in years, with demonstrations organized by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar.” The United Nations said 22 people have been killed and dozens injured, though the government disputes that figure. A statement from Rajoelina’s office said it “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force has been initiated.” “In view of the extreme gravity of this situation, the President of the Republic strongly condemns this attempt at destabilization and calls upon all forces of the nation to unite in defense of constitutional order and national sovereignty,” it said. While the statement did not specify who was behind the attempt, members of the elite CAPSAT military unit reportedly joined the protesters on Saturday. The demonstrations, driven by anger over service failures and allegations of corruption and nepotism, began on Sept. 25. Rajoelina, who first rose to prominence as Madagascar’s transitional leader following a 2009 coup, was elected president in 2018 and re-elected for a second term in 2023.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Egypt on Monday to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace, the office of the UN Secretary-General said Saturday. “The Secretary-General is traveling to Egypt to attend on Monday the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit for Peace. He is expected back at UN Headquarters on Wednesday,” the office said in a brief note to correspondents. The summit will take place at Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, the Egyptian Presidency announced Saturday. Co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the meeting will bring together leaders from more than 20 countries. Officials said the summit aims to end the Gaza conflict, strengthen peace efforts in the Middle East, and promote a new phase of regional security and stability.

Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan pro‑democracy activist, has come under fire after being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Critics say the prize is controversial because Machado has publicly backed Israel and its military actions in Gaza and has previously called for foreign assistance to help remove Venezuela’s government. The Nobel Committee named Machado the Peace Laureate on Friday, praising her role in defending democracy and resisting authoritarian rule in Venezuela. orgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, described her as a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition" and hailed her as a "champion of peace" who has kept democratic hopes alive. In his announcement Frydnes added, "In the past year, Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist." The award prompted a swift reaction from Washington, with the White House criticising the decision for "placing politics over peace" — a rebuke that came amid a recent U.S. effort to present President Donald Trump as a global peacemaker. Machado later dedicated her Nobel to Trump; the U.S. President said he was happy for her. Opponents have pointed to Machado’s past statements and actions as grounds for protest. They cite social media posts and public remarks in which she expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and voiced support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. One frequently highlighted line from her past posts says, "The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel." She has also referred to Israel as a "genuine ally of freedom" and once pledged to move Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem if elected. Norwegian lawmaker Bjornar Moxnes noted Machado signed a cooperation document with Israel’s Likud party in 2020, arguing that association with a party blamed by some for actions in Gaza makes the award incompatible with the Nobel’s aims. The Council on American‑Islamic Relations condemned the decision as "unconscionable," urging the Nobel Committee to reconsider and calling instead for recognition of those who have "bravely pursuing justice for all people," including students, journalists, activists and medical workers opposing what they call "the genocide in Gaza." Machado also faces criticism over appeals she made for foreign support against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. In 2018 she posted a copy of a letter she said she had sent to Argentina’s then‑president and to Israel’s prime minister, writing, "Today, I am sending a letter to @mauriciomacri, President of Argentina, and to @netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to ask them to apply their strength and influence to advance in the dismantling of the criminal Venezuelan regime, intimately linked to drug trafficking and terrorism." That call for outside intervention remains a focal point for critics who say it contradicts the Nobel Peace Prize’s spirit. Supporters argue Machado’s personal sacrifices and leadership in Venezuela’s opposition movement merit recognition, while detractors say her foreign alliances and statements about Israel and intervention undermine the moral standing of the prize. The debate over her selection has quickly become a flashpoint in wider discussions about how the Nobel Peace Prize should balance political realities, moral consistency and the promotion of peace. With inputs from NDTV      

US President Donald Trump has said this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, told him she was accepting the award “in honor” of him, after he was overlooked for the prestigious recognition. “The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called me and said, ‘I’m accepting this in honor of you because you really deserved it.’ he said. “I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’” he added, drawing chuckles from his advisers. “I think she might have. She was very nice.” He also suggested the award might have been given for 2024 achievements, adding, “You could also say it was given out for ’24, and I was running for office in ’24.” US President Donald Trump was passed over for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, despite strong backing from Republican allies, several world leaders, and his own vocal campaigning for the honor. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been nominated last year by a group that included then-Sen. Machado dedicated her award to Trump and the Venezuelan people, expressing gratitude for the US president’s support. Her campaign manager Magalli Meda confirmed that Trump congratulated her by phone on Friday. Earlier in the day, the White House had expressed sharper criticism. Communications Director Steven Cheung accused the Nobel Committee of putting “politics over peace” for overlooking Trump’s role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire deal this week. Machado’s opposition to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aligns closely with Trump’s stance. Secretary of State Rubio praised her as “the personification of resilience, tenacity, and patriotism.” Trump, who has long sought the Nobel honor, has repeatedly claimed credit for helping end global conflicts. However, several of his nominations came after the February 2025 deadline, according to his supporters. Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney confirmed she nominated Trump in December for his role in the Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab nations. Nobel Committee Chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said campaigns for particular candidates are common. “We receive thousands and thousands of letters every year,” he noted. “We base only our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.” Three sitting US presidents — Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama — have previously received the Nobel Peace Prize. Jimmy Carter and Al Gore were later recipients. Trump, contrasting himself with Obama, remarked Thursday, “They gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country.” Trump often cites his efforts to “end seven wars,” though many of the conflicts he refers to involved diplomatic tensions rather than formal wars. While the Gaza ceasefire deal took effect Friday, questions remain over Hamas’ disarmament and Gaza’s governance, and little progress has been made in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Domestically, Trump’s presidency remains divisive as he advances mass deportation plans and uses government powers against political rivals. Internationally, he has engaged in trade disputes, declared cartels as combatants, and ordered strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. The Nobel nomination list is confidential, but Trump’s critics say many nominations announced publicly are attempts by allies to flatter him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who nominated Trump for the prize earlier this year, reposted the White House response on social media, writing, “The Nobel Committee talks about peace. President @realDonaldTrump makes it happen.” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also defended Trump, calling it “sheer stupidity” not to award him the prize. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking in Tajikistan, declined to judge but praised the Gaza ceasefire and criticized the committee’s past decisions. Trump responded online: “Thank you to President Putin!” Among others who nominated Trump after this year’s deadline were Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Pakistan’s government, citing his efforts to promote regional peace. Source: AP

A powerful explosion at an explosives manufacturing plant in rural Tennessee on Friday left 18 people missing and presumed dead, according to local authorities. The blast destroyed the facility and left behind a scene of devastation, including mangled debris and burned-out vehicles. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the aftermath at Accurate Energetic Systems — a company that develops and supplies explosives to the military — as total destruction. “There’s nothing left,” Davis said, calling it one of the most devastating incidents he has witnessed. Personally affected, Davis said he knows three of the families impacted. While confirming fatalities, he did not provide an exact number and referred to the missing as “souls” out of respect for the families. Initially, 19 people were reported missing, but the count was later revised to 18 after one individual was found safe at home. The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m., and aerial footage revealed smoke rising from the site, with debris spread across a half-mile radius. The force of the blast was felt up to 15 miles away. Accurate Energetic Systems operates an eight-building complex in a wooded area near Bucksnort, roughly 60 miles southwest of Nashville. It is still unclear how many workers were on-site at the time of the explosion. The cause of the blast remains unknown. Emergency responders were initially prevented from entering the site due to ongoing smaller explosions. By the afternoon, officials confirmed the area was secured and no longer posed further risk. In a social media post, the company expressed sympathy for those affected and thanked emergency responders for their efforts. Public records show that the company holds multiple contracts with the U.S. Army and Navy, supplying a range of military-grade explosives, including C4 and landmines. Nearby residents reported feeling the explosion, with some capturing the sound on home security footage. Gentry Stover, who lives close to the site, said he was jolted awake, thinking his house had collapsed. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee acknowledged the incident on social media, urging prayers for the affected families. State Representative Jody Barrett expressed concern about the economic impact, as the plant is a significant local employer. That evening, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil, singing “Amazing Grace” and praying for the missing and their loved ones. The U.S. has a history of tragic industrial accidents, such as the 1907 Monongah mine disaster and others that led to the creation of OSHA in the 1970s. In 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems was fined for safety violations, and in 2014, a separate ammunition facility in the same area experienced a deadly explosion that killed one and injured several others.

Russian drone and missile attacks early Friday wounded at least 20 people in Kyiv, damaged residential buildings, and caused widespread blackouts across Ukraine, authorities said. In separate strikes in the southeast, a child was killed. In Kyiv, rescue teams pulled more than 20 residents from a 17-story apartment building after flames engulfed the sixth and seventh floors. Five people were hospitalized, while others received first aid on site. Resident Tetiana Lemishevska described the attack: “The strike hit — it blew out the windows, and the glass flew almost all the way to the door. The fire spread quickly to other floors.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes targeted civilian and energy infrastructure ahead of winter, while Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko called it “one of the largest concentrated strikes” on Ukraine’s energy grid. Ukrenergo reported outages in Kyiv and regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Cherkasy. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 465 strike and decoy drones along with 32 missiles; air defenses intercepted 405 drones and 15 missiles. In Zaporizhzhia, a 7-year-old boy was killed, and a hydroelectric plant was taken offline as a precaution.

Turkey has lifted its two-year flight ban on Sulaymaniyah International Airport in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, a restriction imposed in 2023 over concerns about alleged Kurdish militant activity, officials said Friday. The decision followed a meeting in Ankara between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kurdish Region President Nechirvan Barzani, where both leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and cooperation opportunities. Turkey had cited the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, as the reason for halting flights due to safety concerns. Earlier this year, the PKK agreed to disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey, marked by a symbolic disarmament ceremony near Sulaymaniyah in July. The Kurdistan Region Presidency welcomed the move, calling it a sign of strong ties and deepening cooperation. Turkish Airlines confirmed it would resume flights, with spokesperson Yahya Ustun saying the airline is “delighted to soon reconnect our Sulaymaniyah route with the skies once again.” The announcement coincided with Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visiting Ankara to discuss water disputes and broader cooperation with Turkey.

Violent clashes broke out in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Friday after police tried to stop thousands of Islamist protesters from marching to the capital, Islamabad, to stage a pro-Palestinian rally outside the U.S. Embassy, officials said. The confrontation, which began Thursday, escalated when police baton-charged and fired tear gas at members of the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party. Protesters hurled stones in response, while TLP claimed two of its supporters were killed and 50 others injured. Addressing worshippers, TLP chief Saad Rizvi vowed to lead the march himself, declaring, “Arrest is not a problem, bullets are not a problem — martyrdom is our destiny.” Authorities closed schools and universities across Lahore and suspended mobile internet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to prevent the rally. Roads to the capital were blocked with shipping containers, causing severe disruptions. The unrest followed a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, as Pakistan’s government struggled to contain the growing demonstrations.

Taiwan will accelerate the building of a “Taiwan Shield” or “T-Dome” air defense system in the face of the military threat from China, its leader said Friday. President Lai Ching-te also pledged to raise defense spending to more than 3% of GDP and to reach 5% by 2030. GDP, or gross domestic product, is a measure of the size of the overall economy. “The increase in defense spending has a purpose,” he said in an address to an outdoor crowd on Taiwan National Day. “It is a clear necessity to counter enemy threats and a driving force for developing our defense industries.” Taiwan is a self-governing island off China’s east coast that the Chinese government claims as part of its territory and says must come under its rule. The United States, while not recognizing Taiwan as a country, supplies its government with military equipment for its defense and opposes any use of military force by China to settle its dispute with Taiwan. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday criticized U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and military ties between Washington and Taipei. “The Lai Ching-te authorities’ attempt to seek independence through military means and resist reunification with force will only drag Taiwan into a perilous situation of military conflict,” said spokesperson Guo Jiakun. Lai called Taiwan a “beacon of democracy” in Asia, drawing a distinction with China’s one-party state. “Democratic Taiwan ... will strive to maintain the status quo, protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and promote regional prosperity and development,” he said from a large stage set up in front of the early 20th-century presidential office building. Most of his speech focused on economic issues, including Taiwan's response to the high tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on exports to the United States this year. The government has launched a 93 billion New Taiwan dollar ($3 billion) plan to help companies, workers and those in farming and fishing who are affected by the tariffs. “We will also actively engage in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the U.S. to secure a reasonable rate,” Lai said. Without mentioning Trump, he said America's tariffs have added to the challenges already facing the world — namely the Russia-Ukraine war, the turmoil in the Middle East, and China’s continued military expansion. The Chinese military regularly sends fighter jets and warships into the skies and waters off Taiwan and has staged major military exercises in the area in recent years. Lai said his government would establish a rigorous defense system with high-level detection and effective interception capabilities. His use of the phrase “T-Dome,” short for Taiwan Dome, was an apparent reference to the Iron Dome system that Israel has developed. It was not immediately clear if the “T-Dome” referred to a new defense system or if it was a new name for existing initiatives. A Defense Ministry spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for clarification. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said in a report this week that it is training soldiers to shoot down drones and looking to procure anti-drone weapons systems in response to China’s expanding development and use of military drones. Trump has pressured Taiwan to increase military spending to 10% of its GDP, an expectation reiterated on Tuesday by the nominee to be the Pentagon’s senior official for the Indo-Pacific region. The “T-Dome” allows Taiwan to signal to the U.S. that it is increasing its defense spending rapidly, while keeping its military buildup defensive in nature, said Wen-Ti Sung, a fellow with the Atlantic Council. “Lai clearly heard U.S. calls for Taiwan to increase its defense spending, which is why Lai spelled out very specific defense-budget-as-share-of-GDP targets and a specific timeline,” Sung added. Taiwan, home to 23 million people, operates independently but has not declared formal independence, which would risk provoking a Chinese military response. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when a civil war brought the Communist Party to power in Beijing. Defeated Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan, where they set up their own government. Taiwan's Oct. 10 national day marks the anniversary of a 1911 uprising in China that led to the fall of its last imperial dynasty. It comes nine days after China's national day on Oct. 1, when communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.