Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified along Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, with Pakistani state media reporting "unprovoked firing" by Afghan troops. Pakistani forces responded, reportedly destroying Afghan tanks and military posts, marking the second cross-border exchange this week. PTV News quoted security sources saying Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan opened fire in Kurram sector. Taliban posts suffered heavy damage with tanks catching fire. Over the weekend, Kabul claimed killing 58 Pakistani soldiers, retaliating for alleged territorial violations. Pakistan reported 23 soldier casualties while claiming 200+ Taliban deaths. Tensions escalated after Taliban accused Pakistan of airstrikes in Kabul and eastern markets. Pakistan hasn't acknowledged these allegations.

Hamas has returned the bodies of four more Israeli hostages, the Israeli military said. The Red Cross handed the remains to the army on Tuesday night. Israel had warned it would limit aid to Gaza until all 28 deceased hostages were returned. The delay has raised fears about the future of the ceasefire agreed under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Israel has accused Hamas of breaking the deal, while Hamas says it cannot locate some bodies. Tensions remain high, with reports of new Israeli drone strikes in Gaza and growing concern that violence could resume. (PC: BBC)

Heavy fighting broke out on Tuesday night between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan’s state media said the Taliban launched unprovoked fire, prompting a strong response. Several Taliban posts were hit, and at least one tank was destroyed. Reports later said more Taliban positions were damaged as fighting spread. The clashes follow a deadly weekend when 23 Pakistani troops were killed in earlier border attacks. Pakistan blamed the Taliban for sheltering militants, while Kabul denied the charge. The Torkham border remains closed, and trade between the two nations is halted. (PC: The Hindu)

The Israeli military said the Red Cross is entering Gaza to collect the bodies of several deceased Israeli hostages. The move comes after Hamas returned only four of 28 bodies earlier this week. The Israel Defense Forces identified the four as Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peretz. In response, Israel will not reopen the Rafah border crossing and will reduce aid into Gaza. The UN has warned Israel to keep crossings open for urgent humanitarian aid. Officials fear the delay in returning the remaining bodies could strain the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (PC: BBC)

Madagascar’s military has taken control after President Andry Rajoelina fled the country amid weeks of youth-led protests. Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced that the army had seized power soon after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina. The protests, driven by Gen Z activists, began over water and power shortages but grew into a movement against corruption and poverty. Many soldiers joined the demonstrators, forcing the president to escape aboard a French aircraft. The military has promised a quick return to civilian rule, but tensions remain high. France and other nations have urged Madagascar to restore constitutional order. (PC:India Today)

Israel will keep the Rafah border with Egypt closed on Wednesday and send less aid to Gaza after Hamas gave back only four bodies out of 28 dead hostages on Monday. The Israeli army named them as Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, Yossi Sharabi, and Daniel Peretz. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher told Israel to keep border crossings open so badly needed help can reach Gaza. He said both sides must follow the ceasefire agreement fully. Hamas was supposed to return all hostages by Monday noon. Palestinian Civil Defence said seven people were killed by Israeli shooting in different events. Fletcher asked Hamas to return bodies while keeping aid flowing into Gaza. (PC: X)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in Parliament that lasting peace in Gaza will be “no small challenge.” He praised Donald Trump, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for helping reach the ceasefire that freed Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees. Starmer said the UK will support rebuilding Gaza and help with ceasefire monitoring. However, tension remains as Hamas has not returned all deceased hostages, raising fears the fragile truce could collapse. Palestinians in Gaza say they want peace but worry about instability and slow aid. Rebuilding the war-hit region, where most buildings are destroyed, will take time and huge resources. (PC: BBC)

Venezuela has closed its embassy in Norway after opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. The government gave no reason, calling it part of a “foreign service restructuring.” Norway called the move “regrettable” and said the Nobel Prize was independent of its government. Machado was honoured for promoting democracy in Venezuela and called the award a “boost of hope” for her people. President Nicolás Maduro called her a “demonic witch.” Caracas also shut its embassy in Australia and opened new ones in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso amid rising tensions with the United States. (PC: BBC)

Nepalese agriculture student Bipin Joshi, 23, who arrived in Israel just three weeks before the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault, has been confirmed dead after nearly two years in captivity. Joshi was among 17 Nepalese students at Kibbutz Alumim when Hamas attacked, killing ten of his compatriots. According to survivors, he heroically caught and threw away a grenade, saving a fellow student before being captured. His family traveled to Israel, meeting President Herzog and joining vigils at Tel Aviv's Hostage Square. Hamas announced Monday it had no more living hostages, and Joshi's body was recovered. He was the only non-Israeli hostage previously believed alive in Gaza.

Israel and Hamas carried out a major exchange under a US-brokered peace deal, freeing all living Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Emotional scenes unfolded in Israel and Gaza as families reunited after two years of war. US President Donald Trump, arriving in Israel, called the ceasefire a “historic dawn in a new Middle East.” Later in Egypt, Trump and world leaders signed a declaration to secure lasting peace. The agreement faces challenges over troop withdrawal and Gaza’s future governance, but leaders hailed it as the first real step toward ending years of conflict and suffering. (PC: BBC)