Israel has confirmed that 20 hostages held in Gaza will be released early on Monday as part of Donald Trump’s peace plan. Government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said all hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross and taken to Israeli-controlled areas before reuniting with their families. In return, Israel will release 250 convicted Palestinians and 1,700 detainees once all hostages are confirmed safe. Medical teams are ready to treat any rescued hostages needing care. The ceasefire remains in place, and aid trucks have begun entering Gaza to deliver food and supplies to civilians. (PC: Reuters)

On October 11, 2025, intense clashes erupted between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border, marking one of the deadliest confrontations in recent years. Pakistan's military reported the deaths of 23 soldiers and claimed to have killed over 200 Taliban fighters. In retaliation, Afghanistan's Taliban government stated that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 wounded, while nine Taliban fighters also lost their lives. The Taliban accused Pakistan of repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace, leading to the retaliatory operations. Both sides have captured and destroyed border posts, and Pakistan has closed key crossings, including Torkham and Chaman. The situation remains volatile, with both nations issuing stern warnings and accusing each other of aggression. (PC: HT)  

The Taliban has alleged that Pakistan is providing refuge to ISIS militants and claimed responsibility for killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and injuring 30 others in retaliatory attacks along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid demanded that Islamabad expel ISIS operatives, calling them a threat to regional peace. The clashes occurred near the Durand Line, with both nations trading accusations over civilian casualties. Afghan forces said they halted operations following mediation requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while Pakistan labelled the attacks “unprovoked.”  

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned Afghanistan's border provocations, vowing "every act of aggression will be met with strong and effective response." Sharif praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's leadership, stating Pakistan Army destroyed several Afghan posts and forced retreat. Afghanistan claims killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and capturing 25 army posts in overnight retaliatory operations, responding to alleged territorial violations. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the situation is under control. Pakistan hasn't confirmed casualties. Sharif accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorist organizations 'Fitna-tul-Khawarij' and 'Fitna-tul-Hindustan,' demanding the interim government prevent its territory from being used for attacks. The escalation follows Afghan accusations of Pakistani bombing in Kabul. (PC: Aaj Tak)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Afghanistan's "provocations" on Sunday, vowing a "strong response" after reported strikes killed at least 58 Pakistani soldiers. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Afghan forces captured 25 Pakistani army posts, killing 58 soldiers and injuring 30 others in retaliatory strikes on border posts Saturday. Afghanistan described the action as retaliation for repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Sharif stated "there will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence," accusing Taliban authorities of allowing their land for "terrorist elements." Pakistan hasn't confirmed the casualties. The escalation follows Afghanistan's accusations that Pakistan bombed Kabul and an eastern marketplace, which Islamabad hasn't acknowledged.

Three Qatari diplomats were killed and two injured Saturday in a car crash near Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, while traveling to a Gaza ceasefire summit. Their vehicle overturned approximately 50 kilometers from the Red Sea resort. The diplomats, part of Qatar's protocol team, were heading to a high-level summit celebrating the Israel-Hamas ceasefire mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. The summit will be co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and US President Donald Trump, with over two dozen world leaders attending, including Emmanuel Macron, Pedro Sánchez, and António Guterres. Meanwhile, Hamas announced the release of 48 hostages beginning Monday, marking the first stage of the mediated prisoner exchange agreement. (PC: X)

At least 18 Pakistani Army soldiers were killed and several captured Sunday as overnight clashes intensified along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The escalation follows retaliatory attacks by Afghan forces after Pakistan's air raid on Kabul targeting a Tehreek-e-Taliban leader. Afghan forces struck Pakistani outposts in Kandahar province's Shorabak, Maruf, and Arghistan districts along the 2,640-kilometer Durand Line. Sources claim Afghan forces seized a Pakistani military base, while Pakistan destroyed 19 Afghan checkposts with heavy artillery. Pakistan deployed drones and conducted airstrikes on civilian villages, causing injuries and property destruction. Afghan Taliban sources report capturing Frontier Corps and paramilitary personnel. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iran urged both nations to exercise restraint.

China condemned US President Donald Trump's announcement of 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports and export controls on critical software starting November 1. Beijing's Commerce Ministry accused Washington of "arbitrary double standards," stating the measures "severely harm China's interests" and damage bilateral trade talks. China declared it "does not want to fight, but is not afraid to fight," vowing countermeasures including special port fees on US-linked vessels. Trump's move follows China's export restrictions on rare earth elements vital for tech manufacturing. The escalation threatens sectors from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and comes weeks before a scheduled Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea, which Trump has threatened to cancel. (PC: OPB)

The Taliban government in Afghanistan claimed to have killed 12 Pakistani soldiers during intense cross-border clashes along the Durand Line near Helmand and Kunar provinces. The Taliban’s defence ministry stated that several Pakistani outposts were captured in response to alleged Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul. Pakistan’s military denied the claims, asserting it retaliated only after Taliban provocation. The incident marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two neighbours, already strained over terrorist safe havens, border fencing disputes, and deportation drives against Afghan refugees. Both sides remain on high alert as tensions continue to rise. (PC: AFP)  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated US President Donald Trump on brokering the Gaza peace agreement during a Saturday phone call, expressing hope for similar diplomatic success in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky described the conversation as "very positive and productive," stating, "If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well." He briefed Trump on Russia's recent attacks on Kyiv's energy infrastructure and discussed strategies to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities. The leaders explored "good options and solid ideas" to compel Moscow toward genuine diplomacy through strength. Relations between the leaders have notably improved since their tense February White House exchange.