A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday, prompting the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to partially withdraw from parts of Gaza. Troops pulled back to agreed positions, though they still control half of the Strip. Thousands of Palestinians are moving north, many on foot, carrying belongings. Under the deal, Hamas must release all Israeli hostages by Monday, while Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners. Aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza to deliver food and supplies. The conflict has left much of Gaza in ruins, with thousands displaced and essential resources scarce. (PC: BBC)

A massive explosion at a military explosives plant in Bucksnort, Tennessee, has killed several people and left at least 19 missing. The blast occurred just before 8 a.m. at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company that makes military and demolition explosives. Aerial footage shows destroyed buildings, burned cars, and heavy smoke rising from the site. Rescue teams are struggling to enter due to smaller blasts continuing inside. Officials say the cause is still unknown. Families are waiting nearby for news. “This is a terrible incident, but we will find survivors,” said an ATF special agent. (PC: BBC)

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, dedicated her award to US President Donald Trump for supporting Venezuela’s fight for democracy. Machado praised Trump for backing Venezuelans working to end President Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship. She said, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised Machado for her courage and commitment to peaceful democratic change. Despite Trump missing out on the prize, Machado highlighted his role in supporting Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. (PC: India Today)

Palestinians have started returning to their homes in northern Gaza as Israeli forces pull back, following a ceasefire deal brokered by former US President Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for helping secure the agreement. Under the deal, Hamas must release all Israeli hostages by Monday noon local time, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian detainees. Aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza to help two million people, many of whom were displaced. The IDF says it will continue to “remove any immediate threat” while respecting the agreed lines. (PC: BBC)

No women journalists were invited to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s press conference in Delhi on Thursday. The exclusion drew sharp criticism from journalists, politicians, and social media users, calling it “misogynistic” and “unacceptable.” The press meet followed Muttaqi’s talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on trade, humanitarian aid, and security. Photographs showed only male journalists attending. Journalists like Geeta Mohan and Nayanima Basu condemned the move, questioning India’s approval. The Taliban, known for suppressing women’s rights in Afghanistan, is accused of spreading discrimination even abroad. Critics said allowing the presser without female journalists insults India’s democratic values. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said former US President Donald Trump “does a lot for peace” after Trump missed out on the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The award went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for her fight for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. Putin praised Trump’s efforts to promote peace deals in the Middle East and reduce global tensions. He said Trump’s work “should be respected, even if not rewarded.” Trump, who recently announced a Gaza peace deal, has not yet commented on the Nobel decision. The Nobel Committee praised Machado’s “courage and leadership.” (PC: India Today)

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has officially taken effect in Gaza, leading to the start of a phased Israeli troop withdrawal from the conflict zone. The agreement comes after days of heavy airstrikes and cross-border attacks that caused significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Humanitarian corridors are being opened to allow aid into Gaza, while both sides have been urged to respect the truce. International mediators continue to push for dialogue aimed at a longer-term resolution to prevent further escalation in the region.

A new video released by Israel has given hope to the family of Bipin Joshi, the only Hindu held by Hamas. The 23-year-old Nepali student was kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel. The video, believed to be filmed weeks after his capture, shows Joshi introducing himself under Hamas’s direction. Joshi was part of a farm study programme when he was taken. His quick action during the attack saved several Israelis. The recent Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas has revived hopes that Joshi may soon be freed. His family remains hopeful. (PC: India Today)

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to restore democracy and human rights in Venezuela. The Nobel Committee praised her “tireless struggle for peaceful change.” Former US President Donald Trump, who had publicly campaigned for the award, was not selected. Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said their decision was based on “courage and integrity,” not politics. Experts said Trump’s recent Gaza peace deal came too late for this year’s prize. They added that the committee showed independence, choosing a cause the US itself has long supported. (PC: X)

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has labeled Afghanistan as an "enemy country," intensifying bilateral tensions. His remarks come as Pakistan escalates its deportation of Afghan refugees, aiming to expel up to 3 million individuals by the end of 2025. Asif criticized opponents of the deportation policy, calling them "enemies of Pakistan" and accusing Afghan migrants of disrespecting Pakistan's sovereignty. The deportation drive has faced criticism from various quarters, including Afghan officials and human rights organizations, who argue that it violates international law and puts vulnerable populations at risk. This development marks a significant deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, with both nations accusing each other of harboring militants and undermining regional stability.