Pakistan’s interior minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi will receive the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal for his “courageous stance” during the Asia Cup trophy controversy. The issue began after India defeated Pakistan in the final and refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, who had earlier shared a controversial post. Naqvi then took away the trophy himself, sparking mockery online. He later said he never apologised to the BCCI and did nothing wrong. The award ceremony will be held in Karachi, with Bilawal Bhutto invited. The BCCI plans to raise the issue at ICC’s November meeting. (PC: Mint)

People in Gaza are shocked after US President Donald Trump said Hamas was ready for peace. Hamas gave a mixed response to Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. The group agreed to release Israeli hostages and let Palestinian technocrats run Gaza but avoided clear answers on other points. Trump welcomed the reply and asked Israel to stop bombing Gaza. Many Palestinians felt hope, while others feared it was a trap. Activist Khalil Abu Shammala said Hamas’s move was about staying in power. Residents now wait to see if peace talks will finally end the two-year-long war. (PC: BBC)

At least 30 people were injured after a Russian drone strike hit a railway station in Shostka, northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. In a post on X, he shared a video showing a burning train carriage and accused Russia of targeting civilians. “This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore,” Zelensky said. He added that emergency teams were helping victims at the site and urged Western nations to take real action against Russia. The attack struck while passengers and train staff were present at the station, causing widespread damage and panic. (PC: X)

Advisers to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir have quietly pitched a plan to U.S. officials to build and operate a deep-sea port at Pasni, a coastal town close to Gwadar. The proposal excludes military basing, focusing instead on export access for Pakistan’s rich mineral deposits via a new rail corridor connecting to inland regions. Valued at around USD 1.2 billion, the initiative is designed to diversify Pakistan’s strategic partnerships and rebalance influence between China and the U.S. A formal parliamentary approval and diplomatic agreement remain to be seen.

Munich airport has resumed flights after being closed for the second time in 24 hours due to suspected drone sightings. The airport halted operations Friday evening, affecting around 6,500 passengers. On Thursday, at least 17 flights were grounded after similar drone sightings. Authorities in Germany and Belgium are investigating the drones’ origin, which remains unknown. Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to discuss anti-drone defenses with European ministers and introduce new laws to allow military action against drones. Delays are expected as flights gradually return to normal. EU nations consider a “drone wall” amid rising concerns over airspace security. (PC: BBC)

Hamas said it is ready to start talks after partly agreeing to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The announcement came as Israel carried out airstrikes across Gaza, killing six people. Trump had given Hamas a Sunday deadline to accept the plan or face “grave consequences.” He called on Israel to stop bombing to secure the release of hostages safely. Netanyahu’s office said Israel is preparing to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan and may scale back military action. About 48 hostages remain, and the conflict has killed over 66,000 in Gaza. (PC: HT)

Olympic legend Usain Bolt revealed that Virat Kohli would be part of his dream relay team of cricketers. Bolt, on a tour in India, said he started as a cricketer before switching to sprinting. He added that Kohli is quick on the field and would fit perfectly in his team. Bolt also chose Brett Lee and Jonty Rhodes for the team. He said his cricket coach first noticed his speed and encouraged him to try track. Bolt also named Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh, and Ambrose among his favorite cricketers, adding he would have been a cricketer if not a sprinter. (PC: India Today)

On October 4, 2025, Israel conducted airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in six deaths, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an immediate halt to the bombardment. The strikes targeted a house in Gaza City, killing four individuals, and another in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing two others. These attacks occurred following Hamas's partial acceptance of Trump's 20-point peace plan, which includes the release of hostages and a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated preparations for the plan's first stage, involving the release of Israeli hostages. Israeli media later reported that the country's political leadership had instructed the military to reduce offensive operations in the enclave. (PC: Reuters)

Hamas has accepted key parts of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The group agreed to a ceasefire, Israel’s full withdrawal, and a prisoner exchange. Hamas said it will release Israeli hostages, both living and dead, under agreed conditions. The plan also includes humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts, while rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians. However, differences remain over Gaza’s future governance and Hamas’s role in it. Trump’s plan proposes a temporary Palestinian technocratic government supervised by an international body. Hamas, meanwhile, wants Gaza run by an independent Palestinian committee backed by Arab and Islamic nations. (PC: X)

Former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi has secured the presidency of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning her to become the nation's first female prime minister. In a runoff on October 4, Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, garnering 185 votes to Koizumi’s 156. Takaichi, 64, is known for her conservative nationalist stance and a "Japan First" policy, which may strengthen ties with the U.S. but could strain relations with neighboring countries over WWII legacy issues. A parliamentary vote to confirm her as prime minister is expected on October 15. (PC: AP)