The Israeli military said on Wednesday that one of the four bodies returned by Hamas on Tuesday is not that of a hostage. The bodies were handed over as part of the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. After forensic tests, Israeli officials found that one body did not match any of the known hostages. So far, Hamas has returned eight bodies and 20 living hostages. Israel urged Hamas to return all remaining deceased hostages as agreed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not stop its efforts until every hostage, living or dead, is brought back. (PC: HT)

Hamas publicly executed eight men in Gaza, accusing them of being criminals and collaborators with Israel. The executions, filmed and shared online, came as the group seeks to reassert control after Israeli forces withdrew. Witnesses said the men were beaten, blindfolded, and shot before crowds. Hamas claimed the victims were linked to armed clans that gained power during the war. US President Donald Trump warned Hamas to disarm soon or face forceful action. The incident has raised global concern over human rights and fears of renewed violence amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire. (PC: NDTV)

Chinese customs officers in Shandong province have seized 60,000 maps bound for export, citing “mislabelled” depictions of Taiwan and omissions of key South China Sea islands. Authorities said the maps endangered China’s national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The maps failed to include the nine-dash line, which outlines Beijing’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, and omitted maritime boundaries with Japan. Taiwan was mislabelled as a province, though specifics weren’t disclosed. China routinely inspects and destroys maps with “errors,” with past seizures involving Tibetan and nautical borders. The incident underscores rising regional tensions, especially after a recent maritime clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan's military crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protesters resembles its 2007 Lal Masjid incident, raising fears of renewed violence. Armored vehicles dispersed crowds marching toward Islamabad, killing dozens. TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi was shot and wounded on October 14. Field Marshal Asim Munir's "hard state" approach contrasts predecessor General Bajwa's diplomacy. The 2007 Lal Masjid operation killed over 1,000 civilians, spawning Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan insurgency that claimed 70,000 lives. Pakistan faces simultaneous challenges: hostile India post-Operation Sindoor, angry Afghan Taliban, insurgencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, and economic crisis requiring $7-billion IMF support. TLP, Pakistan's fourth-largest party, protests Gaza situation while Munir courts US relations.

At least 16 people died in a fire at a garment factory in Dhaka’s Mirpur area, Bangladesh. The blaze started around midday and took three hours to control. Sixteen bodies were burned beyond recognition. A nearby chemical warehouse continued to burn, storing materials like bleaching powder, plastic, and hydrogen peroxide, which worsened the fire. Officials said victims likely died from toxic gas inhalation. Relatives are still searching for missing workers. Authorities are investigating the factory and warehouse operations. Large fires are common in Bangladesh due to poor safety standards, and previous incidents have caused many deaths. (PC: BBC)

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)