Nepalese student Bipin Joshi, kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has been confirmed dead. His body was handed over to Israeli authorities and is being sent to Tel Aviv. Nepal’s ambassador to Israel said the remains will undergo DNA testing before being sent home. Joshi, who studied agriculture near Gaza, was hailed as a hero for saving friends by throwing away a live grenade during the attack. He was taken hostage soon after. His death was confirmed as world leaders marked progress in the Gaza peace deal, highlighting the human cost of the conflict. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump said he believes India and Pakistan will “live very nicely together” while speaking at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt. Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi without naming him, calling India a “great country” with a “good friend” leading it. He also praised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Trump’s comments come after recent border tensions between the two nations. He claimed he helped reduce conflicts by warning both countries of heavy tariffs. Sharif, during his speech, thanked Trump for his peace efforts and said Pakistan had nominated him for the Nobel Prize. (PC: AP)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsed Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize at Egypt's Gaza Peace Summit, calling him "genuinely a man of peace" and crediting him with saving millions of Middle Eastern lives. Sharif saluted Trump's "exemplary, visionary leadership mentioning him as the man this world needed most." Trump reciprocated warmly, calling Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir his "favourite field Marshal" and expressing optimism that "India and Pakistan are going to live very nicely together," prompting laughter from Sharif. The summit saw the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign as guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire deal that released 20 Israeli hostages, ending two years of conflict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised US President Donald Trump's "unwavering peace efforts" in brokering the Gaza ceasefire after Hamas released all 20 surviving Israeli hostages held captive for over two years. Modi also commended Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's "strong resolve" and welcomed the hostages' freedom as tribute to their families' courage. This marks Modi's second congratulation to Trump over the Gaza deal, following an earlier phone conversation where he called Trump his "friend." Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and committed to increased Gaza aid. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at today's Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit co-chaired by Trump and Egyptian President al-Sisi.

Female journalists sat in front at a Taliban press conference in Delhi on Sunday, drawing attention across India. The event followed criticism after women were blocked from the minister’s first press meet on Friday. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the exclusion was “not deliberate” and due to short notice. Indian journalist groups called the act discriminatory and criticized the government for not objecting. The second press conference allowed all media to attend. Reporters asked tough questions about women’s rights and education in Afghanistan, with Muttaqi saying some limits exist but women’s education is “not forbidden.”

Diwali on Trafalgar Square 2025 turned central London into a bright festival ground. The event ran from 2pm to 8pm with colourful dances, family activities, and delicious vegetarian food. Children took part in Diwali quizzes and puppet shows while adults joined yoga and sari-tying sessions. Visitors also enjoyed a glimpse of the Goddesses — a peaceful corner for reflection and meditation. From folk dances to Bollywood beats, the square came alive with joy. The festival celebrated light, hope, and togetherness, bringing Londoners closer through shared culture and celebration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the release of all Israeli hostages from Gaza and praised US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Modi said India supports Trump’s “sincere efforts” to bring peace to the region and hailed Netanyahu’s “strong resolve.” The hostages were freed after more than two years in captivity, following a ceasefire deal brokered by Trump between Israel and Hamas. Modi called their release “a tribute to the courage of their families.” The ceasefire has raised hopes of lasting peace after years of violence in Gaza. (PC: X)

Canada is strengthening ties with India and China amid escalating US-Trump tariff wars, with Foreign Minister Anita Anand traveling to Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, and Hangzhou this week. Anand met PM Modi Monday, emphasizing stable relationships with major economic players are crucial in current geopolitics. Under PM Mark Carney, Canada has normalized India relations after 2023's Trudeau-era diplomatic standstill, appointing new ambassadors and establishing cross-border crime intelligence frameworks. A joint statement with Jaishankar announced ministerial-level trade discussions and resuming the Canada-India CEO Forum in early 2026. Anand stressed Canada's sovereignty in balancing US-China relations, noting potential collaboration on climate change despite ongoing tariff disputes. (PC: X)

India has announced a $77 billion plan to build a massive power transmission network along the Brahmaputra River. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said the project will move over 76 gigawatts of hydroelectric power from the northeastern states by 2047. It includes 208 major hydro projects and pumped-storage plants across 12 river sub-basins. Most of the potential lies in Arunachal Pradesh, near the China border. The plan comes amid concerns over China’s dam on the Yarlung Zangbo, which could affect water flow into India. The move supports India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of clean energy by 2030. (PC: Reuters)

Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a second press conference in Delhi on Sunday with female journalists occupying front-row seats, following widespread uproar over women's exclusion from his Friday event. Muttaqi attributed the initial exclusion to a "technical issue," claiming colleagues sent invitations to a specific journalist list without ulterior motives. The historic image of women journalists at the forefront dominated Indian newspapers Monday morning. India's Ministry of External Affairs clarified it had "no involvement in the press interaction" as both conferences occurred at the Afghan embassy. The correction came within 48 hours, marking a significant moment in Taliban diplomatic engagement. (PC: X & Reuters)