A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday, bringing a temporary halt to months of conflict. Israeli troops began pulling back from parts of Gaza as thousands of displaced Palestinians started returning to their homes. However, Israel warned citizens against entering dangerous zones such as Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, and Rafah. The truce includes a prisoner-exchange deal — Hamas will release hostages within 72 hours in return for Palestinian detainees. Humanitarian aid is also expected to reach Gaza soon. Despite the ceasefire, sporadic shelling and tensions continue. (PC: AFP)

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi warned Pakistan against testing "Afghan courage" during his maiden India visit, condemning cross-border strikes targeting TTP camps in Kabul. Meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Muttaqi assured Afghanistan won't allow its territory against any country, adding historical lessons from Soviets, Americans, and NATO should remind Pakistan. Jaishankar announced reopening India's Kabul embassy, upgrading the technical mission, and providing humanitarian aid including ambulances, MRI/CT machines, vaccines, and cancer medicines. Both nations discussed security cooperation and combating cross-border terrorism. The high-level engagement marks India's strategic recalibration with Taliban, leveraging Islamabad's strained Kabul relations while maintaining India's $3 billion Afghanistan reconstruction investment.

Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless struggle to defend democratic rights and lead a peaceful transition from dictatorship in Venezuela. Despite facing political bans, repression, and secrecy, she persevered as a unifying voice for the opposition. The Norwegian Nobel Committee lauded her as a “brave and committed champion of peace,” whose efforts keep democratic hope alive under perilous conditions. (PC: X)

Pakistan's military killed 30 militants in Orakzai following a Taliban ambush that left 11 soldiers dead. The army labeled them "Indian-sponsored Khwarij" linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), vowing continued elimination of insurgents. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of zero leniency, urging Afghanistan's Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. The retaliatory strikes underscore Pakistan's escalating conflict with TTP and deepening tensions with Kabul. The operations follow Wednesday's deadly convoy ambush near the Afghan border in northwestern Kurram districts, where roadside bombs and gunfire killed nine soldiers and two officers, prompting Islamabad's forceful military response and diplomatic warnings. (PC: X)

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Microsoft Corp. and Anthropic AI as a senior adviser while remaining MP for Richmond and Northallerton. Sunak will guide both firms on global strategy, macroeconomics, and geopolitical trends, avoiding UK-specific policy per ACOBA rules. He cannot lobby UK officials or use privileged government information for two years. Sunak stated the roles align with his belief in technology’s transformative power and pledged all earnings to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with wife Akshata Murty. This follows his July advisory return to Goldman Sachs, marking a shift from public office to strategic roles in global tech and finance. (PC: Biography)

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, dashing Donald Trump’s vocal campaign for the honor. Trump had claimed credit for resolving eight global conflicts, including the disputed India-Pakistan ceasefire, but the Nobel Committee chose Machado for her decades-long fight for peace and human rights in Venezuela. Supported by institutions and U.S. lawmakers, Machado endured death threats and lived in hiding while advocating democratic ideals. Nobel Committee president Jorgen Watne Frydnes emphasized that laureates are chosen for courage and integrity, not campaigns. Trump’s remarks that the prize would go to “some guy who didn’t do a damn thing” were ironically upended by Machado’s win. (PC: X)

Israel has approved a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan involving hostage release, military withdrawal, and Palestinian prisoner exchange. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has yet to order a halt to fighting. The US will deploy 200 troops to monitor implementation, alongside forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, none will enter Gaza. Hamas demands a formal declaration ending the war before releasing hostages. The Red Cross is prepared to assist with prisoner transfers and recovery of remains. Over 67,000 Palestinians have died, with the true toll likely higher. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa condemned the suffering as “morally unjustifiable,” stressing the need to rebuild Gaza and address long-term trauma, especially among children.

Hours before the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement, President Donald Trump criticized Barack Obama for winning the 2009 award "for doing nothing" and "destroying our country." Trump emphasized his own achievements in brokering Gaza peace and ending "eight wars," though insisted he wasn't motivated by awards. Obama received the prize eight months into his presidency for "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy." Peace Research Institute Oslo Director Nina Graeger acknowledged Trump's Gaza truce role but cautioned it's "too early to tell" if proposals lead to lasting peace. Trump has openly campaigned to influence the Oslo institute, which advises the Nobel selection process since returning to office in January.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned Afghanistan's Taliban regime of "collateral damage" hours before Pakistani airstrikes targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) figures in Kabul Thursday. Addressing Parliament, Asif declared Pakistan "fed up of terrorism" and forces would "go all out" against militants regardless of consequences. He revealed Islamabad plans sending a Kabul delegation within days, warning cross-border terrorism is no longer acceptable. Asif disclosed that three years ago, Taliban sought 10 billion Pakistani rupees to relocate TTP fighters from border areas without guaranteeing attack cessation. The statement followed Wednesday's deadly militant ambush near Afghanistan's border killing nine soldiers and two officers in northwestern Kurram districts.

Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sealing capital entry routes ahead of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan's (TLP) planned 'Labbaik Ya Aqsa Million March' on Friday. Violent clashes in Lahore between police and TLP members left dozens injured after Punjab police raided TLP headquarters attempting to arrest chief Saad Hussain Rizvi. The radical Islamist party planned anti-Israel demonstrations outside Islamabad's US embassy. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi approved indefinite service suspension from midnight Friday. Punjab imposed Section 144 banning protests, rallies, and gatherings for ten days. TLP claimed one worker killed, twenty injured. Islamabad's Red Zone completely sealed, with authorities deploying high-alert law enforcement amid heightened security concerns. (PC: X)