At least 28 Palestinians were killed and 77 others injured after Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire. The attacks struck three sites in Khan Younis’s Al-Mawasi area and one building each in Gaza City’s Shujaiya and Zeitoun districts. According to Al Jazeera, entire families were wiped out in some strikes, deepening fear among Gaza’s residents. The IDF stated that the strikes were in response to gunfire from Hamas militants targeting Israeli troops in southeastern Gaza. It claimed all targets were Hamas-related and that the operations did not violate the ceasefire terms. Hamas condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and rejected Israel’s justification. The renewed violence raises concerns about the fragility of the truce and the potential for further escalation in the region.

Russia carried out a large-scale attack across western Ukraine, killing at least 26 people, including three children, and injuring around 93 others. The strikes, among the deadliest in the region since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, targeted the city of Ternopil early Wednesday morning. According to reports, additional attacks hit Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, while drone strikes in Kharkiv injured more than 30 people. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian X-101 cruise missiles struck residential buildings, causing significant destruction. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that many victims remain trapped under debris. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia used over 470 drones and 47 missiles during the assault, which also disrupted power supplies in several areas. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict as Ukraine seeks renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

A Palestinian political prisoner held in an Israeli detention center has allegedly been subjected to severe torture and sexual abuse, according to his lawyer, Ben Marmareli. In an interview with Canadian journalist Samira Mohieddin, Marmareli stated that his client is systematically abused, and the violence intensifies after each lawyer visit. The lawyer described visible injuries, including shoe marks, bruises, and deep wounds from handcuffs. He specifically mentioned the notorious Sde Teiman military detention center in southern Israel, claiming that all detainees there face sexual violence, which is recorded on surveillance cameras. A leaked video in August 2024 showing soldiers beating a Palestinian detainee sparked outrage and calls from human rights groups for an independent investigation. The controversy led to the resignation of Israeli military prosecutor Ifat Tomer-Yerushalmi in October. Rights organizations argue that these reports reinforce long-standing allegations of systematic abuse and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees, particularly those captured from Gaza.

Thirty Bangladeshi teenagers, including eleven children, have returned home from India after serving various prison terms for illegally crossing the border. The repatriation took place on Wednesday evening through the Petrapole-Benapole border under a special travel permit issued by both governments. According to Rekha Biswas, program officer of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, the returnees were detained by Indian police in different areas of Kolkata and later imprisoned in the city’s central jail. Following diplomatic coordination, they were granted travel permits to return to Bangladesh. Upon arrival, Benapole Immigration Police handed them over to Benapole Port Police, who will transfer them to three NGOs for temporary care and legal assistance before reuniting them with their families. Officials said the youths hail from Khulna and surrounding districts, and legal support will be provided to those who need it.

At least one Palestinian was killed and two others, a woman and her child, were injured in Israeli attacks on southern Gaza, according to local sources. The latest assault in the Qizan an-Najjar area near Khan Younis brings the total number of Palestinians killed since the October 10 US-brokered ceasefire to 280, with more than 650 injured in nearly 400 reported Israeli violations. The Gaza Government Media Office urged the United States, mediating nations, and the UN Security Council to act decisively to stop the attacks and enforce the ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council approved a US-drafted resolution establishing a transitional administration and international stabilization force in Gaza as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The plan envisions a path to Palestinian statehood, but implementation details remain unclear. On the ground, Palestinians continue to face severe shortages of food, water, and shelter, with UNRWA warning of worsening humanitarian conditions as aid deliveries remain far below promised levels.

At least 19 people were killed and dozens injured in a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault across Ukraine overnight, according to the State Emergency Service. The attacks, involving more than 470 drones and 48 missiles, struck multiple regions including Ternopil, Lviv, and Kharkiv, damaging residential buildings, energy facilities, and infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, urging allies to strengthen sanctions on Moscow and provide additional air defense systems. The assault coincided with Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkiye aimed at reviving peace talks. Ukraine’s energy ministry reported widespread power outages, while Poland temporarily closed two airports amid heightened regional air defense activity. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have intercepted four US-made ATACMS missiles allegedly launched by Ukraine toward Voronezh, with debris causing minor property damage but no casualties. The attacks mark an escalation in Moscow’s ongoing campaign targeting Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure as Kyiv seeks greater Western military support.

China has once again suspended all seafood imports from Japan, citing safety concerns over Fukushima wastewater monitoring, though analysts say the move is politically motivated. The decision follows comments by Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi, who warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would threaten Japan’s existence and could require a military response. Beijing demanded Takaiichi retract her statement and urged Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan. The renewed ban comes just weeks after China had partially lifted restrictions imposed in 2023, when Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. The suspension is expected to severely impact Japan’s seafood exporters and tourism industry, as China had been the destination for over one-fifth of Japan’s seafood exports. Japanese officials say they have not yet received formal notification from Beijing, while Tokyo has issued safety advisories for its citizens in China amid rising diplomatic tensions.

The 55-kilometer Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, one of the world’s largest engineering feats, has become a major tourist attraction since its 2018 opening. Spanning the Pearl River Delta, the bridge took nine years to build at a cost of around USD 20 billion. Tourists are drawn to its vast structure, modern design, and panoramic sea views, making it a favorite spot for photography and sightseeing. Visitors particularly appreciate the tranquil scenery and the illuminated night views that create a distinct visual experience. The bridge connects Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai, with 24-hour shuttle buses and cross-border coaches facilitating travel. Tourists must carry valid travel documents as the bridge crosses three jurisdictions. The best time to visit is between October and March for clear skies, while evenings offer the best lighting for photos. Nearby attractions include observation points, ferry tours, and city landmarks in Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent has described Saudi Arabia as the United States’ most important ally in the Middle East, expressing support for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh. In an interview with Fox News on October 18, Besent said Washington relied on Saudi military support during the recent 12-day Iran-US conflict, praising the kingdom’s role as a key regional power. His remarks coincided with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Washington, where both nations signed a joint declaration on nuclear energy cooperation. The White House confirmed that the agreement lays a legal foundation for a multi-billion-dollar nuclear project while adhering to non-proliferation commitments. Additionally, President Donald Trump approved a major defense deal that includes the future delivery of advanced F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia. During his visit, the Crown Prince pledged a $1 trillion investment in the US, reaffirming Saudi confidence in America’s economic future.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a $13 billion shortfall that could severely impact its ability to feed one-third of the 318 million people facing acute hunger by 2026. Due to declining humanitarian funding, WFP says it will have to prioritize food assistance for about 110 million people, leaving millions without support. The agency expects to receive only about half of its required funding based on current projections. The United States remains WFP’s largest donor, but reductions in foreign aid under previous administrations, along with budget cuts by several European nations, have worsened the crisis. Conflict, extreme weather, and economic instability have doubled the number of people facing severe hunger since 2019. WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently identified 16 global hunger hotspots, including Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and South Sudan, warning that funding shortages are already exacerbating conditions. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain called the situation “unacceptable in the 21st century.”

At least 30 people, including patients, were killed when Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels attacked a health center and several villages in the Lubero region of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Local officials reported that 23 bodies were recovered from the Baimbwe health center, among them 11 women. The attackers also burned down parts of the health facility and several nearby houses. Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator, condemned the assault as a crime against humanity and urged residents to support joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces aimed at eliminating the ADF. The group, which has links to ISIS, has been active in eastern Congo for years. A similar attack in October in the same region left around 20 people dead. Since 2021, Congo and Uganda have been conducting joint operations against the ADF, which continues to target civilians despite ongoing military efforts.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that Riyadh is open to normalizing relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords, but only if a clear plan for establishing a Palestinian state is in place. Speaking during a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, the Crown Prince emphasized the need for a two-state solution roadmap before Saudi Arabia can join the accords. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s longstanding position that peace in the region requires recognition of Palestinian statehood. The Crown Prince added that Riyadh seeks peace for both Israelis and Palestinians and aims to create conditions for their peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to oppose the two-state solution and leads a coalition that favors annexing parts of the occupied West Bank. The Saudi stance underscores the kingdom’s insistence on linking normalization with progress toward Palestinian sovereignty.

The UN Security Council has approved a U.S.-proposed resolution to deploy an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, aimed at restoring peace in the conflict-torn region. The proposal, introduced by President Donald Trump, passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained. Russia’s UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzya, criticized the plan as reflecting a ‘colonial-era mentality’ and warned that it could become a pretext for U.S. intervention under the guise of peacekeeping. He expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the exclusion of Palestinian voices in the decision-making process. The ISF, potentially including forces from the U.S., Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, is expected to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and security. Moscow cautioned that the force might act autonomously, disregarding the Palestinian Authority’s position. Meanwhile, Hamas rejected the plan as an imposed ‘international guardianship system,’ vowing not to disarm. Human rights groups also warned that the proposal undermines Palestinian rights and accountability for war crimes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. Speaking at a press conference in Madrid alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Zelensky emphasized the importance of unwavering international support amid the conflict. He revealed that he will speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss ways to achieve a 'just peace' in Ukraine. Zelensky expressed optimism that the upcoming talks could be productive and also mentioned receiving certain signals from the United States, though he declined to elaborate. The renewed diplomatic push comes as Ukraine continues to seek broader international backing and explore potential avenues for peace while facing persistent Russian aggression. The initiative underscores Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to balance military resistance with diplomatic engagement in pursuit of a sustainable resolution to the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. The announcement followed the signing of a strategic defense agreement aimed at strengthening long-term military cooperation between the two nations. According to the White House, the two sides also signed accords on civilian nuclear energy and defense collaboration, including a joint declaration that will establish a legal framework for multi-billion-dollar partnerships over the coming decades. The agreements are said to comply with nuclear non-proliferation standards. Trump also approved an arms deal involving F-35 fighter jets, reaffirming earlier commitments. Saudi media described the move as a significant step toward enhancing regional peace, security, and prosperity. The meeting marked the first time in over seven years that the Saudi crown prince was hosted in Washington.