Israel has freed 3,700 Palestinian detainees as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to the country’s Central Prison Authority. The release took place on October 13 in two phases. Around 2,000 prisoners from Ofer Prison near Ramallah were transported by buses, arranged by the International Committee of the Red Cross, to the West Bank city of Beitunia. Another 1,718 prisoners, previously held in Israel’s Negev Prison, were sent to Gaza’s Khan Younis. Among them were 250 inmates serving life sentences, many of whom were detained following Israel’s 2023 military operations in Gaza. Upon arrival, the released individuals underwent medical examinations at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Beitunia and Khan Younis to welcome them amid scenes of joy and relief, marking a significant moment in the ongoing ceasefire process.

Madagascar is facing a political crisis as President Andry Rajoelina reportedly fled the country amid escalating protests led by the opposition group Zan-Gi. The protests, which began on September 25 over water and electricity shortages, quickly intensified into nationwide demonstrations addressing government corruption, mismanagement, and lack of basic services. According to opposition leaders, some military units rebelled and joined the demonstrators, prompting the President to leave the island nation on a French military plane bound for Paris. The President’s current location remains unknown, and a previously scheduled national address did not take place. French authorities, including President Emmanuel Macron, were reportedly involved in facilitating the move. Madagascar, with a population of nearly 30 million, faces deep economic challenges, with three-quarters of its citizens living below the poverty line and declining per capita GDP.

Bangladesh’s National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) is set to introduce a new interoperable payment system on November 1, 2025, allowing seamless transactions across mobile financial services (MFS) such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, as well as banks and payment service providers (PSPs). Under this system, bank-to-MFS transfers will cost Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, MFS-to-bank transfers Tk 8.50 per Tk 1,000, bank-to-bank transfers Tk 1.50 per Tk 1,000, and bank-to-PSP transfers Tk 2 per Tk 1,000. Recipients will not be charged any fees. The move aims to reduce reliance on cash and promote digital transactions across the country. The service will operate within existing transaction limits of banks, MFS operators, and PSPs. For internet banking transfers between banks, previous rules will remain in effect. The circular was issued by Bangladesh Bank’s Payment Systems Department on October 13, 2025.

In a landmark event held in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, world leaders gathered to sign the Gaza Peace Agreement aimed at ending over two years of war between Israel and Hamas. U.S. President Donald Trump, calling it “The Biggest Deal,” joined Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and over 30 other leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to attend, citing the start of the Jewish festival Simchat Torah, though diplomatic sources suggested Erdoğan’s warning of a potential Muslim boycott influenced his decision. Trump hailed the agreement as a new dawn for Middle East peace, while analysts said it could bring a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian rebuilding to Gaza.

The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) announced that it will soon publish a list of interim government advisers allegedly seeking a “safe exit” through political deals. The controversy began when NCP Convener Nahid Islam claimed that several advisers were liaising with political parties to secure personal benefits. His remarks sparked intense debate, with at least five advisers publicly responding—some demanding evidence, others condemning his statement. Senior NCP leader Samantha Sharmin defended Nahid, saying he spoke from firsthand observation as a former adviser himself. Party insiders claim some advisers are acting under the influence of a particular political group, undermining the spirit of the student-led uprising that brought the interim government to power. NCP leaders accuse remnants of the previous regime’s “mafia media establishment” of trying to discredit student leadership while ignoring corruption and extortion across the country. The situation continues to fuel divisions within the interim administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Russia that the United States could supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles if Moscow refuses to negotiate an end to the war. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One before his trip to Israel, Trump said the Tomahawk is a powerful offensive weapon and its deployment “would not be good for Russia.” Earlier, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirming that the missile issue was raised during their conversation. Russia has condemned the idea as a “serious provocation,” warning it would push U.S.–Russia relations into crisis. President Vladimir Putin said the move would directly involve Washington in the conflict. With a range of 2,500 kilometers, Tomahawk missiles could reach Moscow from inside Ukraine. Zelensky responded that Russia’s fear of such weapons shows growing pressure that could help bring about peace.

MPO-listed teachers and staff have been holding a continuous sit-in at Dhaka’s central Shaheed Minar, protesting police attacks, sound grenade blasts, and arrests while demanding three key demands, including a 20% increase in house rent allowance. The protest has led to the suspension of all educational activities, including classes and exams, across schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions in the capital. Many teachers remain present at their institutions but are refraining from conducting classes. Those at Shaheed Minar spent the night under the open sky, enduring hardship to press their demands. Teachers have stated they will withdraw the sit-in and resume classes only after the government issues an official proclamation addressing their demands, including justice for the attacks. The protest underscores growing tension between MPO-listed teachers and authorities over recognition and welfare issues.

Gold and silver prices soared to record levels on Monday, October 13, as renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, combined with expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut, boosted safe-haven demand. Spot gold climbed 1.5% to $4,078 per ounce, while December gold futures rose 2.3% to $4,093. Silver also jumped 2.7% to $51.70 per ounce. President Donald Trump recently threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and announced new export controls on key software, prompting global market concerns. Analysts note that geopolitical tensions and market tightness are driving investment demand for precious metals. Platinum rose 2.9% to $1,635.35, and palladium increased 3.6% to $1,452.50. Since January, gold has surged 53%, fueled by central bank purchases, ETF inflows, tariff-related economic uncertainty, and anticipated Fed rate cuts. Market watchers expect further rate reductions in October and December.

Sohail Afridi, nominated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 90 votes, securing a clear majority in the 145-member provincial assembly. The opposition boycotted the election, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional,” with leaders including Dr. Ibadullah and JUI-F representatives walking out before voting commenced. Outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur congratulated Afridi and emphasized the importance of peace and justice, stating that his resignation was submitted following the instructions of PTI’s founder. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar warned party members against defying the founder’s nominated candidate. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi raised concerns over Gandapur’s resignation letters due to signature discrepancies, instructing him to verify them on October 15. Despite this, the assembly proceeded with the election, meeting the required majority of 73 votes. The ruling party now holds 93 seats, while the opposition has 52.

Jammu and Kashmir PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the BJP-led central government for welcoming Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, calling it a display of internal hypocrisy. She argued that while India’s government engages with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to strengthen diplomatic and strategic ties, it simultaneously marginalizes its own Muslim citizens through policies and rhetoric targeting the community, including initiatives labeled as “Love Jihad,” “Land Jihad,” “Vote Jihad,” and “Cow Jihad.” Mufti highlighted that India’s decision to offer scholarships and developmental support to Afghanistan, while curtailing opportunities for Muslim students and closing madrasas at home, underscores a stark contradiction. Stressing the importance of international relations, she emphasized that the foundation of a stable and harmonious nation lies in building trust, respect, and equality for minority communities within its own borders. Afghan FM Muttaqi’s visit is part of a six-day trip to strengthen bilateral ties.

Teachers in MPO-listed schools and colleges across Dhaka have launched an indefinite strike demanding a 20% increase in house rent and medical allowances along with the implementation of a universal transfer policy. The protest, which started after teachers spent the night at the Central Shaheed Minar, also opposes police obstruction during their programs in the capital. While some institutions have suspended classes, others continue lessons to avoid disrupting students’ education, with teachers expressing solidarity with the movement. Earlier, tensions escalated near the National Press Club on October 12 during a sit-in when police used sound grenades and clashed with teachers. The protesting teachers have vowed to continue their movement until all demands are met, calling the government’s announced allowance hikes “insufficient and unrealistic.”

Following the mass uprising of 2024, the long-awaited “July National Charter-2025” signing ceremony is scheduled for October 17 at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. Despite disagreements over implementation procedures, particularly the schedule of a proposed national referendum, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have finalized preparations for signing the charter. BNP will be represented by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who have led discussions with the National Consensus Commission and supervised party organization in street movements over the past 17 years. BNP leaders believe the charter will create a new foundation for constitutional and state reforms and advocate holding the referendum on the same day as national elections to save time, resources, and maintain political stability. Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized the proposal as the most balanced and inclusive approach, enjoying wide support among political stakeholders.

Iran has suspended its cooperation agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear monitoring body, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Sunday. He stated that Iran would only return to the agreement if the UN presents proposals safeguarding the country’s rights and national interests. The move comes amid heightened tensions following conflicts with Israel and the United States in June, when the IAEA revealed Iran holds 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which could potentially be further enriched for nuclear weapons. Iran has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the IAEA but refused to allow access to nuclear sites. Previous European mediation efforts with the UK, France, and Germany failed, leading to UN sanctions in late September. Araghchi emphasized there is no basis for further talks with Europe.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has released seven Israeli hostages, transferring them to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza, according to Reuters. The Israeli military confirmed the release, saying the ICRC received the hostages before heading toward Israeli forces in Gaza. The freed hostages include twins Gali and Ziv Berman, Matan Angrest, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal. Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, embracing and waving flags in celebration of the news. Meanwhile, large crowds assembled in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, where hundreds of released Palestinian prisoners are expected to arrive at the Nasser Medical Complex. Hamas earlier announced a list of 20 Israeli hostages to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons, marking one of the largest prisoner exchange efforts since the conflict began.

Recently leaked White House and U.S. CENTCOM documents have exposed a covert regional security framework linking Israel with six Arab countries — Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Despite publicly condemning the Gaza war, these nations have quietly strengthened military coordination with Israel over the past three years, focusing on intelligence sharing, missile defense, and counter-tunnel operations in Gaza. The Washington Post reports that these meetings, held in locations such as Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base and the U.S. Fort Campbell base, were part of a broader U.S.-backed initiative to counter Iran’s influence and resistance groups. Kuwait and Oman were informed as potential future partners. Saudi Arabia reportedly played a key role in sharing sensitive military intelligence. The framework remains confidential and officially denies forming any “new alliance.”