The United States has imposed sanctions on eight Indian citizens and nine companies involved in trading Iranian oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals. Announced on Thursday, this move is part of Washington’s intensified economic pressure campaign on Iran. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also blacklisted an additional 60 individuals, companies, and vessels linked to transporting Iranian oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to international buyers, including entities from China and the UAE. Among the Indian entities sanctioned are Mumbai-based CJ Shah & Co., Chemovic, Modi Chem, Parichem Resources, Indisil Marketing, Haresh Petrochem, Shiv Texchem, and Delhi-based BK Sales Corporation. The State Department claimed these companies imported Iranian petrochemicals worth millions over recent years. Five Indian citizens, including directors of these firms, were also named, alongside three others connected to Iranian LPG transport.

OpenAI has introduced a new affordable version of its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT Go, in Bangladesh and 17 other Asian nations, following successful trials in India and Indonesia. The subscription plan aims to meet long-standing user demand for a cost-effective option while providing access to the latest GPT-5 model. Users will enjoy all free-version features plus additional benefits such as image generation, file uploads, advanced data analysis, and higher usage limits. The service is priced as the company’s most affordable plan, with India at INR 399/month and Indonesia at IDR 75,000/month. OpenAI’s CEO Nick Tarle emphasized the goal of bringing AI capabilities to more people. According to OpenAI, usage growth in lower-income countries has outpaced wealthier nations by over four times, reflecting the growing global demand for accessible AI tools.

The Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, has confirmed that the national election will be held in the first week of February under the caretaker government. Speaking at a courtesy meeting with journalists at Mymensingh Press Club on October 10, he emphasized that any doubts regarding the election have been completely resolved and the country is prepared for voting. He noted that political parties have reached consensus on the July certificate and will finalize matters soon. A declaration regarding the signing of the certificate is expected on October 15, after which parties will intensify election preparations. Several parties have already announced nominations. Alam stressed that previous elections were flawed, but this upcoming vote will be free, fair, and the best in Bangladesh’s history.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday morning, arriving at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 9 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, he will be welcomed with a formal ceremony and will travel directly to the Knesset in Jerusalem to deliver a speech ahead of the Simhat Torah festival, which begins Monday evening. The trip comes in the wake of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas. Channel 12 reported that the visit will be brief, with Trump returning directly to the airport and departing the country after his address. Originally planned to arrive on Sunday, the visit was shortened due to limited preparation time. According to reports, Trump will not be able to visit Tel Aviv’s “Hostages Square,” despite expectations from families of hostages held by Hamas for his presence there.

Hamas has announced an agreement with Israel aimed at ending more than two years of conflict in Gaza. The deal, based on a U.S. proposal, includes the cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of occupation forces, entry of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of prisoners. A key figure in the talks is Hamas commander Ibrahim Hamed, considered by Israel’s Shin Bet as “Second Yahya Sinwar” and serving a 54-year life sentence. Hamed, a veteran of the Second Intifada and planner of multiple military operations, has remained a symbol of Palestinian resistance despite harsh imprisonment. Under the initial phase of the agreement, Hamas will release 20 Israeli prisoners within 72 hours of the ceasefire, while Israel will free over 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including hundreds serving life sentences.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will begin working with Iran to implement a peace agreement. During a recent cabinet meeting, Trump also commented on the future of Gaza, saying that the region will gradually be rebuilt by wealthier neighboring countries. He described the reconstruction efforts as “remarkable” and praised the initiative, noting he had not seen such enthusiasm before. Trump added that the release of remaining prisoners is expected “on Monday or Tuesday” and emphasized that at some point, ongoing conflicts must end. While Trump plans visits to Egypt and occupied Palestine, he will not travel to Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on over 50 individuals, organizations, and ships involved in Iran’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports, including three Indian citizens, as part of efforts to disrupt key components of Iran’s energy export system.

Taiwan has announced plans to develop a multi-layered air defense system named the “T-Dome,” inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, as tensions rise with China. President Tsai Ing-wen stated that defense spending will increase to protect the island and urged China to abandon the use of force to seize Taiwan. The government aims to propose a special military budget by year-end, reflecting its commitment to enhancing national defense capabilities. The T-Dome will feature advanced detection and interception technologies to safeguard citizens and property. While details remain scarce, Taiwan continues to modernize its military amid facing a vastly larger Chinese military equipped with stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and a significant missile arsenal.

France is grappling with a severe political crisis as President Emmanuel Macron faces mounting isolation following a string of prime ministerial resignations and widening divisions within the National Assembly. The latest parliamentary elections, called after Macron dissolved the previous assembly, have resulted in an even more fragmented legislature. Analysts warn that the repeated resignations—four in less than a year—signal the start of a prolonged cycle of political instability. Influential figures, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, suggest that Macron should resign to prevent further governmental collapse. Despite mounting pressure, the 47-year-old president refuses to step down, even threatening another early election. Political commentators note that the presidential system is struggling to function effectively in the current divided political landscape, leaving France’s democracy on the brink of potential institutional breakdown.

The United States will deploy 200 troops to Israel to form a new task force aimed at supporting humanitarian and security coordination efforts in Gaza, officials confirmed. Known as the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), the task force will facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza, including both security assistance and humanitarian operations. U.S. personnel will remain in Israel and will not be deployed to any Palestinian areas. They will oversee planning, logistics, supply, and engineering aspects of relief efforts, working alongside international partners from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and possibly the UAE. The CMCC will coordinate with Israeli forces and other security entities to prevent conflicts while monitoring the Gaza agreement. Officials emphasized that the mission is purely supportive and non-combat in nature, providing expertise and leadership to aid operations rather than engaging in military action.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that President Donald Trump’s meetings with leaders of eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations during last month’s United Nations General Assembly played a crucial role in advancing a Gaza ceasefire. Discussions centered on ending the Israel–Hamas conflict and planning post-war reconstruction. Following these meetings, Trump consulted with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both leaders agreeing on a proposed 20-point framework for peace. Trump’s negotiating team then intensified efforts to involve Hamas through Qatar and Egypt. Rubio highlighted that Trump also conducted extensive phone calls and meetings with global leaders as part of an intense humanitarian and diplomatic initiative. Rubio emphasized that this success would not have been possible without the direct involvement of the U.S. President. Trump thanked the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Indonesia for their assistance in facilitating the ceasefire.

Thousands of Palestinians displaced by the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas have started returning to their homes, many of which have been reduced to rubble. The ceasefire officially came into effect on Friday, with Israeli forces pulling back from key areas in Gaza. The agreement includes the release of Israeli captives within 72 hours in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Residents of Gaza expressed mixed emotions—relief at returning home but grief at the destruction left behind. Crowds gathered along coastal and city streets, marking their return after years of displacement. The humanitarian situation remains fragile, with thousands needing urgent assistance.

Hazem Qassem, spokesperson for Hamas, has accused Israel of attempting to manipulate specific clauses of the recently announced peace agreement, particularly those concerning prisoner lists and Gaza withdrawals. According to Qassem, Israel is seeking to exploit these clauses while avoiding meaningful discussions. He emphasized that the key priority is to create suitable conditions on the ground for the exchange of prisoners, asserting that a genuine peace agreement should end the brutal conflict against the Palestinian people. Hamas also announced that a peace agreement was reached through talks in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Indirect discussions with Israel began on Monday with the objective of reconsidering U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal. Arab and Israeli media reported that the first phase of the agreement has started taking effect, and the Israeli cabinet has approved the deal.

Under a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israeli troops have started withdrawing from parts of Gaza, allowing some residents to return to their devastated neighborhoods. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan area, homes lie in ruins, and many locals remain cautious about whether the ceasefire will hold. Ismail Zayda, a 40-year-old resident, expressed gratitude that his house is still standing, while neighbors’ houses were completely destroyed. In southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis, some Israeli troops have already pulled back, though tank fire continues in nearby areas. In central Nuseirat refugee camp, soldiers retreated east toward the Israeli border, with some returning after early morning gunfire. Rescue teams are now reaching previously inaccessible areas, recovering bodies from earlier attacks. The ceasefire, part of a U.S.-backed plan, includes prisoner exchanges and phased Israeli troop withdrawals.

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has been removed from office following a historic impeachment vote by the country’s Congress. In a late-night session, 124 of 130 lawmakers voted in favor of her removal after she failed to appear to defend herself against four separate impeachment motions. Boluarte, who came to power in December 2022, faced criticism for her government’s inability to control violent crime, including murders and extortion, which have surged in recent months. Official figures show over 6,000 killings and nearly 16,000 extortion complaints this year, the highest since 2017. Hours before the vote, a shooting at a Lima concert heightened public anger. Prime Minister Eduardo Arana’s defense in Congress failed to change the outcome. Boluarte’s partial blame on illegal immigrants for the crime crisis also drew controversy.

An Israeli reservist, Sergeant First Class Michael Mordechai Nachmani, 26, was killed by gunfire from a Hamas sniper in Gaza City on October 9. Nachmani, a resident of Dimona, served in the 614th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Technology and Maintenance Corps. The attack coincided with Israeli and Hamas representatives signing an agreement in Egypt to release all prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza. Israel’s cabinet has approved a ceasefire, which will come into effect within 24 hours, while hostages are expected to be freed within 72 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as both a diplomatic achievement and a moral victory for Israel, signaling a hopeful, yet tense moment in the ongoing Gaza conflict.