Digest for 11 October, 2025
Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect as Palestinians Return to Ruined Homes
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has taken effect, allowing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to heavily damaged areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The deal includes the release of remaining hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. While bringing a halt to the two-year conflict, questions remain over the long-term governance of Gaza and whether Hamas will disarm as stipulated in the US plan. Scaled-up humanitarian aid is set to enter Gaza Sunday.
India Deepens Taliban Engagement Amid Outrage Over Exclusion of Women Journalists
India announced it will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy following talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. However, the diplomatic engagement was overshadowed by widespread outrage after women journalists were barred from attending Muttaqi's press conference at the Afghan embassy in Delhi. Opposition leaders and media figures condemned the move, while the Ministry of External Affairs denied any involvement in organizing the press event.
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Wins Nobel Peace Prize, Drawing US Rebuke
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for her long struggle for democracy against the country's authoritarian government. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her as a unifying figure who has inspired millions despite facing threats and being forced into hiding. The decision drew sharp criticism from the White House, which had advocated for US President Donald Trump, with a spokesperson stating the committee "proved they place politics over peace."
Supreme Court Gives Centre Four Weeks to Respond on J&K Statehood
The Supreme Court has granted the central government four weeks to file its response to petitions seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. During the hearing, the Centre cited ongoing security concerns, including the recent Pahalgam attack, as factors requiring consideration before a final decision is made. The court's directive follows its December 2023 verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, where it had urged that statehood be restored at the earliest.
Reliance Power CFO Arrested by ED in Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ashok Kumar Pal, the Chief Financial Officer of Anil Ambani's Reliance Power, in a money laundering case linked to an alleged ₹3,000 crore bank loan fraud. The arrest follows an investigation into the issuance of a fake ₹68 crore bank guarantee to a government entity. Pal is accused of playing a crucial role in the scheme, which allegedly involved diverting funds from the publicly listed company through fraudulent means.