NewsBytes

Hamas swaps last Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, Trump says Gaza war over

Hamas freed the last living Israeli hostages on Monday under a ceasefire deal, a big step towards ending two years of ruinous war in Gaza as US President Donald Trump addressed Israel's parliament, urging it to turn military success into peace. The Israeli military said it had received all hostages confirmed to be alive after their transfer from Gaza by the Red Cross, prompting cheering, hugging and weeping among thousands waiting at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv. Some of the nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed by Israel as part of the accord, ahead of a summit in Egypt to cement the ceasefire, began arriving in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, some hoisted on the shoulders of delighted relatives. "The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace," Trump told the Knesset, Israel's parliament, saying a "long nightmare" for both Israelis and Palestinians was over. "Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East," he said before his planned trip to Egypt for the summit.

Army chiefs of India, France discuss ways to expand counter-terrorism cooperation

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi met with his French counterpart General Pierre Schill here on Monday as they held discussions on a range of subjects, including expanding joint training exercises, counter-terrorism cooperation and defence technology collaboration, officials said. The two chiefs also reaffirmed the "robust Indo-French strategic partnership", they said. The meeting at South Block took place ahead of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave to be hosted by India in Delhi from October 14-16. The UNTCC serves as a vital forum to address operational challenges, evolving threats, interoperability, inclusivity in decision-making and the role of technology and training in strengthening UN peacekeeping. The Indian Army also posted on X about the meeting and some pictures.

Madagascar's president has left the country after Gen Z protests, officials say

Madagascar's president has fled the African nation, the head of the opposition and other officials said on Monday, the second time that young protesters have toppled a government in weeks of worldwide Gen Z unrest. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, leader of the opposition in parliament, told Reuters Rajoelina left Madagascar on Sunday after units of the army defected and joined the protesters. "We called the staff of the presidency and they confirmed that he left the country", he said, adding that Rajoelina's current whereabouts were unknown. The president's office, which had earlier said Rajoelina would address the nation on Monday, did not reply to requests for comment. A military source told Reuters that Rajoelina flew out of the country on a French military aircraft on Sunday. French radio RFI said he had struck a deal with President Emmanuel Macron.

Indian team to visit US this week for trade talks

A team of senior officials from India will visit the US this week for trade talks and negotiations on the proposed bilateral trade agreement are progressing well, a top official said on Monday. In February this year, leaders of the two countries directed officials to negotiate a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). It was planned to conclude the first tranche of the pact by the fall (October-November) of 2025. So far, five rounds of negotiations have been completed. "The Indian team will visit this week. Negotiations are going in a positive direction. Both sides are of the view that talks should be fast-tracked," the official added. Last month, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal led an official delegation to New York for trade talks. After that meeting, India and the US decided to continue negotiations for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement.