After three days of indirect talks in Egypt, Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have ‘signed off’ on the first phase of his twenty-point peace plan to end the Gaza war. The agreement, expected to be approved by Israel’s cabinet, includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining living hostages - around 20 people - within 72 hours. Israel will begin withdrawing troops to a line controlling roughly 53% of Gaza, while Hamas will return the bodies of 28 dead hostages. In exchange, Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gaza detainees, but not including key figures like Marwan Barghouti. Hundreds of aid trucks will begin entering Gaza daily to address famine conditions. Later phases of the plan envision Gaza’s demilitarisation, temporary rule by Palestinian technocrats under an international ‘Board of Peace’ chaired by Trump, and eventual transfer to a reformed Palestinian Authority - points that remain deeply contentious between Israel and Hamas. Earlier in the week, on 7 October, 30,000 gathered in Tel Aviv in an emotional event marking the second anniversary of Hamas’s attacks: see

The strengthened commitment by China to cutting emissions and expanding renewable energy production may well accelerate Southeast Asia’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Analysts note that, as one of ASEAN’s key investors and trading partners in clean technology, China’s policies could encourage member states to attract more green investment while pursuing economic growth. Xi Jinping’s new climate targets include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035, expanding wind and solar capacity to 3,600 gigawatts, and increasing nonfossil fuels to over 30 percent of total energy use. Experts say these goals will boost affordable renewable technologies (eg solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries) across ASEAN, fostering energy security and resilience. China’s $2.7 billion clean-energy investment and $4.3 billion trade with ASEAN could inspire other members to align with the global shift toward sustainable development and climate responsibility.

The US government shutdown has entered its second week as the Senate again failed to pass competing bills to restore funding, deepening the political stalemate. Democrats and Republicans remain divided over whether to pair any funding bill with healthcare measures, particularly an extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. The lapse in funding has forced federal offices, national parks, and agencies to close, with mounting pressure from unpaid workers and disruptions at airports and air traffic control centres (see) House speaker Mike Johnson insists the GOP’s short-term funding bill is sufficient, while a top Democrat has accused Republicans of refusing to negotiate. Donald Trump continues to urge Democrats to accept the Republican plan, though some within the GOP have hinted at compromise. Without agreement, hundreds of thousands of military and civilian personnel will soon miss paychecks, further straining families and testing public patience with political gridlock.

The military government of Burkina Faso has arrested eight employees of the Netherlands-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), accusing them of ‘spying and treason’. The security minister claims that the group, which includes citizens from France, the Czech Republic, Mali, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, continued operating after a three-month ban for allegedly collecting sensitive security data without authorisation; allegedly they passed information harmful to national security to foreign powers. INSO, which specialises in providing safety support for humanitarian operations, categorically rejected the accusations, insisting that all data it gathers is public and used solely to protect aid workers. The arrests come amid Burkina Faso’s growing estrangement from Western nations and its realignment with Russia, along with Mali and Niger. The ruling junta continues to battle armed groups linked to al-Qaeda, while facing criticism from human rights organisations over alleged abuses by its forces and allied militias.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged Donald Trump to remove the 40% tariff recently imposed on Brazilian imports. The two leaders held a thirty-minute phone conversation, exchanging direct contact numbers and discussing trade and economic cooperation. Lula reiterated his invitation for Trump to attend the upcoming climate summit in Belém and said that Brazil remains one of the few G20 nations with which the United States enjoys a trade surplus. Trump described the discussion as positive, noting plans for future meetings in both countries. The tariffs, added to an earlier 10% duty, were justified by the Trump administration as a response to Brazil’s internal political instability following former president Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup. Despite tensions, the leaders’ dialogue signals an effort to preserve economic ties and foster mutual understanding between the Western Hemisphere’s two largest democracies.

In Malaysia, a pocket-sized multipurpose hacking device capable of reading and emulating credit cards, cloning simple RFID tags, and recording older car key fob codes is being sold openly on popular e-commerce platforms. Marketed variously as a novelty gadget, handheld gaming device, or robotic kit, prices range from £26 to £300; units are sourced locally and from overseas. Short videos show the tool opening hotel doors and mimicking access credentials, raising alarms about theft, fraud, and privacy breaches. Experts say it cannot copy modern rolling codes used in many new cars, but when paired with custom firmware or signal analysers it could probe vulnerable legacy systems. Researchers and academics stress legitimate uses for hobbyists and security testing while urging sensible regulation: clearer labelling, age verification, user guidance, and targeted laws that criminalise illegal use rather than impose blanket bans.

At the age of nine, John O’Leary suffered burns over his entire body in a gasoline explosion, losing all his fingers and facing little chance of survival. His remarkable journey of recovery, faith, and purpose is now portrayed in Sony’s upcoming film ‘Soul on Fire’. Directed by Sean McNamara, the film depicts how O’Leary transformed tragedy into triumph, discovering hope in Christ and encouragement through others. Legendary baseball announcer Jack Buck became a key supporter, visiting John in hospital and later welcoming him to the Cardinals. John’s family, especially his mother and sister, modelled sacrificial love, urging him to cling to God and fight for life. Today, O’Leary speaks globally, teaching gratitude as essential, even in prison cells or painful trials. He insists God redeems all suffering for good, turning victims into victors. Based on his bestselling book ‘On Fire’, the film shows how faith, love, and gratitude can ignite resilience, inspiring countless lives worldwide.

Joe and Nancy’s journey to Christ began amid the hippie counterculture of Southern California. They first met in 1969 at a friend’s home during a police drug raid, and their instant connection led them into a shared search for meaning. Drawn into the psychedelic scene, they explored Eastern mysticism, following gurus like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Meher Baba. Yet, when Meher Baba died without fulfilling his promise of a world-changing word, their spiritual hunger deepened. Living in Hawaii, they discovered Christian literature and later, through Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Nancy encountered the Gospel powerfully. Desperate for truth, she accepted Christ and was soon baptised. Joe initially resisted but was later moved to repentance and baptised the same day. Married in 1970, they have remained in church fellowship ever since. Now celebrating 55 years together, their enduring testimony shows how God redeems searching hearts with lasting love and truth.

Christian leaders, theologians, and public figures have signed the 2025 Westminster Declaration, calling for the 're-Christianisation' of Britain. The document argues that by ignoring the nation’s Christian heritage, society has endangered human life, weakened families, and lost a unifying vision. It highlights pressing issues such as abortion, assisted dying, sex education, marriage, biological sex, and the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, insisting that religious freedom must not be subordinated to political agendas. Fiona Bruce described a 'spiritual battle' in politics, urging more Christians to enter public life to shape debate. Michael Nazir Ali said a new declaration was necessary, given today’s challenges, while journalist Robin Aitken, hosting the launch, said that Christianity provides the best blueprint for human flourishing. Organisers hope to gather over 100,000 signatures to press for renewed recognition of Christian principles in national life. The declaration’s aim is not only to defend freedoms but to actively reassert faith as central to Britain’s moral and cultural renewal. See

Keir Starmer will announce major asylum policy reforms at a European summit in Copenhagen. Refugees granted asylum in the UK will no longer automatically receive settlement or family reunion rights, ending a longstanding route suspended in September. Previously, asylum-seekers could sponsor immediate family without meeting visa, income, or language requirements. Under the new policy, gaining indefinite leave to remain will take longer than the current five years, with a new benchmark of around ten years, though timescales may vary depending on individual contribution to UK society. Starmer insists settlement must be 'earned' and not seen as a 'golden ticket’. Along with these changes, the UK will partner with Denmark, investing £3m to address migration causes in the Western Balkans and encourage local job creation. Starmer argues the reforms will deter small boat crossings while still allowing sanctuary for genuine refugees. Critics fear the changes risk undermining family unity for those fleeing persecution. See