Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

India to host U.N. troop contributing countries’ chiefs conclave from Oct 14-16

Delegates from countries that contribute troops to the U.N. peacekeeping missions across the globe are set to gather in Delhi for a key conclave to be hosted by India from October 14-16, officials said on Sunday (October 12, 2025). The United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave will see the participation of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations (USG, DPO), Jean Pierre Lacroix, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Situation under control: Muttaqi on Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes

Afghanistan wants a peaceful resolution of its conflict with Pakistan, but if the efforts don’t succeed, it has other means, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday (October 12, 2025). Mr. Muttaqi’s comments at a media briefing at the Afghan Embassy came amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Muttaqi said the situation is under control now. “We have good relations with the people of Pakistan and the government, but some elements in that country are trying to create problems,” Mr. Muttaqi said.

No restrictions on presence of women journalists during Afghan Foreign Minister’s Deoband event: Seminary

The Darul Uloom Deoband on Saturday (October 12, 2025) asserted that there were no directives to keep women journalists away from covering the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to the seminary. “There were no restrictions from the Afghan Foreign Minister’s office about who would attend,” Deoband PRO Ashraf Usmani, also the media in-charge of Mr. Muttaqi’s Saturday programme, told PTI, and dismissed as “baseless” claims that women journalists were kept away.

An attempted coup is underway in Madagascar, the country’s President says

An attempted coup is underway in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, the country’s president said on Sunday (October 12, 2025), a day after members of an elite army unit were seen joining youth-led protests against the government. A statement from President Andry Rajoelina’s office said it “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” has been “initiated.”

Trump, Sisi to chair Gaza peace summit on October 13: Egypt

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will chair a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday (October 13, 2025), the Egyptian presidency said on Saturday (October 12, 2025). The meeting will take place on Monday afternoon “with the participation of leaders from more than twenty countries”, it said. The summit will aim “to end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, and usher in a new era of regional security and stability”.

China vows to stand firm against Trump’s 100% tariff threat

China signalled on Sunday (October 12, 2025) that it would not back down in the face of a 100% tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump, urging the U.S. to resolve differences through negotiations instead of threats. “China's stance is consistent,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted online. “We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one.” The response came two days after Trump threatened to jack up the tax on imports from China by November 1 in response to new Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths, a key ingredient for many consumer and military products.

Email accounts of 12 lakh Central government employees now run on Zoho’s platform

Over the past one year, all 12 lakh e-mail addresses of Central government employees, including those of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), have migrated from a National Informatics Centre-based system to a platform developed by Zoho, officials told The Hindu.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrives in Delhi, set to meet Jaishankar on Oct 13

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in the national capital on Sunday (October 12, 2025), a day before talks with her Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar. The discussions are expected to focus on setting up a framework for bilateral “strategic” cooperation in areas of trade, energy and security.

India sends Minister as Sisi invites Modi to U.S.-Egypt Gaza peace signing ceremony

India will send Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardan Singh to represent India at the Peace Summit on Gaza in Sharm el Sheikh to be co-hosted by Egypt and the United States on Monday (October 13, 2025), officials confirmed to The Hindu.

Trump declares Gaza war over on way to Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump departed on Sunday (October 12, 2025) on a high-stakes peace trip to Israel and Egypt, declaring the “war is over” in Gaza despite uncertainty about what will follow a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.

WTI report highlights crucial role of India’s forest protectors

A report on 25 years of support for wildlife warriors by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has highlighted the role of India’s forest protectors. The report, Guardians of the Wild: Supporting India’s Frontline Forest Staff, features 540 rangers who were killed or injured in the line of duty. It includes personal narratives from the field.

Enforcement Directorate offers Flipkart to close FEMA violation case by paying penalty, admitting mistake

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is learnt to have offered the option of closing a FEMA violation case against e-commerce major Flipkart if the Walmart group firm admits its mistake and pays a penalty, sources aware of the development said. The option was given by the Enforcement Directorate to Flipkart last week under the compounding rules of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act).