10/08/2025

Ceasefire Hopes Rise as Gaza War Reaches Two-Year Mark

Middle East – Negotiations & Flashpoints

On the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attacks, indirect talks in Egypt on President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan brought Israeli and Hamas envoys – joined by Qatari and Turkish mediators – back to the table. Hamas says it has already handed over a draft swap list of hostages and prisoners, while Israel’s government stresses that “all war objectives” remain unchanged.

The diplomatic push comes amid high-profile incidents: Israeli forces intercepted another aid flotilla bound for Gaza, prompting Ankara to denounce the action as “piracy” (A9), and far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa compound drew protests across the Muslim world.

Americas – Security Shocks & Trade Talk

In Ecuador, President Daniel Noboa’s motorcade came under gunfire and a hail of rocks during Indigenous fuel-price protests; five suspects were held on terrorism charges. North of the border, U.S. politics mixed diplomacy and business as Canadian PM Mark Carney sought relief from U.S. tariffs in a friendly Oval Office meeting, while Trump hinted at a “real chance” for a broader Middle-East peace.

Europe – Economic Shields & Political Strains

The EU took a page from Washington by proposing to double import levies on cheap foreign metal in a bid to rescue its struggling mills (A44). Brussels also warned of Russia’s “hybrid warfare” tactics after fresh airspace violations, while investors watched France, where repeated cabinet resignations have left President Emmanuel Macron under pressure to call new elections.

In aviation, Airbus celebrated a milestone as the A320 family overtook Boeing’s 737 as the most-delivered jet in history.

Asia–Pacific – Tensions, Turmoil & Rescues

Taipei–Beijing: China branded Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te a “separatist” after he told a U.S. podcast that Trump should earn a Nobel Prize if he persuades Xi Jinping to renounce force against the island (A45). In Washington, Trump’s Pentagon nominee backed calls for Taipei to lift defence spending toward 10 % of GDP (A13).

Tokyo: Hard-line conservative Sanae Takaichi, poised to become Japan’s first female premier, faces a brewing coalition rift that could delay her confirmation vote.

Himalayas: Rescuers guided all remaining trekkers to safety after a rare blizzard stranded hundreds in Tibet’s Karma valley; five hundred hikers and support staff were eventually evacuated.

Markets & Tech – Gold Rush and Chip Fears

Investors fleeing uncertainty pushed gold past $4 000 an ounce for the first time, driven by rate-cut expectations and geopolitical angst. On Capitol Hill, a bipartisan report urged wider curbs on chip-tool exports after Chinese firms bought $38 billion worth of advanced equipment last year, highlighting the race to secure semiconductor supply chains.

Spotlight – Images of the Day

Ecuador’s president inspects his damaged vehicle after an alleged assassination attempt.

Students in London march on the war’s anniversary, one of dozens of pro-Palestinian rallies worldwide.

Russia’s president says troops seized nearly 5 000 km² of Ukrainian territory this year (A17).

Australian police foil an alleged gang “kill team” near a Sydney daycare (A25).