International News
Hamas to release three Israeli hostages today in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
Gaza, Feb 15: Hamas has confirmed that three Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
According to Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, the three hostages are Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, a 29-year-old c-Russian civilian; Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American civilian; and Yair Horn, a 46-year-old Israeli.
Israel has confirmed receipt of the list of hostages to be freed from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. The list was delivered through Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Initially, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the list was “acceptable by Israel,” but a spokesman later clarified that the statement was purely factual, and Israel’s position on the matter remained neutral.
“This is a purely factual description and does not reflect any Israeli position on the matter,” the spokesman clarified.
In exchange, Israel will release 369 Palestinian prisoners today, including 333 who will be sent back to Gaza. Ten others will be returned to their homes in the West Bank, and one will be released in East Jerusalem.
Additionally, 25 prisoners who are serving life sentences will either be deported to Gaza or sent abroad via Egypt.
This exchange is part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions and maintain the ceasefire, though the future of the broader peace process remains uncertain.
This will mark the sixth batch of prisoner-for-hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19.
The anticipated release comes amid heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump warned that if “all of the hostages” in Gaza were not freed by Saturday at noon, the truce would be canceled, and he would “let hell break out.” Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the warning, saying Israel would resume its onslaught on Gaza.
International News
Trump claims Iran reset, orders nuclear dust cleanup

Washington, April 8: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced what he called a “very productive regime change” in Iran, saying the US would eliminate uranium enrichment and work to dig up and remove deeply buried nuclear “dust”.
In a series of posts, Trump outlined a framework that combined nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief and sharp trade penalties.
“The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive regime change!” he wrote on Truth Social, a day after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
He asserted that Iran would no longer be allowed to enrich uranium. “There will be no enrichment of Uranium,” Trump said, adding that the United States would work with Iran to “dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) nuclear ‘dust.’”
Trump said the material remained under strict monitoring. “It is now, and has been, under very exacting Satellite Surveillance (Space Force!). Nothing has been touched from the date of attack,” he said.
The President also pointed to ongoing negotiations that could ease economic pressure on Tehran. “We are, and will be, talking tariff and sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been been agreed to,” he said, without detailing the terms or the parties involved.
Minutes later, Trump issued a warning to countries supplying weapons to Iran, signalling an aggressive escalation in trade policy.
“A country supplying military weapons to Iran will be immediately tariffed, on any and all goods sold to the United States of America, 50 per cent, effective immediately. There will be no exclusions or exemptions!” he said.
The dual messaging — offering sanctions relief while threatening sweeping tariffs — reflected a strategy that mixes economic coercion with conditional engagement.
International News
Despite ceasefire announcement, India issues fresh advisory, urges nationals to leave Iran expeditiously

Tehran, April 8: India on Wednesday advised its nationals in Iran to leave expeditiously, using only embassy-suggested routes despite the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.
In an advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran said, “In continuation of the advisory of 07 April 2026, and in light of recent developments, Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy.”‘
“It is again reiterated that there should be no attempt to approach any international land border without prior consultation and coordination with the Embassy,” the Indian mission further said, adding the emergency contacts with the advisory.
This comes just hours after the US and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump stepped back from the brink of a major military escalation with Iran, announcing a conditional two-week pause in planned attacks tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a development that came as a big relief to people across the world.
The decision came 90 minutes before the self-imposed 8 p.m. EST deadline set by Trump for Iran to reach a deal, after backchannel diplomacy.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time), said he would “suspend” an escalation of attacks for two weeks if Iran agrees to open the key shipping route.
In a social media post, he said talks with Pakistan led to what he called a “double-sided ceasefire.”
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” Trump wrote.
He added that the United States had received “a 10-point proposal from Iran” that was “a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
Trump said “almost all of the various points of past contention” had been agreed, and the two-week pause would allow the agreement “to be finalised and consummated.”
The ceasefire is conditional. Trump said it depends on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran signalled tentative acceptance. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would halt operations if attacks stop.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” he said.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” he added.
International News
Iran agrees to open Strait of Hormuz after Trump’s 14-day ceasefire announcement

Tehran, April 8: Iran on Wednesday indicated its willingness to halt its military response provided that attacks against it are stopped, while also announcing a temporary opening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for a period of two weeks.
In a statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the development comes at a time when ceasefire negotiations are currently underway, signalling a possible de-escalation in ongoing tensions.
He further stated that a two-week window would be provided during which vessels would be allowed to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, subject to proper coordination with Iranian authorities and adherence to operational conditions.
Explaining the context of the move, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that the decision was taken “considering the request by the US for negotiations based on its 15-point proposal as well as announcement by POTUS about acceptance of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations.”
He added that Iran’s position remains conditional and dependent on reciprocal actions.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations. For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi said, citing the stance of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Meanwhile, Trump also announced that he has agreed to suspend planned military strikes on Iran for two weeks.
“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” he said, describing the move as part of “a double-sided ceasefire”.
The announcement signals a temporary halt in what had been shaping up as a major escalation in the Gulf, with Trump asserting that US military goals had already been achieved.
“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East,” he said.
Trump said Washington had received “a 10-point proposal from Iran,” which he described as “a workable basis on which to negotiate”.
“Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran,” he added, suggesting that the pause would allow both sides to finalise terms.
“A two-week period will allow the Agreement to be finalised and consummated,” Trump said.
He framed the development as a breakthrough in efforts to stabilise the region, saying it was “an honour to have this long-term problem close to resolution.”
Trump’s post on Truth Social media came less than 90 minutes before his 8 p.m. EST deadline, wherein he had asked Iran to agree to a deal or face consequences to be bombed to the “Stone Age”.
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