Monday, 13 October 2025

Hamas released the final 20 living Israeli hostages after two years of captivity in Gaza, and Israel released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement. Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset and declared an 'end' to the Gaza war, proclaiming a 'historic dawn of a new Middle East.'

Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi co-hosted a peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with more than 20 world leaders attending to discuss reconstruction and post-ceasefire arrangements for Gaza. Trump called for Israel's president to pardon Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption.

Turkish President Erdoğan threatened to withdraw from the Sharm el-Sheikh summit unless Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's attendance was ruled out, leading Trump to abort plans to invite Netanyahu to the peace conference.

Trump indicated he is setting sights on negotiating peace with Iran as part of efforts to reshape the Middle East, expanding on his earlier focus on the Gaza ceasefire.

Trump threatened 100% tariffs on China after Beijing imposed new curbs on rare earths exports, reigniting the US-China trade war roughly a month before a deadline to reach a deal. Markets initially dropped on the threat before rebounding after Trump softened his stance.

Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the White House is seriously considering invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, signaling potential use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement purposes.

The Department of Health and Human Services rescinded more than half of the 1,300 termination notices it had sent to CDC employees, reportedly reversing firings of hundreds of workers.

The Smithsonian Institution announced it would temporarily close its museums, research centers, and the National Zoo due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Border agents have become a major force in Trump's migrant crackdown, operating far beyond their traditional rural range and venturing into major US cities with tactics described as 'cavalier and aggressive.'

Krone, one of Europe's largest farm machinery manufacturers, halted US exports due to what it described as 'alarming' and 'hidden' tariffs on approximately 400 goods including hair dryers and combine harvesters.