标签： Asia

In a significant development within the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, the armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Sunday that it would hand over the bodies of three Israeli hostages. The announcement was made via the group’s Telegram channel, specifying that the transfer would occur at 8 PM Gaza time (1800 GMT). The bodies were reportedly discovered earlier in the day along a tunnel route in the southern Gaza Strip. This move is part of a broader hostage-prisoner exchange aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region. The ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect for several days, seeks to create a temporary pause in hostilities and facilitate humanitarian efforts. The return of the hostages’ bodies marks a critical step in the fragile peace process, though it underscores the deep-seated complexities and human costs of the conflict. Both sides remain cautious as they navigate the delicate balance between military strategy and diplomatic negotiations.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the extension of the rice import ban until the end of 2025, aiming to stabilize farmgate prices and support local rice producers. The initial ban, implemented through Executive Order 93, was in effect from September 1 to October 31, 2025, to counteract the sharp decline in rice prices ahead of the wet harvest season. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the extension is necessary to ensure sustained support for farmers, maintain market stability, and allow a comprehensive evaluation of the policy’s impact. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will formally issue the extension order on November 3, 2025. The ban has already shown positive effects on farmgate prices, which peaked at Php16.50 per kilo in early September before stabilizing at Php13.50. However, retail prices and supply have remained largely unaffected. Laurel emphasized that the extension, combined with initiatives like Sagip Saka and the introduction of a floor price for rice, will continue to shield local farmers from the downward pressure caused by cheaper imports. Factors such as over-importation, poor-quality harvests, and adverse weather conditions have contributed to the depressed farmgate prices, which had fallen to as low as Php8 per kilo in some regions. In June 2024, President Marcos signed EO 62, reducing rice tariffs from 35% to 15% until 2028 to help control retail prices and curb food inflation. The tariff rate is reviewed every four months. The extended import ban is expected to provide a more thorough assessment of its effects on both farmgate and retail prices while safeguarding the livelihoods of local rice farmers.

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-e Sharif, one of the country’s largest cities, at approximately 20:30 GMT (01:00 local time). The quake, which occurred at a depth of 28km (17 miles), was reported by the US Geological Survey, which also issued warnings of ‘significant casualties’ and a ‘potentially widespread’ disaster. Mazar-e Sharif, home to over 500,000 people, experienced widespread panic as residents fled their homes, fearing structural collapses. According to AFP, many rushed into the streets as the ground shook. A Taliban spokesman in Balkh, the province where Mazar-e Sharif is the capital, posted on X around 02:00 local time (21:30 GMT), stating that they had received reports of ‘minor injuries and superficial damages’ across all districts of the province. He noted that most injuries resulted from people falling from tall buildings. The spokesman also shared a video on X showing debris scattered around the Blue Mosque, a significant local landmark and religious site believed to house the tomb of the first Shia Imam. The mosque is a gathering place for pilgrims and religious celebrations. This earthquake follows a 6.0 magnitude quake in Afghanistan’s eastern region in late August, which claimed over 1,000 lives. Afghanistan’s susceptibility to earthquakes is attributed to its location on multiple fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.

In a shocking revelation, French authorities have identified two suspects in the audacious Louvre jewel heist as a couple with children. The pair, aged 37 and 38, were arrested after their DNA was discovered in the basket lift used during the robbery. The heist, which took place last month, saw a four-man gang steal jewelry worth an estimated $102 million from the Louvre, the world’s most-visited art museum, in just seven minutes. The suspects fled on high-powered scooters after breaking into the museum’s Apollo Gallery, which houses the French crown jewels. The couple, along with two other accomplices, have been charged and remanded in custody, while at least one perpetrator remains at large. The stolen jewels have yet to be recovered. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau described the suspects as small-time criminals, not linked to organized crime groups. The man has 11 previous convictions, mostly for theft, while the woman appeared in tears during her court appearance, expressing fear for her children and herself. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the crime.