International
12 Turkish Soldiers Die from Methane Gas Exposure in Northern Iraq Cave Mission

Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas during a mission in a cave in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced on Monday. The incident occurred on Sunday during an operation to recover the remains of a soldier who went missing in the cave in 2022 after being killed by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters.
“Four other of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died … bringing the total number of victims to 12,” the ministry stated in a post on X. Nineteen soldiers were exposed to the gas inside a site previously used as a hospital by armed fighters. The condition of the remaining seven soldiers was not immediately clear, though Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wished them a speedy recovery on X.
The soldiers were conducting a sweep operation inside a cave at an altitude of 852 meters (2,795 feet) in the Metina region. This mission is part of Turkiye’s ongoing Operation Claw-Lock, which targets PKK positions in northern Iraq. The PKK is designated as a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union, and the United States.
While methane gas is not considered toxic, it can be deadly in confined spaces due to the risk of suffocation. The ministry has not yet clarified how the gas accumulated inside the cave.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his “great sorrow” over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. Defense Minister Yasar Guler has traveled to the area to oversee inspections and attend ceremonies for the deceased.
International
At least 20 killed as bus catches fire in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer

At least 20 people have been killed after a passenger bus caught fire in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Tuesday (October 14) afternoon. The bus was travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur when the accident occurred.
Police said the bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. Shortly afterward, smoke was seen coming from the rear of the vehicle. The driver stopped the bus on the roadside, but within minutes, flames engulfed the entire bus.
Locals rushed to help the passengers and informed the fire brigade and police, who later brought the blaze under control. Initial investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire.
Fifteen passengers, including four women and two children, sustained severe burns, with some suffering burns over 70% of their bodies. The injured were taken to Jaisalmer’s Jawahar Hospital and later shifted to Jodhpur for advanced treatment.
District authorities launched an immediate rescue and relief operation. Officials confirmed that the bus was completely gutted, making it difficult to identify many of the victims. DNA and forensic teams from Jodhpur have been deployed to assist with the identification process.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Jaisalmer late Tuesday night. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced financial aid of ₹2 lakh each for the families of those killed.
(Source: NDTV)
International
Trump Hails Gaza Ceasefire as ‘A Day No One Thought Possible’

U.S. President Donald Trump has described the Gaza ceasefire agreement as “an important day,” saying that “no one thought this could ever happen.”
He made the remarks aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington after visits to Israel and Egypt.
When asked by reporters whether the ceasefire signaled the return of peace in the Middle East, Trump replied, “Some support a one-state solution, others want a two-state solution — we’ll have to see what happens.” He declined to elaborate further on the issue.
Earlier, at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Trump and representatives from 20 nations signed a peace agreement related to Gaza, aiming to pave the way for a lasting ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
During the flight back to Washington, Trump also commented on Gaza’s future, saying, “I can’t say what will happen, but whoever takes responsibility — I’ll fight for them.”
Later, on his social media platform Truth Social, the former president wrote, “Something extraordinary was achieved today in Israel and Egypt. Much has been done — and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was an incredible experience!”
Source: BBC Bangla.
International
Jordan’s King Abdullah warns: “Without a Palestinian state, the Middle East will collapse”

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has warned that the Middle East could face destruction if the ongoing peace process does not lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Panorama ahead of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt, King Abdullah called for a renewed commitment to peace, emphasizing that Gaza’s governance should be handed over to an independent Palestinian authority once a ceasefire takes hold.
He said countries like Qatar and Egypt are working closely with the parties involved to ensure compliance with the ceasefire agreement. However, he cautioned that “the devil lies in the details” of the Trump-era peace accords and stressed the importance of continued US engagement in the process.
“The region will collapse if we fail to provide a future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” the King said, adding that the solution must lead toward a two-state outcome.
Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said he does not trust him personally but believes there are Israelis who genuinely want peace with the Arab world.
Despite criticism at home, the King reaffirmed that Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel remains crucial, especially in maintaining regional security cooperation.
He concluded, “Peace is the only solution. If we fail to achieve it, this region may cease to exist as we know it.
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