North Korea Missile Launch Heightens Tensions As Japan Elects First Female PM & Poland Warns Russia On Airspace Breach.

Good Morning,

In a historic development, Sanae Takaichi has been elected as Japan's first female prime minister, bringing a unique background as a heavy metal drummer to the role. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions are escalating as North Korea launches a ballistic missile towards the east, prompting concerns in South Korea. In Europe, Poland has issued a warning to Russia's President Putin against violating its airspace during an upcoming summit, while also claiming to have thwarted a Russian plot involving exploding parcels. Additionally, Bolivia's newly elected president has pledged a pragmatic approach to address the country's ongoing crisis, and the European Union faces criticism for pausing sanctions on Israel amid U.S. efforts in Gaza.

Top Stories

● Sanae Takaichi wins historic vote to become Japan's first female prime minister (BBC)

● North Korea fires ballistic missile towards east, South Korea says (Reuters)

● Poland warns Russia's Putin against crossing its airspace for Trump summit (Reuters)

● El presidente electo de Bolivia promete pragmatismo para sacar al país de la crisis (Bloomberg)

● Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s New Prime Minister, and She’s a Heavy Metal Drummer (The New York Times)

United States

● ‘Rogue president’: growing number of US judges push back against Trump (The Guardian)

● CIA playing ‘most important part’ in US strikes in the Caribbean, sources say (The Guardian)

● Trump tells Democrats no meeting over shutdown until government reopens (Reuters)

● U.S. Attacks More Boats as Tensions With Venezuela Rise: What’s Happened So Far (The New York Times)

● The US refugee program changed my life. Trump’s possible overhaul would be disastrous | Bahati Kanyamanza (The Guardian)

● US and Belize sign ‘safe third country’ agreement for asylum seekers (Al Jazeera)

● US and Australia sign rare earths deal to counter China's dominance (BBC)

● Exclusive: Wide-ranging group of US officials pursues Trump's fight against ‘Deep State’ (Reuters)

Africa

● Genocide claims aimed at pushing Trump to sanction Nigeria—Presidency (Punch Newspapers)

● Tinubu nominates Bernard Doro as minister for cabinet (Punch Newspapers)

● Teenager becomes Nigeria’s ‘vice president for a day’ (Punch Newspapers)

● Nigeria and South Africa strengthen bilateral ties (Punch Newspapers)

● Those undermining Nigeria’s unity are enemies of state – CDS (Punch Newspapers)

● Nigeria: ‘Christian genocide’ or a crisis of narratives? (News24)

● Raila Odinga: Kenya staring at an uncertain political future after ex-PM's death (BBC)

● Don’t redesignate Nigeria country of concern, Kukah urges US (Punch Newspapers)

● Egypt’s intelligence chief discusses Gaza ceasefire with Israeli officials (Middle East Monitor)

● Fragile ceasefire in Gaza: Egypt’s intelligence chief visits Israel to advance peace process (Dailynewsegypt)

Middle East

● Iran risks severe economic downturn, unrest as renewed UN sanctions bite (Reuters)

● With Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire, Some Pro-Palestinian Protesters Look Back at Their Movement, Ruefully (The New York Times)

● Pre-election Q&A series: Shwan Mohammed Kalari, rapporteur of the KDP in the Iraqi Parliament (Iraq Oil Report)

● Gaza ceasefire deal going better than expected, Vance says (BBC)

● WATCH: Vance says Gaza ceasefire going better than expected but there’s ‘very hard’ work ahead - PBS (Pbs)

● Israel takes steps to shut down international aid groups in Gaza and the West Bank - NPR (Npr)

● Trump Officials Ratchet Up Pressure on Israel and Hamas (The Wall Street Journal)

● Iran's Gen Z cornered by crackdowns, sanctions and conflict - DW (Dw)

Indo-Pacific

● Australia news live: extreme weather warnings as Sydney forecast to hit hottest ever October day; US company bids to buy Rex (The Guardian)

● BREAKING NEWS: Japan logs 234.6 billion yen trade deficit in September - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (Japan Wire By Kyodo News)

● A Trump visit, a creaking coalition and a cost of living crisis: Japan’s new PM needs a fast start (The Guardian)

● Albanese’s critical minerals deal isn’t good economics – but in Trump and Xi’s new world, bargaining chips matter (The Guardian)

● Sanae Takaichi’s election as Japan’s PM propels stocks to record high (Financial Times)

● Why thousands are queuing for hours in central Sydney to buy gold (The Guardian)

● The diplomat tasked with bringing together 'two island nations' (BBC)

● Takaichi elected Japan's premier, shattering glass ceiling with hard-right turn (Reuters)

● Pat Conroy says China’s claims RAAF aircraft illegally entered its airspace ‘factually incorrect’ – as it happened (The Guardian)

Europe

● Former French President Sarkozy begins a 5-year prison sentence for campaign finance conspiracy - AP News (Ap News)

● EU criticised for pausing sanctions on Israel in response to Trump Gaza efforts (The Guardian)

● Poland, Romania foil Russian exploding parcels plot, Warsaw says (Reuters)

● Trump-Putin summit planned for Budapest is on hold after Rubio spoke with Lavrov, US official says - AP News (Ap News)

● Oxford Union president-elect ousted following Charlie Kirk scandal (The Telegraph)

● UK removes terrorism designation for Syria's HTS (Reuters)

● Poland arrests suspected saboteurs amid fears of Russian ‘hybrid warfare’ (Al Jazeera)

● EU urges China to agree ‘prompt resolution’ of export curbs (Financial Times)

● The Dutch election: key players and main issues in the snap poll (The Guardian)

● Family law shift hailed as victory for children facing domestic abuse (The Guardian)

Latin America

• UN experts say US strikes against Venezuela in international waters amount to 'extrajudicial executions' (Reuters)

• Bolivia's new president rekindles cautious hope for long-stalled lithium dreams (Reuters)

• Colombia ex-president acquitted in witness tampering case, senator to appeal (Reuters)

• Tropical Storm Melissa forms in the Caribbean on a path toward Haiti (AP)

• Belize signs ‘safe third country’ agreement as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown (AP)

• Pemex pipeline spill contaminates Mexican river after torrential rains (AP)

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