Sanae Takaichi has made history by becoming the first woman to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). A former Economic Security Minister and a staunch conservative, Takaichi secured the LDP presidency by defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff vote. Her victory positions her to become Japan’s first female prime minister, as the LDP holds a majority in the lower house of parliament. Takaichi is known for her hawkish stance on China and her admiration for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She is also a regular visitor to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site associated with Japan's wartime militarism, which has drawn criticism from neighboring countries. Her leadership marks a significant shift in Japan's political landscape, highlighting the increasing influence of women in Japanese politics. (PC: AP)

Police have been given extra time to question four people arrested after the terror attack at a Manchester synagogue on Thursday. Three men remain in hospital after a car and knife attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation. The attacker, 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie, was shot dead by police. He was on bail for an alleged rape. Two men, aged 30 and 32, and two women, aged 46 and 61, are being held on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. Police said the investigation is moving quickly. Two men, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed while stopping the attacker. (PC; PA)

Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza said they feel both hope and fear after Hamas replied to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages but asked for more talks. Trump said Hamas is “ready for lasting peace” and urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is ready to act on the first phase of the plan. In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered calling “bring them home.” Families said they hope for the safe return of their loved ones soon but fear another deal may collapse. (PC: BBC)

Amid Gaza's escalating humanitarian crisis, women report being coerced into sexual acts by men, some linked to aid organizations, who promise essentials like food, money, water, or employment in return. Victims, including a 38-year-old mother of six, describe being manipulated under the guise of aid, leading to encounters marked by fear and shame. These exploitative tactics are often veiled in cultural norms or explicit propositions, such as "Let me touch you." Experts and aid workers highlight that such abuses are prevalent in conflict zones, with Gaza's dire conditions exacerbating women's vulnerability. (PC: NDTV)  

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel has accepted an “initial withdrawal line” in Gaza and pledged a ceasefire would begin “immediately” once Hamas confirms agreement. The plan also includes a large-scale hostage exchange and phased Israeli pullback. Israel’s military was ordered to pause strikes and shift to defensive posture, preparing to enact phase one of the peace plan. Hamas has expressed conditional acceptance of some terms, but has yet to fully agree to disarm. (PC: The Hindu)    

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days.” He said both diplomatic and military pressure brought progress. Netanyahu warned that Hamas “will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised — the easy way or the hard way.” The comments came after Hamas accepted a US peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump. Trump warned Hamas to “move quickly or else all bets will be off.” Hamas still seeks talks on some parts of the plan. “I feel hope that I can hug my son again,” one mother said. (PC: X)

Pakistan’s interior minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi will receive the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal for his “courageous stance” during the Asia Cup trophy controversy. The issue began after India defeated Pakistan in the final and refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, who had earlier shared a controversial post. Naqvi then took away the trophy himself, sparking mockery online. He later said he never apologised to the BCCI and did nothing wrong. The award ceremony will be held in Karachi, with Bilawal Bhutto invited. The BCCI plans to raise the issue at ICC’s November meeting. (PC: Mint)

People in Gaza are shocked after US President Donald Trump said Hamas was ready for peace. Hamas gave a mixed response to Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. The group agreed to release Israeli hostages and let Palestinian technocrats run Gaza but avoided clear answers on other points. Trump welcomed the reply and asked Israel to stop bombing Gaza. Many Palestinians felt hope, while others feared it was a trap. Activist Khalil Abu Shammala said Hamas’s move was about staying in power. Residents now wait to see if peace talks will finally end the two-year-long war. (PC: BBC)

At least 30 people were injured after a Russian drone strike hit a railway station in Shostka, northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. In a post on X, he shared a video showing a burning train carriage and accused Russia of targeting civilians. “This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore,” Zelensky said. He added that emergency teams were helping victims at the site and urged Western nations to take real action against Russia. The attack struck while passengers and train staff were present at the station, causing widespread damage and panic. (PC: X)

Advisers to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir have quietly pitched a plan to U.S. officials to build and operate a deep-sea port at Pasni, a coastal town close to Gwadar. The proposal excludes military basing, focusing instead on export access for Pakistan’s rich mineral deposits via a new rail corridor connecting to inland regions. Valued at around USD 1.2 billion, the initiative is designed to diversify Pakistan’s strategic partnerships and rebalance influence between China and the U.S. A formal parliamentary approval and diplomatic agreement remain to be seen.