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Today, the G7 prepares a coordinated response to China’s tightening of critical mineral exports, Houthi forces detain UN staff in Sana’a amid an escalating crackdown on aid agencies, and the abduction of a former envoy deepens Tanzania’s pre-election turmoil.

Our lead story takes us to Doha, where Qatar and Turkiye have brokered a breakthrough ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

More below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇨🇴 🇺🇸 Trump cuts aid to Colombia, calls Petro ‘drug leader’ as Caribbean strikes continue: President Donald Trump has branded Colombian President Gustavo Petro an “illegal drug leader,” announcing an end to US funding for Bogotá amid escalating military actions in the Caribbean. Petro’s government vowed to pursue international legal action over what it calls acts of aggression on the high seas.

2️⃣ 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Israel halts Gaza aid and launches airstrikes: Israel suspended all humanitarian aid to Gaza and launched intense airstrikes that killed at least 97 Palestinians and wounded more than 230. The bombardment—part of a pattern of over 80 reported Israeli ceasefire violations—intensified hours before Israel claimed Hamas had attacked its troops in an Israeli-occupied area of southern Gaza.

3️⃣ 🇧🇴 Bolivia ends socialist era as voters choose between market reformists in pivotal run-off: Bolivians have voted in a presidential run-off between conservative Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga and centrist economist Rodrigo Paz, signalling the end of nearly twenty years of socialist rule. Both candidates have pledged to rebuild ties with the US, attract foreign investment, and overhaul Bolivia’s struggling economy, marking the start of a new political era.

4️⃣ 🇨🇳 🇹🇼 Xi calls on Taiwan’s new KMT leader to ‘advance reunification’: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Taiwan’s Kuomintang to strengthen exchanges with the Communist Party and promote steps toward reunification, according to Xinhua. Incoming KMT leader Cheng Li-wun stopped short of endorsing reunification in her reply, instead emphasising shared cultural ties and the need for greater cross-Strait dialogue. 

5️⃣ 🇨🇾 🇹🇷 🇺🇳 Erhürman wins Turkish Cypriot presidency in landslide, reviving hope for Cyprus reunification: Pro-European leader Tufan Erhürman has swept to a decisive victory in Northern Cyprus’s presidential election, defeating incumbent nationalist Ersin Tatar. His landslide reflects growing frustration among Turkish Cypriots with nationalism and political dependence on Turkey, as well as a strong desire to re-engage with the international community and pursue a federal peace settlement.

Major Story

🇶🇦 🇵🇰 🇦🇫 DOHA TALKS YIELD BREAKTHROUGH FOR PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN

Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an “immediate ceasefire” following a week of intense cross-border fighting that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The agreement, mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, commits both sides to halt hostilities and establish mechanisms for “lasting peace and stability,” with follow-up talks scheduled in Istanbul later this month. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the deal includes mutual respect for sovereignty and a cessation of cross-border attacks, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid affirmed that Afghan soil “will not be used against any country.”

Rising tensions and mutual distrust

The clashes, which erupted on 11 October after Pakistan reportedly struck targets in Kabul and Paktika, marked the worst deterioration in relations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Islamabad blames Kabul for sheltering the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents behind a surge in attacks that has killed more than 2,400 people this year. The Taliban denies providing safe havens and accuses Pakistan of unjustified aggression.

The roots of a fractured relationship

Once allies, the two governments have grown increasingly hostile as militant violence spills across their 2,600-km border. Pakistan’s past mediation efforts with the TTP collapsed after the group abandoned a ceasefire in 2022, reigniting conflict. Analysts warn that airstrikes and military pressure are unlikely to yield results, arguing that sustainable peace depends on dialogue and credible mechanisms to monitor militant activity on both sides of the Durand Line.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇨🇳 G7 plans joint response to China’s tightening of critical mineral exports: The UK, Canada, and EU are preparing a coordinated G7 response to China’s new export restrictions on rare-earth metals and magnet materials, which have intensified fears over global supply chain security. Ministers are developing measures such as joint stockpiling, mining partnerships, and off-take agreements to reduce reliance on Beijing, which controls roughly 90% of global rare-earth processing.

2️⃣ 🇾🇪 🇺🇳 Houthis detain UN staff in Sana’a amid escalating crackdown on aid agencies: Houthi rebels have detained 20 UN employees in Sana’a, seizing communications equipment and raiding the compound for the second time in 24 hours. The detainees—five Yemenis and 15 foreign nationals—include staff from UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and OCHA, with 11 later released after interrogation. 

3️⃣ 🇹🇿 Abduction of former envoy deepens political crisis ahead of Tanzania’s elections: The abduction of former ambassador Humphrey Polepole has intensified public anger toward President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s increasingly authoritarian rule. It follows a wave of disappearances and arrests targeting opposition members and dissenting voices as Tanzania heads toward the 29 October elections—widely expected to deliver Suluhu an uncontested victory. 

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