Gaza, Tanzania, Japan

Today's three stories you should know.

Gaza

It is two years today since the Hamas-led attack on Israel and the beginning of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. Events are planned to mark both elements. At the same time, talks are continuing in Egypt between officials from Hamas and Israel to consider U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal to end the war on Gaza. While Trump said progress has been heartening, Qatar said there are still many details that need to be fleshed out, adding that all 20 points require practical plans for implementation on the ground.

More from Reuters here.

Tanzania

Police in Tanzania said they are investigating reports that a prominent government critic and former ambassador was kidnapped from his home. Humphrey Polepole’s family said they found the house’s front door and a bedroom door smashed, with blood leading from inside the building to the gate outside. Polepole resigned as ambassador to Cuba in July and has since sharply denounced the ruling party led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Hassan won praise after coming to power in 2021 for easing crackdowns on dissent that were common under her predecessor, but several opponents have since gone missing and the opposition alleges there is an ongoing campaign of abductions.

More from the East African here.

Japan

Japan looks certain to have its first female prime minister after former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi became leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Takaichi is a hardline conservative and will face the immediate challenge of trying to keep a governing coalition together. Analysts say she will face the difficult choice of sticking to her far-right stance to maintain her base, or shifting to more moderate policies to placate the LDP’s centrist coalition partners, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party.

More from AP here.