Gaza Crossing To Open, Madagascar Coup, Hong Kong Humanoid

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🗞️ FRONT PAGE​​

Argentine daily Rio Negro dedicates its front page to Tuesday’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentina’s libertarian leader Javier Milei. Trump declared that the United States’ $20 billion lifeline to Argentina could be severed if Milei’s right-wing party fails to win crucial legislative elections later this month. “If he wins we are staying with him, and if he doesn’t win we are gone,” Trump told reporters.

🌎 7 THINGS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

• Israel says one of the bodies returned by Hamas isn’t a hostage. The Israeli military said Wednesday that one of the bodies handed over by Hamas the previous day as part of the ceasefire agreement “does not match any of the hostages” held in Gaza, adding to tensions over the fragile truce in the two-year war. Seven hostages’ bodies out of 28 have been returned so far, with three handed over last night and identified as Tamir Nimrodi, Eitan Levi and Uriel Baruch. Despite the dispute, Israel resumed preparations to open the main Rafah crossing at the Egyptian border, and aid trucks rolled into the enclave on Wednesday .

• NATO’s newest members offer to buy more U.S. weapons for Ukraine. Finland and Sweden announced on Wednesday that they would buy more weapons from the United States to give to Ukraine via the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL. This comes a day after new data on Western military aid to Kyiv shows that support plunged by 43% in July and August compared to the first half of the year, despite the PURL program.

• Syria’s al-Sharaa to meet with Putin. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will travel to Russia on Wednesday to meet with President Vladimir Putin. This marks al-Sharaa’s first official visit to Russia since Moscow’s longtime ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels last year. Both leaders are expected to discuss “regional and international developments” and “ways to strengthen cooperation” as Syria’s transitional government tries to bolster its international legitimacy.

• Madagascar’s military seizes power, president moves to “safe place.” An army commander who led a mutiny in Madagascar said on Tuesday the military had taken power from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests in the Indian Ocean island. Rajoelina had refused to step down despite escalating Gen Z-led demonstrations but was eventually impeached on Tuesday. His whereabouts are unknown but Rajoelina said he is sheltering in a “safe place.” Colonel Michael Randrianirina declared that the military would form a government and hold elections within two years. For more, check French analyst Pierre Haski’s latest piece: Madagascar Coup, How Gen Z Anger Triggered A Military Takeover.

• U.S. strike on alleged drug boat off Venezuela kills six. The United States struck another small boat accused of carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela, killing six people on board, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. This is at least the fifth time the U.S. has announced such a strike as the country builds up military forces in the region. Trump said that the vessel was “affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization” but did not name any organization.

• Former Kenyan leader dies at 80. Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times, died Wednesday of a heart attack while traveling in India at the age of 80. A former political prisoner, who still holds the record for being Kenya’s longest-serving detainee, Odinga was known for his fight against one-party dictatorship and for human rights.

• News Quiz! Turkey has launched a new road safety campaign as part of a comprehensive overhaul of its traffic regulations, aiming to cut down on road fatalities. What unusual sight is now displayed along highways?

A. Mannequins dressed as traffic police officers
B. Holograms of ambulances
C. Wrecked cars
D. 3D illusions of potholes
[Answer below]

#️⃣ BY THE NUMBERS

2.1 million

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles broke a new record in September with 2.1 million units — representing a 26% rise from a year ago — thanks to strong demand in China and a late U.S. tax-credit rush. According to market research firm Rho Motion, China accounted for about two-thirds of global sales with about 1.3 million units, while sales in Europe jumped by 36% and by 66% in North America as U.S. buyers moved to secure incentives before they expired.

📰 IN OTHER NEWS

🇲🇬 The army has seized power in Madagascar, after President Andry Rajoelina fled abroad, having been challenged for weeks by rebel Gen Z youth. The uprising stems from social grievances and a generational sense of frustration — demands the military leadership is unlikely to meet.
— FRANCE INTER

⚖️ Emilie Köning is an accused jihadist originally from Brittany who spent 10 years in Syria, including five as a prisoner. French prosecutors say König acted as a social media recruiter of sorts for ISIS.
— LE FIGARO

🧒 When a child’s blunt questions about death collide with the sudden loss of a neighbor, glass marbles in hand, lessons on fragility and presence take shape in unexpected ways.
— RECALCULATING