Israel isolates Hamas leader

Israel has announced that its soldiers are operating in the “heart” of Gaza city in an effort to target Hamas’s underground headquarters. Israel’s defence minister claims that Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, has been isolated in his bunker, but the location is unknown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will take responsibility for Gaza’s security indefinitely after the war.

In related news, Antony Blinken, America’s secretary of state, has suggested that after the war, Gaza and the West Bank should come under the unified control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Blinken made efforts to persuade Netanyahu to agree to a humanitarian pause. Meanwhile, American warplanes have attacked a weapons depot in Syria used by Iran.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 10,500 Palestinians, including 4,300 children, have been killed in the month-long war. Civilians are fleeing the northern part of the enclave, where the fighting is most intense.

Democrats make gains in state races

In several state races ahead of America’s presidential election, Democrats have emerged victorious. They have gained full control of the General Assembly in Virginia, and in Kentucky, Andy Beshear has been re-elected as governor. Additionally, voters in Ohio have passed a constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion access.

Former President Donald Trump has faced a civil fraud trial in New York, where he vehemently denied claims that he deceived banks in real estate transactions. The trial will determine his punishment after he was previously found liable for fraud. In separate news, Trump did not participate in the third debate of Republican presidential candidates.

Russia has launched a significant drone attack on Ukraine, targeting infrastructure in the west and south of the country. Homes in the second-largest city of Kharkiv and a civilian ship in Odessa were also struck. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is escalating its attacks ahead of winter.

EU recommends talks with Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union’s executive has recommended opening accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova at the upcoming mid-December meeting of EU leaders. Ukraine, which received candidate status after the Russian invasion last year, has been praised for its reforms. The EU’s annual enlargement report also highlights some remaining issues with corruption and the mistreatment of minorities.

Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa has resigned after police raided his residence and detained his chief of staff as part of a corruption investigation. The probe is focused on lithium mines and a green-hydrogen plant that Costa’s Socialist government has supported.

Following a general election in October, Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, has given the first opportunity to form a government to Mateusz Morawiecki, the prime minister of the right-wing Law and Justice party. However, it is unlikely that Morawiecki will succeed, as the liberal opposition has enough parliamentary support to rule in a coalition. This move by Duda will only delay the transition of power.

Turkey’s opposition has replaced its longtime leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, after he lost the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The Republican People’s Party’s new leader, Ozgur Ozel, has promised to shake up its “passive politics” ahead of the local elections scheduled for early next year.

In a significant development in diplomatic relations, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited China—the first Australian prime minister to do so in seven years. Tensions between the two countries had risen due to Chinese tariffs on Australian goods. Albanese, who took office last year, has slightly softened Australia’s hawkish stance towards its largest trading partner, stating that talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping have resulted in “significant progress.”

Voting has begun in Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, marking the start of a month of elections in which nearly one-sixth of India’s voters will choose representatives in five states. These polls serve as an early test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who aims to secure a third term in the upcoming general election.

Nepal has experienced its worst earthquake since 2015, resulting in the death of at least 157 people. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, occurred shortly before midnight on Friday. Thousands of homes in the Rukum and Jajarkot districts have been damaged or destroyed.

The cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan, previously the world’s largest producer, has declined by 95% since the Taliban government banned the crop in April 2022, according to the UN.

Referendum announced for new constitution in Chile

President Gabriel Boric of Chile has called for a referendum to replace the country’s constitution. This comes after a left-wing proposal was rejected by Chileans in September. The new conservative constitution includes a total ban on abortion, and polls suggest that it will also be rejected by voters.

Mediation efforts have failed to secure a ceasefire in Sudan’s civil war, which has resulted in widespread displacement and extreme violence.

Dozens of UN peacekeepers have been injured in attacks as they withdraw from northern Mali. The UN mission has also destroyed equipment that could not be safely removed after Mali ordered the withdrawal by the end of the year and refused to provide air support for the process.