Yasser Abu Sabab, leader of the pro-Israel armed faction Popular Front in Gaza, has been reported dead, according to Israeli media. A Bedouin tribesman and former prisoner, Abu Sabab had aligned himself with Tel Aviv against Hamas after escaping jail during Israel’s 2023 Gaza offensive. He was accused of multiple crimes, including theft of relief supplies. Following the October ceasefire, Hamas reportedly ordered his capture or killing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously acknowledged that Israel had armed anti-Hamas groups in Gaza, including Abu Sabab’s faction. Despite the ceasefire, Rafah remains volatile, with frequent gunfire and ongoing clashes. Abu Sabab had recently directed his fighters to “free Rafah of terrorists,” referring to Hamas militants. Israeli Army Radio claimed he died at Soroka Hospital in southern Israel, though the hospital denied this. The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear.

A US military strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea has left four people dead, reigniting debate over Washington’s expanding anti-narcotics operations in international waters. The attack, reportedly ordered under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s direction, targeted a boat allegedly controlled by a terrorist-linked group transporting illegal drugs along the eastern narco-trafficking route. The Trump administration has conducted similar operations for months, killing over 80 suspected traffickers. Following the latest incident, congressional committees have launched investigations amid allegations of extrajudicial killings. Human rights organizations condemned the strike after footage showed survivors being hit by missiles. The White House stated that the order came from official channels but denied any directive to kill all onboard. A Colombian fisherman’s family has filed a complaint, claiming he was mistakenly killed. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro accused the US of using military pressure to destabilize his government as American naval presence near Venezuelan waters increases.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening to express gratitude for Bangladesh’s assistance and solidarity following the recent devastating cyclone and floods in Sri Lanka. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office, the conversation took place at 6:45 p.m. local time. Amarasuriya thanked Bangladesh for its empathy and support amid the disaster that caused hundreds of deaths and widespread damage across Sri Lanka. In response, Dr. Yunus conveyed deep condolences to the victims and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to stand by Sri Lanka, offering additional emergency aid and expert disaster-response teams if needed. He emphasized that Bangladesh is ready to provide whatever assistance is required. During the call, Yunus invited Amarasuriya to visit Bangladesh in the coming months and expressed interest in learning from Colombo’s political experiences. Senior officials from the Chief Adviser’s office and the Foreign Ministry were present during the discussion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a two-day official visit, marking his first trip to the country since the start of the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him at Delhi’s Palam Air Base, where the two leaders exchanged hugs and greetings before departing together. The visit includes a private dinner hosted by Modi, reciprocating Putin’s similar gesture during Modi’s Moscow trip last year. On Friday, Putin is scheduled to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, attend an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and hold high-level bilateral talks at Hyderabad House. He will also inaugurate a new Russian state television channel operating from India and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Discussions are expected to focus on defense, energy, and trade cooperation between the two nations. Putin is set to depart India on Friday night.

The Indian Air Force, in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities, has rescued more than 50 people from severe flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. Among those rescued are three Bangladeshi nationals, along with citizens from India, Belarus, Iran, South Africa, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, the UK, Australia, and Pakistan. India launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' on November 28 to provide emergency assistance, deploying naval ships and aircraft to deliver over 40 tons of relief materials, including tents, food, and medical supplies. Additionally, 80 members of the National Disaster Response Force and a five-member medical team were sent to assist in rescue operations. The cyclone has left at least 474 people dead and 356 missing, affecting around 450,000 families. Large parts of the country remain without electricity or safe water, and authorities continue to face difficulties reaching remote areas due to ongoing floods and landslides.

French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, December 4, during his official visit to China. The meeting included a state reception for Macron and France’s First Lady, hosted by Xi. This marks Macron’s fourth visit to China during his presidency. In addition to meeting Xi, Macron is scheduled to hold talks with the Chinese Premier. Analysts suggest that trade relations between France and China will be a key topic of discussion. Macron is also expected to urge Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to help end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The visit underscores France’s efforts to balance economic cooperation with China while addressing global geopolitical challenges, particularly the conflict in Eastern Europe.

Pakistan has reopened the Torkham and Chaman border crossings with Afghanistan after nearly two months of closure, allowing United Nations aid trucks to pass through. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi confirmed the decision, stating that it was made in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce. However, trade between the two countries remains suspended. The reopening follows heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, which escalated after a drone strike in Kabul on October 9 that the Taliban-led Afghan government blamed on Pakistan. The closure had disrupted cross-border trade and caused shortages of food and medicine in Afghanistan. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar on October 19, relations between the two neighbors remain strained, with Pakistan accusing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of using Afghan territory as a safe haven, a claim Kabul denies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump’s remarks came after his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Putin in Moscow to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the meeting suggested Putin was seeking a settlement to the conflict. He added that the talks were positive and that both sides must agree for any deal to succeed. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Washington appeared ready to consider Russia’s views in pursuing a long-term resolution. However, Reuters reported that despite a five-hour meeting, no concrete agreement was reached between the U.S. and Russia. Trump reiterated his belief that the war would not have started if he had been president earlier, emphasizing his administration’s willingness to pursue diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis.

Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct meeting in four decades, under the supervision of the United States, amid escalating border tensions. The session, part of a ceasefire monitoring committee, took place along the Blue Line and lasted about three hours. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified that the talks were not peace negotiations but aimed at reducing hostilities, securing the release of Lebanese detainees, and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. He reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes normalization with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967. The inclusion of civilian representatives was described as a step toward sustained dialogue and stability along the border. Israel’s government spokesperson called the meeting a “historic event,” crediting it to the prime minister’s efforts to promote peace with neighboring countries. The United States has been urging both sides to expand the committee’s mandate beyond the 2024 ceasefire framework.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on a two-day state visit starting Thursday, December 4, which the Kremlin has described as highly significant. During the visit, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss cooperation in politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The agenda also includes key international and regional issues. Modi will first host Putin for an informal meeting at his residence, followed by an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by President Droupadi Murmu. Several bilateral meetings, a state luncheon, a cultural program, and a state banquet are scheduled. Putin will also attend the Russia–India Business Forum and pay tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. Over 25 agreements and memorandums, including ten intergovernmental documents, are expected to be signed. The visit comes amid U.S. pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war.

Israeli air and ground attacks continued in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing seven Palestinians, including two children, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to an earlier Hamas attack near Rafah that injured four Israeli soldiers. Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing but restricted it to allow only Gaza residents to leave, barring humanitarian aid entry. Egypt condemned the move as unilateral and contrary to the U.S. peace plan, which called for two-way access. Meanwhile, Hamas handed over the body of another Israeli hostage to the Red Cross under the ceasefire terms. Gaza’s civil defense reported that the Al-Mawasi camp was hit by missiles, igniting fires that destroyed several tents. Local hospitals confirmed the deaths of two children aged eight and ten. Hamas denounced the attacks as war crimes and urged Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to pressure Israel to halt its operations. Gaza authorities said Israel has violated the ceasefire at least 591 times since October 10, killing 360 Palestinians and injuring 922.

US President Donald Trump announced that the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will begin soon. The truce, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, initially started on October 10 but has been violated more than 500 times by Israeli forces, resulting in around 400 Palestinian deaths. Recent Israeli air and artillery strikes in Khan Younis killed at least five displaced people, following claims that Hamas had attacked Israeli troops. Trump commented that despite recent explosions and casualties, the ceasefire is progressing and peace efforts in the Middle East continue. Although no formal agreement has been reached for the second phase, the United States is reportedly working through the UN Security Council to establish mechanisms for implementation. The next phase would see a technocratic government take control in Gaza, with international forces assuming security responsibilities instead of Hamas.

The European Union has agreed on a provisional deal to halt all gas imports from Russia by November 2027, marking a major step toward energy independence following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Under the agreement, member states will stop importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2026 and end pipeline gas imports by November 2027. The move aims to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy, which once supplied about half of its gas needs before 2022. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as the beginning of Europe’s energy freedom. However, the deal still requires final approval from the European Parliament and Council, and faces political resistance from countries like Hungary and Slovakia that remain dependent on Russian energy. Hungary’s foreign minister has vowed to challenge the measure in the EU Court of Justice. The agreement also bans new long-term pipeline contracts after September 2027 and LNG contracts after January 2027, with short-term deals phased out earlier.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed to mediate between China and Japan to ease escalating tensions following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, Lee emphasized that taking sides would only worsen the situation and urged all parties to seek coexistence instead of confrontation. The dispute intensified after Takaichi said any Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan, justifying the use of collective self-defense. In response, China condemned the statement, urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, suspended seafood imports from Japan, and postponed a planned trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea. Lee’s mediation proposal comes as Seoul seeks to play a constructive role in maintaining regional stability amid growing geopolitical friction in East Asia.

Israel has announced plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinians in Gaza to leave the enclave, claiming coordination with Egypt and oversight by the European Union. The Israeli military office COGAT said the move reflects support for the ongoing seven-week ceasefire with Hamas and would follow procedures used during the January truce. However, Egypt has firmly denied any such coordination, calling Israel’s statement unilateral and baseless. Cairo stated that any reopening must be mutual and based on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The Rafah crossing, a key humanitarian route, has remained largely closed since May 2024 when Israel took control of the area. According to the World Health Organization, around 16,500 critically ill or injured Palestinians are waiting to leave Gaza for treatment, though only 235 have been able to do so since the ceasefire began. If reopened, the crossing would reportedly be managed by Palestinian Authority officials alongside the EU Border Assistance Mission.