G7 STANCE: ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE AND HUMANITARIAN APPEALS

G7 foreign ministers, following extensive discussions in Tokyo, have issued a collective statement on the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing condemnation of Hamas, endorsing Israel's right to self-defense, and advocating for "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate aid delivery to vulnerable civilians in Gaza. The ministers emphasized the necessity for unimpeded humanitarian assistance, covering food, water, medical care, fuel, shelter, and access for aid workers.

The G7, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy, affirmed their commitment to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spreading, employing sanctions and other measures to obstruct Hamas from raising funds for atrocities.

Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted a post-war vision for Gaza, proposing its reunification with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. This stance surpasses the White House's caution to Israel against reoccupying Gaza post-war. Prime Minister Netanyahu had hinted at a potential security role for Israel in Gaza after the conflict concludes, prompting a stronger position from the Biden administration regarding the desired outcome for Israel's engagement with Hamas.

EU RECOMMENDS MEMBERSHIP TALKS WITH UKRAINE IN HISTORIC MOVE AMID RUSSIAN CONFLICT

The European Union's recommendation to initiate membership talks with Ukraine, once it fulfills specific conditions, was hailed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "historic step." Despite facing a significant Russian invasion since February 2022, Ukraine sees this move by the European Commission as a crucial milestone toward Western integration. The formal launch of talks is contingent on Kyiv meeting remaining conditions related to corruption control, enacting lobbying laws aligned with EU standards, and reinforcing safeguards for national minorities. Zelensky expressed determination to continue necessary reforms for EU membership. A mid-December decision by EU leaders, requiring unanimous approval from all 27 member states, will determine the initiation of formal accession talks in the following year. The process involves extensive legal and economic criteria, and considering Ukraine's wartime situation, the EU proceeds cautiously. The Commission's report indicated that Kyiv fulfilled four out of seven conditions, with progress on the remaining criteria underway.

MORE GAZANS FLEE AS ISRAELI TROOPS ‘BATTLE INSIDE CITY’

Thousands of Palestinians flee southern Gaza on foot due to food and water shortages as Israel claims its troops are engaging Hamas militants deep inside Gaza City. Over 70% of Gaza's 2.3 million population has already evacuated, signaling a worsening situation around the besieged city. Israel anticipates a prolonged and challenging campaign against Hamas, vowing to maintain control over the enclave. About 15,000 people left northern Gaza on Tuesday, triple the previous day, using a daily four-hour window announced by Israel. Most evacuees walked with minimal belongings, including children, older individuals, and those with disabilities. Reports suggest they encountered Israeli checkpoints, witnessing arrests and raising white flags near tanks. Israel reported killing a senior Hamas weapons developer, while Hamas denies significant Israeli gains.

HEZBOLLAH’S ANTI-SHIP MISSILES BOLSTER ITS THREAT TO US NAVY: REPORT

Beirut : Hezbollah's acquisition of powerful Russian anti-ship missiles, particularly the Yakhont missile with a 300 km range, poses a significant threat to the US navy in the region, according to sources familiar with the group's arsenal. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah recently hinted at this capability, prompting concerns about the risks of a regional war. The group's anti-ship capabilities, including the Yakhont missiles allegedly acquired in Syria, have reportedly advanced since 2006. Nasrallah's statement follows the deployment of US warships in the Mediterranean as part of efforts to deter Iran and prevent the spread of the Hamas-Israel conflict. The heightened anti-ship capabilities suggest a potential escalation into a major regional war.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF ACCUSES ISRAEL AND HAMAS OF WAR CRIMES

The UN’s human rights commissioner has accused both Israel and Hamas of war crimes

Volker Türk cited the continued holding of hostages by Hamas, and what he called Israel's collective punishment of Palestinian civilians and its unlawful forcible evacuations of parts of Gaza.

Meanwhile UN chief António Guterres says the number of civilians killed in Gaza shows something is "clearly wrong" with Israel's military operation

Israel says 50,000 Palestinians left the Gaza City area on Wednesday, after its military opened up the main road to southern Gaza

A military spokesperson said people were fleeing because "Hamas has lost control of the north"

For weeks, Israel has told people in the north of Gaza to head south, saying it is safer, though Hamas-run authorities reported air strikes on Wednesday in both the north and south

Also on Wednesday, the Israeli PM dismissed "false rumours" after reports that a proposal to release 12 hostages in exchange for a three-day humanitarian pause is under discussion.

CHINA READY TO IMPROVE TIES WITH U.S. ‘AT ALL LEVELS’: VICE PRESIDENT

SINGAPORE: Beijing is ready to hold talks with the United States at “all levels”, China’s Vice President Han Zheng said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore on Wednesday, ahead of an expected summit between leaders Xi Jinping and Joe Biden. He added that recent high-level meetings were sending “positive signals”.

PUTIN HOSTS TOP CHINESE GEN, CALLS FOR CLOSER MILITARY TIES

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lauded what he described as important “high-tech” Russian military cooperation with China at a meeting in Moscow with a top Chinese general who is a close ally of President Xi Jinping.

China and Russia declared a “no limits” partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.

Receiving General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin sent his best wishes to Xi, saying the two leaders had developed a good friendship and working relations. He emphasized that while “Russia and China aren’t building any military alliances based on Cold War patterns,” their cooperation is a “serious factor in stabilizing the international situation.” Zhang told Putin that China respected Russia for its ability to withstand what the West casts as its most stringent sanctions every imposed on a major economy.

The US casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat while President Biden argues that this century will be defined by existential contest with between democracies and autocracies.

UK TO EVACUATE FROM PAK AFGHANS ELIGIBLE FOR REFUGE

London : The UK will expedite the evacuation of approximately 2,800 eligible Afghans from Pakistan due to the crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants. Afghan refugees, approved under various UK schemes, had been housed in Islamabad hotels due to accommodation shortages in Britain. Charter flights are set to bring them to the UK by December 2023, temporarily accommodated at selected defence ministry sites. Veterans’ affairs minister Johnny Mercer cited the previous policy, stating only those with secured UK accommodation could travel for better integration. Shadow minister Stephen Kinnock criticized PM Rishi Sunak's past decision to halt flights, suggesting a change only occurred when Pakistan threatened to return loyal Afghans to face the Taliban.

PAK PM: WEAPONS LEFT BY US IN AF BEING USED AGAINST US

Islamabad : Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar attributed the recent expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to a surge in terrorist attacks using US-made weapons left after the American troop withdrawal. Kakar claimed a 60% increase in attacks and a 500% rise in suicide attacks in the past two years. He alleged that American weapons are being sold on the black market, challenging US State Department denials. Kakar defended the deportation of illegal immigrants, emphasizing their role in unrest, and criticized Afghan leaders for their statements. He accused the TTP, operating from Afghanistan, of causing the deaths of 2,267 people in the past two years.

THIS YEAR SET TO BE WARMEST IN 125,000 YEARS, SAY EU SCIENTISTS

Brussels : EU scientists warn that 2023 is on track to become the world's warmest year in 125,000 years, with last month being the hottest October ever recorded. The data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reveals that October surpassed the previous highest average temperature from 2019 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. The ongoing greenhouse gas emissions and the emergence of the El Nino climate pattern are contributing to the record warmth. C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess states that 2023 is now "virtually certain" to be the warmest year recorded. The global average surface air temperature in October was 1.7 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). The extreme weather events linked to climate change include floods in Libya, severe heatwaves in South America, and Canada's worst wildfire season. The combination of human-induced climate change and the El Nino pattern raises concerns about more heat-related destruction. The El Nino is expected to persist until at least April 2024, according to the World Meteorological Organization. These findings come ahead of COP28, where nearly 200 countries will discuss stronger actions to combat climate change.

VATICAN SAYS TRANSGENDER CATHOLICS CAN BE BAPTIZED

VATICAN CITY - Transgender individuals can undergo baptism in the Catholic Church, clarified the Vatican, provided it doesn't cause scandal or confusion. This response from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope Francis, also addressed baptism for children of same-sex couples, emphasizing a need for a "well-founded hope" that the child would be raised in the Catholic faith. Pope Francis has consistently advocated for an inclusive Church, while maintaining the traditional stance that homosexuality is considered a sin. The document affirms that transgender individuals, post-hormone treatment or sex reassignment surgery, can be baptized, aligning with Pope Francis's commitment to openness within the Church.