World 08/11/2026: Abu Dhabi talks set, Israel shifts mandate

1. ISRAEL TAPS EISENKOT TO FORM GOVERNMENT
President Isaac Herzog will hand opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot (Yashar party) the mandate to form the next government at a ceremony on 8 November, after consultations showed 67 MKs backing Eisenkot and 47 supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eisenkot has 28 days, extendable by 14, to build a coalition; he has so far declined to include Arab parties. The move marks a setback for Netanyahu after the 27 October election and could prolong political uncertainty if no stable coalition emerges.

2. IRAN CLAIMS 260 AIRCRAFT DOWNED; US OFFERS REWARD
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said Iranian air defences downed more than 260 US/Israeli aircraft during the '40-day war' and that Iran seized seven MQ-170 reconnaissance drones intact; the IRGC also said it lifted its self-imposed 2,000-km ballistic-missile range limit. These claims are not independently confirmed. The US State Department announced a reward of up to $20 million under Rewards for Justice for information on Iran's nuclear programme; President Trump confirmed US strikes on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz while saying talks with Tehran were progressing.

3. YEMEN: COALITION STRIKE KILLS 25, HOUTHIS HIT RIYADH
Houthi media and Yemeni officials said Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on al-Shariyah village near Sanaa killed at least 25 people, mostly women and children, and wounded 30; the Saudi-led coalition has not commented. The Houthis also claimed six missile/drone operations against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Aramco oil facilities and Saudi military targets. The exchanges could further destabilise oil shipping routes around the Arabian Peninsula.

4. POLAND CALLS KRAKOW SHOOTING ACT OF TERROR
A 25-year-old Polish man with far-right 'ultranationalistic' views opened fire in Krakow's Main Square on 7 November, killing six people and wounding 16. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it an 'unprecedented act of terrorism' and convened an emergency security meeting; Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz called the attack 'an act of terror'. The suspect was shot and hospitalised; authorities are investigating his motive, including drone footage showing bodies believed to be relatives inside the suspect's home.

5. UKRAINE: ZAPORIZHZHIA TOLL RISES TO 55, RUSSIA HITS KYIV
The death toll from the 2 November Russian guided-bomb strike on a humanitarian aid distribution point in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, rose to 55 as bodies were recovered from rubble. On 7 November, Russia fired missiles at Kyiv, wounding five people. President Zelensky pledged further personnel decisions at the SBU after a corruption scandal involving senior security officials. The developments come just before trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.

6. RUSSIA–US–UKRAINE TALKS TO START 10 NOVEMBER IN ABU DHABI
President Vladimir Putin confirmed trilateral talks will begin on 10 November in Abu Dhabi. The Russian delegation is led by Vladimir Medinsky and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, GRU chief Igor Kostyukov and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin; US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to lead the US side, and Ukraine's delegation is expected to be led by presidential office head Kyrylo Budanov. The talks follow Democrats winning control of both chambers of the US Congress; it remains unclear whether a ceasefire can be reached.

7. PARAGUAY SENATE REMOVES PRESIDENT PENA
Paraguay's Senate voted unanimously 44–0 on 6 November to remove President Santiago Pena from office over alleged misconduct tied to the collapse of Ueno Bank, which left millions of customers without access to funds. Pena was then placed under house arrest on suspicion of breach of trust, and Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president. The sudden change may test political and financial stability in Paraguay.

8. NEW ZEALAND: CENTRE-RIGHT COALITION WINS PRELIMINARY MAJORITY
Preliminary results from the 7 November general election showed the National-led coalition with ACT and New Zealand First securing 67 seats, a parliamentary majority, putting Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on course for a second term. The result depends on about 300,000 special votes to be counted by 27 November. If confirmed, the coalition is likely to continue tax-cut and public-sector streamlining policies.

Key event to watch today: Trilateral Russia–US–Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin on 10 November.

*Information compiled from multiple sources for reference at time of publication.*