Morning Briefing: Nov. 5, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani becoming mayor of New York City according to an AP projection, Hamas transferring the remains of an Israeli hostage under the Gaza ceasefire deal, and Sudan’s defense minister calling for mass mobilization against the paramilitary RSF.

TOP STORIES​​​​​​​

• Zohran Mamdani elected New York City’s first Muslim mayor: AP projection

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the office, according to a projection by The Associated Press.

Mamdani, 34, defeated Independent candidate and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a historic victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing.

Cuomo congratulated Mamdani on his electoral win, saying at an election night rally that "tonight was their night, and as they start to transition to government, we will all help any way we can."

"We will unite for New York City, because we love New York City, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you," he told supporters.

• Hamas transfers remains of another Israeli hostage under Gaza ceasefire deal

The Palestinian group Hamas handed over the remains of another Israeli hostage to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under a ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army confirmed.

A military statement said that a coffin of a deceased hostage had been transferred to the ICRC and is on the way to Israeli troops inside Gaza.

Hamas earlier said that it would transfer the body after it had recovered it from the rubble during searches inside the “yellow line” east of the Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.

The “yellow line” is the first withdrawal line outlined in the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Oct. 10. It separates areas still under Israeli military control in the east from those where Palestinians are permitted to move in the west.

• Sudan calls for mass mobilization against paramilitary RSF

Sudan’s defense minister called for a mass popular mobilization against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid deadly fighting in the Darfur and Kordofan regions.

In statements carried by local media, Lt. Gen Yassin Ibrahim Yassin described military preparations against the rebel group as a “legitimate national right,” given the crimes committed by the RSF, particularly in the city of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

He stressed that while the government welcomes peace initiatives and international mediation, it will continue to prepare for “the people’s battle” to defend Sudan’s unity and security.

The RSF captured El-Fasher on Oct. 26 and carried out massacres of civilians, according to local and international organizations, triggering warnings that the takeover could cement a geographic partition of the war-torn country.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Representative Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey's election for governor, marking the second Democratic victory in two bellwether states holding off-year gubernatorial races, according to The Associated Press.
• US President Donald Trump will meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, the White House said.
• French President Emmanuel Macron announced the release of two French citizens who had been detained in Iran for three years.
• US President Donald Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• At least seven people were killed after a cargo plane crashed near Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Louisville, Kentucky, said Gov. Andy Beshear.
• The US Senate rejected a House-passed Republican funding bill for the 14th time to end the ongoing government shutdown, now matching the longest in US history at 35 days.
• The trial of French cement giant Lafarge, accused of financing terrorist group ISIS (Daesh) and violating international sanctions through its operations in northern Syria, began at the Paris Criminal Court
• China said that its ties with Venezuela are "sovereign," opposing "excessive" operations against vessels amid US strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
• A helicopter crashed in the southern Philippines on a humanitarian and disaster relief mission as Typhoon Kalmaegi has so far left at least 19 people in the country dead.
• Roughly 24.8 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute food insecurity, mainly in provinces plagued by violent conflicts, according to a report by the Agriculture Ministry.
• The Sudanese Red Crescent Society said that its camp in the city of al-Dabba in the Northern State has received 7,500 displaced civilians from North Kordofan and North Darfur amid attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Air traffic at Brussels Airport was temporarily suspended as a safety precaution following a drone sighting, according to Belgian media.
  

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye's exports up 2.3% at $24B in October, hitting record high

Türkiye's exports totaled $24 billion, up 2.3% year-on-year in October, hitting a record high, the Turkish trade minister announced.

In a news conference in Istanbul, Omer Bolat said the country achieved its highest October exports and set a new record with exports reaching $270.2 billion over the last 12 months.

During the first 10 months of the year, the country's exports amounted to $224.6 billion, rising 3.9% year-on-year.

• US imposes North Korea-related sanctions over cybercrime, money laundering

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against eight individuals and two entities for their involvement in laundering funds from "illicit schemes" conducted by North Korea, including cybercrime and overseas IT worker exploitation.

"North Korean state-sponsored hackers steal and launder money to fund the regime’s nuclear weapons program,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.

“By generating revenue for Pyongyang’s weapons development, these actors directly threaten U.S. and global security. Treasury will continue to pursue the facilitators and enablers behind these schemes to cut off the DPRK’s illicit revenue streams," he added, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea’s official name.