Abdalla Hamdok, the Sudanese prime minister deposed in an October 25 military coup, signed an agreement (WaPo) with the military to be reinstated. Thousands of people protested the deal yesterday, and a pro-democracy group called it a betrayal (AP) that will legitimize the coup and military council.
 
The deal reportedly includes commitments by the military to release detained politicians, and Hamdok said elections will occur (Al Jazeera) in June 2023 to complete a transition to democracy. Western countries including the United States welcomed the news (Reuters) and urged the release of detainees. Hamdok also called for an end to bloodshed in Sudan, where security forces have reportedly killed forty-one civilians since the coup.

The Women’s Tennis Association said it is still concerned (BBC) about Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s well-being after the head of the International Olympic Committee said he spoke with Peng on a video call. Censors scrubbed news of Peng (Bloomberg) from China’s internet after she said a former government official pressured her into having sex.
 
For the Women Around the World blog, Haydn Welch discusses Peng’s disappearance from public view.
 
China/Philippines: During a virtual meeting between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte condemned a confrontation (CNA) between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine boats in the South China Sea.

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed that the IMF will release (Bloomberg) $1 billion of a $6 billion package if the country’s Parliament approves a set of fiscal and institutional reforms.
 
Sri Lanka: The trial begins today (PTI) for former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, who is accused of failing to act on intelligence warnings ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed nearly 270 people.

The gunman was shot dead (Reuters) by Israeli police. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip, said the man was one of its leaders in East Jerusalem.
 
This Backgrounder explains Hamas’s leadership structure.
 
Libya: Interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said he will run in the country’s December 24 presidential election, breaking his previous pledge (Guardian) not to compete.

While visiting Senegal, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is working to help facilitate a civilian transition (AFP) in Mali and warned the Russian mercenary group against interfering.

Washington believes Moscow could be considering  invading Ukraine early next year, Bloomberg reports. European leaders are pursuing diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin to deter any possible invasion.
 
CFR’s Max Boot discusses how the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should respond to Russia’s threats against Ukraine.
 
Europe: Protesters rallied against new COVID-19 restrictions (CNBC) in Austria, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands over the weekend.

Jose Antonio Kast Rist, who defended Chile’s military dictatorship in the past, won 28 percent (AP) of votes, while left-wing Gabriel Boric Font won 26 percent. They will face each other in a December 19 runoff.
 
Venezuela: With 42 percent turnout in local elections, the ruling party won twenty governorships (MercoPress), while the opposition secured three.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance said (AFP) that the United States’ backsliding began at least in 2019.