War correspondents are usually observers to a conflict, even when on the front lines. But in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the Monitor’s writers are, inescapably, intimately involved, as their accounts from the last few days show.

• Chinese campaign targets U.S. voters: The influence operation, which has leveraged thousands of accounts across websites, forums, and social media platforms, is impersonating U.S. voters, denigrating U.S. politicians, and pushing divisive messages ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election.
• U.S. hotel worker strikes: Dozens of U.S. hotels faced disruptions over the Labor Day holiday as more than 10,000 workers stepped off the job after contract talks stalled.
• Venezuelan arrest warrant: A Venezuelan judge issued the warrant for former opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. It’s part of a criminal investigation into the results of the disputed July election.
• Russia strikes Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russia carried out one of its deadliest strikes since the war began, hitting a military training facility and a hospital in the central-eastern region of Poltava.
• Chinese agent arrested: Federal prosecutors say Linda Sun, who held various posts in New York state government, including deputy chief of staff for Gov. Kathy Hochul, has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent of the Chinese government. She was arrested Sept. 3, along with her husband.

Read these news briefs.

Far-right parties are ruling only a few European countries, but their ideas are gathering momentum in traditionally middle-of-the-road groups.

China has stepped up economic and military pressure on Taiwan to accept “One China.” Its efforts have only steeled Taiwanese resolve to remain autonomous.

Questions about Kamala Harris’ ease at mingling with the public have swirled around her campaign since she became the Democratic nominee. Our reporter got to observe the candidate up close in Georgia. 

Many of the lighthouses that dot the coastline of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have been retired. They still attract tourists interested in Lake Superior’s storied past.

In most democracies, journalists and others try to pressure elected officials to admit their failings. In Poland, a prime minister who has been in power only nine months has ordered his Cabinet ministers to do just that. He asked them to “examine their conscience” and report on “things that are not going well.”

Confessions, of course, are best done voluntarily, yet Prime Minister Donald Tusk has tapped in to an aspect of Polish religious culture that sees confession as a healing moment, an opportunity to let go of sin. He seeks to reach citizens who did not vote for his party in elections last October as well as his own supporters made unhappy by the slow pace of reforms. Only a small number of 100 reforms promised by Mr. Tusk have been implemented.

“No government should feel impunity,” Mr. Tusk wrote on Aug. 31. “Every government must be held accountable for abuses, not as a form of revenge, but within the framework of the law.” A government “not held accountable is a government that becomes corrupt,” he stated.

The “great universal confession,” as Mr. Tusk called it, will require ministers to organize meetings “with communities who have some cause for concern or who, perhaps, have lost some trust or faith in our determination.” He wants officials to mix meekness and courage by listening to voter complaints and to not sugarcoat their work.

He is also aware of the need for fairness in holding all politicians to account. His government, run by a coalition of parties, is currently probing alleged abuses committed by the former ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party during its eight years in power.

Mr. Tusk was also motivated by Poland’s recent history in overthrowing dictatorial rule. He issued his order on the 44th anniversary of an agreement that led to the Solidarity trade union under Lech Wałęsa and later the fall of a communist regime. He wants his government to “pass the solidarity test,” or meet people’s expectations of holding authorities accountable. The truth can be difficult, he acknowledged, but transparency in government intentions, reasons, and decisions is necessary for trust.

The question for Mr. Tusk is whether voters will be forgiving if they perceive a genuine humility and penitence. Remorse can evoke such grace, which may then free a minister from recommitting faulty work. All that would then provide what Mr. Tusk ultimately seeks: for Poles “to act together for the common good.”