Evacuated city on news, opposition leader certain to be the centre of attention (8)
I believe the answer is:
cynosure
'the centre of attention' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'evacuated city on news opposition leader certain' is the wordplay.
'evacuated' suggests removing the centre.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'leader' says to take the initial letters.
'certain' becomes 'sure' (synonyms).
'city' with its middle taken out is 'cy'.
The first letters of 'news opposition' is 'no'.
'cy'+'no'+'sure'='CYNOSURE'
'to be' is the link.
(Other definitions for cynosure that I've seen before include "Focus of attention" , "Centre of attraction" , "Irresistible sight" , "Centre of attention" , "major attraction" .)