Israeli president picks Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu rival, to try to form government

Chinese Aircraft And Ships Detected: Taiwan tracks jets and PLAN vessels; warns of rising maritime pressure

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence has observed a surge in Chinese military maneuvers surrounding the island, showcasing four separate sorties of aircraft and multiple naval vessels encroaching upon Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone. The Coast Guard has actively countered China's coast guard efforts, reaffirming Taiwan's sovereignty over its surrounding waters.

Falling birth rates, fading faith? Pope Leo's message to Uruguay's youth

Pope Leo XIV urged young people in Uruguay to marry and start families as he continued his South American tour. He emphasized the importance of lifelong commitment and addressing declining birth rates in the country. The Pope also called on Uruguayans to strengthen their faith and build community bonds during his visit. Additionally, he visited neighborhoods affected by violence and highlighted the church's supportive initiatives.

Who is Qiulae Wong? New Zealand's potential kingmaker after cliffhanger election

Qiulae Wong, a 38-year-old politician who entered politics less than a year ago, could emerge as a kingmaker in New Zealand after the general election delivered no clear winner. Her centrist Opportunity Party is projected to win seven seats, potentially giving it a decisive role in government formation. Wong's party is pushing sweeping tax reforms, including a universal basic income funded by a land tax.

Dozens Killed In Yemen Strikes: Saudi raids reportedly hit homes; UN truce collapse feared

On Saturday, a series of Saudi airstrikes struck a village near Sanaa, resulting in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries. This marks one of the worst incidents since the resumption of hostilities between the Saudi coalition and the Houthis. Among the casualties were many women and children, with some victims still trapped under rubble. This new wave of violence has effectively shattered a prior ceasefire in the area.

Poland in shock after 6 die in Krakow mass shooting

KRAKOW — A Polish gunman likely influenced by far-right ideology killed six people in the main square of the southern city of Krakow before police shot and arrested him, officials said on Saturday, adding that three more bodies were found in his home. The scenes of blood and bodies strewn across the historic heart of one of Poland's main tourist attractions shocked a nation that has long viewed itself as safer than western European neighbours that have witnessed such attacks in the past. The mass shooting of unprecedented scale adds to the sense of unease built by a string of school stabbings in October which authorities said was influenced by violent and extremist content online. "Everything points to the fact that the shooter was influenced by far-right ideology, a matter that will also be subject to investigation," Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski told a news briefing. "Police officers are on-site, as are agents from the Internal Security Agency, both here at the scene and at the individual's family home." Polish authorities have said four women and two men were killed in the atta

Strong earthquake with preliminary magnitude of 5.7 strikes Japan

TOKYO — A strong earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday, shattering store windows, causing people to flee buildings and leaving at least 22 people injured, according to local media. Japan’s Meteorological Agency put the quake’s magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 5.5. Smaller aftershocks were reported. A wide area near Aichi Prefecture was affected, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara and nearby prefectures of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, as well as Gifu. Japanese TV footage showed shattered store windows and scattered shards of glass on the streets. A bookstore was left with mounds of books that had flown off the shelves. The injuries included people who fell from stairs while they were trying to flee. The quake, which struck at 1:04 a.m., was located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) below the earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aichi and Shizuoka are neighboring regions. They are far enough from Tokyo that the quake was not felt there. The most violent shaking was felt in Aichi, accordin

Trump says he wants UFC chief Dana White for White House press secretary

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had asked mixed martial arts promoter Dana White to serve as White House press secretary and called on him to bring some fighters along as assistants "even though some are not from our country." White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a "violent Fighter and Warrior," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Trump also asked for six current or former UFC titleholders to join White, including two athletes from Russia's Dagestan region, Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov; Americans Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and "Kayla Harris," likely a reference to Kayla Harrison; and Amanda Nunes, a Brazilian native who became a U.S. citizen last year. "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left," Trump wrote. White and UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, did not immediately return requests for comment. The White House press secretary role has been vacant since Katie Zacharia's tenure ended last month after less than a week. Zacharia replaced Karoline Leavitt, who left the role at the end of A

Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government, in setback for Netanyahu

JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday night that he was giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition following elections on Oct. 27. Eisenkot, a former military chief who ran as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is now a step closer to ousting Israel’s longest-serving premier. “This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy,” Eisenkot posted on his X account just after the presidential announcement. He has up to six weeks to form a coalition, a challenging task in a deeply divided country reeling from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and the three years of wars that have followed in Gaza and beyond. In discussions with the president this week, representatives from most of Israel’s main parties recommended Eisenkot be tasked with assembling a new government. But putting together the parliamentary majority needed remains fraught and any possible coalition would require candidates to make tough compromises that could outrage

Fresh Houthi threat? Saudi Arabia issues potential danger alerts in 3 cities

"It Will Dismantle Israel": Netanyahu On Opposition-Arab Parties Coalition

Neither side in Israel reached a majority in the October 27 election, in a country deeply polarised by Netanyahu's hard-right rule and worn down by three years of war.

Eisenkot Gets Mandate To Form Israel Government, Netanyahu Fights For Survival

Eisenkot is a formerIsrael Defense Forces(IDF) chief of staff who went into politics in 2022. He became Netanyahu's main rival in this election, running a campaign that pulled in parties from the centre-left to the right.

What we know so far after Krakow gun attack

Six people were killed in a random shooting in the city's main square, and three bodies were later found at the home of the attacker.