Daily briefing · Sunday, November 8

Eisenkot gets first chance to form Israel’s government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday that Gadi Eisenkot would receive the first opportunity to form a government, with the formal appointment scheduled for Sunday. Parties representing 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot, compared with 46 for incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu. Recommendations begin the negotiating process and do not guarantee coalition votes. Once appointed, Eisenkot will have 28 days to assemble a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Disagreements over military service exemptions and cooperation with Arab parties complicate talks after the October 27 election left neither bloc with a majority. AFP/CNA: Israel president taps Eisenkot to form new government

Central Japan earthquake injures at least 22

Local media reported at least 22 injuries after an earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday, damaging shop windows and scattering books from shelves. Japan’s Meteorological Agency measured the quake at magnitude 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey put it at 5.5. Bullet trains slowed in affected areas as a precaution. The Japanese agency warned of possible further strong shaking over the coming week, particularly during the next two to three days. It also said it had detected no apparent change in the Nankai Trough plate, addressing a separate concern about the region’s earthquake activity. AP/ABC: Earthquake rocks central Japan, shattering shop windows and injuring at least 22

Satellites detect methane escaping from Turkish landfills

A Reuters investigation published Saturday examined methane escaping from Turkish landfills, including Seymen near Istanbul, where captured gas also generates electricity. Researchers analyzed 70 plumes observed at 10 waste sites between January 2025 and May 2026; Seymen’s average detected release was about 7.4 tonnes an hour. Turkey’s environment ministry and the operator questioned how representative intermittent readings were. Methane is a powerful heat-trapping gas. Gas collection can coexist with substantial releases, while occasional measurements cannot simply be multiplied into an annual total. The findings highlight waste-management challenges before Turkey hosts climate talks opening Monday. Reuters: As COP31 comes to Turkey, satellites reveal a landfill methane problem

Paraguay’s former president ordered into pretrial detention

A Paraguayan judge ordered former president Santiago Peña held at a military facility Saturday, a day after his impeachment. Prosecutors accuse him of influencing public institutions to keep money at collapsed digital lender Ueno despite his financial ties to it. Peña denies wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty, his lawyer said. The judge said detention was needed to ensure he remained in the country during proceedings. Separately, the central bank reported paying about $160 million to nearly 1.2 million savers through its deposit guarantee scheme. Those payments address guaranteed deposits, while the criminal case concerns alleged misconduct. Reuters/GMA: Judge orders Paraguay’s ex-president Peña held before trial

Six killed in Krakow square shooting

Polish authorities said a gunman killed six people and injured 15 in Krakow’s Main Square on Saturday. Police wounded and detained the suspect, who was hospitalized. Investigators said he appeared to have acted alone. Krakow declared official mourning through Wednesday, while Warsaw announced increased security measures, including road barriers, in its old town. The attack struck a major tourist hub in Poland’s second-largest city, where the mayor said visitors would remain welcome. Authorities were continuing to identify victims and investigate the circumstances. AP/KNKX: Gunman opens fire in Polish city of Krakow, killing 6 people and injuring 15

China begins Antarctic expedition with more than 600 participants

China began its 43rd Antarctic scientific expedition from Sanya on Saturday, with more than 600 participants supported by two icebreakers and a third vessel, Xinhua reported. The team plans ocean and ecosystem monitoring, research station upgrades and sampling of a lake beneath the ice sheet before returning in April. One focus is polynyas, areas of open water within sea ice, alongside longer-term observations of marine chemistry and biology. The lake work will build on drilling that reached 3,413 metres during the previous expedition, extending access to an environment hidden beneath the ice. Xinhua: China kicks off 43rd Antarctic scientific expedition

Pope Leo draws crowds on Uruguay visit

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in Paysandú, Uruguay, on Saturday before a crowd estimated at 40,000. It was the first papal visit to Uruguay since 1988. The riverside city’s location made the gathering accessible to pilgrims from across the region, and Leo used the nearby bridge linking Uruguay and Argentina as an image for cooperation. He later attended a Montevideo vigil that drew about 100,000 people, according to Vatican estimates. His 12-day tour continues to Argentina and Peru, where he worked for decades as a missionary, and is scheduled to end November 17. Reuters: Pope Leo urges South America to bridge divides on Uruguay stop of 12-day tour