Powerful earthquakes in Russia: Tsunami alert issued; three quakes including 7.4 magnitude strike off near Kamchatka

Hong Kong is ramping up construction of subsidized housing in its new innovation and technology (I&T) hub near the mainland border, aiming to ease the squeeze on middle-class families and sweeten the deal for skilled workers the city wants to attract. Housing chief Winnie Ho also teased plans to blend these Northern Metropolis flats with green spaces and heritage elements—think less concrete jungle, more livable community.

Editor’s Note: Hong Kong’s infamous housing crisis isn’t just about affordability—it’s also about retaining talent and making the city feel like home. By tying subsidized homes to the I&T hub, the government’s killing two birds with one stone: addressing middle-class frustrations while dangling a perk for professionals crucial to the city’s economic reboot. The nature-and-culture angle? That’s the cherry on top, signaling they’ve finally heard the complaints about soulless high-rises.

Israel has ordered residents in Deir al-Balah, a densely populated area in central Gaza, to evacuate as the Israeli military gears up for its first ground operation in the city since the war with Hamas began. This signals an expansion of the conflict into a new area, raising concerns about civilian safety in an already overcrowded and war-torn region.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just another routine update—it's a significant escalation. Deir al-Balah has been a refuge for many displaced Gazans fleeing earlier fighting, and now they're being told to move again with nowhere truly safe to go. The order suggests Israel is widening its ground campaign, which could mean more destruction, displacement, and humanitarian strain in a conflict with no clear end in sight. For civilians caught in the middle, it’s another grim turn in an already devastating war.

Japan’s ruling coalition is on track to lose control of the upper house of parliament, according to exit polls from Sunday’s election. This setback weakens Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s political influence at a critical time—just as Japan faces a high-stakes tariff deadline with the U.S. The loss could spark internal instability and complicate negotiations with Washington.

Editor’s Note: Losing the upper house majority isn’t just a bad day for Ishiba—it throws Japan’s political stability into question when the country can least afford it. With tough trade talks looming, a fractured government might struggle to present a united front, risking economic and diplomatic fallout. For voters, this could mean more gridlock or sudden policy shifts.

Japan's ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, just got hammered in the Upper House elections, losing its majority in a major political upset. The defeat is so bad that it could force Ishiba to step down—or worse, paralyze the government with legislative gridlock.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a routine election loss—it's a political earthquake. If the ruling bloc can't recover, Japan could face messy leadership chaos or stalled policymaking at a time when the country is dealing with economic stagnation and regional tensions. It’s a big deal for Japan’s future direction.

Israel has ordered new evacuations in central Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens, with widespread hunger and devastation after nearly two years of conflict. Entire neighborhoods now lie in ruins, and aid groups warn that starvation is spreading rapidly.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another headline—it’s a snapshot of a catastrophe getting worse by the day. With entire communities displaced and food shortages reaching deadly levels, the situation in Gaza is spiraling beyond immediate control. For readers, it’s a stark reminder of the human cost of prolonged conflict, and why international attention (and action) can’t afford to waver.