WASHINGTON -- U.S. forces struck and disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
A U.S. military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged M/V Huda, disabling the ship after its crew was instructed to abandon targeted spaces, CENTCOM said in a statement.
According to CENTCOM, the cargo vessel attempted to leave regional waters after visiting an Iranian port. The command said its civilian crew ignored warnings and repeatedly attempted to breach the U.S. naval blockade against Iran.
Since July, U.S. forces have redirected 147 commercial vessels and disabled five merchant ships that refused to comply with the blockade, CENTCOM said.(US-CENTCOM-Cargo Vessel)
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JERUSALEM -- Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced Saturday evening that he would task Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government, following consultations with political parties.
Herzog has invited Eisenkot to the president's residence on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) to formally receive the mandate, according to a statement from the Office of the President.
"This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy," Eisenkot said on the social media platform X following the announcement.
Under Israeli law, the former military chief has 28 days to assemble a governing coalition and can request a 14-day extension from the president.(Israel-Forming New Gov't)
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SANAA/RIYADH -- At least 27 people, mostly women and children, were killed and more than 36 wounded in airstrikes near Yemen's capital Sanaa, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported Saturday, as the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a Houthi cruise missile.
The channel blamed Saudi warplanes for the strikes, saying they hit a village east of Sanaa and destroyed about six houses.
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement on social media platform X that Saudi forces had carried out 105 airstrikes and missile attacks on Sanaa and seven other Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours, claiming dozens of casualties, mostly women and children.
The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate comment from the Saudi-led coalition.(Yemen-Houthis)
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ASUNCION -- Paraguayan prosecutors on Saturday formally charged ousted President Santiago Pena with breach of trust and administration for personal gain over alleged irregularities linked to the collapse of Ueno Bank.
Prosecutors also requested pretrial detention for Pena and restrictions on his assets, according to local newspaper Ultima Hora.
Former central bank chief Carlos Carvallo was charged with breach of trust, administration for personal gain and the production of false public documents. Prosecutors likewise requested his pretrial detention. (Paraguay-Former President-Charges)
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VIENNA -- The Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna on Friday hosted an event to mark the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the People's Republic of China's lawful seat in the United Nations (UN), reflecting on China's contribution and reaffirming its commitment to the UN.
The event was attended by heads of international organizations, including the UN Office at Vienna Director-General Monica Juma, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Director General Gerd Mueller.
Nearly 200 participants, including permanent representatives and diplomats from various countries, as well as scholars from think tanks, attended the event.(Vienna-UN-China)
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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he had offered Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the position of White House press secretary.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had asked White to bring assistants with him and named several UFC fighters.
"I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States," Trump wrote. "I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country."
"We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!" Trump added.(US-White House-Press Secretary) ■
