Palestinians resume movement to northern Gaza after ceasefire: UN

Within minutes of the Gaza ceasefire taking effect, displaced Palestinians resumed movement to the north, UN humanitarians said Friday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Israeli tanks had blocked Al Rashid Road along the coast after people attempted to move north, following word of the ceasefire to be passed.

"Some of the people who have already managed to reach Gaza City reported that they arrived back to find their homes had sustained further damage," OCHA said.

The office said the world body and its humanitarian partners are ready to immediately scale up the humanitarian response.

Macron reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as French PM

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday evening reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, announced the Presidency, four days after accepting his resignation.

The Elysee Palace said in the statement that Lecornu has been tasked with forming a new government.

Following his reappointment, Lecornu said on social media that the political crisis, which has stirred public anger and damaged France's image and interests, "must come to an end." He pledged to "do everything possible to ensure France has a budget by the end of the year."

At least 6 killed in powerful earthquake off southern Philippines

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least six people and causing widespread damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure, authorities have said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. local time (0143 GMT) at a depth of 23 km, approximately 43 km northeast of the municipality of Manay.

Ednar Dayanghirang, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said three were killed in Mati City, one in Davao City, and two in Pantukan, a mining town in Davao de Oro province.

The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed the fatality and said that 347 people were treated for fainting or minor injuries.

"All patients have received proper medical attention and are now in stable condition," the agency said on social media on Friday afternoon.

Japan ruling LDP's junior ally Komeito to terminate coalition: med

Japan's Komeito decided on Friday that the political party will terminate its coalition with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), local media reported.

Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito said that his party will quit the current coalition government, ending a partnership between the two parties that has lasted more than 25 years, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The remarks came after a meeting between Saito and the LDP's newly elected President Sanae Takaichi on Friday afternoon.

Saito said that the LDP failed to provide sufficient answers regarding political funding issues, NHK reported.