1. Powerful 7.5 Quake Strikes Northeastern Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

• A magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings of up to three meters. Tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate coastal areas and some train lines were temporarily halted. Early reports suggest only limited damage, but aftershocks and sea-level changes are still being monitored.

2. Coup Attempt in Benin Fails After Rapid ECOWAS–Nigeria Intervention

• A group of soldiers briefly claimed to seize power in Benin, challenging President Patrice Talon’s government. Within hours, Beninese forces, backed by Nigerian aircraft and special units under the ECOWAS banner, retook key sites. Several people were killed on both sides, and the coup leaders are now being hunted by regional authorities.

3. Zelensky Visits London, Urges ‘Collective Pressure’ on Russia Amid Ongoing Strikes

• Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to London for talks with the UK prime minister and European leaders on the U.S.-backed peace framework. While he pushes allies for tougher, coordinated pressure on Moscow, both Russia and Ukraine continue long-range missile and drone attacks. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has publicly questioned ongoing financial support for Kyiv, adding political uncertainty.

4. Israeli Army Chief Describes New ‘Yellow Line’ in Gaza as Long-Term Defensive Border

• IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (reported via Eyal Zamir in earlier briefs) has framed the security line that splits Gaza under the Trump ceasefire plan as a new defensive frontier for Israel. His comments suggest Israeli troops could remain along this line for an extended period. Critics say this undermines written promises in the deal about non-occupation and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

5. Polar Blast and ‘Atmospheric Rivers’ Poised to Bring Extreme Weather to North America

• Meteorologists warn that a surge of Arctic air is driving temperatures 15–25°C below normal across large parts of the central and eastern United States. At the same time, several powerful atmospheric rivers are lining up over the North Pacific, aiming heavy rain and mountain snow at the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. Authorities have issued flood, landslide, and winter-storm alerts from British Columbia down to Oregon and Washington.

1. Powerful 7.5 Quake Strikes Northeastern Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

• A magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings of up to three meters. Tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate coastal areas and some train lines were temporarily halted. Early reports suggest only limited damage, but aftershocks and sea-level changes are still being monitored.

2. Coup Attempt in Benin Fails After Rapid ECOWAS–Nigeria Intervention

• A group of soldiers briefly claimed to seize power in Benin, challenging President Patrice Talon’s government. Within hours, Beninese forces, backed by Nigerian aircraft and special units under the ECOWAS banner, retook key sites. Several people were killed on both sides, and the coup leaders are now being hunted by regional authorities.

3. Zelensky Visits London, Urges ‘Collective Pressure’ on Russia Amid Ongoing Strikes

• Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to London for talks with the UK prime minister and European leaders on the U.S.-backed peace framework. While he pushes allies for tougher, coordinated pressure on Moscow, both Russia and Ukraine continue long-range missile and drone attacks. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has publicly questioned ongoing financial support for Kyiv, adding political uncertainty.

4. Israeli Army Chief Describes New ‘Yellow Line’ in Gaza as Long-Term Defensive Border

• IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (reported via Eyal Zamir in earlier briefs) has framed the security line that splits Gaza under the Trump ceasefire plan as a new defensive frontier for Israel. His comments suggest Israeli troops could remain along this line for an extended period. Critics say this undermines written promises in the deal about non-occupation and the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces.

5. Polar Blast and ‘Atmospheric Rivers’ Poised to Bring Extreme Weather to North America

• Meteorologists warn that a surge of Arctic air is driving temperatures 15–25°C below normal across large parts of the central and eastern United States. At the same time, several powerful atmospheric rivers are lining up over the North Pacific, aiming heavy rain and mountain snow at the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. Authorities have issued flood, landslide, and winter-storm alerts from British Columbia down to Oregon and Washington.