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Israel Ex-Army chief Ashkenazi to Serve as FM

In this file photo taken on February 21, 2019, former Israeli military chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi delivers a statement in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, ahead of the April 9 general election. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
In this file photo taken on February 21, 2019, former Israeli military chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi delivers a statement in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, ahead of the April 9 general election. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
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Israel Ex-Army chief Ashkenazi to Serve as FM

In this file photo taken on February 21, 2019, former Israeli military chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi delivers a statement in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, ahead of the April 9 general election. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)
In this file photo taken on February 21, 2019, former Israeli military chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi delivers a statement in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, ahead of the April 9 general election. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP)

Former Israeli army chief Gabi Ashkenazi will be nominated as Israel's next foreign minister, his Blue and White alliance has said.

Ashkenazi held talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Jerusalem ahead of his "appointment as minister of foreign affairs this coming Thursday," said Blue and White, which is led by the incoming alternate prime minister, Benny Gantz.

A unity government agreed between Gantz and veteran right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to be sworn in on Thursday evening, ending more than a year of political deadlock.

Foreign affairs was a key profile secured by Blue and White in coalition talks with Netanyahu's Likud party, along with the defense ministry which will be led by Gantz.

Ashkenazi joined Israel's army in 1972 and fought in the Yom Kippur war a year later.

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Southern Taiwan Hit by 6.4 Magnitude Quake, TSMC Evacuates Some Factories

A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
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Southern Taiwan Hit by 6.4 Magnitude Quake, TSMC Evacuates Some Factories

A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of the traffic in Taipei, Taiwan January 17, 2025. (Reuters)

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck a mountainous area of Taiwan's south on Tuesday near the city of Chiayi, the island's weather administration said, with reports of initial minor damage.

Chipmaker TSMC said it had evacuated staff at its factories in central and southern Taiwan.

The quake shook buildings in the capital, Taipei. The quake had a depth of 9.4 km (6 miles) with its epicenter in Dapu township, the weather administration said.

The fire department said three people were trapped in a damaged building in the city of Tainan and rescue workers were on their way.

The science park in Tainan, home to major factories including of chipmaker TSMC, said buildings were evacuated.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

In April, a 7.2 magnitude quake hit the east coast county of Hualien, killing 13 people.

More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016 and a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.