Morning Briefing: Oct. 21, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including Japan's premier election after resignation of Shigeru Ishiba and his Cabinet, US envoys meeting Israeli prime minister for Gaza ceasefire talks, US President Trump saying he will meet Chinese President Xi in South Korea, and Madagascar’s interim president naming new premier in wake of military takeover.

TOP STORIES

• Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba’s Cabinet resigns

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Cabinet resigned Tuesday to pave the way for the election of a new prime minister, while new Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chair Sanae Takaichi secured the support of both houses of the parliament.

Earlier in the morning, Ishiba convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, during which all Cabinet members submitted their resignations.

Takaichi has been elected by the parliament to become the country’s first female prime minister after the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) and the ruling LDP signed a deal Monday to form a coalition.

• US envoys meet Israeli prime minister for Gaza ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and informal adviser to his administration Jared Kushner to discuss a Gaza ceasefire deal and the latest regional developments.

“Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with the prime minister today and discussed current developments in the region,” government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said Monday.

She said US Vice President JD Vance will visit Israel for several days and meet with Netanyahu, without specifying a date.

Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Israel early Monday for talks with Israeli officials on the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal with the Palestinian group Hamas.

• Trump says he will meet Chinese President Xi in South Korea

US President Donald Trump said Monday he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea "in a couple of weeks."

"We're going to be meeting in South Korea in a couple of weeks, and we'll see what we can do," he told reporters as he hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House.

Trump said he expects to reach a "fair deal" with Beijing following the South Korea meeting, adding: "I believe after we leave South Korea, ... we're going to have a very good relationship with China."

The US president also said the two leaders will discuss multiple issues, without providing details.

• Madagascar’s interim president names new premier in wake of military takeover

Madagascar's interim President Col. Michael Randrianirina appointed Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo the nation's prime minister on Monday during an official ceremony at the Iavoloha State Palace.

Randrianirina said Rajaonarivelo’s appointment was made following a proposal from members of the National Assembly.

“He was chosen for his skills, experience, and relationships with international organizations,” he said.

Rajaonarivelo succeeded Zafisambo Ruphin Fortunat, appointed by former President Andry Rajoelina on Oct. 6, following the dissolution of the government on Sept. 29.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Hamas handed over the remains of an Israeli hostage to the Red Cross on Monday evening under a ceasefire agreement, the army said.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country and the US are preparing a contract for the supply of 25 Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu boasted Monday that his army struck the Gaza Strip on Sunday with 153 tons of bombs, in what amounts to an admission of violating a ceasefire agreement.
• The Gaza government media office has reported 80 Israeli ceasefire violations since the US-sponsored agreement came into effect on Oct. 10, resulting in 97 Palestinians killed, including 44 on Sunday alone, and 230 others injured.
• French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said Ukrainians and Europeans "should be around the table" during a potential meeting in Budapest between US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• The Israeli army on Monday delivered six demolition notices for Palestinian homes, water wells, and agricultural facilities in the village of Asfi, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, according to local officials.
• Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority said Monday it will reopen Khartoum International Airport for domestic flights starting Wednesday, following a 30-month closure caused by the country’s ongoing conflict.
• South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped the third consecutive session of his second trial on martial law-related charges Tuesday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
• Two officers and 36 fighters from the M23 rebel group have surrendered amid the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese military said Monday.
• More than 480,000 undocumented immigrants have been arrested nationwide since US President Trump took office in January, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday.
• Trump on Monday threatened to “eradicate” Hamas if the Palestinian group fails to comply with the Gaza ceasefire deal, which includes the disarmament of the group and the return of the remains of Israeli hostages.
• Beijing on Monday contradicted Australia's claims on “unsafe” aerial interaction over the South China Sea, saying it expelled an Australian aircraft that “illegally intruded” China’s airspace.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Senate rejects funding bill for 11th time, stalling government shutdown resolution

The US Senate on Monday blocked a stopgap funding measure for the 11th time, failing to advance legislation that would reopen the federal government.

By a vote of 50-43, the Senate did not invoke cloture on the motion to move forward on a House-passed measure to fund the government until Nov. 21.

The bill has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in each attempt so far, with no indication that the outcome will be different the next time.

• Apple shares close at record high after report of strong iPhone 17 sales in China, US

The US tech giant Apple's stock closed at a record high of $262.24 on Monday after a report showed that sales of the new iPhone 17 in the US and China have outpaced the previous models' debuts.

According to data from Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 17 series, which was released in September, outsold the iPhone 16 series by 14% in the US and China in the first 10 days of availability.

Apple's shares climbed 3.94% Monday after the report.

“The base model iPhone 17 is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money,” said Mengmeng Zhang, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.