Briefly

TONGA

PM resigns ahead of no-confidence motion

Tongan King Tupou VI has officially accepted the resignation of Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni as prime minister, a statement on the parliament's Facebook page said. The resignation came on Monday morning as the parliament was preparing to debate a motion for a vote of no confidence. In an address to the parliament, Hu'akavameiliku confirmed that he would step down from his position effective immediately, although he would continue to serve as a member of parliament. According to the Tongan Constitution, members of the Legislative Assembly will be given 14 days to decide on nominations for a new prime minister.

THE PHILIPPINES

Volcano erupts, spews plume of ash and gas

The Kanlaon volcano in central Philippines erupted on Monday, spewing a column of ash and gas into the sky, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. An explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of the Kanlaon Volcano on Monday afternoon, the institute said in an alert-level bulletin. The bulletin added that the activity means a "magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions". The institute raised the alert level to three on a scale of five. The Kanlaon Volcano, one of the country's most active volcanoes, last erupted in June.

MIDDLE EAST

Israel 'more optimistic' on Gaza hostage deal

Israel is now more optimistic about a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday, amid reports that Hamas had asked for lists of all still held by militant groups in Gaza. He said indirect negotiations were underway for the return of about 100 hostages and that, while it was still too early to be sure, prospects had improved. A Palestinian official said Hamas had asked other factions to start listing the names of Israeli and foreign hostages in their custody. On Monday, Palestinian medical officials said that Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed at least six people.

Xinhua - Agencies