the headlines: a coalition of opposition parties has been formed in israel to oust the current prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, from power. if it wins sufficient support in the knesset, a new government would be led for the next two years by naftali bennett, a hardline former settler. with 50 days left until the delayed olympic games are due to begin in tokyo, around 10,000 volunteers have pulled out over coronavirus infection concerns. japan has been struggling to contain a fourth wave of the pandemic, but organisors say they remain confident the event can be held safely. salvage experts are trying to tow a burnt—out cargo ship away from the coast of sri lanka before tonnes of oil from its fuel tank leaks onto some of the country's most pristine beaches. the vessel, the x—press pearl, is sinking after being badly damaged by a huge fire.