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Counting of votes in Israel's pivotal elections have begun. Israel elections committee's latest update states that Netanyahu bloc leads after 50 per cent of votes counted. Previously, according to exit polls, the race for the Knesset has tightened dramatically with Netanyahu bloc projected to win 55 seats, 49 for the Gadi Eisenkot led opposition bloc and 16 for the Arab parties. Voter turnout in Israel's Oct 27 election stood at 77.7 per cent as of 10 pm, the highest level of voter participation recorded at this hour since 1999. This is Israel’s first election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, Gaza and Iran wars.&nbsp;While Benjamin Netanyahu has exuded confidence in forming the government, declared that "the public has voted for change" and that Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost the people's trust. However, history suggests that it is too early to declare victory, specially when it is based on exit polls.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-elections-record-voter-turnout-in-decades-as-opposition-edges-ahead-of-netanyahu-in-early-projections-1793133218215">Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades</a><h2>From Peres to Netanyahu, how exit polls have gone wrong before</h2>The most famous failures occurred in 1996, 2015, where initial network projections heavily miscalculated the final block configurations. Because a shift of just one or two seats can completely flip who has the mandate to form a 61-seat majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset, early television exit polls frequently create false victory narratives.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-time-opportunity-to-defeat-iran-netanyahu-claims-right-wing-bloc-has-decisive-majority-rejects-exit-polls-1793154488686">Netanyahu claims right-wing bloc has ‘decisive majority’, rejects exit polls</a>&nbsp;1. The 1996 Election

The 1996 prime ministerial election remains the ultimate cautionary tale in Israeli polling history. In the Exit Poll Projection, television screens at 10:00 PM, Shimon Peres was projected to beat Benjamin Netanyahu by a narrow margin. Relying on these numbers, Peres's team began celebrating, and the media declared him the winner. Later, when the actual ballots were counted overnight, the momentum shifted entirely and Netanyahu had won the election by a thin margin of 29,457 votes. This was the origin of famous Israeli political phrase: "Went to sleep with Peres, woke up with Netanyahu."&nbsp;2. 2009 – Livni's Premature Victory

Exit polls showed Tzipi Livni, head of the centrist Kadima party, winning one more seat than Netanyahu’s Likud. Livni delivered a sweeping victory speech on television. However, the exit polls failed to capture the broader reality that the right-wing bloc as a whole was much larger, making it impossible for Livni to form a coalition. Netanyahu ultimately formed the government instead.&nbsp;3. The 2015 Election

Leading up to the 2015 legislative election, polls indicated a massive surge for Isaac Herzog’s center-left Zionist Union. When voting ended, Channels 10 and 2 projected a dead heat at 27–28 seats each for Netanyahu’s Likud and Herzog’s Zionist Union. Channel 11 actually gave the Zionist Union a one-seat advantage, signaling that Netanyahu's decade-long grip on power might be over. The exit polls failed to capture a massive, late-afternoon surge of right-wing voters responding to Netanyahu's urgent election-day video warnings. When the official votes were verified, Likud won a decisive victory with 30 seats to the Zionist Union's 24, allowing Netanyahu to easily form a right-wing coalition.&nbsp;<h2>What Netanyahu said in post-election speech?</h2>Netanyahu rejected the exit polls and reiterated his call for unity among Jewish and Zionist political groups. He opposed the formation of a government dependent on Arab parties he described as anti-Zionist, alleging that some of them support Hamas and call Israeli soldiers “murderers and war criminals.” Mentioning Iran in his pitch once again, he claimed that “Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever." He added that along with US President Donald Trump, Israel will end the Iranian threat once and for all.&nbsp;

Israel’s pivotal election has produced a tight race, with exit polls projecting 55 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, 49 for the opposition and 16 for Arab parties. Past elections in 1996, 2009 and 2015 show why exit polls can misjudge results and coalition prospects.

Counting of votes in Israel's pivotal elections have begun. Israel elections committee's latest update states that Netanyahu bloc leads after 50 per cent of votes counted. Previously, according to exit polls, the race for the Knesset has tightened dramatically with Netanyahu bloc projected to win 55 seats, 49 for the Gadi Eisenkot led opposition bloc and 16 for the Arab parties. Voter turnout in Israel's Oct 27 election stood at 77.7 per cent as of 10 pm, the highest level of voter participation recorded at this hour since 1999. This is Israel’s first election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, Gaza and Iran wars. While Benjamin Netanyahu has exuded confidence in forming the government, declared that "the public has voted for change" and that Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost the people's trust. However, history suggests that it is too early to declare victory, specially when it is based on exit polls. Also Read: Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades From Peres to Netanyahu, how exit polls have gone wrong before The most famous failures occurred in 1996, 2015, where initial network projections heavily miscalculated the final block configurations. Because a shift of just one or two seats can completely flip who has the mandate to form a 61-seat majority coalition in the 120-seat Knesset, early television exit polls frequently create false victory narratives. Also Read: Netanyahu claims right-wing bloc has ‘decisive majority’, rejects exit polls 1. The 1996 Election

Israel’s pivotal election has produced a tight race, with exit polls projecting 55 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, 49 for the opposition and 16 for Arab parties. Past elections in 1996, 2009 and 2015 show why exit polls can misjudge results and coalition prospects.

Israel election: From Peres to Netanyahu, how exit polls have got it wrong before

New Delhi: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines. The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, focused on reviewing progress under the Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership, signed by the two leaders on 31 October 2025 during the previous ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In a post on X, Hegseth described the bilateral as a “great meeting,” noting that the two sides “celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Framework for our Major Defense Partnership and explored ways to strengthen cooperation.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Singh. 

We celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Framework for our Major Defense Partnership and explored ways to strengthen cooperation. https://t.co/3BLUFMpaHt&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://x.com/SecWar/status/2115295093913719293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-us-defence-ministers-set-for-bilateral-talks-in-philippines-1793113751704">India and US defence ministers set for bilateral talks in Philippines</a>Singh, in his own post, called the discussions “excellent” and said they had reviewed the 10-year framework’s progress, “driving strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production.” He added that the “robust partnership continues to be a cornerstone for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Had an excellent meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 13th ADMM-Plus. 

We reviewed the progress of our 10-year India-US Defence Framework, driving strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production. Our robust partnership continues to be a cornerstone for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. @SecWar&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2115307392602964220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The 2025 framework is the latest renewal of a document that has structured US-India defence ties since 2005 and was previously updated in 2015. A US Department of War fact sheet described the latest version as “the most ambitious and wide-ranging document yet", aimed at strengthening interoperability across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, supporting maritime security, and deepening industrial collaboration, joint exercises and information sharing.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-renews-unsc-reform-push-slams-disproportionate-veto-use-says-power-must-not-be-an-instrument-of-narrow-political-expediency-1793082774993">India renews UNSC reform push, slams 'disproportionate' veto use</a> It builds on foundational agreements such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement. While broader US-India political relations have faced strains, including trade disputes and differences over other foreign-policy issues, defence cooperation has continued steadily, with regular joint exercises, ongoing equipment deliveries such as Apache helicopters and GE engines for India’s Tejas fighter programme, and growing industrial collaboration. The talks took place during the 13th ADMM-Plus, hosted by the Philippines in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on 28–29 October as part of Manila’s 2026 ASEAN chairmanship. The forum brings together the ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, to discuss regional security cooperation. He is also expected to hold further bilateral meetings with counterparts from Vietnam, Australia and other participating countries. India has long viewed its engagement with ASEAN, under the Act East policy, as central to promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific. The ADMM-Plus remains the region’s primary platform for defence consultations between ASEAN and its external partners, with ministers meeting annually since 2017.

The latest US and India talks in the Philippines focused on military technology, information sharing and co-production under a 10-year framework. Here's what the two sides discussed.

New Delhi: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines. The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, focused on reviewing progress under the Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership, signed by the two leaders on 31 October 2025 during the previous ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In a post on X, Hegseth described the bilateral as a “great meeting,” noting that the two sides “celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Framework for our Major Defense Partnership and explored ways to strengthen cooperation.”

The latest US and India talks in the Philippines focused on military technology, information sharing and co-production under a 10-year framework. Here's what the two sides discussed.

Hegseth and Rajnath Singh review defence ties on ADMM-Plus sidelines

Gunmen have killed Islamic preacher Yahaya Masussuka outside his home in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, northern Nigeria. The BBC reports that two men on a motorcycle shot the 47-year-old on Monday evening as he was seeing off visitors. One guest was also hit. Police said both men were rushed to hospital and pronounced dead by the attending doctor.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/nigeria-s-debt-interest-soars-124-above-revenue-raising-fiscal-concerns-1791809446217">Nigeria’s debt interest soars 124% above revenue, raising fiscal concerns</a>&nbsp;Although no motive has been confirmed, Masussuka had received online death threats over videos in which he rejected parts of mainstream Islamic teaching, including the belief that the dead are questioned in the grave by two angels. That belief comes from the Hadith, the recorded words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. Masussuka relied mainly on the Quran and questioned some hadiths. He once spent nine months in jail for mocking scholars over these teachings.&nbsp;According to report, Months before his death, the Katsina State government ordered him to appear before a Committee of Ulamas to answer allegations that his teachings violated established Islamic principles. The government also noted a counter-complaint from the cleric, who said members of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a group had insulted him and threatened to attack him. The matter was referred to the Emir of Katsina, who met Masussuka and other scholars and urged all sides to avoid sermons that could provoke other Muslims.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-navy-moves-to-boost-oil-security-tackle-crude-theft-and-infrastructure-threats-1790368800433">Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats</a>&nbsp;Masussuka began preaching at 13 in Quranic schools, later studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt and continued in Oman. He recorded his teachings in a studio at his home for followers on social media. He spoke against violent extremism and promoted peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. Last year, the Network for Good Governance and Transparency gave him a Peace Ambassador Award. He leaves behind two wives and seven children.Thousands of Christians and Muslims have been killed in ethnic and religious violence in northern nigeria over the past 25 years, including prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered, several targeted by Boko Haram for criticising the group, which began its insurgency in 2009

Nigerian Islamic preacher Yahaya Masussuka was shot dead by gunmen outside his home in Katsina State, alongside a visitor. He had reportedly received online death threats over videos questioning some Islamic teachings. Police have not confirmed a motive for the killing.

Gunmen have killed Islamic preacher Yahaya Masussuka outside his home in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, northern Nigeria. The BBC reports that two men on a motorcycle shot the 47-year-old on Monday evening as he was seeing off visitors. One guest was also hit. Police said both men were rushed to hospital and pronounced dead by the attending doctor. Also Read: Nigeria’s debt interest soars 124% above revenue, raising fiscal concerns Although no motive has been confirmed, Masussuka had received online death threats over videos in which he rejected parts of mainstream Islamic teaching, including the belief that the dead are questioned in the grave by two angels. That belief comes from the Hadith, the recorded words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. Masussuka relied mainly on the Quran and questioned some hadiths. He once spent nine months in jail for mocking scholars over these teachings. According to report, Months before his death, the Katsina State government ordered him to appear before a Committee of Ulamas to answer allegations that his teachings violated established Islamic principles. The government also noted a counter-complaint from the cleric, who said members of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a group had insulted him and threatened to attack him. The matter was referred to the Emir of Katsina, who met Masussuka and other scholars and urged all sides to avoid sermons that could provoke other Muslims. Also Read: Nigeria Navy moves to boost oil security, tackle crude theft and infrastructure threats Masussuka began preaching at 13 in Quranic schools, later studied at Al-Azhar University in Egypt and continued in Oman. He recorded his teachings in a studio at his home for followers on social media. He spoke against violent extremism and promoted peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. Last year, the Network for Good Governance and Transparency gave him a Peace Ambassador Award. He leaves behind two wives and seven children. Thousands of Christians and Muslims have been killed in ethnic and religious violence in northern nigeria over the past 25 years, including prominent Muslim preachers have been murdered, several targeted by Boko Haram for criticising the group, which began its insurgency in 2009

Nigerian Islamic preacher Yahaya Masussuka was shot dead by gunmen outside his home in Katsina State, alongside a visitor. He had reportedly received online death threats over videos questioning some Islamic teachings. Police have not confirmed a motive for the killing.

Controversial Nigerian cleric Yahaya Masussuka shot dead in Katsina

Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States, two US media outlets reported, after he lost Sunday's runoff election. CNN and the Washington Post, each citing an unnamed source close to the matter, said Bolsonaro had arrived in the US late Tuesday (Oct 27). Where he landed remains unknown.The right-wing senator's arrival came as the US State Department, reportedly, said it would grant him and his family visas, as he faces multiple investigations in his home country.<h2>Lula slams Bolsonaro's 'shameful' escape</h2>Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that it would be "shameful" if his defeated rival had fled to the United States. "A person who sneaks out of their country must have something to hide. The act of leaving Brazil is shameful," the leftist leader remarked in Brasilia during his 81st birthday celebration.The 45-year-old Bolsonaro lost the presidential election Sunday to incumbent Lula and has refused to concede defeat. On Monday, he said a Supreme Court justice had ordered him to hand over his passports. Bolsonaro is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering, and with his election loss is also set to lose parliamentary immunity.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-s-flavio-bolsonaro-flees-to-us-after-presidential-election-defeat-to-lula-1793127266337">Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro flees to US after presidential election defeat to Lula</a>A police source told AFP that the senator's Brazilian and diplomatic passports had been cancelled, adding that "there is no formal record of Flavio Bolsonaro leaving the country." Notably, he has held Italian nationality since 2023, according to an Italian parliamentary document seen by AFP.<h2>Campaign shock as Bolsonaro flees Brazil</h2>Bolsonaro's campaign manager Rogerio Marinho expressed shock over reports that the defeated candidate had fled Brazil. "We still don't have any news about his whereabouts," he told reporters Tuesday in Brasilia. "I received a text message from him this morning, where he said he would let some time pass today and then would talk with us, and that was it. That was the only communication we had."Bolsonaro said Monday that the ban on his exit from Brazil amounted to a scare tactic. "I never had any intention of leaving the country," he said in a video posted on Instagram.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/transforming-lula-into-michael-jackson-and-captain-america-how-his-army-flooded-the-internet-with-ai-clips-and-memes-to-fight-algorithm-bias-1793093848195">How Lula’s AI meme army took on alleged ‘algorithm bias’ of Big Tech</a>US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Jair Bolsonaro, on Monday said Brazil's elections were "rigged" following the defeat of Bolsonaro junior.Flavio's brother Eduardo, a US-based former lawmaker, maintains close ties with the White House. Last week, he told a US podcast that Flavio Bolsonaro should leave Brazil in the event of electoral defeat, given the active probes into his activities.Following Lula's victory with 51.8 per cent of the vote, Bolsonaro said he would seek to annul the result, citing the decision to extend polling hours over transportation difficulties that prevented some citizens from voting. Lula had requested the extension, as had Bolsonaro over bad weather in parts of the country.&nbsp;

Brazil's defeated presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States, as per reports citing unnamed sources. The 45-year-old senator, under investigation for corruption and money laundering, landed late Tuesday; his exact location remains unknown.

Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States, two US media outlets reported, after he lost Sunday's runoff election. CNN and the Washington Post, each citing an unnamed source close to the matter, said Bolsonaro had arrived in the US late Tuesday (Oct 27). Where he landed remains unknown. The right-wing senator's arrival came as the US State Department, reportedly, said it would grant him and his family visas, as he faces multiple investigations in his home country. Lula slams Bolsonaro's 'shameful' escape Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that it would be "shameful" if his defeated rival had fled to the United States. "A person who sneaks out of their country must have something to hide. The act of leaving Brazil is shameful," the leftist leader remarked in Brasilia during his 81st birthday celebration. The 45-year-old Bolsonaro lost the presidential election Sunday to incumbent Lula and has refused to concede defeat. On Monday, he said a Supreme Court justice had ordered him to hand over his passports. Bolsonaro is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering, and with his election loss is also set to lose parliamentary immunity. Also read | Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro flees to US after presidential election defeat to Lula A police source told AFP that the senator's Brazilian and diplomatic passports had been cancelled, adding that "there is no formal record of Flavio Bolsonaro leaving the country." Notably, he has held Italian nationality since 2023, according to an Italian parliamentary document seen by AFP. Campaign shock as Bolsonaro flees Brazil Bolsonaro's campaign manager Rogerio Marinho expressed shock over reports that the defeated candidate had fled Brazil. "We still don't have any news about his whereabouts," he told reporters Tuesday in Brasilia. "I received a text message from him this morning, where he said he would let some time pass today and then would talk with us, and that was it. That was the only communication we had." Bolsonaro said Monday that the ban on his exit from Brazil amounted to a scare tactic. "I never had any intention of leaving the country," he said in a video posted on Instagram. Also read | How Lula’s AI meme army took on alleged ‘algorithm bias’ of Big Tech US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Jair Bolsonaro, on Monday said Brazil's elections were "rigged" following the defeat of Bolsonaro junior. Flavio's brother Eduardo, a US-based former lawmaker, maintains close ties with the White House. Last week, he told a US podcast that Flavio Bolsonaro should leave Brazil in the event of electoral defeat, given the active probes into his activities. Following Lula's victory with 51.8 per cent of the vote, Bolsonaro said he would seek to annul the result, citing the decision to extend polling hours over transportation difficulties that prevented some citizens from voting. Lula had requested the extension, as had Bolsonaro over bad weather in parts of the country.

Brazil's defeated presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro has arrived in the United States, as per reports citing unnamed sources. The 45-year-old senator, under investigation for corruption and money laundering, landed late Tuesday; his exact location remains unknown.

Flavio Bolsonaro lands in the US as he flees after election loss; Lula slams him for 'sneaking out' of Brazil

A Chinese glass supplier has won itself a wave of free publicity by repurposing footage of failed break-in attempts during France's October unrest to showcase its shatter-resistant product. Hengxinfeng Special-Glass Co. Ltd., from China's Henan province, shared the video on social media without having to spend even a penny on production. The clip, taken from looting that erupted amid student protests over education and living costs, showed extensive cracking yet no breach of the glass, drawing amused reactions from viewers.The repurposed footage highlighted the glass's durability, sparking conversations about storefront security while mixing praise for the clever marketing with questions about the claims.Watch the video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🇨🇳 A Chinese glass company just turned the RIOTS in France into FREE advertising!

Hengxinfeng filmed NOTHING, just posted a video of its unbreakable windows on social media, and went VIRAL.

EPIC TROLLING! https://t.co/WXWuqfW7uJ&mdash; Global Dissident (@GlobalDiss) <a href="https://x.com/GlobalDiss/status/2115188985010213103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>A country on edge</h2>The video surfaced as French authorities grapple with nationwide cost-of-living protests that have spilled over into violence.According to AFP, the October 17 riots in Paris and other cities saw some 3,000 shops attacked, many of them looted, with the sector's trade body estimating costs running into hundreds of millions of euros. The violence, the worst France has seen in years, occurred on the margins of nationwide demonstrations rallying more than half a million people against the high cost of living.President Emmanuel Macron has sought to project an image of a government firmly in control, calling for the looting and vandalism seen on October 17 to "never" happen again.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/he-was-born-retired-with-3-kids-and-2-mortgages-baby-born-with-a-moustache-video-goes-viral-watch-1792822472580">'Already tired of his 9-to-5': Baby born with a moustache becomes internet sensation, video goes viral | Watch</a>The demonstrations have come six months ahead of a presidential election to replace centrist Macron. Authorities have admitted to security and intelligence failures that paved the way for the clashes, large-scale looting and vandalism of public property that erupted on October 17, and had stepped up security for the protests last Saturday.Officials pledged to remain vigilant ahead of the new demonstrations. "From a security standpoint, we've largely turned things around," said a Macron aide.<h2>Nearly 1500 arrested over France's violent protests</h2>A total of 1,435 people were arrested on the sidelines of the weekend protests, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, adding there were "no serious incidents." He said 267 police officers and gendarmes were injured, along with 150 protesters, including three who were seriously hurt.The unrest followed weeks of demonstrations by students campaigning for better learning conditions. The police response has been criticised as heavy-handed and sparked a broader movement against the cost of living and police violence. Several teenage protesters have been seriously injured and thousands arrested.<h2>Protesters face legal liability</h2>The French parliament's upper house passed a bill Wednesday (Oct 28) that would make protesters financially liable for damage caused during street demonstrations, despite warnings from critics that it could curb the right to protest.The bill was drafted in response to riots that followed Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in May. But it has taken on added significance after weeks of protests over inequality and soaring prices culminated in some of the worst violence France has seen in years on October 17.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bombed-the-vidhana-soudha-bihar-man-arrested-over-ai-generated-bengaluru-blast-video-netizens-slam-zero-freedom-of-speech-watch-1792643344153">'Bombed the Vidhana Soudha': Bihar man arrested over AI-generated Bengaluru blast video; netizens slam 'zero freedom of speech' | Watch</a>The Senate passed an expanded version of the bill by 229 votes to 105, backed by a right-wing and centrist alliance which holds a majority. The legislation has been sent to the National Assembly, which is split between France's political factions, for debate and voting.Under the legislation, protesters could be ordered to pay up to 10,000 euros for damage caused during street demonstrations. But critics argue that people who took no part in vandalism could nonetheless be held liable if they were deemed to have been associated with those responsible.&nbsp;

A Chinese glass supplier has gone viral by repurposing footage of failed break-in attempts during France's October riots to endorse the quality of its shatter-resistant glass. The clip, showing extensive cracking but no breach, drew amused reactions online.

A Chinese glass supplier has won itself a wave of free publicity by repurposing footage of failed break-in attempts during France's October unrest to showcase its shatter-resistant product. Hengxinfeng Special-Glass Co. Ltd., from China's Henan province, shared the video on social media without having to spend even a penny on production. The clip, taken from looting that erupted amid student protests over education and living costs, showed extensive cracking yet no breach of the glass, drawing amused reactions from viewers. The repurposed footage highlighted the glass's durability, sparking conversations about storefront security while mixing praise for the clever marketing with questions about the claims. Watch the video here:

A Chinese glass supplier has gone viral by repurposing footage of failed break-in attempts during France's October riots to endorse the quality of its shatter-resistant glass. The clip, showing extensive cracking but no breach, drew amused reactions online.

'EPIC TROLLING': Chinese glass firm cashes in on France riots with viral break-in video | Watch

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 28) addresses back-to-back poll rally in Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas. Trump’s primary objective for the Texas swing was energizing the Republican base behind Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is locked in an intensely tight and expensive Senate race against Democratic state representative James Talarico. A Democratic victory would mark the first statewide win for the party in Texas in more than three decades.&nbsp;&nbsp;As usual, his campaign rally had several viral moments. He started his speech by praising his administration and claiming that America “would be in hell” if he was not the President. He slammed the previous Democrat governments under Joe Biden and Barack Obama and went on to attack Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He also targeted Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and claimed that she belongs to a "country with no government." He used the Corpus Christi stage to repeat his frequent, false assertion that he has won three presidential elections, claiming the 2020 election was rigged. Trump targeted Talarico with a bizarre, mocking rant falsely claiming the Democrat is a secret vegan who vomits behind tents at barbecues. He also spent time revisiting past remarks about Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s physical appearance.<h2>The Trump dance | WATCH</h2>At some point, he broke into his signature dance move. The "Trump dance" originally gained traction during his 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns, growing into a highly anticipated staple of his public persona. WATCH

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump breaks out his signature dance moves following a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, as supporters cheer him on.
⠀
The moment comes after Trump delivers his closing pitch for Republicans with Election Day just one week away. https://t.co/0BF2zQeice&mdash; 3td__Warrior_Academy (@3tdwarrior001) <a href="https://x.com/3tdwarrior001/status/2115282856549249415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Biden-era methane policy scrapped | WATCH</h2>In his Lubbock rally, Trump announced that his administration is officially "terminating" the landmark Biden-era methane emissions regulations. The decision marks one of the most substantial rollbacks of climate change policy under the Trump administration. Trump asserted that ending the regulations will save energy producers and consumers $45 billion in costs.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 TRUMP TAKES AN AXE TO BIDEN’S METHANE RULES! 🇺🇸🔥

President Trump announces the termination of Biden-era methane regulations, projecting:

💰 $45 BILLION in cost savings
🛢️ 210 MILLION additional barrels of oil
⚡ Expanded Texas natural gas production

Trump: “We've been working on this a long time!”

A massive energy deregulation push from the White House.

DRILL, BABY, DRILL IS BACK! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/WBDfqntfK7&mdash; Xi Znping (@XiZnping) <a href="https://x.com/XiZnping/status/2115268859947254042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>‘Melania, how great was I, baby?' | WATCH</h2>Trump also mentioned his wife and first lady Melania during his speech in Lubbock. As he went on a spree to praise himself and his administration, he suggested that one should ask Melania about how good he is. “I said, ‘Melania, how great was I, baby? Was I great? Can anybody do it like I do? How good was it?’” He reportedly made the remarks after imitating Biden whom he called “Sleepy Joe.” Trump recalled turning to his wife afterward and asking some variation of how great the performance was, boasting that "nobody can do it like me, baby", to which he noted her reaction was more concerned than impressed, asking what happened to him or if he was okay.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump: &quot;I said, 'Melania, how great was I, baby? Was I great? Can anybody do it like I do? How good was it?'&quot; https://t.co/0qhcXc7LuW&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2115233569769439439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>‘Caaaameealaaa': Trump mocks Kamala Harris | WATCH</h2>Then during a campaign rally in Corpus Christi, targeting former Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump made several pronunciations of her first name with an aim to mock her. Trump targeted Harris by calling her name "complicated" and drawing attention to the fact that people rarely use her surname. He went on to riff through exaggerated variations—such as "Caaaameealaaa, Koomaaala, Kamaleeee, Kumalaaaa"—before criticizing her administrative record, particularly focusing on border security policies.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump: &quot;Caaaameealaaa, Koomaaala, Kamaleeee, Kumalaaaa&quot; https://t.co/Aar0SXIYqW&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2115175656925323665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Trump’s Texas rallies featured several viral moments as he campaigned for Ken Paxton, including his signature dance, mockery of Kamala Harris and James Talarico, praise for Melania and an announcement ending Biden-era methane regulations

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 28) addresses back-to-back poll rally in Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas. Trump’s primary objective for the Texas swing was energizing the Republican base behind Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is locked in an intensely tight and expensive Senate race against Democratic state representative James Talarico. A Democratic victory would mark the first statewide win for the party in Texas in more than three decades. As usual, his campaign rally had several viral moments. He started his speech by praising his administration and claiming that America “would be in hell” if he was not the President. He slammed the previous Democrat governments under Joe Biden and Barack Obama and went on to attack Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He also targeted Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and claimed that she belongs to a "country with no government." He used the Corpus Christi stage to repeat his frequent, false assertion that he has won three presidential elections, claiming the 2020 election was rigged. Trump targeted Talarico with a bizarre, mocking rant falsely claiming the Democrat is a secret vegan who vomits behind tents at barbecues. He also spent time revisiting past remarks about Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s physical appearance. The Trump dance | WATCH At some point, he broke into his signature dance move. The "Trump dance" originally gained traction during his 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns, growing into a highly anticipated staple of his public persona. WATCH

Trump’s Texas rallies featured several viral moments as he campaigned for Ken Paxton, including his signature dance, mockery of Kamala Harris and James Talarico, praise for Melania and an announcement ending Biden-era methane regulations

‘Koomaaala, Melania baby, Sleepy Joe’ and signature dance : Trump unleashes viral moments at Texas rallies | WATCH

A fiery speech by a protester criticising US President Donald Trump has gained traction online, with her impassioned remarks about political power, public anger and civic action striking a chord with social media users. In a roughly two-minute video circulating online, a woman wearing a yellow headband addresses demonstrators with a pointed message aimed at the Trump administration. “There’s only one devil I can see, and he sits in the White House,” she declares, before adding, “If you’re not angry, you’re not listening.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-governor-election-2026-record-campaign-spending-tight-polls-and-a-historic-first-make-ramaswamy-vs-acton-a-race-to-watch-1793154340021">Ohio governor election 2026: Record campaign spending, tight polls and a historic first make Ramaswamy vs Acton a race to watch</a><h2>Watch the video</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">If you haven’t watched this yet please do. 

I don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat, if this doesn’t move you to vote against the current state of affairs nothing will. 

Our grandchildren will watch this clip in history class, to better understand the political climate during Trumpism. https://t.co/LZuzDCS6cx&mdash; Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) <a href="https://x.com/krassenstein/status/2114665868110020682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Internet reacts to viral anti-Trump speech</h2>The clip has prompted reactions from social media users, with supporters praising the speaker's direct language and forceful delivery. For some viewers, her remarks capture the frustration felt by people opposed to President Donald Trump's policies and political leadership. Political commentator Brian Krassenstein also drew attention to the video, suggesting that it could serve as a snapshot of the current political climate for future generations looking back at this period in American history. &nbsp;&nbsp;One user said, “I NOMINATE THIS WOMAN FOR PRESIDENT! 1 minute, 50 seconds of the most powerful speech you’ll hear.” Another user wrote, “She’s something. Her generation needs to demand more out the next generation of politicians than mine has from ours.” Another user posted, “This young american girl is 100 times smarter than U.S. President Donald Trump and his entire administration. Furthermore, unlike Trump, every word she speaks is the absolute truth.”&nbsp;Another user wrote, “This one gave me chills and made me proud to be an American! Please watch the video! This passionate young woman is a true American patriot!”. The video has been widely shared on social media platforms.

A protester’s fiery anti-Trump speech goes viral online as Brian Krassenstein and other social media users react to her message on public anger and political power

A fiery speech by a protester criticising US President Donald Trump has gained traction online, with her impassioned remarks about political power, public anger and civic action striking a chord with social media users. In a roughly two-minute video circulating online, a woman wearing a yellow headband addresses demonstrators with a pointed message aimed at the Trump administration. “There’s only one devil I can see, and he sits in the White House,” she declares, before adding, “If you’re not angry, you’re not listening.” Also Read: Ohio governor election 2026: Record campaign spending, tight polls and a historic first make Ramaswamy vs Acton a race to watch Watch the video

A protester's fiery anti-Trump speech goes viral as social media users praise her blunt message on political anger, public power and civic action

'There’s only one devil I can see, and he sits in the White House': Woman's fiery speech against Trump goes viral, netizens react

As the US heads towards the November 3 midterm elections, Ohio has emerged as a closely watched battleground, with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy facing Democrat Amy Acton in a contest that could test the limits of the Republican Party’s dominance in the state. The race to succeed term-limited Governor Mike DeWine is not just about who occupies the governor’s office. It is also a test of President Donald Trump’s political influence, the power of campaign spending and Democrats’ ability to regain ground in a state that has increasingly leaned towards Republicans.&nbsp;With advertising spending and commitments reportedly reaching $248.2 million by late October, the contest is on course to become the most expensive gubernatorial election in Ohio’s history. Yet the financial advantage enjoyed by Ramaswamy and Republican-aligned interests has not eliminated uncertainty. Several October polls have shown Acton narrowly ahead, while others have put Ramaswamy in front, leaving the race competitive as election day approaches. The main question is whether Ramaswamy can convert his national profile and substantial campaign resources into a victory, or whether Acton can build a coalition capable of delivering a Democratic breakthrough.<h2>Ramaswamy’s national profile: An advantage with risks</h2>Ramaswamy rose to national prominence during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. His entrepreneurial background, conservative positions and close alignment with Trump have given him significant visibility within the Republican movement. His campaign has emphasised government reform, deregulation and conservative policy changes. His national profile can help attract financial support and mobilise Republican voters, while his association with Trump strengthens his appeal among the party’s core supporters.&nbsp;However, national recognition does not automatically translate into statewide support. Ramaswamy must persuade voters that his political priorities can address everyday concerns, including household costs, education, healthcare and employment. His relationship with Trump is also a double-edged sword. Ramaswamy’s challenge is to make the election about his plans for Ohio rather than simply his national political identity.<h2>Acton’s opportunity: Public service and affordability</h2>Acton, a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, became a prominent public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic while helping shape Ohio’s public-health response under DeWine. Her campaign has focused on affordability, healthcare and education, issues that can resonate across party lines. Her public-service experience offers a contrast to Ramaswamy’s business background and national political profile.&nbsp;However, her pandemic-era record also presents a vulnerability. Conservative critics have challenged public-health restrictions, giving Ramaswamy an opportunity to question her decisions and judgment. Acton must defend her record while demonstrating that her experience prepares her to address the state’s wider challenges. Her electoral strategy depends on attracting independents, moderate Republicans and voters who may have supported Trump in presidential elections but are willing to consider a different candidate for governor. If she can make the contest about economic security and effective state government, she could weaken the influence of national partisan divisions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-trump-says-venezuela-could-maybe-someday-soon-become-51st-us-state-calls-venezuelan-oil-shipment-a-gift-1793146799249">US midterms 2026: Trump says Venezuela could ‘maybe someday soon’ become 51st US state, calls Venezuelan oil shipment a ‘gift'</a><h2>Record spending: Can money decide the race?</h2>The financial scale of the contest is one of its defining features. According to figures reported by NBC4 and AdImpact Politics, advertising spending and commitments had reached approximately $248.2 million by late October, including around $204.2 million associated with Ramaswamy and $44 million with Acton. These figures include advertising activity beyond the candidates’ own campaigns, including outside groups.&nbsp;The disparity gives Ramaswamy and Republican-aligned interests a substantial advantage in reaching voters, defining the candidates and responding to attacks. But money does not automatically translate into votes. Advertising can influence perceptions, particularly when voters are undecided, but its effectiveness can diminish when audiences have already formed strong opinions.&nbsp;<h2>Negative campaigning and a historic first</h2>The contest has also become increasingly contentious. A controversial advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother drew scrutiny because of its personal nature and the family dispute behind it. Attacks can influence voters when they raise credible questions about a candidate’s record, but excessively personal advertising can distract from policy issues and potentially alienate undecided voters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ramaswamy must weigh the benefits of aggressive messaging against the risk of a backlash, while Acton must respond without allowing controversy to overshadow her campaign priorities. The election also carries historical significance. If Acton wins, she would become the first woman elected governor of Ohio. Nancy Hollister briefly served as governor for 12 days in 1998 after George Voinovich left office, but she was not elected to the position in her own right. An Acton victory would therefore represent a symbolic milestone and a major breakthrough for Democrats in a state where Republicans have dominated recent statewide and presidential contests.

Ohio Governor Election 2026: Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton battle over spending, the economy and Ohio's political future as a historic first looms

As the US heads towards the November 3 midterm elections, Ohio has emerged as a closely watched battleground, with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy facing Democrat Amy Acton in a contest that could test the limits of the Republican Party’s dominance in the state. The race to succeed term-limited Governor Mike DeWine is not just about who occupies the governor’s office. It is also a test of President Donald Trump’s political influence, the power of campaign spending and Democrats’ ability to regain ground in a state that has increasingly leaned towards Republicans. With advertising spending and commitments reportedly reaching $248.2 million by late October, the contest is on course to become the most expensive gubernatorial election in Ohio’s history. Yet the financial advantage enjoyed by Ramaswamy and Republican-aligned interests has not eliminated uncertainty. Several October polls have shown Acton narrowly ahead, while others have put Ramaswamy in front, leaving the race competitive as election day approaches. The main question is whether Ramaswamy can convert his national profile and substantial campaign resources into a victory, or whether Acton can build a coalition capable of delivering a Democratic breakthrough. Ramaswamy’s national profile: An advantage with risks Ramaswamy rose to national prominence during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. His entrepreneurial background, conservative positions and close alignment with Trump have given him significant visibility within the Republican movement. His campaign has emphasised government reform, deregulation and conservative policy changes. His national profile can help attract financial support and mobilise Republican voters, while his association with Trump strengthens his appeal among the party’s core supporters. However, national recognition does not automatically translate into statewide support. Ramaswamy must persuade voters that his political priorities can address everyday concerns, including household costs, education, healthcare and employment. His relationship with Trump is also a double-edged sword. Ramaswamy’s challenge is to make the election about his plans for Ohio rather than simply his national political identity. Acton’s opportunity: Public service and affordability Acton, a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, became a prominent public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic while helping shape Ohio’s public-health response under DeWine. Her campaign has focused on affordability, healthcare and education, issues that can resonate across party lines. Her public-service experience offers a contrast to Ramaswamy’s business background and national political profile. However, her pandemic-era record also presents a vulnerability. Conservative critics have challenged public-health restrictions, giving Ramaswamy an opportunity to question her decisions and judgment. Acton must defend her record while demonstrating that her experience prepares her to address the state’s wider challenges. Her electoral strategy depends on attracting independents, moderate Republicans and voters who may have supported Trump in presidential elections but are willing to consider a different candidate for governor. If she can make the contest about economic security and effective state government, she could weaken the influence of national partisan divisions. Also Read: US midterms 2026: Trump says Venezuela could ‘maybe someday soon’ become 51st US state, calls Venezuelan oil shipment a ‘gift' Record spending: Can money decide the race? The financial scale of the contest is one of its defining features. According to figures reported by NBC4 and AdImpact Politics, advertising spending and commitments had reached approximately $248.2 million by late October, including around $204.2 million associated with Ramaswamy and $44 million with Acton. These figures include advertising activity beyond the candidates’ own campaigns, including outside groups. The disparity gives Ramaswamy and Republican-aligned interests a substantial advantage in reaching voters, defining the candidates and responding to attacks. But money does not automatically translate into votes. Advertising can influence perceptions, particularly when voters are undecided, but its effectiveness can diminish when audiences have already formed strong opinions. Negative campaigning and a historic first The contest has also become increasingly contentious. A controversial advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother drew scrutiny because of its personal nature and the family dispute behind it. Attacks can influence voters when they raise credible questions about a candidate’s record, but excessively personal advertising can distract from policy issues and potentially alienate undecided voters. Ramaswamy must weigh the benefits of aggressive messaging against the risk of a backlash, while Acton must respond without allowing controversy to overshadow her campaign priorities. The election also carries historical significance. If Acton wins, she would become the first woman elected governor of Ohio. Nancy Hollister briefly served as governor for 12 days in 1998 after George Voinovich left office, but she was not elected to the position in her own right. An Acton victory would therefore represent a symbolic milestone and a major breakthrough for Democrats in a state where Republicans have dominated recent statewide and presidential contests.

Ohio's costly 2026 governor race pits Vivek Ramaswamy against Amy Acton, testing GOP strength as Acton eyes a historic breakthrough

Ohio governor election 2026: Record campaign spending, tight polls and a historic first make Ramaswamy vs Acton a race to watch

Even as no party is projected to get a clear majority in Israel according to exit polls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence about forming the upcoming government. At the Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem, with supporters cheering him, Netanyahu said that this is ‘historic, one-time opportunity’ to defeat Iran ‘once and for all.' He also said that it is a “shame” that parties are willing to cooperate with Arab parties. He exuded confidence stating that ‘right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public.’&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-elections-record-voter-turnout-in-decades-as-opposition-edges-ahead-of-netanyahu-in-early-projections-1793133218215">Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades</a>&nbsp;According to exit polls by Pollster Direct Polls the race for the Knesset has tightened dramatically with Netanyahu bloc projected to win 55 seats, 49 for the Gadi Eisenkot led opposition bloc and 16 for the Arab parties. Voter turnout in Israel's Oct 27 election stood at 77.7 per cent as of 10 pm, the highest level of voter participation recorded at this hour since 1999. This is Israel’s first election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, Gaza and Iran wars.<h2>What Netanyahu said in post-election speech?</h2>Netanyahu opposed the formation of a government dependent on Arab parties he described as anti-Zionist, alleging that some of them support Hamas and call Israeli soldiers “murderers and war criminals.” "We must establish a national, right-wing, strong government. That is what we must do. It is simply forbidden that we should endanger Israel and establish a government that leans on Arab parties that are anti-Zionist," Netanyahu said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/race-to-power/who-will-bring-peace-to-west-asia-benjamin-netanyahu-or-gadi-eisenkot-the-verdict-1793122704547">Who will bring peace to West Asia: Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot?</a>&nbsp;He reiterated his call for unity among Jewish and Zionist political groups. “The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public among the Jewish public and all those who support the state. For this reason, we need a right-wing, national, strong government. That’s what has to be done. It is unthinkable “to endanger Israel and set up a government that relies upon anti-Zionist Arab parties – parties that oppose our very existence, that regard Hamas as a charitable organization, that call our soldiers war criminals," he said.&nbsp;Mentioning Iran in his pitch once again, he claimed that “Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever." He added that along with US President Donald Trump, Israel will end the Iranian threat once and for all. “Israel is facing a historic, one-time opportunity along with our friend President Trump to remove the Iranian threat once and for all. We have been able to overcome our enemies, and we will be able to in the future,” he said, before joining in to the song blasting through the speakers.&nbsp;

Netanyahu expressed confidence in forming Israel’s next government despite exit polls showing no clear majority. He called for a strong right-wing coalition, rejected dependence on Arab parties and vowed to seize a “historic” opportunity to defeat Iran

Even as no party is projected to get a clear majority in Israel according to exit polls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence about forming the upcoming government. At the Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem, with supporters cheering him, Netanyahu said that this is ‘historic, one-time opportunity’ to defeat Iran ‘once and for all.' He also said that it is a “shame” that parties are willing to cooperate with Arab parties. He exuded confidence stating that ‘right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public.’ Also Read: Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades According to exit polls by Pollster Direct Polls the race for the Knesset has tightened dramatically with Netanyahu bloc projected to win 55 seats, 49 for the Gadi Eisenkot led opposition bloc and 16 for the Arab parties. Voter turnout in Israel's Oct 27 election stood at 77.7 per cent as of 10 pm, the highest level of voter participation recorded at this hour since 1999. This is Israel’s first election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, Gaza and Iran wars. What Netanyahu said in post-election speech? Netanyahu opposed the formation of a government dependent on Arab parties he described as anti-Zionist, alleging that some of them support Hamas and call Israeli soldiers “murderers and war criminals.” "We must establish a national, right-wing, strong government. That is what we must do. It is simply forbidden that we should endanger Israel and establish a government that leans on Arab parties that are anti-Zionist," Netanyahu said. Also Read: Who will bring peace to West Asia: Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot? He reiterated his call for unity among Jewish and Zionist political groups. “The right-wing bloc has a clear, decisive majority among the Zionist public among the Jewish public and all those who support the state. For this reason, we need a right-wing, national, strong government. That’s what has to be done. It is unthinkable “to endanger Israel and set up a government that relies upon anti-Zionist Arab parties – parties that oppose our very existence, that regard Hamas as a charitable organization, that call our soldiers war criminals," he said. Mentioning Iran in his pitch once again, he claimed that “Iran is weaker than ever, Israel is stronger than ever." He added that along with US President Donald Trump, Israel will end the Iranian threat once and for all. “Israel is facing a historic, one-time opportunity along with our friend President Trump to remove the Iranian threat once and for all. We have been able to overcome our enemies, and we will be able to in the future,” he said, before joining in to the song blasting through the speakers.

Netanyahu expressed confidence in forming Israel’s next government despite exit polls showing no clear majority. He called for a strong right-wing coalition, rejected dependence on Arab parties and vowed to seize a “historic” opportunity to defeat Iran

'One-time opportunity to defeat Iran': Netanyahu claims right-wing bloc has ‘decisive majority’, rejects exit polls

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has honoured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew for their courage during a cockpit attack on September 30. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the crew members involved in the incident. The honour recognises their efforts to protect passengers and secure the aircraft during the emergency.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-do-i-personally-do-trump-says-iran-responsible-for-flydubai-attack-as-investigation-continues-1791231755491">'I do. I personally do': Trump says Iran responsible for Flydubai attack as investigation continues</a>&nbsp;The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan had earlier visited Machchhar while he was receiving treatment for his injuries in Israel on October 3. Praising the captain's courage, he said that Machchhar had demonstrated the highest degrees of courage, responsibility and care for human life. "From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise," Sheikh Hamdan said in a social media post.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Proud moment for India! 🇮🇳 

Captain Smit Machhar honoured with the prestigious First Class Order of Zayed II by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his bravery during the FlyDubai incident. 👏✈️

A truly well-deserved honour! 😻 https://t.co/7Ak5rt67sr&mdash; Aman Dubey (@Amandud2) <a href="https://x.com/Amandud2/status/2115248665870872869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-hamam-al-hammami-omani-co-pilot-in-flydubai-cockpit-attack-was-already-flagged-over-security-concerns-smit-machchhar-1790992543064">Who is Hamam Al-Hammami? Omani co-pilot in Flydubai cockpit attack was already flagged over security concerns</a>&nbsp;Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invited him to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations alongside Indian pilot Machchhar. In a post on X, Netanyahu said Modi thanked him for the invitation and highlighted the close ties between the two countries. “Spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside a brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day,” Netanyahu wrote. He added that PM Modi had said India and Israel were fighting terrorism together “on land and in the air” and had praised their strong, decades-old relationship.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The UAE has honoured Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar and crew members for their courage during a September 30 cockpit incident. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu invited Machchhar and PM Modi to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has honoured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew for their courage during a cockpit attack on September 30. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the crew members involved in the incident. The honour recognises their efforts to protect passengers and secure the aircraft during the emergency. Also Read: 'I do. I personally do': Trump says Iran responsible for Flydubai attack as investigation continues The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan had earlier visited Machchhar while he was receiving treatment for his injuries in Israel on October 3. Praising the captain's courage, he said that Machchhar had demonstrated the highest degrees of courage, responsibility and care for human life. "From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise," Sheikh Hamdan said in a social media post.

The UAE has honoured Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar and crew members for their courage during a September 30 cockpit incident. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu invited Machchhar and PM Modi to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar honoured by UAE for courage during Flydubai cockpit attack | VIDEO

US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Venezuela could ‘maybe someday soon’ become the 51st US state as he promoted an influx of Venezuelan oil to American voters facing higher fuel prices. “It will become a prosperous country, and who knows, maybe someday soon, it will become a prosperous 51st state. That’s possible,” Trump told a crowd in Corpus Christi, Texas. “Let’s make it the 51st state, and instead of a president, we’ll have an election for a governor,” Trump added. “How about that? You know, they have a lot of oil,” he said.<h2>Trump calls Venezuelan oil shipment a ‘gift’</h2>Earlier on Tuesday, Trump announced that Venezuela had sent a million barrels of oil to the United States ‘as a gift’. Trump also referred to an oil tanker he planned to show off in Texas, describing the shipment as a personal gift from Venezuela. “See that little ship out there?” Trump told the Corpus Christi crowd. “It’s got 1 million barrels of oil on it from Venezuela, and we’re celebrating the greatest oil victory in history. To the victor belong the spoils, right?” he further added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/food-poisoned-by-meat-trump-mocks-james-talarico-over-campaign-absence-as-former-texas-chief-justice-endorses-democrat-1793145433320">‘Food poisoned by meat’: Trump mocks James Talarico over campaign absence, as former Texas Chief Justice endorses Democrat</a>&nbsp;Trump touted the US operation in Venezuela earlier this year, arguing that it had increased America's oil supply. “This historic win gives us control over the massive part, the biggest part of the world’s oil supply. We have more oil than any other country, even any countries combined, and it’ll be refined right here in Texas, including right here in Corpus Christi,” Trump said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The president's remarks came as Republican candidates face pressure over elevated fuel prices ahead of Election Day. A gallon of unleaded gasoline costs 40% more than it did a year ago, while diesel prices are nearly 75% higher.

Donald Trump says Venezuela could become the 51st US state as he touts a million-barrel Venezuelan oil shipment and addresses rising US fuel prices

US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Venezuela could ‘maybe someday soon’ become the 51st US state as he promoted an influx of Venezuelan oil to American voters facing higher fuel prices. “It will become a prosperous country, and who knows, maybe someday soon, it will become a prosperous 51st state. That’s possible,” Trump told a crowd in Corpus Christi, Texas. “Let’s make it the 51st state, and instead of a president, we’ll have an election for a governor,” Trump added. “How about that? You know, they have a lot of oil,” he said. Trump calls Venezuelan oil shipment a ‘gift’ Earlier on Tuesday, Trump announced that Venezuela had sent a million barrels of oil to the United States ‘as a gift’. Trump also referred to an oil tanker he planned to show off in Texas, describing the shipment as a personal gift from Venezuela. “See that little ship out there?” Trump told the Corpus Christi crowd. “It’s got 1 million barrels of oil on it from Venezuela, and we’re celebrating the greatest oil victory in history. To the victor belong the spoils, right?” he further added. Also Read: ‘Food poisoned by meat’: Trump mocks James Talarico over campaign absence, as former Texas Chief Justice endorses Democrat Trump touted the US operation in Venezuela earlier this year, arguing that it had increased America's oil supply. “This historic win gives us control over the massive part, the biggest part of the world’s oil supply. We have more oil than any other country, even any countries combined, and it’ll be refined right here in Texas, including right here in Corpus Christi,” Trump said. The president's remarks came as Republican candidates face pressure over elevated fuel prices ahead of Election Day. A gallon of unleaded gasoline costs 40% more than it did a year ago, while diesel prices are nearly 75% higher.

Trump suggests Venezuela could become the 51st US state as he promotes Venezuelan oil supplies amid rising gasoline and diesel prices

US midterms 2026: Trump says Venezuela could ‘maybe someday soon’ become 51st US state, calls Venezuelan oil shipment a ‘gift'

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico for his absence from the campaign trail earlier this month, baselessly suggesting that he might have a mental illness and joking that he had been ‘food poisoned by meat’. “He’s going around to so many barbecues, it’s probably why, either that or he has a mental illness,” Trump told a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas.&nbsp;“Missing in action. Now I happen to think he was food poisoned by meat because he can’t stand it,” Trump added. Talarico returned to the campaign trail two weeks ago and dismissed speculation surrounding his absence, saying he had been sidelined by a severe case of the flu. Both his campaign and a mental health centre rejected as false a claim circulating in online conservative circles that he was receiving treatment for a stress-induced episode.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly mocked Talarico, falsely claiming that the Democrat is a secret vegan who forces himself to eat meat at campaign barbecues before vomiting backstage. “You ever see him go to a barbecue and he’s trying to show ‘I love the meat,’” the president said. “Where is he? He’s behind the tent puking.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-and-jordan-vow-to-maintain-good-relations-following-deadly-strikes-over-church-attack-1793144694234">Syria and Jordan vow to maintain good relations following deadly strikes over church attack</a><h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump claims that if Talarico wins, Texas will &quot;go off meat, you'll go off oil&quot; https://t.co/pqXKI6Ihii&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2115225348916842781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Ex-Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice endorses Talarico</h2>Tom Phillips, a longtime chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court and a staunch Republican, endorsed Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race on Monday. In an op-ed published in the Austin American-Statesman, Phillips, who served as the state's chief justice from 1988 to 2004, said he believed Talarico would be a better representative of Texas in the Senate and would be more willing to engage in productive bipartisanship.&nbsp;Phillips argued that Paxton, by contrast, would act as a Trump acolyte, enabling the president's excesses and self-dealing while steering the Republican Party away from principles Phillips believes it should uphold, including limited government and free enterprise. He also said Paxton's history of scandal would cast a shadow over his Senate tenure, regardless of his future conduct.&nbsp;“However exemplary his future conduct might be, Paxton’s longstanding reputation will embarrass Texas in ways our state simply cannot afford,” Phillips wrote. “While I, like many Republicans, do not agree with all of Talarico’s past statements or current positions, I am confident that he would serve this great state with dignity and honor.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump imitates James Talarico trying to eat barbecue: &quot;I love the meat - ahhhh. I love it. Look. And then you see him. Where is he? He's behind the tent puking sick as a dog.&quot; https://t.co/43Rka6GU4e&mdash; TheBlaze (@theblaze) <a href="https://x.com/theblaze/status/2115173510851314155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Phillips said he believed other Republican candidates on the ballot were worthy of serving in office, but Paxton was not among them. “Thus, while I enthusiastically support the statewide Republican judicial candidates and many Republican candidates for other statewide offices, my choice for United States Senator must be James Talarico,” Phillips wrote.

Donald Trump mocks Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico over his illness-related absence as former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips endorses him

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico for his absence from the campaign trail earlier this month, baselessly suggesting that he might have a mental illness and joking that he had been ‘food poisoned by meat’. “He’s going around to so many barbecues, it’s probably why, either that or he has a mental illness,” Trump told a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas. “Missing in action. Now I happen to think he was food poisoned by meat because he can’t stand it,” Trump added. Talarico returned to the campaign trail two weeks ago and dismissed speculation surrounding his absence, saying he had been sidelined by a severe case of the flu. Both his campaign and a mental health centre rejected as false a claim circulating in online conservative circles that he was receiving treatment for a stress-induced episode. Trump has repeatedly mocked Talarico, falsely claiming that the Democrat is a secret vegan who forces himself to eat meat at campaign barbecues before vomiting backstage. “You ever see him go to a barbecue and he’s trying to show ‘I love the meat,’” the president said. “Where is he? He’s behind the tent puking.” Also Read: Syria and Jordan vow to maintain good relations following deadly strikes over church attack Watch the video here

Trump mocks James Talarico over his campaign absence, while former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips endorses the Democrat for Senate

‘Food poisoned by meat’: Trump mocks James Talarico over campaign absence, as former Texas Chief Justice endorses Democrat

Syria and Jordan said on Tuesday they were determined to maintain good relations following deadly strikes by the Jordanian military against its neighbour in retaliation for a gun attack on a church. The strikes triggered the most serious crisis between the two countries since longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. However, Jordan said earlier on Tuesday that it had 'great respect for its neighbour and expressed regret over civilian casualties. Syria condemned Jordan's strikes in the south as an unacceptable violation, while Jordan said its raid killed more than 20 jihadist fighters.&nbsp;Last week, gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan's southern Karak governorate, killing nine people and injuring 25 others. Jordan maintained that it had coordinated its airstrikes with Syria, but Damascus denied the claim. Syria's civil defence agency said the strikes killed seven people, including three children. Later on Tuesday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke with his Syrian counterpart, Assaad al-Shaibani, according to a joint statement published by Syria's foreign ministry.&nbsp;The statement said Safadi stressed 'Jordan's full respect for Syria's sovereignty... and security', while also expressing ‘sorrow and grief over the death of innocent civilian victims’. The two officials also discussed the strikes against what the statement described as ‘Daesh sites’, using an acronym for the Islamic State (IS) group. Earlier, Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said that the preliminary results... indicate significant losses among Daesh's ranks, estimated at more than 20 fighters. He added that a large weapons depot belonging to the organisation had been destroyed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fec-website-goes-dark-after-suspected-hack-leaving-voters-in-the-dark-on-campaign-money-ahead-of-us-midterms-1793140688042">FEC website goes dark after suspected hack, leaving voters in the dark on campaign money ahead of US midterms</a><h2>Syria condemns strikes as a 'blatant violation'</h2>Earlier, Syria's foreign ministry issued a condemnation and rejection of the strikes, describing them as an unacceptable violation and breach of Syrian airspace without any prior coordination. The ministry also said the raid was a blatant violation of the principles of good-neighbourliness and Syrian national sovereignty. Amman appeared eager to ease tensions, with Momani saying that Jordan holds great respect for the Syrian state and its brotherly people.&nbsp;A joint Syrian-Jordanian security committee is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss operations against IS, a government source told Syrian state news agency SANA. Syria said five people, including a woman and three children, were killed in the village of Al-Taf in Daraa province, which borders Jordan. Two other people were reportedly killed elsewhere in the south.&nbsp;Following the strikes, Syria closed its main Nassib border crossing with Jordan, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side. The closure suspended passenger and commercial traffic in both directions, citing the current circumstances. However, Syrian Emergencies and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh said later on Tuesday that both sides were addressing the dispute through diplomatic and legal channels with the aim of securing justice for the victims.

Syria and Jordan seek to restore relations after deadly Jordanian strikes in southern Syria, civilian casualties and a church attack in Jordan's Karak region

Syria and Jordan said on Tuesday they were determined to maintain good relations following deadly strikes by the Jordanian military against its neighbour in retaliation for a gun attack on a church. The strikes triggered the most serious crisis between the two countries since longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. However, Jordan said earlier on Tuesday that it had 'great respect for its neighbour and expressed regret over civilian casualties. Syria condemned Jordan's strikes in the south as an unacceptable violation, while Jordan said its raid killed more than 20 jihadist fighters. Last week, gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan's southern Karak governorate, killing nine people and injuring 25 others. Jordan maintained that it had coordinated its airstrikes with Syria, but Damascus denied the claim. Syria's civil defence agency said the strikes killed seven people, including three children. Later on Tuesday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke with his Syrian counterpart, Assaad al-Shaibani, according to a joint statement published by Syria's foreign ministry. The statement said Safadi stressed 'Jordan's full respect for Syria's sovereignty... and security', while also expressing ‘sorrow and grief over the death of innocent civilian victims’. The two officials also discussed the strikes against what the statement described as ‘Daesh sites’, using an acronym for the Islamic State (IS) group. Earlier, Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said that the preliminary results... indicate significant losses among Daesh's ranks, estimated at more than 20 fighters. He added that a large weapons depot belonging to the organisation had been destroyed. Also Read: FEC website goes dark after suspected hack, leaving voters in the dark on campaign money ahead of US midterms Syria condemns strikes as a 'blatant violation' Earlier, Syria's foreign ministry issued a condemnation and rejection of the strikes, describing them as an unacceptable violation and breach of Syrian airspace without any prior coordination. The ministry also said the raid was a blatant violation of the principles of good-neighbourliness and Syrian national sovereignty. Amman appeared eager to ease tensions, with Momani saying that Jordan holds great respect for the Syrian state and its brotherly people. A joint Syrian-Jordanian security committee is expected to meet in the coming days to discuss operations against IS, a government source told Syrian state news agency SANA. Syria said five people, including a woman and three children, were killed in the village of Al-Taf in Daraa province, which borders Jordan. Two other people were reportedly killed elsewhere in the south. Following the strikes, Syria closed its main Nassib border crossing with Jordan, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side. The closure suspended passenger and commercial traffic in both directions, citing the current circumstances. However, Syrian Emergencies and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh said later on Tuesday that both sides were addressing the dispute through diplomatic and legal channels with the aim of securing justice for the victims.

Syria and Jordan seek to ease tensions after deadly airstrikes, civilian casualties and a church attack that killed nine people in southern Jordan

Syria and Jordan vow to maintain good relations following deadly strikes over church attack

The US Federal Election Commission (FEC) website has been targeted by a hacker or hackers, according to an email seen by news agency Reuters, disrupting the agency's electronic filing system a week before the November 3 elections. The cyberattack comes as so-called super PACs and dark money groups spend record amounts in the final days of the races. The elections will determine whether President Donald Trump's Republicans retain their majorities in Congress for the next two years.&nbsp;In a statement, the FEC said, "at this time, the FEC’s electronic filing system is currently offline and our IT ​staff are actively working to restore service." The agency, which tracks spending by candidates and political committees, said users could ​still search its website for previous reports. It declined to comment further on the outage. The FEC does not ⁠play a role in administering US elections, and the disruption should not affect voters' ability to cast their ballots.&nbsp;The outage prevents ​organizations from submitting the FEC's 24-hour and 48-hour spending reports, which disclose how much political groups and others are spending on specific races. &nbsp;A status message, opens new tab posted by the FEC said its filing system had been offline since around 10 pm ET on Monday. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency referred questions to the FEC, while the FBI did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/52-years-later-dna-evidence-links-serial-killer-ted-bundy-to-1974-murder-of-17-year-old-1793139869115">52 years later, DNA evidence links serial killer Ted Bundy to 1974 murder of 17-year-old</a>&nbsp;The FEC issued the notice after campaign finance officers were unable to submit mandatory reports late on Monday. "We have a bad actor attempting to breach FEC systems. As a result, ‌we’ve had ⁠to temporarily shut down our web facing services," an FEC electronic filings officer said in an email sent to several campaign compliance firms that night.&nbsp;The midterm elections have become the most expensive US election in history, with roughly $11.21 billion spent on advertising and future reservations so far, according to political ad tracker AdImpact. The total has surpassed the previous record set during the 2024 elections, when $11.2 billion was spent across all races, including $3.2 ​billion on the presidential contest between ​Trump and former Vice President ⁠Kamala Harris, AdImpact said.&nbsp;Much of the spending is being driven by super PACs, which can accept unlimited amounts of money from wealthy individuals and corporations, opens new tab and spend as much as they want on campaigns with few ​restrictions.Spending in recent weeks has surged as Democrats gain ground in several Republican ​strongholds.

A cyberattack has disrupted the US Federal Election Commission's electronic filing system, delaying campaign finance reports amid record election spending

The US Federal Election Commission (FEC) website has been targeted by a hacker or hackers, according to an email seen by news agency Reuters, disrupting the agency's electronic filing system a week before the November 3 elections. The cyberattack comes as so-called super PACs and dark money groups spend record amounts in the final days of the races. The elections will determine whether President Donald Trump's Republicans retain their majorities in Congress for the next two years. In a statement, the FEC said, "at this time, the FEC’s electronic filing system is currently offline and our IT staff are actively working to restore service." The agency, which tracks spending by candidates and political committees, said users could still search its website for previous reports. It declined to comment further on the outage. The FEC does not ⁠play a role in administering US elections, and the disruption should not affect voters' ability to cast their ballots. The outage prevents organizations from submitting the FEC's 24-hour and 48-hour spending reports, which disclose how much political groups and others are spending on specific races. A status message, opens new tab posted by the FEC said its filing system had been offline since around 10 pm ET on Monday. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency referred questions to the FEC, while the FBI did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Also Read: 52 years later, DNA evidence links serial killer Ted Bundy to 1974 murder of 17-year-old The FEC issued the notice after campaign finance officers were unable to submit mandatory reports late on Monday. "We have a bad actor attempting to breach FEC systems. As a result, ‌we’ve had ⁠to temporarily shut down our web facing services," an FEC electronic filings officer said in an email sent to several campaign compliance firms that night. The midterm elections have become the most expensive US election in history, with roughly $11.21 billion spent on advertising and future reservations so far, according to political ad tracker AdImpact. The total has surpassed the previous record set during the 2024 elections, when $11.2 billion was spent across all races, including $3.2 billion on the presidential contest between Trump and former Vice President ⁠Kamala Harris, AdImpact said. Much of the spending is being driven by super PACs, which can accept unlimited amounts of money from wealthy individuals and corporations, opens new tab and spend as much as they want on campaigns with few restrictions. Spending in recent weeks has surged as Democrats gain ground in several Republican strongholds.

The FEC website faces a cyberattack, disrupting campaign finance filings and raising concerns about transparency as US election spending reaches record levels

FEC website goes dark after suspected hack, leaving voters in the dark on campaign money ahead of US midterms

Authorities in Utah have used advanced DNA technology to link notorious serial killer Ted Bundy to the murder of Melissa Ann Smith, a 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered by hunters 52 years ago. Smith, the daughter of a local police chief, was found on 27 October 1974 with signs of rape and torture. In April, Utah officials identified teenager Laura Ann Aime as another victim of Bundy. Evidence collected during that investigation was later used to help solve Smith's murder.&nbsp;Before his execution in 1989, Bundy had confessed to killing two other teenage girls in Utah. He has been linked to at least 30 murders across the United States. At a press conference on Tuesday, Utah County Sergeant Mike Reynolds said authorities were still examining additional Bundy cases in the state. "With every case closure may we stomp the memory of Ted Bundy out," he said.&nbsp;Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said the case should offer hope to other victims of unsolved crimes. "That there is hope out there", she said, describing what the case should represent to other cold case victims. "Every single day forensics is changing and we have the ability to take a look at these cases again and again," she said.&nbsp;Rivera also praised detectives for preserving evidence from Smith's case over the decades, saying it demonstrates the need to preserve evidence even when decades pass. In April, the director of the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services told the Salt Lake Tribune that the state had 444 unsolved death investigations, including 258 homicides.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-america-back-up-shouting-match-breaks-out-between-us-and-cuban-officials-at-un-1793136506372">'This is America. Back up': Shouting match breaks out between US and Cuban officials at UN | WATCH</a><h2>Ted Bundy's history of murders and escapes</h2>Bundy remains one of America's most infamous serial killers. He started his killing spree by attacking victims across the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He often approached women in public places and used his charm or a fabricated injury to gain their trust before luring them to secluded locations and killing them.&nbsp;Bundy was first arrested in 1975 for kidnapping a woman and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, in 1977, he escaped by jumping out of a prison library window. After being recaptured, he escaped again eight days later and continued killing until he was finally apprehended in 1978. Bundy was executed in 1989.

Utah authorities have linked Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith using advanced DNA technology, solving a decades-old cold case

Authorities in Utah have used advanced DNA technology to link notorious serial killer Ted Bundy to the murder of Melissa Ann Smith, a 17-year-old girl whose body was discovered by hunters 52 years ago. Smith, the daughter of a local police chief, was found on 27 October 1974 with signs of rape and torture. In April, Utah officials identified teenager Laura Ann Aime as another victim of Bundy. Evidence collected during that investigation was later used to help solve Smith's murder. Before his execution in 1989, Bundy had confessed to killing two other teenage girls in Utah. He has been linked to at least 30 murders across the United States. At a press conference on Tuesday, Utah County Sergeant Mike Reynolds said authorities were still examining additional Bundy cases in the state. "With every case closure may we stomp the memory of Ted Bundy out," he said. Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said the case should offer hope to other victims of unsolved crimes. "That there is hope out there", she said, describing what the case should represent to other cold case victims. "Every single day forensics is changing and we have the ability to take a look at these cases again and again," she said. Rivera also praised detectives for preserving evidence from Smith's case over the decades, saying it demonstrates the need to preserve evidence even when decades pass. In April, the director of the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services told the Salt Lake Tribune that the state had 444 unsolved death investigations, including 258 homicides. Also Read: 'This is America. Back up': Shouting match breaks out between US and Cuban officials at UN | WATCH Ted Bundy's history of murders and escapes Bundy remains one of America's most infamous serial killers. He started his killing spree by attacking victims across the Pacific Northwest of the United States. He often approached women in public places and used his charm or a fabricated injury to gain their trust before luring them to secluded locations and killing them. Bundy was first arrested in 1975 for kidnapping a woman and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, in 1977, he escaped by jumping out of a prison library window. After being recaptured, he escaped again eight days later and continued killing until he was finally apprehended in 1978. Bundy was executed in 1989.

Advanced DNA technology has linked serial killer Ted Bundy to the 1974 murder of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith in Utah, 52 years after her death

52 years later, DNA evidence links serial killer Ted Bundy to 1974 murder of 17-year-old

US and Cuban officials engaged in a heated shouting match on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, marking the latest public confrontation between the longtime adversaries over Washington's escalating economic campaign against Havana. The exchange started shortly after US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz took the podium to oppose an annual resolution scheduled for a vote this week that condemns the United States' decades-long economic embargo against Cuba.&nbsp;As Waltz outlined years of alleged corruption by Cuba's socialist government, members of the Cuban delegation, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, started banging on their designated table and shouting for a point of order. As UN officials attempted to calm the situation, Rodríguez walked down the aisle towards the head of the General Assembly and shouted at Waltz, “You are a liar!" Waltz responded, “You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.”<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: Cuba’s UN delegation, led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, confronts US ambassador Mike Waltz during a debate on the US blockade.

The UN General Assembly will hold its 34th annual vote this week condemning the US blockade on Cuba. Cuban representatives have accused the Trump of threatening other countries to vote against the resolution.&mdash; BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) <a href="https://x.com/BTnewsroom/status/2115128215471616262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The confrontation marked a striking departure from the diplomatic decorum traditionally observed at the United Nations. It also reflected escalating tensions between Washington and Havana as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to force changes to Cuba's political system through an intensified economic campaign.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/complete-lack-of-confidence-in-netanyahu-says-eisenkot-after-opposition-leads-in-exit-polls-arab-parties-make-gains-1793134765389">'Complete lack of confidence' in Netanyahu, says Eisenkot after Opposition leads in exit polls; Arab parties make gains</a>&nbsp;Cuba, already struggling with longstanding economic and financial difficulties, is facing mounting pressure after Trump, a Republican, announced in late January that he would impose tariffs on any country selling or supplying oil to the island. The warning has effectively cut off fuel supplies to Cuba, triggering widespread power outages that have disrupted basic activities, including cooking, water supply, internet access and telephone services.&nbsp;Cuban officials have repeatedly argued that Washington's demands for the island to open its economy to private investment contradict its continued imposition of sanctions that hinder the very economic opening the United States has sought for decades. Tuesday's confrontation came a week after a similar exchange between Waltz and his Cuban counterpart, Ernesto Soberon Guzman, outside a US-hosted panel featuring Cuban dissidents and former prisoners. The event sought to highlight allegations of oppressive behaviour by the Cuban government.&nbsp;Waltz and other US officials have been using public events and gatherings at the United Nations to persuade member states to vote against the annual resolution on Wednesday. The measure criticises the US government's maximum pressure policy against Cuba. For the past 34 years, the resolution has received overwhelming international support. Last year, the vote stood at 165-7, with 12 abstentions. Argentina, Ukraine and Hungary opposed the measure for the first time.

US and Cuban officials exchange heated words at the UN as Washington defends its economic embargo and intensifies pressure on Havana over oil supplies

US and Cuban officials engaged in a heated shouting match on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, marking the latest public confrontation between the longtime adversaries over Washington's escalating economic campaign against Havana. The exchange started shortly after US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz took the podium to oppose an annual resolution scheduled for a vote this week that condemns the United States' decades-long economic embargo against Cuba. As Waltz outlined years of alleged corruption by Cuba's socialist government, members of the Cuban delegation, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, started banging on their designated table and shouting for a point of order. As UN officials attempted to calm the situation, Rodríguez walked down the aisle towards the head of the General Assembly and shouted at Waltz, “You are a liar!" Waltz responded, “You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.” Watch the video here

US and Cuban officials clash at the UN over Washington's decades-long embargo as Trump's oil restrictions deepen Cuba's economic crisis

'This is America. Back up': Shouting match breaks out between US and Cuban officials at UN | WATCH

Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday that initial exit polls from the country's pivotal election indicated a ‘complete lack of confidence’ in the veteran premier. "The initial exit poll results indicate a complete lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the October 7 government," Eisenkot said. Israel's opposition chief, Yair Lapid, described Netanyahu's bloc as suffering a ‘crushing defeat’, while left-wing leader Yair Golan said the public had ‘fired the Netanyahu government’.<h2>Arab-majority parties make strong gains in Israel election</h2>Initial exit polls from Israel's general election on Tuesday showed significant gains for the country's Arab-majority parties, whose supporters turned out in large numbers. Projections from Israel's main television channels hinted that the two Arab lists would secure a combined 17 or 18 seats in the 120-member parliament, compared with 10 in the 2022 election.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-elections-record-voter-turnout-in-decades-as-opposition-edges-ahead-of-netanyahu-in-early-projections-1793133218215">Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades as Opposition edges ahead of Netanyahu in early projections</a><h2>Israel exit polls give Opposition a narrow lead</h2>The first exit polls from Israel's election showed the opposition bloc with a slight advantage over Netanyahu's camp as voting concluded on Tuesday. However, the projected results left the opposition short of an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The country's main pollsters, Channels 11, 12 and 13, projected that the opposition bloc would win 52 or 53 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc was expected to secure around 50. His Likud party was projected to remain the largest single party in parliament, with 24 or 25 seats.&nbsp;Israeli Arab parties also gained ground following strong turnout among their supporters. Exit polls projected that the two Arab-majority groupings, Raam and the Joint List, would win 17 or 18 seats between them. In the previous election, Likud secured 32 seats, allowing Netanyahu to form a coalition with smaller far-right parties after his traditional allies hesitated to work with him amid the corruption cases he faced.&nbsp;This time, mainstream right-wing parties largely pledged to work with the main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, which was projected to win between 21 and 23 seats. The parties aimed to form an opposition coalition capable of removing Netanyahu from power. Although Raam and the Joint List are not part of the opposition bloc, both have expressed openness to supporting it.

Israel election exit polls show the opposition narrowly ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu, as Gadi Eisenkot criticises his government and Arab parties gain seats

Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday that initial exit polls from the country's pivotal election indicated a ‘complete lack of confidence’ in the veteran premier. "The initial exit poll results indicate a complete lack of confidence in Netanyahu and the October 7 government," Eisenkot said. Israel's opposition chief, Yair Lapid, described Netanyahu's bloc as suffering a ‘crushing defeat’, while left-wing leader Yair Golan said the public had ‘fired the Netanyahu government’. Arab-majority parties make strong gains in Israel election Initial exit polls from Israel's general election on Tuesday showed significant gains for the country's Arab-majority parties, whose supporters turned out in large numbers. Projections from Israel's main television channels hinted that the two Arab lists would secure a combined 17 or 18 seats in the 120-member parliament, compared with 10 in the 2022 election. Also Read: Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades as Opposition edges ahead of Netanyahu in early projections Israel exit polls give Opposition a narrow lead The first exit polls from Israel's election showed the opposition bloc with a slight advantage over Netanyahu's camp as voting concluded on Tuesday. However, the projected results left the opposition short of an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The country's main pollsters, Channels 11, 12 and 13, projected that the opposition bloc would win 52 or 53 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc was expected to secure around 50. His Likud party was projected to remain the largest single party in parliament, with 24 or 25 seats. Israeli Arab parties also gained ground following strong turnout among their supporters. Exit polls projected that the two Arab-majority groupings, Raam and the Joint List, would win 17 or 18 seats between them. In the previous election, Likud secured 32 seats, allowing Netanyahu to form a coalition with smaller far-right parties after his traditional allies hesitated to work with him amid the corruption cases he faced. This time, mainstream right-wing parties largely pledged to work with the main challenger, Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, which was projected to win between 21 and 23 seats. The parties aimed to form an opposition coalition capable of removing Netanyahu from power. Although Raam and the Joint List are not part of the opposition bloc, both have expressed openness to supporting it.

Israel exit polls give the opposition a narrow lead over Netanyahu, while Arab-majority parties make strong gains in the country's pivotal election

'Complete lack of confidence' in Netanyahu, says Eisenkot after Opposition leads in exit polls; Arab parties make gains

The Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia's flagship government investment fund as Washington and Moscow discuss improving relations and ending the war in Ukraine, The New York Times reported.&nbsp;Russian officials have pushed for the move as part of wider talks involving shipments of Russian diesel to the United States. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has invested billions of dollars in Russian companies, is headed by Kirill Dmitriev.&nbsp;A US official confirmed that the administration was reviewing the fund's request through established procedures to “improve US-Russia relations and help end the war”. The official described Dmitriev as “a helpful envoy” to US negotiators involved in peace discussions.&nbsp;Lifting sanctions on the multibillion-dollar fund would mark a significant shift in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Moscow, which has sought to use financial restrictions to influence Russia's actions.&nbsp;The fund has invested billions of dollars in Russian businesses, often alongside investors from the Middle East and other regions. The latest discussions indicate that Moscow is seeking to use diplomatic engagement over Ukraine to secure broader economic benefits.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-iran-eye-joint-oil-and-gas-projects-as-pezeshkian-putin-hold-talks-in-moscow-1793126186229">Russia, Iran eye joint oil and gas projects as Pezeshkian, Putin hold talks in Moscow</a><h2>Three Russian diesel tankers head to US</h2>Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to the United States, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday.&nbsp;"At present, three tankers" carrying Russian fuel are on their way to the United States, Novak told reporters.&nbsp;The vessels appear to be the Talisman, sanctioned by the US and European Union; the Leruo, sanctioned by the UK and EU; and the Agioi Fanendes, according to maritime tracking platform Kpler.The ships are carrying a combined 924,000 barrels of diesel, equivalent to roughly one-third of the US transportation sector's daily diesel consumption.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to ease sanctions in exchange for Moscow releasing diesel onto global markets.&nbsp;The move was seen as an attempt to lower fuel prices for American consumers ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3. However, it drew strong criticism from Ukraine and its allies.&nbsp;Further sanctions relief for the RDIF would mark a significant shift in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Moscow, as Russia seeks broader economic benefits through ongoing diplomatic talks.

The Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia's government investment fund as three tankers carrying 924,000 barrels of Russian diesel head to the US under a deal criticised by Ukraine and its allies.

The Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia's flagship government investment fund as Washington and Moscow discuss improving relations and ending the war in Ukraine, The New York Times reported. Russian officials have pushed for the move as part of wider talks involving shipments of Russian diesel to the United States. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has invested billions of dollars in Russian companies, is headed by Kirill Dmitriev. A US official confirmed that the administration was reviewing the fund's request through established procedures to “improve US-Russia relations and help end the war”. The official described Dmitriev as “a helpful envoy” to US negotiators involved in peace discussions. Lifting sanctions on the multibillion-dollar fund would mark a significant shift in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Moscow, which has sought to use financial restrictions to influence Russia's actions. The fund has invested billions of dollars in Russian businesses, often alongside investors from the Middle East and other regions. The latest discussions indicate that Moscow is seeking to use diplomatic engagement over Ukraine to secure broader economic benefits. Also Read: Russia, Iran eye joint oil and gas projects as Pezeshkian, Putin hold talks in Moscow Three Russian diesel tankers head to US Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading to the United States, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday. "At present, three tankers" carrying Russian fuel are on their way to the United States, Novak told reporters. The vessels appear to be the Talisman, sanctioned by the US and European Union; the Leruo, sanctioned by the UK and EU; and the Agioi Fanendes, according to maritime tracking platform Kpler. The ships are carrying a combined 924,000 barrels of diesel, equivalent to roughly one-third of the US transportation sector's daily diesel consumption. US President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to ease sanctions in exchange for Moscow releasing diesel onto global markets. The move was seen as an attempt to lower fuel prices for American consumers ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3. However, it drew strong criticism from Ukraine and its allies. Further sanctions relief for the RDIF would mark a significant shift in Washington's economic pressure campaign against Moscow, as Russia seeks broader economic benefits through ongoing diplomatic talks.

The Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia's government investment fund as three tankers carrying 924,000 barrels of Russian diesel head to the US under a deal criticised by Ukraine and its allies.

US weighs lifting sanctions on Russia’s state-backed investment fund after diesel deal: Report

Israeli voters on Tuesday gave opposition parties a narrow lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to initial projections, following decades-high voter turnout in the country's first election since the trauma of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, who has led the country for nearly two decades, campaigned on promises to fight enemies ranging from Hamas to Iran. On election day, he also raised concerns about the strength of Israeli Arab voters.&nbsp;Early projections broadcast by Israeli television networks showed the bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, a centre-right former military chief, holding a narrow advantage over Netanyahu's bloc, which includes far-right parties. Israeli Arab parties also made significant gains, with early exit polls suggesting they could play a critical role in the next parliament. With no single party securing a majority, Israeli politicians are expected to enter potentially weeks of high-stakes negotiations to form a coalition government.&nbsp;The country's main pollsters, Channels 11, 12 and 13, projected that the opposition bloc would win between 52 and 53 seats, compared with around 50 for Netanyahu's bloc. However, his Likud party was projected to remain the largest single party in parliament, with 24 or 25 seats. In an effort to secure as many votes as possible, Netanyahu accused Israeli Arabs of being out to ‘steal the election’. His Likud party also unsuccessfully asked election authorities to keep polling stations open beyond 10:00 pm.&nbsp;The move prompted opposition parties to accuse Netanyahu of seeking grounds to challenge the election results. "We cannot leave this battle here in the hands of the left and the Arab parties that want to bring an end to the Jewish state," a visibly tense Netanyahu told supporters as he attempted to boost turnout in a Likud stronghold. Nationwide voter turnout stood at nearly 75 per cent by 8pm, marking the highest level in decades.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-protests-demonstrators-may-pay-up-to-10-000-for-riot-damage-under-new-bill-1793130381897">France protests: Demonstrators may pay up to €10,000 for riot damage under new bill</a><h2>Divisive rule</h2>Israelis voted in the shadow of the October 7 attacks and the multi-front regional wars that followed. The trauma of the attack remained fresh, while questions about accountability and national security featured prominently in the campaign. The closely contested election took place as Israel faced growing isolation on the international stage, driven by the war in Iran, the devastating military campaign in Gaza, increased settlement construction and violence in the occupied West Bank.&nbsp;Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over Gaza, as well as domestic corruption charges that could result in a prison sentence. His main rival, Eisenkot, is a political novice and former military chief whose mild manner contrasts with that of the incumbent prime minister. Before voting, the 66-year-old Eisenkot privately paid his respects at the grave of his son Gal, who died fighting in Gaza. His death has drawn sympathy from many Israelis. Speaking afterwards at a polling station, Eisenkot urged voters to replace what he described as "the worst government since the state was established".<h2>Arab minority in the spotlight</h2>Around 7.3 million people were eligible to vote, with tens of thousands of Israelis estimated to have travelled home from abroad for an election considered crucial to determining the country's future direction. Netanyahu, 77, has served as prime minister on and off for more than 19 years. Throughout his political career, he has repeatedly portrayed Arab voters as a threat. On Tuesday, he warned about Arabs voting by the busload and wrote on social media that Israel could wake up to a government of the left wing and Muslim Brotherhood.&nbsp;Netanyahu also claimed that three senior officials of the United Arab List had been arrested in the south with envelopes full of cash. Dean Livne, acting director general of the Central Elections Committee, said police had caught individuals who tried to bribe voters. He added that the unidentified suspects were not at polling stations and had been caught near their homes. Livne described the incident as an isolated case that remained under investigation.&nbsp;United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas, who could emerge as a kingmaker in a closely contested election, accused Netanyahu of lying and inciting to mobilise his supporters. Exit polls from Israel's main television channels projected that the two Arab lists would win a combined 17 or 18 seats in the 120-member parliament, up from 10 in the previous election in 2022.&nbsp;In Tel Aviv, the left-wing party The Democrats, which is part of Eisenkot's opposition bloc, said police had arrested a man carrying a knife who had moved threateningly towards its leader, Yair Golan. "Incitement and violence will not intimidate us," Golan said in a statement, blaming the incident on the ‘poison machine’ of Netanyahu.&nbsp;Netanyahu returned to power in December 2022, forming a coalition that included far-right ultra-nationalists. Since then, these groups have increased their political influence and aggressively supported settlements in the West Bank.During the final days of the campaign, Netanyahu posted an image depicting a nuclear bomb destroying Tel Aviv and highlighted his endorsement by US President Donald Trump, who has also frequently alleged election fraud.

Israel election projections give the opposition a narrow lead over Benjamin Netanyahu, while Israeli Arab parties gain seats amid record voter turnout

Israeli voters on Tuesday gave opposition parties a narrow lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to initial projections, following decades-high voter turnout in the country's first election since the trauma of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, who has led the country for nearly two decades, campaigned on promises to fight enemies ranging from Hamas to Iran. On election day, he also raised concerns about the strength of Israeli Arab voters. Early projections broadcast by Israeli television networks showed the bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot, a centre-right former military chief, holding a narrow advantage over Netanyahu's bloc, which includes far-right parties. Israeli Arab parties also made significant gains, with early exit polls suggesting they could play a critical role in the next parliament. With no single party securing a majority, Israeli politicians are expected to enter potentially weeks of high-stakes negotiations to form a coalition government. The country's main pollsters, Channels 11, 12 and 13, projected that the opposition bloc would win between 52 and 53 seats, compared with around 50 for Netanyahu's bloc. However, his Likud party was projected to remain the largest single party in parliament, with 24 or 25 seats. In an effort to secure as many votes as possible, Netanyahu accused Israeli Arabs of being out to ‘steal the election’. His Likud party also unsuccessfully asked election authorities to keep polling stations open beyond 10:00 pm. The move prompted opposition parties to accuse Netanyahu of seeking grounds to challenge the election results. "We cannot leave this battle here in the hands of the left and the Arab parties that want to bring an end to the Jewish state," a visibly tense Netanyahu told supporters as he attempted to boost turnout in a Likud stronghold. Nationwide voter turnout stood at nearly 75 per cent by 8pm, marking the highest level in decades. Also Read: France protests: Demonstrators may pay up to €10,000 for riot damage under new bill Divisive rule Israelis voted in the shadow of the October 7 attacks and the multi-front regional wars that followed. The trauma of the attack remained fresh, while questions about accountability and national security featured prominently in the campaign. The closely contested election took place as Israel faced growing isolation on the international stage, driven by the war in Iran, the devastating military campaign in Gaza, increased settlement construction and violence in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over Gaza, as well as domestic corruption charges that could result in a prison sentence. His main rival, Eisenkot, is a political novice and former military chief whose mild manner contrasts with that of the incumbent prime minister. Before voting, the 66-year-old Eisenkot privately paid his respects at the grave of his son Gal, who died fighting in Gaza. His death has drawn sympathy from many Israelis. Speaking afterwards at a polling station, Eisenkot urged voters to replace what he described as "the worst government since the state was established". Arab minority in the spotlight Around 7.3 million people were eligible to vote, with tens of thousands of Israelis estimated to have travelled home from abroad for an election considered crucial to determining the country's future direction. Netanyahu, 77, has served as prime minister on and off for more than 19 years. Throughout his political career, he has repeatedly portrayed Arab voters as a threat. On Tuesday, he warned about Arabs voting by the busload and wrote on social media that Israel could wake up to a government of the left wing and Muslim Brotherhood. Netanyahu also claimed that three senior officials of the United Arab List had been arrested in the south with envelopes full of cash. Dean Livne, acting director general of the Central Elections Committee, said police had caught individuals who tried to bribe voters. He added that the unidentified suspects were not at polling stations and had been caught near their homes. Livne described the incident as an isolated case that remained under investigation. United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas, who could emerge as a kingmaker in a closely contested election, accused Netanyahu of lying and inciting to mobilise his supporters. Exit polls from Israel's main television channels projected that the two Arab lists would win a combined 17 or 18 seats in the 120-member parliament, up from 10 in the previous election in 2022. In Tel Aviv, the left-wing party The Democrats, which is part of Eisenkot's opposition bloc, said police had arrested a man carrying a knife who had moved threateningly towards its leader, Yair Golan. "Incitement and violence will not intimidate us," Golan said in a statement, blaming the incident on the ‘poison machine’ of Netanyahu. Netanyahu returned to power in December 2022, forming a coalition that included far-right ultra-nationalists. Since then, these groups have increased their political influence and aggressively supported settlements in the West Bank. During the final days of the campaign, Netanyahu posted an image depicting a nuclear bomb destroying Tel Aviv and highlighted his endorsement by US President Donald Trump, who has also frequently alleged election fraud.

Israel's opposition gains a narrow lead over Netanyahu in early election projections as Israeli Arab parties make gains amid record voter turnout

Israel elections: Record voter turnout in decades as Opposition edges ahead of Netanyahu in early projections

Protesters in France could face bills of up to €10,000 for damage linked to street demonstrations under a proposed law being debated by the country's Senate on Tuesday. The legislation has sparked concerns among critics, who argue that it could limit the right to protest by making people financially responsible for vandalism committed by others.&nbsp;The proposal was initially drawn up after riots broke out following Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in May. It has gained renewed attention after demonstrations over inequality and rising living costs turned violent on October 17, leaving businesses damaged and shops looted across France.&nbsp;The bill was expected to receive strong backing in the Senate, where right-wing and centrist parties hold a majority, ahead of a vote scheduled for later Tuesday.<h3>How the proposed law would work</h3>Under the legislation, protesters could be ordered to pay up to €10,000 in compensation for damage caused during demonstrations. It would introduce joint financial liability for people found to have "knowingly participated" in a group formed to carry out vandalism.&nbsp;The rules would also cover individuals who "voluntarily" remain at a gathering likely to disrupt public order after police issue two warnings to disperse. Authorities could also seize welfare benefits and housing assistance to recover the cost of damages.&nbsp;Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urged lawmakers to respond to the destruction and disorder witnessed on October 17.&nbsp;"We can no longer allow the vast majority of our fellow citizens to pay for a minority of vandals," he told parliament.&nbsp;Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has backed the proposal. However, left-wing lawmakers have accused the government of an "authoritarian drift" that threatens the "freedom to demonstrate".&nbsp;Opponents argue that the law could penalise people who did not personally engage in vandalism but were considered to have been associated with those responsible.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-iran-eye-joint-oil-and-gas-projects-as-pezeshkian-putin-hold-talks-in-moscow-1793126186229">Russia, Iran eye joint oil and gas projects as Pezeshkian, Putin hold talks in Moscow</a><h3>More than 1,300 arrested during weekend protests</h3>The proposed law comes after police arrested 1,314 people during demonstrations over the high cost of living, the Interior Ministry said on Oct 25. Fifty-three officers were also injured in clashes.&nbsp;Police responded to 75 fires and recorded 24 cases of shop looting during protests in major cities. The ministry said several investigations had been opened but did not provide further details.It added that the rest of Saturday night remained "calm" after the clashes subsided.

France's Senate is debating a bill that could make protesters pay up to €10,000 for damage linked to demonstrations, as critics warn the proposed law could restrict the right to protest following violent unrest and widespread looting.

Protesters in France could face bills of up to €10,000 for damage linked to street demonstrations under a proposed law being debated by the country's Senate on Tuesday. The legislation has sparked concerns among critics, who argue that it could limit the right to protest by making people financially responsible for vandalism committed by others. The proposal was initially drawn up after riots broke out following Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in May. It has gained renewed attention after demonstrations over inequality and rising living costs turned violent on October 17, leaving businesses damaged and shops looted across France. The bill was expected to receive strong backing in the Senate, where right-wing and centrist parties hold a majority, ahead of a vote scheduled for later Tuesday. How the proposed law would work Under the legislation, protesters could be ordered to pay up to €10,000 in compensation for damage caused during demonstrations. It would introduce joint financial liability for people found to have "knowingly participated" in a group formed to carry out vandalism. The rules would also cover individuals who "voluntarily" remain at a gathering likely to disrupt public order after police issue two warnings to disperse. Authorities could also seize welfare benefits and housing assistance to recover the cost of damages. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urged lawmakers to respond to the destruction and disorder witnessed on October 17. "We can no longer allow the vast majority of our fellow citizens to pay for a minority of vandals," he told parliament. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has backed the proposal. However, left-wing lawmakers have accused the government of an "authoritarian drift" that threatens the "freedom to demonstrate". Opponents argue that the law could penalise people who did not personally engage in vandalism but were considered to have been associated with those responsible. Also Read: Russia, Iran eye joint oil and gas projects as Pezeshkian, Putin hold talks in Moscow More than 1,300 arrested during weekend protests The proposed law comes after police arrested 1,314 people during demonstrations over the high cost of living, the Interior Ministry said on Oct 25. Fifty-three officers were also injured in clashes. Police responded to 75 fires and recorded 24 cases of shop looting during protests in major cities. The ministry said several investigations had been opened but did not provide further details. It added that the rest of Saturday night remained "calm" after the clashes subsided.

France's Senate is debating a bill that could make protesters pay up to €10,000 for damage linked to demonstrations, as critics warn the proposed law could restrict the right to protest following violent unrest and widespread looting.

France protests: Demonstrators may pay up to €10,000 for riot damage under new bill

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Middle Eastern countries can resolve regional problems without involving the United States, as Tehran and Moscow seek closer political and economic ties amid the ongoing war.&nbsp;The two leaders met on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Moscow. Their discussions covered the regional conflict, bilateral cooperation and joint projects in the oil and gas sectors.&nbsp;"I believe we are capable of resolving our problems in the region without relying on the United States," Pezeshkian told Putin.&nbsp;He said US actions in the region were encouraging countries to strengthen cooperation and move towards greater multilateralism.&nbsp;"Our trade is expanding and growing day by day. US actions in the region make it easier for us to move towards greater multilateralism and strengthen our cooperation with you and other countries subject to unilateral US sanctions," he said.&nbsp;Pezeshkian also expressed confidence that both countries were willing to expand cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs.&nbsp;Putin said he had discussed the regional conflict with his Iranian counterpart and hoped the situation would improve.&nbsp;"We spoke earlier, one-on-one, about the situation in the region -- a situation that, undoubtedly, cannot help but cause concern," Putin said, adding that he hoped it would "evolve in a positive direction".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-s-flavio-bolsonaro-flees-to-us-after-presidential-election-defeat-to-lula-1793127266337">Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro flees to US after presidential election defeat to Lula</a><h3>Iran, Russia discuss joint oil and gas projects</h3>The two presidents also discussed expanding political, economic, trade and energy cooperation, including joint oil and gas projects, according to a readout from the Iranian government, cited by Iran International.&nbsp;Pezeshkian called for greater cooperation in natural gas exports, saying Iran produces around 280 billion cubic metres of gas annually, making it the world's third-largest producer after the United States and Russia.&nbsp;He said global developments required stronger technical and engineering cooperation, along with what he described as the “strategic governance” of international energy markets.&nbsp;The discussions come as Iran seeks closer economic ties with Moscow while its energy exports face pressure from a US naval blockade.<h3>Moscow seeks to mediate in Middle East war</h3>Russia has been seeking to mediate efforts to end the Middle East war, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.&nbsp;Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran last week for the first time since the conflict began. He said Moscow's efforts were "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war", as negotiations between Tehran and Washington remained stalled.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said that Russia and Iran had "never" worked so closely.Negotiations between the United States and Iran have been stalled for months, while Washington and Israel have threatened to resume strikes against Iran.

Pezeshkian told Vladimir Putin that the Middle East could resolve its problems without US involvement as the two leaders discussed the regional war and closer cooperation in trade, energy and other sectors.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Middle Eastern countries can resolve regional problems without involving the United States, as Tehran and Moscow seek closer political and economic ties amid the ongoing war. The two leaders met on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Moscow. Their discussions covered the regional conflict, bilateral cooperation and joint projects in the oil and gas sectors. "I believe we are capable of resolving our problems in the region without relying on the United States," Pezeshkian told Putin. He said US actions in the region were encouraging countries to strengthen cooperation and move towards greater multilateralism. "Our trade is expanding and growing day by day. US actions in the region make it easier for us to move towards greater multilateralism and strengthen our cooperation with you and other countries subject to unilateral US sanctions," he said. Pezeshkian also expressed confidence that both countries were willing to expand cooperation in science, industry, culture, security and military affairs. Putin said he had discussed the regional conflict with his Iranian counterpart and hoped the situation would improve. "We spoke earlier, one-on-one, about the situation in the region -- a situation that, undoubtedly, cannot help but cause concern," Putin said, adding that he hoped it would "evolve in a positive direction". Also Read: Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro flees to US after presidential election defeat to Lula Iran, Russia discuss joint oil and gas projects The two presidents also discussed expanding political, economic, trade and energy cooperation, including joint oil and gas projects, according to a readout from the Iranian government, cited by Iran International. Pezeshkian called for greater cooperation in natural gas exports, saying Iran produces around 280 billion cubic metres of gas annually, making it the world's third-largest producer after the United States and Russia. He said global developments required stronger technical and engineering cooperation, along with what he described as the “strategic governance” of international energy markets. The discussions come as Iran seeks closer economic ties with Moscow while its energy exports face pressure from a US naval blockade. Moscow seeks to mediate in Middle East war Russia has been seeking to mediate efforts to end the Middle East war, which began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran last week for the first time since the conflict began. He said Moscow's efforts were "aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war", as negotiations between Tehran and Washington remained stalled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said that Russia and Iran had "never" worked so closely. Negotiations between the United States and Iran have been stalled for months, while Washington and Israel have threatened to resume strikes against Iran.

Pezeshkian told Vladimir Putin that the Middle East could resolve its problems without US involvement as the two leaders discussed the regional war and closer cooperation in trade, energy and other sectors.

Russia, Iran eye joint oil and gas projects as Pezeshkian, Putin hold talks in Moscow

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would accept the results of the November 3 US midterm elections only if they are “honest”. Speaking to reporters before departing for Texas to campaign for Republicans, Trump was asked whether he would respect the election results, and he said, “I will if they’re honest.”Trump also warned that he has strong veto powers if Democrats take control of the House in the midterm elections.&nbsp;On being asked how he would work with Democrats if Republicans lost control of the chamber, Trump said, “We’ll figure a way.”&nbsp;He then pointed to his veto power and said, “I have a strong veto,” and added that the two sides could still work out agreements.&nbsp;Trump said presidents had faced similar situations before, adding that political deals could be worked out.&nbsp;Trump was speaking to reporters before heading to Texas to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton who faces a tight contest against Democrat James Talarico.&nbsp;Trump’s remarks come as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of Congress in the 2026 midterms.&nbsp;Republicans are facing the prospect of losing control of the House, while the Senate race remains closely watched.&nbsp;Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. If Democrats win the House, they could block or delay Republican-backed legislation and intensify investigations into the Trump administration. A Democratic Senate majority would also complicate confirmations of senior officials and federal judges.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to join Trump in Texas to showcase a newly arrived oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude for processing at Texas refineries, according to a congressional aide and two US officials.&nbsp;The Trump administration is already embroiled in a series of legal battles over the conduct and certification of the November elections. It has challenged California over ballots linked to people it suspects may be noncitizens, while a separate Justice Department lawsuit seeks to prevent Alaska from certifying its Senate election under a specific scenario in which Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses.

Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. If Democrats win the House, they could block or delay Republican-backed legislation and intensify investigations into the administration. A Democratic Senate majority would toughen confirmations of senior officials and federal judges.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would accept the results of the November 3 US midterm elections only if they are “honest”. Speaking to reporters before departing for Texas to campaign for Republicans, Trump was asked whether he would respect the election results, and he said, “I will if they’re honest.” Trump also warned that he has strong veto powers if Democrats take control of the House in the midterm elections. On being asked how he would work with Democrats if Republicans lost control of the chamber, Trump said, “We’ll figure a way.” He then pointed to his veto power and said, “I have a strong veto,” and added that the two sides could still work out agreements. Trump said presidents had faced similar situations before, adding that political deals could be worked out. Trump was speaking to reporters before heading to Texas to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton who faces a tight contest against Democrat James Talarico. Trump’s remarks come as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of Congress in the 2026 midterms. Republicans are facing the prospect of losing control of the House, while the Senate race remains closely watched. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. If Democrats win the House, they could block or delay Republican-backed legislation and intensify investigations into the Trump administration. A Democratic Senate majority would also complicate confirmations of senior officials and federal judges. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to join Trump in Texas to showcase a newly arrived oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude for processing at Texas refineries, according to a congressional aide and two US officials. The Trump administration is already embroiled in a series of legal battles over the conduct and certification of the November elections. It has challenged California over ballots linked to people it suspects may be noncitizens, while a separate Justice Department lawsuit seeks to prevent Alaska from certifying its Senate election under a specific scenario in which Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses.

Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. If Democrats win the House, they could block or delay Republican-backed legislation and intensify investigations into the administration. A Democratic Senate majority would toughen confirmations of senior officials and federal judges.

Trump says he will accept midterm results ‘if they’re honest’, refers to his veto powers

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's presidential runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has reportedly left for the United States, according to an ally who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday.&nbsp;His reported departure comes amid a money-laundering investigation and a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his passports within 24 hours. Flavio denies wrongdoing. Brazilian authorities cancelled his passports on Tuesday after he missed the deadline.&nbsp;Flavio is also facing scrutiny in several other cases, including a corruption probe into the financing of Dark Horse, a biopic about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest over a plot to stage a coup.<h3>Flavio Bolsonaro challenges election result</h3>Flavio has refused to formally concede defeat, claiming there were irregularities in the vote and saying he would seek to overturn the result through legal action.&nbsp;However, his Liberal Party acknowledged Lula's victory on Monday, leaving the senator increasingly isolated after his challenge to the outcome.&nbsp;Flavio last spoke publicly on Monday afternoon in a social media video, saying he had been banned from leaving Brazil and ordered to surrender his passports. His reported departure the following day raised questions about how he travelled despite the restrictions.&nbsp;Flavio's reported trip to the US has drawn comparisons with his father, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who travelled there after refusing to concede defeat to Lula in 2022.&nbsp;Jair Bolsonaro later returned to Brazil and was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-arnab-landfall-likely-between-2-am-and-4-am-in-andhra-pradesh-on-wednesday-flights-cancelled-thousands-evacuated-1793118918236">Cyclone Arnab: Landfall likely between 2 am and 4 am in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, flights cancelled, thousands evacuated</a><h3>Lula wins presidential runoff</h3>Lula secured more than 64 million votes in Sunday's runoff, defeating Flavio, who received just under 60 million, by nearly 4.4 million votes. The 81-year-old won 51.8 per cent of the vote against the right-wing senator's 48.2 per cent.&nbsp;The incumbent is expected to take office on January 5, 2027, beginning his fourth non-consecutive term. He is among the world's oldest leaders, with US President Donald Trump, who turned 80 in June, only a few months younger.&nbsp;"I'm going to deliver the best term any president has ever served in the history of this country," the leftist leader said in a video posted on Instagram.&nbsp;"I will dedicate 24 hours a day to making this country into the country everyone dreams of," he added.

Flavio Bolsonaro has reportedly left Brazil for the United States after losing the presidential runoff to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, amid a money-laundering investigation and the cancellation of his passports.

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who lost Sunday's presidential runoff to incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has reportedly left for the United States, according to an ally who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. His reported departure comes amid a money-laundering investigation and a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his passports within 24 hours. Flavio denies wrongdoing. Brazilian authorities cancelled his passports on Tuesday after he missed the deadline. Flavio is also facing scrutiny in several other cases, including a corruption probe into the financing of Dark Horse, a biopic about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest over a plot to stage a coup. Flavio Bolsonaro challenges election result Flavio has refused to formally concede defeat, claiming there were irregularities in the vote and saying he would seek to overturn the result through legal action. However, his Liberal Party acknowledged Lula's victory on Monday, leaving the senator increasingly isolated after his challenge to the outcome. Flavio last spoke publicly on Monday afternoon in a social media video, saying he had been banned from leaving Brazil and ordered to surrender his passports. His reported departure the following day raised questions about how he travelled despite the restrictions. Flavio's reported trip to the US has drawn comparisons with his father, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who travelled there after refusing to concede defeat to Lula in 2022. Jair Bolsonaro later returned to Brazil and was sentenced to 27 years in prison for plotting a coup. Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: Landfall likely between 2 am and 4 am in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, flights cancelled, thousands evacuated Lula wins presidential runoff Lula secured more than 64 million votes in Sunday's runoff, defeating Flavio, who received just under 60 million, by nearly 4.4 million votes. The 81-year-old won 51.8 per cent of the vote against the right-wing senator's 48.2 per cent. The incumbent is expected to take office on January 5, 2027, beginning his fourth non-consecutive term. He is among the world's oldest leaders, with US President Donald Trump, who turned 80 in June, only a few months younger. "I'm going to deliver the best term any president has ever served in the history of this country," the leftist leader said in a video posted on Instagram. "I will dedicate 24 hours a day to making this country into the country everyone dreams of," he added.

Flavio Bolsonaro has reportedly left Brazil for the United States after losing the presidential runoff to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, amid a money-laundering investigation and the cancellation of his passports.

Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro flees to US after presidential election defeat to Lula

In the backdrop of three years of multi-front regional wars, which have sharply divided public opinion, Israel is holding its general election today.&nbsp;44.9% of all eligible voters cast their vote as of 2 pm local time. This is the highest voter turnout at this hour since 1973.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their vote at a polling booth in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for over 19 years across three different periods, is the country's longest-serving PM.&nbsp;Calling upon Israelis to vote the 'right way', he also accused Arab parties of trying to steal the election. However, Israel's Central Election Committee clarified that this was a localised case which was under investigation.&nbsp;Other election candidates, including former PM Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot, also cast their vote.&nbsp;Meanwhile, police arrested a knife-carrying assailant who moved threateningly towards Yair Golan, leader of Israel's main left-wing party. Golan blamed this incident, which took place in Tel Aviv, on the 'poison machine' unleashed by Netanyahu.&nbsp;Now, former IDF chief and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot is seen as the main challenger to Netanyahu, with multiple opinion polls pegging him as the preferred PM choice.&nbsp;Reiterating his commitment to dismantling Hamas within 18 months of forming the government, Eisenkot urged voters to unseat what he described as the 'worst government' in Israeli history.Today's vote is also being seen by some observers as a referendum on Netanyahu's handling of the October 7 terror attack and security failures.&nbsp;Some of the affected families observed a moment of silence at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and encouraged people to go out and vote.&nbsp;While Netanyahu is also grappling with issues like the cost of living and military exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews, the Iran war has been at the centre stage of his election campaign. He has vowed to topple the Iranian regime along with the US.&nbsp;But what happens if Netanyahu loses?&nbsp;The post-election scenario may be more complex, as opinion polls have not predicted a majority for either the ruling coalition or the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot.&nbsp;According to The Washington Post, Netanyahu is hoping to remain in power by allying with Eisenkot post-elections. He has reportedly told US as well as European allies that this formula could allow him to form a more moderate coalition without far-right allies such as Jewish Power leader Ben-Gvir.&nbsp;Netanyahu has also reportedly presented himself as the strongest Israeli partner for renewed military strikes against Iran. However, the report claimed that the Trump administration is divided over the proposal.&nbsp;While some officials believe Netanyahu can govern more moderately without Ben-Gvir's influence, others distrust him because of his history of breaking alliances.&nbsp;If Eisenkot rejects an alliance, though, Netanyahu could potentially remain in office as caretaker PM and even seek a snap election. This scenario cannot be discounted, as the official results will be published only on November 4, and negotiations on forming a government may take weeks after that.&nbsp;If no party gets 61 seats in the 120-member Israeli parliament, every small party will count.In such a scenario, can Ben-Gvir potentially emerge as a kingmaker, with polls projecting nearly eight seats for his party?&nbsp;With the Israeli minister openly expressing his displeasure with Netanyahu, it remains to be seen whether he will agree to serve as a minister under Netanyahu.&nbsp;Now, the stakes are high for New Delhi as well. While the bilateral ties will continue to grow, as there is pan-party goodwill for India, it is worth noting that PM Modi and Netanyahu share a very cordial relationship.&nbsp;The bonhomie between the two leaders came to the fore during PM Modi's visit to Israel in February this year. Back then, both countries elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership for peace, innovation and prosperity.&nbsp;PM Modi was also conferred with the highest honour of the Israeli parliament.&nbsp;Besides defence, both sides are also strengthening cooperation in areas like innovation, agriculture and AI. India and Israel are also moving towards finalising a free trade agreement.&nbsp;In terms of regional connectivity too, Israel's role is vital. This is because the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will pass through its territory.&nbsp;With exit polls expected to come after polling, which ends at 10 pm local time, we may get a sense of the direction in which Israelis have voted in the next few hours.

Israelis are voting in a closely watched general election shaped by security concerns, the Iran war and the cost of living, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot and the outcome set to influence Israel’s next government and its ties with India.

In the backdrop of three years of multi-front regional wars, which have sharply divided public opinion, Israel is holding its general election today. 44.9% of all eligible voters cast their vote as of 2 pm local time. This is the highest voter turnout at this hour since 1973. Earlier in the day, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara cast their vote at a polling booth in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for over 19 years across three different periods, is the country's longest-serving PM. Calling upon Israelis to vote the 'right way', he also accused Arab parties of trying to steal the election. However, Israel's Central Election Committee clarified that this was a localised case which was under investigation. Other election candidates, including former PM Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid and ex-military chief Gadi Eisenkot, also cast their vote. Meanwhile, police arrested a knife-carrying assailant who moved threateningly towards Yair Golan, leader of Israel's main left-wing party. Golan blamed this incident, which took place in Tel Aviv, on the 'poison machine' unleashed by Netanyahu. Now, former IDF chief and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot is seen as the main challenger to Netanyahu, with multiple opinion polls pegging him as the preferred PM choice. Reiterating his commitment to dismantling Hamas within 18 months of forming the government, Eisenkot urged voters to unseat what he described as the 'worst government' in Israeli history. Today's vote is also being seen by some observers as a referendum on Netanyahu's handling of the October 7 terror attack and security failures. Some of the affected families observed a moment of silence at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv and encouraged people to go out and vote. While Netanyahu is also grappling with issues like the cost of living and military exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews, the Iran war has been at the centre stage of his election campaign. He has vowed to topple the Iranian regime along with the US. But what happens if Netanyahu loses? The post-election scenario may be more complex, as opinion polls have not predicted a majority for either the ruling coalition or the opposition bloc led by Eisenkot. According to The Washington Post, Netanyahu is hoping to remain in power by allying with Eisenkot post-elections. He has reportedly told US as well as European allies that this formula could allow him to form a more moderate coalition without far-right allies such as Jewish Power leader Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu has also reportedly presented himself as the strongest Israeli partner for renewed military strikes against Iran. However, the report claimed that the Trump administration is divided over the proposal. While some officials believe Netanyahu can govern more moderately without Ben-Gvir's influence, others distrust him because of his history of breaking alliances. If Eisenkot rejects an alliance, though, Netanyahu could potentially remain in office as caretaker PM and even seek a snap election. This scenario cannot be discounted, as the official results will be published only on November 4, and negotiations on forming a government may take weeks after that. If no party gets 61 seats in the 120-member Israeli parliament, every small party will count. In such a scenario, can Ben-Gvir potentially emerge as a kingmaker, with polls projecting nearly eight seats for his party? With the Israeli minister openly expressing his displeasure with Netanyahu, it remains to be seen whether he will agree to serve as a minister under Netanyahu. Now, the stakes are high for New Delhi as well. While the bilateral ties will continue to grow, as there is pan-party goodwill for India, it is worth noting that PM Modi and Netanyahu share a very cordial relationship. The bonhomie between the two leaders came to the fore during PM Modi's visit to Israel in February this year. Back then, both countries elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership for peace, innovation and prosperity. PM Modi was also conferred with the highest honour of the Israeli parliament. Besides defence, both sides are also strengthening cooperation in areas like innovation, agriculture and AI. India and Israel are also moving towards finalising a free trade agreement. In terms of regional connectivity too, Israel's role is vital. This is because the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will pass through its territory. With exit polls expected to come after polling, which ends at 10 pm local time, we may get a sense of the direction in which Israelis have voted in the next few hours.

Israelis are voting in a closely watched general election shaped by security concerns, the Iran war and the cost of living, with Benjamin Netanyahu facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot and the outcome set to influence Israel’s next government and its ties with India.

Israel elections 2026: What happens if Netanyahu loses | Gravitas

India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum, scheduled for 20-22 November in New Delhi.Diplomatic sources said invitations have gone to culture ministers from all SCO member states, as well as representatives of dialogue partners and observers. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has 10 full members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Iran's culture minister has been invited for the gathering.&nbsp;The Civilisational Dialogue Forum, jointly organised by India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the historic Purana Qila. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally announced the event on 20 October while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. “India, at the end of this year, will host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum. We invite all SCO member countries to participate in it,” he said.The initiative was proposed by PM Modi at the SCO leaders’ summit in Tianjin in 2025 and later endorsed by the grouping. It aims to promote people-to-people ties and highlight the shared heritage, art, literature and traditions of the region’s ancient civilisations.If Mr Khichi attends, it would be the first visit by a Pakistani minister to India since then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto travelled to Goa for an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in 2023, and the first since the military hostilities between the two countries in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the terror attack, India launched its counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor inside Pakistan, and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on terror camps.The invitation comes as Pakistan holds the rotating SCO chairmanship for 2026-27, having taken over after the Bishkek summit in early September. In late September, India’s SCO National Coordinator, Alok Dimri, an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, attended the first meeting of national coordinators under Pakistan’s chairmanship in Islamabad. It was the most senior Indian official visit to Pakistan since the May conflict.&nbsp;Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027. Islamabad has indicated it will extend invitations to all member leaders, including PM Modi, in line with organisational protocol. India has previously engaged in SCO events hosted by Pakistan, sending External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the heads of government meeting in Islamabad in 2024.Despite deeply strained bilateral ties, both countries have continued to participate in SCO mechanisms.

India has invited Pakistan’s Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20-22, amid strained bilateral ties.

India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to the first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum, scheduled for 20-22 November in New Delhi. Diplomatic sources said invitations have gone to culture ministers from all SCO member states, as well as representatives of dialogue partners and observers. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has 10 full members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Iran's culture minister has been invited for the gathering. The Civilisational Dialogue Forum, jointly organised by India’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of External Affairs, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the historic Purana Qila. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally announced the event on 20 October while addressing the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. “India, at the end of this year, will host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum. We invite all SCO member countries to participate in it,” he said. The initiative was proposed by PM Modi at the SCO leaders’ summit in Tianjin in 2025 and later endorsed by the grouping. It aims to promote people-to-people ties and highlight the shared heritage, art, literature and traditions of the region’s ancient civilisations. If Mr Khichi attends, it would be the first visit by a Pakistani minister to India since then-Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto travelled to Goa for an SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in 2023, and the first since the military hostilities between the two countries in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the terror attack, India launched its counter-terror operation, Operation Sindoor inside Pakistan, and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on terror camps. The invitation comes as Pakistan holds the rotating SCO chairmanship for 2026-27, having taken over after the Bishkek summit in early September. In late September, India’s SCO National Coordinator, Alok Dimri, an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, attended the first meeting of national coordinators under Pakistan’s chairmanship in Islamabad. It was the most senior Indian official visit to Pakistan since the May conflict. Pakistan is scheduled to host the SCO Heads of State summit in Islamabad in 2027. Islamabad has indicated it will extend invitations to all member leaders, including PM Modi, in line with organisational protocol. India has previously engaged in SCO events hosted by Pakistan, sending External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the heads of government meeting in Islamabad in 2024. Despite deeply strained bilateral ties, both countries have continued to participate in SCO mechanisms.

India has invited Pakistan’s Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20-22, amid strained bilateral ties.

India invites Pakistan, along with other SCO member countries for SCO Civilisational Dialogue in Delhi

Who will bring peace to West Asia? Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot? Prime Minister Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival, but removing him will not automatically change Israel’s strategic direction.&nbsp;For Netanyahu, the pitch has been security, strength and survival.&nbsp;This election result will reflect what Israelis inside and outside the country think of his war against Hamas and Iran. His supporters say it is PM Netanyahu who got the entire top Hamas and Hezbollah leadership killed after October 7, something that no other Israeli leader has been able to do.&nbsp;But the counter-argument to this is that if security is Netanyahu’s strongest claim, the same October 7 shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The Hamas attack exposed a catastrophic intelligence and security failure. The subsequent wars have not just caused an enormous human cost, but have deepened Israel’s difficulties globally.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-s-likud-party-asks-for-extending-voting-hours-amid-arab-turnout-surge-1793118332031">Netanyahu’s Likud party asks for extending voting hours amid Arab ‘turnout surge’</a>&nbsp;So will Gadi Eisenkot bring in the much-needed peace in West Asia?&nbsp;Well, he is not exactly a peace candidate. He favours preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and has promised to finish off Hamas in 18 months. So his foreign policy is not going to be drastically different from what Netanyahu has done so far.&nbsp;That leaves us with the central point of this election: Israeli citizens.&nbsp;What do they want?&nbsp;All of them want one thing: peace. But not all of them have the same approach. For some, Netanyahu will lead them to permanent peace. For others, he is a war criminal.&nbsp;Neither has a guaranteed path to victory. But they can ensure that genuine peace becomes the vantage point from which they govern the next four years. But the question is, is peace even a priority for any candidate?

The Israeli election raises questions about whether Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot can bring peace to West Asia, as both favour a tough approach towards Hamas and Iran.

Who will bring peace to West Asia? Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot? Prime Minister Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival, but removing him will not automatically change Israel’s strategic direction. For Netanyahu, the pitch has been security, strength and survival. This election result will reflect what Israelis inside and outside the country think of his war against Hamas and Iran. His supporters say it is PM Netanyahu who got the entire top Hamas and Hezbollah leadership killed after October 7, something that no other Israeli leader has been able to do. But the counter-argument to this is that if security is Netanyahu’s strongest claim, the same October 7 shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The Hamas attack exposed a catastrophic intelligence and security failure. The subsequent wars have not just caused an enormous human cost, but have deepened Israel’s difficulties globally. Also Read: Netanyahu’s Likud party asks for extending voting hours amid Arab ‘turnout surge’ So will Gadi Eisenkot bring in the much-needed peace in West Asia? Well, he is not exactly a peace candidate. He favours preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and has promised to finish off Hamas in 18 months. So his foreign policy is not going to be drastically different from what Netanyahu has done so far. That leaves us with the central point of this election: Israeli citizens. What do they want? All of them want one thing: peace. But not all of them have the same approach. For some, Netanyahu will lead them to permanent peace. For others, he is a war criminal. Neither has a guaranteed path to victory. But they can ensure that genuine peace becomes the vantage point from which they govern the next four years. But the question is, is peace even a priority for any candidate?

The Israeli election raises questions about whether Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot can bring peace to West Asia, as both favour a tough approach towards Hamas and Iran.

Who will bring peace to West Asia: Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot? | The Verdict

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