US midterms 2026: These Senate and House races are still too close to call. Here's where they stand

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With the US midterm elections approaching, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans face a closely watched electoral contest. Economic concerns, the cost of living and foreign policy developments are among the issues shaping the political debate. Historical trends have also often favoured the opposition party during midterm elections.&nbsp;Poll aggregators, election analysts and prediction markets are tracking the battle for control of Congress, with their assessments offering different projections for the House of Representatives and the Senate.<h3>What is at stake in the US midterm elections?</h3>All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election. Either party needs at least 218 seats to secure a majority.&nbsp;In the Senate, 35 seats are being contested through regular and special elections. Republicans are defending 22 seats, while Democrats are defending 13.&nbsp;Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to reach a 51-seat majority, as Vice President JD Vance can break tie votes in favour of Republicans.<h3>What do poll aggregators and election analysts say?</h3>According to the figures provided, RealClearPolling and other polling aggregators show Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot by 7.5 to 8.3 percentage points. Their projections suggest Democrats could gain at least 10 seats in the House, putting a majority within reach.&nbsp;Nonpartisan election handicappers, including Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball, have also classified enough competitive House districts as favourable to Democrats to indicate a potential takeover.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-govt-forms-sit-to-probe-kolkata-durga-puja-stampede-that-killed-17-1792604354228">West Bengal govt forms SIT to probe Kolkata Durga Puja stampede that killed 19</a>&nbsp;The Senate contest is more closely divided. Polling models indicate a narrow path for Democrats to reach a 50- or 51-seat position, depending on the results in several competitive states.&nbsp;Maine, Texas, Ohio and Iowa are among the key battlegrounds identified in the supplied analysis. Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire are also important to the parties' efforts to secure control. Election handicappers have rated four to five Republican-held Senate seats as vulnerable or toss-ups.<h3>What do prediction markets indicate?</h3>Prediction markets assign a higher probability to Democratic control of the House than the Senate.Kalshi places the probability of a Democratic House majority at 88–91 per cent, while Polymarket puts it at 90–92 per cent.&nbsp;For the Senate, Kalshi places the probability of Democratic control at 62–66 per cent, while Polymarket puts it at 64–65 per cent.&nbsp;The figures provided show a difference in the outlook for the two chambers, with the Senate contest appearing more closely divided in the available estimates.

Democrats are projected to make significant gains in the US midterm elections, with polls and prediction markets pointing towards a possible takeover of the House of Representatives, while the Senate race remains closely contested despite a potential path to a narrow Democratic majority.

With the US midterm elections approaching, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans face a closely watched electoral contest. Economic concerns, the cost of living and foreign policy developments are among the issues shaping the political debate. Historical trends have also often favoured the opposition party during midterm elections. Poll aggregators, election analysts and prediction markets are tracking the battle for control of Congress, with their assessments offering different projections for the House of Representatives and the Senate. What is at stake in the US midterm elections? All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for election. Either party needs at least 218 seats to secure a majority. In the Senate, 35 seats are being contested through regular and special elections. Republicans are defending 22 seats, while Democrats are defending 13. Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to reach a 51-seat majority, as Vice President JD Vance can break tie votes in favour of Republicans. What do poll aggregators and election analysts say? According to the figures provided, RealClearPolling and other polling aggregators show Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot by 7.5 to 8.3 percentage points. Their projections suggest Democrats could gain at least 10 seats in the House, putting a majority within reach. Nonpartisan election handicappers, including Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball, have also classified enough competitive House districts as favourable to Democrats to indicate a potential takeover. Also Read: West Bengal govt forms SIT to probe Kolkata Durga Puja stampede that killed 19 The Senate contest is more closely divided. Polling models indicate a narrow path for Democrats to reach a 50- or 51-seat position, depending on the results in several competitive states. Maine, Texas, Ohio and Iowa are among the key battlegrounds identified in the supplied analysis. Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire are also important to the parties' efforts to secure control. Election handicappers have rated four to five Republican-held Senate seats as vulnerable or toss-ups. What do prediction markets indicate? Prediction markets assign a higher probability to Democratic control of the House than the Senate. Kalshi places the probability of a Democratic House majority at 88–91 per cent, while Polymarket puts it at 90–92 per cent. For the Senate, Kalshi places the probability of Democratic control at 62–66 per cent, while Polymarket puts it at 64–65 per cent. The figures provided show a difference in the outlook for the two chambers, with the Senate contest appearing more closely divided in the available estimates.

Democrats are projected to make significant gains in the US midterm elections, with polls and prediction markets pointing towards a possible takeover of the House of Representatives, while the Senate race remains closely contested despite a potential path to a narrow Democratic majority.

US midterms 2026: What polls and prediction markets indicate about Congress

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from suspending hormone therapy and other gender-affirming treatments for transgender people held in federal prisons. The decision marks a rare victory for transgender rights at the conservative-leaning court. The justices issued a one-sentence order without providing an explanation for their decision.&nbsp;“This is a critical ruling for our clients and all transgender people in Bureau of Prisons custody,” said Li Nowlin-Sohl, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s LGBTQ &amp; HIV Project. “The denial of medically necessary health care, including gender-affirming health care, to people in prison is a violation of their fundamental constitutional rights. We will continue to defend the rights of our clients and all incarcerated people.”&nbsp;The ruling comes amid a series of Supreme Court decisions allowing the Trump administration to pursue restrictions affecting transgender Americans. Since Trump returned to the White House last year, the court has permitted a ban on transgender people serving in the military and upheld a policy requiring US passports to reflect an individual's sex assigned at birth. Earlier this year, the court also upheld state laws prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams.<h2>Trump’s executive order targeted gender-affirming treatments</h2>The legal dispute stems from a policy Trump promoted during his 2024 presidential campaign. His campaign aired television advertisements criticising Democratic nominee Kamala Harris over her approach to transgender issues. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit any medical procedure, treatment, or drug intended for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex.&nbsp;Following the order, the Federal Bureau of Prisons introduced a policy allowing psychotherapy and psychiatric services for incarcerated people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. However, the policy excluded hormone therapy, surgical procedures and what officials described as social accommodations. Such accommodations can include access to gender-affirming clothing and makeup. The administration's restrictions were subsequently challenged in court, with both a federal district court and the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit blocking the policy from taking effect in the short term.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-trump-s-approval-rating-hits-record-low-as-democrats-gain-ground-1792607704628">US midterms 2026: Trump's approval rating hits record low as Democrats gain ground</a><h2>Federal appeals court questioned the administration’s policy</h2>In an order issued last month, the DC Circuit concluded that the administration's policy was likely arbitrary and capricious because prison officials had failed to adequately evaluate their own experience providing gender-affirming care under the previous policy. The appeals court's decision raised questions about whether the Bureau of Prisons had sufficiently justified its departure from its longstanding approach to treatment for transgender inmates.&nbsp;The Trump administration challenged that ruling in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that officials had considered their previous experience with gender-affirming care. The administration maintained that earlier treatment practices and accommodations raised security and prison-administration concerns that outweighed whatever limited benefits they had.<h2>Transgender prisoners challenged treatment restrictions</h2>The case was brought by three incarcerated people who said they had received hormone therapy for years before the new restrictions were introduced. They argued that the administration's policy represented a sudden departure from decades of practice and would terminate treatment for nearly 1,000 people held in federal custody.&nbsp;The American Civil Liberties Union also challenged the government's justification for the restrictions, questioning the claim that gender-affirming care posed security risks in prisons. The American Civil Liberties Union told the Supreme Court that the assertion of security concerns was odd given that BOP has not pointed to a single security incident relating to its provision of this treatment over the past 30 years. The challengers argued that abruptly ending medically necessary treatment could violate the constitutional rights of transgender people in federal custody.<h2>Thomas and Alito dissent from Supreme Court order</h2>Conservative Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from Wednesday's order. Neither justice provided an explanation for opposing the decision. The absence of a detailed explanation was particularly notable because the case had been fully briefed and had been ready for the justices to decide for nearly two weeks.Although the Supreme Court's order did not include a written rationale, it temporarily prevents the Trump administration's restrictions from taking effect while the legal dispute continues.&nbsp;The decision stands out against the broader pattern of recent court rulings that have allowed the administration to implement several policies restricting transgender rights. For transgender inmates and their advocates, the order represents an important legal development in the ongoing fight over access to gender-affirming medical care in federal prisons. The broader dispute also raises questions about the government's authority to restrict medical treatment for incarcerated people and the constitutional protections afforded to individuals in federal custody.

The US Supreme Court blocks the Trump administration's restrictions on hormone therapy and gender-affirming care for transgender people in federal prisons

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from suspending hormone therapy and other gender-affirming treatments for transgender people held in federal prisons. The decision marks a rare victory for transgender rights at the conservative-leaning court. The justices issued a one-sentence order without providing an explanation for their decision. “This is a critical ruling for our clients and all transgender people in Bureau of Prisons custody,” said Li Nowlin-Sohl, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. “The denial of medically necessary health care, including gender-affirming health care, to people in prison is a violation of their fundamental constitutional rights. We will continue to defend the rights of our clients and all incarcerated people.” The ruling comes amid a series of Supreme Court decisions allowing the Trump administration to pursue restrictions affecting transgender Americans. Since Trump returned to the White House last year, the court has permitted a ban on transgender people serving in the military and upheld a policy requiring US passports to reflect an individual's sex assigned at birth. Earlier this year, the court also upheld state laws prohibiting transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. Trump’s executive order targeted gender-affirming treatments The legal dispute stems from a policy Trump promoted during his 2024 presidential campaign. His campaign aired television advertisements criticising Democratic nominee Kamala Harris over her approach to transgender issues. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit any medical procedure, treatment, or drug intended for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex. Following the order, the Federal Bureau of Prisons introduced a policy allowing psychotherapy and psychiatric services for incarcerated people diagnosed with gender dysphoria. However, the policy excluded hormone therapy, surgical procedures and what officials described as social accommodations. Such accommodations can include access to gender-affirming clothing and makeup. The administration's restrictions were subsequently challenged in court, with both a federal district court and the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit blocking the policy from taking effect in the short term. Also Read: US midterms 2026: Trump's approval rating hits record low as Democrats gain ground Federal appeals court questioned the administration’s policy In an order issued last month, the DC Circuit concluded that the administration's policy was likely arbitrary and capricious because prison officials had failed to adequately evaluate their own experience providing gender-affirming care under the previous policy. The appeals court's decision raised questions about whether the Bureau of Prisons had sufficiently justified its departure from its longstanding approach to treatment for transgender inmates. The Trump administration challenged that ruling in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that officials had considered their previous experience with gender-affirming care. The administration maintained that earlier treatment practices and accommodations raised security and prison-administration concerns that outweighed whatever limited benefits they had. Transgender prisoners challenged treatment restrictions The case was brought by three incarcerated people who said they had received hormone therapy for years before the new restrictions were introduced. They argued that the administration's policy represented a sudden departure from decades of practice and would terminate treatment for nearly 1,000 people held in federal custody. The American Civil Liberties Union also challenged the government's justification for the restrictions, questioning the claim that gender-affirming care posed security risks in prisons. The American Civil Liberties Union told the Supreme Court that the assertion of security concerns was odd given that BOP has not pointed to a single security incident relating to its provision of this treatment over the past 30 years. The challengers argued that abruptly ending medically necessary treatment could violate the constitutional rights of transgender people in federal custody. Thomas and Alito dissent from Supreme Court order Conservative Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from Wednesday's order. Neither justice provided an explanation for opposing the decision. The absence of a detailed explanation was particularly notable because the case had been fully briefed and had been ready for the justices to decide for nearly two weeks. Although the Supreme Court's order did not include a written rationale, it temporarily prevents the Trump administration's restrictions from taking effect while the legal dispute continues. The decision stands out against the broader pattern of recent court rulings that have allowed the administration to implement several policies restricting transgender rights. For transgender inmates and their advocates, the order represents an important legal development in the ongoing fight over access to gender-affirming medical care in federal prisons. The broader dispute also raises questions about the government's authority to restrict medical treatment for incarcerated people and the constitutional protections afforded to individuals in federal custody.

The US Supreme Court blocks Trump's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender federal prisoners, delivering a rare victory for transgender rights

US Supreme Court blocks Trump administration's ban on gender-affirming care for Transgender prisoners

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low in a new national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena University, just weeks before the midterm elections. Widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, the war in Iran and rising gasoline prices has weakened his standing among voters. Only 36 per cent of likely voters said they approved of Trump’s performance as president, while 59 per cent disapproved. The result marks his lowest approval rating in any Times/Siena poll. Disapproval was particularly strong among independent voters, with more than two-thirds expressing dissatisfaction with his presidency.&nbsp;Democratic candidates have also strengthened their position in the congressional elections. Likely voters now favour Democrats over Republicans by 11 percentage points in their congressional districts, representing a slight improvement for Democrats since the previous month. The congressional preference measure is widely considered an important indicator of political momentum ahead of the midterms.<h2>Economic concerns weigh on Republicans</h2>The political landscape presents significant challenges for Republicans as voters express growing frustration with economic conditions under the Trump administration. Three-quarters of Americans described the economy as fair or poor, while a majority blamed the president for the deterioration in their financial circumstances. The survey found that 69 per cent of voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 65 per cent disapproved of his approach to the war in Iran. Nearly three-quarters also disapproved of his handling of gasoline prices, which have climbed above $4 a gallon.&nbsp;Despite the unfavorable national outlook, Democrats face considerable obstacles in their efforts to regain control of the Senate. Their strategy involves winning competitive races in Republican-leaning states such as Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio, all of which Trump carried by double-digit margins in the 2024 presidential election. Other surveys indicate that several key Senate contests remain closely contested.<h2>Democrats make gains among key voter groups</h2>Growing economic dissatisfaction appears to be weakening some of the support that helped Trump secure a second term. Over the past year, Democrats have improved their standing among men, younger voters and Hispanic voters, recovering support from groups that contributed to Trump's victory two years ago. Paul Gettings, a Republican who lost his job managing a logistics company in June, said he voted for Trump in 2024 but intends to support Democratic candidates in the midterms. He pointed to rising gasoline prices, the war in Iran and what he considers aggressive immigration enforcement in Simi Valley, California, where he lives.&nbsp;“I’m very disillusioned with the Republican Party and how they can continue to support Trump,” said Gettings, 62, who is unemployed. “He’s turned into a politician just like the rest of them and it’s a lot of empty promises.” Trump’s approval rating was even lower among all registered voters, including those less likely to participate in the elections. In that group, just 34 percent approved of his job performance.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-which-indian-origin-candidates-are-contesting-and-from-where-1792457430056">US midterms 2026: From Pooja Sethi to Vivek Ramaswamy, here are Indian-origin candidates to watch out for</a><h2>Public perception of Democrats improves</h2>As opinions of Republicans have deteriorated, perceptions of the Democratic Party have improved across several measures over the past two years. A majority of likely voters now identify Democrats as the party representing the working class, reversing the advantage Republicans held in 2022. Voters also consider Democrats more likely to keep their promises, marking another shift from two years ago, when Republicans led on that measure.&nbsp;Across nearly every demographic group, majorities now view Democrats as more understanding of ordinary Americans and better equipped to address their concerns. Vince Cordero, 25, an independent voter from Oak Lawn, Illinois, said he plans to vote for Democrats this year. He expressed concerns about prejudice toward Hispanic Americans and criticized the Republican Party's approach.&nbsp;“The Republican Party is, if anything, causing more problems for people like me: being Latino, feeling the weight of that kind of prejudice that I think the Republican Party tends to kind of portray," said Vince Cordero, 25, an independent in Oak Lawn, Ill., who said he plans on voting for Democrats this year. “I also think the Democratic Party deserves an opportunity to see if they’re really up to snuff.”<h2>Democrats lead on cost of living and the economy</h2>The survey found that Democrats hold a 15-percentage-point advantage over Republicans in voter trust on the cost of living, currently the most important issue for voters. Democrats also lead Republicans by eight points on the economy, an area that has traditionally been a political strength for Trump. Their advantage has grown since September on questions involving foreign conflicts and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;However, Trump continues to enjoy substantial support among his core Republican base. Approximately 82 per cent of Republicans said they approved of his presidential performance and signature policies, including the war in Iran and tariffs. Sheila Murdock, a retired nurse from Shelley, Idaho, who has already cast an absentee ballot for Republicans this year, defended the administration's trade policies despite concerns about higher prices. “People are upset, ‘Oh, Trump put these tariffs on people and now our food costs go up,’” said Sheila Murdock, a retired nurse from Shelley, Idaho, who has already voted absentee for Republicans this year. “Well, yes, but if you look at the bigger picture and what it eventually does, it makes things better.”<h2>Immigration returns as a major election issue</h2>Immigration is once again becoming a significant concern for voters as the midterm elections approach. The percentage of voters identifying immigration as their top issue increased to 10 per cent, up from 6 per cent in September. The shift is particularly evident among Republicans. Nearly one in five Republican voters now identify immigration as their leading priority, almost twice the proportion recorded the previous month. Democrats continue to hold an advantage over Republicans on voter trust regarding immigration, an issue that has historically favoured the GOP. However, that lead has narrowed since September. The poll found that 46 per cent of voters trust Republicans to handle immigration, while 50 percent expressed greater confidence in Democrats.<h2>Voters remain dissatisfied with both parties</h2>Despite Democrats' improved electoral position, the survey highlights continuing dissatisfaction with their party. Only 28 percent of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic Party, eight percentage points below the share expressing satisfaction with Republicans. Much of the discontent within the Democratic Party comes from its own supporters. The poll found that 43 per cent of Democratic voters were dissatisfied with their party, compared with just 16 percent of Republicans who expressed similar dissatisfaction with the GOP.

Donald Trump's approval rating falls to a record low as rising living costs, high gas prices and the Iran war strengthen Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low in a new national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena University, just weeks before the midterm elections. Widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, the war in Iran and rising gasoline prices has weakened his standing among voters. Only 36 per cent of likely voters said they approved of Trump’s performance as president, while 59 per cent disapproved. The result marks his lowest approval rating in any Times/Siena poll. Disapproval was particularly strong among independent voters, with more than two-thirds expressing dissatisfaction with his presidency. Democratic candidates have also strengthened their position in the congressional elections. Likely voters now favour Democrats over Republicans by 11 percentage points in their congressional districts, representing a slight improvement for Democrats since the previous month. The congressional preference measure is widely considered an important indicator of political momentum ahead of the midterms. Economic concerns weigh on Republicans The political landscape presents significant challenges for Republicans as voters express growing frustration with economic conditions under the Trump administration. Three-quarters of Americans described the economy as fair or poor, while a majority blamed the president for the deterioration in their financial circumstances. The survey found that 69 per cent of voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 65 per cent disapproved of his approach to the war in Iran. Nearly three-quarters also disapproved of his handling of gasoline prices, which have climbed above $4 a gallon. Despite the unfavorable national outlook, Democrats face considerable obstacles in their efforts to regain control of the Senate. Their strategy involves winning competitive races in Republican-leaning states such as Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio, all of which Trump carried by double-digit margins in the 2024 presidential election. Other surveys indicate that several key Senate contests remain closely contested. Democrats make gains among key voter groups Growing economic dissatisfaction appears to be weakening some of the support that helped Trump secure a second term. Over the past year, Democrats have improved their standing among men, younger voters and Hispanic voters, recovering support from groups that contributed to Trump's victory two years ago. Paul Gettings, a Republican who lost his job managing a logistics company in June, said he voted for Trump in 2024 but intends to support Democratic candidates in the midterms. He pointed to rising gasoline prices, the war in Iran and what he considers aggressive immigration enforcement in Simi Valley, California, where he lives. “I’m very disillusioned with the Republican Party and how they can continue to support Trump,” said Gettings, 62, who is unemployed. “He’s turned into a politician just like the rest of them and it’s a lot of empty promises.” Trump’s approval rating was even lower among all registered voters, including those less likely to participate in the elections. In that group, just 34 percent approved of his job performance. Also Read: US midterms 2026: From Pooja Sethi to Vivek Ramaswamy, here are Indian-origin candidates to watch out for Public perception of Democrats improves As opinions of Republicans have deteriorated, perceptions of the Democratic Party have improved across several measures over the past two years. A majority of likely voters now identify Democrats as the party representing the working class, reversing the advantage Republicans held in 2022. Voters also consider Democrats more likely to keep their promises, marking another shift from two years ago, when Republicans led on that measure. Across nearly every demographic group, majorities now view Democrats as more understanding of ordinary Americans and better equipped to address their concerns. Vince Cordero, 25, an independent voter from Oak Lawn, Illinois, said he plans to vote for Democrats this year. He expressed concerns about prejudice toward Hispanic Americans and criticized the Republican Party's approach. “The Republican Party is, if anything, causing more problems for people like me: being Latino, feeling the weight of that kind of prejudice that I think the Republican Party tends to kind of portray," said Vince Cordero, 25, an independent in Oak Lawn, Ill., who said he plans on voting for Democrats this year. “I also think the Democratic Party deserves an opportunity to see if they’re really up to snuff.” Democrats lead on cost of living and the economy The survey found that Democrats hold a 15-percentage-point advantage over Republicans in voter trust on the cost of living, currently the most important issue for voters. Democrats also lead Republicans by eight points on the economy, an area that has traditionally been a political strength for Trump. Their advantage has grown since September on questions involving foreign conflicts and artificial intelligence. However, Trump continues to enjoy substantial support among his core Republican base. Approximately 82 per cent of Republicans said they approved of his presidential performance and signature policies, including the war in Iran and tariffs. Sheila Murdock, a retired nurse from Shelley, Idaho, who has already cast an absentee ballot for Republicans this year, defended the administration's trade policies despite concerns about higher prices. “People are upset, ‘Oh, Trump put these tariffs on people and now our food costs go up,’” said Sheila Murdock, a retired nurse from Shelley, Idaho, who has already voted absentee for Republicans this year. “Well, yes, but if you look at the bigger picture and what it eventually does, it makes things better.” Immigration returns as a major election issue Immigration is once again becoming a significant concern for voters as the midterm elections approach. The percentage of voters identifying immigration as their top issue increased to 10 per cent, up from 6 per cent in September. The shift is particularly evident among Republicans. Nearly one in five Republican voters now identify immigration as their leading priority, almost twice the proportion recorded the previous month. Democrats continue to hold an advantage over Republicans on voter trust regarding immigration, an issue that has historically favoured the GOP. However, that lead has narrowed since September. The poll found that 46 per cent of voters trust Republicans to handle immigration, while 50 percent expressed greater confidence in Democrats. Voters remain dissatisfied with both parties Despite Democrats' improved electoral position, the survey highlights continuing dissatisfaction with their party. Only 28 percent of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic Party, eight percentage points below the share expressing satisfaction with Republicans. Much of the discontent within the Democratic Party comes from its own supporters. The poll found that 43 per cent of Democratic voters were dissatisfied with their party, compared with just 16 percent of Republicans who expressed similar dissatisfaction with the GOP.

Trump's approval rating hits a record low as economic concerns, Iran war tensions and high gas prices boost Democratic prospects ahead of midterms

US midterms 2026: Trump's approval rating hits record low as Democrats gain ground

US President Donald Trump should look beyond appearance and political loyalty when choosing his next White House press secretary, his first press secretary, Sean Spicer, has warned. Speaking after Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint in the role ended, Spicer said backing the president’s agenda was not enough for a job that also demands government experience, media handling and the ability to manage the White House’s communications.<h2>Spicer says media briefings are only part of the job</h2>Speaking to News24 anchor Andrew Bolt, Spicer described Zacharia as a smart individual who had done a good job advocating Trump’s “America First” agenda. However, he cautioned against treating those qualities as the main requirements for the position.“I caution the White House and the president, in particular, for just focusing on that part of the duties,” he said.According to Spicer, public appearances account for only around 20 per cent of the job. The press secretary must also coordinate with government departments, manage meetings, handle announcements and understand how the administration functions.He urged prospective candidates to assess their own experience before accepting the role.“If you're telling me that you don't have a real fundamental grasp of how the government operates, you've never worked at the press corps, then this might not be the best fit for you,” Spicer said.<h2>Zacharia’s brief stint drew scrutiny</h2>Zacharia’s tenure came under scrutiny after her first and only press briefing lasted about 14 minutes, with questions taken from three reporters, according to The Associated Press.Her halting delivery attracted criticism, while questions also emerged about her professional credentials. A Pepperdine University law graduate, Zacharia had described herself as a lawyer while appearing on conservative television programmes, despite not having passed a bar exam or obtained credentials to practise law in the United States. She said she had worked as a lawyer in China and was offering legal analysis, not legal advice.Trump had also suggested she reconsider the position, saying she was being “brutalised by the media”.<h2>Spicer knows the pressure firsthand</h2>Spicer resigned in July 2017 after six months as press secretary during Trump’s first term. He later called it the most demanding job of his career, despite 27 years in the military.“That is the most intense job I will ever ever have,” he said.His latest comments come as the White House considers who should take over the role, with his central point being that political loyalty alone cannot prepare someone for its demands.

Sean Spicer has warned Trump against prioritising looks and loyalty over competence when choosing his next White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint ended.

US President Donald Trump should look beyond appearance and political loyalty when choosing his next White House press secretary, his first press secretary, Sean Spicer, has warned. Speaking after Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint in the role ended, Spicer said backing the president’s agenda was not enough for a job that also demands government experience, media handling and the ability to manage the White House’s communications. Spicer says media briefings are only part of the job Speaking to News24 anchor Andrew Bolt, Spicer described Zacharia as a smart individual who had done a good job advocating Trump’s “America First” agenda. However, he cautioned against treating those qualities as the main requirements for the position. “I caution the White House and the president, in particular, for just focusing on that part of the duties,” he said. According to Spicer, public appearances account for only around 20 per cent of the job. The press secretary must also coordinate with government departments, manage meetings, handle announcements and understand how the administration functions. He urged prospective candidates to assess their own experience before accepting the role. “If you're telling me that you don't have a real fundamental grasp of how the government operates, you've never worked at the press corps, then this might not be the best fit for you,” Spicer said. Zacharia’s brief stint drew scrutiny Zacharia’s tenure came under scrutiny after her first and only press briefing lasted about 14 minutes, with questions taken from three reporters, according to The Associated Press. Her halting delivery attracted criticism, while questions also emerged about her professional credentials. A Pepperdine University law graduate, Zacharia had described herself as a lawyer while appearing on conservative television programmes, despite not having passed a bar exam or obtained credentials to practise law in the United States. She said she had worked as a lawyer in China and was offering legal analysis, not legal advice. Trump had also suggested she reconsider the position, saying she was being “brutalised by the media”. Spicer knows the pressure firsthand Spicer resigned in July 2017 after six months as press secretary during Trump’s first term. He later called it the most demanding job of his career, despite 27 years in the military. “That is the most intense job I will ever ever have,” he said. His latest comments come as the White House considers who should take over the role, with his central point being that political loyalty alone cannot prepare someone for its demands.

Sean Spicer has warned Trump against prioritising looks and loyalty over competence when choosing his next White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint ended.

‘I caution the president...’: Trump’s ex-press secretary warns after Zacharia’s exit

Australian independent MP Helen Haines has lost both legs following an alleged targeted attack in north-east Victoria, but remains in a stable condition, her husband Phil Haines said on Wednesday.The 65-year-old federal representative for Indi was struck by a car near her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. She was initially in a critical but stable condition, with surgeons attempting to save her right leg. However, the severity of her injuries ultimately forced doctors to amputate both legs.Speaking outside Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, Phil Haines said his wife had survived a “horrendous incident” and now faced a lengthy recovery.<h2>‘Helen is alive and stable’</h2>For the family, her survival remains the most important news, he said, describing the qualities that have defined his wife throughout their nearly 40-year marriage.“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” he said.He described the MP as a compassionate person who has consistently supported her family and community, while praising her intellectual sharpness.“Her heart is huge. She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person,” he said.Despite the extent of her injuries, he expressed confidence in her determination to recover, with the support of her loved ones. The couple have three children and two grandchildren.“She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for,” he said. “We are grateful at this stage that both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”<h2>Alleged attack sparks concern over MPs’ safety</h2>Police have alleged that the incident was targeted. Brendan Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He appeared before Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday.The attack has prompted fresh concerns about the safety of elected representatives. Security agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, briefed MPs on the security situation on Wednesday.Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who joined Phil Haines at the hospital, said she had informed King Charles about the incident.“This violent attack on a much loved and respected sitting member of our federal parliament must be a moment for us to pause and to choose to be better,” Mostyn said.At a vigil in Wodonga, former Indi MP Cathy McGowan warned that the alleged attack carried implications beyond the injuries inflicted on Haines, calling for a stronger democracy where candidates, particularly women, could seek office without fear.Phil Haines also urged people to support Save the Children, which has launched a special appeal as his wife begins her recovery.

Australian MP Helen Haines has lost both legs after an alleged targeted attack in Victoria. Her husband says she remains stable and faces a long road to recovery.

Australian independent MP Helen Haines has lost both legs following an alleged targeted attack in north-east Victoria, but remains in a stable condition, her husband Phil Haines said on Wednesday. The 65-year-old federal representative for Indi was struck by a car near her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. She was initially in a critical but stable condition, with surgeons attempting to save her right leg. However, the severity of her injuries ultimately forced doctors to amputate both legs. Speaking outside Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, Phil Haines said his wife had survived a “horrendous incident” and now faced a lengthy recovery. ‘Helen is alive and stable’ For the family, her survival remains the most important news, he said, describing the qualities that have defined his wife throughout their nearly 40-year marriage. “The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” he said. He described the MP as a compassionate person who has consistently supported her family and community, while praising her intellectual sharpness. “Her heart is huge. She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person,” he said. Despite the extent of her injuries, he expressed confidence in her determination to recover, with the support of her loved ones. The couple have three children and two grandchildren. “She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for,” he said. “We are grateful at this stage that both her heart and her mind are in good shape.” Alleged attack sparks concern over MPs’ safety Police have alleged that the incident was targeted. Brendan Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He appeared before Wangaratta Magistrates Court on Wednesday. The attack has prompted fresh concerns about the safety of elected representatives. Security agencies, including the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, briefed MPs on the security situation on Wednesday. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who joined Phil Haines at the hospital, said she had informed King Charles about the incident. “This violent attack on a much loved and respected sitting member of our federal parliament must be a moment for us to pause and to choose to be better,” Mostyn said. At a vigil in Wodonga, former Indi MP Cathy McGowan warned that the alleged attack carried implications beyond the injuries inflicted on Haines, calling for a stronger democracy where candidates, particularly women, could seek office without fear. Phil Haines also urged people to support Save the Children, which has launched a special appeal as his wife begins her recovery.

Australian MP Helen Haines has lost both legs after an alleged targeted attack in Victoria. Her husband says she remains stable and faces a long road to recovery.

‘Her heart and mind in good shape’: What Helen Haines’ husband said after MP loses both legs in ‘targeted’ attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow is willing in principle to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States next month to end the conflict, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday.The talks between Putin and Witkoff, who was on his ninth visit to Russia, took place in St Petersburg and lasted almost three hours.&nbsp;“Our president informed Steve Witkoff that we are, in principle, ready to resume the aforementioned trilateral negotiations on the main topic on the tenth of November. The American representative noted that such a decision would undoubtedly be met with great satisfaction by President Trump,” Ushakov added.No such peace talks to end the over four-year war have taken place since February.&nbsp;The Kremlin said the proposed new round of negotiations could focus on establishing a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends.&nbsp;<h2>Witkoff briefed Putin on his meetings in Oslo</h2>&nbsp;Ushakov said Witkoff briefed Putin on his meetings in Oslo on Tuesday, where the American envoy met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president.&nbsp;According to Ushakov, Witkoff highlighted some new approaches in the positions of European countries and Kyiv.&nbsp;The Kremlin aide said a new round of trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine could take place in Abu Dhabi, reported Russian state broadcaster Vesti.&nbsp;Interfax reported Ushakov as saying that the Ukrainian conflict was nearing an end.&nbsp;<h2>Oct 9 agreement, Iran crisis also discussed</h2>&nbsp;Putin and Witkoff also discussed implementing an October 9 agreement between Putin and US President Donald Trump on supplying Russian diesel to the United States and global markets, Ushakov said.&nbsp;The discussions also covered the crisis involving Iran. Ushakov said Putin had stressed that diplomatic options remained available and that reaching agreements with Tehran was both possible and necessary, describing Iran as Russia’s strategic partner.&nbsp;“Russia reaffirmed its readiness to continue facilitating the search for political and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian issue,” Ushakov said.&nbsp;The Kremlin's remarks signal Moscow's stated willingness to return to negotiations next month, although the proposed talks have yet to take place.&nbsp;The US envoy planned to return to Oslo for more consultations after his trip to Russia, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said. “I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>Trump-Xi-Putin summit likely</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Ushakov also said a trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is “being prepared” and the aim was to include the meeting in the APEC Summit in Shenzhen next month.Putin was the first to suggest a summit with Trump and Xi to negotiate an end to the four-year-old Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions were taking place over a potential meeting.“There is no clear understanding ⁠yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place,” he told Wall Street Journal.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said US special envoy Steve Witkoff briefed President Vladimir Putin on his meetings in Oslo on Tuesday, where the American envoy met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff that Moscow is willing in principle to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States next month to end the conflict, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday. The talks between Putin and Witkoff, who was on his ninth visit to Russia, took place in St Petersburg and lasted almost three hours. “Our president informed Steve Witkoff that we are, in principle, ready to resume the aforementioned trilateral negotiations on the main topic on the tenth of November. The American representative noted that such a decision would undoubtedly be met with great satisfaction by President Trump,” Ushakov added. No such peace talks to end the over four-year war have taken place since February. The Kremlin said the proposed new round of negotiations could focus on establishing a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends. Witkoff briefed Putin on his meetings in Oslo Ushakov said Witkoff briefed Putin on his meetings in Oslo on Tuesday, where the American envoy met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president. According to Ushakov, Witkoff highlighted some new approaches in the positions of European countries and Kyiv. The Kremlin aide said a new round of trilateral talks involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine could take place in Abu Dhabi, reported Russian state broadcaster Vesti. Interfax reported Ushakov as saying that the Ukrainian conflict was nearing an end. Oct 9 agreement, Iran crisis also discussed Putin and Witkoff also discussed implementing an October 9 agreement between Putin and US President Donald Trump on supplying Russian diesel to the United States and global markets, Ushakov said. The discussions also covered the crisis involving Iran. Ushakov said Putin had stressed that diplomatic options remained available and that reaching agreements with Tehran was both possible and necessary, describing Iran as Russia’s strategic partner. “Russia reaffirmed its readiness to continue facilitating the search for political and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian issue,” Ushakov said. The Kremlin's remarks signal Moscow's stated willingness to return to negotiations next month, although the proposed talks have yet to take place. The US envoy planned to return to Oslo for more consultations after his trip to Russia, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said. “I think we may have entered a phase now where the Russians are also looking for opportunities for diplomacy,” he said. Trump-Xi-Putin summit likely Meanwhile, Ushakov also said a trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is “being prepared” and the aim was to include the meeting in the APEC Summit in Shenzhen next month. Putin was the first to suggest a summit with Trump and Xi to negotiate an end to the four-year-old Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions were taking place over a potential meeting. “There is no clear understanding ⁠yet regarding the meeting itself or its potential agenda, although all three parties acknowledge the hypothetical possibility of such a meeting taking place,” he told Wall Street Journal.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said US special envoy Steve Witkoff briefed President Vladimir Putin on his meetings in Oslo on Tuesday, where the American envoy met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Norwegian prime minister and the Finnish president.

Putin ready to resume three-way talks with US and Kyiv, says Kremlin. Will Ukraine War finally end?

A hazardous chemical leak forced parts of Toledo, Ohio, to be placed under evacuation and shelter-in-place orders as a thick haze blanketed the city. The incident prompted emergency crews to monitor the release and residents to stay away from the affected area. The evacuation order was issued at around 10:50 pm on Tuesday (Oct 20) for people living within a one-mile (1.6-kilometre) radius of the incident. Residents within an additional three-mile (4.8-kilometre) perimeter were told to remain indoors.Toledo, a city of around 265,000 people, was covered by fog and haze that reduced visibility. Local reports also described a strong, plastic-like smell in the area. Videos shared on social media showed the haze blanketing the city.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Dense fog reduced visibility to near zero across parts of the Toledo, Ohio, area overnight Tuesday, following a chemical spill that prompted evacuations within a one-mile radius.

Fog was already developing before the spill, but AccuWeather meteorologists say airborne chemicals may have caused fog to form faster or become denser. It's unclear how much the spill contributed to the reduced visibility.&mdash; AccuWeather (@accuweather) <a href="https://x.com/accuweather/status/2112902442400834027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Visibility has been reduced for north Toledo, Ohio amid a chemical leak. Evacuations are underway. https://t.co/412c7wVB6o&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://x.com/Osint613/status/2112785073128751585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Company confirms chemical involved in leak</h2>The Toledo Fire &amp; Rescue Department identified Progress Avenue, in the city's northern commercial and industrial district, as the location of the incident. In an update early Wednesday, it said the release had not stopped.“The release is ongoing, and crews continue to monitor the situation,” the department said.MC Tank Transport Inc., which operates on Progress Avenue, confirmed that equipment linked to its operations was involved in the incident. The company identified the substance as glycidyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of certain plastics, paints and coatings.“Our immediate and overriding concern is the safety of area residents, emergency responders and our employees,” the company said, adding that it was coordinating with local authorities and had brought in additional emergency response resources.<h2>Officials warn residents against exposure</h2>Fire officials warned that exposure to the chemical could cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Residents who suspect they are experiencing symptoms were advised to seek medical guidance.Authorities also cautioned people against judging the danger by visibility alone.“You can’t tell fog from the release by looking, so please don’t rely on how the air looks,” the fire department said.People outside the designated zones who notice an unusual odour were urged to stay indoors, shut windows and doors, and switch off ventilation systems that draw air from outside.Several schools in the area closed on Wednesday, while others delayed opening. An elementary school was converted into a temporary reception centre, and buses were deployed to provide additional shelter for residents displaced by the evacuation.&nbsp;

 A toxic chemical leak in Toledo, Ohio, triggered evacuations and shelter-in-place orders as thick haze spread across the city, prompting school closures and emergency response measures.

A hazardous chemical leak forced parts of Toledo, Ohio, to be placed under evacuation and shelter-in-place orders as a thick haze blanketed the city. The incident prompted emergency crews to monitor the release and residents to stay away from the affected area. The evacuation order was issued at around 10:50 pm on Tuesday (Oct 20) for people living within a one-mile (1.6-kilometre) radius of the incident. Residents within an additional three-mile (4.8-kilometre) perimeter were told to remain indoors. Toledo, a city of around 265,000 people, was covered by fog and haze that reduced visibility. Local reports also described a strong, plastic-like smell in the area. Videos shared on social media showed the haze blanketing the city.

&nbsp;A toxic chemical leak in Toledo, Ohio, triggered evacuations and shelter-in-place orders as thick haze spread across the city, prompting school closures and emergency response measures.

WATCH | Mysterious haze grips Ohio city as toxic chemical leak forces mass evacuation – What is happening?

North Korea plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts along its border with South Korea this month, as tensions between the two countries rise. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, announced the move on Wednesday after warning that new North Korean troop units had taken up firing positions.&nbsp;The announcement followed an inspection of border positions by Kim Yo Jong and senior military official Marshal Pak Jong Chon.&nbsp;“Our tactical hunting teams are taking new positions, and within October, the loudspeakers for psychological warfare against the ROK will be in operation along the whole border,” Kim said, referring to South Korea by its official name.&nbsp;North Korea's military leadership also stressed the deployment of new firepower units. Pak told troops to prepare firepower capable of striking fear into the enemy and warned that any provocation threatening the safety of North Korean personnel would trigger a strong military response.<h3>Why North Korea uses loudspeakers along the border</h3>Loudspeaker broadcasts have long been used by both Koreas as a tool of psychological warfare. The broadcasts can carry propaganda, news and music to influence people on the other side of the heavily fortified border.&nbsp;In 2024, North Korea sent thousands of balloons carrying rubbish into South Korea, describing the move as retaliation for anti-North Korean propaganda balloons released by South Korean activists.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-qatar-pakistan-and-indonesia-sign-defence-cooperation-pact-in-doha-1792587395779">Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia sign 'Badr' defence cooperation pact in Doha</a>&nbsp;Seoul later resumed loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in six years, playing K-pop music and international news. North Korea responded by transmitting unusual sounds across the border, unsettling residents in South Korea. Pyongyang has also threatened artillery strikes against South Korean loudspeaker installations in the past.<h3>Tensions rise over DMZ incident</h3>Relations have deteriorated since South Korea blamed North Korea for an explosion inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified area separating the two countries. Seoul said the blast was caused by landmines laid by the North, which rejected the accusation.&nbsp;South Korea's military warned on Tuesday that it would respond to further North Korean provocations firmly. Pyongyang has also recently tested several weapons, including a precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, both reportedly using artificial intelligence technology.&nbsp;South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions, marking a shift from his predecessor's tougher approach. Last year, Seoul removed its border loudspeakers in what its defence ministry described as a practical step towards easing tensions.

North Korea plans to deploy more troops and resume loudspeaker broadcasts along its border with South Korea amid rising tensions over a disputed incident in the Demilitarised Zone.

North Korea plans to resume loudspeaker broadcasts along its border with South Korea this month, as tensions between the two countries rise. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, announced the move on Wednesday after warning that new North Korean troop units had taken up firing positions. The announcement followed an inspection of border positions by Kim Yo Jong and senior military official Marshal Pak Jong Chon. “Our tactical hunting teams are taking new positions, and within October, the loudspeakers for psychological warfare against the ROK will be in operation along the whole border,” Kim said, referring to South Korea by its official name. North Korea's military leadership also stressed the deployment of new firepower units. Pak told troops to prepare firepower capable of striking fear into the enemy and warned that any provocation threatening the safety of North Korean personnel would trigger a strong military response. Why North Korea uses loudspeakers along the border Loudspeaker broadcasts have long been used by both Koreas as a tool of psychological warfare. The broadcasts can carry propaganda, news and music to influence people on the other side of the heavily fortified border. In 2024, North Korea sent thousands of balloons carrying rubbish into South Korea, describing the move as retaliation for anti-North Korean propaganda balloons released by South Korean activists. Also Read: Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia sign 'Badr' defence cooperation pact in Doha Seoul later resumed loudspeaker broadcasts for the first time in six years, playing K-pop music and international news. North Korea responded by transmitting unusual sounds across the border, unsettling residents in South Korea. Pyongyang has also threatened artillery strikes against South Korean loudspeaker installations in the past. Tensions rise over DMZ incident Relations have deteriorated since South Korea blamed North Korea for an explosion inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified area separating the two countries. Seoul said the blast was caused by landmines laid by the North, which rejected the accusation. South Korea's military warned on Tuesday that it would respond to further North Korean provocations firmly. Pyongyang has also recently tested several weapons, including a precision-guided torpedo system and an intermediate-range hypersonic missile, both reportedly using artificial intelligence technology. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions, marking a shift from his predecessor's tougher approach. Last year, Seoul removed its border loudspeakers in what its defence ministry described as a practical step towards easing tensions.

North Korea plans to deploy more troops and resume loudspeaker broadcasts along its border with South Korea amid rising tensions over a disputed incident in the Demilitarised Zone.

North Korea to boost troops, restart broadcasts along border with South Korea: Why does it use loudspeakers?

Russia is preparing to send its first diesel shipment to the United States on Thursday (Oct 22), marking a fresh development in energy ties between Moscow and Washington. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the tanker would carry 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel, with the paperwork for the delivery nearing completion. The announcement follows an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump to resume diesel supplies to international markets. The deal comes amid strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.<h2>First shipment marks start of wider supplies</h2>Novak said the Thursday shipment would be followed by additional deliveries, although he did not disclose the port from which the tanker would depart.“Additional shipments will follow, of course. There were agreements reached between the two leaders. We will meet the United States' needs, to the extent of our capabilities,” RIA news agency quoted Novak as saying.Trump has outlined a much larger supply plan, saying Russia would initially export 300,000 metric tons of diesel, equivalent to around 2.25 million barrels. He also announced plans for 500,000 tons in November, followed by another 1 million tons “immediately thereafter”.The proposed volumes are significant, given that the US exports approximately 1.5 million barrels of diesel every day.<h2>Export restrictions lifted after refinery attacks</h2>Moscow had imposed a self-directed ban on diesel exports to address domestic shortages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries. The restrictions were lifted on October 9 following the agreement with Trump.Putin discussed the arrangement with US special envoy Steve Witkoff during talks in St Petersburg on Wednesday. Witkoff thanked the Russian leader for lifting the restrictions, while Putin said the agreement had contributed to a 5-6 per cent decline in global diesel prices.“That’s an example of us working together, I want to thank you for that,” Witkoff said in televised comments.Putin also said Russia was preparing several tankers for successive deliveries, adding that the financial arrangements needed to be in place.Beyond diesel, Moscow has indicated it could supply the US with fertilisers in “large quantities”, suggesting the agreement could extend into other areas of trade.

Russia will send its first 40,000-tonne diesel shipment to the US on Thursday under a Putin-Trump deal, with more deliveries planned as Moscow expands energy supplies to global markets.

Russia is preparing to send its first diesel shipment to the United States on Thursday (Oct 22), marking a fresh development in energy ties between Moscow and Washington. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the tanker would carry 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel, with the paperwork for the delivery nearing completion. The announcement follows an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump to resume diesel supplies to international markets. The deal comes amid strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. First shipment marks start of wider supplies Novak said the Thursday shipment would be followed by additional deliveries, although he did not disclose the port from which the tanker would depart. “Additional shipments will follow, of course. There were agreements reached between the two leaders. We will meet the United States' needs, to the extent of our capabilities,” RIA news agency quoted Novak as saying. Trump has outlined a much larger supply plan, saying Russia would initially export 300,000 metric tons of diesel, equivalent to around 2.25 million barrels. He also announced plans for 500,000 tons in November, followed by another 1 million tons “immediately thereafter”. The proposed volumes are significant, given that the US exports approximately 1.5 million barrels of diesel every day. Export restrictions lifted after refinery attacks Moscow had imposed a self-directed ban on diesel exports to address domestic shortages caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries. The restrictions were lifted on October 9 following the agreement with Trump. Putin discussed the arrangement with US special envoy Steve Witkoff during talks in St Petersburg on Wednesday. Witkoff thanked the Russian leader for lifting the restrictions, while Putin said the agreement had contributed to a 5-6 per cent decline in global diesel prices. “That’s an example of us working together, I want to thank you for that,” Witkoff said in televised comments. Putin also said Russia was preparing several tankers for successive deliveries, adding that the financial arrangements needed to be in place. Beyond diesel, Moscow has indicated it could supply the US with fertilisers in “large quantities”, suggesting the agreement could extend into other areas of trade.

Russia will send its first 40,000-tonne diesel shipment to the US on Thursday under a Putin-Trump deal, with more deliveries planned as Moscow expands energy supplies to global markets.

Russia to send first tanker carrying 40,000 tonnes diesel to US after Trump-Putin deal – What we know

The US State Department is asking its citizens to avoid travelling to an African tourist destination, citing health and safety risks. The escalated alert even asks them to "prepare a will" and "establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones" if they decide to visit this country anyway.&nbsp;The State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3. While the former asks people to "Exercise Increased Caution," the new escalated advisory asks them to "Reconsider Travel." Besides health risks and crime, it cited civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and traffic safety concerns as reasons not to visit Kenya.<h2>Crimes and violence in Kenya</h2>It further warned its citizens to avoid visiting some neighbourhoods in Nairobi. Many other counties are also not safe, according to the department, due to increased risk of crime, kidnapping and terrorism. Places near the Ethiopian border are facing unrest and have been flagged.&nbsp;State Department officials said in the warning that petty crimes are common in Kenya and can quickly turn violent and "occur at any time." Solo travellers need to be particularly cautious as some Americans have been sexually assaulted in bars, resorts and hotels. They added that in most cases, the police are unable to effectively respond on time.<h2>Police fail to help victims</h2>Investment scams, especially linked to gold and other valuable commodities, are also commonplace in Kenya, according to the authorities. The advisory states that Kenyan authorities are unlikely to help victims recover their losses. “Americans who have bought land, churches and businesses have lost their investments or been pushed off the property by locals who claim the land or business.”&nbsp;When it comes to health facilities, most of them lack essential medicines and equipment. "Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centres with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your own expense," officials said. Most facilities demand the payment “upfront” and deny services if that does not happen.&nbsp;Violence is a major issue, and vehicles with Americans, including safari vehicles and motorcycle taxis, have often been attacked. They should " stay alert in tourist spots, keep a low profile and avoid demonstrations and crowds."

Americans have been warned not to travel to an East African country famous for its safaris, savannas and national parks. Violent crimes are common, and medical facilities lack medicines and equipment. Police also fail to help victims, the advisory states. 

The US State Department is asking its citizens to avoid travelling to an African tourist destination, citing health and safety risks. The escalated alert even asks them to "prepare a will" and "establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones" if they decide to visit this country anyway. The State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3. While the former asks people to "Exercise Increased Caution," the new escalated advisory asks them to "Reconsider Travel." Besides health risks and crime, it cited civil unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and traffic safety concerns as reasons not to visit Kenya. Crimes and violence in Kenya It further warned its citizens to avoid visiting some neighbourhoods in Nairobi. Many other counties are also not safe, according to the department, due to increased risk of crime, kidnapping and terrorism. Places near the Ethiopian border are facing unrest and have been flagged. State Department officials said in the warning that petty crimes are common in Kenya and can quickly turn violent and "occur at any time." Solo travellers need to be particularly cautious as some Americans have been sexually assaulted in bars, resorts and hotels. They added that in most cases, the police are unable to effectively respond on time. Police fail to help victims Investment scams, especially linked to gold and other valuable commodities, are also commonplace in Kenya, according to the authorities. The advisory states that Kenyan authorities are unlikely to help victims recover their losses. “Americans who have bought land, churches and businesses have lost their investments or been pushed off the property by locals who claim the land or business.” When it comes to health facilities, most of them lack essential medicines and equipment. "Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centres with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your own expense," officials said. Most facilities demand the payment “upfront” and deny services if that does not happen. Violence is a major issue, and vehicles with Americans, including safari vehicles and motorcycle taxis, have often been attacked. They should " stay alert in tourist spots, keep a low profile and avoid demonstrations and crowds."

Americans have been warned not to travel to an East African country famous for its safaris, savannas and national parks. Violent crimes are common, and medical facilities lack medicines and equipment. Police also fail to help victims, the advisory states.&nbsp;

Americans told to prepare their will before visiting this country

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defence cooperation agreement in Doha on Wednesday to strengthen their military capabilities and expand collaboration in defence production, training and research, Turkey's Defence Ministry said.&nbsp;The four countries signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation and develop stronger partnerships, according to the ministry.&nbsp;The agreement aims to expand cooperation in military production, research and development, technical training and joint military exercises.&nbsp;“The agreement holds substantial economic importance,” the ministry said, adding that the accord would help strengthen defence industries and improve military capabilities.&nbsp;“By leveraging the unique military production capabilities of each country, the initiative will facilitate cooperation and integration, enhance defence industrial capacities, and enable the fulfilment of the needs of allied and friendly nations,” it added.<h3>Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's defence arrangement</h3>In August, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a separate defence agreement under which an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all.&nbsp;However, Ankara and Islamabad have yet to provide substantial military support to Riyadh in its fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, despite the kingdom suffering major damage to critical energy infrastructure and civilian facilities. These included an airport in the Saudi capital, where attacks disrupted air traffic and killed multiple people.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defence cooperation pact in Doha to strengthen military production, training and research, as Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also pursue a separate defence arrangement.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defence cooperation agreement in Doha on Wednesday to strengthen their military capabilities and expand collaboration in defence production, training and research, Turkey's Defence Ministry said. The four countries signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation and develop stronger partnerships, according to the ministry. The agreement aims to expand cooperation in military production, research and development, technical training and joint military exercises. “The agreement holds substantial economic importance,” the ministry said, adding that the accord would help strengthen defence industries and improve military capabilities. “By leveraging the unique military production capabilities of each country, the initiative will facilitate cooperation and integration, enhance defence industrial capacities, and enable the fulfilment of the needs of allied and friendly nations,” it added. Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's defence arrangement In August, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a separate defence agreement under which an attack on one party constitutes an attack on all. However, Ankara and Islamabad have yet to provide substantial military support to Riyadh in its fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, despite the kingdom suffering major damage to critical energy infrastructure and civilian facilities. These included an airport in the Saudi capital, where attacks disrupted air traffic and killed multiple people.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defence cooperation pact in Doha to strengthen military production, training and research, as Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also pursue a separate defence arrangement.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia sign 'Badr' defence cooperation pact in Doha

From the streets of Paris to India's capital, New Delhi, protests have erupted across the globe this week, exposing a wave of public anger over rising costs, housing crises, political corruption and governance failures.

Here's why the world is protesting.

From the streets of Paris to India's capital, New Delhi, protests have erupted across the globe this week, exposing a wave of public anger over rising costs, housing crises, political corruption and governance failures.Here's why the world is protesting.

India, France, Indonesia and beyond: Protests grip the world as anger over inflation and housing boils over | In pics

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American sentenced to nearly seven years in a Russian penal colony, has been released on Wednesday (Oct 21) after spending years in custody. The retired schoolteacher was arrested in Ukraine in 2022 and convicted of fighting as a mercenary for Ukrainian forces, an allegation his family disputed. Hailing his release, US President Donald Trump said that the American citizen was “on his way back home” in a post on his Truth Social platform. He added that he was freed from prison following his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week during a phone call. Trump said that the United States was not required to give anything in return for Hubbard’s release and that there was “no swap” involved.<h2>Who is Stephen Hubbard?</h2>Hubbard grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan, and served in the US Air Force and National Guard, according to military records cited by The New York Times. He later earned a master’s degree in English and taught the language in Japan for 25 years.He moved to Cyprus before settling in Izyum, a city in eastern Ukraine, in 2014 with his Ukrainian partner.His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, told Reuters in 2024 that Hubbard lived on a pension of about $300 a month. and had few local connections. The two last spoke in September 2021, months before Russia’s invasion began.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-swap-needed-trump-takes-credit-for-stephen-hubbard-s-release-by-russia-1792585865747">‘No swap’ needed: Trump takes credit for Stephen Hubbard’s release by Russia</a><h2>Stephen Hubbard’s capture</h2>Russian state media said Hubbard was detained in April 2022, when Russian forces captured Izyum. Moscow alleged that he had been manning a Ukrainian military checkpoint. The circumstances of his capture remain unclear.Fox later recognised him in online videos showing a man being questioned about his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war. Another video appeared to show him being struck with a sandal while his hands were bound. Reuters could not verify when or where the footage was recorded.In October 2024, a Moscow court convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary after a closed trial and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison. Prosecutors alleged that he had joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, received military training and weapons, and been promised $1,000 a month.His family challenged the allegations. Hubbard’s US-based lawyer, Martin De Luca, told Reuters in June 2025 that Hubbard denied serving in a military unit and said Russian soldiers had taken him from his home.<h2>Why was his release significant?</h2>The US designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained in January 2025, allowing Washington to pursue efforts to secure his release. The State Department had said Russia refused to grant US officials consular access.Hubbard was the last American in Russia formally designated by the State Department as wrongfully detained, according to the supplied report. His release brings an end to a case that raised concerns in Washington over Americans held in Russian custody.

Stephen Hubbard, 74, has been released from Russian custody after years in prison. The retired American teacher was convicted of mercenary activity in Ukraine, a charge his family disputed.

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American sentenced to nearly seven years in a Russian penal colony, has been released on Wednesday (Oct 21) after spending years in custody. The retired schoolteacher was arrested in Ukraine in 2022 and convicted of fighting as a mercenary for Ukrainian forces, an allegation his family disputed. Hailing his release, US President Donald Trump said that the American citizen was “on his way back home” in a post on his Truth Social platform. He added that he was freed from prison following his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week during a phone call. Trump said that the United States was not required to give anything in return for Hubbard’s release and that there was “no swap” involved. Who is Stephen Hubbard? Hubbard grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan, and served in the US Air Force and National Guard, according to military records cited by The New York Times. He later earned a master’s degree in English and taught the language in Japan for 25 years. He moved to Cyprus before settling in Izyum, a city in eastern Ukraine, in 2014 with his Ukrainian partner. His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, told Reuters in 2024 that Hubbard lived on a pension of about $300 a month. and had few local connections. The two last spoke in September 2021, months before Russia’s invasion began. Also read | ‘No swap’ needed: Trump takes credit for Stephen Hubbard’s release by Russia Stephen Hubbard’s capture Russian state media said Hubbard was detained in April 2022, when Russian forces captured Izyum. Moscow alleged that he had been manning a Ukrainian military checkpoint. The circumstances of his capture remain unclear. Fox later recognised him in online videos showing a man being questioned about his views on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war. Another video appeared to show him being struck with a sandal while his hands were bound. Reuters could not verify when or where the footage was recorded. In October 2024, a Moscow court convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary after a closed trial and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison. Prosecutors alleged that he had joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, received military training and weapons, and been promised $1,000 a month. His family challenged the allegations. Hubbard’s US-based lawyer, Martin De Luca, told Reuters in June 2025 that Hubbard denied serving in a military unit and said Russian soldiers had taken him from his home. Why was his release significant? The US designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained in January 2025, allowing Washington to pursue efforts to secure his release. The State Department had said Russia refused to grant US officials consular access. Hubbard was the last American in Russia formally designated by the State Department as wrongfully detained, according to the supplied report. His release brings an end to a case that raised concerns in Washington over Americans held in Russian custody.

Stephen Hubbard, 74, has been released from Russian custody after years in prison. The retired American teacher was convicted of mercenary activity in Ukraine, a charge his family disputed.

Who is Stephen Hubbard? 74-year-old American released from Russian custody

eMudhra, an Indian digital security company, is facing scrutiny after researchers found serious weaknesses in eight digital certificates linked to its website security services. The private keys behind these certificates were so weak that researchers could recover them in less than a second.&nbsp;The weakness could have allowed attackers to create fake security certificates and make fraudulent websites appear genuine to internet browsers. In response, major technology companies, including Google, Apple and Mozilla, took steps to block the affected certificates.&nbsp;However, eMudhra has said its Indian digital signature certificate (DSC) and eSign services remain unaffected.<h3>What went wrong at eMudhra?</h3>eMudhra provides digital signatures, electronic authentication and website security services. Its certificates help browsers check whether a website is genuine before establishing a secure connection.&nbsp;These certificates work like identity cards for websites. They help browsers confirm that users are connecting to the correct server rather than a fake one.&nbsp;On October 17, 2026, researchers identified a problem with eight intermediate Certificate Authority (CA) certificates linked to eMudhra's global website security business.&nbsp;The private keys used to create these certificates reportedly lacked sufficient randomness, making them much easier to recover than they should have been.&nbsp;Intermediate certificates help authorised organisations issue security certificates to websites. If an attacker obtains the private key of an affected certificate, they could potentially create fake certificates and use them to impersonate legitimate websites.&nbsp;This could put users at risk by making unsafe websites appear trustworthy.<h3>Why did Google, Apple and Mozilla act?</h3>After the weakness was identified, major technology companies moved to stop browsers from trusting the affected certificates.&nbsp;Google announced measures to block the affected intermediate certificates in Chrome and planned to remove the associated emSign ECC Root CA – G3 certificate from its trust store. Mozilla, Apple and Microsoft also took steps to block the affected certificates.&nbsp;These actions are intended to prevent browsers from accepting potentially fraudulent certificates. However, some legitimate websites using the affected certificates could face security warnings or connection problems until they switch to replacement certificates.<h3>What did eMudhra say?</h3>The discovery has raised questions about whether people using eMudhra's digital signatures for official documents, tax filings and business transactions need to take any action.&nbsp;The company has said its Indian DSC and eSign services are not affected. It has also stated that the problem is limited to eight intermediate certificates used in its global website security business, adding that its infrastructure was not compromised and no data breach occurred.&nbsp;In a statement, eMudhra said it was investigating the issue involving eight intermediate certificates created during a key-generation process in April 2025.&nbsp;“eMudhra is actively investigating a security incident involving a specific set of intermediate CA certificates created as part of a Key Generation Ceremony (KGC) conducted in April 2025 within its public trust infrastructure,” the company said.&nbsp;<h2>MeitY to investigate the incident&nbsp;</h2>The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted a special team to investigate a security incident involving eMudhra’s digital certificate infrastructure, ANI reported, citing sources.&nbsp;In a series of posts on X, MeitY said it had taken serious note of the incident but cautioned against fear-mongering on social media. The ministry clarified that the issue involved eMudhra’s internationally trusted digital certificate operations, which are separate from its domestic digital signature and eSign services.&nbsp;According to MeitY, eMudhra operates in two distinct areas. The first involves issuing Digital Signature Certificates and providing eSign services, regulated by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the ministry.&nbsp;The second involves issuing digital certificates trusted by major web browsers and operating systems. These certificates are used to secure websites, software and online communications.&nbsp;MeitY said the special team would investigate the reported incident.

An eMudhra security flaw involving eight weak digital certificates prompted major tech companies to block them over fears of fake websites, while the company said its Indian digital signature and eSign services remain unaffected.

eMudhra, an Indian digital security company, is facing scrutiny after researchers found serious weaknesses in eight digital certificates linked to its website security services. The private keys behind these certificates were so weak that researchers could recover them in less than a second. The weakness could have allowed attackers to create fake security certificates and make fraudulent websites appear genuine to internet browsers. In response, major technology companies, including Google, Apple and Mozilla, took steps to block the affected certificates. However, eMudhra has said its Indian digital signature certificate (DSC) and eSign services remain unaffected. What went wrong at eMudhra? eMudhra provides digital signatures, electronic authentication and website security services. Its certificates help browsers check whether a website is genuine before establishing a secure connection. These certificates work like identity cards for websites. They help browsers confirm that users are connecting to the correct server rather than a fake one. On October 17, 2026, researchers identified a problem with eight intermediate Certificate Authority (CA) certificates linked to eMudhra's global website security business. The private keys used to create these certificates reportedly lacked sufficient randomness, making them much easier to recover than they should have been. Intermediate certificates help authorised organisations issue security certificates to websites. If an attacker obtains the private key of an affected certificate, they could potentially create fake certificates and use them to impersonate legitimate websites. This could put users at risk by making unsafe websites appear trustworthy. Why did Google, Apple and Mozilla act? After the weakness was identified, major technology companies moved to stop browsers from trusting the affected certificates. Google announced measures to block the affected intermediate certificates in Chrome and planned to remove the associated emSign ECC Root CA – G3 certificate from its trust store. Mozilla, Apple and Microsoft also took steps to block the affected certificates. These actions are intended to prevent browsers from accepting potentially fraudulent certificates. However, some legitimate websites using the affected certificates could face security warnings or connection problems until they switch to replacement certificates. What did eMudhra say? The discovery has raised questions about whether people using eMudhra's digital signatures for official documents, tax filings and business transactions need to take any action. The company has said its Indian DSC and eSign services are not affected. It has also stated that the problem is limited to eight intermediate certificates used in its global website security business, adding that its infrastructure was not compromised and no data breach occurred. In a statement, eMudhra said it was investigating the issue involving eight intermediate certificates created during a key-generation process in April 2025. “eMudhra is actively investigating a security incident involving a specific set of intermediate CA certificates created as part of a Key Generation Ceremony (KGC) conducted in April 2025 within its public trust infrastructure,” the company said. MeitY to investigate the incident The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted a special team to investigate a security incident involving eMudhra’s digital certificate infrastructure, ANI reported, citing sources. In a series of posts on X, MeitY said it had taken serious note of the incident but cautioned against fear-mongering on social media. The ministry clarified that the issue involved eMudhra’s internationally trusted digital certificate operations, which are separate from its domestic digital signature and eSign services. According to MeitY, eMudhra operates in two distinct areas. The first involves issuing Digital Signature Certificates and providing eSign services, regulated by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the ministry. The second involves issuing digital certificates trusted by major web browsers and operating systems. These certificates are used to secure websites, software and online communications. MeitY said the special team would investigate the reported incident.

An eMudhra security flaw involving eight weak digital certificates prompted major tech companies to block them over fears of fake websites, while the company said its Indian digital signature and eSign services remain unaffected.

eMudhra security scare: Why Google, Apple and Mozilla moved to block certificates issued by  this Indian firm

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 21) said that American citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian custody and was “on his way back home”. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed Hubbard’s release, saying that he was released from prison following his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week during a phone call. This comes after Putin first announced the release during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired English teacher, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison by a Russian court in October 2024 for “mercenary work” on behalf of Ukraine, a charge he denies.<h2>Trump says ‘no swap’ for Hubbard’s release</h2>Announcing his release by the Russian authorities, Trump said on Truth Social, “Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family.”He further added that the United States was not required to give anything in return for Hubbard’s release and that there was “no swap” involved.“The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no “swap” necessary for this release.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-stephen-hubbard-74-year-old-american-released-from-russian-custody-1792586983999">Who is Stephen Hubbard? 74-year-old American released from Russian custody</a>He also took a swipe at his predecessor Joe Biden, saying that his return should have taken place long before during the Biden administration, which he claimed “got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin”.Trump also linked Hubbard’s release to recent suspensions of some US sanctions and tariffs on Russia.“If sanctions would have been placed, certainly those negotiations would have come to a complete and total halt,” he said in another post.<h2>Putin-Witkoff talks</h2>The announcement came on Wednesday as Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin to brief him on his meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo a day earlier. The US envoy described the meeting with Zelensky as “productive”.A day before the announcement, US President Donald Trump said he had personally asked Putin to secure Hubbard’s release.“I’ve been talking to him at length. I've asked him to release him. Let's see what happens,” Trump told reporters in Washington on Tuesday.Speaking on Wednesday, Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of Trump and the American public over Hubbard’s release, describing the Russian leader as a “humanitarian”.

US President Donald Trump says Stephen Hubbard, 74, has been released from Russian custody after his request to Vladimir Putin, adding that no prisoner swap was involved and Hubbard is returning home.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 21) said that American citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian custody and was “on his way back home”. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed Hubbard’s release, saying that he was released from prison following his request to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week during a phone call. This comes after Putin first announced the release during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired English teacher, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison by a Russian court in October 2024 for “mercenary work” on behalf of Ukraine, a charge he denies. Trump says ‘no swap’ for Hubbard’s release Announcing his release by the Russian authorities, Trump said on Truth Social, “Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family.” He further added that the United States was not required to give anything in return for Hubbard’s release and that there was “no swap” involved. “The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no “swap” necessary for this release.” Also read | Who is Stephen Hubbard? 74-year-old American released from Russian custody He also took a swipe at his predecessor Joe Biden, saying that his return should have taken place long before during the Biden administration, which he claimed “got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin”. Trump also linked Hubbard’s release to recent suspensions of some US sanctions and tariffs on Russia. “If sanctions would have been placed, certainly those negotiations would have come to a complete and total halt,” he said in another post. Putin-Witkoff talks The announcement came on Wednesday as Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin to brief him on his meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo a day earlier. The US envoy described the meeting with Zelensky as “productive”. A day before the announcement, US President Donald Trump said he had personally asked Putin to secure Hubbard’s release. “I’ve been talking to him at length. I've asked him to release him. Let's see what happens,” Trump told reporters in Washington on Tuesday. Speaking on Wednesday, Witkoff thanked Putin on behalf of Trump and the American public over Hubbard’s release, describing the Russian leader as a “humanitarian”.

US President Donald Trump says Stephen Hubbard, 74, has been released from Russian custody after his request to Vladimir Putin, adding that no prisoner swap was involved and Hubbard is returning home.

‘No swap’ needed: Trump takes credit for Stephen Hubbard’s release by Russia

Israel goes to the polls on October 27 with results deciding the future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel votes through proportional representation based on the nationwide vote and it is highly unlikely that any single party would come even close to the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat parliament, or Knesset. There are three possibilities for polls:&nbsp;The parties will begin negotiations to try to reach the 61-seat threshold. After the official announcement of the results, President Isaac Herzog will consult with party representatives and name a candidate who has the chance to form a government -- not necessarily the party with the most seats Following the previous election in November 2022, it took Benjamin Netanyahu 58 days to form his government. Polls show that Netanyahu's right-wing and far-right coalition and the opposition bloc, whose most prominent figure is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, are neck and neck, with approximately 50 to 52 seats each. This increases the chance of defections and other unexpected shifts in alliances. &nbsp;Israel also has two new right-wing parties that are seen as scratching the threshold of entering parliament&nbsp;If no bloc manages to secure 61 seats, a candidate could attempt to govern without a majority but rather through support on an ad hoc basis by other lawmakers. In this scenario, lawmakers from Israel's Arab minority -- who make up 20 percent of the population. Polls show that two Arab-Israeli lists, the Joint List and Raam, could win 12 to 14 seats in total. Raam, led by Mansour Abbas, a kingmaker in the past, has stated its willingness to work with Eisenkot's bloc, and the Joint List has offered to provide a "safety net" for any coalition that ousts Netanyahu from power.&nbsp;Given how divided Israeli politics is, a national unity government may seem unlikely. But it could still be an option if the election does not produce a clear majority. One possibility is that Netanyahu could drop his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies and join forces with Gadi Eisenkot. The two have similar views on several security issues. Such a government would not include Arab parties.&nbsp;A poll published on October 16 found that 55 per cent of Israelis would prefer a national unity government over holding another election if no clear majority emerges. Israel has tried such an arrangement before. In 2020, after three elections in less than a year, Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, another former general, agreed to share power. The deal included a plan for the two to take turns as prime minister.&nbsp;However, the partnership lasted only about a year before breaking down, leading to another election. Media reports say President Isaac Herzog is working behind the scenes to bring Netanyahu and Eisenkot together if the October 27 election results in a deadlock. However, both sides could face opposition to such a deal. The opposition is campaigning against Netanyahu and has strongly criticised his record and leadership.&nbsp;If no candidate is able to form a government, Israel could have to hold another election. Israel went through four elections between April 2019 and March 2021 because political parties could not agree on a stable coalition. After the election, the president will choose a candidate who he believes has the best chance of forming a government. The candidate will normally have 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. If the deadlock continues, there are other steps that could eventually lead to another election.

Israel heads to the polls on October 27 with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and the opposition projected to be closely matched. With 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, four scenarios could follow: a coalition, minority government, national unity government or fresh elections.

Israel goes to the polls on October 27 with results deciding the future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel votes through proportional representation based on the nationwide vote and it is highly unlikely that any single party would come even close to the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat parliament, or Knesset. There are three possibilities for polls: The parties will begin negotiations to try to reach the 61-seat threshold. After the official announcement of the results, President Isaac Herzog will consult with party representatives and name a candidate who has the chance to form a government -- not necessarily the party with the most seats Following the previous election in November 2022, it took Benjamin Netanyahu 58 days to form his government. Polls show that Netanyahu's right-wing and far-right coalition and the opposition bloc, whose most prominent figure is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, are neck and neck, with approximately 50 to 52 seats each. This increases the chance of defections and other unexpected shifts in alliances. Israel also has two new right-wing parties that are seen as scratching the threshold of entering parliament If no bloc manages to secure 61 seats, a candidate could attempt to govern without a majority but rather through support on an ad hoc basis by other lawmakers. In this scenario, lawmakers from Israel's Arab minority -- who make up 20 percent of the population. Polls show that two Arab-Israeli lists, the Joint List and Raam, could win 12 to 14 seats in total. Raam, led by Mansour Abbas, a kingmaker in the past, has stated its willingness to work with Eisenkot's bloc, and the Joint List has offered to provide a "safety net" for any coalition that ousts Netanyahu from power. Given how divided Israeli politics is, a national unity government may seem unlikely. But it could still be an option if the election does not produce a clear majority. One possibility is that Netanyahu could drop his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies and join forces with Gadi Eisenkot. The two have similar views on several security issues. Such a government would not include Arab parties. A poll published on October 16 found that 55 per cent of Israelis would prefer a national unity government over holding another election if no clear majority emerges. Israel has tried such an arrangement before. In 2020, after three elections in less than a year, Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, another former general, agreed to share power. The deal included a plan for the two to take turns as prime minister. However, the partnership lasted only about a year before breaking down, leading to another election. Media reports say President Isaac Herzog is working behind the scenes to bring Netanyahu and Eisenkot together if the October 27 election results in a deadlock. However, both sides could face opposition to such a deal. The opposition is campaigning against Netanyahu and has strongly criticised his record and leadership. If no candidate is able to form a government, Israel could have to hold another election. Israel went through four elections between April 2019 and March 2021 because political parties could not agree on a stable coalition. After the election, the president will choose a candidate who he believes has the best chance of forming a government. The candidate will normally have 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. If the deadlock continues, there are other steps that could eventually lead to another election.

Israel heads to the polls on October 27 with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and the opposition projected to be closely matched. With 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, 4 scenarios could follow: a coalition, minority government, national unity government or fresh elections

Israel election 2026: Three possible scenarios after October 27 polls

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrives in India later today with one of the largest business delegations Warsaw has sent in years, as both sides look to convert growing trade into greater investment. He is accompanied by Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański and representatives of about 100 Polish companies. While political talks are expected to dominate headlines, officials say the India-Poland Business Forums in New Delhi on 22 October and Bengaluru in the following days may prove more significant for the relationship’s direction.&nbsp;Bilateral trade reached $6.36bn in 2025, a rise of nearly 10%, making Poland India’s largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The flows remain uneven. Polish figures put trade at €5.68bn, with exports to India of €1.37bn against imports of €4.32bn.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/polish-experts-see-scope-for-tech-trade-and-defence-ties-ahead-of-pm-tusk-s-india-visit-1792511296945">Polish experts see scope for tech, trade and defence ties ahead of PM Tusk's India visit</a>&nbsp;The investment gap is wider still. Polish direct investment in India stands at roughly $750m, ranking Poland about 35th among foreign investors. Indian investment in Poland is considerably larger, with major IT companies including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL and Wipro employing nearly 10,000 Polish professionals.&nbsp;Distance, limited familiarity and caution over sensitive technology have constrained Polish investors. Several factors now favour closer ties. Poland has become the world’s 20th-largest economy after crossing the $1tn mark.&nbsp;An India-EU free trade agreement, concluded in January after almost two decades of talks, is due to be signed by the end of the year and could enter into force in 2027, though a separate investment protection deal remains pending. Poland has set a target of at least $10bn in bilateral trade with India.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/assassination-attempt-on-polish-pm-defence-minister-security-services-hold-emergency-meeting-after-police-flags-possible-attack-1791714361392">Assassination attempt on Polish PM, defence minister? Security services hold emergency meeting after police flags possible attack</a>&nbsp;Sectors under discussion include defence, space, artificial intelligence, green and hydrogen energy, food processing, agriculture and deep mining. Defence is seen as one of the quicker routes to investment, helped by India’s Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which has already attracted proposals worth nearly 400bn rupees ($4.8bn).&nbsp;One Polish company has already tested the model. WB Electronics India, a joint venture with Poland’s WB Group, supplies the Warmate loitering munition to the Indian Army and is developing a production line in the corridor. The group’s president, Piotr Wojciechowski, has described India not only as a market but as a big industrial partner for production, with investment intended to serve other countries as well as India. New Delhi, which recorded defence exports of more than 384bn rupees in 2025-26, has sought partners willing to support its export ambitions.

Polish PM Donald Tusk arrives in India with 100 firms to boost trade into investment. Business forums in Delhi & Bengaluru aim to expand the $6.36bn trade relationship. 

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrives in India later today with one of the largest business delegations Warsaw has sent in years, as both sides look to convert growing trade into greater investment. He is accompanied by Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański and representatives of about 100 Polish companies. While political talks are expected to dominate headlines, officials say the India-Poland Business Forums in New Delhi on 22 October and Bengaluru in the following days may prove more significant for the relationship’s direction. Bilateral trade reached $6.36bn in 2025, a rise of nearly 10%, making Poland India’s largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The flows remain uneven. Polish figures put trade at €5.68bn, with exports to India of €1.37bn against imports of €4.32bn. Also read: Polish experts see scope for tech, trade and defence ties ahead of PM Tusk's India visit The investment gap is wider still. Polish direct investment in India stands at roughly $750m, ranking Poland about 35th among foreign investors. Indian investment in Poland is considerably larger, with major IT companies including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL and Wipro employing nearly 10,000 Polish professionals. Distance, limited familiarity and caution over sensitive technology have constrained Polish investors. Several factors now favour closer ties. Poland has become the world’s 20th-largest economy after crossing the $1tn mark. An India-EU free trade agreement, concluded in January after almost two decades of talks, is due to be signed by the end of the year and could enter into force in 2027, though a separate investment protection deal remains pending. Poland has set a target of at least $10bn in bilateral trade with India. Also read: Assassination attempt on Polish PM, defence minister? Security services hold emergency meeting after police flags possible attack Sectors under discussion include defence, space, artificial intelligence, green and hydrogen energy, food processing, agriculture and deep mining. Defence is seen as one of the quicker routes to investment, helped by India’s Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, which has already attracted proposals worth nearly 400bn rupees ($4.8bn). One Polish company has already tested the model. WB Electronics India, a joint venture with Poland’s WB Group, supplies the Warmate loitering munition to the Indian Army and is developing a production line in the corridor. The group’s president, Piotr Wojciechowski, has described India not only as a market but as a big industrial partner for production, with investment intended to serve other countries as well as India. New Delhi, which recorded defence exports of more than 384bn rupees in 2025-26, has sought partners willing to support its export ambitions.

Polish PM Donald Tusk arrives in India with 100 firms to boost trade into investment. Business forums in Delhi &amp; Bengaluru aim to expand the $6.36bn trade relationship.

Poland PM Tusk's visit aims to boost Polish investment in India; defence key focus

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington’s relationship with Pakistan or any other country “will never come at the expense” of its ties with India. Rubio made the assertion on being asked whether a situation like the 1970s, when then-US President Richard Nixon and his national security advisor Henry Kissinger displayed an obvious tilt towards Pakistan, was returning.&nbsp;“…What everyone should be assured of in India is that our relationship, not just with Pakistan but with any country in the world, will never come at the expense of our relationship. We don’t view it that way in our relationship with India,” Rubio said in an interview with The Indian Express.&nbsp;<h2>‘World looks nothing like it did back then’</h2>&nbsp;Rubio added in his response that he would “not use the 1970s as an example today”, saying, “The world looks nothing like it did back then. Back then, we had the Cold War and all sorts of other dynamics that no longer exist.”The Nixon-Kissinger era refers to the period between 1969–1974, when former US president Richard Nixon and his then national security adviser Henry Kissinger displayed a “pro-Pakistan tilt” and took a contradicting view of former prime minister Indira Gandhi amid the Indian forces’ push towards the then East Pakistan, which was recognised as Bangladesh three days later.&nbsp;<h2>‘Can discourage actions that worry India’</h2>&nbsp;Rubio further said that engagement with Islamabad puts the US in a position where it can “discourage” actions that worry India.“Pakistan is a country we have a relationship with, and we need to have a relationship with. And, in some ways, it could be a positive thing if we could help discourage actions that could potentially lead to conflict, if we could use our influence in ways that are positive,” he said.&nbsp;The US Secretary of State further said that his visits to India, America’s “commitment” to the trade deal with New Delhi and their “engagements” are evidence of the relations.&nbsp;Rubio, who travelled to India for the second time in less than five months, is here for a three-day official visit with a large business delegation. He held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday after landing in Mumbai.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the meeting, Rubio said both countries were “very close” to finalising a trade deal, with only a few items left.&nbsp;In another interview, Rubio acknowledged the difficulties in ending Russia’s four-year-old war in Ukraine.“These things are complex, and if this was an easy war to solve, it would have been solved a long time ago,” he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s engagement with Islamabad puts the US in a position where it can discourage actions that worry India. He said his India visits, America’s commitment to the trade deal with New Delhi and their engagements are evidence of the relations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington’s relationship with Pakistan or any other country “will never come at the expense” of its ties with India. Rubio made the assertion on being asked whether a situation like the 1970s, when then-US President Richard Nixon and his national security advisor Henry Kissinger displayed an obvious tilt towards Pakistan, was returning. “…What everyone should be assured of in India is that our relationship, not just with Pakistan but with any country in the world, will never come at the expense of our relationship. We don’t view it that way in our relationship with India,” Rubio said in an interview with The Indian Express. ‘World looks nothing like it did back then’ Rubio added in his response that he would “not use the 1970s as an example today”, saying, “The world looks nothing like it did back then. Back then, we had the Cold War and all sorts of other dynamics that no longer exist.” The Nixon-Kissinger era refers to the period between 1969–1974, when former US president Richard Nixon and his then national security adviser Henry Kissinger displayed a “pro-Pakistan tilt” and took a contradicting view of former prime minister Indira Gandhi amid the Indian forces’ push towards the then East Pakistan, which was recognised as Bangladesh three days later. ‘Can discourage actions that worry India’ Rubio further said that engagement with Islamabad puts the US in a position where it can “discourage” actions that worry India. “Pakistan is a country we have a relationship with, and we need to have a relationship with. And, in some ways, it could be a positive thing if we could help discourage actions that could potentially lead to conflict, if we could use our influence in ways that are positive,” he said. The US Secretary of State further said that his visits to India, America’s “commitment” to the trade deal with New Delhi and their “engagements” are evidence of the relations. Rubio, who travelled to India for the second time in less than five months, is here for a three-day official visit with a large business delegation. He held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday after landing in Mumbai. After the meeting, Rubio said both countries were “very close” to finalising a trade deal, with only a few items left. In another interview, Rubio acknowledged the difficulties in ending Russia’s four-year-old war in Ukraine. “These things are complex, and if this was an easy war to solve, it would have been solved a long time ago,” he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s engagement with Islamabad puts the US in a position where it can discourage actions that worry India. He said his India visits, America’s commitment to the trade deal with New Delhi and their engagements are evidence of the relations.

‘US relationship with Pak will never come at expense of India ties,’ says Marco Rubio

The ruling elite of Pakistan are seemingly losing faith in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government as they are relocating abroad while still being in office. This harsh reality amid the growing powers of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has been revealed by none other than the country’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif.&nbsp;Asif has raised concerns about what he terms a “significant exodus” of bureaucrats, claiming that many planned their relocation to foreign nations while still in office.&nbsp;Asif said in a post on X that many officers in Pakistan’s bureaucracy have made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes over the past several years, reported Express Tribune.&nbsp;“They [bureaucrats] prepared for this while they were employed by the Government of Pakistan, doing so under a deliberate plan. This raises questions about their commitment to their homeland and their jobs during their tenure,” Asif said.&nbsp;<h2>‘Portugal the favoured destination for bureaucratic exodus’</h2>&nbsp;Portugal has emerged as one of the favoured destinations for what he described as a “bureaucratic exodus” in recent years, said the Defence Minister, adding that the officers whose names emerged in the matter held important positions and were close to successive governments.Without providing any documentary evidence or taking names, Asif further alleged that a person who facilitated permanent residency (PR) arrangements with these bureaucrats had fled after collecting substantial sums of money from the officers.&nbsp;<h2>‘Accumulate wealth through both legitimate and illegitimate means while…’</h2>&nbsp;The minister also raised questions about the commitment of such bureaucrats, asking whether their loyalty to Pakistan remained beyond suspicion in their careers. Asif also raised doubts about the conduct of officials who, he said, had enjoyed opportunities to accumulate wealth through both legitimate and illegitimate means while being favoured by politicians.Asif questioned whether such bureaucrats viewed Pakistan as a mere temporary stop before settling abroad.&nbsp;The allegations have brought the focus back on the functioning of Pakistan’s civilian-military hybrid regime. In Pakistan, bureaucrats function under the heavy shadow of the armed forces, which has historically been an important stakeholder and, in many instances, a prime force in the country’s political system.The current Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (N) government is in power with the support of the Pakistan People’s Party but is seen as dependent on Asim Munir, whose fortunes received a tremendous boost since he found a place in US President Donald Trump’s good books.&nbsp;&nbsp;Munir has introduced some fundamental changes to the system, which critics say have somewhat undermined the country’s democratic and constitutional institutions.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a post on X that many officers in Pakistan’s bureaucracy have made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes over the past several years.

The ruling elite of Pakistan are seemingly losing faith in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government as they are relocating abroad while still being in office. This harsh reality amid the growing powers of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has been revealed by none other than the country’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif. Asif has raised concerns about what he terms a “significant exodus” of bureaucrats, claiming that many planned their relocation to foreign nations while still in office. Asif said in a post on X that many officers in Pakistan’s bureaucracy have made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes over the past several years, reported Express Tribune. “They [bureaucrats] prepared for this while they were employed by the Government of Pakistan, doing so under a deliberate plan. This raises questions about their commitment to their homeland and their jobs during their tenure,” Asif said. ‘Portugal the favoured destination for bureaucratic exodus’ Portugal has emerged as one of the favoured destinations for what he described as a “bureaucratic exodus” in recent years, said the Defence Minister, adding that the officers whose names emerged in the matter held important positions and were close to successive governments. Without providing any documentary evidence or taking names, Asif further alleged that a person who facilitated permanent residency (PR) arrangements with these bureaucrats had fled after collecting substantial sums of money from the officers. ‘Accumulate wealth through both legitimate and illegitimate means while…’ The minister also raised questions about the commitment of such bureaucrats, asking whether their loyalty to Pakistan remained beyond suspicion in their careers. Asif also raised doubts about the conduct of officials who, he said, had enjoyed opportunities to accumulate wealth through both legitimate and illegitimate means while being favoured by politicians. Asif questioned whether such bureaucrats viewed Pakistan as a mere temporary stop before settling abroad. The allegations have brought the focus back on the functioning of Pakistan’s civilian-military hybrid regime. In Pakistan, bureaucrats function under the heavy shadow of the armed forces, which has historically been an important stakeholder and, in many instances, a prime force in the country’s political system. The current Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (N) government is in power with the support of the Pakistan People’s Party but is seen as dependent on Asim Munir, whose fortunes received a tremendous boost since he found a place in US President Donald Trump’s good books. Munir has introduced some fundamental changes to the system, which critics say have somewhat undermined the country’s democratic and constitutional institutions.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a post on X that many officers in Pakistan’s bureaucracy have made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes over the past several years.

Khawaja Asif flags ‘bureaucratic exodus’ from Pak amid Munir’s growing clout, loss of faith in govt

Michael Bloomberg spent $80 million in September and October to help Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would spend more than $400 million on Republican efforts. Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and the affiliated No Going Back PAC have spent at least $226 million so far in this midterm cycle. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Cash is flowing in record numbers into the elections. Here is a detailed look:<h2>Michael Bloomberg's spending breakdown</h2>According to reports in the New York Times and elsewhere, at least $50 million of Bloomberg's funds is going to House races, including $24 million to Everytown for Gun Safety, which he co-founded, and $16 million to House Majority PAC favouring the Democrats. He had also put $11 million behind a super PAC supporting Micah Lasher in New York's 12th District and $2.5 million toward Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's re-election.&nbsp;<h2>Election fundraising in numbers</h2>AdImpact projected that political advertising will reach a record $11.6 billion this cycle, and had tracked $7.6 billion by late September.The Federal Election Commission reported that congressional candidates raised $2.8 billion, party committees $1.4 billion and PACs $8.3 billion between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026, about $12.5 billion combined. Independent expenditures reached $643.4 million in the same period.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed</a><h2>Top individual donors</h2>Elon Musk has contributed $369 million, making him the largest individual political donor in modern American history, according to a Washington Post analysis of FEC records through 15 October. His disclosed giving included $158 million to Senate Leadership Fund and $89 million to his America PAC.&nbsp;Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein gave $138 million and Jeff and Janine Yass $110 million to Republican causes, while George Soros gave $102 million to Democratic-aligned candidates or groups.Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen contributed about $92.2 million, Miriam Adelson $67.6 million and the Winklevoss twins about $55.3 million.&nbsp;Greg and Anna Brockman gave $50 million, split between MAGA Inc. and the AI super PAC Leading the Future. Paul Singer gave $53.5 million.The 50 largest donors contributed nearly $2.4 billion: about $1.54 billion from Republican-aligned donors, $590 million from Democratic-aligned donors and $259 million from bipartisan or special-interest donors.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-with-republicans-spending-big-bloomberg-opens-his-wallet-for-democrats-here-s-how-much-he-is-pouring-1792524735382">US midterms 2026: With Republicans spending big, Bloomberg opens his wallet for Democrats. Here's how much he is pouring</a><h2>Super PACs and outside groups: Pooling cash to influence elections</h2>Republican-backing Senate Leadership Fund raised a record $272.9 million from July to September. Congressional Leadership Fund raised a record $94.4 million, entering October with $155.2 million in cash on hand. With its allied non-profit American Action Network, it has raised $370 million this cycle.&nbsp;On the Democratic side, Senate Majority PAC raised a record $151 million in the quarter and ended September with $111.8 million in cash.Crypto super PAC Fairshake had received about $137.9 million through 31 August and spent about $93.9 million. Win for America, the online betting advocacy super PAC, received $72 million, and Koch Inc. gave $20 million to Americans for Prosperity Action in June.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-trump-s-33-approval-rating-spells-trouble-for-republicans-as-democrats-pull-ahead-1792331541536">US midterms 2026: Trump’s 33% approval rating spells trouble for Republicans as Democrats pull ahead</a><h2>Which industries are trying to sway elections?</h2>Various corporate companies or their bosses donated a record $646 million in the 18 months through June, up 40 per cent on the 2024 cycle, according to Public Citizen.&nbsp;Crypto, online betting and tech firms pushing AI and data centres contributed $344 million, or 53% of disclosed corporate contributions.&nbsp;Crypto companies gave $206 million and online betting firms $76 million, and Leading the Future's $50 million brought the AI sector's total to $62 million, as reported by FEC.&nbsp;

Bloomberg's $80 million late push for Democrats meets Musk's record $369 million for Republicans, even as Trump pledged more money. Top donors, super PACs and record corporate cash are driving the 2026 US midterms towards unprecedented spending. It's all about the money

Michael Bloomberg spent $80 million in September and October to help Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would spend more than $400 million on Republican efforts. Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. and the affiliated No Going Back PAC have spent at least $226 million so far in this midterm cycle. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Cash is flowing in record numbers into the elections. Here is a detailed look: Michael Bloomberg's spending breakdown According to reports in the New York Times and elsewhere, at least $50 million of Bloomberg's funds is going to House races, including $24 million to Everytown for Gun Safety, which he co-founded, and $16 million to House Majority PAC favouring the Democrats. He had also put $11 million behind a super PAC supporting Micah Lasher in New York's 12th District and $2.5 million toward Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's re-election. Election fundraising in numbers AdImpact projected that political advertising will reach a record $11.6 billion this cycle, and had tracked $7.6 billion by late September. The Federal Election Commission reported that congressional candidates raised $2.8 billion, party committees $1.4 billion and PACs $8.3 billion between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026, about $12.5 billion combined. Independent expenditures reached $643.4 million in the same period. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-2026-trump-faces-record-second-term-disapproval-1792511445359/embed Top individual donors Elon Musk has contributed $369 million, making him the largest individual political donor in modern American history, according to a Washington Post analysis of FEC records through 15 October. His disclosed giving included $158 million to Senate Leadership Fund and $89 million to his America PAC. Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein gave $138 million and Jeff and Janine Yass $110 million to Republican causes, while George Soros gave $102 million to Democratic-aligned candidates or groups. Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen contributed about $92.2 million, Miriam Adelson $67.6 million and the Winklevoss twins about $55.3 million. Greg and Anna Brockman gave $50 million, split between MAGA Inc. and the AI super PAC Leading the Future. Paul Singer gave $53.5 million. The 50 largest donors contributed nearly $2.4 billion: about $1.54 billion from Republican-aligned donors, $590 million from Democratic-aligned donors and $259 million from bipartisan or special-interest donors. Also read: US midterms 2026: With Republicans spending big, Bloomberg opens his wallet for Democrats. Here's how much he is pouring Super PACs and outside groups: Pooling cash to influence elections Republican-backing Senate Leadership Fund raised a record $272.9 million from July to September. Congressional Leadership Fund raised a record $94.4 million, entering October with $155.2 million in cash on hand. With its allied non-profit American Action Network, it has raised $370 million this cycle. On the Democratic side, Senate Majority PAC raised a record $151 million in the quarter and ended September with $111.8 million in cash. Crypto super PAC Fairshake had received about $137.9 million through 31 August and spent about $93.9 million. Win for America, the online betting advocacy super PAC, received $72 million, and Koch Inc. gave $20 million to Americans for Prosperity Action in June. Also read: US midterms 2026: Trump’s 33% approval rating spells trouble for Republicans as Democrats pull ahead Which industries are trying to sway elections? Various corporate companies or their bosses donated a record $646 million in the 18 months through June, up 40 per cent on the 2024 cycle, according to Public Citizen. Crypto, online betting and tech firms pushing AI and data centres contributed $344 million, or 53% of disclosed corporate contributions. Crypto companies gave $206 million and online betting firms $76 million, and Leading the Future's $50 million brought the AI sector's total to $62 million, as reported by FEC.

Bloomberg's $80 million late push for Democrats meets Musk's record $369 million for Republicans, even as Trump pledged more money. Top donors, super PACs and record corporate cash are driving the 2026 US midterms towards unprecedented spending. It's all about the money

US Midterms 2026 and money: From Bloomberg to Musk, corporate donors, super PACs and lobbies, it's all about the cash

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Oct 21) described the term "UN experts" as an "oxymoron" when asked about the United Nations' criticism of India's handling of protests. Respecting India's sovereignty, the Trump envoy also declined to weigh in on the issue and said that domestic political matters must be decided by the people of the country concerned.Responding to a reporter's question about protests by opposition parties and students in India and the UN experts' allegations of a crackdown, Rubio said he would not get involved in India's internal political affairs. "Well, the UN experts, yeah. My favourite. The UN experts, or is that an oxymoron?" Rubio remarked.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/reason-un-has-lost-credibility-india-hits-out-at-un-report-alleging-youth-repression-questions-reliance-on-anonymous-submissions-1792208664112">'Reason UN has lost credibility': Amid SIR protests India hits out at report alleging 'youth repression'</a><h2>Washington's position on India protests</h2>Clarifying Washington's position, he said, "No, it's a domestic political matter. I mean, I am not going to get involved in their politics. This is a democracy. They have elections here. So I am not going to align on their domestic political matters."Rubio said demonstrations and the expression of differing political opinions were part of democratic discourse, distinguishing peaceful protests from riots involving vandalism, arson and destruction of property. He said the ability of people to express themselves and engage in political debate was an important feature of democratic societies. Citing Cuba as a contrast, Rubio pointed to restrictions faced by opposition voices there, including the risk of imprisonment, oppression or exile."But we're not going to comment on internal political matters. That's for the Indian people to decide and navigate," he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">#BREAKING: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refuses to comment on protests in India, praises Indian democracy. 

“Domestic political matter, this is a democracy, they have election here, wont opine on their domestic political matter. We have protests in US every day”.

This days after UK Trade Minister told me he won’t comment on protests in India and sand praise for Indian democracy. 

Welcome change in the western stance in times of UN HR Office’s vile propaganda campaign against India!&mdash; Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) <a href="https://x.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/2112805070580437306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India criticism of UN</h2>Earlier, India exposed the double standards of the United Nations and its frontal organisations after contrasting stands taken by the representatives to paint protests in India as an issue of alleged human rights abuse. At the United Nations, India stressed that human rights should not be used as an instrument of political pressure or selective targeting of countries.Indian diplomat Barkha Tamrakar, who addressed the Assembly on Tuesday (Oct 20), said that India's constitutional safeguards, including Article 21 of the Constitution, protect human rights and ensure due process, as United Nations experts raised concerns over alleged excessive use of force against protesters and restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hc-agrees-to-hear-neha-bora-s-plea-against-maintain-peace-directive-on-urgent-basis-1792566038006">Delhi HC agrees to hear Neha Bora's plea against ₹10K bond on 'urgent basis'</a>"India firmly opposes any attempt to convert unverified allegations, incomplete statistics, or a report that contains no India country observation into a negative characterisation of the world's largest democracy... Human rights should not be used as an instrument of political pressure or selective country targeting," Tamrakar said, emphasising the need for impartial and evidence-based engagement on human rights issues.The strong rebuttal came after UN experts had claimed that authorities in India were restricting peaceful assembly and indulging in "enforced disappearances". Contrastingly, a much milder stand was expressed by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk when it came to speaking of the police crackdown on violent protests in France and other parts of Europe, with Türk even going to the extent of calling protestors "vandals".Before that, India on Thursday hit out at the UN for relying on anonymous submissions to make claims about the alleged ill treatment of young people in the country. Addressing the 81st Session of the UNGA Third Committee, Anuj Swarup, First Secretary of India's delegation challenged a UN report on youth activism, which accused India of youth repression, and said that it was "heresy dressed up as a UN report". Calling the approach of Gina Romero, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, unverified and damaging to the credibility of the UN's human rights institutions, he said this was "precisely the reason the UN has lost credibility".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a swipe at UN experts after being asked about allegations of a crackdown on protests in India. But his response went beyond a pointed remark, as he made clear where Washington stands on India's domestic political affairs.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Oct 21) described the term "UN experts" as an "oxymoron" when asked about the United Nations' criticism of India's handling of protests. Respecting India's sovereignty, the Trump envoy also declined to weigh in on the issue and said that domestic political matters must be decided by the people of the country concerned. Responding to a reporter's question about protests by opposition parties and students in India and the UN experts' allegations of a crackdown, Rubio said he would not get involved in India's internal political affairs. "Well, the UN experts, yeah. My favourite. The UN experts, or is that an oxymoron?" Rubio remarked. Also read | 'Reason UN has lost credibility': Amid SIR protests India hits out at report alleging 'youth repression' Washington's position on India protests Clarifying Washington's position, he said, "No, it's a domestic political matter. I mean, I am not going to get involved in their politics. This is a democracy. They have elections here. So I am not going to align on their domestic political matters." Rubio said demonstrations and the expression of differing political opinions were part of democratic discourse, distinguishing peaceful protests from riots involving vandalism, arson and destruction of property. He said the ability of people to express themselves and engage in political debate was an important feature of democratic societies. Citing Cuba as a contrast, Rubio pointed to restrictions faced by opposition voices there, including the risk of imprisonment, oppression or exile. "But we're not going to comment on internal political matters. That's for the Indian people to decide and navigate," he said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a swipe at UN experts after being asked about allegations of a crackdown on protests in India. But his response went beyond a pointed remark, as he made clear where Washington stands on India's domestic political affairs.

'UN experts is an oxymoron': Rubio mocks UN over India protests criticism, refuses to comment on India's internal matter

Reports, including The Wall Street Journal, suggest that restrictions on satellite internet services used by Ukraine’s military followed an order from SpaceX chief Elon Musk. Security concerns are a key reason for delays in Starlink’s entry into India. Earlier this month, Musk entered into a public social media spat with rival companies in India’s satellite internet market. The Indian government defended its security requirements. Now, the Ukraine situation news adds fresh dimensions. If Starlink is allowed in India, will it be at the mercy of Musk’s kill switch? Let us look at the technology and the politics.<h2>Was Starlink shut down in Ukraine?</h2>The satellite internet service, strategically crucial to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, was not shut down entirely. Reports describe restrictions on a military-grade satellite communications service used by Ukrainian forces, identified as Starshield. There are conflicting reports about whether the affected terminals used Starshield or the commercial version of Starlink service.Speed restrictions on Starlink-attached devices or terminals were reported around October 13–14, which caught Ukraine’s military off guard. Terminals on faster-moving drones reportedly lost connectivity above certain speed thresholds, impairing drone interception and long-range strike missions.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 17 that terminals in Ukraine were facing speed limits. Reports said the restrictions affected drones travelling at speeds above roughly 100 mph (160 km/h).Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tap-dancing-through-a-minefield-musk-backs-spacex-tesla-merger-as-ai-boom-fuels-rocket-firm-s-first-profit-1792548716446">'Tap dancing through a minefield': Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as AI boom fuels rocket firm's first profit</a><h2>Musk denies responsibility, but reports suggest otherwise</h2>Musk had earlier said that SpaceX was not responsible for the restrictions, arguing that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. He said its speed and usage limits are set by the US military and ultimately the President, Donald Trump. Commercial Starlink, which is different from Starshield, is intended for civilian and authorised uses, Musk said.Some US officials disputed reports of a deliberate restriction, while The Wall Street Journal and other outlets attributed the throttling decision to SpaceX, and by implication, Musk himself. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had not withdrawn support or taken anything away from Ukraine's Starlink apparatus.This is not the first time: In the early years of the conflict, SpaceX refused a Ukrainian request in 2022 to enable Starlink coverage near Crimea for a naval drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. This was a refusal to activate coverage in a specific area, rather than a shutdown of an existing service.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed</a><h2>How Starlink can switch on and off: geofencing and software controls</h2>SpaceX remotely operates Starlink’s satellite network and associated ground systems. Network access can be controlled through software and service configurations, without any physical intervention.Geofencing technology can restrict coverage in specific areas. Service can also be limited by speed, bandwidth, priority or permitted use, depending on the system and service agreement.Individual terminals can be authorised or blocked centrally. SpaceX can also decline to activate service in a requested area or restrict access to specific terminals.Whitelists and blacklists can help authorise or block terminals. Ukraine and SpaceX in the past took steps to prevent Russian forces from using captured or unauthorised Starlink terminals, although the precise technical measures are not fully known.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-years-3-licenses-zero-launch-why-elon-musk-s-starlink-is-still-struggling-to-crack-indian-market-explained-1791586731727">Four years, 3 licenses, zero launch: Why is Elon Musk’s Starlink still struggling to crack Indian market? EXPLAINED</a><h2>SpaceX directly controls commercial Starlink</h2>Regardless of who ordered the restrictions on the military-grade service, SpaceX has substantial operational control over commercial Starlink. That includes network configuration, coverage and terminal authorisation.Starshield differs in its focus on government and defence customers, including specialised security requirements. It can be procured through US government channels, including the US Space Force and the Department of Defence. Although Ukraine can coordinate terminal registrations, it does not independently control SpaceX’s network.The US government can impose restrictions on Starshield through its contracts and oversight arrangements. Under the Outer Space Treaty, the US also bears international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including those conducted by private entities.Commercial Starlink, however, is not ordinarily under the day-to-day operational command of the US government. Nevertheless, Washington can influence SpaceX through contracts, regulation, licensing requirements and applicable emergency powers.<h2>The India question of Starlink entry</h2>India wants satellite internet operators to comply with domestic security requirements, including setting up local ground infrastructure. In the past, India has recovered Starlink devices during law-enforcement and military operations. India seeks to balance the benefits of satellite connectivity with national security.Now add these things up and ask yourself: Was India right to seek additional security safeguards before granting Starlink permission to operate in the country?

Elon Musk’s reported Starlink restrictions in Ukraine raise questions about who controls the satellite internet owned by his company SpaceX. India’s security concerns highlight the risks of relying on a private foreign network. Here is the tech, and the politics

Reports, including The Wall Street Journal, suggest that restrictions on satellite internet services used by Ukraine’s military followed an order from SpaceX chief Elon Musk. Security concerns are a key reason for delays in Starlink’s entry into India. Earlier this month, Musk entered into a public social media spat with rival companies in India’s satellite internet market. The Indian government defended its security requirements. Now, the Ukraine situation news adds fresh dimensions. If Starlink is allowed in India, will it be at the mercy of Musk’s kill switch? Let us look at the technology and the politics. Was Starlink shut down in Ukraine? The satellite internet service, strategically crucial to Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, was not shut down entirely. Reports describe restrictions on a military-grade satellite communications service used by Ukrainian forces, identified as Starshield. There are conflicting reports about whether the affected terminals used Starshield or the commercial version of Starlink service. Speed restrictions on Starlink-attached devices or terminals were reported around October 13–14, which caught Ukraine’s military off guard. Terminals on faster-moving drones reportedly lost connectivity above certain speed thresholds, impairing drone interception and long-range strike missions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on October 17 that terminals in Ukraine were facing speed limits. Reports said the restrictions affected drones travelling at speeds above roughly 100 mph (160 km/h). Also read: 'Tap dancing through a minefield': Musk backs SpaceX-Tesla merger as AI boom fuels rocket firm's first profit Musk denies responsibility, but reports suggest otherwise Musk had earlier said that SpaceX was not responsible for the restrictions, arguing that Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government. He said its speed and usage limits are set by the US military and ultimately the President, Donald Trump. Commercial Starlink, which is different from Starshield, is intended for civilian and authorised uses, Musk said. Some US officials disputed reports of a deliberate restriction, while The Wall Street Journal and other outlets attributed the throttling decision to SpaceX, and by implication, Musk himself. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had not withdrawn support or taken anything away from Ukraine's Starlink apparatus. This is not the first time: In the early years of the conflict, SpaceX refused a Ukrainian request in 2022 to enable Starlink coverage near Crimea for a naval drone attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. This was a refusal to activate coverage in a specific area, rather than a shutdown of an existing service. https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-india-clash-over-starlink-s-market-entry-terms-1791624912670/embed How Starlink can switch on and off: geofencing and software controls SpaceX remotely operates Starlink’s satellite network and associated ground systems. Network access can be controlled through software and service configurations, without any physical intervention. Geofencing technology can restrict coverage in specific areas. Service can also be limited by speed, bandwidth, priority or permitted use, depending on the system and service agreement. Individual terminals can be authorised or blocked centrally. SpaceX can also decline to activate service in a requested area or restrict access to specific terminals. Whitelists and blacklists can help authorise or block terminals. Ukraine and SpaceX in the past took steps to prevent Russian forces from using captured or unauthorised Starlink terminals, although the precise technical measures are not fully known. Also read: Four years, 3 licenses, zero launch: Why is Elon Musk’s Starlink still struggling to crack Indian market? EXPLAINED SpaceX directly controls commercial Starlink Regardless of who ordered the restrictions on the military-grade service, SpaceX has substantial operational control over commercial Starlink. That includes network configuration, coverage and terminal authorisation. Starshield differs in its focus on government and defence customers, including specialised security requirements. It can be procured through US government channels, including the US Space Force and the Department of Defence. Although Ukraine can coordinate terminal registrations, it does not independently control SpaceX’s network. The US government can impose restrictions on Starshield through its contracts and oversight arrangements. Under the Outer Space Treaty, the US also bears international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including those conducted by private entities. Commercial Starlink, however, is not ordinarily under the day-to-day operational command of the US government. Nevertheless, Washington can influence SpaceX through contracts, regulation, licensing requirements and applicable emergency powers. The India question of Starlink entry India wants satellite internet operators to comply with domestic security requirements, including setting up local ground infrastructure. In the past, India has recovered Starlink devices during law-enforcement and military operations. India seeks to balance the benefits of satellite connectivity with national security. Now add these things up and ask yourself: Was India right to seek additional security safeguards before granting Starlink permission to operate in the country?

Elon Musk’s reported Starlink restrictions in Ukraine raise questions about who controls the satellite internet owned by his company SpaceX. India’s security concerns highlight the risks of relying on a private foreign network. Here is the tech, and the politics

If Musk slowed down Starlink in Ukraine, that’s why it shouldn’t enter India. But who controls the switch?

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 20) said that the much-awaited US-India trade deal was "pretty close". His remarks echoed the earlier statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the bilateral trade agreement was "incredibly close" and that finalisation was anticipated shortly.According to the POTUS, the upcoming deal was slated to be of a "much different kind" than any the US has "made in the past".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-items-are-done-but-no-signature-how-the-us-midterms-could-decide-the-india-us-trade-deal-1792223135218">'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal</a><h2>What did Trump say exactly?</h2>During a news briefing on Tuesday, Trump was asked if the trade deal with India was close. "They want to make a deal. We're going to make a deal. Pretty close, yeah. Going to be a much different kind of a deal than we've made in the past," he said.Earlier, during an interview, Rubio had noted that the deal is expected "in a matter of weeks, not months". He stressed that it was in the final stages, noting, "with these deals, it’s always important that it would be totally agreed to, every detail of it, before it’s announced because you can’t afford for a relationship of this magnitude to be threatened by announcing a deal and it turning out the deal wasn’t finalised.""But it’s incredibly close. I think we are down to some technical details that need to be worked out. Technical details matter because there has to be an agreement; both sides have to agree that the language means the same thing. So, it’s down to that level," he said.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-close-to-trade-deal-with-india-says-marco-rubio-ahead-of-his-mumbai-arrival-on-tuesday-1792411026672">‘Very close’ to trade deal with India, says Rubio ahead of his Mumbai arrival</a>

<h2>Why the US-India trade deal matters</h2>The India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement represents a significant milestone in India’s global trade relations, ensuring continued preferential access for Indian exports to the US market worth over $30 trillion. The agreement provides thorough tariff rationalisation, duty-free access for many product categories, improved digital and technology collaboration, and a carefully designed framework to protect India’s farmers, MSMEs, and domestic industry.

US President Donald Trump says the US-India trade deal is "pretty close", echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that the agreement is "incredibly close" and expected in weeks, not months. Here's what he said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Oct 20) said that the much-awaited US-India trade deal was "pretty close". His remarks echoed the earlier statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that the bilateral trade agreement was "incredibly close" and that finalisation was anticipated shortly. According to the POTUS, the upcoming deal was slated to be of a "much different kind" than any the US has "made in the past". Also read | 'Big items are done' but no signature: How US midterms could decide the India-US trade deal What did Trump say exactly? During a news briefing on Tuesday, Trump was asked if the trade deal with India was close. "They want to make a deal. We're going to make a deal. Pretty close, yeah. Going to be a much different kind of a deal than we've made in the past," he said. Earlier, during an interview, Rubio had noted that the deal is expected "in a matter of weeks, not months". He stressed that it was in the final stages, noting, "with these deals, it’s always important that it would be totally agreed to, every detail of it, before it’s announced because you can’t afford for a relationship of this magnitude to be threatened by announcing a deal and it turning out the deal wasn’t finalised." "But it’s incredibly close. I think we are down to some technical details that need to be worked out. Technical details matter because there has to be an agreement; both sides have to agree that the language means the same thing. So, it’s down to that level," he said. Also read | ‘Very close’ to trade deal with India, says Rubio ahead of his Mumbai arrival

US President Donald Trump says the US-India trade deal is "pretty close", echoing Secretary of State Marco Rubio's view that the agreement is "incredibly close" and expected in weeks, not months. Here's what he said.

Trump confirms US-India trade deal 'pretty close', promises a 'different' kind of agreement

One person has been killed, and one went missing after a military plane crashed in the northeast of France on Wednesday (Oct 21). France's Armed Forces Ministry released a statement about the incident that took place on Tuesday evening. The plane was identified as &nbsp;French Air Force Mirage 2000D and it crashed in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region with two people on board, the ministry statement said. The ministry said the cause of the crash is under investigation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2-injured-in-plane-crash-on-busy-california-highway-1792294707418">2 injured in plane crash on busy California highway</a>&nbsp;Local prefect Yves Seguy told reporters that a wooded area where the plane crashed was searched overnight in adverse weather. The plane was attached to the nearby 133 Nancy-Ochey air base. Col Ludovic Humbert, the base commandant, said the weapons systems officer was a seasoned soldier who was teaming up with a young pilot. The plane had begun its final approach as it returned to base from a night training mission when the crash happened.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/12-dead-after-truck-mows-down-devotees-crashes-into-temple-gate-in-madhya-pradesh-s-gwalior-1792289115903">13 dead after truck mows down devotees, crashes into temple gate in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior</a>

&nbsp;In a statement on Facebook, Henry Lemoine, mayor of nearby Pont-à-Mousson, said a large number of police personnel and firefighters had been deployed to the crash site. Aircraft debris was located using a drone, but further details were not immediately available as emergency operations continued.&nbsp;The Mirage 2000D specializes in ground-attack missions. A two-seat aircraft, it is designed to operate in complex environments, the ministry said. It supports conventional air operations and power-projection missions.

One person was killed and another went missing after a French Air Force Mirage 2000D crashed in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region of northeastern France. The aircraft had 2 people on board when it crashed on Tuesday evening, with the cause under investigation, France’s Armed Forces Ministry said.

One person has been killed, and one went missing after a military plane crashed in the northeast of France on Wednesday (Oct 21). France's Armed Forces Ministry released a statement about the incident that took place on Tuesday evening. The plane was identified as French Air Force Mirage 2000D and it crashed in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region with two people on board, the ministry statement said. The ministry said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Also Read: 2 injured in plane crash on busy California highway Local prefect Yves Seguy told reporters that a wooded area where the plane crashed was searched overnight in adverse weather. The plane was attached to the nearby 133 Nancy-Ochey air base. Col Ludovic Humbert, the base commandant, said the weapons systems officer was a seasoned soldier who was teaming up with a young pilot. The plane had begun its final approach as it returned to base from a night training mission when the crash happened. Also Read: 13 dead after truck mows down devotees, crashes into temple gate in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior

One person was killed and another went missing after a French Air Force Mirage 2000D crashed in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region of northeastern France. The aircraft had 2 people on board when it crashed on Tuesday evening, with the cause under investigation, France’s Armed Forces Ministry said.

French military plane crashes in northeast France, one dead

A senior US State Department official has praised Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency for its recent operational wins, saying the country was the obvious choice for his first official visit since taking office. Michael Gonzales, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) covering Africa and the Middle East, made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) headquarters in Abuja. He was received by the agency’s Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and members of the management team, according to a press statement signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday (Oct 21).&nbsp;Gonzales, who took up his post four months ago, said Nigeria’s standing as a continental leader and economic powerhouse, together with the NDLEA’s leadership and track record, made it the natural first stop. He said he wanted to see “firsthand where the magic happens.”&nbsp;“I became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement just four months ago covering all countries of Africa and the Middle East. And when I was thinking where does it make the most sense to visit first, Nigeria was a clear answer. Because as a leader, as an economic powerhouse on the continent, but also particularly NDLEA for the leadership and the impressive wins that you and your team and your interagency counterparts have delivered time and again. In addition to the very robust partnership between INL and NDLEA, I wanted to see firsthand where the magic happens, as we say in the United States.”&nbsp;<h2>Meth lab busts hailed as best practice</h2>&nbsp;The US official pointed to the four methamphetamine laboratories dismantled in Nigeria this year as evidence of best-practice tradecraft. He credited intelligence-led investigations, coordination across agencies and borders, operational excellence, and thorough interrogation, investigation and prosecution.&nbsp;He added that narcotics touch American communities more directly than almost any other foreign policy issue, and that because the drug trade is international and faces few constraints, the joint work of INL and the NDLEA benefits citizens of both countries.“The four meth lab busts just this year alone is a testament to the deployment of some of the best practices in our tradecraft, the intelligence-based knowledge collection, the coordination across national lines and agency lines, the operational excellence that goes into the actual bust, and then the interrogations, the investigations and prosecutions. They’re all so critical because ultimately counter-narcotics work, the work that each of us does day in and day out truly delivers for the people. When I am talking to American audiences in the United States, I tell them there’s virtually no other issue of foreign policy that so tangibly affects the lives of every community, virtually every family across our country, than narcotics. And the reality of the narcotics trade is one that is international. It knows no boundaries, very few constraints. And so, the work that INL does in the United States and globally and the work that NDLEA does fundamentally delivers for the Nigerian people, for the American people.”&nbsp;<h2>Trafficking routes shifting toward Africa</h2>&nbsp;Gonzales noted that INL’s partnership with countries around the world spans more than four decades, and in Nigeria has largely taken the form of training and equipment donations. He explained that heavy US pressure on cartels in the Western Hemisphere was like “squeezing a balloon,” pushing trafficking flows toward Africa and then on to Europe and Oceania.&nbsp;He also highlighted the move away from plant-based drugs to synthetic ones that are deadlier and harder to detect, and urged sustained action against transnational criminal organisations as a network, including the financial flows that sustain them.&nbsp;<h2>Marwa: Crime has no borders</h2>&nbsp;Responding, Marwa described the partnership, built on INL’s institutional support and the cooperation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, as a shared investment in the security of both countries.&nbsp;“Crime has no borders, and neither does the threat. The drugs we seize, the arms we intercept and the terrorist financing we trace are not separate problems. When we seize narcotics and illicit weapons in the same operations and along the same routes, we are looking at the convergence of crime. Drug money buys guns, guns sustain armed groups, and armed groups sustain terrorism. Terrorism has no borders. What festers in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin does not stay there, and what is trafficked through West Africa does not stop at our coastline.&nbsp;“The Mexican cartel threat is real, and we are confronting it. In recent months, NDLEA operatives dismantled the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria, in a forest in Ijebu East, Ogun State where we arrested three Mexican meth experts and their Nigerian collaborators right in the forest where illicit substances worth over $360 million US dollars were recovered. Barely four weeks later, we raided another industrial-scale laboratory at Tapa Village in neighbouring Oyo State and arrested a Mexican methamphetamine expert, brought in for large-scale synthesis, together with four Nigerian collaborators. We have since dismantled a similar facility in Enugu State and another in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, all linked to the Mexican cartels. These were not isolated incidents. They show a deliberate attempt to turn Nigeria into a manufacturing hub.&nbsp;“Let me be plain about why this matters to Washington. These cartels are not setting up in our forests to supply Nigerian consumers alone. They want a West African corridor to ship industrial quantities of methamphetamine to Europe, to Asia, and to American cities. Especially taking into consideration the President Trump hammer that is smashing cartel traffic en route to America. These cartels are now seeking alternative routes to get to the same America. Every meth-producing laboratory that we shut down is a supply line that never reaches an American street, and every cartel operative we arrest is one fewer in the pipeline. Our forensic chemists, our investigators and our tactical teams are, in effect, forward defence for communities in the United States.”&nbsp;<h2>Call for continued US backing</h2>&nbsp;Marwa said INL support underpins the agency’s work in forensic and chemical analysis, professional training, investigative and financial-crime skills, and equipment maintenance. He credited the partnership with the agency’s recent results.&nbsp;“This great partnership has fuelled our offensives that yielded the arrest of 96,157 drug offenders, including 250 drug barons, the seizure of over 15.8 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and the conviction of 16, 691 drug traffickers, including the kingpins, in the last five years.”&nbsp;Cautioning that any withdrawal of INL assistance would create a vacuum that criminal networks and terrorist groups would exploit, the NDLEA boss urged Gonzales to take a message back to Washington: that INL support, “as is, should be maintained if not increased.” He stressed that traffickers, arms dealers and terrorists collaborate across borders daily, and that the governments fighting them must do likewise.

US INL official Michael Gonzales praises Nigeria’s NDLEA in Abuja, calling it his top choice for his first official visit due to major anti-narcotics wins under Buba Marwa.

A senior US State Department official has praised Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency for its recent operational wins, saying the country was the obvious choice for his first official visit since taking office. Michael Gonzales, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) covering Africa and the Middle East, made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) headquarters in Abuja. He was received by the agency’s Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and members of the management team, according to a press statement signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday (Oct 21). Gonzales, who took up his post four months ago, said Nigeria’s standing as a continental leader and economic powerhouse, together with the NDLEA’s leadership and track record, made it the natural first stop. He said he wanted to see “firsthand where the magic happens.” “I became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement just four months ago covering all countries of Africa and the Middle East. And when I was thinking where does it make the most sense to visit first, Nigeria was a clear answer. Because as a leader, as an economic powerhouse on the continent, but also particularly NDLEA for the leadership and the impressive wins that you and your team and your interagency counterparts have delivered time and again. In addition to the very robust partnership between INL and NDLEA, I wanted to see firsthand where the magic happens, as we say in the United States.” Meth lab busts hailed as best practice The US official pointed to the four methamphetamine laboratories dismantled in Nigeria this year as evidence of best-practice tradecraft. He credited intelligence-led investigations, coordination across agencies and borders, operational excellence, and thorough interrogation, investigation and prosecution. He added that narcotics touch American communities more directly than almost any other foreign policy issue, and that because the drug trade is international and faces few constraints, the joint work of INL and the NDLEA benefits citizens of both countries. “The four meth lab busts just this year alone is a testament to the deployment of some of the best practices in our tradecraft, the intelligence-based knowledge collection, the coordination across national lines and agency lines, the operational excellence that goes into the actual bust, and then the interrogations, the investigations and prosecutions. They’re all so critical because ultimately counter-narcotics work, the work that each of us does day in and day out truly delivers for the people. When I am talking to American audiences in the United States, I tell them there’s virtually no other issue of foreign policy that so tangibly affects the lives of every community, virtually every family across our country, than narcotics. And the reality of the narcotics trade is one that is international. It knows no boundaries, very few constraints. And so, the work that INL does in the United States and globally and the work that NDLEA does fundamentally delivers for the Nigerian people, for the American people.” Trafficking routes shifting toward Africa Gonzales noted that INL’s partnership with countries around the world spans more than four decades, and in Nigeria has largely taken the form of training and equipment donations. He explained that heavy US pressure on cartels in the Western Hemisphere was like “squeezing a balloon,” pushing trafficking flows toward Africa and then on to Europe and Oceania. He also highlighted the move away from plant-based drugs to synthetic ones that are deadlier and harder to detect, and urged sustained action against transnational criminal organisations as a network, including the financial flows that sustain them. Marwa: Crime has no borders Responding, Marwa described the partnership, built on INL’s institutional support and the cooperation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, as a shared investment in the security of both countries. “Crime has no borders, and neither does the threat. The drugs we seize, the arms we intercept and the terrorist financing we trace are not separate problems. When we seize narcotics and illicit weapons in the same operations and along the same routes, we are looking at the convergence of crime. Drug money buys guns, guns sustain armed groups, and armed groups sustain terrorism. Terrorism has no borders. What festers in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin does not stay there, and what is trafficked through West Africa does not stop at our coastline. “The Mexican cartel threat is real, and we are confronting it. In recent months, NDLEA operatives dismantled the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory ever discovered in Nigeria, in a forest in Ijebu East, Ogun State where we arrested three Mexican meth experts and their Nigerian collaborators right in the forest where illicit substances worth over $360 million US dollars were recovered. Barely four weeks later, we raided another industrial-scale laboratory at Tapa Village in neighbouring Oyo State and arrested a Mexican methamphetamine expert, brought in for large-scale synthesis, together with four Nigerian collaborators. We have since dismantled a similar facility in Enugu State and another in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, all linked to the Mexican cartels. These were not isolated incidents. They show a deliberate attempt to turn Nigeria into a manufacturing hub. “Let me be plain about why this matters to Washington. These cartels are not setting up in our forests to supply Nigerian consumers alone. They want a West African corridor to ship industrial quantities of methamphetamine to Europe, to Asia, and to American cities. Especially taking into consideration the President Trump hammer that is smashing cartel traffic en route to America. These cartels are now seeking alternative routes to get to the same America. Every meth-producing laboratory that we shut down is a supply line that never reaches an American street, and every cartel operative we arrest is one fewer in the pipeline. Our forensic chemists, our investigators and our tactical teams are, in effect, forward defence for communities in the United States.” Call for continued US backing Marwa said INL support underpins the agency’s work in forensic and chemical analysis, professional training, investigative and financial-crime skills, and equipment maintenance. He credited the partnership with the agency’s recent results. “This great partnership has fuelled our offensives that yielded the arrest of 96,157 drug offenders, including 250 drug barons, the seizure of over 15.8 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and the conviction of 16, 691 drug traffickers, including the kingpins, in the last five years.” Cautioning that any withdrawal of INL assistance would create a vacuum that criminal networks and terrorist groups would exploit, the NDLEA boss urged Gonzales to take a message back to Washington: that INL support, “as is, should be maintained if not increased.” He stressed that traffickers, arms dealers and terrorists collaborate across borders daily, and that the governments fighting them must do likewise.

US INL official Michael Gonzales praises Nigeria’s NDLEA in Abuja, calling it his top choice for his first official visit due to major anti-narcotics wins under Buba Marwa.

US commends NDLEA over meth lab busts as Marwa appeals for sustained support

Islamic State-linked militants have killed at least 48 people in Mali's eastern Menaka region, in what appears to be retaliation for abuses allegedly committed by pro-government forces, two security sources and two local officials told new agency Reuters.&nbsp;The attacks, carried out by terrorists from Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), struck at least five localities on Sunday (Oct 18). The overall toll was still being determined on Tuesday (Oct 20), with the four sources, who requested Reuters anonymity for fear of reprisals from Mali's government, putting provisional figures between 48 and more than 70. Some victims died in fires set by the attackers, while others were shot. The terrorists also stole livestock, and hundreds of civilians fled to Menaka town. ISSP has not claimed responsibility.&nbsp;According to the report, the violence followed an incident the previous week in which the MSA, a pro-government group, and Russia's Africa Corps, the paramilitary group backing Bamako, allegedly targeted civilians suspected of informing for Islamic State. A municipal official in Menaka said the MSA was accompanying Mali's army, and Africa Corps abused civilians, killing about a dozen people, burning homes and looting property.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-terrorist-country-is-asking-me-that-question-jaishankar-hits-back-at-pakistani-journalist-at-un-flags-attacks-on-commercial-shipping-1790360879334">'A terrorist country is asking me that question?': Jaishankar hits back at Pakistani journalist at UN; flags attacks on commercial shipping</a>&nbsp;A Malian military spokesperson and Russia's embassy in Bamako did not respond to requests for comment. Mali has previously denied killing civilians during counterinsurgency operations.&nbsp;The weekend violence comes as fighting intensifies between regional Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliates, deepening instability across the Sahel. Last week, ISSP said it had killed 400 from Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the regional al Qaeda affiliate, after foiling an attempted ambush in neighbouring Burkina Faso. If confirmed, that would be the deadliest single battle between the two groups. The two sides first clashed in 2019 and have fought hundreds of times since, leaving more than 2,000 dead, according to the monitoring group Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data.&nbsp;Mali has been battling insurgents since 2012, when Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked terrorists swept across the north, prompting a French military intervention. In April, JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front launched nationwide attacks that killed the defence minister and struck the main airport in Bamako.

At least 48 civilians have been killed in eastern Mali's Ménaka region after attacks by Islamic State-linked militants. Sources told news agency Reuters that houses were torched in apparent retaliation for pro-government forces' operations.

Islamic State-linked militants have killed at least 48 people in Mali's eastern Menaka region, in what appears to be retaliation for abuses allegedly committed by pro-government forces, two security sources and two local officials told new agency Reuters. The attacks, carried out by terrorists from Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), struck at least five localities on Sunday (Oct 18). The overall toll was still being determined on Tuesday (Oct 20), with the four sources, who requested Reuters anonymity for fear of reprisals from Mali's government, putting provisional figures between 48 and more than 70. Some victims died in fires set by the attackers, while others were shot. The terrorists also stole livestock, and hundreds of civilians fled to Menaka town. ISSP has not claimed responsibility. According to the report, the violence followed an incident the previous week in which the MSA, a pro-government group, and Russia's Africa Corps, the paramilitary group backing Bamako, allegedly targeted civilians suspected of informing for Islamic State. A municipal official in Menaka said the MSA was accompanying Mali's army, and Africa Corps abused civilians, killing about a dozen people, burning homes and looting property. Also read: 'A terrorist country is asking me that question?': Jaishankar hits back at Pakistani journalist at UN; flags attacks on commercial shipping A Malian military spokesperson and Russia's embassy in Bamako did not respond to requests for comment. Mali has previously denied killing civilians during counterinsurgency operations. The weekend violence comes as fighting intensifies between regional Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliates, deepening instability across the Sahel. Last week, ISSP said it had killed 400 from Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the regional al Qaeda affiliate, after foiling an attempted ambush in neighbouring Burkina Faso. If confirmed, that would be the deadliest single battle between the two groups. The two sides first clashed in 2019 and have fought hundreds of times since, leaving more than 2,000 dead, according to the monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. Mali has been battling insurgents since 2012, when Tuareg separatists and al Qaeda-linked terrorists swept across the north, prompting a French military intervention. In April, JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front launched nationwide attacks that killed the defence minister and struck the main airport in Bamako.

At least 48 civilians have been killed in eastern Mali's Ménaka region after attacks by Islamic State-linked militants. Sources told news agency Reuters that houses were torched in apparent retaliation for pro-government forces' operations.

At least 48 civilians killed in eastern Mali by Islamic State-linked terrorists: Report

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