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Democrats are heading toward a potentially historic victory in the 2026 midterm elections, with their House majority growing to levels not seen in decades. CNN projects that Democrats have won more than 250 House seats, recording a net gain of around 40 seats. Their total could reach or even surpass 260 once all races are decided. Such an outcome would give Democrats a majority of approximately 85 seats, making it their largest House majority since the early 1990s, when the party was nearing the end of decades of dominance in the chamber.<h2>The latest House results</h2>After flipping additional seats on Thursday afternoon, Democrats have won or are leading in 259 congressional districts. If the current margins hold, Republicans would finish with 174 seats, while two Louisiana races are headed for runoffs.Democrats currently hold narrow leads of around one percentage point or less in six districts:<ul><li>South Carolina's 1st District</li><li>Colorado's 4th District</li><li>Florida's 9th District</li><li>Minnesota's 1st District</li><li>North Carolina's 5th District</li><li>Tennessee's 4th District</li></ul><h2>How large could the Democratic House majority become?</h2>If Democrats reach 260 seats, it would mark their largest House majority since the 1991-93 Congress, when the party controlled 267 seats. Democrats held 258 seats in the following Congress and secured 257 seats after former President Barack Obama's sweeping 2008 election victory brought the party back into power.&nbsp;With more than 250 seats, Democrats have already secured a larger House majority than any Republican majority since the Great Depression. The GOP's highest total during that period was 247 seats following the 2014 election. A 260-seat Democratic majority would mean the party controlled 60% of all available House seats. Meanwhile, Democrats are winning between 54% and 56% of Senate seats, depending on the outcome of the remaining races in Alaska and Mississippi.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-very-big-deal-wit-russia-that-could-involve-all-of-europe-after-meeting-putin-s-envoy-1793921553241">Trump predicts 'very big' deal wit Russia that could involve 'all of Europe' after meeting Putin's envoy</a><h2>How significant are the Democrats' gains?</h2>Democrats appear poised to gain approximately 50 House seats once all election results are finalised. If they win all 259 districts where they currently hold leads, their net gain would stand at 44 seats. That would represent the third-largest House gain in the past 50 years, behind the Republicans' 63-seat gain in 2010 and their 54-seat gain in 1994.&nbsp;It would also exceed the Democrats' strongest recent midterm performances, including their 41-seat gain in 2018 and 31-seat gain in 2006. However, the number of seats flipped could make the 2026 results even more significant. Republicans made substantial gains in 2010 partly because Democrats had entered the election with a large House majority following the 2008 election. This gave the GOP numerous opportunities to target conservative-leaning districts that Democrats had previously won.&nbsp;Similarly, Republicans chipped away at a nearly 260-seat Democratic majority during the 1994 midterm elections. The circumstances in 2026 were considerably different. The election began with the House almost evenly divided, with Republicans holding 220 seats and Democrats controlling 215. Democrats also faced Republican redistricting efforts in several states, where new congressional maps were drawn to create more conservative-leaning districts. Those efforts ultimately did not produce the expected results.<h2>Democrats' House popular vote advantage</h2>Another significant measure of the Democrats' performance is their advantage in the national House popular vote. Democrats currently lead by approximately 12 percentage points. That margin could increase in the coming days as additional votes are counted, particularly in western states that typically lean Democratic. There are, however, some factors to consider when examining the popular vote figures.&nbsp;California's top-two primary system means that several congressional races feature two Republican candidates or two Democratic candidates rather than contests between candidates from both major parties. This has somewhat affected the overall comparison. Nevertheless, the national popular vote remains an important indicator of the scale of the Democratic victory.&nbsp;The 2026 election will mark only the second time since 1982 that a party has won the House popular vote by a double-digit margin. The other instance was the 2008 election, when Democrats secured an 11-point advantage, according to data from the Brookings Institution. The last time either party won the House popular vote by at least 13 percentage points was in the post-Watergate election of 1976.

Democrats are poised to win up to 260 House seats in the 2026 midterm elections, potentially securing their biggest congressional majority since 1991

Democrats are heading toward a potentially historic victory in the 2026 midterm elections, with their House majority growing to levels not seen in decades. CNN projects that Democrats have won more than 250 House seats, recording a net gain of around 40 seats. Their total could reach or even surpass 260 once all races are decided. Such an outcome would give Democrats a majority of approximately 85 seats, making it their largest House majority since the early 1990s, when the party was nearing the end of decades of dominance in the chamber. The latest House results After flipping additional seats on Thursday afternoon, Democrats have won or are leading in 259 congressional districts. If the current margins hold, Republicans would finish with 174 seats, while two Louisiana races are headed for runoffs. Democrats currently hold narrow leads of around one percentage point or less in six districts: South Carolina's 1st District Colorado's 4th District Florida's 9th District Minnesota's 1st District North Carolina's 5th District Tennessee's 4th District How large could the Democratic House majority become? If Democrats reach 260 seats, it would mark their largest House majority since the 1991-93 Congress, when the party controlled 267 seats. Democrats held 258 seats in the following Congress and secured 257 seats after former President Barack Obama's sweeping 2008 election victory brought the party back into power. With more than 250 seats, Democrats have already secured a larger House majority than any Republican majority since the Great Depression. The GOP's highest total during that period was 247 seats following the 2014 election. A 260-seat Democratic majority would mean the party controlled 60% of all available House seats. Meanwhile, Democrats are winning between 54% and 56% of Senate seats, depending on the outcome of the remaining races in Alaska and Mississippi. Also Read: Trump predicts 'very big' deal wit Russia that could involve 'all of Europe' after meeting Putin's envoy How significant are the Democrats' gains? Democrats appear poised to gain approximately 50 House seats once all election results are finalised. If they win all 259 districts where they currently hold leads, their net gain would stand at 44 seats. That would represent the third-largest House gain in the past 50 years, behind the Republicans' 63-seat gain in 2010 and their 54-seat gain in 1994. It would also exceed the Democrats' strongest recent midterm performances, including their 41-seat gain in 2018 and 31-seat gain in 2006. However, the number of seats flipped could make the 2026 results even more significant. Republicans made substantial gains in 2010 partly because Democrats had entered the election with a large House majority following the 2008 election. This gave the GOP numerous opportunities to target conservative-leaning districts that Democrats had previously won. Similarly, Republicans chipped away at a nearly 260-seat Democratic majority during the 1994 midterm elections. The circumstances in 2026 were considerably different. The election began with the House almost evenly divided, with Republicans holding 220 seats and Democrats controlling 215. Democrats also faced Republican redistricting efforts in several states, where new congressional maps were drawn to create more conservative-leaning districts. Those efforts ultimately did not produce the expected results. Democrats' House popular vote advantage Another significant measure of the Democrats' performance is their advantage in the national House popular vote. Democrats currently lead by approximately 12 percentage points. That margin could increase in the coming days as additional votes are counted, particularly in western states that typically lean Democratic. There are, however, some factors to consider when examining the popular vote figures. California's top-two primary system means that several congressional races feature two Republican candidates or two Democratic candidates rather than contests between candidates from both major parties. This has somewhat affected the overall comparison. Nevertheless, the national popular vote remains an important indicator of the scale of the Democratic victory. The 2026 election will mark only the second time since 1982 that a party has won the House popular vote by a double-digit margin. The other instance was the 2008 election, when Democrats secured an 11-point advantage, according to data from the Brookings Institution. The last time either party won the House popular vote by at least 13 percentage points was in the post-Watergate election of 1976.

Democrats are on track for a historic House majority in 2026, potentially reaching 260 seats after major midterm gains across the country

US midterms 2026: Democrats close in on 260 seats, poised for historic House majority since 1991

US President Donald Trump on Thursday predicted a ‘very big’ agreement with Russia that could extend beyond the Ukraine war and involve ‘all of Europe’, following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy at the White House. Trump disclosed that he had held an unscheduled meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, who was at the White House for discussions with Ukrainian officials hosted by US First Lady Melania Trump.&nbsp;"I can't tell you what I discussed. But I'm just telling you, it's going to be an agreement, it's going to be a big agreement," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "It's going to be very big. It's going to involve more than Ukraine, and I could even say it might involve all of Europe. It's going to be a big, beautiful agreement, and everyone's going to be thrilled."&nbsp;Trump also clarified that he had not met the Ukrainian officials who were present at the White House on Thursday. His remarks are likely to intensify concerns among European countries that Trump is moving closer to the Kremlin's position and could pressure Ukraine into accepting an unfavourable agreement to end Russia's invasion. NATO members are also closely monitoring Trump's position, particularly after he suggested the possibility of withdrawing US troops from Europe. There are concerns that he could agree to Putin's maximalist demands aimed at reducing American influence across the continent.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-midterms-2026-meet-the-democrats-who-turned-the-election-upside-down-and-scored-big-wins-across-america-1793915291679">US midterms 2026: Meet the Democrats who turned the election upside down and scored big wins across America</a>&nbsp;However, Trump, who pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office in January 2025, has repeatedly spoken about imminent peace agreements in the past that ultimately failed to materialise. Earlier, Melania Trump called for a new and "more enduring" ceasefire in Ukraine while hosting an uncommon meeting at the White House between officials from Ukraine and Russia, both countries involved in the ongoing war.&nbsp;Trump said Thursday's meeting, along with a localized six-day truce in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, could help pave the way for a broader agreement. The city has been affected by starvation. The localised ceasefire was announced by the US First Lady last month.<h2>Trump designates Oval Office as national monument</h2>US President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday designating the Oval Office as a national monument, reinforcing his focus on beautifying the White House despite a major midterm election defeat for his Republican Party. A day after Democrats secured victories in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump largely ignored the election results and highlighted the ongoing construction of his new White House ballroom.&nbsp;This time, Trump's attention turned to the Oval Office, which he has decorated with gold ornaments since returning to power last year, along with the adjacent Cabinet Room. Explaining the decision, Trump said the proclamation would "make it impossible for anybody ever to destroy this incredible space" and prevent future presidents from undertaking construction work in the two rooms. "It won't be able to be taken down, destroyed, touched, or anything else. It's called actually a national monument," Trump told reporters.

Donald Trump predicts a 'very big' agreement with Russia involving Ukraine and potentially all of Europe after meeting Vladimir Putin's envoy at the White House

US President Donald Trump on Thursday predicted a ‘very big’ agreement with Russia that could extend beyond the Ukraine war and involve ‘all of Europe’, following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy at the White House. Trump disclosed that he had held an unscheduled meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, who was at the White House for discussions with Ukrainian officials hosted by US First Lady Melania Trump. "I can't tell you what I discussed. But I'm just telling you, it's going to be an agreement, it's going to be a big agreement," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "It's going to be very big. It's going to involve more than Ukraine, and I could even say it might involve all of Europe. It's going to be a big, beautiful agreement, and everyone's going to be thrilled." Trump also clarified that he had not met the Ukrainian officials who were present at the White House on Thursday. His remarks are likely to intensify concerns among European countries that Trump is moving closer to the Kremlin's position and could pressure Ukraine into accepting an unfavourable agreement to end Russia's invasion. NATO members are also closely monitoring Trump's position, particularly after he suggested the possibility of withdrawing US troops from Europe. There are concerns that he could agree to Putin's maximalist demands aimed at reducing American influence across the continent. Also Read: US midterms 2026: Meet the Democrats who turned the election upside down and scored big wins across America However, Trump, who pledged to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office in January 2025, has repeatedly spoken about imminent peace agreements in the past that ultimately failed to materialise. Earlier, Melania Trump called for a new and "more enduring" ceasefire in Ukraine while hosting an uncommon meeting at the White House between officials from Ukraine and Russia, both countries involved in the ongoing war. Trump said Thursday's meeting, along with a localized six-day truce in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, could help pave the way for a broader agreement. The city has been affected by starvation. The localised ceasefire was announced by the US First Lady last month. Trump designates Oval Office as national monument US President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday designating the Oval Office as a national monument, reinforcing his focus on beautifying the White House despite a major midterm election defeat for his Republican Party. A day after Democrats secured victories in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump largely ignored the election results and highlighted the ongoing construction of his new White House ballroom. This time, Trump's attention turned to the Oval Office, which he has decorated with gold ornaments since returning to power last year, along with the adjacent Cabinet Room. Explaining the decision, Trump said the proclamation would "make it impossible for anybody ever to destroy this incredible space" and prevent future presidents from undertaking construction work in the two rooms. "It won't be able to be taken down, destroyed, touched, or anything else. It's called actually a national monument," Trump told reporters.

Trump predicts a major agreement with Russia involving Ukraine and potentially all of Europe after an unscheduled White House meeting with Putin's envoy

Trump predicts 'very big' deal wit Russia that could involve 'all of Europe' after meeting Putin's envoy

US midterms 2026: Meet the Democratic candidates who won key Senate and governor races, flipped Republican strongholds and made history across the United States

Democrats made sweeping gains in the 2026 US midterms, flipping key Republican seats and winning historic victories. Meet the candidates who helped reshape America's political landscape

US midterms 2026: Meet the Democrats who turned the election upside down and scored big wins across America

Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, resigned on Thursday, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced. "Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division with conviction the past 18 months," Blanche wrote in a post on X. "She has defended the civil liberties of every American and enforced the law without fear or favour. The Department is grateful for her dedicated public service, and we wish her every success in her future endeavors."&nbsp;Dhillon's tenure was marked by a significant departure of employees from the Civil Rights Division, with more than 75% of its staff leaving last year. She also shifted many of the division's traditional priorities, which had focused on addressing discrimination against historically marginalized and vulnerable communities. After taking charge of the division, often described as the DOJ's 'crown jewel', Dhillon redirected its focus towards other issues, including protecting gun owners' rights, restricting the use of diversity, equity and inclusion policies at universities, and pursuing legal positions opposing civil rights protections for transgender people.&nbsp;Under her leadership, the Justice Department closed numerous cases involving discrimination against Black Americans. It also announced the dismissal of more than 50 longstanding consent decrees with public schools, many located in the Deep South, that had been established to protect Black students against unlawful discrimination. Last year, Dhillon also cancelled two pending consent decrees involving the Minneapolis and Louisville Police Departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;The agreements followed investigations into systemic abuses conducted after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. She also withdrew investigative findings of misconduct involving six other police departments. Earlier this year, immigration agents fatally shot American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis while they were protesting the administration's immigration crackdown. The Civil Rights Division did not initially launch criminal civil rights investigations, despite longstanding practice in high-profile shootings involving law enforcement officers.&nbsp;The division eventually became involved in the Pretti case after the Justice Department faced significant criticism and questions over why Homeland Security Investigations, rather than the FBI, was leading an investigation into its own agency. No charges have been filed in the Pretti case so far. State officials are also conducting a separate investigation.Stacey Young, a former Civil Rights Division attorney who established the nonprofit advocacy group Justice Connection, criticised Dhillon's leadership in a statement on Thursday. “The most destructive, lawless, and hateful head of the Civil Rights Division in DOJ history” "Americans' civil rights don't enforce themselves. For almost 70 years, the Civil Rights Division brought to fruition the civil rights laws that Americans demanded. Dhillon decimated it."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-trump-claims-alaska-votes-for-fake-dan-sullivan-should-go-to-republican-incumbent-amid-tight-senate-race-1793913667742">US midterms 2026: Trump claims Alaska votes for ‘fake’ Dan Sullivan should go to Republican incumbent amid tight Senate race</a><h2>Who is Harmeet Dhillon?</h2>A close ally of President Trump, Dhillon previously operated her own law firm in San Francisco for several years. She is also a frequent guest on conservative podcasts and regularly posts on social media. Unlike previous leaders of the division, Dhillon frequently used X to share videos about the work being carried out by her office. In media interviews, she acknowledged that social media posts often provided ideas for potential civil rights investigations.&nbsp;She also broke with traditional practices by publicly announcing the launch of certain civil rights investigations online. Additionally, she distributed challenge coins to fellow Justice Department attorneys featuring the phrase "FAFO" ("f*** around and find out"). Voting rights emerged as one of the most prominent areas of focus during her tenure.&nbsp;Under Dhillon, the Civil Rights Division filed 31 lawsuits, primarily against Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, seeking access to unredacted voter rolls. Division lawyers repeatedly maintained that the information was necessary to ensure states complied with two federal voting laws requiring the maintenance of accurate voter lists.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, they subsequently acknowledged in court that the Justice Department intended to share the information with the Department of Homeland Security for criminal and immigration enforcement purposes. The Justice Department has lost 27 of those cases so far. During Tuesday's midterm elections, the Civil Rights Division deployed more than 1,000 monitors to polling locations nationwide, marking a record deployment.&nbsp;&nbsp;The effort required the Justice Department to seek volunteers from departments that had not traditionally participated in the programme, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In recent weeks, however, Dhillon appeared to have a reduced role in the election monitoring effort. She was absent from a Justice Department election integrity briefing for journalists. Meanwhile, according to a September 10 memo reviewed by CBS News, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, which does not oversee civil rights matters, sought volunteers to serve as election monitors.

Harmeet Dhillon resigns as head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division after 18 months marked by major policy changes, staff departures and controversy

Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General overseeing the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, resigned on Thursday, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced. "Today, I accepted the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led the Civil Rights Division with conviction the past 18 months," Blanche wrote in a post on X. "She has defended the civil liberties of every American and enforced the law without fear or favour. The Department is grateful for her dedicated public service, and we wish her every success in her future endeavors." Dhillon's tenure was marked by a significant departure of employees from the Civil Rights Division, with more than 75% of its staff leaving last year. She also shifted many of the division's traditional priorities, which had focused on addressing discrimination against historically marginalized and vulnerable communities. After taking charge of the division, often described as the DOJ's 'crown jewel', Dhillon redirected its focus towards other issues, including protecting gun owners' rights, restricting the use of diversity, equity and inclusion policies at universities, and pursuing legal positions opposing civil rights protections for transgender people. Under her leadership, the Justice Department closed numerous cases involving discrimination against Black Americans. It also announced the dismissal of more than 50 longstanding consent decrees with public schools, many located in the Deep South, that had been established to protect Black students against unlawful discrimination. Last year, Dhillon also cancelled two pending consent decrees involving the Minneapolis and Louisville Police Departments. The agreements followed investigations into systemic abuses conducted after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. She also withdrew investigative findings of misconduct involving six other police departments. Earlier this year, immigration agents fatally shot American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis while they were protesting the administration's immigration crackdown. The Civil Rights Division did not initially launch criminal civil rights investigations, despite longstanding practice in high-profile shootings involving law enforcement officers. The division eventually became involved in the Pretti case after the Justice Department faced significant criticism and questions over why Homeland Security Investigations, rather than the FBI, was leading an investigation into its own agency. No charges have been filed in the Pretti case so far. State officials are also conducting a separate investigation. Stacey Young, a former Civil Rights Division attorney who established the nonprofit advocacy group Justice Connection, criticised Dhillon's leadership in a statement on Thursday. “The most destructive, lawless, and hateful head of the Civil Rights Division in DOJ history” "Americans' civil rights don't enforce themselves. For almost 70 years, the Civil Rights Division brought to fruition the civil rights laws that Americans demanded. Dhillon decimated it." Also Read: US midterms 2026: Trump claims Alaska votes for ‘fake’ Dan Sullivan should go to Republican incumbent amid tight Senate race Who is Harmeet Dhillon? A close ally of President Trump, Dhillon previously operated her own law firm in San Francisco for several years. She is also a frequent guest on conservative podcasts and regularly posts on social media. Unlike previous leaders of the division, Dhillon frequently used X to share videos about the work being carried out by her office. In media interviews, she acknowledged that social media posts often provided ideas for potential civil rights investigations. She also broke with traditional practices by publicly announcing the launch of certain civil rights investigations online. Additionally, she distributed challenge coins to fellow Justice Department attorneys featuring the phrase "FAFO" ("f*** around and find out"). Voting rights emerged as one of the most prominent areas of focus during her tenure. Under Dhillon, the Civil Rights Division filed 31 lawsuits, primarily against Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, seeking access to unredacted voter rolls. Division lawyers repeatedly maintained that the information was necessary to ensure states complied with two federal voting laws requiring the maintenance of accurate voter lists. However, they subsequently acknowledged in court that the Justice Department intended to share the information with the Department of Homeland Security for criminal and immigration enforcement purposes. The Justice Department has lost 27 of those cases so far. During Tuesday's midterm elections, the Civil Rights Division deployed more than 1,000 monitors to polling locations nationwide, marking a record deployment. The effort required the Justice Department to seek volunteers from departments that had not traditionally participated in the programme, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In recent weeks, however, Dhillon appeared to have a reduced role in the election monitoring effort. She was absent from a Justice Department election integrity briefing for journalists. Meanwhile, according to a September 10 memo reviewed by CBS News, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, which does not oversee civil rights matters, sought volunteers to serve as election monitors.

Harmeet Dhillon resigns as DOJ Civil Rights Division chief after 18 months marked by staff departures, policy shifts and criticism over enforcement

Harmeet Dhillon resigns as head of Justice Department's Civil Rights Division after 18 months

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for all votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan and Gerald Heikes in Alaska's Senate race to be transferred to Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan, describing the move as the only ‘fair solution’. “The vote totals for the Fake Dan Sullivan, plus the other ‘slug’ that the Dems put on the Ballot, should be immediately given to the REAL Dan Sullivan, and the Election is over - He easily wins,” Trump said. “There is no other fair solution!”&nbsp;The Alaska Senate contest remained undecided two days after the election, with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan locked in a close race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. Trump's Justice Department is investigating whether Peltola's campaign attempted to confuse voters by recruiting another candidate named Dan Sullivan to divert votes from the Republican incumbent. The investigation follows a major report by The New York Times.&nbsp;Transferring votes from one candidate to another would be unprecedented. Alaska's ranked-choice voting system had already allowed voters to rank both candidates named Dan Sullivan on their ballots. Trump's claim that the Republican incumbent would win is not supported by the current results. Peltola is leading and could potentially secure more than 50% of the vote once the remaining ballots are counted. Approximately 75,000 votes are still outstanding.&nbsp;Trump's proposed solution would also violate Alaska election law, which provides for ranked-choice voting, a system similar to the one used in New York City's mayoral primary. Under Alaska's election rules, a candidate wins if they receive more than 50% of the final vote. If no candidate reaches a majority, votes are redistributed according to the ranked preferences of voters whose first-choice candidates finished behind the leaders. Democrats have already secured control of the Senate after winning at least 54 seats.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-governor-gavin-newsom-commutes-all-548-death-sentences-to-life-without-parole-1793912352731">California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences to life without parole</a><h2>Peltola maintains narrow lead in Alaska Senate race</h2>The latest official count on Thursday showed Peltola narrowly ahead of Sullivan by fewer than 1,000 votes. She held approximately 48.2% of the vote compared with Sullivan's 47.9%. The candidate described as the ‘second Dan Sullivan’ appeared on the ballot as ‘Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.’ and finished last with approximately 3,600 votes.&nbsp;Gerald L. Heikes, another Republican candidate, was in third place with more than 4,800 votes. Around 78% of the estimated ballots have been counted, leaving approximately 75,000 votes yet to be included in the official tally. Most of the outstanding ballots are expected to be mail-in votes from remote communities across Alaska's vast and sparsely populated regions.&nbsp;The complete results are unlikely to be available until a few days before Thanksgiving. A significant share of the remaining ballots comes from Native American communities, which traditionally lean heavily towards Democratic candidates. Peltola, who is herself Native American, could benefit from this voting pattern as the remaining ballots are counted.

Donald Trump demands Alaska Senate votes for Daniel J. Sullivan and Gerald Heikes be handed to Republican Dan Sullivan as Democrat Mary Peltola leads the tight race

President Donald Trump on Thursday called for all votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan and Gerald Heikes in Alaska's Senate race to be transferred to Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan, describing the move as the only ‘fair solution’. “The vote totals for the Fake Dan Sullivan, plus the other ‘slug’ that the Dems put on the Ballot, should be immediately given to the REAL Dan Sullivan, and the Election is over - He easily wins,” Trump said. “There is no other fair solution!” The Alaska Senate contest remained undecided two days after the election, with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan locked in a close race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. Trump's Justice Department is investigating whether Peltola's campaign attempted to confuse voters by recruiting another candidate named Dan Sullivan to divert votes from the Republican incumbent. The investigation follows a major report by The New York Times. Transferring votes from one candidate to another would be unprecedented. Alaska's ranked-choice voting system had already allowed voters to rank both candidates named Dan Sullivan on their ballots. Trump's claim that the Republican incumbent would win is not supported by the current results. Peltola is leading and could potentially secure more than 50% of the vote once the remaining ballots are counted. Approximately 75,000 votes are still outstanding. Trump's proposed solution would also violate Alaska election law, which provides for ranked-choice voting, a system similar to the one used in New York City's mayoral primary. Under Alaska's election rules, a candidate wins if they receive more than 50% of the final vote. If no candidate reaches a majority, votes are redistributed according to the ranked preferences of voters whose first-choice candidates finished behind the leaders. Democrats have already secured control of the Senate after winning at least 54 seats. Also Read: California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences to life without parole Peltola maintains narrow lead in Alaska Senate race The latest official count on Thursday showed Peltola narrowly ahead of Sullivan by fewer than 1,000 votes. She held approximately 48.2% of the vote compared with Sullivan's 47.9%. The candidate described as the ‘second Dan Sullivan’ appeared on the ballot as ‘Sullivan, Daniel J. Jr.’ and finished last with approximately 3,600 votes. Gerald L. Heikes, another Republican candidate, was in third place with more than 4,800 votes. Around 78% of the estimated ballots have been counted, leaving approximately 75,000 votes yet to be included in the official tally. Most of the outstanding ballots are expected to be mail-in votes from remote communities across Alaska's vast and sparsely populated regions. The complete results are unlikely to be available until a few days before Thanksgiving. A significant share of the remaining ballots comes from Native American communities, which traditionally lean heavily towards Democratic candidates. Peltola, who is herself Native American, could benefit from this voting pattern as the remaining ballots are counted.

Trump demands votes for two Alaska Senate candidates named Dan Sullivan be transferred to Republican Dan Sullivan as Mary Peltola maintains her lead

US midterms 2026: Trump claims Alaska votes for ‘fake’ Dan Sullivan should go to Republican incumbent amid tight Senate race

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that he is commuting every death sentence in the state to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. “My decision today comes after nearly three decades of openly opposing state-sanctioned executions as an elected official,” Newsom wrote in an open letter to California residents shared by his office.&nbsp;The decision will affect 548 people currently on California's death row, which Newsom's office described as the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. Newsom is also considering a potential 2028 presidential bid. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the death penalty following Tennessee's failed execution of Christa Pike in late September.&nbsp;In the weeks after Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital, Tennessee suspended its remaining executions. However, courts have rejected requests to halt executions in other states. Three lethal injections were scheduled for Thursday, with Florida and Alabama planning to execute two men hours after an execution in Indiana.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paraguay-president-santiago-pena-impeached-minutes-after-his-resignation-as-ueno-bank-collapse-triggers-nationwide-protests-1793905404332">Paraguay President Santiago Pena impeached minutes after his resignation as Ueno bank collapse triggers nationwide protests</a>&nbsp;The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) welcomed Newsom's decision in a statement Thursday, describing it as a historic step towards ending the death penalty in California and across the country. “These commutations reflect what justice demands: an end to a racist, error-prone, and inhumane punishment that has burdened California for far too long,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU executive director. “By taking this step, Gov. Newsom has affirmed that the death penalty has no place in California and he showed real courage by confronting racialized injustice head-on.”&nbsp;Among those on California's death row are serial killer Randy Kraft, known as the “Southern California Strangler”; Charles Ng, convicted of killing 11 people in California during the 1980s; and Richard Allen Davis, who kidnapped and killed 12-year-old Polly Klass in 1993.

California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences to life without parole, marking a major development in the state's death penalty policy

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that he is commuting every death sentence in the state to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. “My decision today comes after nearly three decades of openly opposing state-sanctioned executions as an elected official,” Newsom wrote in an open letter to California residents shared by his office. The decision will affect 548 people currently on California's death row, which Newsom's office described as the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. Newsom is also considering a potential 2028 presidential bid. The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the death penalty following Tennessee's failed execution of Christa Pike in late September. In the weeks after Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital, Tennessee suspended its remaining executions. However, courts have rejected requests to halt executions in other states. Three lethal injections were scheduled for Thursday, with Florida and Alabama planning to execute two men hours after an execution in Indiana. Also Read: Paraguay President Santiago Pena impeached minutes after his resignation as Ueno bank collapse triggers nationwide protests The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) welcomed Newsom's decision in a statement Thursday, describing it as a historic step towards ending the death penalty in California and across the country. “These commutations reflect what justice demands: an end to a racist, error-prone, and inhumane punishment that has burdened California for far too long,” said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU executive director. “By taking this step, Gov. Newsom has affirmed that the death penalty has no place in California and he showed real courage by confronting racialized injustice head-on.” Among those on California's death row are serial killer Randy Kraft, known as the “Southern California Strangler”; Charles Ng, convicted of killing 11 people in California during the 1980s; and Richard Allen Davis, who kidnapped and killed 12-year-old Polly Klass in 1993.

Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences in California to life without parole, amid renewed scrutiny of capital punishment nationwide

California Governor Gavin Newsom commutes all 548 death sentences to life without parole

Yashar representatives on Thursday rejected a unity arrangement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after getting majority backing and urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to give party leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a government, arguing that Israel needs new leadership.&nbsp;Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said Israel needs a stable government quickly and that Yashar will welcome any party that accepts its principles. Given the high voter turnout in last week’s election, he said, “It would be wrong to ignore the people’s desire for change and go to another round of elections.”&nbsp;When asked about forming a government given the opposition’s lack of a Knesset majority, Cohen says Yashar will first negotiate with the parties already partnered with it in the opposition bloc, forming a core that could later be joined by others who accept the bloc’s principles.“I hope there will be no surprises,” he said, “and if there are, only pleasant ones.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eiffel-tower-shut-amid-unrest-as-strike-and-nationwide-protests-hit-services-in-france-1793894092933">Eiffel Tower shut as strike and nationwide protests hit services in France amid unrest</a>&nbsp;Earlier, the Joint List said it will recommend Yashar's chairman, Gadi Eisenkot, as the next prime minister to President Isaac Herzog.Eisenkot already had the backing of more Knesset members than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but after the Joint List announcement, he will get the backing of 67 MKs in the next Knesset, where 61 is the majority mark.&nbsp;The Joint List said the unanimous decision between its three factions comes “in response to the public demand to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Netanyahu an obstacle to unity‘</h2>&nbsp;MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen said giving Eisenkot the mandate is “nothing less than a matter of saving the State of Israel.” She called Netanyahu an obstacle to unity, saying his leadership brought Israel to “a historic low” in social division.“Unity is not a slogan,” she said, challenging Herzog to name a promise Netanyahu had kept in past unity coalitions.Asked about forming a broad national government, incoming MK Shaul Meridor said the outgoing government had lost public trust. “The public told the October 7 government: ‘Go home,'” he says.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-irreplaceable-sergio-gor-rejects-reports-of-being-a-contender-for-secretary-of-state-1793886047229">‘Rubio irreplaceable’: Sergio Gor rejects reports of being a contender for Secretary of State</a><h2>Rally in Jerusalem calls for unity govt</h2>&nbsp;A rally outside the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where President Isaac Herzog has been consulting with heads of political parties about who should be the next prime minister, called for the formation of a broad unity government.Chanting a rhyming Hebrew slogan that translates to “Unity or a nightmare,” about 200 people, mainly supporters of the right wing, waved flags and held signs calling for a government that includes both Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party and Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud.“Gadi, we are here to tell you that the nation of Israel demands unity,” said one organizer over a megaphone. “Take responsibility and act, for the benefit of everyone.”

Yashar's Gadi Eisenkot already had the backing of more Knesset members than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but after the Joint List announcement, he will get the backing of 67 MKs in the next Knesset, where 61 is the majority mark.

Yashar representatives on Thursday rejected a unity arrangement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after getting majority backing and urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to give party leader Gadi Eisenkot the mandate to form a government, arguing that Israel needs new leadership. Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said Israel needs a stable government quickly and that Yashar will welcome any party that accepts its principles. Given the high voter turnout in last week’s election, he said, “It would be wrong to ignore the people’s desire for change and go to another round of elections.” When asked about forming a government given the opposition’s lack of a Knesset majority, Cohen says Yashar will first negotiate with the parties already partnered with it in the opposition bloc, forming a core that could later be joined by others who accept the bloc’s principles. “I hope there will be no surprises,” he said, “and if there are, only pleasant ones.” Also Read: Eiffel Tower shut as strike and nationwide protests hit services in France amid unrest Earlier, the Joint List said it will recommend Yashar's chairman, Gadi Eisenkot, as the next prime minister to President Isaac Herzog. Eisenkot already had the backing of more Knesset members than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but after the Joint List announcement, he will get the backing of 67 MKs in the next Knesset, where 61 is the majority mark. The Joint List said the unanimous decision between its three factions comes “in response to the public demand to prevent Netanyahu and his government from returning to power.” ‘Netanyahu an obstacle to unity‘ MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen said giving Eisenkot the mandate is “nothing less than a matter of saving the State of Israel.” She called Netanyahu an obstacle to unity, saying his leadership brought Israel to “a historic low” in social division. “Unity is not a slogan,” she said, challenging Herzog to name a promise Netanyahu had kept in past unity coalitions. Asked about forming a broad national government, incoming MK Shaul Meridor said the outgoing government had lost public trust. “The public told the October 7 government: ‘Go home,'” he says. Also Read: ‘Rubio irreplaceable’: Sergio Gor rejects reports of being a contender for Secretary of State Rally in Jerusalem calls for unity govt A rally outside the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where President Isaac Herzog has been consulting with heads of political parties about who should be the next prime minister, called for the formation of a broad unity government. Chanting a rhyming Hebrew slogan that translates to “Unity or a nightmare,” about 200 people, mainly supporters of the right wing, waved flags and held signs calling for a government that includes both Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party and Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud. “Gadi, we are here to tell you that the nation of Israel demands unity,” said one organizer over a megaphone. “Take responsibility and act, for the benefit of everyone.”

Yashar's Gadi Eisenkot already had the backing of more Knesset members than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but after the Joint List announcement, he will get the backing of 67 MKs in the next Knesset, where 61 is the majority mark.

Yashar rejects unity govt option after majority backing; urges Herzog to give Eisenkot premiership

Paraguay's lower house voted unanimously on Thursday to impeach President Santiago Pena, shortly after he announced his resignation, as the collapse of a major digital bank linked to his government froze millions of people's savings, sparked widespread protests and triggered a political revolt within his own party. The 78-0 vote represented a major blow to Pena, with lawmakers from his long-ruling Colorado Party joining opposition members to support impeachment following three days of demonstrations in the capital, Asunción. The charges will now go to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is necessary to convict the president and formally remove him from office.&nbsp;Thousands of people continued protesting for a third consecutive day, demanding the return of their savings, salaries and pensions trapped following the collapse of Ueno Bank, a major digital lender. Pena, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, announced his resignation in a video posted on X while lawmakers were debating his impeachment. He said he was stepping down in the interest of the stability of our country, social peace and the need to preserve our democratic institutions.&nbsp;Although the president expressed regret, he did not accept responsibility for the banking crisis that has pushed Paraguay, a South American country long regarded as a stable destination for foreign investors, into financial and political uncertainty. "I also want to apologize to the people if I have failed them at any point," he said. “It was never my intention to betray the trust they placed in me.” The developments paved the way for a transfer of power later on Thursday. Congress was expected to formally accept Pena's resignation at 5 pm, allowing Vice President Pedro Alliana to take the presidential oath an hour later. Alliana would complete Pena's term, which runs until August 2028, while lawmakers are expected to select a new vice president.<h2>From prominent lender to government seizure</h2>Ueno Bank rose from an relatively unknown finance company to a household name in less than five years, claiming more than 60% of Paraguay's adult population as customers. Its collapse has left customers struggling to recover their savings and government pensions. Around 7,000 employees affected by the bank's closure are also facing unpaid wages. Questions have emerged over how a financial institution connected to the president, who held a stake in Ueno's holding company until last year, managed to expand so quickly despite repeated concerns about its lending practices.&nbsp;The crisis has highlighted the close relationship between Pena's long-governing Colorado Party, financial regulators and the country's business elite. This has remained a concern even as consistent economic management and rapid growth helped Paraguay attract international investors in recent years. After securing its banking licence in 2023, Ueno rapidly expanded its presence across Paraguay. The digital lender, which was rebranded from a finance company that had operated for decades, attracted customers through generous grocery cashback offers.&nbsp;Under Pena's government, substantial public funds were deposited with Ueno. The president also appointed Carlos Carvallo, the president of Financiera Ueno, the institution that preceded Ueno Bank, to lead the central bank responsible for supervising the lender. By last month, Ueno had reported approximately $800 million in public deposits, accounting for around a quarter of its total deposits. These included funds from the state pension and health fund, as well as operators of Paraguay's major hydroelectric dams.&nbsp;However, concerns over the bank's lending activities were growing within the central bank. According to ABC Color, a leading Paraguayan newspaper, inspectors identified risky lending to insiders during a June inspection. Ueno had reportedly extended substantial loans to companies connected to its owners, exceeding legal limits and without sufficient collateral to cover potential losses. On a single day in September 2025, nearly $39 million was reportedly transferred to three such firms. Pena repeatedly dismissed the warnings. As recently as last month, he defended Ueno and the central bank's supervision, describing the concerns as a smear campaign that was creating public anxiety.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-killed-as-massive-fire-tears-through-brooklyn-home-lithium-ion-battery-found-at-scene-mamdani-says-neighbourhood-faces-immense-grief-1793894151643">Six killed as massive fire tears through Brooklyn home, lithium-ion battery found at scene; Mamdani says neighbourhood faces 'immense grief'</a><h2>Customers locked out as bank branches shut</h2>The situation unravelled on Monday when regulators investigating Ueno's loans to companies linked to its owners discovered poorly documented lending practices, according to the central bank. Investigators also identified expenses that the bank had incorrectly recorded as assets. Following corrections to its financial records, Ueno's capital, which banks are required to maintain as protection against losses, dropped to less than half the legally required minimum.&nbsp;The central bank seized control of the lender on Tuesday and announced that customers' accounts, along with the remaining valuable assets, would be transferred to other banks before the institution was liquidated. The bank's mobile application, cards and transfer services stopped working, while its branches shut their doors. Customers were left waiting outside in long queues, unable to withdraw their money. On Wednesday, a surge in customers attempting to open accounts at other financial institutions caused mobile banking applications at several banks to crash, intensifying public panic.&nbsp;Authorities appealed for calm and said repayments to depositors had begun. They also opened new accounts at other banks for approximately 280,000 customers who had held accounts exclusively with Ueno. "The banking system is sound," insisted Pedro Acosta Bernal, who was appointed interim central bank president on Wednesday after Carvallo resigned at Pena's request. Authorities have detained eight senior Ueno executives, including founder Miguel Vazquez and bank President Juan Manuel Gustale. Prosecutors have also charged 27 bank officials and business associates with offences that include breach of trust and attempted fraud. Lawyers representing several detained individuals said they needed time to examine the allegations before commenting.<h2>Protests intensify across Paraguay</h2>Hundreds of employees from Ueno Bank and other businesses under its parent conglomerate, Grupo Vazquez, gathered outside the Labor Ministry on Thursday. The workers demanded severance payments and unpaid salaries as their employment situations remained uncertain and their wages were trapped in the collapsed bank. A day earlier, hundreds of retirees, depositors, university students and workers had taken to the streets of Asunción. "We want your head, Peña!" they shouted.&nbsp;Protesters carried signs demanding the president's impeachment, describing him as ‘the enemy of savers’ and calling for their money to be returned. Riot police used pepper spray and rubber pellets to disperse the crowds. For many demonstrators, Ueno's collapse represented more than a banking failure. They viewed it as another example of alleged corruption and the close connections between political leaders and powerful business interests.

Paraguay President Santiago Peña resigns after a unanimous impeachment vote as the Ueno Bank collapse triggers protests, frozen savings and political turmoil

Paraguay's lower house voted unanimously on Thursday to impeach President Santiago Pena, shortly after he announced his resignation, as the collapse of a major digital bank linked to his government froze millions of people's savings, sparked widespread protests and triggered a political revolt within his own party. The 78-0 vote represented a major blow to Pena, with lawmakers from his long-ruling Colorado Party joining opposition members to support impeachment following three days of demonstrations in the capital, Asunción. The charges will now go to the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is necessary to convict the president and formally remove him from office. Thousands of people continued protesting for a third consecutive day, demanding the return of their savings, salaries and pensions trapped following the collapse of Ueno Bank, a major digital lender. Pena, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, announced his resignation in a video posted on X while lawmakers were debating his impeachment. He said he was stepping down in the interest of the stability of our country, social peace and the need to preserve our democratic institutions. Although the president expressed regret, he did not accept responsibility for the banking crisis that has pushed Paraguay, a South American country long regarded as a stable destination for foreign investors, into financial and political uncertainty. "I also want to apologize to the people if I have failed them at any point," he said. “It was never my intention to betray the trust they placed in me.” The developments paved the way for a transfer of power later on Thursday. Congress was expected to formally accept Pena's resignation at 5 pm, allowing Vice President Pedro Alliana to take the presidential oath an hour later. Alliana would complete Pena's term, which runs until August 2028, while lawmakers are expected to select a new vice president. From prominent lender to government seizure Ueno Bank rose from an relatively unknown finance company to a household name in less than five years, claiming more than 60% of Paraguay's adult population as customers. Its collapse has left customers struggling to recover their savings and government pensions. Around 7,000 employees affected by the bank's closure are also facing unpaid wages. Questions have emerged over how a financial institution connected to the president, who held a stake in Ueno's holding company until last year, managed to expand so quickly despite repeated concerns about its lending practices. The crisis has highlighted the close relationship between Pena's long-governing Colorado Party, financial regulators and the country's business elite. This has remained a concern even as consistent economic management and rapid growth helped Paraguay attract international investors in recent years. After securing its banking licence in 2023, Ueno rapidly expanded its presence across Paraguay. The digital lender, which was rebranded from a finance company that had operated for decades, attracted customers through generous grocery cashback offers. Under Pena's government, substantial public funds were deposited with Ueno. The president also appointed Carlos Carvallo, the president of Financiera Ueno, the institution that preceded Ueno Bank, to lead the central bank responsible for supervising the lender. By last month, Ueno had reported approximately $800 million in public deposits, accounting for around a quarter of its total deposits. These included funds from the state pension and health fund, as well as operators of Paraguay's major hydroelectric dams. However, concerns over the bank's lending activities were growing within the central bank. According to ABC Color, a leading Paraguayan newspaper, inspectors identified risky lending to insiders during a June inspection. Ueno had reportedly extended substantial loans to companies connected to its owners, exceeding legal limits and without sufficient collateral to cover potential losses. On a single day in September 2025, nearly $39 million was reportedly transferred to three such firms. Pena repeatedly dismissed the warnings. As recently as last month, he defended Ueno and the central bank's supervision, describing the concerns as a smear campaign that was creating public anxiety. Also Read: Six killed as massive fire tears through Brooklyn home, lithium-ion battery found at scene; Mamdani says neighbourhood faces 'immense grief' Customers locked out as bank branches shut The situation unravelled on Monday when regulators investigating Ueno's loans to companies linked to its owners discovered poorly documented lending practices, according to the central bank. Investigators also identified expenses that the bank had incorrectly recorded as assets. Following corrections to its financial records, Ueno's capital, which banks are required to maintain as protection against losses, dropped to less than half the legally required minimum. The central bank seized control of the lender on Tuesday and announced that customers' accounts, along with the remaining valuable assets, would be transferred to other banks before the institution was liquidated. The bank's mobile application, cards and transfer services stopped working, while its branches shut their doors. Customers were left waiting outside in long queues, unable to withdraw their money. On Wednesday, a surge in customers attempting to open accounts at other financial institutions caused mobile banking applications at several banks to crash, intensifying public panic. Authorities appealed for calm and said repayments to depositors had begun. They also opened new accounts at other banks for approximately 280,000 customers who had held accounts exclusively with Ueno. "The banking system is sound," insisted Pedro Acosta Bernal, who was appointed interim central bank president on Wednesday after Carvallo resigned at Pena's request. Authorities have detained eight senior Ueno executives, including founder Miguel Vazquez and bank President Juan Manuel Gustale. Prosecutors have also charged 27 bank officials and business associates with offences that include breach of trust and attempted fraud. Lawyers representing several detained individuals said they needed time to examine the allegations before commenting. Protests intensify across Paraguay Hundreds of employees from Ueno Bank and other businesses under its parent conglomerate, Grupo Vazquez, gathered outside the Labor Ministry on Thursday. The workers demanded severance payments and unpaid salaries as their employment situations remained uncertain and their wages were trapped in the collapsed bank. A day earlier, hundreds of retirees, depositors, university students and workers had taken to the streets of Asunción. "We want your head, Peña!" they shouted. Protesters carried signs demanding the president's impeachment, describing him as ‘the enemy of savers’ and calling for their money to be returned. Riot police used pepper spray and rubber pellets to disperse the crowds. For many demonstrators, Ueno's collapse represented more than a banking failure. They viewed it as another example of alleged corruption and the close connections between political leaders and powerful business interests.

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena resigns amid an impeachment vote and mass protests following the collapse of digital lender Ueno Bank

Paraguay President Santiago Pena impeached minutes after his resignation as Ueno bank collapse triggers nationwide protests

New Delhi: India’s indigenous guided-missile stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base for Exercise Malabar 2026, joining Naval forces from the United States, Japan and Australia in one of the Indo-Pacific’s premier multilateral naval drills.The Eastern Fleet warship docked on 4 November and was given a formal welcome by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Vice Admiral Yagi Koji, Commandant of Yokosuka District, and R. Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of the Indian Mission, attended the ceremony.&nbsp;An opening ceremony followed on 5 November in the Funakoshi area, marking the formal start of the exercise. Senior commanders from the four nations, including Rear Admiral Anita Williams of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Pat Hannifin of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi of the JMSDF, gathered as the harbour phase began.&nbsp;“What began in 1992 as a modest bilateral event between the United States and India has matured over three decades into a premier, quadrilateral exercise,” Vice Admiral Hannifin said. “This growth builds our interoperability to collaboratively reinforce a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that benefits all nations.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eiffel-tower-shut-amid-unrest-as-strike-and-nationwide-protests-hit-services-in-france-1793894092933">Eiffel Tower shut as strike and nationwide protests hit services in France amid unrest</a>&nbsp;Malabar, now in its 30th year and the sixth edition involving all four partners, runs from 5 to 12 November in waters south of Japan’s Kanto region. The programme combines harbour planning with at-sea training across surface, subsurface, air and information domains.&nbsp;Participating units include Japan’s helicopter destroyer JS Ise, frigate JS Mogami, a submarine and a P-1 patrol aircraft; Australia’s frigate HMAS Stuart and a P-8A Poseidon; and U.S. assets comprising a P-8A Poseidon plus the amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage and USS John P. Murtha. INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, joins after completing a bilateral exercise with the South Korean Navy in Busan.&nbsp;The Indian Navy said the exercise provides an opportunity “to enhance operational coordination, strengthen interoperability and exchange professional expertise,” contributing to a “secure and stable Indo-Pacific.” The Indian side has framed the deployment as consistent with India’s MAHASAGAR vision of mutual advancement for security and growth across regions.

Malabar, now in its 30th year and the sixth edition involving all four partners, runs from 5 to 12 November in waters south of Japan’s Kanto region. The programme combines harbour planning with at-sea training across surface, subsurface, air and information domains.

New Delhi: India’s indigenous guided-missile stealth frigate INS Sahyadri has arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base for Exercise Malabar 2026, joining Naval forces from the United States, Japan and Australia in one of the Indo-Pacific’s premier multilateral naval drills. The Eastern Fleet warship docked on 4 November and was given a formal welcome by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Vice Admiral Yagi Koji, Commandant of Yokosuka District, and R. Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of the Indian Mission, attended the ceremony. An opening ceremony followed on 5 November in the Funakoshi area, marking the formal start of the exercise. Senior commanders from the four nations, including Rear Admiral Anita Williams of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Pat Hannifin of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi of the JMSDF, gathered as the harbour phase began. “What began in 1992 as a modest bilateral event between the United States and India has matured over three decades into a premier, quadrilateral exercise,” Vice Admiral Hannifin said. “This growth builds our interoperability to collaboratively reinforce a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that benefits all nations.” Also Read: Eiffel Tower shut as strike and nationwide protests hit services in France amid unrest Malabar, now in its 30th year and the sixth edition involving all four partners, runs from 5 to 12 November in waters south of Japan’s Kanto region. The programme combines harbour planning with at-sea training across surface, subsurface, air and information domains. Participating units include Japan’s helicopter destroyer JS Ise, frigate JS Mogami, a submarine and a P-1 patrol aircraft; Australia’s frigate HMAS Stuart and a P-8A Poseidon; and U.S. assets comprising a P-8A Poseidon plus the amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage and USS John P. Murtha. INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate, joins after completing a bilateral exercise with the South Korean Navy in Busan. The Indian Navy said the exercise provides an opportunity “to enhance operational coordination, strengthen interoperability and exchange professional expertise,” contributing to a “secure and stable Indo-Pacific.” The Indian side has framed the deployment as consistent with India’s MAHASAGAR vision of mutual advancement for security and growth across regions.

Malabar, now in its 30th year and the sixth edition involving all four partners, runs from 5 to 12 November in waters south of Japan’s Kanto region. The programme combines harbour planning with at-sea training across surface, subsurface, air and information domains.

INS Sahyadri joins US, Japan and Australia Navies for the Malabar Exercises

A day after the midterm election results, US stocks crashed on Thursday, with technology and semiconductor shares experiencing larger losses. The Nasdaq was also on its way to enter correction territory after a large number of investors sold chipmakers' and artificial intelligence (AI) data centre companies' shares. The Nasdaq Composite was at the top to make losses among major indexes. The Nasdaq fell 795.08 points, or 3.09 per cent, to 24,941.44 at 9:57 am ET. The S&amp;P 500 also recorded a sharp fall, and the index dropped 127.74 points, or 1.66%, to 7,560.88 at 9:57 am ET. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also declined as well, falling 351.87 points, or 0.66 per cent, to 53,004.25 at the same time. Meanwhile, Qualcomm shares also dropped rapidly 9 per cent after the chipmaker's fourth-quarter forecast for smartphone chip sales fell short of Wall Street estimates. The result is the outcome of the company's weak demand and declining revenue from its business connected to Apple. Broader semiconductor stocks also deepened their losses, dropping 7.1 per cent in the session. Major chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel and Marvell Technology were among the biggest drag on the index. The fall in chip stocks was tied partly to growing unease over the future of the AI industry and the breakneck pace at which data centres across the US are being built.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-did-sensex-jump-2-000-points-in-biggest-rally-in-months-key-triggers-explained-1793886812425">Why did Sensex jump 2,000 points in biggest rally in months? Key triggers explained</a><h3>Political uncertainty reduced investor sentiment</h3>The downturn came just a day after Democrats scored a decisive win in the US midterms, taking control of the Senate. That reduced political uncertainty had initially lifted investor sentiment on Wednesday, November 4, but the mood reversed sharply by Thursday. Behind the shift was investor anxiety that a Democratic-controlled Senate might usher in tighter oversight of AI data centre development. Reuters reported that Democrats had won in several states central to the data centre boom, areas where local resistance to the industry’s expansion has been mounting. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, suggested that the aggressive AI push championed by the Trump administration over the last two years might now lose momentum. She further noted that the changed political landscape could bring heightened scrutiny to AI infrastructure growth, adding that several concerns tied to the AI trade had so far gone largely unaddressed under the outgoing administration.

The downturn came just a day after Democrats scored a decisive win in the US midterms, taking control of the Senate. That reduced political uncertainty had initially lifted investor sentiment on Wednesday, November 4, but the mood reversed sharply by Thursday.

A day after the midterm election results, US stocks crashed on Thursday, with technology and semiconductor shares experiencing larger losses. The Nasdaq was also on its way to enter correction territory after a large number of investors sold chipmakers' and artificial intelligence (AI) data centre companies' shares. The Nasdaq Composite was at the top to make losses among major indexes. The Nasdaq fell 795.08 points, or 3.09 per cent, to 24,941.44 at 9:57 am ET. The S&P 500 also recorded a sharp fall, and the index dropped 127.74 points, or 1.66%, to 7,560.88 at 9:57 am ET. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also declined as well, falling 351.87 points, or 0.66 per cent, to 53,004.25 at the same time. Meanwhile, Qualcomm shares also dropped rapidly 9 per cent after the chipmaker's fourth-quarter forecast for smartphone chip sales fell short of Wall Street estimates. The result is the outcome of the company's weak demand and declining revenue from its business connected to Apple. Broader semiconductor stocks also deepened their losses, dropping 7.1 per cent in the session. Major chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel and Marvell Technology were among the biggest drag on the index. The fall in chip stocks was tied partly to growing unease over the future of the AI industry and the breakneck pace at which data centres across the US are being built. Also read: Why did Sensex jump 2,000 points in biggest rally in months? Key triggers explained Political uncertainty reduced investor sentiment The downturn came just a day after Democrats scored a decisive win in the US midterms, taking control of the Senate. That reduced political uncertainty had initially lifted investor sentiment on Wednesday, November 4, but the mood reversed sharply by Thursday. Behind the shift was investor anxiety that a Democratic-controlled Senate might usher in tighter oversight of AI data centre development. Reuters reported that Democrats had won in several states central to the data centre boom, areas where local resistance to the industry’s expansion has been mounting. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, suggested that the aggressive AI push championed by the Trump administration over the last two years might now lose momentum. She further noted that the changed political landscape could bring heightened scrutiny to AI infrastructure growth, adding that several concerns tied to the AI trade had so far gone largely unaddressed under the outgoing administration.

The downturn came just a day after Democrats scored a decisive win in the US midterms, taking control of the Senate. That reduced political uncertainty had initially lifted investor sentiment on Wednesday, November 4, but the mood reversed sharply by Thursday.

Wall Street crash: Nasdaq sinks 3%, S&P 500 & Dow also fall as AI and Chip stocks lead market sell-off

Elon Musk, one of the biggest financial backers of Republican candidates in the 2026 US midterm elections, has emerged as a prominent figure facing a political setback after Democrats secured major victories in Texas.Musk, often described by critics as an "alt president" or "shadow president" because of his influence over the US government, reportedly contributed at least $446 million to Republican-aligned groups during the election campaign, with a focus on key Senate races.He is also said to have spent around $180 million in Texas, where he lives and where SpaceX is headquartered. Musk reportedly contributed $5 million directly to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's campaign and invested millions more in Ken Paxton's Senate bid. However, both candidates lost their respective races to Democrats, ending the Republican Party's three-decade hold on the state's governorship and Senate seat.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/he-has-turned-opponents-into-enemies-mj-akbar-says-trump-s-language-cost-him-the-us-midterm-election-1793877932800">'He has turned opponents into enemies': MJ Akbar says Trump's language cost him the US midterm election</a><h2>Texas voters deliver a setback to Musk-backed candidates</h2>The election results triggered celebrations among Democratic supporters in Texas. Videos showed people honking and cheering after Democrat James Talarico defeated Paxton.Talarico, who had repeatedly faced criticism from Musk on social media, took a potshot at the tech billionaire during his victory speech. While he did not directly take Musk's name, the Democrat made thinly veiled remarks about "every billionaire megadonor, every trillionaire megadonor."On the flip side, Musk, who had spent months attacking Democrats online, was unusually quiet on election night. While he largely avoided commenting on the results, the SpaceX chief executive posted, "Data centres in space looking pretty appealing right now".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drugs-on-the-ballot-did-american-voters-back-marijuana-legalisation-in-2026-us-midterms-idaho-massachusetts-cannabis-ballots-1793799694174">Drugs on the ballot: Did American voters back marijuana legalisation in 2026 US midterms?</a><h2>Why are Texas data centres becoming a political flashpoint?</h2>Musk's comment comes as Texas faces growing opposition to the expansion of data centres. SpaceX has invested billions in data centre infrastructure. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has, however, vowed to halt approvals for new data centres until the state legislature passes laws governing the sector.The issue has become contentious because of concerns about the resources required to operate these facilities. Texas accounts for 25 per cent of planned data centre capacity in the US. Critics argue that the industry's demand for electricity could put pressure on the power grid, increase household energy bills and worsen water shortages for ordinary consumers.Opposition to new projects is also growing among residents. An opinion poll conducted in October found that 79 per cent of Texas voters supported limiting the number of data centres that can be built in the state.A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll also found that 42 per cent of US voters considered the issue their most important concern.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/defeat-of-alt-president-elon-musk-will-space-x-shift-its-hq-from-texas-1793900625670/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/defeat-of-alt-president-elon-musk-will-space-x-shift-its-hq-from-texas-1793900625670/embed</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Could Musk move SpaceX out of Texas?</h2>The election outcome has raised questions about whether Musk could reconsider SpaceX's presence in Texas as Democrats prepare to take a tougher approach to regulating the technology sector.The billionaire had previously moved the company's headquarters from California to Texas with considerable fanfare two years ago.Whether the latest political developments will prompt another relocation remains to be seen. Musk has not announced any plan to move SpaceX out of Texas.

Elon Musk-backed Republicans have suffered defeats in Texas, raising questions over SpaceX's future in the state. With data centre regulation emerging as a flashpoint, could Musk consider another headquarters move? 

Elon Musk, one of the biggest financial backers of Republican candidates in the 2026 US midterm elections, has emerged as a prominent figure facing a political setback after Democrats secured major victories in Texas. Musk, often described by critics as an "alt president" or "shadow president" because of his influence over the US government, reportedly contributed at least $446 million to Republican-aligned groups during the election campaign, with a focus on key Senate races. He is also said to have spent around $180 million in Texas, where he lives and where SpaceX is headquartered. Musk reportedly contributed $5 million directly to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's campaign and invested millions more in Ken Paxton's Senate bid. However, both candidates lost their respective races to Democrats, ending the Republican Party's three-decade hold on the state's governorship and Senate seat. Also read | 'He has turned opponents into enemies': MJ Akbar says Trump's language cost him the US midterm election Texas voters deliver a setback to Musk-backed candidates The election results triggered celebrations among Democratic supporters in Texas. Videos showed people honking and cheering after Democrat James Talarico defeated Paxton. Talarico, who had repeatedly faced criticism from Musk on social media, took a potshot at the tech billionaire during his victory speech. While he did not directly take Musk's name, the Democrat made thinly veiled remarks about "every billionaire megadonor, every trillionaire megadonor." On the flip side, Musk, who had spent months attacking Democrats online, was unusually quiet on election night. While he largely avoided commenting on the results, the SpaceX chief executive posted, "Data centres in space looking pretty appealing right now". Also read | Drugs on the ballot: Did American voters back marijuana legalisation in 2026 US midterms? Why are Texas data centres becoming a political flashpoint? Musk's comment comes as Texas faces growing opposition to the expansion of data centres. SpaceX has invested billions in data centre infrastructure. Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa has, however, vowed to halt approvals for new data centres until the state legislature passes laws governing the sector. The issue has become contentious because of concerns about the resources required to operate these facilities. Texas accounts for 25 per cent of planned data centre capacity in the US. Critics argue that the industry's demand for electricity could put pressure on the power grid, increase household energy bills and worsen water shortages for ordinary consumers. Opposition to new projects is also growing among residents. An opinion poll conducted in October found that 79 per cent of Texas voters supported limiting the number of data centres that can be built in the state. A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll also found that 42 per cent of US voters considered the issue their most important concern. https://www.wionews.com/videos/defeat-of-alt-president-elon-musk-will-space-x-shift-its-hq-from-texas-1793900625670/embed

Elon Musk-backed Republicans have suffered defeats in Texas, raising questions over SpaceX's future in the state. With data centre regulation emerging as a flashpoint, could Musk consider another headquarters move?&nbsp;

Defeat of 'Alt President' Elon Musk: Will SpaceX shift its HQ from Texas? | Gravitas

Six people were killed and several others injured after a fast-moving, three-alarm fire tore through a two-storey wooden home in Brooklyn's Sunset Park early Thursday (Nov 5), New York City officials said. A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, but investigators have not established whether it caused the blaze.The fire broke out at around 1:39 am at 653 58th Street, near Seventh Avenue. Firefighters reached the property in three minutes and 18 seconds but found flames engulfing the basement and both upper floors. Four adults were found dead inside the house after the fire was brought under control. They had suffered severe burns and are yet to be identified. Two other residents, a man and a woman in their 50s, were pulled from the building in cardiac arrest and taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where they later died.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-uk-pm-andy-burnham-rules-out-inviting-russian-counterpart-vladimir-putin-to-g20-summit-cites-sanctions-1793883705290">'No': UK PM Andy Burnham rules out inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to G20 summit. Here's why</a>Four other civilians were injured in the blaze. Three firefighters and two police officers also suffered minor injuries while responding to the emergency.New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths at the scene, describing the incident as an "intense, fast-growing, three-alarm fire".<h2>'It will take a long time for this neighbourhood to mourn'</h2>Speaking at a press briefing alongside FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, Mamdani expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said the city would support the affected community. "This was a devastating fire. It will take a long time for this neighbourhood to mourn the neighbours they lost this morning and to recover from this immense grief," he said.The NYC mayor said eight residents were displaced and taken to hotels, with the Red Cross assisting those affected. Mamdani said the city was also examining what short- and medium-term support would be needed by those who had lost their homes.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261105/image-1793899854809.png"></figure><h2>Firefighters rescued trapped residents as staircase partially collapsed</h2>According to FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, firefighters found people trapped inside when they arrived. "They were able to rescue four people from that building and transport them to local hospitals. Two of those people are still alive. And if not for the heroic efforts of our firefighters and EMS personnel, those people would be deceased as well," Flynn said.Two residents were trapped behind window bars at the rear of the first floor. Firefighters entered through a back door and rescued them. The staircase between the first and second floors partially collapsed during the fire. Fire officials said crews used a portable ladder to move between floors while assessing the building's structural stability.A total of 231 fire and emergency medical personnel, deployed across 74 units, responded to the three-alarm blaze. The fire was brought under control at around 4:28 am, according to Mamdani, while the FDNY's social media update put the time at approximately 4:30 am.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-put-a-price-on-peace-with-saudi-51-billion-and-recognition-as-yemen-s-rulers-report-1793872285314">Houthis put a price on peace with Saudi: $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's rulers - Report</a><h2>Lithium-ion battery found as investigators examine cause</h2>FDNY fire marshals are investigating what triggered the fire. Investigators recovered what appeared to be a bicycle and a stand-up scooter from the badly damaged home. Both were mangled and burnt.A lithium-ion battery was also found at the scene, but officials have not confirmed whether it was connected to the fire.Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said flames were coming out of every window when crews arrived. He described the property as a wooden "row frame" building, with its roof, floors, walls and exterior sheathing made of wood.The fire spread to the exterior of one neighbouring property in a row of 25 buildings. Woods credited firefighters with preventing it from spreading further.<h2>Officials urge residents to prepare for fires</h2>Officials used the briefing to remind residents to plan how they would escape if a fire broke out at home."Always have a plan. Always have a plan for fire," Flynn said, urging people to consider how they would get out and alert others in the house.Mamdani also highlighted fire safety as winter approaches, saying tenants who do not receive adequate heat should contact 311. He warned that a lack of heating can lead residents to use extension cords and urged New Yorkers to follow safer practices.The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing. Officials said they would share their findings once it is complete.

Six people were killed in a fast-moving fire at a Brooklyn home, with a lithium-ion battery found at the scene. The cause remains under investigation as officials pay tribute to firefighters who rescued trapped residents. 

Six people were killed and several others injured after a fast-moving, three-alarm fire tore through a two-storey wooden home in Brooklyn's Sunset Park early Thursday (Nov 5), New York City officials said. A lithium-ion battery was found at the scene, but investigators have not established whether it caused the blaze. The fire broke out at around 1:39 am at 653 58th Street, near Seventh Avenue. Firefighters reached the property in three minutes and 18 seconds but found flames engulfing the basement and both upper floors. Four adults were found dead inside the house after the fire was brought under control. They had suffered severe burns and are yet to be identified. Two other residents, a man and a woman in their 50s, were pulled from the building in cardiac arrest and taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where they later died. Also read | 'No': UK PM Andy Burnham rules out inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to G20 summit. Here's why Four other civilians were injured in the blaze. Three firefighters and two police officers also suffered minor injuries while responding to the emergency. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths at the scene, describing the incident as an "intense, fast-growing, three-alarm fire". 'It will take a long time for this neighbourhood to mourn' Speaking at a press briefing alongside FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, Mamdani expressed condolences to the families of those killed and said the city would support the affected community. "This was a devastating fire. It will take a long time for this neighbourhood to mourn the neighbours they lost this morning and to recover from this immense grief," he said. The NYC mayor said eight residents were displaced and taken to hotels, with the Red Cross assisting those affected. Mamdani said the city was also examining what short- and medium-term support would be needed by those who had lost their homes. Firefighters rescued trapped residents as staircase partially collapsed According to FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn, firefighters found people trapped inside when they arrived. "They were able to rescue four people from that building and transport them to local hospitals. Two of those people are still alive. And if not for the heroic efforts of our firefighters and EMS personnel, those people would be deceased as well," Flynn said. Two residents were trapped behind window bars at the rear of the first floor. Firefighters entered through a back door and rescued them. The staircase between the first and second floors partially collapsed during the fire. Fire officials said crews used a portable ladder to move between floors while assessing the building's structural stability. A total of 231 fire and emergency medical personnel, deployed across 74 units, responded to the three-alarm blaze. The fire was brought under control at around 4:28 am, according to Mamdani, while the FDNY's social media update put the time at approximately 4:30 am. Also read | Houthis put a price on peace with Saudi: $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's rulers - Report Lithium-ion battery found as investigators examine cause FDNY fire marshals are investigating what triggered the fire. Investigators recovered what appeared to be a bicycle and a stand-up scooter from the badly damaged home. Both were mangled and burnt. A lithium-ion battery was also found at the scene, but officials have not confirmed whether it was connected to the fire. Chief of Operations Kevin Woods said flames were coming out of every window when crews arrived. He described the property as a wooden "row frame" building, with its roof, floors, walls and exterior sheathing made of wood. The fire spread to the exterior of one neighbouring property in a row of 25 buildings. Woods credited firefighters with preventing it from spreading further. Officials urge residents to prepare for fires Officials used the briefing to remind residents to plan how they would escape if a fire broke out at home. "Always have a plan. Always have a plan for fire," Flynn said, urging people to consider how they would get out and alert others in the house. Mamdani also highlighted fire safety as winter approaches, saying tenants who do not receive adequate heat should contact 311. He warned that a lack of heating can lead residents to use extension cords and urged New Yorkers to follow safer practices. The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing. Officials said they would share their findings once it is complete.

Six people were killed in a fast-moving fire at a Brooklyn home, with a lithium-ion battery found at the scene. The cause remains under investigation as officials pay tribute to firefighters who rescued trapped residents.&nbsp;

Six killed as massive fire tears through Brooklyn home, lithium-ion battery found at scene; Mamdani says neighbourhood faces 'immense grief'

Kathmandu: Nepal is stepping up preparations for Prime Minister Balendra Shah's first major bilateral visit to India with November 23-25 emerging as the likely dates for the three-day trip, according to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;The proposed visit is expected to focus on long-pending bilateral issues, including border disputes, trade, energy cooperation, connectivity and the implementation of past agreements as Kathmandu seeks concrete outcomes from its engagement with New Delhi.&nbsp;A senior foreign ministry official said the dates were almost finalised while discussions were underway to identify the key priorities and agenda for the visit.&nbsp;Preparations gained momentum following the two-day visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal on November 4 and 5.&nbsp;During his visit, Misri called on Prime Minister Shah at Singha Durbar on Thursday and conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also discussed the progress of bilateral cooperation and possible outcomes and initiatives in the context of Shah's upcoming visit to India.&nbsp;According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Misri conveyed PM Modi's message that preparations were being intensified for the Nepali prime minister's visit. He also said India was looking forward to welcoming Shah.&nbsp;"Foreign Secretary Misri briefed the Prime Minister on preparations for his upcoming visit to India and the progress of bilateral cooperation in energy, water resources, trade, transit and aviation. He also informed that a trial run of the Ayodhya-Janakpur railway service was conducted today," PM Secretariat said.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the meeting, Shah thanked India for its assistance following the devastating Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods in August. He specifically acknowledged India's role as the first responder including the supply of relief materials and deployment of rescue teams. Shah also thanked Modi for expressing solidarity with Nepal through a phone call following the disaster.&nbsp;The Prime Minister also expressed interest in exploring cooperation with India for the development of sports in Nepal.&nbsp;The Indian Foreign Secretary also met Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane. His discussions with Nepali officials covered bilateral cooperation and priorities ahead of the prime minister’s visit.&nbsp;During the engagements, both sides discussed cooperation in trade, development partnership, hydropower, physical connectivity, border management and energy along with newer areas such as start-ups, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence and sports.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Focus on concrete outcomes</h2>&nbsp;Kathmandu is preparing to ensure that the visit goes beyond formal meetings and traditional declarations with the government seeking tangible progress on issues that have remained unresolved for years.&nbsp;Officials said the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry had emphasised the need for thorough preparations, particularly on matters involving border disputes, existing bilateral agreements and their implementation.&nbsp;Key areas expected to feature in discussions include the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, air connectivity, road and rail links, trade and transit arrangements and energy cooperation.&nbsp;Nepal is also expected to raise the issue of additional air entry routes through India which Kathmandu has long sought to facilitate international flights and improve the utilisation of Gautam Buddha and Pokhara international airports.&nbsp;Connectivity including Indian assistance in airport development and upgrading as well as road and rail links will also be among the proposed priorities.&nbsp;Energy cooperation is another major area of focus particularly Indian investment in hydropower projects and access to the Indian electricity market. Nepal also wants to explore arrangements to export its electricity to third countries through the Indian market along with the infrastructure and policy support required.&nbsp;Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is expected to accompany Shah while the participation of other ministers appears unlikely. The government is also considering including some of the Prime Minister's advisers and representatives from the private sector. However, the final composition of the delegation has not been decided.&nbsp;Khanal has confirmed that preparations are underway but said the details are still being finalised.&nbsp;Shah is expected to travel to New Delhi on November 23 with a meeting with Modi being planned for the same day. If the schedules do not align, the meeting could take place on November 24. No visit outside New Delhi is currently planned, according to officials.<h2>First bilateral visit</h2>&nbsp;Shah's proposed India visit comes around eight months after he became prime minister. It will be his first major bilateral visit to a neighbouring country as head of government.&nbsp;He had earlier travelled to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly where he raised issues of climate justice and Nepal's concerns on the international stage.&nbsp;The latest diplomatic engagement follows a series of visits by senior Nepali officials to India. Rastriya Swatantra Party chai Lamichhane travelled to India for five days in May and met Modi and other senior dignitaries. Foreign Minister Khanal also visited India where he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Home Minister Sudan Gurung and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle have also visited India earlier this year.&nbsp;The possibility of Shah's visit had been discussed during these engagements.&nbsp;The visit is expected to draw attention to whether the two sides can move beyond longstanding declarations and reach concrete agreements on issues central to Nepal's economic and strategic interests.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Prime Minister Balendra Shah at Singha Durbar and conveyed greetings from Indian PM Narendra Modi. He also discussed the progress of bilateral cooperation and possible outcomes and initiatives in the context of Shah's upcoming visit to India.

Kathmandu: Nepal is stepping up preparations for Prime Minister Balendra Shah's first major bilateral visit to India with November 23-25 emerging as the likely dates for the three-day trip, according to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The proposed visit is expected to focus on long-pending bilateral issues, including border disputes, trade, energy cooperation, connectivity and the implementation of past agreements as Kathmandu seeks concrete outcomes from its engagement with New Delhi. A senior foreign ministry official said the dates were almost finalised while discussions were underway to identify the key priorities and agenda for the visit. Preparations gained momentum following the two-day visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal on November 4 and 5. During his visit, Misri called on Prime Minister Shah at Singha Durbar on Thursday and conveyed greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also discussed the progress of bilateral cooperation and possible outcomes and initiatives in the context of Shah's upcoming visit to India. According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Misri conveyed PM Modi's message that preparations were being intensified for the Nepali prime minister's visit. He also said India was looking forward to welcoming Shah. "Foreign Secretary Misri briefed the Prime Minister on preparations for his upcoming visit to India and the progress of bilateral cooperation in energy, water resources, trade, transit and aviation. He also informed that a trial run of the Ayodhya-Janakpur railway service was conducted today," PM Secretariat said. During the meeting, Shah thanked India for its assistance following the devastating Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods in August. He specifically acknowledged India's role as the first responder including the supply of relief materials and deployment of rescue teams. Shah also thanked Modi for expressing solidarity with Nepal through a phone call following the disaster. The Prime Minister also expressed interest in exploring cooperation with India for the development of sports in Nepal. The Indian Foreign Secretary also met Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane. His discussions with Nepali officials covered bilateral cooperation and priorities ahead of the prime minister’s visit. During the engagements, both sides discussed cooperation in trade, development partnership, hydropower, physical connectivity, border management and energy along with newer areas such as start-ups, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence and sports. Focus on concrete outcomes Kathmandu is preparing to ensure that the visit goes beyond formal meetings and traditional declarations with the government seeking tangible progress on issues that have remained unresolved for years. Officials said the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry had emphasised the need for thorough preparations, particularly on matters involving border disputes, existing bilateral agreements and their implementation. Key areas expected to feature in discussions include the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, air connectivity, road and rail links, trade and transit arrangements and energy cooperation. Nepal is also expected to raise the issue of additional air entry routes through India which Kathmandu has long sought to facilitate international flights and improve the utilisation of Gautam Buddha and Pokhara international airports. Connectivity including Indian assistance in airport development and upgrading as well as road and rail links will also be among the proposed priorities. Energy cooperation is another major area of focus particularly Indian investment in hydropower projects and access to the Indian electricity market. Nepal also wants to explore arrangements to export its electricity to third countries through the Indian market along with the infrastructure and policy support required. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is expected to accompany Shah while the participation of other ministers appears unlikely. The government is also considering including some of the Prime Minister's advisers and representatives from the private sector. However, the final composition of the delegation has not been decided. Khanal has confirmed that preparations are underway but said the details are still being finalised. Shah is expected to travel to New Delhi on November 23 with a meeting with Modi being planned for the same day. If the schedules do not align, the meeting could take place on November 24. No visit outside New Delhi is currently planned, according to officials. First bilateral visit Shah's proposed India visit comes around eight months after he became prime minister. It will be his first major bilateral visit to a neighbouring country as head of government. He had earlier travelled to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly where he raised issues of climate justice and Nepal's concerns on the international stage. The latest diplomatic engagement follows a series of visits by senior Nepali officials to India. Rastriya Swatantra Party chai Lamichhane travelled to India for five days in May and met Modi and other senior dignitaries. Foreign Minister Khanal also visited India where he held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Home Minister Sudan Gurung and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle have also visited India earlier this year. The possibility of Shah's visit had been discussed during these engagements. The visit is expected to draw attention to whether the two sides can move beyond longstanding declarations and reach concrete agreements on issues central to Nepal's economic and strategic interests.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Prime Minister Balendra Shah at Singha Durbar and conveyed greetings from Indian PM Narendra Modi. He also discussed the progress of bilateral cooperation and possible outcomes and initiatives in the context of Shah's upcoming visit to India.

Indian Foreign Secretary meets Nepal PM Balendra Shah, visit preparations gather pace

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing growing calls for his removal following the Republican Party's midterm election defeat, raising questions over whether he will be made to bear the political cost of President Donald Trump's loss.Trump has already shifted some of the blame onto Republican candidates, saying they would have won if he had been on the ballot. He also pointed to the impact of the Iran war. Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, has said the war was the reason Republicans lost.And now, the political knives are out for Hegseth.Republicans who once backed Trump's War Secretary are questioning whether Hegseth helped lead the US into a war and the party into an electoral disaster. Voices within the party are increasingly calling for his removal, accusing him of pushing Trump towards military action without a clear strategy.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/race-to-power/the-verdict-trump-s-final-two-years-can-he-repair-america-s-fractured-global-relationships-1793808968355">The Verdict | Trump’s final two years: Can he repair America’s fractured global relationships?</a><h2>Calls for Hegseth's removal grow</h2>Congressman Thomas Massie has even threatened to impeach Hegseth unless he resigns. A House vote could come as early as next week.The developments have raised a central question: Is Hegseth responsible for Trump's historic defeat, or is he simply the most convenient person to blame?Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/race-to-power/the-verdict-trump-vs-the-presidential-midterm-curse-will-congress-limit-his-power-1793721724616">The Verdict | Trump vs the presidential midterm curse: Will Congress limit his power?</a><h2>Who should be held accountable for the Iran war?</h2>The war was not started by Hegseth alone. The final decision clearly came from the White House.There can be different opinions about Hegseth, whether people like him or dislike him. But the central issue is accountability and who should be held responsible for the decisions that led to the conflict.From former press secretary Karoline Leavitt to President Trump, members of the administration defended the Iran war.Republicans can continue to fight among themselves, but they must remember that American voters have judged their performance so far. That is what needs course correction.A blame game may help the party deflect attention from its defeat, but it will not win back the trust of voters.

Pete Hegseth is facing growing calls for his removal after the Republican Party's midterm defeat. With Trump and JD Vance pointing to the Iran war, questions are mounting over the War Secretary's role and who should be held accountable. Here's The Verdict.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is facing growing calls for his removal following the Republican Party's midterm election defeat, raising questions over whether he will be made to bear the political cost of President Donald Trump's loss. Trump has already shifted some of the blame onto Republican candidates, saying they would have won if he had been on the ballot. He also pointed to the impact of the Iran war. Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, has said the war was the reason Republicans lost. And now, the political knives are out for Hegseth. Republicans who once backed Trump's War Secretary are questioning whether Hegseth helped lead the US into a war and the party into an electoral disaster. Voices within the party are increasingly calling for his removal, accusing him of pushing Trump towards military action without a clear strategy. Also read | The Verdict | Trump’s final two years: Can he repair America’s fractured global relationships? Calls for Hegseth's removal grow Congressman Thomas Massie has even threatened to impeach Hegseth unless he resigns. A House vote could come as early as next week. The developments have raised a central question: Is Hegseth responsible for Trump's historic defeat, or is he simply the most convenient person to blame? Also read | The Verdict | Trump vs the presidential midterm curse: Will Congress limit his power? Who should be held accountable for the Iran war? The war was not started by Hegseth alone. The final decision clearly came from the White House. There can be different opinions about Hegseth, whether people like him or dislike him. But the central issue is accountability and who should be held responsible for the decisions that led to the conflict. From former press secretary Karoline Leavitt to President Trump, members of the administration defended the Iran war. Republicans can continue to fight among themselves, but they must remember that American voters have judged their performance so far. That is what needs course correction. A blame game may help the party deflect attention from its defeat, but it will not win back the trust of voters.

Pete Hegseth is facing growing calls for his removal after the Republican Party's midterm defeat. With Trump and JD Vance pointing to the Iran war, questions are mounting over the War Secretary's role and who should be held accountable. Here's The Verdict.

Pete Hegseth: The fall guy for the GOP’s midterm debacle? | The Verdict

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to the public on Thursday as the nationwide strike disrupted a range of services, including schools and trains, in France that has been rocked by protests for weeks. The Eiffel Tower’s official website confirmed the closure.The Eiffel shutdown was prompted by a nationwide strike that disrupted several services, including schools and train operations, according to the monument’s official website.&nbsp;The disruption came as France witnessed another major day of demonstrations and rallies across the country.&nbsp;As demonstrations intensified, striking workers marched across France on Thursday to protest against the rising cost of living, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets across the country.&nbsp;The major labour union CGT said that more than 250,000 people were participating in demonstrations across 73 cities by the afternoon.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-irreplaceable-sergio-gor-rejects-reports-of-being-a-contender-for-secretary-of-state-1793886047229">‘Rubio irreplaceable’: Sergio Gor rejects reports of being a contender for Secretary of State</a><h2>France rocked by massive protests. Why did they start?&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;France, which is Europe’s biggest economy, has been rocked by weeks of massive protests as the government grapples with its finances. The protests are intensifying as elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor are on the horizon, with the far right leading in opinion polls.&nbsp;The unrest initially erupted after students started protesting against the deteriorating conditions in schools. The student unrest coincided with widespread public anger over the rising cost of living and inequality, culminating in riots on October 17, the worst France had witnessed in years.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-handed-trump-political-defeat-after-strategic-ones-security-chief-mohsen-rezaei-1793823533731">Iran handed Trump political defeat after strategic ones,’ says security chief Mohsen Rezaei</a>&nbsp;The Interior Ministry said more than 220 public demonstrations were expected on Thursday.&nbsp;<h2>High school set on fire in southwestern France</h2>&nbsp;French riot police reportedly fired tear gas at a group of protesters in Lyon on Thursday. The latest nationwide demonstrations were called by trade unions.&nbsp;A high school near Toulouse, in southwestern France, was set on fire on Thursday morning.Earlier, high school students and other demonstrators clashed with riot police in Paris after blocking a street with rubbish bins on Thursday morning.&nbsp;French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and armed gendarmes across the country to maintain law and order during the demonstrations. Security arrangements were strengthened following clashes, vandalism and looting during earlier protests in October as unrest has escalated into riots and attacks on public infrastructure.&nbsp;&nbsp;

France, which is Europe’s biggest economy, has been rocked by weeks of massive protests as the government grapples with its finances. The protests are intensifying as elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor are on the horizon, with the far right leading in opinion polls.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to the public on Thursday as the nationwide strike disrupted a range of services, including schools and trains, in France that has been rocked by protests for weeks. The Eiffel Tower’s official website confirmed the closure. The Eiffel shutdown was prompted by a nationwide strike that disrupted several services, including schools and train operations, according to the monument’s official website. The disruption came as France witnessed another major day of demonstrations and rallies across the country. As demonstrations intensified, striking workers marched across France on Thursday to protest against the rising cost of living, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets across the country. The major labour union CGT said that more than 250,000 people were participating in demonstrations across 73 cities by the afternoon. Also Read: ‘Rubio irreplaceable’: Sergio Gor rejects reports of being a contender for Secretary of State France rocked by massive protests. Why did they start? France, which is Europe’s biggest economy, has been rocked by weeks of massive protests as the government grapples with its finances. The protests are intensifying as elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor are on the horizon, with the far right leading in opinion polls. The unrest initially erupted after students started protesting against the deteriorating conditions in schools. The student unrest coincided with widespread public anger over the rising cost of living and inequality, culminating in riots on October 17, the worst France had witnessed in years. Also Read: Iran handed Trump political defeat after strategic ones,’ says security chief Mohsen Rezaei The Interior Ministry said more than 220 public demonstrations were expected on Thursday. High school set on fire in southwestern France French riot police reportedly fired tear gas at a group of protesters in Lyon on Thursday. The latest nationwide demonstrations were called by trade unions. A high school near Toulouse, in southwestern France, was set on fire on Thursday morning. Earlier, high school students and other demonstrators clashed with riot police in Paris after blocking a street with rubbish bins on Thursday morning. French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and armed gendarmes across the country to maintain law and order during the demonstrations. Security arrangements were strengthened following clashes, vandalism and looting during earlier protests in October as unrest has escalated into riots and attacks on public infrastructure.

France, which is Europe’s biggest economy, has been rocked by weeks of massive protests as the government grapples with its finances. The protests are intensifying as elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor are on the horizon, with the far right leading in opinion polls.

Eiffel Tower shut as strike and nationwide protests hit services in France amid unrest

The Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties, announced on Thursday (November 5) that it will back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government after last week’s election. The coalition party stated that it would notify President Isaac Herzog of this decision later the same evening. “The Joint List announced today, Thursday, that it will inform the President of the State, Isaac Herzog, this evening of its decision to recommend that Gadi Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government,” the alliance said in a statement. The announcement comes after Arab-led parties secured 19 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament in last week’s general election, an outcome that significantly boosts their leverage in coalition talks. With such a strong showing, the Joint List’s backing could prove decisive in determining who ultimately gets tasked with forming Israel’s next government.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-uk-pm-andy-burnham-rules-out-inviting-russian-counterpart-vladimir-putin-to-g20-summit-cites-sanctions-1793883705290">'No': UK PM Andy Burnham rules out inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to G20 summit. Here's why</a><h3>The Joint List gives &nbsp;Eisenkot 67 recommendations</h3>The Joint List said that it is giving Eisenkot 67 recommendations, a majority of the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 46 expected for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The alliance said the decision has been taken unanimously, after consultations among the parties that make up the Joint List. It added that the decision was not an easy task. "Despite our determination to oust Netanyahu, the opposition camp led by Eisenkot has yet to demonstrate the necessary willingness to confront Netanyahu’s path, and to fight incitement against Arab citizens and efforts to undermine the legitimacy of their political choice," the statement said. It said the decision comes after the public's broad support and desire to stop the return of Netanyahu and his government to power. "Although Eisenkot is receiving more recommendations than Netanyahu, we see importance in increasing the gap between them. This is a step that strengthens the chances of replacing the government and reduces the possibility of various attempts to establish a national unity government that would keep Netanyahu in power, a possibility Netanyahu is pursuing with the support of influential Israeli, regional and international actors," the Joint List said.

The announcement comes after Arab-led parties secured 19 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament in last week’s general election, an outcome that significantly boosts their leverage in coalition talks.

The Joint List, an alliance of Arab-led parties, announced on Thursday (November 5) that it will back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form Israel's next government after last week’s election. The coalition party stated that it would notify President Isaac Herzog of this decision later the same evening. “The Joint List announced today, Thursday, that it will inform the President of the State, Isaac Herzog, this evening of its decision to recommend that Gadi Eisenkot be tasked with forming the government,” the alliance said in a statement. The announcement comes after Arab-led parties secured 19 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament in last week’s general election, an outcome that significantly boosts their leverage in coalition talks. With such a strong showing, the Joint List’s backing could prove decisive in determining who ultimately gets tasked with forming Israel’s next government. Also read: 'No': UK PM Andy Burnham rules out inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to G20 summit. Here's why The Joint List gives Eisenkot 67 recommendations The Joint List said that it is giving Eisenkot 67 recommendations, a majority of the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 46 expected for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The alliance said the decision has been taken unanimously, after consultations among the parties that make up the Joint List. It added that the decision was not an easy task. "Despite our determination to oust Netanyahu, the opposition camp led by Eisenkot has yet to demonstrate the necessary willingness to confront Netanyahu’s path, and to fight incitement against Arab citizens and efforts to undermine the legitimacy of their political choice," the statement said. It said the decision comes after the public's broad support and desire to stop the return of Netanyahu and his government to power. "Although Eisenkot is receiving more recommendations than Netanyahu, we see importance in increasing the gap between them. This is a step that strengthens the chances of replacing the government and reduces the possibility of various attempts to establish a national unity government that would keep Netanyahu in power, a possibility Netanyahu is pursuing with the support of influential Israeli, regional and international actors," the Joint List said.

The announcement comes after Arab-led parties secured 19 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament in last week’s general election, an outcome that significantly boosts their leverage in coalition talks.

Arab Parties emerge as kingmakers in Israel, back opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form next government

Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be invited to next year's G20 summit in Britain, said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Notably, Russia remains a member of the G20 grouping. However, according to the British PM, his country would skip inviting the Russian PM because of sanctions against leading figures in Putin's administration.When asked by The Economist whether Putin would be invited, Burnham said: "No.""There are sanctions against leading figures in the administration," he said. "And there's some technicalities about invites, because I think they're handled by the G20 rather than by Britain. I think I've got that right. So, if I maybe rephrase it, technically, but will not be coming because of an outstanding sanction."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-announces-ukraine-russia-and-us-to-hold-first-trilateral-talks-since-february-in-abu-dhabi-rules-out-inviting-putin-to-kyiv-1793718814985">Zelensky announces Ukraine, Russia and US to hold first trilateral talks since February in Abu Dhabi; rules out inviting Putin to Kyiv</a><h2>US vs UK on Putin's invitation question</h2>The remarks are in stark contrast to Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in September that the United States had invited Putin to a G20 meeting in Miami in December, describing it as an opportunity for him to engage with President Donald Trump and other world leaders.Russia remains a member of the G20 despite Western efforts to isolate it following its invasion of Ukraine. Leaders of host nations traditionally invite all members of the bloc to attend the annual summit.Next year's G20 summit will be held in November in Manchester, the centre of the region in northwestern England where Burnham was mayor before becoming prime minister.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-sale-of-500-patriot-missiles-to-ukraine-but-zelensky-warns-deliveries-could-take-few-years-1793417783540">US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but Zelensky warns deliveries could take ‘FEW YEARS’</a><h2>UK's wider policy on Russia</h2>The UK has a longstanding policy of avoiding direct, bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Notably, at the October 2026 G20 ministerial gathering in Atlanta, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, along with other Western foreign ministers, refused to participate in a group photograph with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, leading to the cancellation of the photo call.

Vladimir Putin will not be invited to next year's G20 summit in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said, citing sanctions against senior figures in the Russian administration. The stance contrasts with Washington's position on Putin's participation in the G20.

Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be invited to next year's G20 summit in Britain, said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Notably, Russia remains a member of the G20 grouping. However, according to the British PM, his country would skip inviting the Russian PM because of sanctions against leading figures in Putin's administration. When asked by The Economist whether Putin would be invited, Burnham said: "No." "There are sanctions against leading figures in the administration," he said. "And there's some technicalities about invites, because I think they're handled by the G20 rather than by Britain. I think I've got that right. So, if I maybe rephrase it, technically, but will not be coming because of an outstanding sanction." Also read | Zelensky announces Ukraine, Russia and US to hold first trilateral talks since February in Abu Dhabi; rules out inviting Putin to Kyiv US vs UK on Putin's invitation question The remarks are in stark contrast to Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in September that the United States had invited Putin to a G20 meeting in Miami in December, describing it as an opportunity for him to engage with President Donald Trump and other world leaders. Russia remains a member of the G20 despite Western efforts to isolate it following its invasion of Ukraine. Leaders of host nations traditionally invite all members of the bloc to attend the annual summit. Next year's G20 summit will be held in November in Manchester, the centre of the region in northwestern England where Burnham was mayor before becoming prime minister. Also read | US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but Zelensky warns deliveries could take ‘FEW YEARS’ UK's wider policy on Russia The UK has a longstanding policy of avoiding direct, bilateral engagement with Russian ministers since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Notably, at the October 2026 G20 ministerial gathering in Atlanta, UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, along with other Western foreign ministers, refused to participate in a group photograph with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, leading to the cancellation of the photo call.

Vladimir Putin will not be invited to next year's G20 summit in the UK, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said, citing sanctions against senior figures in the Russian administration. The stance contrasts with Washington's position on Putin's participation in the G20.

'No': UK PM Andy Burnham rules out inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to G20 summit. Here's why

The US midterm results have triggered talk of a churn and led to speculations about the possible reshuffles in the Trump administration after the dismal performance of the Republicans. Amid reports of impending recalibration in Washington DC political circles, there was talk of some big administration shifts, with the name of United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor floating as a contender for a senior promotion, said a report by The Washington Sun, citing multiple individuals familiar with the matter.&nbsp;Gor, who previously served as a senior White House aide and has close ties with President Donald Trump, is said to have been laying the groundwork for an expanded role after the midterms, the report said, citing sources familiar with the discussions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-handed-trump-political-defeat-after-strategic-ones-security-chief-mohsen-rezaei-1793823533731">Iran handed Trump political defeat after strategic ones,’ says security chief Mohsen Rezaei</a><h2>‘He wants more of a forward-facing role’: US official</h2>&nbsp;“He wants more of a forward-facing role,” stated a US official familiar with internal discussions amid buzz that Gor harbours interest in securing a more prominent assignment.The report further linked Gor to senior positions, including secretary of state.&nbsp;Gor has, however, dismissed the speculation and praised Marco Rubio, saying he was irreplaceable.&nbsp;Gor firmly rejected any suggestions of seeking a new role and expressed support for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.&nbsp;Gor said, “This story is complete and total bullshit,” before praising Rubio’s performance as secretary of state.&nbsp;“Secretary Marco Rubio has proven to be the most qualified, accomplished and greatest secretary of state in history. He is irreplaceable and a dear friend who I have the joy of working with every day as US ambassador to India, a true honour of a lifetime. I have zero interest in any other role.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahadev-app-co-founder-ravi-uppal-arrested-in-dubai-days-after-kingpin-sourabh-chandrakar-s-extradition-1793806681924">Mahadev app co-founder Ravi Uppal arrested in Dubai days after kingpin Sourabh Chandrakar’s extradition</a>&nbsp;The report, citing 10 people familiar with internal discussions, said that Gor’s name had come up in presidential circles for a more prominent assignment during the second half of Trump’s term.&nbsp;<h2>Gor’s name in consideration for senior roles</h2>&nbsp;Gor, a former senior White House aide and close associate of Trump, currently serves as the US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asia.&nbsp;The positions reportedly discussed in reference to Gor include White House chief of staff, currently held by Susie Wiles, and secretary of state, potentially replacing Rubio.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gor’s name has also been linked to other senior State Department positions, including deputy secretary, a post currently held by Chris Landau.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dialled-wrong-number-in-season-of-dharna-go-protest-cji-s-quip-on-plea-seeking-rotation-of-sc-st-reserved-seats-1793802806351">‘Dialled wrong number in season of dharna, go protest’: CJI’s quip on plea seeking rotation of SC-ST reserved seats</a>&nbsp;The report also claimed that some State Department officials and Republican figures believe that Rubio could eventually leave the administration to prepare for a possible presidential campaign in 2028 or 2032.However, there has been no confirmation of the claims. The White House has also rejected the speculation, with an official dismissing the report as fabricated and stating that Gor was not interested in any other positions.

Sergi Gor currently serves as the US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asia. The positions reportedly discussed in reference to Gor include White House chief of staff, currently held by Susie Wiles, and secretary of state, potentially replacing Marco Rubio.

The US midterm results have triggered talk of a churn and led to speculations about the possible reshuffles in the Trump administration after the dismal performance of the Republicans. Amid reports of impending recalibration in Washington DC political circles, there was talk of some big administration shifts, with the name of United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor floating as a contender for a senior promotion, said a report by The Washington Sun, citing multiple individuals familiar with the matter. Gor, who previously served as a senior White House aide and has close ties with President Donald Trump, is said to have been laying the groundwork for an expanded role after the midterms, the report said, citing sources familiar with the discussions. Also Read: Iran handed Trump political defeat after strategic ones,’ says security chief Mohsen Rezaei ‘He wants more of a forward-facing role’: US official “He wants more of a forward-facing role,” stated a US official familiar with internal discussions amid buzz that Gor harbours interest in securing a more prominent assignment. The report further linked Gor to senior positions, including secretary of state. Gor has, however, dismissed the speculation and praised Marco Rubio, saying he was irreplaceable. Gor firmly rejected any suggestions of seeking a new role and expressed support for Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Gor said, “This story is complete and total bullshit,” before praising Rubio’s performance as secretary of state. “Secretary Marco Rubio has proven to be the most qualified, accomplished and greatest secretary of state in history. He is irreplaceable and a dear friend who I have the joy of working with every day as US ambassador to India, a true honour of a lifetime. I have zero interest in any other role.” Also Read: Mahadev app co-founder Ravi Uppal arrested in Dubai days after kingpin Sourabh Chandrakar’s extradition The report, citing 10 people familiar with internal discussions, said that Gor’s name had come up in presidential circles for a more prominent assignment during the second half of Trump’s term. Gor’s name in consideration for senior roles Gor, a former senior White House aide and close associate of Trump, currently serves as the US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asia. The positions reportedly discussed in reference to Gor include White House chief of staff, currently held by Susie Wiles, and secretary of state, potentially replacing Rubio. Gor’s name has also been linked to other senior State Department positions, including deputy secretary, a post currently held by Chris Landau. Also Read: ‘Dialled wrong number in season of dharna, go protest’: CJI’s quip on plea seeking rotation of SC-ST reserved seats The report also claimed that some State Department officials and Republican figures believe that Rubio could eventually leave the administration to prepare for a possible presidential campaign in 2028 or 2032. However, there has been no confirmation of the claims. The White House has also rejected the speculation, with an official dismissing the report as fabricated and stating that Gor was not interested in any other positions.

Sergi Gor currently serves as the US ambassador to India and special envoy for South and Central Asia. The positions reportedly discussed in reference to Gor include White House chief of staff, currently held by Susie Wiles, and secretary of state, potentially replacing Marco Rubio.

‘Rubio irreplaceable’: Sergio Gor rejects reports of being a contender for Secretary of State

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hope that the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections will strengthen Washington's support for Kyiv and increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.&nbsp;Ukraine and its European allies have been concerned about the United States moving closer to Moscow since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. Relations between Trump and Zelensky have also remained strained, with tensions rising in recent weeks as the US president criticised Kyiv and reached a deal with Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for the release of Russian diesel.&nbsp;"There is hope now that there is this balance of power, and that we will be supported more," Zelensky told German broadcaster ZDF in an interview aired late Wednesday.<h3>Zelensky hopes stronger US support will pressure Putin</h3>The Ukrainian president said increased financial and military assistance from the US Congress could influence Moscow's calculations and encourage Putin to consider negotiations.&nbsp;"If the US Congress starts talking about strong financial support or military support, it will influence Putin," Zelensky said.&nbsp;"And Putin will be thinking about whether it makes sense to keep fighting if the support will only grow. Logically, this will (lead) us to possible negotiations and a possible peace," he added.&nbsp;US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to take place next week in Abu Dhabi. The negotiations had remained frozen since the Middle East war began in February.&nbsp;Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner have been leading the negotiations, amid criticism over their approach towards Russia.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-a-lame-duck-session-what-can-the-us-congress-do-before-january-3-1793875576533">What is a lame-duck session? What can the US Congress do before January 3?</a><h3>Trump's turbulent ties with Zelensky</h3>Relations between Trump and Zelensky have faced repeated tensions since the Trump returned to office. On February 28, 2025, the two got leaders got involved in a heated exchange in the Oval Office, with US Vice President JD Vance also confronting the Ukrainian president.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly pushed for a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv and criticised US spending on Ukraine, at one point describing the funding as a waste of money. His administration also cut assistance to Kyiv before restoring it following pressure from G7 partners.&nbsp;The United States has been Ukraine's biggest financial backer since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The US Congress has authorised roughly $175 billion to $196 billion in spending related to Ukraine and Operation Atlantic Resolve through five major supplemental aid packages.

Zelensky hopes the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections will strengthen congressional support for Ukraine and put pressure on Vladimir Putin to consider peace negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed hope that the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections will strengthen Washington's support for Kyiv and increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. Ukraine and its European allies have been concerned about the United States moving closer to Moscow since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. Relations between Trump and Zelensky have also remained strained, with tensions rising in recent weeks as the US president criticised Kyiv and reached a deal with Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for the release of Russian diesel. "There is hope now that there is this balance of power, and that we will be supported more," Zelensky told German broadcaster ZDF in an interview aired late Wednesday. Zelensky hopes stronger US support will pressure Putin The Ukrainian president said increased financial and military assistance from the US Congress could influence Moscow's calculations and encourage Putin to consider negotiations. "If the US Congress starts talking about strong financial support or military support, it will influence Putin," Zelensky said. "And Putin will be thinking about whether it makes sense to keep fighting if the support will only grow. Logically, this will (lead) us to possible negotiations and a possible peace," he added. US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to take place next week in Abu Dhabi. The negotiations had remained frozen since the Middle East war began in February. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner have been leading the negotiations, amid criticism over their approach towards Russia. Also Read: What is a lame-duck session? What can the US Congress do before January 3? Trump's turbulent ties with Zelensky Relations between Trump and Zelensky have faced repeated tensions since the Trump returned to office. On February 28, 2025, the two got leaders got involved in a heated exchange in the Oval Office, with US Vice President JD Vance also confronting the Ukrainian president. Trump has repeatedly pushed for a negotiated settlement between Moscow and Kyiv and criticised US spending on Ukraine, at one point describing the funding as a waste of money. His administration also cut assistance to Kyiv before restoring it following pressure from G7 partners. The United States has been Ukraine's biggest financial backer since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The US Congress has authorised roughly $175 billion to $196 billion in spending related to Ukraine and Operation Atlantic Resolve through five major supplemental aid packages.

Zelensky hopes the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections will strengthen congressional support for Ukraine and put pressure on Vladimir Putin to consider peace negotiations.

Zelensky hopes Democrat midterm win will bring more US aid for Ukraine

A video purportedly showing a shark swimming through a flooded neighbourhood is going viral on social media after historic rains turned Florida's Treasure Coast into a temporary waterway. The video, filmed from inside a vehicle, shows a dark shape moving through deep water at the 25th Street and Midway intersection in Fort Pierce, with people in yellow rain gear standing nearby as cars splash past. Captioned "Only in Florida" with a shark emoji, it has racked up millions of views and a single shared reaction: is that actually a shark? Watch the viral video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Only in Florida. This is 25th street and Midway in Fort Pierce. 🦈 https://t.co/gBKza5cWDq&mdash; Greg Madden (@GregMaddenUSMC) <a href="https://x.com/GregMaddenUSMC/status/2117587838112092600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-bride-nearly-swept-into-the-sea-as-giant-balloons-turn-istanbul-wedding-photoshoot-into-viral-spectacle-video-1793334773244">WATCH: Bride nearly swept into the sea as giant balloons turn Istanbul wedding photoshoot into viral spectacle | Video</a><h2>Why a shark in the street is not as wild as it sounds</h2>Bull sharks, common along Florida's coast, tolerate brackish and even freshwater conditions. They regularly use rivers, estuaries, canals and lagoons, including the Indian River Lagoon system near Fort Pierce, and can be pushed inland during extreme flooding or storm surge. The species has even turned up in landlocked states by swimming up rivers like the Mississippi, according to a study published in Marine &amp; Fishery Sciences.Not only that, but as recently as 2022, during Hurricane Ian, a similar video of a shark swimming in floodwaters had gone viral. Experts later assessed that the creature in the viral video from Fort Myers was likely a juvenile bull shark swept into a flooded residential area.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pumpkin-spice-paedo-trump-mercilessly-heckled-over-epstein-ties-at-ohio-rally-as-potus-claims-he-was-totally-exonerated-watch-video-1793267717154">'Pumpkin spice paedo': Trump mercilessly heckled for travelling aboard Epstein's plane Lolita Express | Watch video</a><h2>Florida floods and the storm behind it</h2>Torrential rain began Sunday (Nov 1), turning Florida roads into rivers and submerging cars. According to reports, parts of St. Lucie and Indian River counties saw up to 13 inches of water, with Brevard County hit hardest, recording up to 24 inches near Malabar.Notably, the National Weather Service has described the ongoing situation in Florida as a 500- to 1,000-year rainfall event. Governor Ron DeSantis had declared a state of emergency for seven counties on Monday.<h2>Sharks in floodwaters: A familiar Florida ritual</h2>"Only in Florida" street-shark clips surface with almost every major flood or hurricane, and plenty turn out to be other fish, debris or outright hoaxes.

A shark swimming through flooded Florida streets has taken social media by storm. As historic rainfall submerges neighbourhoods, a viral Fort Pierce video has raised one question: Is the creature really a shark? Hint: There actually was a shark in the streets of Florida in 2022.

A video purportedly showing a shark swimming through a flooded neighbourhood is going viral on social media after historic rains turned Florida's Treasure Coast into a temporary waterway. The video, filmed from inside a vehicle, shows a dark shape moving through deep water at the 25th Street and Midway intersection in Fort Pierce, with people in yellow rain gear standing nearby as cars splash past. Captioned "Only in Florida" with a shark emoji, it has racked up millions of views and a single shared reaction: is that actually a shark? Watch the viral video here:

A shark swimming through flooded Florida streets has taken social media by storm. As historic rainfall submerges neighbourhoods, a viral Fort Pierce video has raised one question: Is the creature really a shark? Hint: There actually was a shark in the streets of Florida in 2022.

Florida's own 'Jaws' moment? Bull Shark spotted swimming flooded neighbourhood, video goes viral | WATCH

Former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has offered a blunt reading of Donald Trump's party's midterm defeat, arguing that the US president's own language cost him the election. "Unfortunately, President Trump does not have opponents. He has enemies, largely because of his language. He has turned opponents into enemies," Akbar said."What a difference 24 hours makes. 24 hours ago, he was laughing at his enemies. Today, they are laughing at him."Akbar tied the result to something larger than one election. "Loss of credibility starts the decline of the power," he said. "And this decline of power will affect not only America, but because America is a superpower, it will define relations, it will define decisions all across the world."“We are most troubled at this moment by the President Trump's actions this year in Iran and in West Asia,” he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">#WATCH | Mapusa: On the US Midterm Election results, Former MoS MEA MJ Akbar says, “Unfortunately, President Trump does not have opponents; he has enemies. Largely because of his language, he has turned opponents into enemies... What a difference 24 hours makes. Twenty-four hours ago, he was laughing at his enemies. Today, they are laughing at him... Loss of credibility marks the beginning of a decline in power. This decline will affect not only America but, because it is a superpower, will shape relations and decisions across the world...&quot;&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2118285091374084191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-after-senate-house-congress-win-can-democrats-force-trump-to-stop-iran-war-answer-may-surprise-you-possible-scenarios-explained-1793812878510">US Midterms: After Senate, House win, can Democrats force Trump to stop Iran war? Answer may surprise you</a>

<h2>Republicans' midterm defeat</h2>Trump has been left grappling with a stinging rebuke from voters after Democrats seized both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday's (Nov 03) midterms. By early Thursday (Nov 05), Democrats held 54 Senate seats and a strong House majority, with races in Mississippi and Alaska still too close to call.The result leaves the 80-year-old president a lame duck for the remaining two years of his term and signals an end to his grip on the Republican Party.<h2>A party at war with itself</h2>Vice President JD Vance has publicly split with Trump over the Iran war a day after the vote, calling the conflict the "reason we lost" as he distanced himself ahead of a possible 2028 run. Trump conceded Vance was "largely true because it drove the gasoline up," but insisted he would do it again. "You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," he said.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the defeat "close to an extinction-level event for Republicans in many parts of the country as we have seen probably in the last 100 years." Florida, he noted, was the party's only bright spot.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/america-s-culture-wars-go-to-the-ballot-who-won-the-battles-over-abortion-trans-rights-and-voter-id-us-midterms-2026-1793808263700">America's culture wars go to the ballot: Who won the battles over abortion, trans rights and voter ID? | US Midterms 2026</a><h2>What Democrats plan</h2>Democrats have vowed investigations into Trump and his administration, with House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries announcing his candidacy for speaker. "The massive corruption the country has experienced from the Trump Cartel explains why very little is getting done to help everyday Americans," he wrote. "That changes immediately."Trump, meanwhile, has tried to brush off the result, spending his first public appearance Wednesday discussing the marble columns of his new $400 million ballroom. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Former Indian MoS MEA MJ Akbar says Trump "has turned opponents into enemies" and warns that America's loss of credibility will reshape global decisions, with the Iran and West Asia wars his sharpest concern. Read his full remarks here.

Former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar has offered a blunt reading of Donald Trump's party's midterm defeat, arguing that the US president's own language cost him the election. "Unfortunately, President Trump does not have opponents. He has enemies, largely because of his language. He has turned opponents into enemies," Akbar said. "What a difference 24 hours makes. 24 hours ago, he was laughing at his enemies. Today, they are laughing at him." Akbar tied the result to something larger than one election. "Loss of credibility starts the decline of the power," he said. "And this decline of power will affect not only America, but because America is a superpower, it will define relations, it will define decisions all across the world." “We are most troubled at this moment by the President Trump's actions this year in Iran and in West Asia,” he added.

Former Indian MoS MEA MJ Akbar says Trump "has turned opponents into enemies" and warns that America's loss of credibility will reshape global decisions, with the Iran and West Asia wars his sharpest concern. Read his full remarks here.

'He has turned opponents into enemies': MJ Akbar says Trump's language cost him the US midterm election

A Chinese military-grade explosive was reportedly found in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The weapon was seen inside in a commercial container, and Beijing is calling it a “wine bottle”. As of date, four Chinese nationals have been arrested and taken into custody on Friday (Oct 30) after the weapon in question was recovered from a major wharf in Port Moresby.&nbsp;PNG authorities are examining the military-grade explosive, and the analysis is yet to be released. Preliminary reports suggest that an X-ray machine donated by Australia to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police was used to analyse the 32-kilogram device.&nbsp;But the Chinese Embassy has released a statement, saying, “According to the company involved and following an on-site verification, the object in question—reported as an “artillery shell'—is in fact a shell-shaped wine bottle. It poses no danger at all. The RPNGC has been kept fully updated on these developments.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-don-t-need-it-trump-says-us-will-stop-4-billion-in-military-aid-to-israel-this-year-1793714883551">‘They don’t need it’: Trump says US will stop $4 billion in military aid to Israel this year</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;Further adding, “With homicide, criminal offence, and gun violence rates among the lowest in the world, China is widely recognised as one of the safest countries globally. China enforces some of the world’s strictest firearm control laws and regulations. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for an illegal military-grade artillery shell to be smuggled out of China to PNG.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/india-drone-ecosystem-counter-drone-ai-electronic-warfare-1793638795777">India’s Counter-Drone Opportunity Grows as AI Enters the Battlefield | Defence Pulse</a>&nbsp;Beijing maintains a strict requirement for all Chinese nationals and businesses operating abroad to obey local laws and refrain from unlawful conduct. Additionally, the Chinese government actively urges its citizens and enterprises to fulfill their social responsibilities, support local communities, and contribute constructively to Papua New Guinea’s economic and social progress while strengthening bilateral ties between China and PNG.

China disputed reports that a 32kg military explosive found at a Papua New Guinea wharf was an artillery shell, claiming it was merely a harmless shell-shaped wine bottle. 

A Chinese military-grade explosive was reportedly found in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The weapon was seen inside in a commercial container, and Beijing is calling it a “wine bottle”. As of date, four Chinese nationals have been arrested and taken into custody on Friday (Oct 30) after the weapon in question was recovered from a major wharf in Port Moresby. PNG authorities are examining the military-grade explosive, and the analysis is yet to be released. Preliminary reports suggest that an X-ray machine donated by Australia to the Royal Papua New Guinea Police was used to analyse the 32-kilogram device. But the Chinese Embassy has released a statement, saying, “According to the company involved and following an on-site verification, the object in question—reported as an “artillery shell'—is in fact a shell-shaped wine bottle. It poses no danger at all. The RPNGC has been kept fully updated on these developments.” Also read: ‘They don’t need it’: Trump says US will stop $4 billion in military aid to Israel this year

China disputed reports that a 32kg military explosive found at a Papua New Guinea wharf was an artillery shell, claiming it was merely a harmless shell-shaped wine bottle.

'Not an explosive, just a wine bottle': China claims 32kg shell found in Papua New Guinea is harmless

Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections.In the Senate, Democrats flipped seven Republican-held seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Republicans entered the elections with 53 seats, while Democrats had secured at least 54 by Wednesday, with a few races still uncalled.&nbsp;In the House of Representatives, Democrats crossed the 218-seat majority mark, securing more than 228 seats, according to the latest Associated Press projections. Republicans held 139 seats, with several races still being counted.&nbsp;However, the change in control will not take effect immediately. The outgoing 119th Congress will return on November 9 and continue working until the 120th Congress is sworn in at noon on January 3.&nbsp;This period is known as a lame-duck session, during which lawmakers who have lost their seats or decided not to seek re-election continue to serve and vote until their terms end.<h2>What is a lame-duck session?</h2>A lame-duck session is the period between an election and the start of the next Congress. Although voters have chosen new representatives, the existing lawmakers retain their powers until the current Congress ends.&nbsp;The 119th Congress will therefore continue to function for nearly eight weeks, even though Democrats have secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the next term.The arrangement is linked to the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1933, which moved the start of a new congressional term to January 3.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-to-conduct-artificial-rain-here-s-what-the-govt-is-planning-after-diwali-chhath-puja-1793873372914">Delhi to conduct artificial rain? Here’s what the govt is planning after Diwali, Chhath Puja</a><h2>What can Congress do during this period?</h2>The outgoing Congress can still pass legislation, approve government spending, confirm presidential nominees and take up pending bills. However, any legislation that does not become law before the current session ends on January 3 will have to be taken up again by the next Congress.&nbsp;One of the most urgent challenges is government funding. The temporary funding measure keeping federal agencies operational expires on December 11. Unless lawmakers approve full-year spending bills or pass another short-term funding measure by then, the government could face a shutdown.&nbsp;The funding dispute also centres on defence spending. The Trump administration is seeking a record $1.5 trillion defence budget, a proposal opposed by Senate Democrats.&nbsp;Lawmakers can also work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and authorises spending for the US military. Other stalled bipartisan bills could also be brought up for a vote.&nbsp;The Senate can use the session to confirm remaining executive and judicial nominees. Lawmakers may also hold organisational meetings and leadership elections for the next Congress, while preparing for the transition to the new term.&nbsp;The lame-duck period can also provide an opportunity to attach additional provisions to must-pass legislation. Such provisions, sometimes added to spending bills, may receive limited attention during hurried negotiations.

Although Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress, the outgoing lawmakers will remain in office until January 3, giving them a final opportunity to pass key spending bills, prevent a government shutdown and clear pending legislation.

Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections. In the Senate, Democrats flipped seven Republican-held seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Republicans entered the elections with 53 seats, while Democrats had secured at least 54 by Wednesday, with a few races still uncalled. In the House of Representatives, Democrats crossed the 218-seat majority mark, securing more than 228 seats, according to the latest Associated Press projections. Republicans held 139 seats, with several races still being counted. However, the change in control will not take effect immediately. The outgoing 119th Congress will return on November 9 and continue working until the 120th Congress is sworn in at noon on January 3. This period is known as a lame-duck session, during which lawmakers who have lost their seats or decided not to seek re-election continue to serve and vote until their terms end. What is a lame-duck session? A lame-duck session is the period between an election and the start of the next Congress. Although voters have chosen new representatives, the existing lawmakers retain their powers until the current Congress ends. The 119th Congress will therefore continue to function for nearly eight weeks, even though Democrats have secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the next term. The arrangement is linked to the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1933, which moved the start of a new congressional term to January 3. Also Read: Delhi to conduct artificial rain? Here’s what the govt is planning after Diwali, Chhath Puja What can Congress do during this period? The outgoing Congress can still pass legislation, approve government spending, confirm presidential nominees and take up pending bills. However, any legislation that does not become law before the current session ends on January 3 will have to be taken up again by the next Congress. One of the most urgent challenges is government funding. The temporary funding measure keeping federal agencies operational expires on December 11. Unless lawmakers approve full-year spending bills or pass another short-term funding measure by then, the government could face a shutdown. The funding dispute also centres on defence spending. The Trump administration is seeking a record $1.5 trillion defence budget, a proposal opposed by Senate Democrats. Lawmakers can also work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and authorises spending for the US military. Other stalled bipartisan bills could also be brought up for a vote. The Senate can use the session to confirm remaining executive and judicial nominees. Lawmakers may also hold organisational meetings and leadership elections for the next Congress, while preparing for the transition to the new term. The lame-duck period can also provide an opportunity to attach additional provisions to must-pass legislation. Such provisions, sometimes added to spending bills, may receive limited attention during hurried negotiations.

Although Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress, the outgoing lawmakers will remain in office until January 3, giving them a final opportunity to pass key spending bills, prevent a government shutdown and clear pending legislation.

What is a lame-duck session? What can the US Congress do before January 3?

Iran has turned its streets into a stage for anti-American demonstrations, with a mock execution of US President Donald Trump and the burning of a giant banner featuring top US and Israeli leaders drawing attention in Tehran. The displays come days after Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 US midterm elections, dealing a major blow to Trump’s Republican Party.The demonstrations have added to the political messaging coming out of Tehran as uncertainty grows over whether Washington could resume military strikes against Iran.<h2>Trump portrayed behind bars, mock execution staged</h2>In one of the displays, actors portrayed Trump as a prisoner behind bars, with a performance depicting the US president being taken to the gallows. The scenes were staged at Tajrish Square in Tehran, where crowds gathered to watch.The installation followed an earlier display on October 21, when an actor wearing a Trump mask was seen inside a mock prison cell. Another billboard raised in central Tehran carried the English-language message: "We will kill Trump".The imagery reflects Tehran's increasingly hostile rhetoric towards the US president amid the ongoing conflict.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A symbolic @realDonaldTrump was executed by hanging in his cell in the symbolic jail installation in the Tajrish square of Tehran tonight. https://t.co/87YFm7nFDQ&mdash; Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) <a href="https://x.com/mhmiranusa/status/2118092095005028854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Trump, Vance and Netanyahu banner set ablaze</h2>On Wednesday, thousands of pro-government demonstrators gathered at Tehran's Enghelab Square to mark the anniversary of the 1979 US Embassy takeover. Protesters burned a large banner depicting Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. American and Israeli flags were also set on fire as crowds chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel".Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf linked the US election outcome to opposition to the war, writing on X: "Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">#WATCH | Tehran, Iran: People burn the banner of US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, following the Republican Party's losses in the US midterm elections.

(Source: Reuters) https://t.co/talNHm1vnh&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2118142648259363139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Midterm setback and uncertainty over fresh strikes</h2>Trump has acknowledged that the eight-month US-Israel war on Iran, along with rising fuel prices and inflation, contributed to Republican losses. However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei dismissed suggestions that the election results would change Washington's approach towards Tehran.With negotiations continuing to prevent another outbreak of fighting, the possibility of renewed US military action remains a major concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iran stages mock execution of Trump and burns banners featuring US and Israeli leaders after Democrats’ midterm victory, as tensions rise over the possibility of renewed US strikes.

Iran has turned its streets into a stage for anti-American demonstrations, with a mock execution of US President Donald Trump and the burning of a giant banner featuring top US and Israeli leaders drawing attention in Tehran. The displays come days after Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 US midterm elections, dealing a major blow to Trump’s Republican Party. The demonstrations have added to the political messaging coming out of Tehran as uncertainty grows over whether Washington could resume military strikes against Iran. Trump portrayed behind bars, mock execution staged In one of the displays, actors portrayed Trump as a prisoner behind bars, with a performance depicting the US president being taken to the gallows. The scenes were staged at Tajrish Square in Tehran, where crowds gathered to watch. The installation followed an earlier display on October 21, when an actor wearing a Trump mask was seen inside a mock prison cell. Another billboard raised in central Tehran carried the English-language message: "We will kill Trump". The imagery reflects Tehran's increasingly hostile rhetoric towards the US president amid the ongoing conflict.

Iran stages mock execution of Trump and burns banners featuring US and Israeli leaders after Democrats’ midterm victory, as tensions rise over the possibility of renewed US strikes.

WATCH | Iran stages mock Trump execution, burns US leaders’ banner after Republican midterm defeat

At least five more European passenger flights were diverted after bomb threats were received on Thursday (November 5), days after eight planes were grounded due to the same hoax warnings. On a single day, at least 12 European flights were targeted by bomb threats, with several planes receiving fighter jet escort, authorities and airlines confirmed. The threat marks the third day of mass bomb alerts this week and particularly targeted low-cost carriers on European flights. Since November 2, a total of 21 aircraft have been involved in reported bomb threats and related security alerts across Europe.&nbsp;A Ryanair flight from Stansted to Sofia in Bulgaria was also diverted to nearby Plovdiv on Thursday morning after a bomb threat. In addition, a flight from Warsaw to Paris on the Polish airline LOT launched security checks following the airline received a threat. In response, the airline said it found no threat and that services continued as normal.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-put-a-price-on-peace-with-saudi-51-billion-and-recognition-as-yemen-s-rulers-report-1793872285314">Houthis put a price on peace with Saudi: $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's rulers - Report</a><h3>At least eight hoax threats against aircraft this week</h3>In other news, an Italian fighter jet escorted a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome after it was threatened mid-flight. This comes amid a string of at least eight hoax threats against aircraft earlier in the week, which had prompted security experts to warn carriers that more incidents like this could follow.&nbsp;Standard protocol when such a threat comes in is for the aircraft to head straight to its destination or the nearest safe airport, where police specially trained for this kind of search go through the plane and its contents, a process that often stretches on for hours and leaves passengers shaken and inconvenienced.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At least 12 European flights were targeted by bomb threats, with several planes receiving fighter jet escort, authorities and airlines confirmed. The threat marks the third day of mass bomb alerts this week.

At least five more European passenger flights were diverted after bomb threats were received on Thursday (November 5), days after eight planes were grounded due to the same hoax warnings. On a single day, at least 12 European flights were targeted by bomb threats, with several planes receiving fighter jet escort, authorities and airlines confirmed. The threat marks the third day of mass bomb alerts this week and particularly targeted low-cost carriers on European flights. Since November 2, a total of 21 aircraft have been involved in reported bomb threats and related security alerts across Europe. A Ryanair flight from Stansted to Sofia in Bulgaria was also diverted to nearby Plovdiv on Thursday morning after a bomb threat. In addition, a flight from Warsaw to Paris on the Polish airline LOT launched security checks following the airline received a threat. In response, the airline said it found no threat and that services continued as normal. Also read: Houthis put a price on peace with Saudi: $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's rulers - Report At least eight hoax threats against aircraft this week In other news, an Italian fighter jet escorted a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome after it was threatened mid-flight. This comes amid a string of at least eight hoax threats against aircraft earlier in the week, which had prompted security experts to warn carriers that more incidents like this could follow. Standard protocol when such a threat comes in is for the aircraft to head straight to its destination or the nearest safe airport, where police specially trained for this kind of search go through the plane and its contents, a process that often stretches on for hours and leaves passengers shaken and inconvenienced.

At least 12 European flights were targeted by bomb threats, with several planes receiving fighter jet escort, authorities and airlines confirmed. The threat marks the third day of mass bomb alerts this week.

Fresh bomb threats rattle European aviation; at least 12 flights targeted, 5 diverted

Saudi Arabia has reached out to Yemen's Houthi movement to ask what it would take to end the escalating war, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday (Nov 5). The Houthi group has demanded roughly $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's legitimate government in lieu of peace.The Houthis, as per the report, have framed the money as fair war reparations for years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a prolonged blockade, according to people familiar with the discussions. Other figures have since been floated, but any settlement would still run into the tens of billions of dollars.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-hit-it-very-nicely-trump-confirms-us-strike-on-iran-s-strategic-island-despite-midterm-pledge-of-no-attacks-1793723660915">‘We hit it very nicely’: Trump confirms US strike on Iran's strategic island despite midterm pledge of 'no attacks'</a><h2>Why Riyadh made the approach</h2>The outreach followed a sharp escalation on two fronts. The Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seized strategic territory overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrow passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Saudi oil facilities and airports have been hit regularly, and the group now controls much of the maritime traffic passing through the Red Sea.<h2>A demand that would redraw Yemen's politics</h2>Recognising the Houthis as Yemen's rulers would carry consequences far beyond the money. It would effectively legitimise a movement Saudi Arabia has fought for more than a decade, hand it formal standing, and weaken the internationally recognised Yemeni government the kingdom has backed. Recent Houthi advances have brought the group closer to Aden, the interim seat of that government.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-of-the-child-victims-of-donald-trump-new-york-psychologist-larissa-portnoff-accuses-potus-of-sexual-abuse-alleges-intimidation-in-viral-video-1793715741594">'I was one of his child victims': Former Miss Teen USA contestant Larissa Portnoff accuses Trump of sexual abuse in viral video | WATCH</a><h2>Riyadh's narrowing options</h2>Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly reluctant to enter a comprehensive agreement without stronger military leverage against the Houthis. Sending additional Saudi forces into Yemen risks heavy casualties and domestic criticism. Regional support is thin: the United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the anti-Houthi campaign, Pakistan has rejected reports it would take part in offensive operations inside Yemen, and the United States has declined direct military involvement.The Houthis' relationship with Iran adds another dimension. Reuters reported in October that Iranian support, including intelligence and targeting assistance, had helped the group carry out more sophisticated attacks against Saudi Arabia.<h2>What comes next</h2>No final agreement has been announced. The reported demands remain part of ongoing negotiations and have not been accepted by Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia asked the Houthis what it would take to end the war. The answer: $51 billion in reparations and formal recognition as Yemen's rulers. With Red Sea attacks escalating and regional allies stepping back, Riyadh's options are narrowing fast. Read the full story here.

Saudi Arabia has reached out to Yemen's Houthi movement to ask what it would take to end the escalating war, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday (Nov 5). The Houthi group has demanded roughly $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's legitimate government in lieu of peace. The Houthis, as per the report, have framed the money as fair war reparations for years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a prolonged blockade, according to people familiar with the discussions. Other figures have since been floated, but any settlement would still run into the tens of billions of dollars. Also read | ‘We hit it very nicely’: Trump confirms US strike on Iran's strategic island despite midterm pledge of 'no attacks' Why Riyadh made the approach The outreach followed a sharp escalation on two fronts. The Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seized strategic territory overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrow passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Saudi oil facilities and airports have been hit regularly, and the group now controls much of the maritime traffic passing through the Red Sea. A demand that would redraw Yemen's politics Recognising the Houthis as Yemen's rulers would carry consequences far beyond the money. It would effectively legitimise a movement Saudi Arabia has fought for more than a decade, hand it formal standing, and weaken the internationally recognised Yemeni government the kingdom has backed. Recent Houthi advances have brought the group closer to Aden, the interim seat of that government. Also read | 'I was one of his child victims': Former Miss Teen USA contestant Larissa Portnoff accuses Trump of sexual abuse in viral video | WATCH Riyadh's narrowing options Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly reluctant to enter a comprehensive agreement without stronger military leverage against the Houthis. Sending additional Saudi forces into Yemen risks heavy casualties and domestic criticism. Regional support is thin: the United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the anti-Houthi campaign, Pakistan has rejected reports it would take part in offensive operations inside Yemen, and the United States has declined direct military involvement. The Houthis' relationship with Iran adds another dimension. Reuters reported in October that Iranian support, including intelligence and targeting assistance, had helped the group carry out more sophisticated attacks against Saudi Arabia. What comes next No final agreement has been announced. The reported demands remain part of ongoing negotiations and have not been accepted by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia asked the Houthis what it would take to end the war. The answer: $51 billion in reparations and formal recognition as Yemen's rulers. With Red Sea attacks escalating and regional allies stepping back, Riyadh's options are narrowing fast. Read the full story here.

Houthis put a price on peace with Saudi: $51 billion and recognition as Yemen's rulers - Report

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What is a lame-duck session? What can the US Congress do before January 3?