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The Yemen-based Houthi rebels have now reported a ballistic missile attack on Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry located in the city of Riyadh on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, an escalation in regional missile strikes. The Saudi Arabian military officials stated that they have successfully intercepted several ballistic missiles fired into the capital Riyadh as well as eastern provinces before turning off alert threats soon after the explosion sounds in Riyadh.Houthi claims vs. interception of ballistic missiles by Saudi Arabian air defence systemThe military spokesman Yahya Saree of the Houthi military group issued a statement through social media reporting that his group has launched an attack targeting strategic military assets in the kingdom.Ministry of defence: He stated that a "direct hit" had been achieved in their attack on the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Riyadh.Airfield attack: He further added that they targeted two military transport aircraft with ballistic missiles in the airports of Najran and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, besides using drones against Abha International Airport.Oil refinery attack: Besides this, he announced the attack on Ras Tanoura oil refinery located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.Explosions in Riyadh and responses of the coalition forcesSeveral explosions occurred in the capital city of Riyadh Tuesday morning, when Saudi Patriot missile defense systems were targeting the incoming objects in the sky.Spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition Brigadier General Turki al-Malki confirmed that the air defenses managed to destroy several ballistic missiles which targeted Riyadh and the Eastern Province, along with four explosive-laden drones which targeted the southern provinces.The officials of Saudi Arabia have not revealed any damages or strikes to the Defense Ministry compound and the Ras Tanoura oil refinery, asserting that no casualties took place.Tensions escalate in the Arabian PeninsulaThese attacks are in continuation of the prior threats by the Houthis targeting the installations of Saudi Aramco in Yanbu and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

Yemens Houthis claimed a direct ballistic missile strike on Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry in Riyadh, though Saudi forces reported intercepting incoming threats.

Houthis claim ballistic missile strike on Saudi Defence Ministry

Houthis claim attack on Saudi Defence Ministry as coalition reports intercepting missiles and drones

Former Miss Switzerland Beatrice Keul alleged that Donald Trump raped her in a hotel room in Atlantic City in November 1993. The claim has been made in a 53-page report released by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee that examines historical links between Trump and Epstein, who was convicted of being a sex offender. Keul had accused Trump of groping her in the same incident in the past.<h2>Plaza Hotel incident details</h2>According to reports, Keul told Congress that the incident took place at the Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City during the American Dream Pageant.First encounter: Keul said she met Trump when she was 24 years old and that he had promised to help her obtain a US visa and get admitted to New York University.Epstein encounter: Keul reported that after meeting Trump, Epstein came up to her, calling himself Trump's friend and invited her to Mar-a-Lago.Incident: Reportedly, a representative then led Keul to a suite where, according to Keul, Trump grabbed her from behind and raped her brutally causing her torn dress and injuries.Aftermath: Keul testified that Trump made similar offers of help with visas after the incident, advising her to be silent and telling her that "the show must go on."<h2>Findings of the House Committee and White House reaction</h2>The ranking member of the committee Jamie Raskin and other House Judiciary Democrats referred to Keul's testimony alongside another 11 victims' testimonies, suggesting that modeling contests were used to lure young women.Democrats requested the attorney general Todd Blanche to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the way federal officials handled the Epstein files and his co-conspirators.However, the White House denied all allegations mentioned in the report of Congress, with one of the White House representatives calling this report a political distraction by Democrats before the upcoming elections in Congress. Trump has denied any criminal activity regarding Epstein and sexual assault charges.ALSO READ | <a href="https://english.zeenews.com/india/article-china-60000-mw-tibet-dam-india-siang-project-brahmaputra-water-capacity-3160718">Twice the size of three gorges: What 60,000 MW China's Tibet mega-dam means for Assam and Arunachal</a>

Former Miss Switzerland Beatrice Keul has accused Donald Trump of raping her inside a hotel room during a 1993 Atlantic City pageant event, expanding on her previous groping allegations.

Ex-Miss Switzerland details alleged 1993 rape by Trump in house report

'The show must go on': Ex-Miss Switzerland details alleged 1993 rape by Trump in house report

The construction of a gigantic 60,000 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric dam project in Tibet by China has raised several security and environmental issues for India downstream. India plans the 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh to defend against any water manipulation or flooding by Chinese authorities. This project can accommodate up to 9.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of the river water.<h2>China's $167B mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo</h2>Construction of the Yarlung Tsangpo mega-dam project started in the lower reaches of the river in Tibet on July 19, 2025, involving an expenditure of about 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.8 billion).Capacity: The five stages of this dam project have a combined electricity generation capacity of 60,000 MW, which is more than twice the production capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.Downstream impact: The Yarlung Tsangpo directly drains into India after changing its name to the Siang River and joins the Brahmaputra in Assam.India's biggest fear: Water impoundment unilaterally by Beijing in drought months or release in huge volumes in monsoon months can create serious flooding threats for Northeast India.<h2>Defence strategy of India: Siang upper multipurpose project</h2>The Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, stressed that the proposed Siang Storage Dam is specifically designed as a hydro-buffer against any disruption from upstream areas.Storage capacity: The proposed 280- to 300-meter-high Siang Storage Dam would have the ability to store 9.2 billion cubic meters of water.Regulating flow: The proposed reservoir project would help regulate the flow of water by storing excess flow coming from Tibet and releasing consistent flows during the winter season.<h2>Delays in approval and local ecological Opposition</h2>Despite being a crucial project for India, the Siang Dam project is at its initial stage and needs clearance before its execution.The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, said that the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) of the project will help determine if the selected location is geologically and ecologically feasible or not. Local indigenous tribes have expressed opposition to the plan by saying that they would be displaced and their ancestral lands and forests would be submerged.Whether India's 9.2 bcm reservoir can fully neutralise a 60,000 MW mega-structure upstream depends on final engineering specs and actual operational protocols adopted by Beijing.

Chinas ongoing construction of a $167.8 billion, 60,000 MW mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet has pushed India to fast-track its 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh.

What 60,000 MW China's Tibet mega-dam means for Assam and Arunachal

Twice the size of three gorges: What 60,000 MW China's Tibet mega-dam means for Assam and Arunachal

Jerusalem: Making a final appeal to Israeli voters ahead of October 27 polls, the country’s first general election since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his opponents could bring a dangerous left-wing government to power.A total of 7,331,981 eligible voters are expected to choose among candidates from 34 parties competing for seats in the Knesset (Israel’s parliament). The result will decide whether Netanyahu can secure another term or whether an Opposition alliance led by former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot can form the next government.The election is taking place as Israelis are divided over responsibility for the October 7 attack, which exposed serious security failures, and the independence of the country’s democratic institutions and judiciary.Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for 19 years across multiple terms, has led his coalition government through a full four-year term, an uncommon achievement in Israel’s unstable political system. He now faces a strong challenge from Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which has led several opinion polls, along with three other Zionist Opposition parties.Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad, Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu and Yair Golan’s Democrats have joined Eisenkot’s party in challenging the Likud-led bloc. Polls suggest that the four Opposition parties could collectively win more seats than Netanyahu’s alliance. However, neither side is projected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.<h2>National security warning</h2>Netanyahu has sought to present the election as a choice between his leadership and a left-leaning government that could depend on Arab parties for support. He has argued that such an alliance would be dangerous for Israel.“Israel’s enemies want us to lose because that would pave the way for a dangerous left-wing government led by Eisenkot and Lieberman, with Yair Golan and the Arab parties. The way to stop them is to go out and vote only Likud,” he posted in a late-night message on Monday on X.The Opposition has built its campaign around accountability for the October 7 attack and a demand for an independent commission of inquiry into the security failures that preceded it. Eisenkot, a former military chief regarded as a security hawk, has accused Netanyahu of putting his political interests ahead of the country’s security.“Benjamin Netanyahu will conclude his role immediately following the election results that will take place tomorrow and the establishment of the next government, which will be carried out expeditiously. We will ensure that this is how it will be. The people of Israel will elect a prime minister whose considerations will always be for the good of Israel, who will never act out of political interests at the expense of Israel's security and the fighters of the IDF,” he wrote in his final message ahead of Tuesday’s vote.Liberman has also urged voters to back a change in leadership, presenting the election as an opportunity to build a stronger and more equal state.Posting a picture with his grandson on the eve of polling, Liberman called for equal military or civilian service, civil marriages and a common core curriculum in schools. He said he wanted his grandson to grow up in a “thriving, Zionist, sane, and strong State of Israel” and urged voters to turn out for the sake of future generations.Golan has called for an independent inquiry into the October 7 attack as part of his election campaign. He has accused Netanyahu’s government of resisting an independent investigation and seeking a politically appointed commission.“Only a true vote will ensure both Netanyahu's replacement and the replacement of his path. Only a big Democratic bloc will guarantee that we replace the prime minister and that there will truly be a government of change. Netanyahu’s government has resisted establishing such a commission – saying a politically appointed commission should be formed instead – while the prime minister has declined to accept personal responsibility for the failures on his watch,” he said on the eve of the election.<h2>Hung parliament could lead to another election</h2>The Opposition’s collective lead in opinion polls does not guarantee that it will form a government. Neither political bloc is expected to win the 61 seats needed for a majority. Coalition talks and the choices made by smaller parties could determine who forms the next government.Senior journalist Yaron Decel told ANI in Jerusalem that Opposition parties share a common goal of replacing Netanyahu, despite their differences on other issues.“Mr. Netanyahu is a controversial prime minister for a very long time. So, people here and we see the Opposition bloc, the glue between the four parties is to try to replace the government of Mr. Netanyahu with a new government. Mr. Netanyahu has served as the prime minister the longest time ever, 19 years, not consecutive terms. And he is very controversial. And the bloc that is against Mr. Netanyahu would like him to be removed and replaced,” he said.He predicted three possible outcomes. The first is a failure by both blocs to form a government, which could force Israel to hold another election within around four months. The second is a minority government led by Eisenkot’s Opposition alliance, with Arab parties abstaining during a confidence vote. The third is a national unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot.Senior journalist Yaron Decel told ANI that the election could lead to three possible outcomes, as neither bloc is expected to win the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.“One, that nobody will be able to form a government,” he said. This could force Israel to hold another election in around four months if parliament fails to produce a stable government.The second possibility is a minority government led by Eisenkot’s Opposition bloc. Decel said the bloc could win around 56 seats, while the opposing side could secure 52. If two Arab parties abstain, the Opposition could gain enough votes to form a minority government.The third option is a national unity government involving Netanyahu and Eisenkot. “There is no bad blood among the two gentlemen, and they have to find a way to form such a government,” Decel said.He added that a unity government could serve Israel’s interests given its ongoing wrs with Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.<h2>How Israel will form its next government</h2>After the votes are counted, President Isaac Herzog will consult the leaders of the elected parties before asking the lawmaker he believes has the best chance of forming a government to take the lead. That candidate will have 28 days to assemble a coalition, with a possible 14-day extension.If the first attempt fails, another party leader may receive 28 days to form a government, without an extension. If that effort also falls short, a majority of 61 lawmakers can ask the president to assign the task to a particular member of parliament within a further 21-day period.A government must secure the support of a majority of Knesset members voting to take office. A minority government can also be approved if abstentions leave it with more votes in favour than against, even when it has fewer than 61 supporters.If all attempts to form a government fail, Israel will have to hold another election. Netanyahu would continue as caretaker prime minister until a new government takes office.

He faces a challenge from four Opposition parties demanding accountability for the October 7 attack. With neither bloc projected to win a majority, coalition negotiations, a possible minority government and the prospect of another election could determine Israel’s political future.

‘Israel’s enemies want us to lose’: Decoding the midnight warning that shows Netanyahu is under pressure

‘Israel’s enemies want us to lose’: Decoding Netanyahu's midnight warning

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has announced a $1 million reward for evidence of voter fraud in past elections and the upcoming 2026 midterm polls. The reward will be paid only after the arrest and conviction of those responsible.He made the announcement in a post on Truth Social while reiterating his allegations of irregularities in the US electoral process."Anybody reporting Voter Fraud in the past Elections, or the upcoming 2026 Midterm Election, will be paid $1,000,000 upon the arrest and conviction of those that created the Fraud! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote.<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="border-width:0;max-width:100%;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/117508870323063258/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>Trump made the offer ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of the US Congress and influence his legislative agenda for the next two years.<h2>Why midterm elections are important</h2>The elections take place halfway through a US president's four-year term. Voters will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate, along with several state and local offices across the country.The results will determine the balance of power in Congress and influence how easily the Trump administration can advance its legislative agenda. The party controlling each chamber has considerable influence over legislation, government spending and congressional investigations.The elections also serve as a measure of public support for the incumbent president and his administration. The outcome can affect the political calculations of both parties ahead of the next presidential election.Trump made the offer as Republicans prepare to defend their congressional seats while voters face economic difficulties and the president's approval ratings fall. The results will offer an indication of how voters view his presidency as the administration approaches the second half of its term.<h2>Trump's approval rating</h2>A September poll by The Wall Street Journal puts Trump's approval rating at 37 per cent, the lowest for a president approaching midterm elections in the publication's polling history, which dates back to 1990.The poll result adds to the challenges facing Republicans as they seek to retain control of the Congress. The party's performance will determine the legislative room available to the president for the remainder of his term.Voters across the country will elect members of the Congress on November 3, and the results will determine the administration's priorities and the balance of political power in Washington.

The offer requires evidence to lead to an arrest and conviction.

Trump offers $1 million for ‘voter fraud’ evidence: Why now, before US midterms?

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said Beijing had consistently followed border agreements with India, responding to reports of face-offs between the two sides in Arunachal Pradesh.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China had conducted routine patrols and management activities in the border areas to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maintain stability."China has consistently and strictly abided by the relevant agreements and important understandings between the two countries, conducting routine patrols and management activities in the border areas to safeguard territorial sovereignty and border stability," Guo said.He added that China and India remained in contact through diplomatic and military channels and called on New Delhi to work with Beijing to maintain peace along the border."China hopes India will work in the same direction to jointly implement the understandings reached by both sides and take concrete steps to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he said.<h3>MEA Responds to Reports of PLA Face-Offs</h3>The Chinese statement comes after India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed reports of continuing face-offs involving the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.The MEA said the specifics of the reported incidents should be addressed by the Ministry of Defence. It also noted that tensions along the India-China border arise from time to time when Chinese forces deviate from established patrolling patterns."As we have noted in the past, the situation in the India-China border areas gets disturbed from time to time when Chinese forces diverge from established patrolling patterns," the MEA said.It added that both countries continued to use existing diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings or miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).The ministry also said the two sides had agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in appropriate areas to strengthen border management."I would also like to emphasise that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations," the MEA said.<h3>India, China Reaffirm Commitment to Border Peace</h3>On August 25, the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China on the boundary question was held in Beijing.During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to following the guidance provided by their respective leaders, maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, and creating conditions for the healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.The two countries also stressed the need to advance negotiations on a framework for settling the boundary question. They agreed to pursue a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question, as well as the consensus reached during subsequent Special Representatives' talks.Both sides further agreed that any situation arising on the ground would be addressed promptly through established diplomatic and military channels. These include the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), local commander-level meetings and other agreed mechanisms.The aim, they said, was to resolve outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings or miscalculations along the LAC.(With ANI inputs)

He added that China and India remained in contact through diplomatic and military channels and called on New Delhi to work with Beijing to maintain peace along the border.

China says it abides by border agreements after reports of face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh

China says it abides by border agreements after reports of face-offs in Arunachal

<div>US forces deployed in West Asia are prepared to launch new, potentially large-scale military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, with sufficient military assets already positioned in the region.</div><div>Citing two US officials, CNN reported that the potential operations are expected to go beyond limited strikes on Iranian radar systems, missile launchers and other military assets that can be rebuilt quickly, the officials told CNN.</div><div>“It will be a big effort,” one official said.</div><div>The report said the assessment had also been echoed by other serving and former US officials familiar with internal military planning discussions. Some believe the question is not whether Trump will authorise an attack, but when.</div><div>An order could come at any point before the end of the year, although it is considered more likely after the US midterm elections, CNN reported.</div><h2>Pentagon draws up wider target list</h2><div>US officials have acknowledged that Iranian forces are now more familiar with American military tactics, making it more difficult for Washington to destroy all its intended targets.</div><div>However, military leaders at US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon have been developing an extensive list of potential targets, including Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities.</div><div>Officials told CNN that Trump has yet to decide on his next steps after the midterm elections, although he appears to be leaning towards major military action. They cautioned that the US President has previously appeared inclined to pursue certain actions before backing away at the last moment.</div><div>The White House declined to comment on the report.</div><div>A senior Pentagon official told CNN in a statement: “The Department is a planning organisation, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President.”</div><h2>Iran and Houthis prepare for possible retaliation</h2><div>Recent US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels are taking the possibility of renewed American attacks seriously, potentially including operations conducted alongside Israel, according to two additional sources familiar with the assessments.</div><div>If Washington and Israel launch fresh military operations against Iran, Tehran and the Houthis would likely retaliate immediately by targeting American personnel and facilities across the region and potentially beyond, the sources told CNN.</div><div>An unclassified memo dated October 23, sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said US intelligence had found that “Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel”. It added that plotting efforts “have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries”, CNN had previously reported.</div><div>US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this stage. However, one source familiar with the latest assessments told CNN that they would not hesitate to retaliate if Iran were targeted first by US or Israeli forces.</div><h2>US steps up precautions at regional facilities</h2><div>The threat posed by Iran and the Houthis is also one reason the US is expected to continue quietly withdrawing personnel from its embassies across West Asia in the coming days, according to the report.</div><div>The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is currently the only American diplomatic facility in the region subject to an ordered departure. However, one source told CNN that similar directives were expected at other facilities, while missions without such orders would reduce staffing under personnel caps.</div><div>Non-essential US military personnel expected to deploy to West Asia as part of the next troop rotation have also been told they will no longer be sent, a US official said, underscoring concerns about a possible regional escalation.</div><div>Despite an increase in the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices remain high, partly because of the threat of potential Iranian attacks.</div><div>One US official described the situation around the strategic waterway as “untenable” in the long term. The official said it could be one factor pushing Trump towards military action, unless a diplomatic breakthrough emerges at the last moment.</div><div>CNN reported that questions remain over whether the White House has a broader strategy for bringing the conflict to an end.</div><h2>Netanyahu pushes for fresh strikes against Iran</h2><div>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressing for additional attacks against Iran. However, US officials have asked him to wait until the Trump administration is ready to conduct joint operations, according to two US officials and an Israeli security source cited by CNN.</div><div>“Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light,” the Israeli security source told CNN.</div><div>The source said one reason Trump declined was that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had told US General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that an attack would harm the elections in Israel and lead to their postponement.</div><div>Israel had been preparing for the possibility of further attacks against Iran over the preceding week and had lobbied US officials to support and complement the strikes, a third source briefed on the matter told CNN.</div><div>However, senior US officials, including Trump, had told Israel to hold off, signalling that the two countries could launch joint operations soon.</div><div>Israel appears to have postponed additional strikes in the immediate term while building up preparations for potential joint operations with the US, likely after the American midterm elections, the sources told CNN.</div><div>The report added that Israel appeared to have agreed to delay fresh strikes partly because it needs American support for missile defence. Retaliation by Iran and the Houthis could put further pressure on Israel’s defensive munitions.</div><h2>Questions remain over Israel’s strategic objectives</h2><div>Recent US intelligence assessments also indicate that Netanyahu and his allies still lack a clear strategic objective beyond demonstrating some form of “progress” and continuing to weaken the Iranian regime, one source familiar with the assessments told CNN.</div><div>During a speech at an IDF graduation ceremony this week, Netanyahu said his directive to the IDF, the Mossad and other security agencies was to topple the regime in Iran.</div><div>“The plans are ready, waiting for Trump’s approval, could be after the midterms,” the same source told CNN.</div><h2>Israel denies reports of Netanyahu-Zamir rift</h2><div>Separately, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported on Sunday night that a confrontation appeared to be brewing between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir over the possibility of launching attacks on Iran ahead of the elections.</div><div>On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz denied reports of a dispute between the Prime Minister and Zamir over possible military action against Iran. He said Israel had no intention of launching an attack before the country’s elections, according to The Times of Israel.</div><div>“The reports of disagreements between the political leadership and the IDF on Iran are completely baseless and false,” Katz said in a statement.</div><div>“I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force,” he said, adding that “all reports on this matter are completely false”.</div><div>(with ANI inputs)</div>

US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this stage.

US forces ready for major strikes on Iran within 96 hours of Trump’s order: Report

Jerusalem (Israel): “We want a change.” That is the message from several Israeli residents ahead of legislative elections scheduled to be held on Tuesday (October 27). They described years of war, loss and uncertainty and called for peace, political change and national unity.Speaking to ANI, first-time voter Nave said that wars had affected young people and called on the government to reach agreements with other countries and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.“My expectation from the government is that after three years of war, we need to get some agreements with the other countries and with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and we need to get some peace and quiet because these three years of war have affected us very much as young people and as first-time voters,” he said.He stated that most of his friends wanted a change in government, although some members of his family still supported incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.“Most of my friends think we need a change in government. Some members of my family still support Netanyahu, but most of my friends around my age want change,” he said.Gideon Ros also called for a change in government, saying that repeated violence had made it difficult for people to live peacefully.“I don’t like what is happening in Israel. There is constant war and killing on both sides, and we need some time to live in peace. Life here in Israel is good, but what is happening around us is not,” he said.Ido said the past few years had been difficult for him and his friends. The deaths of people they knew had affected their everyday lives.“It changed everyone’s outlook and their lives. I have a couple of friends who died, and all my friends know people who have died. You can feel the impact in everyday life,” he said.He described the election as important to his generation and expressed hope for a better future.“We have been through a very difficult couple of years, and my friends and I are hoping for a change. I really hope things will get better. This election is very important to us. We are excited, and we really want to see a change,” Ido said.Sharda called for national unity regardless of the result and said women should have a greater role in political decisions.“No matter what the election result is, we must stand together as one. Our unity is Israel’s strength,” she said.On women's participation in politics, she said women needed a greater role in decision-making. She emphasised that this was an issue in many countries, not just Israel.<h2>Trump backs Netanyahu</h2>Calls for change have come to fore as Netanyahu campaigns on security and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Netanyahu for a second time and urged Israelis to vote for the incumbent prime minister.“When you go to the Polls, please remember that Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister!” he wrote and referred to chants of “Death to America, Death to Israel”. He appealed voters to support the incumbent prime minister, adding, “we have to finish the job that we started”.<iframe style="border-width:0;max-width:550px;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/117462449149582042/embed" width="100%" height="600" allowfullscreen="">
 </iframe> <script async="" src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js"></script>Netanyahu has also warned of alleged threat posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. On Sunday (October 25), he shared an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion in Tel Aviv and warned that voting for another candidate could expose the country to the danger of a “second Holocaust”.<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The post quoted right-wing activist Yuval Blumberg, who described a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. It argued that Netanyahu’s relationship with Trump offered a limited window to act against Tehran.The prime minister’s main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, played down Trump’s endorsement, saying the US president would work with any leader chosen by Israeli voters.“Donald Trump is a true friend of Israel. I appreciate his actions and commitment to Israel's security, and I am convinced that he will work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people,” he said.Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also said that the decision on who will be asked to form the next government would be his own. Speaking to American cable news network MS NOW, he said that neither Trump nor anyone else could intervene in his discretion, although he expected pressure.<h2>Liberman seeks probe over Iran strike plans</h2>The Iran issue has become a point of dispute after local media reported a confrontation between Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir over possible military action against Tehran.Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman has asked Israel’s attorney general to open a criminal investigation against Netanyahu, accusing him of pressuring security officials to take steps that could lead to a miscalculation with Iran before the election.“The attempt to drag the State of Israel into war on the eve of elections, together with the willingness to sacrifice IDF soldiers solely due to fear of losing the elections, constitutes treason against the state, its security and the IDF soldiers,” he said on X.<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Zamir had resisted a proposed operation and sought further deliberations and written legal authorisation from Netanyahu. The report cited anonymous sources but did not specify the proposed action. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”, according to The Times of Israel.Defence Minister Israel Katz also rejected reports of a rift between Netanyahu and Zamir, calling them “completely baseless and false”.“I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force,” he said.Eisenkot criticised the prime minister over the alleged dispute, saying national security should not be used for political purposes. He expressed confidence in Zamir and other military commanders and warned against putting political interests above the country's security.<h2>No clear majority </h2>The election is being contested by Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition, which includes Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party. Eisenkot has presented himself as a political alternative with a strong emphasis on security. Other contenders include an alliance led by former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Liberman’s party and a four-party coalition headed by Yair Golan, which has substantial representation from Israel’s Arab minority.According to The Jerusalem Post, four election surveys that closed on October 23 showed Eisenkot’s Yashar party leading Likud. Neither of the two main political blocs had enough projected seats to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset.Israel uses a party-list proportional representation system. Voters choose lists of candidates, and seats are allocated according to each list’s share of the vote. Parties must receive at least 3.25% of valid votes to qualify for seats.After the election, President Herzog will ask a member of the Knesset to form a government. The proposed government must then win a vote of confidence in parliament. All Israeli governments formed to date have been coalition governments.(With ANI inputs)

Opinion polls suggest no political bloc is on course to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

Israel election 2026: ‘We want a change’ – can Netanyahu defy voters’ anger?

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's presidential election has turned into a legal dispute after defeated far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro refused to concede defeat and vowed to seek annulment of the results. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who secured another term in a razor-sharp run-off, said “Brazil is no one’s backyard” and credited voters with protecting democracy.Flávio has alleged irregularities in the voting process, including a decision to extend polling hours by two hours, though he has not presented evidence to support his claims.“We will use our legal team; we will request the annulment of these elections,” he said, according to Brazilian online newspaper Brasil de Fato.He also accused the Supreme Federal Court of changing the rules during the election. “I will not accept that the rules of the game have been changed on top of the game, once again, by Lula’s friends in the Supreme Federal Court,” he said.He questioned a decision by Supreme Federal Court Minister Cristiano Zanin to extend voting hours until 7 pm local time. The extension followed fears that reduced public transport services in municipalities supportive of Flávio could prevent some voters from reaching polling stations.Both campaigns had sought additional voting time. Lula's campaign requested an extension after reports of restricted access to public transport in some cities, while Flávio's campaign sought extra time in areas affected by bad weather.Flávio also alleged that inspectors from his Liberal Party had been removed from a secure room during the election process.“Our PL inspectors were removed from inside the secure room as soon as the selection was made,” he claimed.Calling for further clarification, he said Brazil should not accept “wrongdoing” during the polls.“So there is a lot to be clarified before Brazil simply acknowledges this dirty trick that happened in these elections. I am not going to give up on my Brazil. I hope that you, who have been watching me, won't give up either,” he said.Brasil de Fato reported that Flávio had not provided evidence to substantiate his allegations.<h2>Lula says vote protected democracy</h2>In his victory speech, Lula said his campaign had defeated foreign intervention through digital platforms and pledged to give people a greater role in government decisions."We managed to convince people that voting was extremely important to safeguard democracy in Brazil. We defeated foreign intervention through digital platforms. Brazil is no one's backyard. We will change the way we run this country; we will make people participate more in the decision-making process," he said.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Presidente Lula fala após ser reeleito presidente do Brasil https://t.co/hbCHLkhz8x— Lula (@LulaOficial) <a href="https://x.com/LulaOficial/status/2114525308208697716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>In another post on X, Lula shared a post by PT Brasil featuring the words, “Either leave the homeland free or die for Brazil!"<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> — Lula (@LulaOficial) <a href="https://x.com/LulaOficial/status/2114532660915605559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>With 99.77% of the ballots counted, Lula had 51.76% of the valid votes, while Flávio had 48.24%, according to Datafolha projections.Lula, 80, first served as president from 2003 to 2010. A former factory worker and union leader, he helped establish the Workers' Party (PT) and won the presidency in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006 and later succeeded by Dilma Rousseff, who won the 2010 and 2014 elections.The main election issues were the cost of living, crime and corruption. Flávio promoted a tough approach to crime and pledged to reduce food prices, while Lula faced questions over household expenses and public security.<h2>PM Modi, world leaders congratulate Lula</h2>Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Brazilian president on his victory and expressed interest in strengthening ties between India and Brazil."Heartiest congratulations to my dear friend, President Lula, on his remarkable re-election victory," Modi said in a post on X.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Heartiest congratulations to my dear friend, President Lula, on his remarkable re-election victory. I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. Together, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation across diverse sectors, advance the shared priorities of the Global South and work towards a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable world. @LulaOficial— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2114582856978907401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>"I look forward to working closely with him to further deepen and expand the multifaceted India-Brazil Strategic Partnership," he added.He said the two countries would continue cooperation across sectors and advance the shared priorities of the Global South.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From the factory floor to the global stage: @LulaOficial ’s historic victory is a powerful reminder that the heartbeat of Brazil belongs to its people. As a steadfast champion of the working class and the poor, his return to leadership breathes new life into social inclusion, economic justice, and the fight against poverty in Brazil. It also has implications for geopolitics, not least for BRICS. Lula’s leadership supercharges Brazil's commitment to multipolarity, strengthening the BRICS bloc as a vital voice of the Global South in reshaping international trade and governance. it’s also a challenge for ties with Washington, which had openly backed his rival. While economic and diplomatic friction (such as recent trade and tariff tussles) is likely to persist, Lula’s fiercely independent foreign policy will continue to prioritise national sovereignty over subservience. Brazil has chosen a path of social progress, democratic resilience, and global cooperation. A historic and, for most, unexpected result amid the waves of rising right-wing assertion in Latin America. https://t.co/RfDL7aCmgi— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/2114530742319632592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Lula's victory had implications for international relations, particularly BRICS and Brazil's ties with the United States. He argued that leadership of the left wing leader would strengthen Brazil's commitment to a multipolar world and reinforce BRICS as a voice for the Global South.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also congratulated the newly-elected president, saying, "Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won. Congratulations, President Lula!"Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña also congratulated the Brazilian leader and pledged to continue cooperation on regional integration, trade and development. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he wanted to build on Canada-Brazil ties through new trade opportunities, environmental cooperation and shared prosperity.

He has questioned the extension of voting hours and alleged irregularities at polling stations, but has not so far presented evidence to support his claims. The dispute comes as world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulate Lula on his re-election.

Brazil presidential election: Why Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to concede, seeks annulment of Lula’s victory

Brazil election: Why Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to concede, challenges Lula’s victory

New Delhi: Parliamentary delegations from 21 countries have arrived in the Indian capital for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet speakers and heads of delegations on Monday (October 26). Hosted by the Parliament of India, the two-day meeting will discuss how legislatures can strengthen democratic institutions, use artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly and promote people-centric development.The forum brings together representatives from 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will deliver the inaugural address at the Parliament complex. The conference will conclude on October 27 with the adoption of a joint statement and the handover of the forum's chairmanship to China. <h2>What’s BRICS Parliamentary Forum?</h2>The BRICS Parliamentary Forum is a platform for legislators from BRICS member and partner countries to exchange views, share legislative practices and discuss issues that require cooperation between countries. It provides an opportunity for parliamentary leaders to exchange views on international challenges and ways to strengthen their institutions through dialogue and cooperation.BRICS began as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined it in 2011, and it has since welcomed additional members. The bloc works to strengthen political, economic and social cooperation and increase the representation of countries from the Global South in international decision-making. The parliamentary forum is distinct from the BRICS leaders' summit. The summit brings together national leaders and government representatives to deliberate on the grouping's overall priorities, while the parliamentary forum allows legislators to exchange views on the role of parliaments in addressing those priorities.<h2>Why is India hosting the forum?</h2>India is hosting the 12th edition under its BRICS chairship in 2026. The meeting gives Indian parliamentary leaders an opportunity to engage directly with their counterparts from member and partner countries on democratic institutions, international cooperation and development.The official theme is ‘Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development’. The forum will explore how legislatures can make governance more responsive to citizens, improve institutional capacity and support inclusive and sustainable development. It also provides space for bilateral meetings along with the main sessions. These discussions allow participating countries to raise issues of mutual interest and explore opportunities for cooperation through parliamentary channels.<h2>What will be discussed at the forum?</h2>The conference will feature four high-level sessions on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.The resilience session will examine the role of parliaments in strengthening institutions. The innovation session will discuss human-centred uses of AI and digital technologies, including the role of lawmakers in overseeing their development and use.The cooperation session will address the need for a more representative system of international governance. The forum will explore ways to strengthen coordination among legislatures and make international institutions more responsive to the changing needs of countries.The sustainability session will examine how parliaments can support inclusive development and sustainable futures. A separate meeting of the chairpersons of parliamentary committees on international affairs will discuss parliamentary diplomacy, capacity building and the exchange of legislative best practices. The forum will also facilitate bilateral meetings and exchanges through parliamentary friendship groups.<h2>PM Modi's meeting with delegations and India-Russia talks</h2>The prime minister is scheduled to meet visiting speakers and heads of delegations on Monday. His meetings will provide an opportunity to exchange views with parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries.Ahead of the forum, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla met a Russian parliamentary delegation led by Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's State Duma, on October 25. According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the two sides exchanged views on parliamentary cooperation, joint efforts against terrorism and coordination at international forums.He also called for regular exchanges between the Lok Sabha and the State Duma, including through the India-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Commission. He reiterated India's call for reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and thanked Russia for supporting New Delhi’s bid for permanent membership.The two sides also examined areas of cooperation in nuclear energy, industry, trade, agriculture and cultural exchanges. Volodin emphasised the need to encourage joint business ventures and address obstacles to bilateral trade and investment. Birla also met parliamentary delegations from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus.

India is hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum under its 2026 chairship. Delegates will discuss AI oversight, democratic institutions, international governance and sustainable development before China takes over the forums chairmanship on October 27.

BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026: What is it, why is India hosting it and what will PM Modi discuss?

BRICS Forum 2026: What is it, why is India hosting it, what will PM Modi discuss?

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth presidential term after defeating his right-wing rival Flávio Bolsonaro in run-off election on Sunday (October25). With 99.77% of the votes counted, the 80-year-old left-wing leader won 51.76% of the valid votes, while Flávio Bolsonaro received 48.24%, according to Brazilian media and polling firm Datafolha.The result extends his record as one of Brazil's longest-serving presidents. By the end of his new term, he will have spent 16 years in office, the longest period in power by a president in the country’s democratic history.Lula's victory followed a closely fought campaign dominated by the cost of living, crime and corruption allegations involving both candidates' families and political allies. CNN reported that Lula became the first candidate since Brazil restored direct presidential elections in 1989 to win the presidency after finishing second in the first round.<h2>Cost of living and crime dominate campaign</h2>Lula faced a difficult re-election battle as voters weighed the rising cost of living and crime and security issues. His rival, Bolsonaro, made a tough approach to crime a major part of his campaign and promised to reduce food prices.The campaign also featured corruption allegations involving people close to both candidates. Lula himself spent more than a year in prison after corruption convictions that were later annulled.Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, sought to build support among voters who backed his father's political movement. The contest placed Lula's left-wing Workers' Party against a candidate representing Brazil's conservative political camp.The final hours before Sunday's vote witnessed intense campaigning by both candidates. The polling period was extended by two hours after the candidates made last-minute appeals to electoral authorities.<h2>Lula's return and Brazil's foreign policy</h2>Lula first served as president from 2003 to 2010. He won re-election in 2006 and left office in 2010, when his cabinet minister Dilma Rousseff succeeded him. The later won another term in 2014.Lula began his political career in the 1970s as a trade union leader before helping establish the Workers' Party. He contested the presidency thrice before winning the election in 2002.His fourth term is also expected to influence Brazil's foreign policy. CNN reported that the result would keep Latin America's largest country on a more independent foreign-policy course under him. He has emphasised national sovereignty and stronger relations with China and other countries in the Global South.His approach has also led to tensions with US President Donald Trump's administration over foreign relations and trade policy.

The election campaign was dominated by the cost of living, crime and corruption allegations. Lula’s victory also keeps the country on a foreign policy path that favours stronger ties with China and other Global South nations, with potential implications for relations with US President Donald Trump.

Brazil presidential election 2026: Left-wing leader Lula da Silva wins fourth presidential term, defeats Bolsonaro's son

Brazil presidential election: 80-year-old Lula wins 4th term, beats Bolsonaro's son

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing resistance from military chief General Eyal Zamir over plans for a possible military operation involving Iran, according to Israeli media reports published a day before the country's election.Citing anonymous sources, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Zamir had sought further deliberations on the proposed action and written documentation from the prime minister confirming its legal authorisation. The report did not disclose the details of the military instructions, although it has led to speculation about preparations for another attack on Iran.A military source quoted by the channel said, “This relates to an action that could lead to a flare-up with Iran, at a sensitive and dramatic moment, creating this potential miscalculation.”It also cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter who said military leaders feared that the political leadership could seek “to utilize the Iranian issue for political benefit”.Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as “nonsense” in an interview with Israel's Channel 14, according to The Times of Israel.<h2>Iran plans and election campaign</h2>The reported disagreement emerged just a day before election in the country that is scheduled to be held on Tuesday (October 26). Opinion polls projected a close contest between Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot.In an earlier television appearance, the prime minister said that he had instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Mossad to work towards toppling the Iranian regime.He has also made Iran's nuclear programme a major part of his election campaign. On Sunday (October 25), he shared an AI-generated image depicting a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv and warned that a vote against him could expose Israelis to the threat of a “second Holocaust”.The post quoted right-wing activist Yuval Blumberg, who described Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons as an existential danger to Israel.“The State of Israel is in real and tangible existential danger. If the Iranians acquire nuclear weapons, nothing will ever be the same again. Everything is so trivial compared to the existential threat of Iran and the Shiite axis,” the post read.It also argued that Israel had a limited period to complete its efforts against Iran while US President Donald Trump was in office.“We have another two years of Trump to finish the work in Iran, and there is no telling what will come after that – whether it's Kamala Harris or some other mediocre. This is the window of time we have left to complete the necessary work to ensure our physical existence for the coming years,” the post said.It further argued that Israel needed a prime minister who could maintain close communication with Trump to carry out the task.<h2>Trump extends support for Netanyahu</h2>The US president has publicly endorsed Netanyahu again on Sunday, sharing an earlier endorsement on his Truth Social and urging Israeli voters to return the prime minister to office.He cited US military operations against Iran, including Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, while claiming that Iran had lost its navy and air force and that its military and economy were in disarray. He also referred to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and claimed that Iran's inflation rate had reached 301%.“Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started,” Trump wrote.The US president described Netanyahu as “an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister” and said their cooperation had helped prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.Final election projections published on October 23 showed that neither Netanyahu's governing coalition nor the Opposition bloc was expected to win enough seats to form a government after Tuesday's vote.(With ANI inputs)

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israels election, while the Israeli prime minister has warned of a possible nuclear threat from Iran.

Israel elections 2026: Did Netanyahu clash with IDF chief over Iran attack plans?

US Iran Tensions: US President Donald Trump on Sunday ruled out an American strike on Iran, saying the United States would not attack the country on October 25. The announcement follows deliberations in Washington over its next move against Tehran. Regional intermediaries are pursuing diplomatic efforts.Asked by a reporter whether the United States would attack Iran, Trump first responded, “Would I tell you that?” He then said, “The answer is no. There will not be a strike today,” according to Al Jazeera.<h2>Trump weighs Iran deal or more strikes</h2>Trump has left the possibility of military action on a later date open.Earlier on Sunday, the US president said that he was still considering whether to reach an agreement with Tehran or continue military operations. He described the choice as whether to “finish the job” or make a deal.His recent statement followed his earlier suggestion that the United States could strike Iran as soon as Sunday.<h2>Diplomatic contacts continues</h2>Iran has said messages are still being exchanged with the United States through intermediaries, even as direct negotiations between the two countries are stalled.Tehran has rejected American demands that it views as requiring “complete surrender”. Iranian officials have said diplomatic channels are still open.Qatari mediators were also in Tehran on Sunday as part of efforts coordinated with Washington to reduce tensions, according to reports.<h2>US-Iran standoff</h2>The Strait of Hormuz is the main issue in the dispute because of its importance to international energy shipments.Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan said that Tehran had conveyed through Pakistani mediators that it was prepared to reopen the Strait if Washington lifted its naval blockade.An Iranian publication affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) disputed that claim, saying Tehran had made no new proposal.

Iran says diplomatic messages are still being exchanged through intermediaries, while conflicting claims over reopening the Strait of Hormuz have added uncertainty to efforts to ease tensions with Washington.

Trump rules out Iran strike on Oct 25: Is a deal with Tehran still possible?

US Iran Tensions: Hours after US President Donald Trump raised the possibility of new strikes against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that further military action by the United States and Israel would not change Tehran’s policies. He said that the war had changed the regional security situation and that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war status.Speaking at a televised event in Tehran on Sunday (October 25), he said Iran would stick to its policies regardless of whether fighting resumed. According to the Associated Press (AP), he said that Iran’s policies would continue unchanged, whether war broke out or not.Trump said on Saturday (October 24) that Washington could launch another attack or reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. The statement followed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.<h2>‘US won’t try again if there’s any rationality’</h2>Araghchi argued that Washington and Tel Aviv would gain little from another military offensive after having already attacked Iran twice.“If there is any rationality, they will not try military action against Iran again,” he said. He described the military confrontation, which Iran calls the “Ramadan War”, as a turning point for regional security and said the region had entered a new phase.“Nothing will be like it was in the past,” he said.He also called for any settlement to cover every front where hostilities had taken place. “The end of this war must be across all fronts,” he said.Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also accused Washington of miscalculating its military campaign. He said the United States could not force Iran to submit through threats or pressure in the media.“The Americans entered a quagmire due to their own miscalculations, and it is up to them to take the necessary steps to extricate themselves,” he said.He described Iran as a country determined to defend itself and rejected the idea that a foreign power could dictate terms to Tehran.<h2>‘Strait of Hormuz will never be the same again’</h2>Araghchi said that the war had changed the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for world energy supplies.“The Strait of Hormuz will not be the same as before the 40-day war,” he said.Iran has claimed control over the waterway since the military confrontation began and has targeted vessels attempting to pass without its authorisation. The actions have faced opposition from Washington and countries in the region. The United States has responded by maintaining a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.Araghchi also claimed that Iranian forces had destroyed more than 80 American aircraft and fighter jets during the war between the two countries. He alleged that nearly all of them had been hit by missiles while on the ground.“In this war, we destroyed more than 80 American aircraft and fighter jets, nearly all of which were hit by missiles on the ground,” he said.Iran’s ISNA news agency also quoted him as claiming that Iranian attacks had destroyed nearly all American bases in the region and hundreds of buildings at those facilities. He called for foreign forces to leave the region.<h2>Trump keeps strikes and a deal on the table</h2>The US president raised the possibility of another attack on Iran on Saturday while also suggesting that an agreement could be reached.“Maybe tomorrow… There’s a possibility I will. There’s also a possibility we’ll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement,” he said.He claimed that Tehran wanted a deal but questioned whether Iran would honour its terms. He defended US military operations in West Asia and praised the performance of American forces.“We have done an amazing job. Our Navy and military have done an amazing job,” Trump said.He also claimed that 259 ships had been sunk and that Iran was facing record inflation.<h2>Iran denies Hormuz deal offer</h2>The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamnei and several senior officials. Iran retaliated with attacks on US bases in the Gulf and shut down the Strait.A ceasefire between Washington and Tehran on April 8 halted the sustained bombardment. Tensions over the waterway and the US naval blockade have flared since then.The two sides reached a diplomatic agreement in June. It later fell apart, and both countries accused each other of violating its terms. Tehran has called for a return to the agreement as a way to secure a lasting settlement.Iran has also denied reports that it offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its naval blockade. Iranian news agency Tasnim said that Tehran had made no new proposal through Pakistani mediators.Press TV described reports published by a Saudi media outlet as “a lie and fabrication”. The publication had claimed that Iran sent a proposal to the US administration through Pakistan, offering to restore access through the strategic waterway if Washington ended its blockade.

Iran has rejected claims that it offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to the US naval blockade. Tehran has also disputed reports of a new proposal through Pakistani mediators, while the two sides continue to disagree over the terms of a possible deal.

Will Trump strike Iran again? Tehran warns Strait of Hormuz will never be the same

Jerusalem: In an election that could decide Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future after years of war and criticism of his government’s handling of national security, Israel will vote on Tuesday (October 27). With around 13% of voters still undecided, rival parties are trying to win over people who could determine the balance of power in the next Knesset. US President Donald Trump has backed Netanyahu, who is seeking another term as prime minister. He has said that he is concerned about the election result but will not retire if he loses.The contest has become especially important for centrist challenger Gadi Eisenkot, whose Yashar party is seeking support from voters who backed Netanyahu’s Likud party in the 2022 election. Recent polling suggests that Netanyahu’s coalition could struggle to secure a parliamentary majority, while Opposition parties also face difficulties in putting together a government. <h2>How is Israel’s government formed?</h2>Israel follows a parliamentary system. The Knesset is the country’s legislature. It has 120 seats, and a government needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to command a majority.The country uses proportional representation, which means seats are allocated according to the votes parties receive across the country, subject to an electoral threshold. No single party has ever won enough seats to govern alone. Coalition negotiations therefore play an important role in forming a government.After the results are announced, President Isaac Herzog consults political parties before asking a candidate considered best placed to form a government to take the lead. The candidate is given 28 days to form a coalition. The deadline can be extended by up to 14 days.If the first candidate fails, the president can give another lawmaker an opportunity. If those efforts also fail, further parliamentary steps may follow, potentially leading to another election.The results are expected on November 4, while preliminary results should be available after voting ends. Israel’s political history shows how difficult coalition-building can be. The country held five elections between 2019 and 2022 after parties repeatedly failed to establish a stable government.<h2>Netanyahu’s challenge among undecided voters</h2>The Israel Democracy Institute’s Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research estimates that about 13% of voters have not decided whom to support. Among people who voted for Likud in 2022, only 55% now say they plan to vote for the party again.Around 15% of these former Likud voters say they will back parties opposed to Netanyahu, including 8% who favour Yashar. Another 14% say they will vote for other right-wing parties, while 9% are still undecided. Michal Elmalem Abu, a city council member elected from Likud who is now leading Eisenkot’s campaign in Dimona, said that Netanyahu had a core of loyal supporters who were unlikely to change their minds. The main contest, she said, was for voters who “understand that we are in a state of crisis” and could be persuaded to support another party.Dimona, a town in the Negev Desert with a long history of support for Likud, has become an important battleground. Some former Likud voters are campaigning for Eisenkot, blaming Netanyahu for the security failures surrounding Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack. Other residents continue to support the prime minister, crediting his governments with investment in their communities. <h2>Rain forecast on polling day</h2>Southern and eastern Israel are expected to see cooler weather and rain. Heavier showers, thunderstorms, strong winds and possible hail are forecast for the afternoon.Flash floods are a particular risk in dry riverbeds in the Negev and Arava regions and around the Dead Sea. However, polling stations are scheduled to remain open for 15 hours. Voters can cast their ballots before or after periods of rain.Israel’s election calendar takes seasonal conditions into account. As per the 1959 amendment to the Basic Law, the Knesset set the usual election period after the Tishrei religious holidays and before the coldest part of winter.If Tuesday’s vote takes place as scheduled, it will be the first Israeli general election held on its legally prescribed date since 1988. The election date of October 27 was confirmed after the Knesset’s legal adviser said that the ongoing parliament would complete its full term.

Israel’s proportional representation system makes coalition deals crucial, while polling data shows uncertainty among former Likud supporters and an uncertain political future for Netanyahu.

Israel elections 2026: Can Netanyahu survive with 13% of voters undecided?

New Delhi: Former CIA Director David Petraeus has warned that militaries have little time to adapt to modern warfare. Drones, autonomous weapons and frequent software updates are changing battlefield tactics and the way soldiers fight and survive.He said the war between Russia and Ukraine had demonstrated how fast new technology could make established military tactics ineffective. He argued that armed forces must overhaul their training, equipment and decision-making processes at a pace that traditional military procurement systems often cannot match.Petraeus has commanded US-led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and served as head of US Central Command, which oversees American military operations across a region stretching from Egypt to Pakistan. His experience in these roles has given him first-hand knowledge of how military strategy changes during prolonged confrontations.“The high-tech drone war between Russia and Ukraine shows one of the biggest changes in the way wars are fought in our time. Every military in the world needs to understand how important revolutionary institutional change has become,” Petraeus said while addressing the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi.His warning comes as countries, including India, assess the rising use of drones for surveillance, attacks and air defence. The war in Ukraine has shown that relatively inexpensive unmanned systems can threaten tanks, troops, supply routes and naval vessels. Militaries now have to rethink how they deploy their forces.<h2>Why old war tactics no longer work</h2>Drones and smart weapons have changed the way infantry and armoured units operate along the Russia-Ukraine front. Surveillance drones can detect troops and vehicles from above, allowing forces to direct attacks against targets that would previously have been difficult to locate.Soldiers stationed along Ukraine's line of contact spend much of their time underground to avoid detection. Supplies are delivered through remotely operated ground vehicles and drones instead of conventional trucks. Troops may spend as long as 60 days at their positions because travelling to and from the front can expose them to enemy attacks.Petraeus said that conventional military formations and battlefield methods could become easy targets in an environment where drones can identify movement across open ground.“Traditional warfare, tanks, infantry, engineers, air defence, electronic warfare... all of these can no longer survive in their existing form. Even if you have built trenches, a drone can be flown into them. Anything out in the open will be easily visible," he said.He said military leaders must find ways to protect troops and equipment while allowing forces to move, communicate and receive supplies under constant surveillance.<h2>‘Armies must adapt within a year’</h2>Petraeus believes the lessons from Ukraine must be adopted much faster by armed forces around the world. He said that Russia and Ukraine were changing battlefield tactics at a pace that other countries had not matched.Asked what he would do if given five years to rebuild a modern military, he said the job would have to be completed in a year."The first thing I would say is that this will not be done in five years, but in one year, because we do not have five years," he said.The process involves more than buying different types of drones. Militaries must also update the software that controls these systems and modify their hardware to respond to new battlefield threats. Petraeus said armed forces should be able to make software changes every week and hardware changes every few weeks.Such a pace poses a challenge for countries where defence procurement can take years, from selecting a weapon system to completing trials and bringing it into service. By the time a system is deployed, the technology and tactics used by an adversary may have changed.<h2>Will AI drones decide who lives or dies?</h2>Petraeus expects faster advances in autonomous weapons. These systems can identify and attack targets with limited or no human intervention. He said that fully autonomous systems were at the experimental stage, but their numbers could increase considerably by the end of 2026 or during 2027.Asked whether he was comfortable with machines making decisions that could determine whether a person lived or died, he said that he trusted a properly programmed machine to follow the laws of war."If a machine has been programmed correctly, I have confidence that it will follow the laws of war. And that 'if it has been programmed correctly' part matters a great deal," he said.His answer also shows why the design and testing of these weapons are so important. The ability of an autonomous system to distinguish between military targets and civilians, follow rules of engagement and operate reliably will determine how it is used in combat.<h2>Ukraine's drones take on costly missiles</h2>The war has opened a new front, with drones being used to destroy other drones. Ukraine has stepped up its use of interceptor drones to shoot down Russian unmanned aircraft, including Shahed-type attack drones.In January 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the country was producing about 1,000 interceptor drones a day. His military chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that these systems destroyed more than 1,500 Russian drones in February 2026, including a substantial share of the Shahed drones launched towards Kyiv.According to Reuters, interceptor drones were bringing down around 40% of Russia's Shahed-type drones across Ukraine by April, compared with about 25% during the winter.The economics of air defence have helped drive this change. Petraeus said that some militaries had used Patriot missiles costing about $2 million each to destroy Shahed drones priced at around $50,000. Repeatedly using expensive missiles against cheaper targets places a heavy burden on defence budgets and can fast exhaust supplies.Interceptor drones offer a less expensive way to counter some incoming threats, although their effectiveness depends on the type of target, detection systems and battlefield conditions.<h2>How Ukraine's drones hit Russia's Black Sea fleet</h2>Ukraine's use of unmanned systems has also changed naval warfare. Despite lacking a conventional navy comparable to Russia's, Kyiv has used aerial and sea drones to attack Russian vessels in the Black Sea.Petraeus said that Ukraine had destroyed more than a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Aerial drones help locate targets, while unmanned surface vessels carry out attacks against the ships. The threat has forced Russian vessels to operate from ports and other protected locations rather than move freely across the open sea, he said.He also stated that Ukraine had sunk around 300 vessels carrying supplies to Crimea and attacked refineries within a range of 3,000 kilometres from its borders.The use of relatively inexpensive unmanned systems against warships and energy infrastructure has added another challenge for military strategists. Navies now have to protect ships and ports against threats that can approach at low cost, operate without crews and be deployed in large numbers.

Petraeus says the Ukraine war has exposed weaknesses in conventional military systems. Costly air defence missiles and vulnerable naval fleets show how drones are changing modern combat.

‘We don’t have 5 years’: Ex-CIA chief’s warning on future wars

<div>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday called on the United Nations to lead amid global conflicts and push forward long-pending structural reforms, warning that the international community cannot afford to remain a ‘passive observer’ as wars in Ukraine and West Asia disrupt economies and affect people far beyond the battlefields.</div><div>Speaking at the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on “Non-Dualism for World Understanding” at Bharat Mandapam on the occasion of United Nations Day, EAM S. Jaishankar called for reformed multilateralism, stressing that the global governance system must reflect the realities of the contemporary world and give developing nations a greater role in decision-making.</div><div>Jaishankar said the founding of the United Nations after the Second World War reflected a collective decision to prioritise cooperation over competition among nations.</div><div>He noted that the debate between countries pursuing their individual interests and those seeking collective solutions had long shaped international relations.</div><div>The UN’s establishment 80 years ago was an expression of the world’s commitment to working together, he said.</div><div>“Humankind has witnessed perpetual arguments between those who stress competitiveness and others who see a virtue in cooperation. These may be individual or even societal predicaments, but on the global stage, they translate into how nations behave with one another. The collective and cooperative instincts of the world were articulated, were expressed eight decades ago in the founding of the United Nations. It is fitting, therefore, that we gather to advance a sense of oneness as we celebrate the UN Day. After all, whether it is the challenges or the opportunities that confront the world, these can be best, most effectively addressed collectively,” the External Affairs Minister said.</div><h2>Wars in Ukraine and West Asia affect distant economies</h2><div>Highlighting the consequences of ongoing conflicts, Jaishankar pointed to the wars in Ukraine and West Asia, saying their economic fallout was being felt well beyond the regions directly involved.</div><div>People and economies with little influence over the course of these conflicts are bearing the costs, including through higher fuel and food prices and wider economic disruption, he said.</div><div>“There are today two major conflicts going on in the world: in Ukraine and in West Asia or the Middle East. Societies and economies, peoples far away, who have little say in the matter, are actually paying the cost. We cannot remain helpless spectators,” Jaishankar said.</div><div>He reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy, rather than military action, offered the way towards resolving conflicts. India is making its own efforts to promote peace and remains willing to work with other countries towards that objective, he added.</div><div>“India expresses global sentiment when we urge that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solution. We are making efforts ourselves and are open to working with other partners to that end,” Jaishankar said.</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">#WATCH | Delhi: At the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan on UN Day, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar says, "... There are today two major conflicts going on in the world: in Ukraine and in West Asia or the Middle East. Societies and economies, peoples far away, who have little say in the matter, are actually paying the cost. We cannot remain helpless spectators. India expresses global sentiment when we urge that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solution. We are making efforts ourselves and are open to working with other partners to that end..."— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2114247366782169144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2026</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><h2>India reiterates demand for reformed multilateralism</h2><div>Jaishankar also called for an overhaul of international decision-making institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the existing framework could no longer justify excluding large parts of the developing world.</div><div>He said the need for reform was becoming increasingly pressing as countries, particularly those belonging to the Global South, continued to remain underrepresented in global governance.</div><div>“We live in an imperfect world, but we all continuously strive towards greater perfection. Where the UN is concerned, that means recognising its shortcomings and limitations, and seeking its improvement. The case for reformed multilateralism gets stronger by the day. Large parts of the world cannot be left out of decision-making,” he said.</div><div>EAM stressed that recognising the UN’s limitations must go hand in hand with efforts to improve its functioning and strengthen international cooperation.</div><div>He called on the organisation to take a more active role in addressing global challenges rather than remaining a bystander as conflicts escalate.</div><div>“On this occasion, even as we recognise the need for such long-awaited changes, let us renew our commitment to work together. We are common, we are shared, we are united,” Jaishankar said.</div><h2>UN day marks 80 years of the organisation</h2><div>Observed on October 24, United Nations Day commemorates the anniversary of the UN Charter entering into force in 1945. The organisation formally came into existence after the founding document was ratified by a majority of its signatories, including all five permanent members of the Security Council.</div><div>The UN was established with the stated aim of preventing future generations from experiencing the devastation of war. Its founding charter opens with a commitment to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.</div><div>Eight decades later, however, questions remain over whether its institutional structure can effectively address contemporary conflicts.</div><h2>Security council structure under scrutiny</h2><div>The Security Council remains dominated by the five permanent members, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China, reflecting the balance of power that emerged after the Second World War.</div><div>Rising powers such as India, Brazil, Japan and South Africa remain outside the permanent membership, despite representing a substantial share of the world’s population. This imbalance has weakened the council’s legitimacy and its ability to respond effectively to international crises.</div><div>The veto power held by each permanent member presents another obstacle. A single permanent member can block a resolution, preventing the council from taking action even when other members support it.</div><div>The UN also depends on member states for troops and funding, leaving its operations vulnerable when countries withhold financial contributions or refuse to provide resources.</div><h2>Conflicts expose limits of UN action</h2><div>The limitations of the system have become increasingly apparent during conflicts in recent years.</div><div>When Russia’s war against Ukraine began, the international community looked to the Security Council for a response. In Gaza, resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire were blocked by the United States, while alternative drafts were blocked by Russia and China. As the council remained divided, the conflict continued.</div><div>The UN has also struggled to respond effectively to the civil war in Sudan, the military takeover in Myanmar and the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.</div><div>As the organisation’s ability to secure agreement among major powers has weakened, countries have increasingly pursued security cooperation through smaller groupings outside the UN framework, including the Quad, AUKUS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).</div><h2>Geopolitical rivalry and funding pressures deepen crisis</h2><div>Renewed rivalry among major powers has further complicated the Security Council’s work, making consensus increasingly difficult. The UN Secretary-General, once seen as a potential global mediator, has often been left issuing statements that member states are not obliged to follow.</div><div>Concerns have also grown over the disregard for international humanitarian law, with UN schools in Gaza, peacekeepers in Lebanon and other UN facilities coming under fire.</div><div>Financial constraints have added to the organisation’s difficulties. Major powers have withheld dues as leverage, leaving peacekeeping missions and humanitarian agencies struggling to maintain operations.</div><div>The challenges facing the UN have raised questions about its capacity to fulfil the purpose for which it was established in 1945. Jaishankar’s remarks on UN Day underscored India’s call for an organisation that can respond more effectively to global crises rather than remain a helpless spectator to the conflicts it was created to help prevent.</div><div>(with ANI inputs)</div>

Jaishankar also called for an overhaul of United Nations Security Council, arguing that the existing framework could no longer justify excluding large parts of the developing world.

The world cannot remain helpless spectators to global crises: EAM S. Jaishankar calls for UN reform amid Ukraine and West Asia wars

The world cannot remain ‘helpless spectators’ to global crises: EAM S. Jaishankar

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in France on Saturday after protests over rising living costs and poorly funded public services turned violent. While the government said 4.10 lakh people joined the demonstrations nationwide, unions put the figure at nearly 8 lakh. The clashes also drew a fresh comment from US President Donald Trump, who blamed immigration for the unrest, an explanation French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly rejected.<h2>Nearly 1,000 arrested in France</h2>French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the number of arrests was expected to rise as police reviewed reports from across the country. "As I speak to you, we are at nearly 1,000 arrests," he said at a briefing.At the same stage of the previous Saturday's protests, authorities had recorded 385 arrests.The latest demonstrations were held under a heavy security operation involving about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes. Authorities sought to prevent a repeat of the looting and damage that followed the protests on October 17. The Interior Ministry recorded 289 demonstrations across France on Saturday.<h2>Police use tear gas in Paris</h2>Most marches passed off peacefully, but confrontations broke out in some areas late in the day. In eastern Paris, masked individuals threw projectiles and fireworks at police officers near the end of a march.Police responded with tear gas, sound grenades and water cannon before dispersing the crowd near Cours de Vincennes. A helicopter was also deployed to help officers monitor the area.Official figures put the number of people who joined the protest march in Paris at 1.10 lakh, while unions estimated the turnout at 2.50 lakh.<h2>Violence reported in several cities</h2>Clashes were also reported in Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Nantes, Toulouse and other cities. In Marseille, groups set bins on fire and threw objects at police officers.In Lyon, about 10,000 people marched despite restrictions on gatherings in the city centre. Local authorities reported around 26,500 protesters in Toulouse.Nunez said two people suffered serious injuries, one in Toulouse and another in Clermont-Ferrand. He said the stronger security presence had helped prevent destruction on the scale seen the previous weekend.<h2>Why are people protesting in France?</h2>The protests began more than a month ago when school students demanded more teachers, better school buildings and improved classroom conditions.Workers, trade unions and other groups later joined the movement, seeking relief from high food, housing and energy costs and greater investment in public services.<h2>Trump blames immigration for France unrest</h2>The French protests also became a talking point in US politics. US President Donald Trump while addressing a Republican campaign rally in Perry, Georgia on Saturday said, "France is right now burning down because it opens its borders to people who hate it."The demonstrations have been organised around education funding, living costs and public services, although some groups involved in the violence have attacked police and damaged property.<h2>Macron rejects Trump's claims</h2>France President Emmanuel Macron had already rejected similar allegations earlier in the week. Speaking in Qatar on Wednesday, he criticised foreign leaders for using France's domestic unrest in their political campaigns and warned that misleading, AI-generated images were circulating online.Asked whether he was referring to Trump, Macron replied, "Among others."Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also blamed the disorder on extremist Islam in an interview on Tuesday.Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, meanwhile, accused the police of using excessive force and criticised television coverage for focusing on clashes rather than peaceful protesters.<h2>More Protests Planned on November 5</h2>The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), a major French trade union, has called for another nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations on November 5.Also Read: <a href="https://english.zeenews.com/india/article-election-commission-sir-software-rti-trade-secrets-3160511">Election Commission refuses to name SIR software, citing trade secrets in RTI reply </a>

France protests: Nearly 1,000 arrested as police clash with crowds across major cities. Trump blames immigration while Macron rejects claims about unrest.

France protests turn violent: Nearly 1,000 arrested; Trump blames immigration, Macron hits back

France protests turn violent: Nearly 1,000 arrested; Trump blames immigration

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group on Saturday denied reports that it had targeted Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities, after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted missiles heading towards the regions and reported debris falling at several locations.The Houthis maintained that their military operations are directed at Saudi oil facilities and military installations, stating that they publicly disclose such attacks when they occur. The denial came amid renewed cross-border tensions, as the group claimed responsibility for strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure and airports. Meanwhile, Yemen’s internationally recognised government reported missile attacks on coast guard facilities in Aden, a port city in the country’s south.Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence reported that debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles fell in the Mecca and Medina regions. Shrapnel was also found near Mecca and in Jeddah, Taif and Rabigh. The Houthis, however, denied launching attacks against the two holy cities.Houthis claim strikes on Saudi oil facilities, airportHouthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had targeted multiple sites in Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Yanbu, the Rabigh oil refinery, crude oil pumping stations and the East-West Pipeline.He further claimed that the group had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Yanbu and Taif. However, Saudi authorities did not directly address the group's claims regarding the other locations.It was unclear whether any of the reported attacks had hit their intended targets or had been intercepted. Saudi authorities reported missile debris at several locations across the kingdom, including areas near Rabigh, where the Houthis claimed to have targeted an oil refinery.Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Civil Defence issued alerts warning residents of potential threats in Taif, Yanbu, Mecca and Jeddah. Around 10 minutes later, the agency announced that the danger had passed.Attacks reported in AdenThe conflict also intensified in southern Yemen, where the internationally recognised government accused the Houthis of launching three ballistic missiles at coast guard facilities in Aden.According to the government’s Interior Ministry, two missiles hit a coast guard headquarters, while the third struck a coast guard building in the Tawahi district.

Yemen’s Houthi group denied targeting Mecca and Medina as Saudi Arabia reported intercepted missiles and debris, while the group claimed strikes on Saudi oil facilities and airports and Yemen’s government reported missile attacks on coast guard installations in Aden.

Houthis deny Mecca, Medina attacks; claims to have targeted Saudi airports, oil sites

Houthis deny Mecca, Medina attack; claims to have targeted Saudi airports, oil sites

More than 410,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living and a lack of funding for education, with clashes between demonstrators and police reported in several cities. Security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons in Paris as authorities stepped up measures to prevent a repeat of recent street violence.Hundreds of demonstrations were held nationwide, drawing students, trade unions, activists and civil society groups. While many gatherings remained peaceful, confrontations broke out in several major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse.According to official figures released by French law enforcement, the nationwide turnout stood at 410,000. Police arrested 135 people and seized a range of weapons during the demonstrations, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.<h2>Clashes In Paris And Lyon</h2>Violence escalated in Paris late on Saturday evening, prompting riot police to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Earlier in the day, Paris police had described the atmosphere in the capital as "calm".Speaking about the security situation, Nunez said that "there has been no major incident" so far, according to France 24.The items seized by police included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, airsoft guns and a Japanese katana sword.In Lyon, riot police fired tear gas to disperse around 150 demonstrators who attempted to block a central road in an area where protests were banned, Euronews reported.Despite restrictions on gatherings, nearly 10,000 people marched through Lyon, according to estimates from the Rhône prefectural authorities cited by France 24. Officials said demonstrators moved in different groups across the city, acting "in a very erratic manner, without any clearly defined objective" during the afternoon.In Toulouse, local authorities estimated that around 26,000 people joined the demonstrations. Protests were also reported in Marseille and Lille, with clashes between police and demonstrators in Lyon.<h2>Thousands Protest Against Far-Right National Rally</h2>The city of Orléans emerged as another major focus of Saturday's demonstrations, as thousands gathered to oppose a two-day convention organised by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party, known in French as Rassemblement National.Local prefecture officials estimated that 11,000 protesters had gathered in the city by noon, France 24 reported.Demonstrators targeted both Le Pen and French President Emmanuel Macron, chanting slogans and carrying banners opposing the far right. The protests brought together left-wing political leaders, trade unions, student groups, activists and non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International.The demonstrations took place as the National Rally held a major political gathering six months before France's presidential election.The party's convention began shortly before 3 pm at the Zénith arena in Orléans, in the Loiret department. Thousands of delegates and supporters gathered at the venue, chanting "Marine for President", France 24 reported.Jordan Bardella was re-elected as president of the National Rally during the congress on Saturday.<h2>Student Protests Grow Into Nationwide Movement</h2>The latest demonstrations follow a wave of protests that began more than a month ago, when students took to the streets over conditions in high schools, teacher shortages, school-day schedules and inequalities between public and private education systems, France 24 reported.The movement has since expanded, drawing support from trade unions, civil society groups and the Yellow Vests movement. Anger over the rising cost of living has added to the unrest, particularly following violent clashes during demonstrations a week earlier.Authorities have increased security measures across the country in an effort to contain the protests and prevent further violence.Amid the escalating situation, President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting of his defence council, which includes senior ministers and officials, to discuss the crisis.Although many demonstrations remained peaceful, the clashes in Paris and Lyon highlighted the growing challenge facing French authorities as protests over living costs, education and far-right politics converge.(With ANI inputs)

Hundreds of demonstrations were held nationwide, drawing students, trade unions, activists and civil society groups.

Over 410,000 march across France over cost of living; police use tear gas, water cannons in Paris

Over 410,000 march across France over cost of living; police use tear gas

<div>Yemen’s Houthi group on Saturday claimed responsibility for attacks targeting airports, oil infrastructure and a military airbase across Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions as the kingdom faces a renewed wave of strikes.</div><div>The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the targets included King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran airport and an airbase in Khamis Mushait. He also claimed attacks on the East-West oil pipeline, crude oil pumping stations, a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and the Rabigh oil refinery.</div><div>Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed the latest claims.</div><div>The announcement came hours after the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards the Saudi cities of Taif and Yanbu.</div><h2>Saudi Arabia issues security alerts</h2><div>Saudi Civil Defense briefly warned residents in Taif, Yanbu, Mecca and Jeddah of potential danger on Saturday. Around 10 minutes later, it announced that the threat had passed.</div><div>The latest Houthi claims follow a series of attacks on Saudi military, energy and civilian infrastructure in recent weeks.</div><div>On Thursday, the group said it had targeted Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry in Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudi authorities reported two deaths in Dammam but did not confirm the reported attacks in Riyadh and Yanbu.</div><div>The Saudi-led coalition also said it had intercepted drones over Riyadh and Medina on Thursday. The Houthis had denied targeting Medina a day earlier, following reports of drone interceptions over the holy city and Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.</div><h2>Deadly airport strikes earlier this month</h2><div>Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks on its airports this month. An October 10 strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured 309, according to Saudi authorities. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which was the third reported strike on the airport that week.</div><div>The victims included four Saudi nationals and citizens of Bangladesh, the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities.</div><div>Two earlier airport attacks that week killed four people and severely damaged a Saudi commercial aircraft parked on the tarmac. Saudi Arabia’s threat-warning system did not issue an alert before the October 10 strike.</div><div>Earlier this month, the Houthis also warned airlines against using Saudi airspace, exempting the airspace over Mecca and Medina.</div><h2>Renewed fighting threatens fragile calm in Yemen</h2><div>The latest escalation has disrupted the relative calm that followed a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022, which largely halted cross-border attacks.</div><div>Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis control the capital, Sanaa. The group has been fighting forces aligned with the Yemeni government, which is supported by the Saudi-led coalition.</div><div>The renewed hostilities have also opened another front in the wider US-Israeli war on Iran, adding to regional security concerns as attacks increasingly target critical infrastructure and civilian aviation facilities.</div><div> </div>

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks on its airports this month. An October 10 strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 12 people and injured 309.

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on Saudi airports, Aramco facility and oil pipeline

In a major development in the fight against organised crime, Indian gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Faridpuria have been arrested in Las Vegas, the United States. The arrests followed intelligence inputs and technical surveillance by Indian agencies, highlighting growing cooperation between Indian and US law enforcement agencies in tracking wanted criminals operating overseas.In today’s episode of DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, conducted a detailed analysis of the arrests and examined how Indian agencies helped US authorities trace the two gangsters, who had been operating from abroad.The arrests send a message to Indian criminals who flee overseas to escape the law that foreign countries may no longer offer them a safe haven. US authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reportedly acted on information shared by Indian agencies.<h2>How Himanshu Bhau Was Arrested In Las Vegas</h2>Himanshu Bhau was arrested in Las Vegas following inputs from the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) and Indian agencies, which used technical surveillance and informant networks to track him. Bhau had fled India in 2022 using a fake passport. Interpol issued a Red Notice against him in August 2023.Bhau entered the world of crime at the age of 17 and is linked to more than 41 criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, extortion, forgery and offences under the Arms Act. A reward of Rs 2.5 lakh had been announced for information leading to his arrest in Haryana, while Delhi Police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh.He has also been linked to several high-profile incidents, including a firing incident at YouTuber Elvish Yadav's house and a shooting at a cafe in Rajouri Garden. In March 2022, three targeted killings were reported in Haryana within 24 hours.<h2>Neeraj Faridpuria Also Arrested In The US</h2>Neeraj Faridpuria was also arrested in Las Vegas after Indian agencies shared information with US authorities. He had previously been detained for violating US immigration laws but was released on bail. He later removed his electronic ankle monitor and went into hiding before being traced and arrested again.Faridpuria reportedly began his criminal activities at the age of 14 and is linked to more than 25 serious criminal cases. In 2015, a lower court sentenced him to life imprisonment in a murder case. After securing bail in 2019, he allegedly fled India, travelling through Dubai to Canada and later to the US using a fake passport. Haryana Police had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.<h2>Rival Gangs And The Fight For Control</h2>Bhau and Faridpuria are associated with rival criminal networks linked to the Bambiha and Neeraj Bawana gangs, which have long been at odds with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to the analysis, associates based overseas, including in Portugal, Dubai and the US, have been involved in activities such as extortion, contract killings and illegal land grabbing.Faridpuria has been described as an operational crime head of the Bambiha gang, while Bhau is said to have handled its international operations. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang's core areas of activity include Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab, where its network overlaps with those of rival gangs.Bhau's arrest could weaken his network, but it may not bring the gang's activities to an end. Yogesh Kadian is alleged to have managed parts of the network while Bhau was abroad. Other alleged associates, including Sahil Ritoli, Naseeb alias Daku Kulasiya and Aman Bhainswal, are also reported to remain outside prison and active.The arrest could also affect the balance of power among rival criminal groups. However, the impact will depend on whether other members can continue running the network and maintaining its operations from within India or overseas.<h2>What Happens Next? Deportation Or Extradition</h2>Both gangsters are reportedly being held at the Henderson Detention Centre in Nevada. Their return to India could take place through deportation or extradition, depending on the legal circumstances.If US authorities establish violations of immigration law, including the use of fake passports, deportation may be possible. The recent deportation of Anmol Bishnoi under immigration provisions has also highlighted this route.India and the US signed an extradition treaty in 1997. Under the process, Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, would submit relevant evidence and court warrants to the US Department of Justice. A US court would examine whether the legal requirements had been met, after which the US Secretary of State would issue the final order.Red Notices have already been issued against the two men, and their identities have reportedly been verified. Indian agencies are expected to coordinate with their US counterparts on the next steps to bring them back to India.<h2>Lessons From International Crime Syndicates</h2>The arrests also raise questions about the future of the gangs linked to Bhau and Faridpuria. The history of international criminal syndicates shows that the arrest of a leading figure does not always end a network.Colombia's Medellin Cartel collapsed following the fall of Pablo Escobar, while the Cali Cartel expanded its influence. The arrest of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán also contributed to divisions within Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel. In India, the arrest of Chhota Rajan in Bali in 2015 was followed by a decline in the activities of his syndicate.Whether Bhau's arrest leads to a similar decline or creates an opening for rival gangs remains to be seen. The arrests of Bhau and Faridpuria, however, underline the role of intelligence-sharing and international cooperation in tracking wanted criminals who attempt to evade justice by moving across borders.

The arrests followed intelligence inputs and technical surveillance by Indian agencies, highlighting growing cooperation between Indian and US law enforcement agencies in tracking wanted criminals operating overseas.

US arrests Indian Gangsters Himanshu Bhau, Neeraj Faridpuria in Las Vegas

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Numerology Prediction, October 27: Remember that empathy explains behaviour

Dialogue of the day from Cast Away, ‘Tomorrow the sun will rise...’

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Horoscope today, October 27: Libra, your surroundings influence your mood

Weekly Health Horoscope for October 26 - November 1, 2026: Avoid putting unnecessary strain on your knees, zodiacs

Weekly Health Horoscope for Oct 26-Nov 1, 2026: Avoid putting strain on your knees

Astrology

Ducati Formula 73 launched in India at Rs 20 lakh: Limited to 873 units worldwide

Ola Electric shares fall over 6% as analysts downgrade to sell

Kia Sorento: Top 7 pros and 5 cons

Skoda Slavia facelift: 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip

TN govt fixes Rs 26 lakh car purchase ceiling for ministers, Rs 15 lakh for MLAs

Auto

Former Tamil Nadu minister held in Rs 100-crore private school approval scam

North Western Railway Apprentice recruitment 2026: Applications open for 2,008 posts

UNESCO report: Early marriage and teenage pregnancy still keep girls out of school

Schools open in Tamil Nadu, despite IMD heavy rain alert; Parents demand holiday

Bihar board registration 2028 extended till November 6 for class 9, 11 students

Education

SIM-binding rule: What changes for WhatsApp, other messaging apps from Jan 1, 2027?

OpenAI partners with Google Cloud to offer AI models, Codex workflows

Samsung Galaxy F70 5G launched in India: Price, battery, display, camera and more

Infinix GT 50 Pro set to launch on October 27 with exclusive gaming accessories

OnePlus Ace 7 series set to launch in China on October 29: Here's what we know so far

OnePlus Ace 7 series set to launch in China on October 29: What we know so far

Technology

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