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Must Know

Netanyahu's bloc leads Israel vote count but is short of a majority as Arab parties emerge as kingmakers

Ongoing · day 6 ↗

The three mainstream Israeli TV networks' exit polls gave each bloc around 51 seats, well below the 61 needed to govern. Exit polls gave Arab-led parties a projected record 17 to 18 seats, positioning them as kingmakers in a deadlocked Knesset. Turnout reached 77.7%, the highest since 1999, and participation among Israel's Arab citizens was even higher than among Jews.

Why it matters

Netanyahu has urged rivals to join a Jewish-only coalition and shun Arab parties, but Eisenkot cannot reach 61 without them, so the Arab bloc's record showing decides which side can govern, or whether Israel faces another election.

How reporting varies

Financial Times: Reports Netanyahu urging rivals to join a Jewish coalition and shun Arab parties.

Straits Times: Stresses the Arab parties' kingmaker status after nearly doubling their seats.

8 reports · 8 outlets · 2 left · 2 center · 4 right

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Qatar gives Iran new draft deal with seven-day timeline; Tehran due to reply this week

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

Qatari mediators presented Iran with a new draft deal to end the war with the US and Israel, and Tehran is expected to send a response by the end of the week, according to Reuters. Gulf states are working on a multipart peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within four days, lift sanctions on Iran, and require Houthi forces to withdraw in Yemen. US officials warned Gulf allies of a possible short, intense renewal of the Iran war after the midterms, and new signs indicate that US and Israeli militaries are preparing a potential wave of strikes to pressure Tehran to the negotiating table.

Why it matters

The diplomatic window overlaps with the Nov. 3 US midterms, after which Trump has held out the possibility of restarting combat, so Tehran's reply may decide whether the seven-day plan starts or the strikes do.

How reporting varies

WSJ World: Reports the US has warned Gulf states of a possible short, intense renewal of the war after the midterms, with signs the US and Israeli militaries are preparing strikes to push Tehran to negotiate.

5 reports · 7 outlets · 2 left · 1 center · 2 right

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Houthis say missile hit Saudi Ras Tanura refinery; oil rises over 1%

Yemen's Houthis said they hit Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura refinery in the Eastern Province with a ballistic missile on Tuesday. Oil prices rose more than 1% as the attack renewed concerns about supply. The reports carry the Houthi claim; the extent of any damage is not given in the sources.

Why it matters

Ras Tanura lies in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, so a Houthi claim reaching it puts the threat at the kingdom's oil export heartland, which is why crude reacted at once.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 center · 1 right

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  • WSJ World — Backs: Houthis say they hit Saudi Ras Tanura refinery with missile; Oil rises over 1%; Ras Tanura refinery in the Eastern Province, ballistic missile, on Tuesday; Oil rose more than 1% as the attack renewed supply concerns; Ras Tanura lies in Saudi Eastern Province; Crude reacted to the Houthi claim

At least 10 dead as Renfe high-speed train rear-ends Iryo train near Toledo, Spain

A Renfe high-speed train travelling from Madrid to Seville struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train near Urda, in Toledo province, on Wednesday morning, killing at least 10 people. Two Iryo carriages derailed and fell down an embankment. A regional government spokeswoman said the toll would "surely rise". The Renfe train carried 397 passengers and the Iryo train 147, and the cause is unclear. Rail operator Adif suspended high-speed service between Madrid and Andalusia, and the Civil Guard sent a disaster investigation team.

Why it matters

A second fatal high-speed crash within nine months, after the Adamuz accident in Andalusia that killed 45 or 46 people (reports differ), will intensify scrutiny of Spain's rail safety. This time a state-run and a private operator shared the same line.

10 reports · 10 outlets · 5 left · 4 center · 1 right

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  • Al Jazeera — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning; Two Iryo carriages derailed and fell down an embankment; Spokeswoman said toll will 'surely rise'; 397 passengers on Renfe, 147 on Iryo; Adif suspended Madrid-Andalusia service; Civil Guard team sent; Adamuz crash nine months earlier killed 45 or 46; State-run Renfe and private Iryo involved
  • NPR World — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning; Two Iryo carriages derailed and fell down an embankment; Spokeswoman said toll will 'surely rise'; 397 passengers on Renfe, 147 on Iryo; Adif suspended Madrid-Andalusia service; Civil Guard team sent; Adamuz crash nine months earlier killed 45 or 46; State-run Renfe and private Iryo involved
  • The Guardian — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning; Adif suspended Madrid-Andalusia service; Civil Guard team sent; Adamuz crash nine months earlier killed 45 or 46; State-run Renfe and private Iryo involved
  • Le Monde — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning
  • SCMP World — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning; Two Iryo carriages derailed and fell down an embankment; Spokeswoman said toll will 'surely rise'

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  • Clarín — Backs: At least 10 dead; Renfe train rear-ended Iryo train near Toledo; Madrid to Seville, near Urda in Toledo province, Wednesday morning; Two Iryo carriages derailed and fell down an embankment; Adif suspended Madrid-Andalusia service; Civil Guard team sent; Adamuz crash nine months earlier killed 45 or 46; State-run Renfe and private Iryo involved

Should Know

Zelensky says Ukraine is retaking ground in several offensives, but needs more air defence

Ongoing · day 3 ↗

Zelensky says Russia has launched more than 100 missile attacks on Kyiv and complains of severe shortages of air defence missiles. Trump says a trilateral meeting will take place "very soon." Zelensky says Ukrainian forces are retaking territory through a series of offensives, including one operation that had not been previously announced.

3 reports · 4 outlets · 1 left · 1 center · 1 right

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Trump explores lifting sanctions on Russia's flagship investment fund

President Trump is exploring lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia's flagship investment fund, which would be the latest U.S. concession to Moscow as he pursues economic incentives he hopes will secure an end to the war in Ukraine.

1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left

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Finland and Norway's leaders defend 90-minute Putin call as Denmark and Sweden object

Ongoing · day 7 ↗

Trump said a meeting between Zelensky and Putin will be set up soon. Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a three-way call with Putin on Tuesday, their first conversation with him, which Helsinki described as direct and factual and both leaders described as frank and substantive about ending the war; Stubb said the war will not end through silence. A local ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump began in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, and the frontline there appeared quiet for the first time in years ahead of a planned evacuation.

5 reports · 5 outlets · 3 left · 1 center · 1 right

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  • BBC World — Backs: 90-minute call with Putin; Denmark and Sweden object; First European contact since Macron in July 2025; Kristersson: Europe should stick together; Putin: peace only if Russia's interests fully considered; Støre cited 'big differences in views'; Talks tentatively planned early November in Abu Dhabi

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Congo's Ebola outbreak passes 10,000 confirmed cases, with nearly half of patients dead

Ongoing · day 15 ↗

Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have topped 10,000, with reports describing the outbreak as spreading very quickly and marking a grim milestone. Countries are racing to stop the spread of Ebola as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo passes 10,000 cases.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 2 left

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Egypt's el-Sisi says he will not run for a fourth term

Al Jazeera's analysis says El-Sisi's announcement that he will not run for a fourth term may signal a new leadership arrangement for Egypt's military-backed rule.

1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left

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Canada and UAE sign free trade deal as Carney looks beyond US market

Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in Ottawa on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan present. Once fully in force, it will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99% of current Canadian exports to the UAE, Carney's office said. The deal is expected to take effect in 2027 and still needs ratification by Canada's Parliament. The two sides also signed preliminary agreements on energy, defence and diplomatic training. Carney has pledged to double Canada's non-US trade over the next decade, after attempts at a deal with Washington broke down.

4 reports · 4 outlets · 3 left · 1 center

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  • Al Jazeera — Backs: Canada and UAE sign trade deal; Signed in Ottawa Tuesday with Carney and Sheikh Khaled present; Tariffs cut or removed on over 99% of Canadian exports; Expected to take effect in 2027; Preliminary agreements on energy, defence, diplomatic training; Carney pledged to double non-US trade over a decade; US talks broke down
  • Al-Monitor — Backs: Canada and UAE sign trade deal; Signed in Ottawa Tuesday with Carney and Sheikh Khaled present; Tariffs cut or removed on over 99% of Canadian exports; Needs ratification by Canada's Parliament; Preliminary agreements on energy, defence, diplomatic training
  • CBC News — Backs: Canada and UAE sign trade deal; Signed in Ottawa Tuesday with Carney and Sheikh Khaled present; Preliminary agreements on energy, defence, diplomatic training

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Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia seal 'Badr' defence pact

Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia have sealed a defence alliance called the Badr agreement, according to Der Spiegel. The magazine's photo caption places the signing in Doha. Qatari security expert Al Anoud Al Thani told Spiegel that the Iran war could escalate again.

1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left

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Russia-Africa summit opens in Moscow as trade lags Putin's targets

Moscow hosts the third Russia-Africa summit on Oct. 28 and 29, with African leaders attending and an economic forum on trade, energy and food security. Russian figures show merchandise trade with Africa reached $27.1bn in 2025, short of the $40bn Putin pledged in 2019. About 39% of that trade was with Egypt, and Africa made up 3.9% of Russia's foreign trade.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 2 left

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OpenAI plans to buy Google's AI chips, The Information reports

OpenAI plans to buy Google's AI chips as part of its AI build-out, according to a report by The Information. OpenAI has been trying to develop its own chips in a challenge to Nvidia's dominance. Separately, Oracle expanded its chip supply deal with Nvidia and added Google and Cerebras offerings.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 center · 1 right

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Senators Wyden and Schiff say administration is withholding secret surveillance court ruling past its release deadline

Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Adam Schiff say the administration is illegally withholding a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruling that objected to search filters used to pull Americans' messages from intercepted data. They demand an explanation, and the names of officials responsible, by Nov. 6. The 180-day release window closed Sept. 13, while intelligence officials press Congress to renew Section 702, which lapsed in June, though collection continues under the court's March approval.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 2 center

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Oil spill from damaged tanker in Strait of Hormuz closes UAE beaches

An oil spill from a damaged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has reached the UAE's beaches, forcing their closure, according to Al Jazeera.

1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left

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Judge blocks Pentagon rule that drove lobbyists from Alibaba, but keeps its Chinese military label

A federal judge granted Alibaba a preliminary injunction against a US restriction that effectively forces lobbying firms to choose between representing the company and clients seeking Pentagon contracts. Judge Eumi K. Lee ruled on Monday that Alibaba is likely to succeed on its free-speech challenge and that the government gave insufficient evidence to justify the rule. The ruling leaves the company's Chinese military designation intact.

2 reports · 2 outlets · 1 left · 1 right

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  • SCMP China — Backs: Injunction blocks rule; Chinese military designation intact; Judge Eumi K. Lee ruled on Monday; Alibaba likely to succeed on free-speech challenge; Rule forces lobbying firms to choose between Alibaba and Pentagon-contract clients; Government gave insufficient evidence

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