Israelis are voting in a closely contested election shaped by national security, democracy and military service. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, according to recent polling. Neither political bloc is projected to secure the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, raising the possibility of lengthy coalition talks. Opposition parties have criticised Netanyahu over the security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and his judicial reform plans. Netanyahu has defended his security record and highlighted ties with US President Donald Trump. The election could determine Israel’s political direction for years. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan imported goods worth $61.74 million (around Rs 5,876 crore) from India during April–June 2026, marking a 69% rise from the same period last year, according to data cited by India Today. The increase comes despite both countries suspending trade following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Pakistan recorded no exports to India during the first quarter of the 2026–27 financial year. Experts suggest Indian goods may be reaching Pakistan through third countries such as the UAE and Singapore. However, the available data does not establish the exact route used. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday shared a photograph of Lord Shiva with the caption “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The court is scheduled to hear petitions challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and decisions taken by the poll panel during the revision exercise. The Election Commission has defended its actions, stating that its decisions were approved unanimously by all 3 commissioners. The petitions raise questions over the decision-making process and changes related to voter registration forms. (PC: News18)

Two Indian-origin men have been sentenced to a combined 28 years in prison after a high-speed car race in Leeds, northern England, killed a mother and her 4-year-old daughter. Hardeep Bhachu, 29, received 12 years, while Jasskamal Riyat, 37, was jailed for 16 years at Leeds Crown Court on October 26. The crash occurred on January 16, 2023, when Bhachu lost control of his Audi and struck Justyna Hulboj, 27, and her daughter Lena as they walked to school. Riyat was found guilty of racing Bhachu before the fatal collision. Both men received 6-year driving bans. (PC: NDTV)

England captain Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or in London on Monday, becoming the first English player to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Spain dominated the ceremony, winning 8 of the 13 awards. Alexia Putellas claimed her third Women’s Ballon d’Or, while Yamal won the men’s young player award. Barcelona was named Women’s Club of the Year, Paris Saint-Germain took the men’s honour, and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for humanitarian work. (PC: HT)

Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s election victory has complicated US President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand Washington’s influence across Latin America. Lula, who won a fourth term, campaigned on defending Brazil’s sovereignty and opposing what he described as US interference. Trump had been closer to Lula’s rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, and criticised the election result while claiming he had not backed either candidate. Brazil’s economic strength, rare earth mineral reserves and independent payment system remain key issues in US-Brazil relations. Despite recent diplomatic improvements, disagreements over trade, regional security and technology could create fresh tensions. (PC: BBC)

Five people were killed and another was injured in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati’s Bora Service area on October 26. The firing took place around 9 pm, leaving 6 people with gunshot wounds. Four of the victims belonged to the same family linked to the hotel’s owner. Police arrested the accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi, within an hour of the incident and seized a licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the shooting. Preliminary investigations suggest a dispute over the hotel’s lease may have triggered the attack. The surviving victim is receiving treatment as police continue their investigation. (PC: India Today)

Harry Kane became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal at a ceremony in London on Monday. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker earned football’s prestigious individual honour after scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country during the 2025–26 season. Kane also claimed the European Golden Shoe after finishing as the leading goalscorer across Europe’s domestic leagues. He became the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen. Lionel Messi, who won in 2012 aged 25, remains the last player aged 27 or younger to claim the men’s prize. (PC: Reuters)

Israel is preparing to hold its first parliamentary election since the October 7, 2023, attack that plunged the Middle East into turmoil. The vote will test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s grip on power, as centrist rivals promise a political shift. Polling is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, with results expected to begin emerging after exit polls are broadcast on state media. Although an initial picture could emerge within hours of polls closing, forming a government may take considerably longer if no party or alliance secures a parliamentary majority. The final tally is expected by October 30, while official results are scheduled for publication on November 4. (PC: AP)

Young Indian Americans are increasingly developing political identities distinct from those of older generations ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections. A Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and YouGov survey found that Indian Americans aged 18–29 had shifted back towards Democrats, while those over 50 moved in the opposite direction. Younger voters are prioritising affordability, healthcare, environmental issues, social justice and immigrant rights over inherited political affiliations or US-India relations. A Tufts University survey found 65 per cent of Americans aged 18–29 ranked living costs, inflation and healthcare among their top concerns, while 43 per cent reported no party affiliation. Experts highlight growing political engagement and generational diversity within the diaspora. (PC: AFP)