As the US presidential election approaches, new polling by AtlasIntel reveals former President Donald Trump holds a lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in key swing states, including Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Trump has a 49% average to Harris' 47.2%, with margins mostly within a 2-point margin of error. Trump leads 52.3% to 45.8% in Arizona, 51.2% to 46% in Nevada, and 50.5% to 47.1% in North Carolina. The polling comes after a turbulent campaign cycle and amid high voter anticipation. Harris, however, recently gained an edge over Trump in Iowa, which Trump previously won.

Israeli forces intensified their offensive in Gaza, killing at least 23 Palestinians, including 13 in Beit Lahiya and Jabalia, northern towns heavily targeted to prevent Hamas regrouping, according to Israeli statements. Palestinian sources allege the campaign, accompanied by forced evacuations, aims to create buffer zones, describing it as “ethnic cleansing,” a claim Israel denies. Israel deployed an additional division to Jabalia, reporting hundreds of militant casualties since October 5. The World Health Organization condemned an attack on a vaccination site during an agreed-upon pause, with its Director-General calling for ceasefire to protect humanitarian operations.

India is pursuing proactive diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Speaking to the Indian community in Brisbane, Jaishankar emphasized the need for a return to diplomacy, citing the global impact on food security, inflation, and supply chains. He noted India’s unique position, being one of the few countries able to engage both sides. Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts, including talks with President Putin and President Zelensky, underscore India’s commitment. Jaishankar highlighted India’s role in facilitating dialogue in West Asia, urging global unity for a peaceful resolution.

Spanish King Felipe VI was confronted by furious crowds in Paiporta, Valencia, as he visited areas devastated by flash floods that have claimed at least 214 lives. Protesters shouted "murderer" and hurled mud at the king, expressing their frustration over the government's delayed response to the disaster. Juan Bordera, a member of the Valencian parliament, criticized the visit as a "very bad decision," pointing out that many communities remain cut off from essential services. Heavy rains, which began earlier in the week, caused widespread destruction, leaving many still missing as residents demand accountability from authorities.

In the lead-up to the November 5 presidential election, the Gaza crisis has emerged as a pivotal issue for Muslim voters in New York. At the Islamic Cultural Center, many attendees voiced their discontent with candidates' stances on the conflict. Regular worshipper Ali noted that domestic issues seem overshadowed by international concerns, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A survey indicated that 61% of Muslim voters in key swing states prioritize the Gaza situation, reflecting a shift in voting patterns. The Council on American-Islamic Relations highlighted the community's potential impact in this election, urging engagement to amplify their voices.

A young woman at Amir Kabir University in Iran stripped to her underwear on Saturday, protesting the country's strict hijab laws. Videos shared on social media captured the moment, leading to her detention by security forces, who cited mental health concerns. University spokesperson Amir Mahjob stated she was under significant mental pressure, suggesting a disorder. However, many social media users viewed her actions as a deliberate protest against oppressive dress codes. This incident reflects a growing movement among Iranian women to defy mandatory hijab rules, intensified after protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

In Valencia, an overwhelming wave of solidarity emerges as volunteers respond to catastrophic floods that have killed over 200 people. Thousands gathered at the City of Arts and Sciences to assist with clean-up efforts, as many expressed frustration with the slow response from authorities. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops to aid in recovery operations. Despite the government's efforts, residents voice anger over inadequate warning systems prior to the disaster. With communities left without basic necessities, the emotional toll continues to rise amid fears of looting and rising insecurity.

An American Airlines flight en route from Buenos Aires to New York was forced to make an emergency landing after a mysterious "banging noise" was heard mid-flight. The noise, detected at 30,000 feet, prompted the plane to return to Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport, where armed police boarded to investigate. Passengers and crew reported sounds resembling knocking from the cargo hold, raising concerns of a possible stowaway. Special Tactical Assault Group (GEAT) teams, explosives experts, and specially trained dogs searched the aircraft. Argentine newspaper Clarin reported intense security measures, but no stowaway was found.

Israeli naval commandos captured a "senior Hezbollah operative" in Lebanon, reportedly a student at the Maritime Sciences and Technology Institute in Batroun. The raid, described as a "sea landing," involved armed forces seizing the man from his residence and returning to Israel for interrogation. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has ordered a formal complaint to the UN Security Council, demanding urgent investigation results. The war between Israel and Hezbollah has so far killed over 1,900 people in Lebanon since it began in September, with 38 Israeli soldiers killed in ongoing ground operations.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, chosen by President Biden as his Democratic successor, is running a campaign largely shaped by her years as a California prosecutor. In her first public speech as the candidate, Harris addressed Donald Trump, stating, “I know Trump’s type,” recalling her record of tackling abuse, fraud, and crime. Harris’s prosecutorial career, from street crime in Oakland to high-stakes cases in San Francisco, saw her both criticized for her stances on capital punishment and celebrated for her progressive policies. Now, facing Trump, she leans into her past, portraying herself as a tough prosecutor in a polarized political landscape.