Israel faces what many view as one of the most pivotal elections in the country's history.
Why it could take time for a new Israeli government to form
Source: BBC News
Original reporting
BBC News: read the full reportRelated stories
The Guardian
Finnish and Norwegian leaders hold rare ‘frank and substantive’ call with Putin on Ukraine – Europe live
Alexander Stubb and Jonas Gahr Støre say they have briefed Volodymyr Zelenskyy after discussion with Russia’s president about next month’s Abu Dhabi peace talks But not everyone seems to be particularly convinced by the joint Finnish-Norwegian initiative. Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen told the country’s broadcaster DR that she was “very sceptical” about this “independent initiative by Norway and Finland,” stressing “it has not been coordinated with the rest of us.” “ I see no signs that Russia desires peace with Europe – neither in the hybrid warfare taking place every single day, nor in Ukraine, where they are launching fierce and aggressive attacks on a daily basis. I believe we should keep Europe united, rather than going it alone. ” Continue reading...
Al Jazeera
North Korean howitzer guns spotted close to border with South Korea
The sighting comes after a mine blast wounded three South Korean soldiers in September.
BBC News3 outlets
Mbappé dropped by major Chinese brands drop as backlash grows over Mao joke
He allegedly said the funniest "meme" about him is the one where they put his face on "a Chinese dictator".
BBC News
What does Israel's election mean for Gaza and the wider world?
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale reports from Jerusalem as ballots are cast.
BBC News
Israel heads to polls for pivotal election defined by security and democracy
Many fear neither of the leading political blocs will win enough seats for a majority - meaning weeks or months of political wrangling may lie ahead.
The Guardian
‘Are you waiting for me to be attacked?’ Fatima Payman slams PM over office security
Albanese promises ‘swift response’ on MP safety as he mulls panic buttons for politicians Follow our Australian politics live blog for latest updates Get our daily political email , free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has promised a “swift government response” to safety threats to MPs and floated the provision of duress alarms for electorate offices, saying politicians and their staff have put up with threats for too long. The prime minister’s pledge to the Labor party room came hours after Senator Fatima Payman again slammed her former government colleagues over the lack of staffing given to her office, controversially asking: “Is the prime minister waiting for something, like what happened to Dr Helen Haines, to occur to my office?” Continue reading...