The 08:00 report · 28.10.2026
Political uncertainty in Israel takes center stage this morning following exit polls pointing to a deadlock in the 26th Knesset elections, alongside President Donald Trump's reaction to the findings. Meanwhile, Washington has warned Gulf states of a possible military campaign against Iran, a severe cyclone has struck the coast of India, and Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has fled to the United States.
Reports: US Warns Gulf States to Prepare for Military Campaign in Iran
The United States has delivered a message to Gulf states warning them to prepare for the possibility of a short, intense military campaign against Iran, which could take place following the US midterm elections. According to reports, US President Donald Trump personally alerted Washington's regional partners, while the US is already moving to reinforce its military posture in the Middle East. Concurrently, Israel is reportedly formulating strike targets, while Tehran is threatening a severe response to any action. The American warning and troop build-up signal preparations for a major regional escalation that could disrupt stability across the Persian Gulf, compelling neighboring states to brace for imminent military action whose precise timing and full scope have yet to be disclosed.
Exit Polls Show Deadlock: Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot Blocs Reach Majority
Television exit polls for Israel's 26th Knesset elections indicate a tie and no clear decision between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot. Projections show Netanyahu's bloc securing around 50 seats compared to 52 to 53 seats for Eisenkot's opposition bloc, while Arab parties garnered 17 to 18 seats, leaving neither camp with the 61-seat majority required to form a government. These figures materialize concerns raised earlier during Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich's emergency meeting warning of possible defeat, as well as calls by right-wing parties to extend voting hours amid long lines. The resulting deadlock creates significant difficulties for both leaders as they attempt to assemble a viable governing coalition.
Trump on Israeli Election Results: My Support for Netanyahu Prevented Defeat
Upon landing at Andrews Air Force Base and in a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump claimed that his public endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu prevented the Prime Minister's defeat, turning the tide toward a dramatic tie or possible victory. Trump noted that it was too early to determine whether the outcome is a stalemate or a win, adding that he acted in the best interest of Israel, the US, and the wider region. His statements follow his explicit denial, less than 24 hours before polls opened, that he had discussed issuing another endorsement message with Netanyahu, insisting the Prime Minister never asked for one. Trump's remarks underscore overt American involvement in the race and his attempt to claim direct credit for shaping the tight outcome.
Cyclone Arnab Makes Landfall in India; Nearly 100,000 Evacuated
Cyclone Arnab has struck the southeastern coast of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh, bringing torrential rains, fierce winds, and giant waves that uprooted trees along the shoreline. In response to the storm's severity and to prevent loss of life, Indian authorities ordered the evacuation of approximately 100,000 residents across two states and placed neighboring Odisha on high alert. The full extent of infrastructural damage and casualty reports remain unconfirmed. The mass displacement and elevated emergency status highlight the urgent threat posed to vulnerable coastal populations and infrastructure, as regional authorities mobilize resources to contain the hazards posed by the severe weather system.
Reports: Flávio Bolsonaro Flees to Florida with Family Amid Arrest Fears
Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has fled to Florida with his wife and two daughters over fears of arrest, following his defeat in the presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His departure follows a Supreme Court order revoking his passport and barring him from leaving the country in connection with a money laundering investigation, after he failed to surrender his travel documents to federal police. Senior aides from his campaign expressed shock and sought to distance themselves from his escape, which dispelled previous claims that he had crossed into Argentina. Bolsonaro's flight to the United States complicates legal proceedings against him in Brazil and places him among several Brazilian right-wing figures seeking refuge abroad to evade prosecution.
Written automatically from the Tevel reports linked in it.