World Live News Updates: Trump endorses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection
Trump endorsed Netanyahu in past elections, and in November he sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog asking him to pardon the prime minister on corruption charges.
by Mashkoora Khan, Nischai Vats · The Indian Express · JoinUS President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his reelection campaign, a coveted boost because of Trump’s popularity but one that the American had withheld for months as the vote neared and the leaders’ strategies in the Middle East diverged.
Trump said in a post on social media that Netanyahu “has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Israelis are set to vote October 27, in the first national elections since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
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Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Sunday asked its nationals to take note of and follow updated directives issued by Saudi authorities for people receiving emergency warnings through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies amid heightened security concerns following strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The instructions, shared through social media platforms, ask people to remain calm, follow official directions, and immediately move to the nearest safe place inside a building, preferably an interior room away from windows, until the danger has passed.
The United States and Iran each claim control of the Strait of Hormuz, as attacks on commercial ships continue in the key oil route. The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that the strait is “closed”, while US Central Command (CENTCOM) says it remains open and that most ships pass through safely. Five tankers have been hit since Friday, and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says one of them was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat. UKMTO has logged 135 incidents in the strait since the Iran-US conflict began. At the same time, drones were shot down over Saudi Arabia, and Egypt’s president has asked parliament to approve help for Riyadh.
What the US and Iran are saying about the strait: CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told Fox News Digital that about 97 per cent of ships trying to cross the strait have done so without being hit by an Iranian projectile. He said the US military has helped protect thousands of vessels and that traffic was still moving on Saturday. “It is open, it is available for transit,” he said.
The IRGC said a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil hit a sea mine while trying to pass through what it calls the “unauthorised” strait. Iran’s ISNA agency said the blast caused a severe fire.
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Key World developments
- The IRGC navy says the Strait of Hormuz is “closed”, while CENTCOM says it is open and 97 per cent of ships get through safely.
- Five tankers have been reported hit since Friday, including one struck by an RPG fired from a small boat, per UKMTO.
- The GFS Pride container ship was hit by an Iranian projectile on Wednesday and sank while under tow; UKMTO has logged 135 incidents in the strait.
- The Saudi-led coalition says it shot down four drones over Riyadh, Eastern and Southern provinces, and destroyed two missile launch platforms in Yemen’s Saada.
- India asks its nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow safety directives amid security concerns.
Follow the latest world news and major international developments here. This live blog is a rolling curation of the day’s key global stories, with updates added as events unfold and the news agenda changes. The headline, introduction and Top Developments section will be refreshed throughout the day to reflect the stories that matter most at that moment.
Live Updates
Oct 18, 2026 09:50 PM IST
4 service members killed after fire at Canadian military base in Alberta
At least four service members died in a major fire this weekend at a Canadian military base in Alberta, AP reported.
The base, one of Canada's largest, is about 210 km (130 miles) east of Edmonton in Alberta, and National Defense Minister David McGuinty said on Sunday he would go to the city to be briefed on the situation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected."
Oct 18, 2026 09:46 PM IST
US resumes intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after pause, Zelenskyy says
The United States has resumed providing Ukraine with critical intelligence to help defend against Russian missile strikes after a brief pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in comments published on Sunday.
Ukraine has relied on US intelligence to spot the fast-moving ballistic missiles that Russia has fired in waves at its cities.
Oct 18, 2026 09:19 PM IST
Saudi-led coalition says helicopter crash in Najran kills two crew members
A reconnaissance AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia, killing its two crew members, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesperson, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said in a statement on Sunday.
The helicopter crashed due to a technical malfunction in an area under the jurisdiction of the Saudi National Guard Ministry, the statement added. (Reuters)
Oct 18, 2026 08:29 PM IST
Trump endorses Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming Israel election
US President Donald Trump has endorsed his ally Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday for the upcoming Israeli parliamentary elections.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan.” What Country can survive when things such as this are allowed to be said, because eventually, they always end up being true? It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect, but they have been systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job. If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."
Oct 18, 2026 08:06 PM IST
Dhaka seeks explanation from Saudi Arabia over execution of 2 Bangladeshis
Bangladesh on Sunday sought an explanation from Saudi Arabia over the execution of two of its nationals, saying authorities in Dhaka and its mission in Riyadh were not informed about the legal proceedings beforehand.
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry's East and West Asia Division Secretary, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, sought detailed information about the executions during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah, officials said.
Oct 18, 2026 07:52 PM IST
Pakistan plans lunar landing by 2035, minister says
Pakistan is aiming to land on the moon by 2035 as part of its efforts to expand the country's space programme, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal district in Punjab province, Iqbal said cooperation with China would help Pakistan reach new heights in space exploration.
Pakistan's "first astronaut will embark on a space mission from China's space centre on November 25, while the country aims to achieve a lunar landing by 2035," he said.
- PTI
Oct 18, 2026 06:56 PM IST
Ukraine 'regrets' possible diversion of its drones over Lithuania, foreign ministry says
Ukraine's foreign ministry said it regretted the possible diversion of its drones into Lithuanian airspace on Sunday, which it said may have been caused by Russian electronic warfare.
"We regret the incident that occurred this morning in Lithuanian airspace, which may have resulted from Russian electronic warfare diverting drones during an operation against legitimate military targets in Russia," spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi wrote on X.
Oct 18, 2026 05:20 PM IST
French police arrest 1,800 after violent clashes and looting mar protests
French Police have arrested at least 1,800 people across the country after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands of people who denounced rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.
Authorities said masked groups on Saturday set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities
Oct 18, 2026 04:31 PM IST
German police investigate fence breach at Leipzig airport
German police said on Sunday that they were investigating a breach at the Leipzig Halle airport after a vehicle appeared to drive through a fence, in a second security lapse this year, Reuters reported.
Oct 18, 2026 04:30 PM IST
Former Bangladesh air force chief arrested in Qatar over corruption charges
Bangladesh's former air force chief, Sheikh Abdul Hannan, has been arrested in Qatar on corruption charges, Dhaka officials said on Sunday.
According to Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the retired air chief marshal allegedly amassed assets worth more than Bangladeshi Taka (Tk) 3.28 crore beyond his known sources of income and carried out suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 27.63 crore through six personal bank accounts.
Oct 18, 2026 03:42 PM IST
Pope Leo greets crowds at Vatican in first event since cancer surgery
Pope Leo spoke to crowds in St. Peter's Square on Sunday in his first public event since undergoing surgery for lung cancer five days ago, smiling from a window of the Vatican's apostolic palace as he spoke to pilgrims below in a firm, clear voice.
The 71-year-old pontiff had an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, fuelling speculation about how his illness might change his 17-month papacy.
Oct 18, 2026 03:31 PM IST
Blaze at St Petersburg oil sites as Kyiv launches more than 1,000 drones at Russia
Ukrainian attacks set an oil export terminal ablaze in St. Petersburg on Sunday, as Kyiv launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia in one of its largest-ever aerial bombardments.
The attack comes amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticising Kyiv for its strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.
Oct 18, 2026 03:04 PM IST
Iran urges US to accept proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran's offer to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days is still on the table, the Islamic Republic's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian media outlets on Sunday.
If Washington accepts Tehran's conditions, the strategic waterway would be open within six days, and US-Iran talks would resume on the seventh day, he added, Reuters reported.
Oct 18, 2026 02:57 PM IST
Major fire breaks out in Alberta after deadly incident at Canadian military base
Canada’s defence minister said Saturday that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire, while reports said that large numbers of injured people were being transported to hospitals.
Fire crews scrambled late into the night as fierce winds whipped flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area. (AP)
Oct 18, 2026 02:33 PM IST
Egypt pledges full support to Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability
The Egyptian Presidency announced that Egypt will provide all necessary and possible support to Saudi Arabia to safeguard its safety, security, and regional stability.
Oct 18, 2026 02:17 PM IST
Ebola outbreak in DR Congo spreads to eighth province
The ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to an eighth province following the detection of new cases. The epidemic, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has already hit provinces including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, and South Ubangi with over 9,000 confirmed cases and more than 4,400 recorded deaths.
Oct 18, 2026 01:50 PM IST
Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi as new Defence Minister
Iran's parliament has officially approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi to serve as the country's Minister of Defence, said Reuters citing state media reports.
Oct 18, 2026 01:44 PM IST
Poland conducts preventive air operations in response to Russian strikes on Ukraine
The Polish Army announced on X that it has launched preventive air operations within its airspace following Russian air strikes on neighboring Ukraine. The measures were deployed to safeguard Polish airspace and ensure national security during the ongoing military activity near the border.
Oct 18, 2026 01:37 PM IST
Russia hit Ukrainian energy, oil, and gas sectors 76 times past week, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces launched 76 attacks targeting Ukraine's energy, oil, and gas infrastructure over the past week.
Oct 18, 2026 01:27 PM IST
Truck ploughs into youth soccer game in US, killing 2 and injuring 11
A woman drove a truck through a soccer field during a youth game in Kansas on Saturday, killing two people and injuring 11 others, authorities said. A six-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man were killed, Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses said. The injured ranged in age from five to 68. The 34-year-old driver was taken into custody, though police have not said whether they believe the incident was intentional. “We are still working to determine how this happened and why this happened,” Moses said. Two children were also inside the truck at the time of the incident. Police Chief Joe Sullivan said people at the scene rushed to help the victims before emergency responders arrived, providing life-saving assistance.
Oct 18, 2026 12:14 PM IST
India asks its nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow safety directives amid security concerns
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Sunday asked its nationals to take note of and follow updated directives issued by Saudi authorities for people receiving emergency warnings through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies amid heightened security concerns following strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The instructions – which were shared through social media platforms – ask people to remain calm, follow official directions and immediately move to the nearest safe place inside a building, preferably an interior room away from windows, until the danger has passed.
Oct 18, 2026 11:53 AM IST
France's Limoges town hall survived world wars, now destroyed in protest
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Oct 18, 2026 11:51 AM IST
Vance blames immigration for France riots, warns US
US Vice President JD Vance has blamed the immigration and diversity policies of Western liberals for the riots in France. He told the country to "stop this madness". Vance wrote on X on Sunday, October 18, as looters hit luxury shops and public buildings in cities across France.
He said Western governments have ignored questions about assimilation and compatibility while they follow policies in the name of diversity and compassion.
Oct 18, 2026 11:49 AM IST
'Let's go to France': Trump mocks nationwide protests, violence
US President Donald Trump mocked the violent unrest sweeping France, saying the country appeared to be a natural destination for "revolutions," as protests over the rising cost of living turned violent, with clashes between police and protesters, widespread looting and fires.
"Let's go to France? It's a lovely place. No riots, no revolutions. You know, France seems to be so damn good for revolutions. It's unbelievable. Let's go to France and join the revolution," Trump joked about the situation in France.
Oct 18, 2026 11:45 AM IST
Tehran has imposed new order on Persian Gulf shipping, Iran police official says
Iran has established a new system for managing shipping and energy transit in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz without US involvement, a senior Iranian police official said.
Ali Shirazi, head of the ideological and political organization of Iran’s police force, said Iran had imposed what he described as a new order on shipping and energy transit in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
“A new order has been imposed on the management of shipping and energy transit in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz without the slightest US intervention,” Shirazi said, according to the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency.
Oct 18, 2026 11:32 AM IST
German police investigate fence breach at Leipzig airport
German police said on Sunday that they were investigating a breach at the Leipzig/Halle airport where a vehicle appeared to have driven through a fence.
In August, investigators discovered an explosive-laden drone near a runway at the airport, an event that German officials later said Russia was responsible for. Russia has denied the allegations.
German police initially investigated the suspected breach on Saturday evening.
They said they hadn't found suspicious objects or unauthorized personnel but would be carrying out further searches on Sunday.
Oct 18, 2026 10:46 AM IST
Iran should target Israeli nuclear sites if US hits Pickaxe Mountain
Iran should respond to any US attack on Pickaxe Mountain by striking Israeli nuclear facilities, the hardline Kayhan newspaper said on Sunday.
Kayhan, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by Iran’s supreme leader, said repeated US and Israeli threats against Iran should be met with a “harsh and merciless” response against Israel’s nuclear facilities.
US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that Washington might have to strike Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried facility near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex. “We may have to go there. We’ll take a shot at that one. We’ll knock it out fast,” Trump told Newsmax.
Oct 18, 2026 10:04 AM IST
Tug hit by two projectiles off UAE, one person lightly injured - UKMTO
A tug travelling southbound was struck by two unknown projectiles northeast of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said.
The vessel sustained damage but was continuing on its route, UKMTO said. One minor casualty was reported.
Authorities were investigating the incident, while vessels in the area were advised to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.
Oct 18, 2026 10:00 AM IST
China's September refined fuel exports surge amid Iran war, diesel exports more than triple
China's exports of refined oil products in September surged 39.4% year-on-year, data showed on Sunday, with diesel exports reaching their highest in more than three years amid a tight global market as the Iran war and other conflicts curb output from the Middle East and Russia.
China, a key exporter of refined oil products in Asia, restricted exports of refined products, including diesel, gasoline and jet fuel, in mid-March to safeguard domestic supplies amid risks from the Middle East, then eased the curbs in mid-July.
Oct 18, 2026 09:37 AM IST
Vance says US has ‘won decisively’ against Iran but war aims remain
US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had “in some ways” won decisively against Iran, but the conflict could not be considered over until Tehran makes a firm commitment not to rebuild its nuclear program.
Speaking at a CBS News town hall aired Saturday, Vance defended the Trump administration’s Iran strategy, saying Washington was seeking a “final firm commitment” that Iran would not restore its nuclear capabilities.
Vance also linked continued US involvement to energy security, arguing that allowing Iran to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would drive gasoline prices higher by restricting global energy supplies.
“When this conflict is over, we are going to see gas prices come down,” he said, crediting the US military with helping keep oil moving through the strait.
Oct 18, 2026 09:01 AM IST
Saudi helicopter crashes in Najran, killing two crew members
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen says one of its reconnaissance helicopters has crashed in Saudi Arabian territory, killing two crew members.
In a statement on X, the coalition said the AH-6 reconnaissance helicopter crashed in the southwestern Najran region due to a “technical malfunction”.
“The incident resulted in the martyrdom of its two-officer crew,” the coalition added.
Oct 18, 2026 08:46 AM IST
Fire at military base in Alberta: Canadian defence minister says fatalities, injuries reported
Canada's defence minister said that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire.
"I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," Defense Minister David McGuinty said on Saturday.
"A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta," Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post.
Oct 18, 2026 06:54 AM IST
Netanyahu says Iran's regime is a ‘cancer’ that must be removed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left open the possibility of further military action against Iran, likening the Islamic Republic to cancer and warning that the threat would return unless they it was removed.
“We did 90 percent of the work, but you know, it’s like cancer. If you don’t get rid of this regime in Iran, it will come back,” he told i24News Hebrew, despite touting his government’s achievements against Tehran.
Oct 18, 2026 06:51 AM IST
Two air raids hit Yemen’s Hodeidah
Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV says the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has carried out two air attacks in the port city of Hodeidah.
There was no immediate comment from the Saudi-led coalition.
Hodeidah is held by the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. Earlier, Al Masirah TV reported that the group had downed a Saudi drone in the northwestern Hajjah governorate.
Oct 18, 2026 06:31 AM IST
UK advises against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia, Yemen border area
The British government advises against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia and within 10km of the border with Yemen.
Oct 18, 2026 06:29 AM IST
Coalition forces say missiles shot down in Saudi Arabia
Spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition forces fighting in Yemen, Turki Al-Maliki, said in a brief post on X that two missiles launched by the Houthis towards Khamis Mushait were intercepted and destroyed.
As we have reported, the Saudi Civil Defence issued and then rescinded an alert warning of danger in Khamis Mushait a short while ago.
Oct 18, 2026 05:58 AM IST
Watch: Houthi launch platforms destroyed
The Saudi-led coalition has released video footage showing the targeting and destruction of two ballistic missile launch platforms in Yemen after they were detected being used to fire missiles towards Saudi Arabia.
Oct 18, 2026 05:35 AM IST
US wants Israel to 'crack down' on settler violence in West Bank, Rubio says
The United States wants Israel to do more to deter attacks committed by settlers in the West Bank, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday.
"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Rubio said. "We've asked the Israelis and continue to ask them to crack down on that stuff."
His comments to reporters came after the widespread dissemination of video showing multiple individuals attacking Heidi Levine, an American photojournalist with the Washington Post. Levine was one of at least two people injured in the Friday incident, which took place as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians.
Oct 18, 2026 05:32 AM IST
Oil tankers on fire after hitting mines in Hormuz: IRGC
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said two oil tankers were on fire in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting mines in the waterway at the heart of the Middle East war.
Tehran seized control over Hormuz after the start of the war in late February, choking off the strait that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.
"A supertanker in violation of regulations, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and attempting to pass illegally through the Strait of Hormuz, struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a fierce fire," the Revolutionary Guards said.
The statement did not specify the exact location of the incident.
Oct 18, 2026 05:32 AM IST
Saudi Arabia says intercepted drones over Riyadh, other regions
Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had intercepted four drones, including over the capital Riyadh, as the country comes under repeated fire from Yemen's Houthis.
"We have intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours in the regions of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the South," Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed group, wrote on X.
Oct 18, 2026 05:31 AM IST
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