🇶🇦🇮🇱⚡- Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List visited Qatar 48 hours before the elections.

🇶🇦🇮🇱⚡- "I want to praise what the Arab lists [Joint List and Ra'am] achieved in the recent Knesset elections in Israel, with the significant progress in which the number of Arab seats in the Knesset rose to 19.

This is the largest number of seats the Arab lists have held to date. It strengthens the hope among Palestinian citizens in the ‘48 [the anti-Zionist term used by the Arab community in the Middle East to refer to Israel pre-1967 borders and in reference to the 'Palestinians of 1948'] areas of preserving their identity, strengthening their position and living in peace in their land.

I want to especially highlight my brother Ahmad Tibi [of the Joint List], for his faith, his struggle and his strong drive to secure Arab rights in the ‘48 areas," - Hamad bin Jassim, former Prime Minister of Qatar.

🇮🇱⚡- Following the ‘Ra’amgate’ affair, which allegedly involves Qatari money being used to buy votes, and with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, part of the Yashar camp, cutting contact with Eisenkot and Bennett and threatening to withdraw if the bloc relies on any Arab party support, Channel 12’s Amit Segal predicts that a second election is now the most likely outcome. Benjamin Netanyahu would then remain prime minister for the next six months, until new elections are held in April 2027.

🇨🇭🇰🇵⚡️- Switzerland announces it will open a new diplomatic office in Pyongyang and create a direct permanent contact with the DPRK.

🇨🇭🇨🇳⚡️- Switzerland also just recently announced a brand new agreement with China aimed at sharing scientific data.

🇶🇦🇮🇱⚡- "Shin Bet has been aware of the 'Ra'amgate' affair for days, but only updated Justice Noam Sohlberg, head of the Central Election Committee, once the events actually unfolded after the elections," - Yaron Avraham of Israeli Channel 12.

Note, former Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar was ousted by Benjamin Netanyahu and replaced by David Zini in September 2025. Rerum Novarum has previously reported that Zini’s appointment was very likely influenced by Netanyahu’s wife, Sara.

🇶🇦🇮🇱⚡- "The Knesset elections were conducted legally, and the integrity of the voting process in the ballot boxes was maintained with the utmost care." - Israel's Central Elections Committee.

🇶🇦🇮🇱⚡- "We strongly deny the allegations that Qatar interfered in the Israeli elections or funded activities designed to influence their outcome.

They accuse Qatar of buying Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli political left and now, in this latest campaign, the Arab Voice. If these allegations were to be believed, it would turn out that Qatar would supposedly own all of Israel. These accusations are equally ridiculous and dangerous.

The constant recurrence of Qatar’s name in Israeli election rhetoric reveals an exaggerated obsession with our country among certain Israeli political and media figures.

Qatar should not be used as a scapegoat for the political failures of certain Israeli politicians. Instead of trying to divert attention to Qatar, they would do better to focus on their own constituents, improve the daily lives of the people, and repair the damage they have created in the region," - Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

🇾🇪🇸🇦⚡- At least seven explosions were heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

🇺🇸🐘⚡️- A shooting has been reported in Richmond, the capital of Virginia, targeting the headquarters of the Virginia Republican Party. Police are on scene, and a citywide manhunt has been declared, according to local reports.

🇺🇸🇮🇷⚡️- BREAKING: The Wall Street Journal reports that an extraordinary meeting between President Trump and senior military officials was held at the White House today, in which the President was briefed on military options against Iran that could take place as soon as the midterm elections conclude.

Simultaneously, several Gulf Arab states have been warned to prepare for a "short, intense military campaign" against Iran after the midterm elections.

🇺🇸🇮🇷⚡️- Newsmax reports that the Trump administration plans to carry out strikes against Iran next week, after the midterm elections have been completed.

🇮🇷⚡️- A series of violent explosions are reported from Qeshm Island, southern Iran. Cause unknown.

🇮🇷⚡️- Iranian missiles have been launched from Qeshm Island against what is believed to be a fighter jet.

🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱⚡️- "The US has begun a major airlift to the Middle East following warnings to prepare for a possible resumption of the Iran war. At least 10 US military transport aircraft landed at Ovda and Nevatim airbase in Israel over the past 24 hours, some arriving from Fort Bliss, Texas, suggesting possible air defense resupply.

US military aircraft have also landed at bases in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar over the past few hours." - Kann News, anti-Likud left-wing outlet.

🇯🇴🇮🇱⚡️- GPS jamming reported in parts of southern Israel and Jordan.

🇺🇸🇮🇷⚡️- "Intense enemy [US] military aircraft activity above Erbil province, northern Iraq." - Sabereen, pro-Iran Iraqi outlet.

🇸🇦🇶🇦🇦🇪⚡️- Numerous flights headed to Qatar and the UAE have started avoiding a large part of the airspace west of Dammam. The reason is unclear.

🇬🇧✝️⚡️- Longtime stage, TV, and voice actor Sir Patrick Stewart has passed away at 86 years old.

Stewart is best known for his role as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Alongside Star Trek, his 60 year long career on film, TV, and the stage earned him 3 Golden Globes, 4 Emmy's and 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

🇸🇦⚡️- Traffic at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam seems uninterrupted. However, the flights that have diverted from their trajectories have not resumed their normal routes.