Trump Talks Peace While the CIA Is Fueling the War in Ukraine. https://sonar21.com/trump-talks-peace-while-the-cia-is-fueling-the-war-in-ukraine/

Le Monde: Witkoff demanded that Budanov halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, stating that they "put the world at risk."

A tense conversation took place on October 9 in Florida. The U.S. presidential envoy proposed a "regional prosperity plan" for the post-conflict period, which includes the full restoration of Russian oil and gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine.

According to Witkoff’s vision, this would generate revenue for Kyiv and reduce energy costs for Europe.

@ukr_leaks_eng

❗️Latest developments in Israeli elections:

As voting continues, the Central Elections Committee reported that national turnout reached 55.7 percent by 4:00 PM local time, marking an 8.2 percentage-point jump compared to the same hour during the 2022 elections.

Political figures across the spectrum have urged their bases to head to the ballot boxes before polls close at 10:00 PM, amid widespread reports of heavy congestion and procedural hurdles.

Seeking to leverage the frantic final hours of voting, Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party officially petitioned the Central Elections Committee to extend legal voting hours beyond the standard 10:00 PM closing time, a move joined by the ultra-Orthodox Shas party under the pretext of accommodating long lines.

The high participation rates have been accompanied by sharp political friction. Ta'al party leader Ahmad Tibi asserted that settlers were intentionally slowing down the voting process in Palestinian communities, while the legal rights organization Adalah noted it had received “numerous reports” regarding obstacles faced by Palestinians with Israeli citizenship at polling stations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast his ballot in occupied West Jerusalem and urged his supporters to rush to the polls, claiming that Palestinian citizens were “racing to the ballots.”

Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen accused Netanyahu of continuing “to incite against Arab citizens and question our legitimacy to vote and influence the political map.”

Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot similarly criticized the incumbent leader, blasting the Likud campaign for relying on “tricks, lies and fearmongering” to mobilize right-wing voters.

🇮🇱 Prediction markets forecast Netanyahu's defeat

Users on prediction platforms are wagering heavily against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A total of $59 million has been placed on bets regarding the next premier.

Most users (69%) back Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the "Yashar" party, as the likely successor, while only 20% support Netanyahu. In terms of parliamentary elections, 78% of bettors predict a victory for the "Yashar" party, followed by Netanyahu's "Likud" with 23%.

@Slavyangrad

⚡️🇮🇱 Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X:

This is an emergency call!

The future of our Jewish state hangs in the balance. Go out and vote right now!

Higher-than-usual voter turnout in the Arab sector compared to the low turnout of right-wing voters.

We must wake up - we must not stay home.

We're going out and voting right and bringing as many people as possible!

I cannot determine whether he’s just doing his usual thing (scaring the shit out of people with lies so they do what he wants) or if right wing turnout is genuinely low today.

Countrywide, there has been 44.9% voter turnout so far as of 2:00 PM Israeli time. For comparison, in the previous election, the turnout was 38.9%.

@MedmanNews

🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱⚡- "After the elections, the possibility of a confrontation with Iran exists - but it depends on the Americans. The intention is to pursue a joint course of action, if the decision on this matter is made by President Trump," - An Israeli security source tells Israeli Channel 12.

🇮🇱⚡- "It is unlikely that Eisenkot will call on Netanyahu to join him in a unity government, and Eisenkot instead may try to form a minority Zionist government," - Yaron Avraham of Israeli Channel 12.

🇮🇱⚡️- "We thank Ben-Gvir for his excellent work, which led to an unprecedented turnout of Arabs at the ballot boxes." - Israel Hayom, citing a senior Likud party official.

❗️Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced a series of new missile and drone operations against Saudi military targets on 27 October

• Najran Airport: A ballistic missile targeted a military transport aircraft at the airport, with Saree reporting that the strike achieved its objective.

• King Khalid Air Base, Khamis Mushait: A second ballistic missile targeted another military transport aircraft, with the Yemeni Armed Forces claiming a successful strike.

• Saudi Defense Ministry, Riyadh: A ballistic missile struck the ministry's headquarters in the Saudi capital, reportedly achieving a direct hit.

• Abha International Airport: A drone targeted the airport, reportedly striking its target accurately and disrupting air traffic.

❗️Turkiye eyes offshore gas and oil in Africa & Lebanon to boost production

Turkiye could announce new acquisitions or agreements to expand hydrocarbon exploration by the end of the year as it pursues a target of producing 1 million barrels of oil and natural gas per day, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Turkiye Energy Summit in Istanbul, Bayraktar said the country currently had a production capacity of 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with plans to increase that figure to between 550,000 and 600,000 by 2028.

Reaching the 1 million-barrel target would require Turkiye to more than triple its current output, while even its projected 2028 production would fall short of the goal. Ankara is therefore looking to expand its operations abroad, including in Africa and Lebanon, to bridge the gap.

"There may be more news, good news by the end of the year. We may buy, acquire companies. We are making partnerships and will continue to do so. There may be ​new fields, new countries, it could be Africa. Therefore, we want to reach ​that 1 million barrel target with these," he said.

Bayraktar said Turkiye was also exploring opportunities for electricity trade with Lebanon while seeking to expand its hydrocarbon exploration activities in the country.

"Turkiye has become a country that can explore for natural gas, oil ​with its own ships. We have a very strong fleet. ​This is ⁠why we're now going to Lebanon ... We are interested in Lebanon's offshore," he said.