This combination of pictures shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and retired Israeli general Benny Gantz, one of the leaders of the Blue and White (Kahol Lavan) political alliance. (JACK GUEZ, Oded Balilty/AFP) Both Netanyahu and ex-military chief Benny Gantz claimed victory after initial exit surveys were released by Israel's three main television stations following the closure of polling venues on Tuesday night. Two updated exit polls early Wednesday put Netanyahu's Likud ahead of Gantz's Blue and White by one seat. A third poll showed the opposite, with Blue and White holding a one-seat advantage. Both parties would in any case fall far short of a majority and be forced to form a coalition. All three exit polls showed Netanyahu more likely to be able to do so with smaller rightwing parties allied to him in the 120-seat parliament. Exit polls have proven to be unreliable in past Israeli elections and final official results were not expected until later … [Read more...] about Netanyahu on clearer path to victory in close Israel vote: Exit polls
Whats closed on election day
US networks drop ‘racist’ Trump ad as critical elections near
Tuesday’s elections, widely seen as a referendum on Trump, have been portrayed by both Republicans and Democrats as critical for the direction of the country. At stake is control of both chambers of Congress, and with it the ability to block or promote Trump’s agenda, as well as 36 governor’s offices. A surge in early voting, fueled by a focus on Trump’s pugilistic, norms-breaking presidency by supporters of both parties, could signal the highest turnout in 50 years for a midterm U.S. election, when the White House is not on the line. The 30-second ad, which was sponsored by Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign and which debuted online last week, featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico. Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, had condemned the spot as racially divisive. CNN had refused to run the ad, saying it was … [Read more...] about US networks drop ‘racist’ Trump ad as critical elections near
Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddling
Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddlingThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump holds an Oval Office meeting on preparations for hurricane Florence at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 11, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Under fire over his handling of Russian election meddling, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday meant to strengthen election security by slapping sanctions on foreign countries or people who try to interfere in the U.S. political process. The order, coming only eight weeks before congressional elections on Nov. 6, drew immediate criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers as too little, too late. Trump signed the order behind closed doors with no reporters present, a rare departure from what has been his standard practice. “As I have made clear, the United States will not tolerate any form of foreign meddling in our elections,” Trump said … [Read more...] about Trump signs order to enable sanctions for U.S. election meddling
At historic summit, Trump refuses to confront Putin on vote row
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and US President Donald Trump shake hands before a meeting in Helsinki, on Monday (Jul 16). (Photo: AFP) The US and Russian presidents came out of their meeting in Helsinki expressing a desire to talk again on global challenges, after discussing an array of issues from Syria, Ukraine and China to trade tariffs and the size of their nuclear arsenals. There were indications of an arrangement to work together and with Israel to support a ceasefire in southern Syria, suggesting that the US administration is backing off its demand that Moscow's ally Bashar al-Assad step down. If that is anathema to many in Washington, Trump's apparent concessions to Putin over the elections controversy drew stinging condemnation from across the political divide. Standing alongside the Kremlin boss at a joint news conference, Trump acknowledged that his intelligence chiefs believe Russia hacked and leaked Democrats' emails containing politically damaging … [Read more...] about At historic summit, Trump refuses to confront Putin on vote row
Trump says US in ‘extremely high’ level talks with North Korea on summit
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the United States was engaged in direct talks at “extremely high levels” with North Korea to try to set up a summit between him and its leader, Kim Jong Un. Trump sowed some confusion by suggesting he had been speaking to Kim directly, but later clarified by saying: “Let’s leave it a little bit short of the highest level.” Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders added: “The president said the administration has had talks at the highest levels and added that they were not with him directly.” The president disclosed the direct talks as he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opened two days of talks at the president’s Mar-a-Lago retreat in Palm Beach, Florida. Reflecting the closeness of their ties, the meetings included a walk around the carefully manicured grounds of the beachfront club and dinner on the patio with their wives. A round of golf was planned for Wednesday. Trump said he believed there was a lot of … [Read more...] about Trump says US in ‘extremely high’ level talks with North Korea on summit