Show Notes
Election officials in Israel say early turnout in the first general election since the Hamas attacks three years ago is the highest for more than half a century. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is hoping to extend his time in office after three years of warfare, called on Israelis to vote "the right way". His main challenger is the former military commander, Gadi Eisenkot, who urged voters to replace what he called the worst government in Israel's history. Also, King Charles visits the Bahamas, with the issue of reparations for slavery likely to be raised. Plus, the meme, the footballer and China. Why Kylian Mbappe has upset Beijing. And a localised ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump begins in a small Ukrainian town, occupied by Russia - can it bring much needed humanitarian assistance, to the few thousands residents trapped there? (Photo: An Israeli man, accompanied by a boy, votes at a polling station during Israel's national election, in Jerusalem, 27 October, 2026. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
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Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has refused to concede Brazil's presidential election and says he will dispute the result. His opponent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged to govern for all Brazilians after winning his fourth non-consecutive term. We hear from supporters of both candidates. Also in the programme; artificial intelligence giant Anthropic has revealed details of its business ahead of its much anticipated IPO; and we'll focus on the race for a senate seat in Michigan ahead of next week's midterm elections in the United States. (Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro speaks after losing the presidential runoff election, in Brasilia, Brazil on October 25, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Adriano Machado)
Brazil's left-wing incumbent President Lula da Silva has won a record fourth term in office. The 80-year-old won a dramatic run-off victory against right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, who has refused to concede defeat. We'll be discussing how the result has gone down in a divided country. Also in the programme: Serbia's long-standing leader Aleksandar Vucic has admitted defeat to a student-led protest movement in snap parliamentary elections; with elections tomorrow in Israel, we hear from an opposition politician; and why eating the Australian spread Vegemite isn't a human right. (Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrating after victory in the presidential runoff election, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 26 October 2026. Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters)
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claimed public transport had been disrupted in some cities, while his opponent Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign claimed bad weather affected voters in a number of locations.The vote will now close two hours after they were originally scheduled to, but Supreme Court minister Cristiano Zanin says this only applies at polls where voting has not yet been finalised. Also on the programme: Aleksander Vucic - who has held a grip on power in Serbia for fourteen years - has admitted defeat in the general election; the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado has returned to the country after almost a year in exile; and we hear from one of the scientists have finally figured out why Roman glass buried for 2,000 years changes colour when light shines on it. (Photo: People attend the voting at a polling station during the Brazilian presidential runoff election, on the outskirts of Brasilia, Brazil on October 25, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Diego Herculano)
We go to the West Bank city of Hebron where an Israeli military operation is underway. Residents are wondering what difference the Israeli elections on Tuesday might make. We also speak to an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Also in the programme: Brazilians vote in a pivotal presidential run-off; and is the British Prime Minister Andy Burhnam opening a debate about the UK's possible membership of the EU? (Photo: Palestinians cross on foot past a military gate at an entrance to the West Bank city of Hebron, 25 October 2026, as the Israeli military enforced a closure on the city and surrounding villages for a third consecutive day. Credit: Atef Safadi, EPA/Shutterstock)
For a second week running, France has taken to the streets in protest about the cost of living. Most marches were peaceful but nearly one thousand people have been arrested and two have been seriously injured. Most clashes came as police dispersed crowds, including with teargas and water cannon. We hear from our Paris correspondent and a young French content creator. Also in the programme: a former Confucius Institute Director reacts to the US designation of China's cultural centres as threats to national security. And Hitler's former mountaintop retreat is gutted by fire. (Picture: A masked protester wearing a French flag throws a tear gas sub-munition amid clashes with French police during an authorised demonstration organised by labour unions in Paris as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement joined by French high school and university students against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in France, October 24, 2026. Credit: Reuters)