AP - By Nadja Lovadinov - October 30, 2026 - Election results show Netanyahu’s bloc lost its parliamentary majority, and more ...

 

      AP 

By Nadja Lovadinov October 30, 2026

Good morning. In the news today: Election results show Netanyahu’s bloc lost its parliamentary majority; the Justice Department subpoenas California officials; and Blockchain firms link North Korea to $6.3B hack on Binance. Also, here’s a fun Friday fact: Did you know the original Jack O’Lantern was carved on a turnip? They look even creepier. Watch here. More spooky stories below. Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rear, are separated by police as they argue with left-wing activists calling for a government with Arab parties outside the residence of Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot in Herzliya, Israel, Thursday. (AP Photo/David Goldman) WORLD NEWS Difficult negotiations lie ahead in Israel after Netanyahu’s bloc loses its parliamentary majority The results released early Friday showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 seats in Tuesday's elections. The main opposition bloc won 48. Arab-led parties secured the other 19, a historic showing. Now parties must seek a way to team up for at least 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. Read more.

What to know: Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister, remains in charge. In the hours before final results were announced, Netanyahu and his Likud party amplified unsubstantiated allegations that Arab-led parties had “stolen” the election, potentially with foreign assistance. In Netanyahu's first public comment Friday, he posted on X asserting it is forbidden to form a coalition with Arab parties. If multiple attempts to form a government fail, Israel faces a new election early next year. President Isaac Herzog this week said he will do everything in his power to avoid that scenario.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Netanyahu’s party claims election ‘stolen’ Israel’s Palestinian Arab citizens went to the polls for a historic showing Here’s what could happen next POLITICS Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of elections The Associated Press obtained copies of three subpoenas to employees of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, ordering them to appear in court on Nov. 4, the day after the election. Read more.

Why this matters: The subpoenas represent the latest salvo in a fight between the Trump administration and California over the eligibility of voters in the heavily Democratic state, amplifying pressure on local election officials to comply with exhaustive government demands and setting the stage for legal challenges. They also come amid broader federal scrutiny of local elections, with the Trump administration issuing a raft of subpoenas in Alaska in a spoiler candidate controversy.   A letter accompanying a subpoena says it was issued “in connection with an official criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.” It didn't elaborate. It is unclear whether the Justice Department intends to bring criminal charges against anyone. The department does not typically subpoena people whom it regards as targets of a criminal investigation to appear before a grand jury.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Peltola denies she knew of effort to put candidate with same name as Sen. Sullivan on Alaska ballot WATCH: Voters in Alaska’s capital divided on same-name senate candidate controversy CNN, MS NOW and Politico ask court to make Trump access order permanent FACT FOCUS: Misinformation about voting spreads less than a week before Election Day Trump cancels rallies in Kansas and Iowa, opting for telerallies to reach more voters, RNC says Pentagon accuses newly fired general of leaking sensitive information to the media Judge blocks Trump administration’s Medicaid rule forcing sick recipients to prove frailty BUSINESS Blockchain intelligence firms link North Korea to $6.3B hack on Binance A U.S.-based blockchain intelligence firm says a North Korean unit was likely behind the hack that impacted more than $6 billion on Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange. Binance said it worked with blockchain partners to freeze roughly $3 billion in affected assets. Read more.

What to know: Asked about the potential ties to North Korea, a Binance spokesperson said only that the company is “working closely with our law enforcement partners to confirm the identity of the criminals and bring them to justice.” Experts say North Korea has turned to crypto hacking and other illicit cyber activities as a source of badly needed foreign currency to support its troubled economy and fund its nuclear program in the wake of tough U.N. sanctions and other difficulties.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ DoorDash offers $17 billion for Instacart in what would be a big consolidation for grocery delivery ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Russia-Ukraine: A rare truce allows humanitarian mission to reach the stricken city of Oleshky Patrick Stewart: Legendary actor of ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ fame, dies at 86 Who pays for a $1B riot?: Europe targets parents and platforms to pay up Missing college hikers: Bodies of 2 Colorado students recovered after they died on hiking trip Elke Sommer: German-born star of ‘A Shot in the Dark’ and ‘The Prize,’ dies at 85 Día de los Muertos: Marigolds anchor altars, believed to guide spirits home Now Streaming: ‘Minions & Monsters,’ Matthew Perry and ‘The Gilded Age’ Today in History: In 1938, ‘The War of the Worlds’ aired on radio WATCH Halloween enthusiasts: Ghost hunters chase ‘real’ scares at former psychiatric hospital, funeral home (Beware of jump scare) Cemetery restorer: Meet the woman who scrubs away grime from gravestones Westfield, New Jersey: How the Addams Family creator’s hometown became a Halloween destination A CHANGE OF PACE People gather at a Halloween costume swap at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Oct. 16. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Halloween costumes have a spooky environmental impact. Swaps are a way to reduce waste and recycle If, like me, you leave Halloween costumes frightfully late, consider looking through your own closet before buying something new. It's cheaper and more environmentally friendly. The National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend about $4.4 billion on Halloween costumes this year. Those that end up in landfill leave behind synthetic plastics that don't easily break down. Also consider browsing secondhand sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Depop and Poshmark, or check out a local costume swap. Read more about a swap in Southern California which last year collected hundreds of costume donations, including 10 boxes from the LA Clippers basketball team.   Looking for more ways to save money and live a little more sustainably? Sign up to AP’s Live Well newsletter here, a free weekly guide to your health, money and time… and have a great weekend!

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