Iraqi PM's coalition leads in parliamentary elections, preliminary results show
Preliminary results announced by Iraq's electoral commission on Wednesday showed that the coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has emerged as the frontrunner in the country's parliamentary elections.
The results showed that al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition came first in eight provinces, namely Baghdad, Qadisiyah, Najaf, Karbala, Muthanna, Maysan, Dhi Qar, and Babil.
In a speech made late Wednesday, al-Sudani called for "respect the will of the voters." He said "the next phase aims to formulate a new government capable of representing its programs," adding that his coalition is "open to all parties without exception."
Israel reopens Zikim crossing to allow aid trucks into N. Gaza
Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza.
"Today, the Zikim crossing has been opened for the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip," said a statement from the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a body under Israel's Defense Ministry responsible for carrying out the government's civilian and humanitarian policies in the Palestinian territories.
The statement added that the aid would be delivered by the United Nations and international organizations after undergoing "thorough security inspections" by the Land Crossings Authority of the Defense Ministry, and that the move followed a "directive of the political echelon."
Cambodia says Thai soldiers open fire on Cambodian civilians, injuring 5
Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday that Thai soldiers opened fire on Cambodian villagers in an ongoing border dispute, leaving five people wounded.
"Thai soldiers opened fire on civilians in Prey Chan village, Ou Beychoan commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, injuring five civilians, according to preliminary information from local authorities," he said in a text sent to reporters by Telegram.
The incident came two days after Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a halt to the joint peace declaration, following a landmine explosion near Preah Vihear temple at the border area, injuring two Thai soldiers.
India dubs Delhi car blast as terror act
The Indian government on Wednesday described Monday's Delhi car blast as a "heinous terror" act perpetrated by anti-India forces.
The federal government took more than 48 hours to dub the car blast as a terror act.
In a resolution adopted by the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government said, "The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of 10 November 2025. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities, and caused injuries to several others."
Suicide blast outside Islamabad court kills 12, injures 38
At least 12 people were killed in a suicide bombing outside the District Judicial Complex of the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Tuesday, the country's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said.
"The incident happened at 12:39 p.m. local time (0739 GMT) when the attacker tried to enter the court premises to cause mass casualties, but detonated himself outside the building upon failing to enter it," he said Tuesday.
The minister said initial evidence suggested possible links between the bombing and a recent attack in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Death toll from Malaysia-Thailand migrant boat incident climbs to 25
The death toll has risen to 25 after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank in waters near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border last week, local media quoted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) as saying on Wednesday.
Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said on Wednesday that authorities are investigating possible links between the sinking of the boat and human trafficking or organized criminal activity, with appropriate action to follow once rescue operations are completed.■
