We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
(NewsNation) — A surge in hotel reservations and climbing room prices throughout the United States signal a thriving travel industry and a robust economy, according to a leading executive in the travel sector.
Earlier this month, a report revealed that hotel performance across the nation has consistently surpassed last year’s figures, with average daily room rates experiencing a 1.7% increase in early May.
“For over five years, we’ve observed a strong, year-over-year demand,” shared Tim Hentschel, CEO of HotelPlanner, in an interview with NewsNation.
An Ohio father has been sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison following the tragic death of his three-year-old daughter, who was fatally attacked by his pit bull terriers. Warren Houston was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and child endangerment in the December 27, 2024, incident that claimed the life of young Kingsley Wright.
The sentencing, which was handed down on Friday, stipulates that Houston will serve between five to seven-and-a-half years in prison. Upon his release, he will be subject to a probation period ranging from two to five years, as reported by local news outlets WKRC and Fox 19.
The heartbreaking event unfolded while Kingsley was visiting her father for the Christmas holiday. She was asleep on the living room couch when the pit bulls, confined to a cage with a faulty latch, managed to escape and attack her during the night. At the time of the mauling, Houston and his then-girlfriend were asleep behind a closed bedroom door, unaware of the unfolding tragedy.
This case serves as a somber reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the devastating consequences that can arise from neglecting safety measures.
When they broke out and attacked her in the middle of the night, Houston and his then-girlfriend were asleep in the bedroom, with the door closed.
They then did not hear Kingsley as she cried out during the nearly half-hour long mauling.
When Houston later woke up, he discovered blood all over his living room – and Kingsley already dead on the ground.
‘My baby is dead,’ he told a police dispatcher that morning. ‘This has got to be a f***ing nightmare.’
Warren Houston was sentenced on Friday to serve five to seven and a half years in prison
A judge found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and endangering children in the December 27, 2024 death of his three-year-old daughter Kingsley Wright
A coroner later ruled that Kingsley died of a dislocated neck and blood loss.
During his bench trial, in which a judge decides a verdict rather than a jury, Houston told detectives he took a shot of alcohol and smoked some marijuana that night, WHIO reports.
Investigators have since argued Houston knew that at least one of the dogs was dangerous – a claim Houston denies – and Judge Virginia Tallant agreed there was a ‘known risk’ that the cage was inadequate.
She also criticized Houston for failing to check on his daughter.
‘This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, sir, it was not,’ the judge said at sentencing. ‘The reckless conditions identified by the court existed over a period of time and culminated in a death that cannot be reversed.’
‘The harm that was caused in this case… is catastrophic and irreversible,’ Tallant added.
The sentiment was echoed by Kingsley’s mother, Gina Smith.
‘Kingsley was abruptly and violently taken away due to Warren Houston’s recklessness, carelessness and glaring indifference toward Kingsley’s safety and wellbeing,’ she said in a statement read by Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters at the sentencing.
‘Every morning is the beginning of a new nightmare for me,’ the statement continued. ‘I see no light at the end of my dark and seemingly infinite tunnel. All I see now is a meaningless existence, without purpose, where there was once purpose – Kingsley.’
The young girl’s mother said in a statement at sentencing that she feels like she is living through a nightmare every day
She has previously said she would not have let her daughter stay with Houston if she had known that his pit bulls were dangerous
The dogs were kept in a crate with a broken latch in the same room where Kingsley was left sleeping on the couch
Smith has previously said Kingsley was staying with her father ‘for the first time ever’ that night, after he had recently discovered that she was his daughter.
She said leaving Kingsley at the home where she was mauled ‘was the last time that I got to say goodbye to my baby.’
‘I told her I loved her, and I would see her in a few days,’ Smith added.
The night before Kingsley’s death, Smith said she spoke to her baby girl on FaceTime.
The next morning, she said she received a message from the girl’s older sister – informing her that she needed to call because it was about her daughter.
That is when she was told that Kingsley had died and that the girl’s father had been taken by police for questioning.
At the time, the coroner wouldn’t let Smith see her daughter after the attack due to how graphic her injuries were.
Judge Virginia Tallant criticized Houston for failing to check on his daughter
Houston broke down in tears in court, as his lawyer noted that he, too, lost a daughter that night
If she had known that the dogs were violent, Smith said, she never would have left her daughter at Houston’s apartment.
But Houston’s attorney claimed that Houston was very cooperative with the investigation and noted that he, too, lost a daughter that night, WLWT reports.
He called the attack a tragic accident, claiming the dogs had no violent history and that his client did not act recklessly.
The attorney also indicated he will appeal the decision.
Michael Jensz, 39, was enjoying his lifelong passion of spearfishing with mates when he was mauled by a shark off the Cassowary Coast, about 160 kilometres south of Cairns, about 12pm yesterday.
Three friends could only watch in horror as their companion, Jensz, was attacked while in the water.
Michael Jensz, 39, was killed after being mauled by an unidentified species of shark in Far North Queensland. (9News)
Although paramedics were ready at the Hull River boat ramp to provide medical assistance, the Cairns resident succumbed to his injuries on the jetty.
A passionate hunter, Jensz leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and their children.
The specific type of shark responsible for Jensz’s tragic death has yet to be determined.
Charter boat operator Gererd Pike reported witnessing several aggressive bull sharks in the vicinity earlier that day, where the unfortunate incident took place.
Kennedy Shoal, where the attack took place, is popular with spearfishers.
The deadly attack has renewed a debate over whether culling should be used to curb the population growth.
Kennedy MP Bob Katter joined the chorus and said he would urgently advocate in parliament for changes to controlled culling in Queensland in the wake of the “heartbreaking tragedy”.
The Cairns man was brought back to shore for treatment by paramedics, but he could not be saved. (9News)
“Human beings are being sacrificed for ideology. There’s no other way you can interpret what is going on,” Katter told 9News.
“But every time we raise safer waterways, we are lectured by public servants and activists who have never spent five minutes in the water north of Mackay,” he said in an earlier statement on Facebook.
The Queensland government uses nets and drumlines to manage the shark population in the state.
Conservation groups and environmentalists have argued against expanding this to active culling and have campaigned for modern, non-lethal measures instead.
Jensz’s death marks Australia’s third fatal shark attack this year.
In January, a 12-year-old Sydney boy Nico Antic died after an attack by a suspected bull shark near Shark Bay in Vaucluse.
And last week, a 38-year-old spearfisher Steve Mattabonni was killed off Rottnest Island in Western Australia after being attacked by a great white shark.
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As the final credits roll on the thrilling Season 3 finale of Tracker, viewers will find themselves both satisfied with long-awaited revelations and eager for further adventures featuring Colter (Justin Hartley), Russell (Jensen Ackles), Reenie (Fiona Rene), Randy (Chris Lee), and Billie (Sofia Pernas). The burning question on everyone’s mind: Will there be new episodes of Tracker? And if so, when can we expect them?
In the previous week’s episode, the Shaw brothers uncovered more about their father Ashton’s enigmatic life and death, culminating in a daring rescue of Danny (Reid Miller) and Lola (Laurel Marsden) from a classified government initiative known as the Chrono Stasis program. While Colter emerged from the tense mission seemingly unharmed, Russell’s future remains uncertain. Fans are eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for him and the show’s charismatic lead.
So, what’s the scoop on Tracker Season 4 on CBS and Paramount+? When can fans expect to see new episodes? Here’s everything we know about the show’s future, including details on the Season 4 premiere.
Will There Be A Tracker Season 4 On CBS And Paramount+?
Exciting news for Tracker enthusiasts! The show received an early renewal for Season 4 back in January, which isn’t surprising considering it’s still celebrated as the “No. 1 show on broadcast television” by the network.
Tracker Season 4 Premiere Date: When Does Tracker Return With New Episodes On CBS And Paramount+?
While the official release date for Season 4 remains under wraps, CBS revealed on April 15, 2026, that Tracker will return to its Sunday 9:00 p.m. ET slot in the fall of the 2026-2027 season. Although the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, if the past two seasons are any indication, new episodes might drop in October. Stay tuned for more updates!
How Many Episodes Will Be In Tracker Season 4?
We’ll also have to wait for updates on an official episode count, but since the series is thriving, there’s a chance that Tracker could return with another 22-episode season.
Photo: Darko Sikman/CBS
What Will Tracker Season 4 Be About?
Looking for a detailed Tracker Season 3 finale recap? Decider’s got you covered. But the major takeaways you need heading into Season 4 are that Russell made a deal to work for McIntyre in exchange for his eventual freedom and Ashton’s file, which reveals some damning information about him and Colter. Before Russell headed off on his secret assignment, he called Reenie and begged her to cover for him when Colter inevitably started questioning his whereabouts. She agreed, and he left without saying goodbye to his brother, all to protect him. But we have high hopes that Season 4 will check back in with the Shaw brother.
Meanwhile, Colter ended the season at a home base of sorts. He walked into a furnished garage, grabed a beer out of the fridge, and watched his pal Keaton (Brent Sexton) roll up hauling Ashton’s old truck from Echo Ridge. Colter told Keaton that the off-grid location was “a long story,” but called it “home, sort of.” Keaton agreed to help Colter fix up his dad’s old truck, and though Colter said he didn’t get all the answers he wanted, he learned his dad “was a good man in the end.” Keaton reminded Colter that “Nobody’s perfect.”Colter replied, “Not even close,” because his dad was flawed as hell! (Aside from the mysterious file, don’t forget Colter’s mom touched on Ashton’s anger issues last week!) After noting how bad his dad was at fixing cars, Tracker Season 3 closed with Colter sitting in the truck and saying, “I’ll get you up and running again.” Is it an anti-climactic finish compared to Season 2? Sure. But Colter is working hard to bury the questions about Ashton that took up so much space in his brain for so many years. Fixing the car is a small step, but he’s setting out to break a cycle and trying to be better than his dad.
Tracker Season 4 will presumably follow the pro-tracker and survivalist on more investigations, and Tracker is relocating to Los Angeles film, so we can’t wait to see what sunny West Coast adventures await!
How To Watch Tracker: Paramount+ Streaming Info
Want to tune into past and future episodes of Tracker online? Head to Paramount+:
Paramount+ offers two subscription plans, Essential and Premium. The ad-supported Essential plan costs $8.99/month, while the ad-free Premium plan (which comes with Showtime titles and live CBS) costs $13.99/month.
Stay tuned for more Tracker coverage from Decider.
Recent allegations about the United States having retrieved remains from four distinct alien species have sent ripples through the UFO disclosure community, intensifying discussions about the government’s possible awareness of extraterrestrial life.
Dr. Hal Puthoff, a CIA-funded researcher and former Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program advisor, announced the new revelation while appearing at a UFO roundtable on Steve Bartlett’s “The Diary of a CEO” podcast alongside “Age of Disclosure” director Dan Farrah last week.
In a podcast interview, Puthoff remarked, “Considering the sophistication of their technology, if they didn’t want to be detected, we wouldn’t be seeing them.” He suggested that there is evidence indicating these entities may intentionally want to be observed.
Puthoff further asserted that federal authorities have recovered remnants of four different types of extraterrestrial beings from various unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
NEW DOCUMENTARY REVEALS AN ’80-YEAR GLOBAL COVERUP’ OF UFO SECRETS
A split-screen image purportedly shows unidentified aerial phenomena, also known as UAPs, as documented by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. (Federal Bureau of Investigations)
“People who have been involved in recoveries have said there are at least four types. Four separate types,” Puthoff said. “Now I have not had direct access to that but I believe the people who I talked to — four separate types of life.”
While Puthoff did not elaborate on the specific types of suspected alien species, his former AAWSAP colleague Dr. Eric Davis previously revealed they included Nordics, Grays, Insectoids and Reptilians, according to the New York Post.
Citing intelligence reports last year, Davis reportedly claimed that each of the biological lifeforms pulled from supposed UFO wreckage is similar to humans in appearance, since they possess two arms and a pair of legs.
HARVARD PHYSICIST SAYS MASSIVE INTERSTELLAR OBJECT COULD BE ALIEN PROBE ON ‘RECONNAISSANCE MISSION’
The ongoing release of declassified files is part of Trump’s Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE) program, which made a second batch of documents public on Friday.(Getty Images Creatives)
The revelation does not come as a surprise to experts within the UFO disclosure movement.
“Depending upon the UFO researchers that I have talked to, they talk about there being many variations on those four forms. I have also heard that there are amphibian type UFOs or aliens. So yes, there are claims that there were many different species visiting us,” Kent Heckenlively, author of “Catastrophic Disclosure,” told Fox News Digital.
Of the four alien species believed to have been previously recovered by U.S. officials, the Nordics bear the most similar resemblance to humans, with Grays often believed to consist of “small, massive-eyed, hairless creatures,” the Post reported.
PENTAGON’S DECLASSIFIED UAP FOOTAGE FUELS AMERICANS’ BELIEF IN ALIENS: ‘WE’RE NOT ALONE’
The lunar surface is shown from the Apollo 12 landing site with two highlighted areas labeled Area 1 and Area 2 where unidentified phenomena are visible.(U.S. Department of War/NASA)
“The most commonly described aliens are the Grays, and there’s been a lot of discussion about whether they are essentially the designed beings for our world. They seem to have the easiest time moving around and they’re the most commonly sighted aliens,” Heckenlively said.
Reptilians are reportedly depicted as lizard-like creatures with scales and a long tail, and often walk on two legs.
The fourth species – Insectoids – reportedly resemble a praying mantis and are bug-like beings.
GOT A TIP?
“The Insectoids seem to be rarely seen,” Heckenlively added. “But when they are described by people, they are often described as the beings in charge, which is a little bit terrifying to me.”
WATCH: We’re at a turning point in human history, UFO documentary director says
The latest revelation comes amid a push from President Donald Trump’s administration to increase transparency regarding UAP discoveries, with a second batch of UFO documents being released by the Pentagon on Friday.
While experts within the field often welcome the new sense of clarity within government agencies, Heckenlively insists that the American people deserve to be given evidence surrounding the discoveries.
TOP DEM APPLAUDS TRUMP UFO FILES RELEASE IN RARE SHOW OF SUPPORT
“The thing I always say is it’s hard to tell just a little bit of the truth,” Heckenlively said. “Once you start telling the truth, you’ve got to tell it all. So I really think that the Trump administration has shown that they are interested in getting the truth out. I think some of the releases have been truly remarkable.”
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In 2023, former Air Force Intelligence officer and UAP Task Force member David Grusch provided congressional testimony claiming that the federal government possessed “non-human biologics” pulled from dozens of downed UFOs, the New York Post reported.
Grusch’s claims reportedly stemmed from Farah’s documentary, “Age of Disclosure,” in which individuals involved in the alleged crash retrieval program provided information surrounding the discoveries.
“A number of the people I interviewed in my film — senior intelligence officials — went on the record saying that there have been dozens of crashed craft of non-human origin over the years,” Farah said on “Jesse Watters Primetime.”
“Elements of our government have recovered those crashes, and they’ve gotten out of that technology of non-human origin, and in some cases, non-human bodies that were on these craft,” Farah said.
While questions continue to swirl regarding the possibility of biological lifeforms being in the possession of the federal government, Heckenlively is offering a stark warning surrounding the reality of aliens and humans coming into contact with each other.
“It may not be that these aliens are demons, but maybe they have fundamentally different ways of approaching the world that we would find objectionable,” Heckenlively told Fox News Digital, adding, “Maybe there are good reasons to stay apart from each other. Maybe they have just figured out there would be such inevitable clashes because we have such different views of morality that any contact should be extremely limited.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Pentagon for comment.
Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.
Another one of Starz’s action-packed series has met an early demise. “Spartacus: House Of Ashur” will be remembered as a short-lived venture, emerging as one of the notable TV flops of 2025. The network pointed to the show’s low ratings and its misalignment with their current programming direction as the primary reasons for its cancellation.
Starz
The series explored an intriguing alternate reality where Ashur, played by Nick E. Tarabay, survives the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In this world, Spartacus, portrayed by Andy Whitfield, is defeated in their confrontation, leaving Ashur to navigate the complexities of Roman politics. With a newfound authority, Ashur attempts to restore Capua’s arena but struggles to find a star gladiator. He coerces Achillia, an enslaved warrior played by Tenika Davis, into the gladiatorial spotlight, setting off a chain of events fraught with challenges.
Although this marks the end of Ashur’s story on Starz, fans can hold onto hope as Lionsgate explores opportunities to relocate the series to a new platform. Nonetheless, the show’s cancellation serves as a clear indication of Starz’s evolving programming strategy.
In the past, Starz thrived on action-adventure series targeted at a young male demographic. The “Spartacus” franchise flourished long before the “Power” universe reshaped Starz’s identity and became the network’s flagship series.
Today, Starz has successfully attracted a substantial female audience, largely due to the success of the “Outlander” franchise. The network’s focus has shifted towards realistic dramas and sweeping romances, leaving the once-popular sword-and-sandals epics, like those in the “Spartacus” series, increasingly out of place in its current lineup.
Spartacus: House Of Ashur was not a trip back to the good old days for Starz
Starz
Once upon a time, the bread and butter of Starz was action-adventure series aimed at young men. “Spartacus” bloomed to life and became a franchise long before the “Power” universe stepped to the forefront of their portfolio and changed the cable network’s direction.
Besides shows like “Power,” Starz has found quite the foothold with female viewers thanks to its successful franchising of the “Outlander” books. Much of their programming tends to center around such realistic drama or breathless romance, leaving the sword-and-sandals epics of the “Spartacus” world on the outside looking in.
It’s a fascinating fate, because the franchise began long ago with “Blood and Sand,” which follows the life of Spartacus as he leads a slave rebellion. “Gods of the Arena” is a prequel program that shows how Spartacus gained his reputation as a mighty warrior. Everything changed with the sudden and tragic passing of Andy Whitfield, whose death dramatically altered the fate of the tv show. Liam McIntyre strapped on Whitfield’s armor for a single season, “Spartacus: War of the Damned.” But recasting the main character didn’t work out for “Spartacus;” in light of Whitfield’s passing, the show was brought to a natural conclusion. Until “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” the franchise lay dormant, and it remains to be seen if it will ever rise to prominence again.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his far-right views, has once again found himself at the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing him taunting detained activists. The footage quickly went viral, sparking criticism from international leaders as well as from Israel’s own Prime Minister.
Nevertheless, this latest incident is not the first time Ben-Gvir has made headlines for controversial footage. Often referred to by some Israelis as the ‘TikTok minister,’ Ben-Gvir has a history of provocative appearances.
One of the most infamous moments dates back to November 1995, shortly before the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. At the time, a teenage Ben-Gvir appeared on live television holding a stolen emblem from Rabin’s Cadillac, declaring, “We got to his car, and we’ll get to him, too.”
Although Ben-Gvir was never implicated in Rabin’s assassination, both he and the assassin shared similar ideological beliefs, particularly their opposition to the Oslo Accords, which Rabin had signed in pursuit of peace with the Palestinians.
These incidents are just two examples from a long history of provocative videos featuring the 50-year-old minister, illustrating his penchant for stirring controversy over the years.
Ran Porat from The Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University described Ben-Gvir as someone who “operates by creating these viral moments of ‘this is Jewish power’.”
“He thrives on controversy … He thrives on these videos that depict him as powerful,” said Porat, who is also a research associate for the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.
However, Porat and other experts don’t think Ben-Gvir is likely to remain in government after the upcoming Israeli elections, even if he might be increasingly popular among the nation’s hard-right edge.
A ‘fringe figure’ with growing youth support
Ben-Gvir’s televised 1995 threat to the prime minister took place when he was a member of a right-wing youth movement opposing the mid-1990s peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In his younger years, he faced dozens of charges relating to anti-Arab incitement, support of proscribed organisations, disturbing the peace and other public-order offences, but was acquitted of most. He has eight criminal convictions, including support for a terrorist organisation and incitement to racism, one of which related to him carrying a sign reading “Expel the Arab enemy” in 2007.
He is a long-time settler in the occupied West Bank and, while working as a defence attorney before entering parliament, represented many Jewish settlers accused of violence against Palestinians.
Although he has been active in Israeli parliamentary politics for over a decade, he remained largely on its fringes until a deal cut with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after elections in 2022 brought him and his party, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), into the highest echelons of state power.
Israel’s proportional representative system means governments in its single-house parliament, the Knesset, are almost always formed by coalitions, which can put minor parties like Otzma Yehudit in a ‘kingmaker’ position if they hold the balance of power to either make or break governing majorities.
Porat said the national security minister position created for Ben-Gvir in 2022 had a broader range of powers than the equivalent role held by his predecessor, and he “immediately started shaping security powers under his authority, in his image”.
“He deposed or released from service people he didn’t agree with. He put [in] new people that were loyal to him. He administered very aggressive policies towards Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails.”
Ben-Gvir has often worn a noose-shaped lapel pin to show his support for recent legislation making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank found guilty of murdering Israelis. Source: Getty / Amir Levy
Porat said Otzma Yehudit and Ben-Gvir’s support base was the “far-right margins of Israeli society” and “not most of Israel”.
“His base is mostly among right-wing supporters in the settler community in the West Bank … and other national religious extremists that are much, much smaller numbers in other areas of Israel,” Porat said.
The rightward shift in Israeli politics
Among younger Israelis, however, support for Ben-Gvir is greater, said Shahar Burla, a lecturer and contributing editor of Australian media outlet The Jewish Independent.
“He is very strong in the young Israelis, even sometimes around the 10 per cent [mark], particularly around soldiers in the army,” said Burla, adding that this level of support was symptomatic of a broader rightward shift in Israeli politics.
Asked about the difference between Ben-Gvir’s position and that of Netanyahu’s Likud Party when it came to the occupied West Bank, Porat drew an analogy.
“Ben-Gvir believes that Israel should take over the West Bank with a bulldozer, but the Likud says we should use small heavy equipment and go slowly and carefully and do it wisely and coordinate with the Americans and all that.”
Both Porat and Burla said the gap between Netanyahu’s and Ben-Gvir’s parties was previously larger but had been narrowed by a rightward populist shift in Israeli politics.
“At the moment, there is a lot of similarity between the members of Knesset of Likud — who are very populist and loud — and the members of the Knesset of Ben-Gvir’s party,” Burla said.
‘He doesn’t operate in a vacuum’
Porat said that, while the average Israeli would feel “disgust” at Ben-Gvir’s behaviour, his political style tapped into currents of feeling stirred by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7.
“The sense of hurt and humiliation that many Israelis feel after the horrible massacre or orgy of death and rape and pillage and kidnapping that happened on October 7th is that such a person like Ben-Gvir represents their sense of anger and sense of wanting to stand up and retaliate and not shut up anymore for attempts to so aggressively trying to eliminate Jewish existence,” he said.
“So, he doesn’t operate in a vacuum.”
Because of his well-known TikTok videos, he has been referred to as a ‘TikTok minister’ in Israel, Porat said.
“He collects votes this way, and he’s actually popular among right-wing Israelis, young ones, because … some of them believe that the lessons from October 7 is that containment and compromise led to this disaster, to this catastrophe.”
However, Porat said that Ben-Gvir’s “disruptive, not constructive” actions since October 7 had also hurt his standing among Israelis.
“When there were discussions in the earlier stages of the war against Hamas in Gaza, Ben-Gvir put his full weight against any hostage deals. And in some cases, he and Smotrich and others managed to actually shoot down those deals that would have seen the hostages come home earlier, and the Israeli public will not forgive him for that.”
The end of Ben-Gvir’s political power?
While Otzma Yehudit currently holds six seats in the 120-seat Knesset, some recent polling has suggested that the party could pick up several additional seats in elections later this year.
Porat said the polling possibly “indicates a rising popularity of his policies mostly among his base”.
Burla said Ben-Gvir’s recent polling results were largely within the range of most taken in the last few years.
“He always stands on something between seven to 10 seats, which is substantial — we’re talking about 5 plus per cent,” he told SBS News.
“It looks like he’s going to have a quite big representation in the Knesset after the election, I suspect something between nine to 10 seats.”
However, other polling suggests Otzma Yehudit’s parliamentary presence will remain largely steady.
Whatever the outcome, both Porat and Burla think it’s unlikely that Ben-Gvir or his party would be in Israel’s next governing coalition.
“If he will be in the government, that’s all up to if Netanyahu and Likud will have a majority together with the right wing and the religious parties … At the moment, it looks less likely,” Burla said.
“If you read the polls for the last two and a half years since October 7, the current government … is most likely going to be defeated and Ben-Gvir will not be a part of a government that is centre-left or centre-right or anything,” Porat said.
Polls have since consistently shown Netanyahu’s governing coalition falling far short of a parliamentary majority. However, there is also a chance that opposition parties will fail to form a coalition, leaving Netanyahu at the head of an interim government until the political stalemate is broken.
Burla said that, even if Ben-Gvir wasn’t in government, the populist leader was unlikely to remain out of sight for the public or his political enemies.
“He will make a lot of noise from the opposition. He probably will be the strongest voice from the opposition.”
The vote to dissolve the Israeli Knesset this week was triggered by an ultra-Orthodox Jewish faction that has traditionally been a close political ally of Netanyahu but recently announced that it no longer sees the prime minister as a partner.
While Netanyahu distanced himself from Ben-Gvir’s recent actions — saying they were “not in line with Israel’s values and norms” — Porat says the move is designed to walk a fine line.
“His rebuke was very considered, and careful enough to strike a balance between stating what needed to be stated … and not alienating himself from …. right-wing voters who might consider voting for Netanyahu,” he said.
Asked by a journalist on Wednesday whether Ben-Gvir should continue serving in a ministerial position, the Israeli ambassador to Australia said Israeli law did not allow for a minister to be stripped of their position while the government was in transitional mode.
With additional reporting by the Reuters News Agency.
Content Warning: The livestream above may contain graphic and potentially disturbing content for some viewers.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — The murder trial of a Greeneville man accused of the tragic killing of his 7-year-old brother and grandmother is set to continue into its fourth day on Thursday. The proceedings have been both intense and emotional, drawing significant attention from the community.
For those following the trial, News Channel 11 will provide a live stream of the courtroom developments starting at 9 a.m. This can be accessed both on their website and via the WJHL+ app.
In Lake County, Indiana, a police chief has found himself in legal trouble following an arrest in Ohio last Friday. The incident involves New Chicago Police Chief Earl Mayo, who was detained by authorities in Clark County, Ohio.
On Sunday, Lake County officials formally charged Mayo with a series of offenses, including official misconduct, obstruction of justice, theft, and the illegal possession of an anabolic steroid.
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The arrest was confirmed the previous day by Jerry Williams, Mayo’s father, who is a major with the Indiana State Police and currently vying for the position of Lake County sheriff.
In connection with the case, investigators have conducted a search of Mayo’s residence located in Merrillville, adding another layer to the unfolding situation.
Officials said investigators searched Mayo’s home in Merrillville.
ABC7 has reached out to New Chicago city officials for more information.
Williams released the following statement on Saturday: “My wife and I and our family are deeply concerned over recent information regarding our son, Earl Mayo, chief of the New Chicago Police Department. We raised all of our children with love, guidance and a strong foundation of values. We’ve always held our children to higher standards, as we have ourselves.
We have very little information about this incident at this time. We are aware there are allegations that are troubling, and we struggle to reconcile them with the values we worked so hard to instill in all of our children and grandchildren.
Under our criminal justice system, Earl is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise. We respect that fundamental principle, and it is important that the legal process be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.
If it is ultimately established that Earl engaged in the conduct alleged by the government, then he must and should accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences.
This is an extremely difficult and emotional time for our family. Given the seriousness of this matter and the ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot comment any further on the undisclosed details of this situation.”
This is a developing story. Check back with ABC7 for updates.
In a tragic incident on Sunday morning, a suicide bombing claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals and left approximately 70 others injured when a passenger train in Pakistan was attacked, reports the Associated Press (AP).
The explosion occurred in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province in the southwest. The attack involved a vehicle filled with explosives detonating near the railway as the train passed, resulting in two carriages derailing and igniting in flames.
Balochistan has a long history of unrest, characterized by ongoing low-level insurgencies led by separatist and militant factions.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group advocating for the region’s independence from Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the bombing. They stated that their target was a train transporting security forces.
According to The Times of India, the train was carrying military personnel and their families traveling from Quetta to Peshawar for Eid celebrations. The AP highlighted that the BLA specifically aimed at a train with security personnel. This area is notably marked by a robust security presence.
The blast reportedly sent shockwaves through the area.
According to witness accounts and images circulating on social media, the force of the explosion caused two train cars to overturn and burst into flames, sending thick black smoke into the sky, the AP said.
Nearby buildings were also heavily damaged, and more than a dozen parked vehicles were impacted, the outlet added.
Several victims were reportedly transported to local hospitals. Among the wounded, about 20 were reported to be in critical condition, according to doctors cited by The AP.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of terrorism” and saying that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured. Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our determination to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this hour of grief.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti alleged that the group is supported by Indian-sponsored proxies aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. The two countries have long been locked in a bitter dispute over territorial claims in Kashmir, though India has consistently denied such accusations.
“The terrorists of Fitna Al-Hindustan are proving their savagery by targeting innocent civilians, women, and children,” Bugti said, describing the group as “evil originating from India.”
“Those who shed the blood of innocent people deserve no leniency. Let the enemy hear this: there will be no safe haven left for terrorists in Balochistan. We will hunt down the terrorists, their facilitators, and their masterminds one by one and bring them to justice, and this war will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
The BLA has increasingly carried out large-scale suicide operations targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure in Quetta, according to The Times of India.
In 2024, at least 26 people, including soldiers, were killed in a suicide bombing at a train station in Balochistan.
