JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon have to decide when to hold Israel’s next elections. But with war raging on multiple fronts and no end in sight, Israel’s enemies in Iran and Lebanon may help make that decision for him.

The stakes could hardly be higher: A victory will add to his legacy as Israel’s longest-ruling leader and fend off, if not quash altogether, calls for a reckoning over the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that triggered 2 ½ years of war across the region. A defeat risks turning him into the highest-profile political casualty of that attack — the deadliest in Israel’s history — which still casts a long shadow over the country’s psyche and already has led to a string of high-profile resignations and firings.

Here is a closer look at what’s at stake for Netanyahu, and how the wars with Iran and Hezbollah could help determine his fate.

He faces an October deadline

Netanyahu’s government is in the final months of its four-year term and is required to hold elections by the end of October. But Netanyahu has the ability to dissolve the governing coalition before then and call early elections. Israeli governments rarely last their full terms.

With this deadline looming, Netanyahu can choose a date when he thinks he and his religious and nationalist partners have the best chance to win.

Since elections are scheduled three months ahead of time, he could move now to schedule a vote in late June, just before the summer vacation season, or wait until the fall.

A decisive victory in war could bring early elections

A quick campaign and decisive victory over Iran could boost Netanyahu’s public standing and give him the confidence to call an early election. He could boast of Israel’s military power and the close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump that made this war possible, while claiming to have reshaped the region to Israel’s advantage after the Oct. 7 attack.

But three weeks into the war, that scenario looks increasingly unlikely.

Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel each day, disrupting the lives of millions of anxious and exhausted voters. Israel’s war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon is intensifying, and with Iran disrupting the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf and upending the global economy, Trump has given no indication when the war may end. Members of the “America First” wing of the Republican Party have begun to accuse Israel of dragging the U.S. into a needless war.

Recent opinion polls in Israel indicate that while Israelis overwhelmingly support the war, Netanyahu and his political coalition don’t appear to be benefiting.

In this environment, there is little incentive for Netanyahu to push up the election date, said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any remarkable change in Israeli public opinion,” he said. “He’d rather buy more time and exhaust the full term that is available to him.”

Netanyahu appears to be leaning toward a fall election

Netanyahu still has a few weeks to make a decision. But for now, he appears to be leaning toward a fall election. At a news conference last week, Netanyahu said he hopes elections will be in “September or October.”

That would give Netanyahu, the ultimate political survivor, a few more months to rebuild his popularity.

A prolonged war could make this more difficult, raising the risk of additional Israeli casualties and demoralizing and further exhausting the public. Northern Israel has come under especially heavy fire from Hezbollah in recent days, and residents, including people in traditional Netanyahu strongholds, have voiced anger over Israel’s failure to halt the attacks.

On the global stage, a drawn-out conflict could raise the likelihood of disagreements with Trump. It also could further tarnish Israel’s international standing after the heavily criticized war in Gaza, for which Netanyahu has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, allegations he denies.

Plesner says that a narrow window in early September, just before the monthlong holiday season, looks like the best time for Netanyahu to hold the vote.

Otherwise, the election will take place close to the Oct. 7 anniversary, when Israelis are again reminded of that tragic day.

A BBC murder mystery from 2019 has soared up Netflix’s top 10 series, landing at number three today. 

The Irish crime drama was quietly added by the streamer earlier this week and it’s proving popular.

It stars Sarah Greene (Bad Sisters, The Death of Bunny Munro), and Killian Scott (Kaos, Trespass Against Us).  

Dublin Murders sees detectives Rob Reilly (Greene) and Cassie Maddox (Scott) working for an elite murder squad. 

The BBC synopsis reads: ‘When a young, talented ballerina is found dead on an ancient stone altar, her death drags up another tragedy that befell this community years before – when three children disappeared into the local woods and only one returned.’ 

Set in the outskirts of Dublin, this twisty series is based on the novels of Tana French, a crime novelist and New York Times bestselling author. 

The series is based on two of French’s books, both In The Woods and The Likeness. 

Speaking at the time of the programme’s release, the show’s creator Sarah Phelps told the BBC that after reading French’s novels, she was captivated: ‘I loved every sentence. I was very compelled and drawn into the world of each individual character.’ 

On the lead characters, Phelps explained: ‘This case will unpeel the thing that they have in common and share, the pact they have made with each other. I can’t say too much about it because there’s a huge spoiler, but there is something deep and dark about them that they share.  

‘It is something tragic and highly personal that has dogged them all of their adult lives. This story is about how they are going to be able to get on with the serious, difficult dirty business of just living with it.’ 

Viewers of the show have rated it seven out of 10 on IMDb.

Clea Gall gave it full marks and said it was ‘one of the best crime shows out there’, calling it a ‘gripping mystery’.

Another, Natbro96, said the show will get you ‘hooked from the first episode’.

However, some of the reviewers weren’t fans of the ending, with Niall Mulligan giving it a six out of 10 for its ‘unresolved plot’.

The Dublin Murders is available to stream now on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE: Claudia Winkleman show episode two ‘steps up’ after one change, fans say

MORE: Comic Relief’s incredible Red Nose Day 2026 total revealed after ‘best show in years’

MORE: Karen Hauer supported by ‘axed’ Strictly pros after tearfully confirming exit

According to the Met Office, three areas of the UK will have high pollen counts this weekend

The NHS recommends an unusual nostril hack that could help prevent hay fever. Parts of the UK are set to experience “high” levels of pollen this weekend.

An estimated 13 million people across Britain grapple with hay fever – a common allergic response triggered by airborne substances like pollen. Also known as allergic rhinitis, it comes with some frustrating symptoms including sneezing, itchy eyes, and headaches.

Symptoms will typically be worse whenever there are high amounts of pollen in the air. According to the Met Office, three areas of the UK will have high pollen counts today (Saturday, March 21).

These are Grampian, and Central, Tayside and Fife in Scotland and North East England. Yorkshire and Humber and Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders are both expected to have “medium” levels of pollen.

While there are treatments and remedies for hay fever available from pharmacies such as antihistimines, there are also some simple hacks you can try at home to minimise your exposure to pollen. On its website, the NHS says: “There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.

Advertisement

“But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.” As part of its advice, the health body recommends putting something around your nostrils.

READ MORE: Hay fever sufferer with ‘dry eyes all summer’ finds ‘best product’ for £10READ MORE: Brits who can’t get GP appointment urged to use other NHS scheme for treatment

It says: “Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen.”

Other NHS advice for reducing hay fever symptoms includes:

• Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
• Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
• Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
• Try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
• Do not cut grass or walk on grass
• Do not spend too much time outside
• Do not keep fresh flowers in the house
• Do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse
• Do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
• Do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors

It also recommends speaking to a pharmacist if you have hay fever. You should then see a GP if your symptoms are getting worse, or your symptoms do not improve after taking medicines from the pharmacy.

The ITV star told his fans that he has been diagnosed with both viral meningitis and encephalitis

The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) star Jordan Brook has provided a health update after being rushed to hospital with meningitis.

Jordan, 31, has been part of the ITV reality series since 2017, fast becoming a fan favourite on the series which introduced the nation to the likes of Joey Essex and Gemma Collins. He’s currently expecting his first child with his co-star Sophie Kasae.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Rushed to hospital earlier in the week, Jordan has revealed that he has been diagnosed with two viruses, which are causing swelling on his brain. Currently in hospital, he is being monitored for seizures.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning (March 21), Jordan shared a video from his hospital bed as he opened up about what’s happening. He confirmed in the video that he has been diagnosed with both viral meningitis and encephalitis.

Speaking to his 251,000 followers, Jordan warned his fans not to listen to rumours about him circulating online. He said: “This is the first time I’ve really been able to speak strong enough about what’s going on.

“There’s been a lot of speculations as to why I’m here and what’ going on and there’s a few comments and people saying things that this is my diagnosis that I got yesterday. I’ve been diagnosed with not one but two joining viruses that are attacking a similar part of my body.

“I have got viral meningitis and encephalitis together. That’s the inflammation of the brain and the lining around it… So this isn’t something small or minor.”

According to the NHS, meningitis ‘is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges)’. If not treated quickly it can become very serious and cause life-threatening sepsis and even result in ‘permanent damage to the brain or nerves’.

The NHS also states that encephalitis ‘is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed (swollen)’. The condition can also be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital.

Jordan continued: “I had CT scans, MRI scans, lumbar punctures. With round-the-clock care since I’ve been in this hospital. I’m on IV drips, everything antiviral, pain management, physio, seizure monitoring, to minor seizure risk at the minute.

“But unfortunately the swelling on my brain is getting worse. It’s really, really tough. Even the simple day-to-day activities and normal things that aren’t easy right now so this is what I’m dealing with day-today.

“I’m on day 11 of treatment and I’d like to reach out to everyone and say just be careful what you read online and be conscious of some things that people are writing.”

He added: “Commenting this isn’t like a joke or people are writing that I’m a lot worse than I am and there’s big C-words being dropped and things like that – it isn’t that – but there’s swelling on my brain it’s really bad they’ve upped my meds, my steroids to try and get the swelling down. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be [in hospital]…

“My focus right now is simple I need to get healthy. My Sophie’s been amazing and she’s growing my precious baby boy. I just want to be a young, healthy dad, home for my family, with my baby – that’s the goal. This won’t beat me.”

“I will get out of this,” he added before sharing thanks for support he’s received. “Thank you to all my family and my friends, everyone’s messages that have been coming through and keep the support going.”

When it comes to his diagnosis of viral meningitis and encephalitis ‘mixed together’, Jordan stated that it has caused severe inflammation and swelling on his brain. He noted that the doctors are ‘working tirelessly to get under control’ before he’s allowed to go home.

“Monitoring seizures every hour through the night, so yeah, we’re not out of the woods yet but we’re getting there that is my update for now and thank you, obviously, [to] anyone who is thinking of me and please be kind to Soph and support Soph and anybody else in the same boat but I love you all and this won’t beat me I will get home. So that’s my update for today,” he said.

Nicholas Brendon thanked Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans in one of his last video messages before his death on Friday (20 March), aged 54.

The actor was best known for playing Buffy’s best friend Xander Harris on the hit ‘90s TV show, alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar. In a statement on Friday, his family revealed Brendon had died of natural causes in his sleep.

One of the star’s last post on his Instagram page was a video Q&A with Buffy fans, in which he thanked them for their support and revealed he had watched every episode of the series.

15 minutes later than originally scheduled, both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are moments away from kick-off down on the south coast in the Brighton sunshine. Here is a reminder of how the two sides line up this afternoon:

Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Milner, Gross; Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh; Welbeck.
Substitutes: Steele, Georginio, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Mitoma, Ayari, De Cuyper, Veltman.

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.
Substitutes: Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Morrison, Ngumoha.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump took the United States to war without a vote of support from Congress, but lawmakers are increasingly questioning when, how and at what cost the war with Iran will come to an end.

Three weeks into the conflict, the toll is becoming apparent. At least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, and more than 230 have been wounded. A $200 billion request from the Pentagon for war funds is pending at the White House. Allies are under attack, oil prices are spiking and thousands of U.S. troops are deploying to the Middle East with no endgame in sight.

“The real question is: What ultimately are we trying to accomplish?” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told The Associated Press.

“I generally support anything that takes out the mullahs,” he said. “But at the end of the day, there has to be a kind of strategic articulation of the strategy, what our objectives are.”

Trump said late Friday that he was considering “winding down” the military operations even as he outlined new objectives and goals.

Congress stands still

The Republican president’s decision to launch the U.S.-Israel-led war with Iran is testing the resolve of the Congress, which is controlled by his party. Republicans have largely stood by the commander in chief, but will soon be faced with more consequential wartime choices.

Under the War Powers Act, the president can conduct military operations for 60 days without approval from Congress. So far, Republicans have easily voted down several resolutions from Democrats designed to halt the military campaign.

But the administration will need to show a more comprehensive strategy ahead or risk blowback from Congress, lawmakers said, especially as they are simultaneously being asked to approve billions in new spending.

Trump’s quip the war will end “when I feel it in my bones” has drawn alarm.

“When he feels it in his bones? That’s crazy,” said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

House speaker says mission is ‘all but done’

The president’s party appears unlikely to directly challenge him, even as the conflict drags on. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said the military operation will be over quickly.

“I do think the original mission is virtually accomplished now,” Johnson, R-La., told the AP and others at the Capitol this week.

“We were trying to take out the ballistic missiles, and their means of production, and neuter the navy, and those objectives have been met,” he said.

Johnson acknowledged that Iran’s ability to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz is “dragging it out a little bit,” especially as U.S. allies have largely rebuffed the president’s request for help.

“As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think it’s all but done,” Johnson said.

But the administration’s stated goals — of ending Iran’s ability to obtain a nuclear weapon and degrading its ballistic missile supplies, among others — have perplexed lawmakers as shifting and elusive.

″ Regime change? Not likely. Get rid of the enriched uranium? Not without boots on the ground,” Warner said.

“If I’m advising the president, I would have said: Before you take on a war of choice, make the case clear to the American people what our goals are,” he said.

Congress retains the power of the purse

The Pentagon has told the White House it is seeking an additional $200 billion for the war effort, an extraordinary amount that is unlikely to win support. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York called the amount “preposterous.”

The Defense Department’s approved appropriations from Congress this year are more than $800 billion, and Trump’s tax breaks bill gave the Pentagon an additional $150 billion over the next several years for various upgrades and projects.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said the country has other priorities.

“How about not taking away funding for Medicaid, which will impact millions of people. How about making sure SNAP is funded,” she said, referring to the health care and food assistance programs that were cut as part of last year’s Republican tax reductions.

“These are things that we should be doing for the American people,” she said.

Many lawmakers have recalled the decision by President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the Sep. 11, 2001, attacks to come to Congress to seek an authorization for the use of military force — a vote to support his proposed military actions in Afghanistan and later, Iraq.

Tillis said Trump has latitude under the War Powers Act to conduct the military campaign, but that will soon shift.

“When you get into the 45-day mark, you’ve got to start articulating one of two things — an authorization for the use of military force to sustain it beyond that or a very clear path on exit,” he said.

“Those are really the options the administration needs to be thinking about.”

The incident happened at Val Ridanna, a high-altitude valley in Italy

Advertisement

A major rescue operation took place after an avalanche killed two people and left three seriously injured. The incident happened at Val Ridanna, a high-altitude valley in South Tyrol, Italy, shortly before 11.40am local time on March 20.

Ten people, all of whom were reportedly equipped with Arva avalanche transceivers, were swept away, according to Italian news agency LaPresse. Out of the eight survivors seven were injured, three seriously and two lightly, reports Mirror.

Reportedly the snow mass broke away in the Racines area on Cima d’Incendio at 2,445 metres, the rescue operation involved five helicopters. The Innsbruck operations centre was alerted, and requests for intensive care beds were reportedly made at hospitals in Merano, Bolzano and Bressanone.

The Guardia di Finanza and all local Alpine rescue teams were on site. Last week, a report from the Austrian Alpine Club revealed that all but two of Austria’s 96 glaciers have retreated over the last two years, saying the “dramatic development” highlights the impact of climate change.

The reports shows the Alpeiner Ferner in the western Tyrol region and Stubacher Sonnblickkees in Salzburg to the east are facing the greatest loss, each with a retreat of more than 330 feet. The average retreat was more than 65 feet.

“The disintegration of the glacier tongue is also progressing at the Pasterze, Austria’s largest glacier, making the consequences of climate change visible,” the club said in the report covering 2024 and 2025. The report, it added, “confirms once again the long-term trend: Glaciers in Austria continue to shrink significantly in length, area, and volume”.

The retreat of glaciers in Europe has vast implications for drinking water, power generation, agriculture, infrastructure, recreational activities, the Alpine landscape and more. Neighbouring Switzerland, which is home to the most glaciers in Europe, has noted a similar retreat in its glaciers in recent years, a trend that has been reported around the world.

Poor weather conditions including low snowfall, warm temperatures including an exceptionally hot June last year – nearly 5C above the average – have contributed to the retreat, the club said.

“The glaciers are melting – and with every new report, the urgency grows, club vice president Nicole Slupetzky said. “It’s no longer a question of whether we can still save the glaciers in their old form; it’s about mitigating the consequences for ourselves.”

Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Liverpool manager played down the severity of Hugo Ekitike’s injury in the wake of Liverpool’s damaging defeat against Brighton.

Already without Mohamed Salah and Aleksander Isak, the Reds were rocked early on at the Amex Stadium when their France international striker went down in agony following a collision with James Milner.

The summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt was clearly in pain as he limped to the sidelines where he received further treatment.

Ekitike attempted to play on but was unable to continue and was replaced by Curtis Jones after only eight minutes.

The 23-year-old had been called up to Les Bleus squad ahead of the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Colombia but may now be forced to withdraw.

Speaking about his centre forward’s injury, Slot said: ‘The players and the fans know that there is only eight games to go to qualify for the Champions League and every game you have to miss is something you are upset about.

‘Him going off and not being able to help the team – it is just a bit of bad luck. It is not like he will be out for three months but it is bad enough that he wasn’t able to continue.

‘It was a blow for him and a blow for us.’

After their midweek morale-boosting win over Galatasaray, Liverpool would have hoped to build further momentum on the south coast.

Instead, they delivered another insipid, disjointed display that yielded a 2-1 defeat and has put their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League in major jeopardy.

‘First half was an equal game. It was a big blow for us that one of our two strikers that we have available with Hugo [Ekitike] and Alex [Isak] was already not here and the other one has to go off after one or two minutes – that is usually not helpful, especially when you look at how well Hugo played Wednesday,’ added Slot.

‘The first half was equal and the second half, Brighton were the better team on the pitch.’

Danny Welbeck’s brace ultimately proved decisive as the outgoing Premier League champions succumbed to their 10th defeat of the campaign.

Slot said: ‘It is clear that we have lost a lot of points after playing in Europe. I have tried to explain a lot of times already why this is but today we also have to give credit to Brighton. In the second half, they were the better team on the pitch.

‘What I thought was, you won’t need 24 points to qualify and hopefully I am right because we aren’t able to get 24 points anymore.

‘We kept trying, in the second half we were close but they were closer to score the third one than we were the second one. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough after a week like this.’

MORE: Chelsea ‘open to offers’ for £40m star as Premier League rival considers transfer bid

MORE: ‘Time’s up’ – Rio Ferdinand says Michael Carrick must start Man Utd star after Bournemouth draw

MORE: Everton vs Chelsea: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

She is described as 5ft 5in, petite, with hair in a messy bun

Police have issued an appeal for a woman who went missing in Co Derry on Saturday.

Taking to social media, PSNI have asked for help in locating Shannon Donnell was last seen at Altnagelvin Hospital in the morning of March 21.

Shannon has been described as 5ft 5in, petite, with hair in a messy bun.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are concerned for local woman Shannon Donnell who has went missing form Altnagelvin Hospital earlier today.

“Shannon hasn’t been seen in a number of hours and was described as 5ft5, petite, hair in messy bun. Burgundy leggings, light blue jumper and a heavy black coat. She is also wearing black converse shoes.”

PSNI have asked that if any person knew of Shannon’s whereabouts, or have any information that may assist in locating her, please call 101 quoting: 538-21/03/26.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter