The raging war between the state of Israel and Gaza-based Hamas militant group entered its 19th day and the flashpoint was a comment by UN chief Antonio Gueterres which stated that the "attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum". Amid clarifications and counter-clarifications, Israel told Google to stop live traffic services in Gaza, in yet another sign of a looming ground offensive in the blockaded region.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-50-palestinians-killed-in-one-hour-in-gaza-no-aid-entered-on-tuesday-says-un-650884">Israel-Hamas war: 'Grievances can’t justify Hamas attack’: UN chief hits back at Israel</a>

<img alt="Israel-Hamas war" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45dff95b-c619-421c-84d8-62ca4eddef9b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-25T213822.195.png" />

The Israel-Hamas war has now entered its 19th day. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed and 16,297 injured. Meanwhile, as per the Israeli government, over 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians. Besides the uproar is raging over UN chief Antonio Guterres' comments claimed that "attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-set-the-record-straight-un-chief-clarifies-his-hamas-remarks-after-enraging-israel-651217">‘Need to set the record straight’: UN chief clarifies his Hamas remarks after enraging Israel</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388995-gueterrres.jpg?imwidth=1920" /> 
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Oct 25) expressed “shock” over the gross “misinterpretation” of his remarks made in the Security Council, which Israel perceived as justifying Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/israel-hamas-war-ground-invasion-looming-israel-asks-google-to-disable-live-traffic-maps-in-gaza-651219">Israel-Hamas war: Ground invasion looming? Israel asks Google to disable live traffic maps in Gaza</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388996-untitled-design-2023-10-25t201134430.png?imwidth=1920" /> 
The live traffic conditions in Israel and Gaza Strip have been disabled by the Alphabet-owned Google, reportedly at the request of Israeli military. The development occurs ahead of a much-anticipated potential Israeli ground offensive into Gaza for a purported goal to "dismantle Hamas", the Gaza-based ground that launched a deadly wave of attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7 and left over 1,400 Israelis, mostly&nbsp;civilians dead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-spy-vessel-shin-yan-6-docks-at-colombo-port-amidst-indias-security-concerns-651161">Chinese ‘research vessel’ Shin Yan 6 docks at Colombo Port amidst India’s security concerns</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388962-china.jpg?imwidth=1920" /> 
Chinese Shin Yan 6—which India claims it to be a spy vessel—arrived at the Port of Colombo on Wednesday (Oct 25).&nbsp;A spokesperson from the Sri Lanka foreign ministry told AFP news agency that the vessel had been authorised to dock in the city, where a Chinese state-owned company operates a deep-sea container terminal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-decides-to-resume-some-visa-services-for-canadians-651228">India decides to resume some visa services for Canadians</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/389000-visa.jpg?imwidth=1920" /> 
India has decided to resume its visa services to Canadians, weeks after temporarily closing down the services in the wake of tensions between both countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-readies-to-launch-roman-telescope-for-humanitys-farthest-ever-peek-into-milky-way-galaxy-651141">NASA readies to launch Roman telescope for humanity's farthest-ever peek into Milky Way galaxy</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388951-new-wion-8.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

NASA is gearing up for humanity's deepest-ever peek into the heart of our Milky Way Galaxy. For this, it will make use of its Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will monitor the vast expanse of space for "tell-tale flickers" for secrets that may change our understanding of the world "out there".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-and-mumbai-witnessing-their-worst-pollution-in-years-for-month-of-oct-650983">Delhi and Mumbai witnessing their worst pollution in years for month of Oct</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388862-untitled-design-2023-10-25t102151477.png?imwidth=1920" /> 
India’s two major cities, Delhi and Mumbai are experiencing their worst pollution in years for the month of October. As per several reports, Mumbai is reeling under air pollution levels worse than that of Delhi’s.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/florida-man-arrested-for-armed-robbery-of-viagra-and-other-prescription-drugs-651110">Man threatens Florida pharmacy, demands all Viagra bottles and other drugs to be handed over</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388933-florida-man.png?imwidth=1920" />

The Orlando Police shared a handwritten note on X. The post said, "The suspect armed with this note detailing a long list of specific demands." According to the post, the Orlando Police officers responded to a CBS in the 4300 block of Curry Ford Road for a commercial robbery.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-china-chip-wars-biden-administration-imposes-new-curbs-on-chip-exports-to-china-651149">US-China chip war: Biden administration imposes new curbs on chip exports to China</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/03/336173-semiconductor-chips.png?imwidth=1920" />

The US-China chip wars continue to intensify as Washington directed one of the world's top chipmakers, the Santa Clara, California-headquartered Nvidia, to enforce new curbs on the export of its high-end Artificial Intelligence chips to China. The US restrictions to certain chip exports, to countries such as China, Iran and Russia, were previously scheduled to be enforced from 16 November but the deadline now effectively has been advanced.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2023-australia-thrash-netherlands-on-record-breaking-day-win-by-309-runs-after-maxwell-blitzkrieg-651223">World Cup 2023: Australia thrash Netherlands on record-breaking day, win by 309 runs after Maxwell blitzkrieg</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388997-1-27.png?imwidth=1920" />Records were broken left, right, and center at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday (Oct 25) as Australia registered the biggest win in ODI World Cup history. After Glenn Maxwell’s record-breaking 40-ball hundred, Australia bowled out Netherlands on 90 runs to win by 309 runs. Australia now have three wins from five matches and look solid for a place in the semifinals before taking on arch-rivals New Zealand on Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-explained-how-martin-scorsese-makes-movies-651192">Explained: How Martin Scorsese makes movies</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/25/388983-martin-scorsese.png?imwidth=1920" /> 
Martin Scorsese, one of the most influential and prolific directors in the history of cinema and easily the greatest living filmmaker, has a distinctive approach to making movies that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. His films are known for their storytelling prowess, meticulous attention to detail, and unique visual style. As his latest&nbsp;Killers of the Flower Moon&nbsp;hits theatres, let's explore the key elements of his filmmaking process, which has made him an iconic figure in the world of cinema.

The raging war between the state of Israel and Gaza-based Hamas militant group entered its 19th day and the flashpoint was a comment by UN chief Antonio Gueterres which stated that the "attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum".

The raging war between the state of Israel and Gaza-based Hamas militant group entered its 19th day and the flashpoint was a comment by UN chief Antonio Gueterres which stated that the "attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum". Amid clarifications and counter-clarifications, Israel told Google to stop live traffic services in Gaza, in yet another sign of a looming ground offensive in the blockaded region. Click on the headlines to read more: Israel-Hamas war: 'Grievances can’t justify Hamas attack’: UN chief hits back at Israel The Israel-Hamas war has now entered its 19th day. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed and 16,297 injured. Meanwhile, as per the Israeli government, over 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, mostly civilians. Besides the uproar is raging over UN chief Antonio Guterres' comments claimed that "attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum." ‘Need to set the record straight’: UN chief clarifies his Hamas remarks after enraging Israel United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Wednesday (Oct 25) expressed “shock” over the gross “misinterpretation” of his remarks made in the Security Council, which Israel perceived as justifying Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack. Israel-Hamas war: Ground invasion looming? Israel asks Google to disable live traffic maps in Gaza The live traffic conditions in Israel and Gaza Strip have been disabled by the Alphabet-owned Google, reportedly at the request of Israeli military. The development occurs ahead of a much-anticipated potential Israeli ground offensive into Gaza for a purported goal to "dismantle Hamas", the Gaza-based ground that launched a deadly wave of attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7 and left over 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians dead. Chinese ‘research vessel’ Shin Yan 6 docks at Colombo Port amidst India’s security concerns Chinese Shin Yan 6—which India claims it to be a spy vessel—arrived at the Port of Colombo on Wednesday (Oct 25). A spokesperson from the Sri Lanka foreign ministry told AFP news agency that the vessel had been authorised to dock in the city, where a Chinese state-owned company operates a deep-sea container terminal. India decides to resume some visa services for Canadians India has decided to resume its visa services to Canadians, weeks after temporarily closing down the services in the wake of tensions between both countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. NASA readies to launch Roman telescope for humanity's farthest-ever peek into Milky Way galaxy NASA is gearing up for humanity's deepest-ever peek into the heart of our Milky Way Galaxy. For this, it will make use of its Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will monitor the vast expanse of space for "tell-tale flickers" for secrets that may change our understanding of the world "out there". Delhi and Mumbai witnessing their worst pollution in years for month of Oct India’s two major cities, Delhi and Mumbai are experiencing their worst pollution in years for the month of October. As per several reports, Mumbai is reeling under air pollution levels worse than that of Delhi’s. Man threatens Florida pharmacy, demands all Viagra bottles and other drugs to be handed over The Orlando Police shared a handwritten note on X. The post said, "The suspect armed with this note detailing a long list of specific demands." According to the post, the Orlando Police officers responded to a CBS in the 4300 block of Curry Ford Road for a commercial robbery. US-China chip war: Biden administration imposes new curbs on chip exports to China The US-China chip wars continue to intensify as Washington directed one of the world's top chipmakers, the Santa Clara, California-headquartered Nvidia, to enforce new curbs on the export of its high-end Artificial Intelligence chips to China. The US restrictions to certain chip exports, to countries such as China, Iran and Russia, were previously scheduled to be enforced from 16 November but the deadline now effectively has been advanced. World Cup 2023: Australia thrash Netherlands on record-breaking day, win by 309 runs after Maxwell blitzkrieg Records were broken left, right, and center at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday (Oct 25) as Australia registered the biggest win in ODI World Cup history. After Glenn Maxwell’s record-breaking 40-ball hundred, Australia bowled out Netherlands on 90 runs to win by 309 runs. Australia now have three wins from five matches and look solid for a place in the semifinals before taking on arch-rivals New Zealand on Saturday. Explained: How Martin Scorsese makes movies Martin Scorsese, one of the most influential and prolific directors in the history of cinema and easily the greatest living filmmaker, has a distinctive approach to making movies that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. His films are known for their storytelling prowess, meticulous attention to detail, and unique visual style. As his latest Killers of the Flower Moon hits theatres, let's explore the key elements of his filmmaking process, which has made him an iconic figure in the world of cinema.

Top 10 world news: Uproar over UN chief's comments over Israel-Hamas war, thaw in India-Canada ties, and more

The lawyers of Shamima Begum, the infamous 'ISIS bride' who left the UK when she was 15 for the territory in West Asia claimed by the terrorist group, said that Begum was a victim of human trafficking. Her lawyers argued before a court that it was on these grounds that it's 'unlawful' to deprive her of her citizenship.

October 25 was the second of Shamima Begum's three-day hearing over whether UK government's decision to remove her citizenship should be repealed or not.&nbsp;

Samantha Knights KC, her barrister, accused Sajid Javid, the then home secretary who removed her citizenship, of having failed to consider whether Begum, then a schoolgirl in east London, was groomed and trafficked. Such trafficking is banned under British law under the country's anti-slavery protections.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-uk-shamima-begum-who-left-to-join-isis-loses-citizenship-bid-heres-what-happened-564864">Explained | UK: Shamima Begum who left to join ISIS loses citizenship bid. Here’s what happened</a>

"The appellant’s trafficking was a mandatory, relevant consideration in determining whether it was conducive to the public good and proportionate to deprive her of citizenship, but it was not considered by the Home Office," Knights said in a written submission. "As a consequence, the deprivation decision was unlawful."

A Special Immigration Appeals Commission in February this year had upheld Javid's decision to remove Shamima Begum's citizenship. Her lawyers are appealing to the court to overturn that ruling as well.

<h2>What is going against Shamima Begum's case for British citizenship?&nbsp;</h2>

The SIAC court in February said that there was credible suspicion that Begum "was recruited, transferred and then harboured for the purpose of sexual exploitation".&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/book-claims-spy-for-canada-smuggled-shamima-begum-2-other-schoolgirls-to-syria-511796">Book claims spy for Canada smuggled Shamima Begum, 2 other schoolgirls to Syria</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/book-claims-spy-for-canada-smuggled-shamima-begum-2-other-schoolgirls-to-syria-511796/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The UK had removed Shamima Begum's British citizenship in 2019, shortly after she was detained by victorious Syrian Kurdish forces following the defeat of Islamic State.&nbsp;

<h2>About Shamima Begum</h2>

Shamima Begum had left her home in east London, in 2015 with two school friends, and travelled to Syria to work for the so-called "Caliphate" &nbsp;under Islamic State rule. When interviewed immediately after the terror group’s defeat she said: “I don’t regret coming here.”

Begum remains in Kurdish custody in north-east Syria, and she has said more recently she regrets her decision – arguing she would "rather die than go back to IS".&nbsp;

The arguments in the case in a UK court of appeal are scheduled to conclude on Thursday (Oct 26). The decision in the case is expected at a later date.

The lawyers of Shamima Begum, the infamous 'ISIS bride' who left the UK when she was 15 for the territory in West Asia claimed by the terrorist group, said that Begum was a victim of human trafficking.

The lawyers of Shamima Begum, the infamous 'ISIS bride' who left the UK when she was 15 for the territory in West Asia claimed by the terrorist group, said that Begum was a victim of human trafficking. Her lawyers argued before a court that it was on these grounds that it's 'unlawful' to deprive her of her citizenship. October 25 was the second of Shamima Begum's three-day hearing over whether UK government's decision to remove her citizenship should be repealed or not. Samantha Knights KC, her barrister, accused Sajid Javid, the then home secretary who removed her citizenship, of having failed to consider whether Begum, then a schoolgirl in east London, was groomed and trafficked. Such trafficking is banned under British law under the country's anti-slavery protections. Also read | Explained | UK: Shamima Begum who left to join ISIS loses citizenship bid. Here’s what happened "The appellant’s trafficking was a mandatory, relevant consideration in determining whether it was conducive to the public good and proportionate to deprive her of citizenship, but it was not considered by the Home Office," Knights said in a written submission. "As a consequence, the deprivation decision was unlawful." A Special Immigration Appeals Commission in February this year had upheld Javid's decision to remove Shamima Begum's citizenship. Her lawyers are appealing to the court to overturn that ruling as well. What is going against Shamima Begum's case for British citizenship? The SIAC court in February said that there was credible suspicion that Begum "was recruited, transferred and then harboured for the purpose of sexual exploitation". Also watch | Book claims spy for Canada smuggled Shamima Begum, 2 other schoolgirls to Syria × The UK had removed Shamima Begum's British citizenship in 2019, shortly after she was detained by victorious Syrian Kurdish forces following the defeat of Islamic State. About Shamima Begum Shamima Begum had left her home in east London, in 2015 with two school friends, and travelled to Syria to work for the so-called "Caliphate" under Islamic State rule. When interviewed immediately after the terror group’s defeat she said: “I don’t regret coming here.” Begum remains in Kurdish custody in north-east Syria, and she has said more recently she regrets her decision – arguing she would "rather die than go back to IS". The arguments in the case in a UK court of appeal are scheduled to conclude on Thursday (Oct 26). The decision in the case is expected at a later date.

Shamima Begum's lawyer claims she was victim of trafficking while joining ISIS

Former Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, a one-time favourite and multiple-time rival of the country's powerful military, has arrived in Pakistan after a four-year self-imposed exile. Sharif's return aims to lead his Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N political party in the delayed general elections and potentially secure an unprecedented fourth term.&nbsp;

Notably, for none of the past three of his tenures, was Sharif able to complete a full five-year tenure amid the military-intelligence nexus' powerful interference.&nbsp;

<h2>When will Nawaz Sharif arrive in Pakistan?</h2>

Sharif, after a brief stopover in Saudi Arabia, is currently in Dubai, with plans to arrive in Pakistan aboard a chartered plane.&nbsp;

He&nbsp;arrived in Lahore on Saturday (Oct 21) and is expected to address a party rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, the monument where Pakistan's existence was formally envisioned during British colonial rule.&nbsp;

Having secured preventive bail in two corruption cases, Nawaz is less likely to be arrested upon his arrival in Islamabad.

Also watch |&nbsp;Nawaz Sharif granted bail, his arrest warrants suspended

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nawaz-sharif-granted-bail-his-arrest-warrants-suspended-648873/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Nawaz Sharif's seven-year jail term was suspended in 2019 on medical grounds. Since then, Sharif has remained in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;

The seasoned politician, once described by assassinated Pakistan PM Benazir Bhutto as 'political pawn' to Pakistan's most consequential dictator General Zia ul Haq, faces numerous legal and political challenges.

<h2>Nawaz Sharif may not be arrested but there is a catch</h2>

While supporters argue that Sharif was convicted in "fake" corruption cases and believe in a reversal of his convictions, legal experts point out that protective bail is typically for accused individuals, not convicts.&nbsp;

Sharif's major challenge arises from his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017, which his party disputes.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/to-coup-or-not-coup-pakistan-armys-options-after-imran-khans-mini-intifada-592986">To coup or not coup: Pakistan Army’s options after Imran Khan’s 'mini-intifada'</a>

Besides, Sharif also faces strong political competition, notably from the currently arrested former PM&nbsp;Imran Khan, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

<h2>The hand of 'establishment' on Nawaz Sharif's shoulder?</h2>

Sharif, despite his convictions, retains popularity among his followers, who hope his presence during the campaign will boost the party's prospects in the general elections.

However, Sharif's ultimate test lies in securing the approval of the powerful establishment, particularly the Pakistan Army.&nbsp;

His recent demand for action against former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI chief Lt. General Faiz Hameed surprised many.&nbsp;

While Sharif's intentions remain unclear, he is likely to have reached an "understanding" within the influential circles of establishment -- Pakistan's military-intelligence nexus -- of the nuclear-armed nation in the middle of an economic crisis and political uncertainty. 
 
 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Former Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, a one-time favourite and multiple-time rival of the country's powerful military, has arrived in Pakistan after a four-year self-imposed exile.

Former Pakistan prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, a one-time favourite and multiple-time rival of the country's powerful military, has arrived in Pakistan after a four-year self-imposed exile. Sharif's return aims to lead his Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N political party in the delayed general elections and potentially secure an unprecedented fourth term. Notably, for none of the past three of his tenures, was Sharif able to complete a full five-year tenure amid the military-intelligence nexus' powerful interference. When will Nawaz Sharif arrive in Pakistan? Sharif, after a brief stopover in Saudi Arabia, is currently in Dubai, with plans to arrive in Pakistan aboard a chartered plane. He arrived in Lahore on Saturday (Oct 21) and is expected to address a party rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, the monument where Pakistan's existence was formally envisioned during British colonial rule. Having secured preventive bail in two corruption cases, Nawaz is less likely to be arrested upon his arrival in Islamabad. Also watch | Nawaz Sharif granted bail, his arrest warrants suspended × Nawaz Sharif's seven-year jail term was suspended in 2019 on medical grounds. Since then, Sharif has remained in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. The seasoned politician, once described by assassinated Pakistan PM Benazir Bhutto as 'political pawn' to Pakistan's most consequential dictator General Zia ul Haq, faces numerous legal and political challenges. Nawaz Sharif may not be arrested but there is a catch While supporters argue that Sharif was convicted in "fake" corruption cases and believe in a reversal of his convictions, legal experts point out that protective bail is typically for accused individuals, not convicts. Sharif's major challenge arises from his disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017, which his party disputes. Also read | To coup or not coup: Pakistan Army’s options after Imran Khan’s 'mini-intifada' Besides, Sharif also faces strong political competition, notably from the currently arrested former PM Imran Khan, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The hand of 'establishment' on Nawaz Sharif's shoulder? Sharif, despite his convictions, retains popularity among his followers, who hope his presence during the campaign will boost the party's prospects in the general elections. However, Sharif's ultimate test lies in securing the approval of the powerful establishment, particularly the Pakistan Army. His recent demand for action against former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI chief Lt. General Faiz Hameed surprised many. While Sharif's intentions remain unclear, he is likely to have reached an "understanding" within the influential circles of establishment -- Pakistan's military-intelligence nexus -- of the nuclear-armed nation in the middle of an economic crisis and political uncertainty. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nawaz Sharif lands in Lahore after four years of self-imposed political exile in London

The first week of the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7 had US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dominating the news cycle. Blinken's shuttle diplomacy consisted of 10 stops across multiple West Asian capitals during the course of five days after Israel's retaliatory offence against Hamas in Gaza Strip stoked a rare humanitarian crisis in the region with thousands of lives lost and lifelines — food, water, power and medical supplies — stopped.

From Washington, this was a rare diplomatic overdrive, the kind not seen since Washington under Trump presidency signed the infamous "peace deal" with Taliban in Qatar's capital Doha in February 2020, which culminated with Taliban <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/a-paranoid-president-us-abandonment-new-report-reveals-why-afghan-forces-collapsed-after-us-withdrawal-566832">retaking</a> Kabul in August 2021.

But yet again, Joe Biden, the current occupant of the White House had Washington's diplomatic setbacks in the foreground amid attempts to pass off his administration's mere attempts for a middle-ground between Israeli and Palestinian stakeholders as accomplishments.

Biden visited Israel on Wednesday but while he was still in the air, half of his West Asia visit was called off <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spotlight-on-washingtons-waning-political-capital-after-gaza-hospital-blast-sinks-bidens-jordan-summit-648187/amp">unilaterally</a> from Jordanian capital Amman, where he was scheduled to be hosted at a four-way summit with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine Authority and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The summit will be held "when the decision to stop the war and put an end to these massacres has been taken", Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, referring to a mass casualty <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-israeli-airstrike-or-misfired-islamic-jihad-rocket-what-killed-hundreds-at-gaza-hospital-648159">event</a> at a hospital in Gaza for which Israel and Hamas blamed each other but evidence released by Western intelligence agencies showed it was a botched attack against Israel from inside Gaza which ended up claiming hundreds of civilian lives.&nbsp;

So the optics of Biden's West Asia visit showed him beside Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The balance that his administration had hoped to strike with a simultaneous top-leader summit between Biden and Arab Leaders fell flat.&nbsp;

The result of Washington's failure to strike a balance between Israel and its Arab foes was a much-delayed and vastly limited response to the crisis of food, water and medical supplies that followed in the Gaza Strip following Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas in the blockaded region.&nbsp;

The first aid truck entered Gaza via Egypt's Rafah crossing four days after the United States first said that "a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza" could be executed.&nbsp;

But just 20 trucks were allowed in, an amount aid workers said was insufficient to address the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. More than 200 trucks carrying 3,000 tonnes of aid have been waiting for days whose entry into Gaza remains uncertain amid raging war in the region.

<h2>Islamabad, Pakistan&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9105041d-11d9-4df7-b420-307fb2cd49ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/b5929d76-1627-4c22-a19a-7b0b075d0956.jpg" />

Pakistan's three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned to the capital Islamabad as he ended another stint in exile. At Islamabad airport, "the deposed prime minister and proclaimed offender" — as Pakistan's Dawn newspaper described him — signed legal documents pertaining to the appeals against the convictions he was jailed for when he left the country four years ago.&nbsp;

He then flew to Lahore, where tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Minar-i-Pakistan, the place which holds significance as the one where Pakistan's existence was officially proclaimed before it came into being in 1947 after a bitter partition with India.&nbsp;

In a speech there, he said he was forgiving all those who caused harm to him in the past.

"I have no intention to take revenge on anyone," he said in his televised speech.

But experts told <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/is-nawaz-sharifs-return-a-deal-with-pakistan-military-establishment-649672">WION</a> that Sharif's arrival, right before country's much-delayed general elections in January 2023, suggests that he has made a 'deal' with the country's powerful military-intelligence nexus — collectively dubbed as establishment — for the revival of his political fortunes.&nbsp;

That's all for The Capitals this week. See you next weekend.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The first week of the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7 had US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dominating the news cycle. Blinken's shuttle diplomacy consisted of 10 stops across multiple West Asian capitals during the course of five days after Israel's retaliatory offence against Hamas in Gaza Strip stoked a rare humanitarian crisis in the region with thousands of lives lost and lifelines — food, water, power and medical supplies — stopped.

The first week of the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7 had US Secretary of State Antony Blinken dominating the news cycle. Blinken's shuttle diplomacy consisted of 10 stops across multiple West Asian capitals during the course of five days after Israel's retaliatory offence against Hamas in Gaza Strip stoked a rare humanitarian crisis in the region with thousands of lives lost and lifelines — food, water, power and medical supplies — stopped. From Washington, this was a rare diplomatic overdrive, the kind not seen since Washington under Trump presidency signed the infamous "peace deal" with Taliban in Qatar's capital Doha in February 2020, which culminated with Taliban retaking Kabul in August 2021. But yet again, Joe Biden, the current occupant of the White House had Washington's diplomatic setbacks in the foreground amid attempts to pass off his administration's mere attempts for a middle-ground between Israeli and Palestinian stakeholders as accomplishments. Biden visited Israel on Wednesday but while he was still in the air, half of his West Asia visit was called off unilaterally from Jordanian capital Amman, where he was scheduled to be hosted at a four-way summit with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine Authority and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The summit will be held "when the decision to stop the war and put an end to these massacres has been taken", Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, referring to a mass casualty event at a hospital in Gaza for which Israel and Hamas blamed each other but evidence released by Western intelligence agencies showed it was a botched attack against Israel from inside Gaza which ended up claiming hundreds of civilian lives. So the optics of Biden's West Asia visit showed him beside Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The balance that his administration had hoped to strike with a simultaneous top-leader summit between Biden and Arab Leaders fell flat. The result of Washington's failure to strike a balance between Israel and its Arab foes was a much-delayed and vastly limited response to the crisis of food, water and medical supplies that followed in the Gaza Strip following Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas in the blockaded region. The first aid truck entered Gaza via Egypt's Rafah crossing four days after the United States first said that "a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza" could be executed. But just 20 trucks were allowed in, an amount aid workers said was insufficient to address the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. More than 200 trucks carrying 3,000 tonnes of aid have been waiting for days whose entry into Gaza remains uncertain amid raging war in the region. Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan's three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned to the capital Islamabad as he ended another stint in exile. At Islamabad airport, "the deposed prime minister and proclaimed offender" — as Pakistan's Dawn newspaper described him — signed legal documents pertaining to the appeals against the convictions he was jailed for when he left the country four years ago. He then flew to Lahore, where tens of thousands of supporters gathered at Minar-i-Pakistan, the place which holds significance as the one where Pakistan's existence was officially proclaimed before it came into being in 1947 after a bitter partition with India. In a speech there, he said he was forgiving all those who caused harm to him in the past. "I have no intention to take revenge on anyone," he said in his televised speech. But experts told WION that Sharif's arrival, right before country's much-delayed general elections in January 2023, suggests that he has made a 'deal' with the country's powerful military-intelligence nexus — collectively dubbed as establishment — for the revival of his political fortunes. That's all for The Capitals this week. See you next weekend. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Capitals: Washington's waning political capital in West Asia delays aid into Gaza Strip

A judge fined former US President Donald Trump $5000 for violating the terms of a gag order after a post attacking a court clerk remained on his campaign website. The Republican frontrunner for the US presidency has also been warned about possible imprisonment.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slapped-with-gag-order-in-2020-election-subversion-case-647735">Trump slapped with gag order in 2020 election subversion case</a>

On October 3, a&nbsp;partial gag order by a judge had restricted&nbsp;Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation in a case. Trump was found in violation of the same October 3 gag order, it has been revealed.&nbsp;

Notably, this gag order is different from the one Trump is facing in a 2020 election subversion case.

"Donald Trump has received ample warning from this Court as to the possible repercussions of violating the gag order. He specifically acknowledged that he understood and would abide by it," Judge Arthur Engoron said in his order Friday.

Also watch |&nbsp;Donald Trump: This is a witch-hunt by a radical lunatic

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-this-is-a-witch-hunt-by-a-radical-lunatic-648219/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Accordingly, issuing yet another warning is not longer appropriate; this Court is way behind the 'warning' stage," Judge Engoron reportedly said.

On October 3, Engoron had issued a partial gag order on all parties not to speak about any members of the court staff after Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Engoron’s clerk. The post claimed she was a "girlfriend" to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. Trump had also posted apicture of the two of them together.

The post, following the October 3 gag order,&nbsp;was subsequently removed from Truth Social platform.

However,&nbsp;it was not erased from Donald Trump’s campaign website, DonaldJTrump.com.

Engoron on Friday (Oct 20)&nbsp;described it as a "blatant violation" of the gag order and indicated&nbsp;that the violations could result in "imprisonment."

"I learned that the subject post was never removed from the website," he said. "And, in fact, had been on that website for the past 17 days. I understand that it was removed late last night but only in response to an email."

Trump's lawyer Chris Kise said it was "inadvertent" that the post was able to live on the "back page" of Trump’s campaign website.

"Truly this appears to be inadvertent," Kise said, adding, "I certainly apologise on behalf of my clients."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A judge fined former US President Donald Trump $5000 for violating the terms of a gag order after a post attacking a court clerk remained on his campaign website.

A judge fined former US President Donald Trump $5000 for violating the terms of a gag order after a post attacking a court clerk remained on his campaign website. The Republican frontrunner for the US presidency has also been warned about possible imprisonment. Also read | Trump slapped with gag order in 2020 election subversion case On October 3, a partial gag order by a judge had restricted Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation in a case. Trump was found in violation of the same October 3 gag order, it has been revealed. Notably, this gag order is different from the one Trump is facing in a 2020 election subversion case. "Donald Trump has received ample warning from this Court as to the possible repercussions of violating the gag order. He specifically acknowledged that he understood and would abide by it," Judge Arthur Engoron said in his order Friday. Also watch | Donald Trump: This is a witch-hunt by a radical lunatic × "Accordingly, issuing yet another warning is not longer appropriate; this Court is way behind the 'warning' stage," Judge Engoron reportedly said. On October 3, Engoron had issued a partial gag order on all parties not to speak about any members of the court staff after Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Engoron’s clerk. The post claimed she was a "girlfriend" to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. Trump had also posted apicture of the two of them together. The post, following the October 3 gag order, was subsequently removed from Truth Social platform. However, it was not erased from Donald Trump’s campaign website, DonaldJTrump.com. Engoron on Friday (Oct 20) described it as a "blatant violation" of the gag order and indicated that the violations could result in "imprisonment." "I learned that the subject post was never removed from the website," he said. "And, in fact, had been on that website for the past 17 days. I understand that it was removed late last night but only in response to an email." Trump's lawyer Chris Kise said it was "inadvertent" that the post was able to live on the "back page" of Trump’s campaign website. "Truly this appears to be inadvertent," Kise said, adding, "I certainly apologise on behalf of my clients." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Donald Trump fined $5000 for violating gag order, warned of possible imprisonment

The visuals of two Israeli-American women being brought into Israel, nearly two weeks after they were taken hostage and were being held captive&nbsp;by Hamas, has stoked reactions of hope for more such releases. So far, the total number of individuals held hostage by Hamas is numbered up to 203, with the final number likely to rise, according to Israel's Defense Forces (IDF).

Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were back in Israel late Friday, the Israeli government said.

The two women were at the Nahal Oz kibbutz, less than two kilometres from Gaza, when Hamas&nbsp;members broke through a border fence on 7 October, and slaughtered over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and abducted&nbsp;more than 200 others to hold them hostage in Gaza.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-live-gaza-hospital-palestine-death-toll-yemen-netanyahu-latest-news-updates-648997">Israel-Hamas war: Gaza's Hamas says two US hostages released</a>

US President Joe Biden&nbsp;said he was "overjoyed" at the news of the release of hostages. While Hamas said that it was working with Qatar and Egypt to free its "civilian" hostages, a sign that more releases could follow.&nbsp;

The photo released after Judith and Natalie Raanan finally made it to safety showed the two women looking exhausted and pale, a reflection of the appalling&nbsp;ordeal faced by the two.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine War: The Hostage Crisis | What is Israel's plan?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-the-hostage-crisis-what-is-israels-plan-647686/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The development was also described positively by aid organisations. Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of&nbsp;International Committee of the Red Cross President said that the release of hostages&nbsp;provided a "sliver of hope" for the families of other hostages as Spoljaric called upon all sides in the conflict to show "a minimum of humanity".

<h2>Hostage crisis in Israel-Hamas war: What next?</h2>

In the immediate future, Qatar, which also hosts two top Hamas leaders, is expected to engage with both Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages. While Israel has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said that their efforts are aimed to ensure "the release of all civilian hostages from every nationality, with the ultimate aim of de-escalating the&nbsp;current&nbsp;crisis and restoring peace".&nbsp;

Asked by WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the IDF spokesperson&nbsp; Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said that the number of people held hostage by Hamas may well go above 203.

"The working assumption is that they're alive. And I would add that we expect Hamas to take care of their well being, they need to be released and be released now," Lerner told WION. 
 
"Prime Minister Netanyahu has demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross have access to the hostages." 
 
"But I don't want to comment beyond that because I don't want to jeopardise them or the families of 203 people that are in despair and their life has been torn into pieces in the aftermath of this attack for the last 14 days," he added.

<h2>Is aid into Gaza dependent on release of Israeli hostages?</h2>

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, had indicated the interconnected nature of the three demands he put out to the US President Joe Biden during latter's wartime visit to Israel.

"First, I demanded the return of our captives, and we are working together for their return in every possible way,"&nbsp;Netanyahu said. "Second, until their return, we demand Red Cross visits for our captives. Third, we will not allow humanitarian assistance in the form of food and medicines from our territory to the Gaza Strip."

Netanyahu, however, had added that&nbsp;it would "not prevent humanitarian assistance from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the southern Gaza Strip." It had further added that such aid would be allowed "as long as these supplies do not reach Hamas. Any supplies that reach Hamas will be prevented."

At the time of filing this report, the impasse over supply of aid into Gaza, even through Egypt's Rafah crossing, has turned into a deadlock. This is even after a wartime visit to Israel by Joe Biden and his Secretary of State Antony Blinken's week-long West Asia trip had humanitarian access to Gaza as one of the top foreign policy objectives.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The visuals of two Israeli-American women being brought into Israel, nearly two weeks after they were taken hostage and were being held captive by Hamas, has stoked reactions of hope for more such releases.

The visuals of two Israeli-American women being brought into Israel, nearly two weeks after they were taken hostage and were being held captive by Hamas, has stoked reactions of hope for more such releases. So far, the total number of individuals held hostage by Hamas is numbered up to 203, with the final number likely to rise, according to Israel's Defense Forces (IDF). Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan were back in Israel late Friday, the Israeli government said. The two women were at the Nahal Oz kibbutz, less than two kilometres from Gaza, when Hamas members broke through a border fence on 7 October, and slaughtered over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and abducted more than 200 others to hold them hostage in Gaza. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Gaza's Hamas says two US hostages released US President Joe Biden said he was "overjoyed" at the news of the release of hostages. While Hamas said that it was working with Qatar and Egypt to free its "civilian" hostages, a sign that more releases could follow. The photo released after Judith and Natalie Raanan finally made it to safety showed the two women looking exhausted and pale, a reflection of the appalling ordeal faced by the two. Also watch | Israel-Palestine War: The Hostage Crisis | What is Israel's plan? × The development was also described positively by aid organisations. Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of International Committee of the Red Cross President said that the release of hostages provided a "sliver of hope" for the families of other hostages as Spoljaric called upon all sides in the conflict to show "a minimum of humanity". Hostage crisis in Israel-Hamas war: What next? In the immediate future, Qatar, which also hosts two top Hamas leaders, is expected to engage with both Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages. While Israel has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said that their efforts are aimed to ensure "the release of all civilian hostages from every nationality, with the ultimate aim of de-escalating the current crisis and restoring peace". Asked by WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said that the number of people held hostage by Hamas may well go above 203. "The working assumption is that they're alive. And I would add that we expect Hamas to take care of their well being, they need to be released and be released now," Lerner told WION. "Prime Minister Netanyahu has demanded that the International Committee of the Red Cross have access to the hostages." "But I don't want to comment beyond that because I don't want to jeopardise them or the families of 203 people that are in despair and their life has been torn into pieces in the aftermath of this attack for the last 14 days," he added. Is aid into Gaza dependent on release of Israeli hostages? Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, had indicated the interconnected nature of the three demands he put out to the US President Joe Biden during latter's wartime visit to Israel. "First, I demanded the return of our captives, and we are working together for their return in every possible way," Netanyahu said. "Second, until their return, we demand Red Cross visits for our captives. Third, we will not allow humanitarian assistance in the form of food and medicines from our territory to the Gaza Strip." Netanyahu, however, had added that it would "not prevent humanitarian assistance from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the southern Gaza Strip." It had further added that such aid would be allowed "as long as these supplies do not reach Hamas. Any supplies that reach Hamas will be prevented." At the time of filing this report, the impasse over supply of aid into Gaza, even through Egypt's Rafah crossing, has turned into a deadlock. This is even after a wartime visit to Israel by Joe Biden and his Secretary of State Antony Blinken's week-long West Asia trip had humanitarian access to Gaza as one of the top foreign policy objectives. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: What lies beyond the 'sliver of hope' after release of two hostages by Hamas

Russia is estimated to have lost 14 helicopters during <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-attacks-russian-targets-with-missile-system-covertly-given-by-the-us-648172">strikes by Ukraine</a> through the US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) this week, British defence ministry claimed. The announcement reflects the game-changer role that the missile system may play for Ukraine, mirroring the successful role played by&nbsp;US-provided Stinger missiles to the Afghan Mujahideen in the 1980s during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The ATACMS and Stinger missiles, however, are two different kind of air weapons but their potential to turn the dynamics of a conflict during a frontline impasse shows initial similarities.&nbsp;

ATACMS are capable of reaching targets 100 miles or more away, whereas an FIM-92 Stinger is a human-portable air-defence system that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile.&nbsp;It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles, and from helicopters as the Air-to-Air Stinger. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-attacks-russian-targets-with-missile-system-covertly-given-by-the-us-648172">Ukraine attacks Russian targets with missile system secretly given by the US</a>

According to an&nbsp;estimate published by Air Defence Artillery platform, Afghan Mujahideen during the 1980s&nbsp;used Stingers to shoot down 269 aircraft out of 340 engagements, with a 79 per cent success rate. 
 
On Friday (Oct 20), the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) said in its intelligence update that while the extent of damage is currently unconfirmed, it is likely nine Russian military helicopters at Berdyansk and five at Luhansk were destroyed.

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv used the ATACMS to attack Russian airfields in Luhansk region and the port city of Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region on Tuesday.

The Kremlin is yet to react on the reports of the strikes but on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin, whilst in Beijing,&nbsp;called the US delivery of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine "another mistake by the United States."

Also watch |&nbsp;How has Ukraine war impacted Russia's trade? | Trade booms between Russia &amp; China | WION

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-has-ukraine-war-impacted-russias-trade-trade-booms-between-russia-china-wion-648741/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"War is war," Putin said. "And, of course, I have said that [ATACMS] pose a threat. It goes without saying. But what counts most is that they are completely unable to drastically change the situation along the line of contact. It's impossible."

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

According to the British defence officials cited in the Newsweek, it is expected that the losses of the helicopters will impact Moscow's ability to defend its assets in the contested territories and its ongoing scale of offence against Ukraine.

"Given that Russian fixed wing close air support to date has been extremely poor, Russian defensive lines have become increasingly reliant on rotary wing support in the face of the Ukrainian offensive," the ministry's intelligence update said.

"Berdyansk was being used as a primary Forward Operating Base on the southern axis providing both logistics and offensive/defensive capabilities."

"Given the current strain on Russian military production, the confirmed loss of any air frames will be difficult to replace in the short to medium term," the British MOD said.

"This loss will also likely create additional pressure on Russia's pilots and air frames, already almost certainly suffering combat exhaustion and maintenance issues due to the unanticipated protracted campaign," it said.

Moscow has lost 324 of its 899 military helicopters since the beginning of war in Ukraine, according to figures cited by the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces.

(Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia is estimated to have lost 14 helicopters during strikes by Ukraine through the US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) this week, British defence ministry claimed.

Russia is estimated to have lost 14 helicopters during strikes by Ukraine through the US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) this week, British defence ministry claimed. The announcement reflects the game-changer role that the missile system may play for Ukraine, mirroring the successful role played by US-provided Stinger missiles to the Afghan Mujahideen in the 1980s during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The ATACMS and Stinger missiles, however, are two different kind of air weapons but their potential to turn the dynamics of a conflict during a frontline impasse shows initial similarities. ATACMS are capable of reaching targets 100 miles or more away, whereas an FIM-92 Stinger is a human-portable air-defence system that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile. It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles, and from helicopters as the Air-to-Air Stinger. Also read | Ukraine attacks Russian targets with missile system secretly given by the US According to an estimate published by Air Defence Artillery platform, Afghan Mujahideen during the 1980s used Stingers to shoot down 269 aircraft out of 340 engagements, with a 79 per cent success rate. On Friday (Oct 20), the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) said in its intelligence update that while the extent of damage is currently unconfirmed, it is likely nine Russian military helicopters at Berdyansk and five at Luhansk were destroyed. Earlier this week, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv used the ATACMS to attack Russian airfields in Luhansk region and the port city of Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region on Tuesday. The Kremlin is yet to react on the reports of the strikes but on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin, whilst in Beijing, called the US delivery of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine "another mistake by the United States." Also watch | How has Ukraine war impacted Russia's trade? | Trade booms between Russia & China | WION × "War is war," Putin said. "And, of course, I have said that [ATACMS] pose a threat. It goes without saying. But what counts most is that they are completely unable to drastically change the situation along the line of contact. It's impossible." What does it mean? According to the British defence officials cited in the Newsweek, it is expected that the losses of the helicopters will impact Moscow's ability to defend its assets in the contested territories and its ongoing scale of offence against Ukraine. "Given that Russian fixed wing close air support to date has been extremely poor, Russian defensive lines have become increasingly reliant on rotary wing support in the face of the Ukrainian offensive," the ministry's intelligence update said. "Berdyansk was being used as a primary Forward Operating Base on the southern axis providing both logistics and offensive/defensive capabilities." "Given the current strain on Russian military production, the confirmed loss of any air frames will be difficult to replace in the short to medium term," the British MOD said. "This loss will also likely create additional pressure on Russia's pilots and air frames, already almost certainly suffering combat exhaustion and maintenance issues due to the unanticipated protracted campaign," it said. Moscow has lost 324 of its 899 military helicopters since the beginning of war in Ukraine, according to figures cited by the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces. (Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

From Afghanistan to Ukraine: Is US-provided ATACMS leading to Russia's ‘Stinger-missile-moment’ in 2023?

House Republicans have dropped Jim Jordan as speaker nominee, putting themselves back at square one 17 days after previous speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster.

The development is now being described as one of the worst institutional crises that the United States has seen in decades.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jim-jordan-steps-forward-after-stepping-back-to-push-for-house-speaker-again-648995">Jim Jordan moves forward after stepping back, to push for House Speaker again</a>

Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, lost&nbsp;a&nbsp; secret ballot on Friday (Oct 20) after he again failed to secure victory on the House floor on his third attempt.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

On an immediate basis, the US Congress remains dysfunctional enough to not be able to respond to the request by President Joe Biden for $106 billion in emergency funding in military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

<h2>What next?</h2>

Lawmakers cited by AFP&nbsp;claimed that they would&nbsp;hold a "candidate forum" next week to choose a new standard-bearer, with several hopefuls expected to be announced on Sunday.

"We need to come together and figure out who our speaker is going to be," Jim Jordan told reporters as he confirmed the end his of bid.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Republicans complain of rushed process to choose a new speaker

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-republicans-complain-of-rushed-process-to-choose-a-new-speaker-645843/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I'm going to work as hard as I can to help that individual so that we can go help the American people. And I'm also going to get back to work."

A pro-Trump Jordan was defeated by 25 Republican colleagues who joined the Democrats to deny him the speakership for the third time in four days.&nbsp;

<h2>McCarthy's reaction</h2>

"We are in a very bad place right now," McCarthy said after the latest setback, days after predicting that his one-time adversary would win the first ballot.

At least seven of Jordan's colleagues were considering throwing their hat in the ring, reports in the US media said.&nbsp;

Jordan's vote weakened with each successive ballots.

The 59-year-old, when asked&nbsp;about Biden's aid request during a press conference said it was impossible.

"We can't do that -- can't vote on that, can't pass anything in that -- until we get the House open," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

House Republicans have dropped Jim Jordan as speaker nominee, putting themselves back at square one 17 days after previous speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster. The development is now being described as one of the worst institutional crises that the United States has seen in decades.

House Republicans have dropped Jim Jordan as speaker nominee, putting themselves back at square one 17 days after previous speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster. The development is now being described as one of the worst institutional crises that the United States has seen in decades. Also read | Jim Jordan moves forward after stepping back, to push for House Speaker again Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican and chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, lost a secret ballot on Friday (Oct 20) after he again failed to secure victory on the House floor on his third attempt. What does it mean? On an immediate basis, the US Congress remains dysfunctional enough to not be able to respond to the request by President Joe Biden for $106 billion in emergency funding in military aid to Ukraine and Israel. What next? Lawmakers cited by AFP claimed that they would hold a "candidate forum" next week to choose a new standard-bearer, with several hopefuls expected to be announced on Sunday. "We need to come together and figure out who our speaker is going to be," Jim Jordan told reporters as he confirmed the end his of bid. Also watch | US: Republicans complain of rushed process to choose a new speaker × "I'm going to work as hard as I can to help that individual so that we can go help the American people. And I'm also going to get back to work." A pro-Trump Jordan was defeated by 25 Republican colleagues who joined the Democrats to deny him the speakership for the third time in four days. McCarthy's reaction "We are in a very bad place right now," McCarthy said after the latest setback, days after predicting that his one-time adversary would win the first ballot. At least seven of Jordan's colleagues were considering throwing their hat in the ring, reports in the US media said. Jordan's vote weakened with each successive ballots. The 59-year-old, when asked about Biden's aid request during a press conference said it was impossible. "We can't do that -- can't vote on that, can't pass anything in that -- until we get the House open," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jim Jordan no longer speaker nominee for US House of Representatives

Hours after Republican Jim Jordan said he was pausing his bid to be the speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Ohio Congressman said he would push ahead with another vote on his bid to become the House Speaker.

For over two weeks, the US House of Representatives has been without a speaker after the previous speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by conservative Republican members.&nbsp;

"I'm still running for speaker and I plan to go to the floor and get the votes and win this race," Jordan told reporters hours after announcing support for fellow Republican Patrick McHenry.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jim-jordan-suspends-bid-for-us-house-speaker-backs-mchenry-648955">Jim Jordan suspends bid for US House speaker, backs McHenry</a>

Jordan met with some of the 22 fellow Republicans who have voted against him.

"We all told him that we're solid no's. That was the discussion," Republican Representative Vern Buchanan told reporters.

"Now he's got a decision to make."

<h2>Is it Jordan Vs McHenry for US House Speaker?</h2>

According to a Reuters report, some members have suggested a formal vote is not needed to give McHenry expanded powers and believe that the acting speaker position inherently gives him the authority to act.

McHenry has pushed back on that idea.

"If there is some goal to subvert the House rules to give me power without a formal vote, I will not accept it," he told reporters.

Jim Jordan has failed to get enough votes to be the US House speaker twice so far.

Republicans who have voted against Jordan the first two times have predicted he will also fail on a third vote.

They cited differences on taxes and spending and accused him of undercutting the leadership bid of No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise last week.

Representative Drew Ferguson, said in a statement on Thursday: "The House Republican Conference does not need a bully as the speaker."

Jim Jordan has come up as a leader of a hard-right faction of the Republicans on Capitol Hill that has exercised significant influence this year.

Jordan's supporters say that he would be an effective proponent&nbsp;for conservative policies in Washington where Democrats control the Senate and the White House.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Hours after Republican Jim Jordan said he was pausing his bid to be the speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Ohio Congressman said he would push ahead with another vote on his bid to become the House Speaker.

Hours after Republican Jim Jordan said he was pausing his bid to be the speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Ohio Congressman said he would push ahead with another vote on his bid to become the House Speaker. For over two weeks, the US House of Representatives has been without a speaker after the previous speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by conservative Republican members. "I'm still running for speaker and I plan to go to the floor and get the votes and win this race," Jordan told reporters hours after announcing support for fellow Republican Patrick McHenry. Also read | Jim Jordan suspends bid for US House speaker, backs McHenry Jordan met with some of the 22 fellow Republicans who have voted against him. "We all told him that we're solid no's. That was the discussion," Republican Representative Vern Buchanan told reporters. "Now he's got a decision to make." Is it Jordan Vs McHenry for US House Speaker? According to a Reuters report, some members have suggested a formal vote is not needed to give McHenry expanded powers and believe that the acting speaker position inherently gives him the authority to act. McHenry has pushed back on that idea. "If there is some goal to subvert the House rules to give me power without a formal vote, I will not accept it," he told reporters. Jim Jordan has failed to get enough votes to be the US House speaker twice so far. Republicans who have voted against Jordan the first two times have predicted he will also fail on a third vote. They cited differences on taxes and spending and accused him of undercutting the leadership bid of No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise last week. Representative Drew Ferguson, said in a statement on Thursday: "The House Republican Conference does not need a bully as the speaker." Jim Jordan has come up as a leader of a hard-right faction of the Republicans on Capitol Hill that has exercised significant influence this year. Jordan's supporters say that he would be an effective proponent for conservative policies in Washington where Democrats control the Senate and the White House. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jim Jordan moves forward after stepping back, to push for House Speaker again

An explosion was reported at a building on the premises of the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church campus in Gaza City on Thursday (Oct 19) night. The church is one of the oldest in the world.&nbsp;

A person seeking refuge at the church told the Wall Street Journal that about 500 people were sheltering on the church campus, including 80 in the church council where the explosion reportedly occurred.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-israeli-airstrike-or-misfired-islamic-jihad-rocket-what-killed-hundreds-at-gaza-hospital-648159">Video: Israeli airstrike or 'misfired' Islamic Jihad rocket? What killed at least hundreds at Gaza hospital?</a>

The rescuers were reportedly pulling people out of the rubble, many of whom were critically injured.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said that several displaced people who had taken shelter at a church compound were killed and injured after an Israeli strike late Thursday.

The Israeli military told media agencies that it was looking into the incident.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: New details emerge on Gaza hospital blast | Gravitas

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-new-details-emerge-on-gaza-hospital-blast-gravitas-648946/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The strike left a "large number of martyrs and injured" at the compound of a Greek Orthodox church, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said.

Witnesses cited by the AFP said that the strike appeared to have been aimed at a target close to the place of worship where many Gaza residents had taken refuge.

(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

An explosion was reported at a building on the premises of the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church campus in Gaza City on Thursday (Oct 19) night. The church is one of the oldest in the world.

An explosion was reported at a building on the premises of the Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church campus in Gaza City on Thursday (Oct 19) night. The church is one of the oldest in the world. A person seeking refuge at the church told the Wall Street Journal that about 500 people were sheltering on the church campus, including 80 in the church council where the explosion reportedly occurred. Also read | Video: Israeli airstrike or 'misfired' Islamic Jihad rocket? What killed at least hundreds at Gaza hospital? The rescuers were reportedly pulling people out of the rubble, many of whom were critically injured. Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said that several displaced people who had taken shelter at a church compound were killed and injured after an Israeli strike late Thursday. The Israeli military told media agencies that it was looking into the incident. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war: New details emerge on Gaza hospital blast | Gravitas × The strike left a "large number of martyrs and injured" at the compound of a Greek Orthodox church, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said. Witnesses cited by the AFP said that the strike appeared to have been aimed at a target close to the place of worship where many Gaza residents had taken refuge. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel-Hamas war: Many feared dead after explosion rocks one of world's oldest churches in Gaza city

A Mumbai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani has claimed that he used Opposition lawmaker Mahua Moitra's login credentials to question Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on matters related to another businessman Gautam Adani.&nbsp;

Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament for Trinamool Congress (TMC) from West Bengal state's Krishnanagar constituency, was accused by her&nbsp;former personal friend&nbsp;and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and Nishikant Dubey&nbsp;—&nbsp;a&nbsp;lawmaker from PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party&nbsp;— of accepting money and expensive gifts for asking a certain set of questions in Lok Sabha or People's House, the lower house of Indian parliament where the lawmakers are directly elected by the people in general elections.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bjp-mp-claims-mahua-moitra-took-bribes-to-ask-questions-in-parliament-tmc-leader-welcomes-probe-647284">India: BJP MP claims Mahua Moitra took bribes to ask questions in Parliament; TMC leader welcomes probe</a>

The row has come to be known as 'cash for query' controversy in and beyond the corridors of power in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Mahua Moitra has filed a defamation&nbsp;suit before the Delhi High Court against Dehadrai&nbsp;and Dubey.

Hiranandani claimed that Mahua Moitra asked questions related to Gautam Adani at his behest to "malign and embarrass" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Mumbai-based businessman made these claims in a signed affidavit, and added that he used Moitra's parliamentary login credentials after India's state-owned petroleum behemoth Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) booked capacity at the Adani Group-owned Dhamra LNG import facility and not at his firm's planned facility.

<h2>Mahua Moitra 'made frequent demands' for expensive items: Darshan Hiranandani</h2>

Mahua Moitra, Hiranandani&nbsp;claimed, "made frequent demands" for "expensive luxury items, providing support on the renovation of her officially allotted bungalow in Delhi, travel expenses, holidays, etc, apart from providing secretarial and logistical help for her travels within India and to different parts of the world."

Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s complaint has been referred by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Parliament’s Ethics Committee.

Hiranandani said that Mahua Moitra became a "close personal friend" after he met her at the Bengal Global Business Summit 2017.

"Moitra was very ambitious and wanted to make a name for herself at the national level," he said of her winning the Lok Sabha election from Krishnanagar in West Bengal in 2019.

"She was advised by her friends and advisors that the shortest possible route to fame is by personally attacking Modi."

But the prime minister enjoyed "an impeccable reputation and was not giving any opportunity to anyone to attack him in policy, governance or personal conduct," he said.

"As was her want, she thought that the only way to attack Modi is by attacking Gautam Adani and his group as both were contemporaries and they belong to the same state of Gujarat."

Hiranandani said Moitra knew about IOC choosing Dhamra over his company’s LNG terminal.

"Based on this information, Moitra drafted a few questions that would have elements to embarrass the government by targeting the Adani group; questions that she could raise in Parliament."

"She shared with me her email ID as Member of Parliament, so that I could send her information, and she could raise the questions in the Parliament. I went along with her proposal," he claimed.

She "provided me with her Parliament login and password so that I could post the questions directly on her behalf when required."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A Mumbai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani has claimed that he used Opposition lawmaker Mahua Moitra's login credentials to question Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on matters related to another businessman Gautam Adani.

A Mumbai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani has claimed that he used Opposition lawmaker Mahua Moitra's login credentials to question Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on matters related to another businessman Gautam Adani. Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament for Trinamool Congress (TMC) from West Bengal state's Krishnanagar constituency, was accused by her former personal friend and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai and Nishikant Dubey — a lawmaker from PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party — of accepting money and expensive gifts for asking a certain set of questions in Lok Sabha or People's House, the lower house of Indian parliament where the lawmakers are directly elected by the people in general elections. Also read | India: BJP MP claims Mahua Moitra took bribes to ask questions in Parliament; TMC leader welcomes probe The row has come to be known as 'cash for query' controversy in and beyond the corridors of power in New Delhi. Mahua Moitra has filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court against Dehadrai and Dubey. Hiranandani claimed that Mahua Moitra asked questions related to Gautam Adani at his behest to "malign and embarrass" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Mumbai-based businessman made these claims in a signed affidavit, and added that he used Moitra's parliamentary login credentials after India's state-owned petroleum behemoth Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) booked capacity at the Adani Group-owned Dhamra LNG import facility and not at his firm's planned facility. Mahua Moitra 'made frequent demands' for expensive items: Darshan Hiranandani Mahua Moitra, Hiranandani claimed, "made frequent demands" for "expensive luxury items, providing support on the renovation of her officially allotted bungalow in Delhi, travel expenses, holidays, etc, apart from providing secretarial and logistical help for her travels within India and to different parts of the world." Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s complaint has been referred by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Parliament’s Ethics Committee. Hiranandani said that Mahua Moitra became a "close personal friend" after he met her at the Bengal Global Business Summit 2017. "Moitra was very ambitious and wanted to make a name for herself at the national level," he said of her winning the Lok Sabha election from Krishnanagar in West Bengal in 2019. "She was advised by her friends and advisors that the shortest possible route to fame is by personally attacking Modi." But the prime minister enjoyed "an impeccable reputation and was not giving any opportunity to anyone to attack him in policy, governance or personal conduct," he said. "As was her want, she thought that the only way to attack Modi is by attacking Gautam Adani and his group as both were contemporaries and they belong to the same state of Gujarat." Hiranandani said Moitra knew about IOC choosing Dhamra over his company’s LNG terminal. "Based on this information, Moitra drafted a few questions that would have elements to embarrass the government by targeting the Adani group; questions that she could raise in Parliament." "She shared with me her email ID as Member of Parliament, so that I could send her information, and she could raise the questions in the Parliament. I went along with her proposal," he claimed. She "provided me with her Parliament login and password so that I could post the questions directly on her behalf when required." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Cash for query' row: Trouble mounts for MP Mahua Moitra after businessman turns approver

The American troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked in recent days in the wake of regional tensions that erupted following the state of war in Israel that began October 7, the US officials said on Thursday (Oct 19).

The US has deployed its naval power in West Asia&nbsp;in the past two weeks, including two aircraft carriers, other warships and about 2,000 Marine personnel with the objective of bolstering Israel's maritime strength in the region.

<h2>How American troops are being targeted in Iraq and Syria?</h2>

On Wednesday (Oct 18), a drone hit US forces in Syria resulting in minor injuries, while another one was brought down.

During a false alarm at Al Asad airbase in Iraq, a civilian contractor died from a cardiac arrest, news agency AFP reported.

Earlier this week, the American troops reportedly&nbsp;thwarted multiple drones targeting troops in Iraq.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-foils-drone-attack-on-troops-in-iraq-hours-after-gaza-hospital-blast-648377">US foils drone attack on troops in Iraq, hours after Gaza hospital blast</a>

On Thursday, drones and rockets targeted the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts the US and other international forces in western Iraq, and multiple blasts were heard inside the base, the AFP report added.

"While I'm not going to forecast any potential responses to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend US&nbsp;and coalition forces against any threat," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Thursday (Oct 19) during a routine conference with journalists.

Also watch |&nbsp;Turkey proposes own connectivity project with Iraq | Latest News | WION

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-proposes-own-connectivity-project-with-iraq-latest-news-wion-635265/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Any response, should one occur, will come at a time in a manner of our choosing," Ryder said.

An American&nbsp;Navy warship travelling near Yemen on Thursday (Oct 19) intercepted missiles and several drones that were launched by what Ryder said was the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. But the missiles were 'potentially' heading towards Israel.&nbsp;

A destroyer intercepted the three&nbsp;"land-attack cruise missiles and several drones", said a spokesman, while speaking to the&nbsp;reporters. The attack was launched&nbsp;from Yemen and "potentially toward targets in Israel," he added.

The spokesman stated that the missiles were fired from Yemen were the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been fighting&nbsp;with a government backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

According to the spokesman, no US casualties were reported and "we cannot say for certain what these missiles were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen, heading north along the Red Sea."

"Our defensive response was one we would have taken for any similar threat in the region," he said.

"We have the capability to defend our broader interests in the region and to deter regional escalation and broader expansion of the conflict that began with Hamas' attack on Israeli civilians," he added.&nbsp;

Israel has called up a record 360,000 reservists and is intensifying its retaliatory action against Hamas in the thickly-populated Gaza Strip following a brutal attack by the militant group on Israeli civilians on October 7, which killed about 1,400 people, mostly Israeli civilians.

At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed and 12,493 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza, the health ministry in Gaza said.

<h2>Potential link between Israel-Hamas war and attacks on US troops</h2>

Pentagon said he did not see a link between the rise in attacks and the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

"At this point, again, the information that we have does not show a direct connection to the Hamas attacks on October 7," Ryder said.

The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, and 900 more in neighboring Syria, on a mission to&nbsp;assist local forces in combating Islamic State.

Across the region, the scale of Israel's retaliatory action in Israel has stoked massive anti-Israel sentiment. In Iraq, the country's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, last week&nbsp;called on the world to stand up to the "terrible brutality" in Gaza.

In past years, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq regularly targeted US forces in Iraq and the US embassy in Baghdad with rockets.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The American troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked in recent days in the wake of regional tensions that erupted following the state of war in Israel that began October 7, the US officials said on Thursday (Oct 19).

The American troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked in recent days in the wake of regional tensions that erupted following the state of war in Israel that began October 7, the US officials said on Thursday (Oct 19). The US has deployed its naval power in West Asia in the past two weeks, including two aircraft carriers, other warships and about 2,000 Marine personnel with the objective of bolstering Israel's maritime strength in the region. How American troops are being targeted in Iraq and Syria? On Wednesday (Oct 18), a drone hit US forces in Syria resulting in minor injuries, while another one was brought down. During a false alarm at Al Asad airbase in Iraq, a civilian contractor died from a cardiac arrest, news agency AFP reported. Earlier this week, the American troops reportedly thwarted multiple drones targeting troops in Iraq. Also read | US foils drone attack on troops in Iraq, hours after Gaza hospital blast On Thursday, drones and rockets targeted the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts the US and other international forces in western Iraq, and multiple blasts were heard inside the base, the AFP report added. "While I'm not going to forecast any potential responses to these attacks, I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend US and coalition forces against any threat," Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Thursday (Oct 19) during a routine conference with journalists. Also watch | Turkey proposes own connectivity project with Iraq | Latest News | WION × "Any response, should one occur, will come at a time in a manner of our choosing," Ryder said. An American Navy warship travelling near Yemen on Thursday (Oct 19) intercepted missiles and several drones that were launched by what Ryder said was the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. But the missiles were 'potentially' heading towards Israel. A destroyer intercepted the three "land-attack cruise missiles and several drones", said a spokesman, while speaking to the reporters. The attack was launched from Yemen and "potentially toward targets in Israel," he added. The spokesman stated that the missiles were fired from Yemen were the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been fighting with a government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. According to the spokesman, no US casualties were reported and "we cannot say for certain what these missiles were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen, heading north along the Red Sea." "Our defensive response was one we would have taken for any similar threat in the region," he said. "We have the capability to defend our broader interests in the region and to deter regional escalation and broader expansion of the conflict that began with Hamas' attack on Israeli civilians," he added. Israel has called up a record 360,000 reservists and is intensifying its retaliatory action against Hamas in the thickly-populated Gaza Strip following a brutal attack by the militant group on Israeli civilians on October 7, which killed about 1,400 people, mostly Israeli civilians. At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed and 12,493 wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza, the health ministry in Gaza said. Potential link between Israel-Hamas war and attacks on US troops Pentagon said he did not see a link between the rise in attacks and the conflict between Israel and Hamas. "At this point, again, the information that we have does not show a direct connection to the Hamas attacks on October 7," Ryder said. The United States has 2,500 troops in Iraq, and 900 more in neighboring Syria, on a mission to assist local forces in combating Islamic State. Across the region, the scale of Israel's retaliatory action in Israel has stoked massive anti-Israel sentiment. In Iraq, the country's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, last week called on the world to stand up to the "terrible brutality" in Gaza. In past years, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq regularly targeted US forces in Iraq and the US embassy in Baghdad with rockets. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US warship intercepts missiles headed towards Israel; Washington reports attacks on its bases in Iraq, Syria

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Mukul Sharma

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.