In the initial House of Representatives Speaker vote, the assertive right-wing Republican, Jim Jordan&nbsp;— often deemed a Donald Trump ally&nbsp;—&nbsp;fell short of the 217 votes needed for victory.

Jordan secured 200 votes, while 20 of his fellow Republicans voted against him, with all 212 Democrats supporting Hakeem Jeffries.

<h2>State of the US House of Republicans</h2>

As a result of this loss, the House is currently without a speaker&nbsp;since a group of Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy from the position 14 days ago.

<h2>Future of Jim Jordan's candidacy</h2>

The future of Jordan's candidacy remains uncertain since it is unclear how many of his Republican opponents will maintain their stance in subsequent votes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-scalise-republicans-nominate-pro-trump-jim-jordan-for-speaker-of-us-house-646572">US: After Scalise, Republicans nominate pro-Trump Jim Jordan for speaker, hurdles remain</a>

Jordan's victory would, however, make him second in line for the presidency, following the vice president.

<h2>How Jim Jordan is described in Grand Old Party?</h2>

Supporters, like Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, describe Jordan as a "patriot" and an "America First warrior" who prevails in challenging battles.

However, the Republican conference remains divided, with seven Republicans voting for Steve Scalise, six for McCarthy, and a few for other candidates, indicating an ongoing lack of unity&nbsp;within the party.

<h2>What if Jim Jordan fails to get enough votes?</h2>

If Jordan's bid falters, new Republican challengers, including Patrick McHenry and Tom Emmer, could emerge.

Jordan's supporters believe he can effectively advocate for spending cuts and other Republican priorities in negotiations with Democratic President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Republicans complain of rushed process to choose a new speaker

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Democrats strongly oppose Jordan's candidacy and have described him as an extremist who would take orders from former President Donald Trump.

But Jim Jordan's approach to leadership differs significantly from traditional congressional leaders.

With a confrontational style and conservative media presence, he has amplified false election fraud claims, led an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus.

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In the initial House of Representatives Speaker vote, the assertive right-wing Republican, Jim Jordan — often deemed a Donald Trump ally — fell short of the 217 votes needed for victory.

In the initial House of Representatives Speaker vote, the assertive right-wing Republican, Jim Jordan — often deemed a Donald Trump ally — fell short of the 217 votes needed for victory. Jordan secured 200 votes, while 20 of his fellow Republicans voted against him, with all 212 Democrats supporting Hakeem Jeffries. State of the US House of Republicans As a result of this loss, the House is currently without a speaker since a group of Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy from the position 14 days ago. Future of Jim Jordan's candidacy The future of Jordan's candidacy remains uncertain since it is unclear how many of his Republican opponents will maintain their stance in subsequent votes. Also read | US: After Scalise, Republicans nominate pro-Trump Jim Jordan for speaker, hurdles remain Jordan's victory would, however, make him second in line for the presidency, following the vice president. How Jim Jordan is described in Grand Old Party? Supporters, like Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, describe Jordan as a "patriot" and an "America First warrior" who prevails in challenging battles. However, the Republican conference remains divided, with seven Republicans voting for Steve Scalise, six for McCarthy, and a few for other candidates, indicating an ongoing lack of unity within the party. What if Jim Jordan fails to get enough votes? If Jordan's bid falters, new Republican challengers, including Patrick McHenry and Tom Emmer, could emerge. Jordan's supporters believe he can effectively advocate for spending cuts and other Republican priorities in negotiations with Democratic President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Senate. Also watch | US: Republicans complain of rushed process to choose a new speaker × Democrats strongly oppose Jordan's candidacy and have described him as an extremist who would take orders from former President Donald Trump. But Jim Jordan's approach to leadership differs significantly from traditional congressional leaders. With a confrontational style and conservative media presence, he has amplified false election fraud claims, led an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus. 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 House without speaker for third week after pro-Trump Republican Jim Jordan loses first vote

Nearly 500 Palestinians were reported dead in an explosion&nbsp;at a hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, making it the deadliest mass casualty event so far during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7 after the latter launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli civilians.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry claimed that Israeli warplanes bombed the Ahli Baptist hospital in northern Gaza. World Health Organization, while reacting to the mass casualty event at the hospital, later said that the hospital was&nbsp;operational with patients, health and caregivers, and internally displaced people sheltering there.&nbsp;

"The hospital was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military," WHO statement added.&nbsp;

<h2>Gaza Ahli Baptist hospital explosion: Israel's response</h2>

The Israel Defense Forces claimed that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group was responsible for the "failed rocket launch" that struck Gaza's Ahli Baptist hospital.

The IDF said a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel passed near the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza when it was hit.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-500-killed-after-israeli-airstrikes-target-hospital-claims-gaza-health-ministry-648141">Israel-Hamas war: Hundreds killed after deadly explosion at Gaza hospital, Israel denies role</a>

"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," IDF posted on its official&nbsp;Telegram account.

"Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza," it added.

Later, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed&nbsp;the "barbaric terrorists in Gaza" for "attacking" the Ahli Baptist Hospital.&nbsp;

"So that the whole world knows: the barbaric terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF,” Netanyahu said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children," he added.&nbsp; 
 
An Israel-affiliated account on X shared the footage of an explosion seen from inside the Israeli side of the fence, which it said showed the blast at Gaza's Ahli Baptist hospital that killed hundreds.

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Another angle from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israeli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israeli</a> side, showing the failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch which killed hundreds in a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gaza</a> hospital <a href="https://t.co/6M19Z7Hkp2">pic.twitter.com/6M19Z7Hkp2</a>
— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/StandWithUs/status/1714387845949936078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Another video shared by Israel-affiliated official social media accounts&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Israel/status/1714378880713203844?s=20">showed a TV&nbsp;broadcast</a> of the purported launch of a rocket in Gaza, which they said hit the said hospital.

&nbsp;

Later, Israel Defense Forces released the raw footage of a rocket aimed at Israel that reportedly misfired and exploded at 18:59 (local time) -- "the same moment a hospital was hit in Gaza."

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RAW FOOTAGE: A rocket aimed at Israel misfired and exploded at 18:59—the same moment a hospital was hit in Gaza. <a href="https://t.co/Kf5xJazSap">pic.twitter.com/Kf5xJazSap</a>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1714403025136017784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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(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.)

&nbsp;

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Nearly 500 Palestinians were reported dead in an explosion at a hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, making it the deadliest mass casualty event so far during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7 after the latter launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli civilians.

Nearly 500 Palestinians were reported dead in an explosion at a hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, making it the deadliest mass casualty event so far during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7 after the latter launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli civilians. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry claimed that Israeli warplanes bombed the Ahli Baptist hospital in northern Gaza. World Health Organization, while reacting to the mass casualty event at the hospital, later said that the hospital was operational with patients, health and caregivers, and internally displaced people sheltering there. "The hospital was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military," WHO statement added. Gaza Ahli Baptist hospital explosion: Israel's response The Israel Defense Forces claimed that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group was responsible for the "failed rocket launch" that struck Gaza's Ahli Baptist hospital. The IDF said a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel passed near the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza when it was hit. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: Hundreds killed after deadly explosion at Gaza hospital, Israel denies role "An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," IDF posted on its official Telegram account. "Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza," it added. Later, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the "barbaric terrorists in Gaza" for "attacking" the Ahli Baptist Hospital. "So that the whole world knows: the barbaric terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF,” Netanyahu said in a statement. "Whoever brutally murdered our children is also murdering their children," he added. An Israel-affiliated account on X shared the footage of an explosion seen from inside the Israeli side of the fence, which it said showed the blast at Gaza's Ahli Baptist hospital that killed hundreds. Another angle from the #Israeli side, showing the failed Islamic Jihad rocket launch which killed hundreds in a #Gaza hospital pic.twitter.com/6M19Z7Hkp2 — StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 17, 2023 × Another video shared by Israel-affiliated official social media accounts showed a TV broadcast of the purported launch of a rocket in Gaza, which they said hit the said hospital. Later, Israel Defense Forces released the raw footage of a rocket aimed at Israel that reportedly misfired and exploded at 18:59 (local time) -- "the same moment a hospital was hit in Gaza." RAW FOOTAGE: A rocket aimed at Israel misfired and exploded at 18:59—the same moment a hospital was hit in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Kf5xJazSap — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 17, 2023 × (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.

Video: Israeli airstrike or 'misfired' Islamic Jihad rocket? What killed at least 500 at Gaza hospital?

Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said. The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, according to a video shared by the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The deceased individuals have been identified as two Swedish nationals and the incident occurred right before Belgium was set to host Sweden in a Euro 2023 qualifying match on Monday (Oct 17) evening.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/belgium-vs-sweden-euro-qualifier-suspended-after-shooting-incident-in-brussels-647732">Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Who is the suspect?&nbsp;</h2>

A video which surfaced on social media shortly after the incident showed a man in an orange motorbike outfit speaking in Arabic and claiming he carried out the attack in the name of God.&nbsp;

The man described his allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He said in the video that he was targeting Swedes because of their disrespect for the Quran.&nbsp;

The suspect can also be heard saying that he was motivated by the killing of a six-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois. The boy was stabbed to death by his landlord, allegedly because of his religion. The 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba was arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes.

Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claimed that the victims were likely two football supporters. &nbsp;

<img alt="Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on October 16, 2023, after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e12995a6-967a-4af4-aa59-b36bb0546e4b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-17T015842.374.png" />

Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP&nbsp;

Reacting to the shooting incident, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described it as a "harrowing attack".&nbsp;

"I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," De Croo said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners, the fight against terrorism is a joint one."&nbsp;

European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen also slammed the 'despicable' Brussels attack.&nbsp;

"Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels. I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror," Von der Leyen wrote on X.&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron said: "Europe has been shaken."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said.

Two people were killed during a shooting incident in Brussels on Monday (Oct 17) evening and the suspect was on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said. The alleged gunman in a fluorescent orange jacket fled the scene after using an automatic rifle, according to a video shared by the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. The deceased individuals have been identified as two Swedish nationals and the incident occurred right before Belgium was set to host Sweden in a Euro 2023 qualifying match on Monday (Oct 17) evening. Also read | Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels Who is the suspect? A video which surfaced on social media shortly after the incident showed a man in an orange motorbike outfit speaking in Arabic and claiming he carried out the attack in the name of God. The man described his allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. He said in the video that he was targeting Swedes because of their disrespect for the Quran. The suspect can also be heard saying that he was motivated by the killing of a six-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois. The boy was stabbed to death by his landlord, allegedly because of his religion. The 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba was arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes. Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws claimed that the victims were likely two football supporters. Swedish supporters react as they wait in the stand during the Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels after an 'attack' that targeted Swedish citizens in a street of Brussels | AFP Reacting to the shooting incident, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described it as a "harrowing attack". "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight's harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels," De Croo said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners, the fight against terrorism is a joint one." European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen also slammed the 'despicable' Brussels attack. "Tonight, my thoughts are with the families of the two victims of the despicable attack in Brussels. I extend my heartfelt support to the Belgian police, so they swiftly apprehend the suspect. Together, we stand united against terror," Von der Leyen wrote on X. French President Emmanuel Macron said: "Europe has been shaken." (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.

ISIS terrorist kills 2 in Brussels to 'avenge' murder of 6-year-old Illinois boy

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the story disturbing. Discretion is advised.

Hamas released a yet another chilling video of a hostage on their Telegram channel which appears to show a young woman purportedly receiving medical attention from Hamas.

In the video, the girl can be seen receiving medical treatment for what appears to be her broken arm.

“Hi, I'm Mia Shem, 21 years old from Shoham. Currently, I'm in Gaza. I returned early Saturday morning from Sderot; I was at a party. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my hand at the hospital [in Gaza] for 3 hours. They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine. I only ask that they bring me home as soon as possible to my parents, to my siblings. Get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.”

<h2>What Hamas said about the video?</h2>

On the Telegram channel of Hamas, the video comes with a caption, "Mujahideen from the Al-Qassam Brigades provide medical care to a female prisoner in Gaza, who was captured on the first day of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle."

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Hamas releases its first footage of a hostage. The group says it is providing medical treatment to her. Though I think this is a poor attempt to show they are treating the hostages well. The hostage appears to be Israeli. <a href="https://t.co/JDATGYenCr">pic.twitter.com/JDATGYenCr</a>
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeTruzman/status/1714000652807094422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"From the second the reports started I called her cell phone," Israel's Army Radio quoted Mia's mother, Keren Shem, as saying. "And the phone has been ringing for hours, but there's no answer. I demand to know, someone should tell me something. No one has looked for me; we posted on Facebook. I did everything I could to let everyone know that my daughter is missing but no one has contacted me."

Mia's aunt, Galit, was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post: "Today [the family] called me screaming and told me that they see Mia in a video on Telegram. I saw her, and I thought I was dreaming. I finally saw the girl after all this time. She looks hurt and scared but at least she's alive."

"This is a very significant step, and we want our girl at home. We demand that the countries of the free world make sure that she return to us. She was with a very good friend of hers Elya Toledano, and we heard nothing more about him. We want to know he's okay."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trigger-warning-stomach-ripped-open-with-baby-stabbed-israeli-collecting-corpses-recalls-horror-646382">TRIGGER WARNING: ‘Stomach ripped open, unborn baby stabbed’ - Israeli collecting corpses recalls horror</a>

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said that Mia's family had been notified about her abduction by Hamas.&nbsp;

"The IDF is operating with all intelligence and operational means for the return of the hostages," said the IDF.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas War: The Hostage Crisis | What is Israel's plan?

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"In the video, Hamas tries to present itself as a humanitarian organisation while it is a murderous terrorist organisation, responsible for the murders and kidnappings of babies, women, children, and the elderly."

WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

(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.)

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Trigger warning: Some readers may find the story disturbing. Discretion is advised. Hamas released a yet another chilling video of a hostage on their Telegram channel which appears to show a young woman purportedly receiving medical attention from Hamas.

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the story disturbing. Discretion is advised. Hamas released a yet another chilling video of a hostage on their Telegram channel which appears to show a young woman purportedly receiving medical attention from Hamas. In the video, the girl can be seen receiving medical treatment for what appears to be her broken arm. “Hi, I'm Mia Shem, 21 years old from Shoham. Currently, I'm in Gaza. I returned early Saturday morning from Sderot; I was at a party. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my hand at the hospital [in Gaza] for 3 hours. They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine. I only ask that they bring me home as soon as possible to my parents, to my siblings. Get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.” What Hamas said about the video? On the Telegram channel of Hamas, the video comes with a caption, "Mujahideen from the Al-Qassam Brigades provide medical care to a female prisoner in Gaza, who was captured on the first day of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle." Hamas releases its first footage of a hostage. The group says it is providing medical treatment to her. Though I think this is a poor attempt to show they are treating the hostages well. The hostage appears to be Israeli. pic.twitter.com/JDATGYenCr — Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 16, 2023 × "From the second the reports started I called her cell phone," Israel's Army Radio quoted Mia's mother, Keren Shem, as saying. "And the phone has been ringing for hours, but there's no answer. I demand to know, someone should tell me something. No one has looked for me; we posted on Facebook. I did everything I could to let everyone know that my daughter is missing but no one has contacted me." Mia's aunt, Galit, was quoted as saying by The Jerusalem Post: "Today [the family] called me screaming and told me that they see Mia in a video on Telegram. I saw her, and I thought I was dreaming. I finally saw the girl after all this time. She looks hurt and scared but at least she's alive." "This is a very significant step, and we want our girl at home. We demand that the countries of the free world make sure that she return to us. She was with a very good friend of hers Elya Toledano, and we heard nothing more about him. We want to know he's okay." Also read | TRIGGER WARNING: ‘Stomach ripped open, unborn baby stabbed’ - Israeli collecting corpses recalls horror Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces said that Mia's family had been notified about her abduction by Hamas. "The IDF is operating with all intelligence and operational means for the return of the hostages," said the IDF. Also watch | Israel-Hamas War: The Hostage Crisis | What is Israel's plan? × "In the video, Hamas tries to present itself as a humanitarian organisation while it is a murderous terrorist organisation, responsible for the murders and kidnappings of babies, women, children, and the elderly." WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video. (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.

Video: Hamas releases chilling footage of 'hurt and scared' hostage

The Biden administration reached a legal&nbsp;agreement on Monday with more than 4,000 migrants who were separated from their families during&nbsp;Donald&nbsp;Trump's tenure at the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the&nbsp;legal settlement, the families would be allowed&nbsp;to live and work in the US&nbsp;for three years while receiving housing, mental health and legal assistance to apply for asylum.&nbsp;

This move, however,&nbsp;includes limitations on the government's ability to implement similar policies in the future, as part of a resolution to a longstanding court case. 
 
The settlement prohibits the federal government from separating any migrant families crossing the border for eight years unless the parents are considered a danger to their children or the public or they have previously entered the country illegally more than twice. 
&nbsp;

<h2>What is the settlement about?</h2>

Along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Biden administration has proposed a plan to settle a class-action lawsuit related to the Trump-era practice of forcibly separating nearly 4,000 migrant children from their parents near the US-Mexico border.

<h2>What next?</h2>

The settlement, expected to last six years, awaits approval from US District Judge Dana Sabraw, who previously banned such separations in 2018.

If approved, the 46-page settlement agreement, seen by WION, will establish a special process for separated families to request&nbsp;asylum in the United States and significantly restrict the legal grounds for government-sanctioned family separations.

Future separations will only be allowed in rare cases, such as those involving abusive parents or individuals with serious criminal records.

<h2>What is the proposed special asylum process?</h2>

Under the proposed special asylum process, families separated under the previous administration would be able to apply for asylum through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with USCIS considering the trauma caused by the separations when reviewing asylum cases.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-separating-children-from-families-deters-illegal-immigration-171387">Trump says separating children from families deters illegal immigration</a>

The agreement also provides access to government-funded housing benefits, legal counsel, and medical and mental health services for covered families.

<h2>Is there any monetary compensation in the settlement?</h2>

The settlement does not include monetary compensation, as some separated families had sought in federal courts.

The Biden administration initially considered reparations but abandoned the idea due to strong Republican opposition.

Also watch |&nbsp;Republicans open first hearing in Biden impeachment inquiry

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The American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing these families told CBS News that the agreement offers an opportunity for lawful status and prevents a future administration from implementing a similar separation policy.

The ACLU estimates that between 500 and 1,500 migrant children separated during the Trump administration are still apart from their families, with difficulties in tracking them due to insufficient&nbsp;record-keeping at the time.

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The Biden administration reached a legal agreement on Monday with more than 4,000 migrants who were separated from their families during Donald Trump's tenure at the U.

The Biden administration reached a legal agreement on Monday with more than 4,000 migrants who were separated from their families during Donald Trump's tenure at the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the legal settlement, the families would be allowed to live and work in the US for three years while receiving housing, mental health and legal assistance to apply for asylum. This move, however, includes limitations on the government's ability to implement similar policies in the future, as part of a resolution to a longstanding court case. The settlement prohibits the federal government from separating any migrant families crossing the border for eight years unless the parents are considered a danger to their children or the public or they have previously entered the country illegally more than twice. What is the settlement about? Along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Biden administration has proposed a plan to settle a class-action lawsuit related to the Trump-era practice of forcibly separating nearly 4,000 migrant children from their parents near the US-Mexico border. What next? The settlement, expected to last six years, awaits approval from US District Judge Dana Sabraw, who previously banned such separations in 2018. If approved, the 46-page settlement agreement, seen by WION, will establish a special process for separated families to request asylum in the United States and significantly restrict the legal grounds for government-sanctioned family separations. Future separations will only be allowed in rare cases, such as those involving abusive parents or individuals with serious criminal records. What is the proposed special asylum process? Under the proposed special asylum process, families separated under the previous administration would be able to apply for asylum through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with USCIS considering the trauma caused by the separations when reviewing asylum cases. Also read | Trump says separating children from families deters illegal immigration The agreement also provides access to government-funded housing benefits, legal counsel, and medical and mental health services for covered families. Is there any monetary compensation in the settlement? The settlement does not include monetary compensation, as some separated families had sought in federal courts. The Biden administration initially considered reparations but abandoned the idea due to strong Republican opposition. Also watch | Republicans open first hearing in Biden impeachment inquiry × The American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing these families told CBS News that the agreement offers an opportunity for lawful status and prevents a future administration from implementing a similar separation policy. The ACLU estimates that between 500 and 1,500 migrant children separated during the Trump administration are still apart from their families, with difficulties in tracking them due to insufficient record-keeping at the time. 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.

Biden administration reaches deal with migrants separated from their families under Trump rule

A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case.

The gag order was imposed by the US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The order is a pivotal development in the federal case which accuses Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

The gag order also underscores the complexities of prosecuting a Republican presidential front-runner who has made attacking the case central to his campaign.

<h2>Why gag order against Donald Trump?</h2>

Special counsel Jack Smith's team had expressed concerns about Trump's statements that allegedly disparaged prosecutors, the judge, and potential witnesses.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slapped-with-gag-order-after-rebuking-judges-clerk-in-social-media-post-642385">Trump slapped with gag order after rebuking Judge's clerk in social media post</a>

They argued that such comments risked diluting public confidence in the justice system and could intimidate witnesses and potential jurors.

<h2>What did Judge Chutkan say?</h2>

Chutkan clarified that Trump remains free to criticise the Justice Department generally and express his belief that the case is politically motivated.&nbsp;

She, however, added that the former president cannot engage in a "smear campaign" against prosecutors and court personnel, as no other criminal defendant would be permitted to do so.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Trump civil fraud trial continues in New York

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"No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case," she said.

Responding to Trump's lawyers saying that the proposed order is a violation of First Amendment Rights,&nbsp;Judge Chutkan said: "You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn't," Chutkan said, according to the TIME magazine. "We are not talking about censorship here. We are talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case."

<h2>Trump's response</h2>

At the time of filing this report, Trump himself had not reacted to the development related to the gag order imposed on him.

Trump’s lawyer John Lauro accused prosecutors of "seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign." But Judge Tanya reportedly interrupted by stating that Trump "does not have a right to say and do exactly as he pleases."

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A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case.

A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case. The gag order was imposed by the US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan. What does it mean? The order is a pivotal development in the federal case which accuses Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The gag order also underscores the complexities of prosecuting a Republican presidential front-runner who has made attacking the case central to his campaign. Why gag order against Donald Trump? Special counsel Jack Smith's team had expressed concerns about Trump's statements that allegedly disparaged prosecutors, the judge, and potential witnesses. Also read | Trump slapped with gag order after rebuking Judge's clerk in social media post They argued that such comments risked diluting public confidence in the justice system and could intimidate witnesses and potential jurors. What did Judge Chutkan say? Chutkan clarified that Trump remains free to criticise the Justice Department generally and express his belief that the case is politically motivated. She, however, added that the former president cannot engage in a "smear campaign" against prosecutors and court personnel, as no other criminal defendant would be permitted to do so. Also watch | US: Trump civil fraud trial continues in New York × "No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case," she said. Responding to Trump's lawyers saying that the proposed order is a violation of First Amendment Rights, Judge Chutkan said: "You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn't," Chutkan said, according to the TIME magazine. "We are not talking about censorship here. We are talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case." Trump's response At the time of filing this report, Trump himself had not reacted to the development related to the gag order imposed on him. Trump’s lawyer John Lauro accused prosecutors of "seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign." But Judge Tanya reportedly interrupted by stating that Trump "does not have a right to say and do exactly as he pleases." 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.

Trump slapped with gag order in 2020 election subversion case

Top 10 Universities in the United States in 2023

8. Northwestern University (Illinois)   

Top 6 Teams With Most Sixes in ODI World Cup 2023

4. California Institute of Technology (California)

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts)

The Group F European qualifier match between&nbsp;Belgium&nbsp;and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-two-killed-in-shooting-incident-in-brussels-suspect-on-run-647715">Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels</a>

Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half.

"Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned," UEFA said on its website.

Sweden's football association said Belgian police had told supporters "to stay in the arena for security reasons".

Two Swedish nationals were shot dead by a suspect who remains at large, in an attack the Belgian prime minister described as "terrorism".

Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing the jersey of the Sweden national team.

"Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels," a Swedish FA social media post said.

The Belgian national team's account wrote: "Our thoughts are with all those affected."

Belgium, who had already qualified for next year's tournament, had equalised through a Romelu Lukaku penalty after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden before the match was halted with the score at 1-1.

Belgian media reported that the Swedish players did not want to continue the game after learning of the attack.

Austria had earlier Monday become the eighth team to book their place at the finals in Germany courtesy of a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan in the other Group F game.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for Ralf Rangnick's side.

<h2>Perfect Portugal</h2>

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to maintain their perfect record in Group J.

Ronaldo, 38, extended his men's record international goals tally to 127 after an early penalty was followed by a deft chip that doubled the lead for Portugal in Zenica.

Bruno Fernandes hammered in a third and Joao Cancelo supplied a brilliant finish of his own, with Joao Felix making it five before half-time.

Portugal clinched first place with two games remaining and have scored 32 times and conceded just twice -- both in Friday's 3-2 win over Slovakia which secured qualification.

Slovakia solidified their grip on second place with a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice for Iceland as they stayed in contention with a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein.

Virgil van Dijk converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn the Netherlands a crucial 1-0 victory away to Greece in Group B.

Wout Weghorst had a first-half spot-kick saved for the Dutch in Athens, but Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no mistake after a foul on Denzel Dumfries.

The Netherlands drew level on 12 points with Greece and have the head-to-head advantage after beating them home and away. Ronald Koeman's team also have a game in hand on their rivals as they bid to wrap up second behind group winners France.

Brighton's rising 18-year-old star Evan Ferguson was among the scorers as the Republic of Ireland dispatched Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal.

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This is a breaking story. More information will be added soon/&nbsp;

The Group F European qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead. Also read | Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half.

The Group F European qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at half-time on Monday after an attack in Brussels left two dead. Also read | Belgian PM evokes 'fight against terrorism' after shooting incident killed two in Brussels Spectators at the King Baudouin stadium in the Belgian capital were told to remain inside the ground following an announcement that the players would not return for the second half. "Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned," UEFA said on its website. Sweden's football association said Belgian police had told supporters "to stay in the arena for security reasons". Two Swedish nationals were shot dead by a suspect who remains at large, in an attack the Belgian prime minister described as "terrorism". Several Belgian media outlets said the two individuals killed were wearing the jersey of the Sweden national team. "Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels," a Swedish FA social media post said. The Belgian national team's account wrote: "Our thoughts are with all those affected." Belgium, who had already qualified for next year's tournament, had equalised through a Romelu Lukaku penalty after Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden before the match was halted with the score at 1-1. Belgian media reported that the Swedish players did not want to continue the game after learning of the attack. Austria had earlier Monday become the eighth team to book their place at the finals in Germany courtesy of a 1-0 win in Azerbaijan in the other Group F game. Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored a penalty three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute for Ralf Rangnick's side. Perfect Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0 to maintain their perfect record in Group J. Ronaldo, 38, extended his men's record international goals tally to 127 after an early penalty was followed by a deft chip that doubled the lead for Portugal in Zenica. Bruno Fernandes hammered in a third and Joao Cancelo supplied a brilliant finish of his own, with Joao Felix making it five before half-time. Portugal clinched first place with two games remaining and have scored 32 times and conceded just twice -- both in Friday's 3-2 win over Slovakia which secured qualification. Slovakia solidified their grip on second place with a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored twice for Iceland as they stayed in contention with a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein. Virgil van Dijk converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn the Netherlands a crucial 1-0 victory away to Greece in Group B. Wout Weghorst had a first-half spot-kick saved for the Dutch in Athens, but Liverpool defender Van Dijk made no mistake after a foul on Denzel Dumfries. The Netherlands drew level on 12 points with Greece and have the head-to-head advantage after beating them home and away. Ronald Koeman's team also have a game in hand on their rivals as they bid to wrap up second behind group winners France. Brighton's rising 18-year-old star Evan Ferguson was among the scorers as the Republic of Ireland dispatched Gibraltar 4-0 in Portugal. 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. This is a breaking story. More information will be added soon/

Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier suspended after shooting incident in Brussels

US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday (Oct 18)&nbsp;following the Hamas attacks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in Israel himself,&nbsp;announced on October 17.

"The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said early Tuesday after overnight talks in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-hamas-releases-chilling-footage-of-hurt-and-scared-hostage-647745">Video: Hamas releases chilling footage of 'hurt and scared' hostage</a>

Biden's scheduled visit coincides with a&nbsp;deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Israel's preparations for a potential ground assault against Hamas.

This assault has been described&nbsp;by the American and Israeli officials in and beyond Washington and Tel Aviv&nbsp;as the most devastating attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

President Biden's primary objective is to convey unequivocal support for Israel amid its ongoing state of war with Hamas.

His Democratic administration has committed to supplying military aid, including deploying US carriers and delivering assistance to the region.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Gaza's spiralling humanitarian crisis

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They have expressed their intent to seek over $2 billion in additional aid from the US Congress, designated initially just for Ukraine (amid its ongoing war with Russia).

<h2>Biden's expected visit to include interactions with leaders from across West Asia</h2>

Blinken's announcement followed a marathon of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other prominent Israeli officials.

Additionally, it was announced in Washington that President Biden would extend his travels to Jordan for meetings with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

President Biden had initially slated a visit to Pueblo, Colorado, for Monday, the Associated Press reported.

Biden instead&nbsp;opted to postpone the trip to engage in consultations with his advisors and engage in discussions with fellow global leaders regarding the evolving situation in West Asia.

After more than 1,300 Israelis were killed in an unprecedented attack by Hamas during the Oct 7-8 weekend, the retaliatory action from Israel has claimed the lives of over 2,800 Palestinians,&nbsp;an overwhelming of them in the Gaza Strip from where Hamas operates.

(With inputs from agencies)

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US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday (Oct 18) following the Hamas attacks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in Israel himself, announced on October 17.

US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday (Oct 18) following the Hamas attacks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in Israel himself, announced on October 17. "The president will reaffirm United States solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security," Blinken said early Tuesday after overnight talks in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Also read | Video: Hamas releases chilling footage of 'hurt and scared' hostage Biden's scheduled visit coincides with a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Israel's preparations for a potential ground assault against Hamas. This assault has been described by the American and Israeli officials in and beyond Washington and Tel Aviv as the most devastating attack on Jews since the Holocaust. What does it mean? President Biden's primary objective is to convey unequivocal support for Israel amid its ongoing state of war with Hamas. His Democratic administration has committed to supplying military aid, including deploying US carriers and delivering assistance to the region. Also watch | Israel-Hamas war: Gaza's spiralling humanitarian crisis × They have expressed their intent to seek over $2 billion in additional aid from the US Congress, designated initially just for Ukraine (amid its ongoing war with Russia). Biden's expected visit to include interactions with leaders from across West Asia Blinken's announcement followed a marathon of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other prominent Israeli officials. Additionally, it was announced in Washington that President Biden would extend his travels to Jordan for meetings with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. President Biden had initially slated a visit to Pueblo, Colorado, for Monday, the Associated Press reported. Biden instead opted to postpone the trip to engage in consultations with his advisors and engage in discussions with fellow global leaders regarding the evolving situation in West Asia. After more than 1,300 Israelis were killed in an unprecedented attack by Hamas during the Oct 7-8 weekend, the retaliatory action from Israel has claimed the lives of over 2,800 Palestinians, an overwhelming of them in the Gaza Strip from where Hamas operates. (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.

Israel-Hamas war: US President Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday, says Secy of State Blinken

A half marathon, conventionally a 13 miles cumulative run, often morphs into an event that brings a megacity together. On a mildly chilly morning of October 15, if you had stepped inside the packed premises of New Delhi's Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) stadium, the demographic diversity of the world's largest democracy would have made you 'Run For Zero Hunger', the stated aim of this year's New Delhi Half Marathon.

More than 35,000 runners, from India and the rest of the world, made it to the Half Marathon. Each kilometre of run translated into one-square meal in about 6,000 the state-of-the-art aanganwadis — India's flagship rural mother and childcare centres operated by Vedanta, the half marathon's organisers,&nbsp;as Nand Ghars. It is&nbsp;part of mining multinational's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in 14 states across India.

More than 1.3 million aanganwadis are operated across India with an aim to combat rural malnourishment. According to India's annual national budget for 2023-24, ₹25,449 crore ($3.05bn)&nbsp;were allocated to the state-sponsored scheme that focuses on revitalisation of Aanganwadis. The New Delhi Half Marathon raised over 5 million meals, coinciding with its stated goal of 'Run For Zero Hunger'.

Inside the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium (JLN), WION saw reflections of fitness emerging as a defining lifestyle constituent for scores of Indians, whose dietary choices are often eclipsed by a spoilt ensemble of junk food in and beyond what is eaten at some of the capital's famous streets.

"I am running for the third time in this half marathon. I am a fitness freak, so I am here to run for every mile that would count," Shweta Katheriya, who held a flag stating the hashtag 'Grow To Give' at the marathon, told WION.&nbsp;<img alt="From Left to Right: Shweta Katheria, Rishabh Gupta and Hanning | WION/Mukul Sharma" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da904064-4e04-4270-97aa-7cf6f1fae390" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-16%20at%2011.54.34.jpeg" />

From Left to Right: Shweta Katheria, Rishabh Gupta and Hanning | WION/Mukul Sharma

Besides Shweta&nbsp;stood Rishabh Gupta, who was on top of his adrenaline&nbsp;right before starting his 5K run. As Shweta cheered "How's the Josh?" — a catchphrase associated with a 2016 military-themed Hindi&nbsp;blockbuster in which Josh translates into fervour — Gupta responded while raising his fist in the air, "The josh is very high."

Close by Shweta and Rishabh, stood Hanning, a German national. "I am really excited to be running my first marathon in Delhi," Hanning told WION.

The marathon had scores of individuals as well as organisations, who participated in the run for various stated causes. Among them, was Sudhir Anand, and his group of 'flag runners' who always run with Indian tricolour&nbsp;as they run to express their&nbsp;pride in India's culture.&nbsp;

<img alt="Sudhir Anand (Centre) with his group of 'flag runners' at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Oct 15, 2023" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cb60e7cb-3926-47ff-bafe-79b1f0d201e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-16%20at%2012.00.20.jpeg" />

Sudhir Anand (Centre) with his group of 'flag runners' at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Oct 15, 2023 | WION/Mukul Sharma

Not far from the flag runners, stood Vikrant Kamboj and his group of colleagues from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).&nbsp;

"Every one should run and keep a track of their fitness. This is what we are here for," Kamboj said, while standing beside his colleagues Vikas and Paramjeet.&nbsp;<img alt="Vikrant Kamboj, Vikas Kamboj, Paramjeet Singh and Pinky Sharma | WION/Mukul Sharma" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b14f4c5-b601-4abc-90c1-6ae8b6251ed9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-10-16%20at%2012.08.58.jpeg" />

Vikrant Kamboj, Vikas Kamboj, Paramjeet Singh and Pinky Sharma | WION/Mukul Sharma

"My first marathon was last year which I completed in two hours and ten minutes. This time, I was targeting two hours but I did it in one hour and fifty six minutes. So I am really proud of myself," said a victorious Pinky Sharma, while sitting on a mat at conclusive resting point of the marathon.

On the sidelines, a number of cultural events in the form of street plays reflected the concern of citizens on prevailing issues for the capital and the country. "Prioritise your mental health," said a poster wore across by a young girl.&nbsp;

A phrase on the costume of a girl who played the role of a polluted river symbolic of River Yamuna read, "Be a part of the solution, not pollution."

<img alt="Delhi Half Marathon 2023" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a50c8d06-c788-4d4f-857e-b9f703a46940" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-16T121513.194.png" />

A 14-year-old Yuvraj, showed the glimpse of 'Progressive India' with Indian space program's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-3-is-a-success-a-soft-landing-for-vikram-lander-a-giant-leap-for-indias-space-odyssey-628404">Chandrayaan glory</a>, hailing its chief architects, especially the late scientist-president of India <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cast-from-the-past-when-dr-abdul-kalam-proposed-why-not-land-on-moon-628485">Dr APJ Abdul Kalam</a>. Yuvraj's performance coincided with Kalam's&nbsp;92nd birth anniversary.

<blockquote>
As a coincidence, this presentation on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/isro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#isro</a> by the young man clad in a space suit, is happening on what is the 92nd birth anniversary of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DrAPJAbdulKalam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DrAPJAbdulKalam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/space?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#space</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/science?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#science</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tech?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tech</a> 🇮🇳🚀🇮🇳 
 
Thanks for sharing this.. <a href="https://t.co/sBsndo7S6S">https://t.co/sBsndo7S6S</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1713434758812958963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2023</a></blockquote>

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"He started his journey on a bicycle with one dream in his eyes: to be in space," said Yuvraj from a stage. Calling upon Delhiites, Yuvraj drew the lesson from Kalam's life. "Don't be helpless before the challenges. Choose struggle for the flight of your dreams."

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A half marathon, conventionally a 13 miles cumulative run, often morphs into an event that brings a megacity together. On a mildly chilly morning of October 15, if you had stepped inside the packed premises of New Delhi's Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) stadium, the demographic diversity of the world's largest democracy would have made you 'Run For Zero Hunger', the stated aim of this year's New Delhi Half Marathon.

A half marathon, conventionally a 13 miles cumulative run, often morphs into an event that brings a megacity together. On a mildly chilly morning of October 15, if you had stepped inside the packed premises of New Delhi's Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) stadium, the demographic diversity of the world's largest democracy would have made you 'Run For Zero Hunger', the stated aim of this year's New Delhi Half Marathon. More than 35,000 runners, from India and the rest of the world, made it to the Half Marathon. Each kilometre of run translated into one-square meal in about 6,000 the state-of-the-art aanganwadis — India's flagship rural mother and childcare centres operated by Vedanta, the half marathon's organisers, as Nand Ghars. It is part of mining multinational's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in 14 states across India. More than 1.3 million aanganwadis are operated across India with an aim to combat rural malnourishment. According to India's annual national budget for 2023-24, ₹25,449 crore ($3.05bn) were allocated to the state-sponsored scheme that focuses on revitalisation of Aanganwadis. The New Delhi Half Marathon raised over 5 million meals, coinciding with its stated goal of 'Run For Zero Hunger'. Inside the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium (JLN), WION saw reflections of fitness emerging as a defining lifestyle constituent for scores of Indians, whose dietary choices are often eclipsed by a spoilt ensemble of junk food in and beyond what is eaten at some of the capital's famous streets. "I am running for the third time in this half marathon. I am a fitness freak, so I am here to run for every mile that would count," Shweta Katheriya, who held a flag stating the hashtag 'Grow To Give' at the marathon, told WION. From Left to Right: Shweta Katheria, Rishabh Gupta and Hanning | WION/Mukul Sharma Besides Shweta stood Rishabh Gupta, who was on top of his adrenaline right before starting his 5K run. As Shweta cheered "How's the Josh?" — a catchphrase associated with a 2016 military-themed Hindi blockbuster in which Josh translates into fervour — Gupta responded while raising his fist in the air, "The josh is very high." Close by Shweta and Rishabh, stood Hanning, a German national. "I am really excited to be running my first marathon in Delhi," Hanning told WION. The marathon had scores of individuals as well as organisations, who participated in the run for various stated causes. Among them, was Sudhir Anand, and his group of 'flag runners' who always run with Indian tricolour as they run to express their pride in India's culture. Sudhir Anand (Centre) with his group of 'flag runners' at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Oct 15, 2023 | WION/Mukul Sharma Not far from the flag runners, stood Vikrant Kamboj and his group of colleagues from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). "Every one should run and keep a track of their fitness. This is what we are here for," Kamboj said, while standing beside his colleagues Vikas and Paramjeet. Vikrant Kamboj, Vikas Kamboj, Paramjeet Singh and Pinky Sharma | WION/Mukul Sharma "My first marathon was last year which I completed in two hours and ten minutes. This time, I was targeting two hours but I did it in one hour and fifty six minutes. So I am really proud of myself," said a victorious Pinky Sharma, while sitting on a mat at conclusive resting point of the marathon. On the sidelines, a number of cultural events in the form of street plays reflected the concern of citizens on prevailing issues for the capital and the country. "Prioritise your mental health," said a poster wore across by a young girl. A phrase on the costume of a girl who played the role of a polluted river symbolic of River Yamuna read, "Be a part of the solution, not pollution." A 14-year-old Yuvraj, showed the glimpse of 'Progressive India' with Indian space program's Chandrayaan glory, hailing its chief architects, especially the late scientist-president of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Yuvraj's performance coincided with Kalam's 92nd birth anniversary. As a coincidence, this presentation on #isro by the young man clad in a space suit, is happening on what is the 92nd birth anniversary of #DrAPJAbdulKalam #india #space #science #tech 🇮🇳🚀🇮🇳 Thanks for sharing this.. https://t.co/sBsndo7S6S — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) October 15, 2023 × "He started his journey on a bicycle with one dream in his eyes: to be in space," said Yuvraj from a stage. Calling upon Delhiites, Yuvraj drew the lesson from Kalam's life. "Don't be helpless before the challenges. Choose struggle for the flight of your dreams." 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.

New Delhi Half Marathon: 35,000 people run in Indian capital to score for zero hunger

Amid the onslaught of stories of death, deception and brutalities by Hamas terrorists in Israel, this journalist texted one of the survivors of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-israelis-massacred-at-music-festival-644670">Re'im music festival massacre</a>. The event targeted by Hamas on October 7 was an open-air psychedelic trance festival, organised to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, near the Re'im kibbutz area close to Gaza Strip.

According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists emerged from pickup trucks bearing Hamas military markings. Some landed on paragliders.&nbsp;

In the indiscriminate shooting that followed, about 260 were killed.&nbsp;

Young women were sexually assaulted. Several kidnapped.

In the visuals released online later by Hamas-affiliated social media accounts, one could see women paraded through streets, blood streaming down from between their legs.

"Hamas must be erased from this world. Since the end of Nazism, there was never a thing as evil as them," Guy Danon, one of the survivors of the music festival massacre, told me over Instagram.&nbsp;

"Palestine deserves to live peacefully and free from Hamas," Danon added.&nbsp;

Hours before texting Danon, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-teen-survives-hamas-gunfire-after-parents-die-shielding-him-with-their-bodies-645633">a story of Israeli musician parents killed while shielding their son from Hamas' onslaught</a>, was among the most read news items on the WION website.&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/10/12/385678-untitled-design-2023-10-12t065244125.png?imwidth=1920" />

Shlomi Mathias (R) plays the guitar as his wife, Debbie ‘Shahar’ Mathias, laughs next to him. The two died while shielding their son Rotem (16) from Hamas' gunfire | AP 
 
They were the family of a music teacher father and singer-songwriter mother, who had plans to attend a Bruno Mars concert in Tel Aviv the following day. The 16-year-old Rotem Mathias survived as his parents' bodies acted as shields to keep him alive amid a barrage of gunfire from Hamas terrorists.

These stories of survival reflect how the legitimate cause of a sovereign Palestinian homeland is losing the perception battle, courtesy the indiscriminate onslaught by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians, from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-vs-hamas-claims-of-beheaded-israeli-babies-at-massacre-site-create-shockwaves-645154">babies to youngsters</a> to the elderly.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-vs-hamas-claims-of-beheaded-israeli-babies-at-massacre-site-create-shockwaves-645154">Israel Vs Hamas: Reports of Israeli babies being massacred create shockwaves</a>

The retaliation from Israel has been deemed as disproportionate by many in and beyond West Asia, with scores of civilians in Gaza becoming nothing but collateral damage in hardliner Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign to decimate Hamas.&nbsp;

As India has often said, albeit in a different context related to its persistent tensions with Pakistan, terror and talks cannot occur side by side. Hamas, after morphing itself from a quasi-militant-political outfit into a full-fledged terror machine, is simply settling the score of an ethno-religious rivalry with a territorially assertive Jewish state.&nbsp;

As an outgrowth of Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch, Hamas has been the de-facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007 when it ousted the Palestinian Authority from power. Since then, a total of seven reconciliation efforts have failed. Gaza faces blockade from both Israel and Egypt due to purported security concerns.

This is exactly why Palestinians should decouple the movement for homeland from terrorism perpetrated by the likes of Hamas.

For the state of Palestine to exist, the proxies of terror such as Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah must be de-legitimised, dismantled and decimated.&nbsp;

The latter two actions -- dismantling and decimation -- may partly occur by the actions of its primary victim (which in this case is Israel) but the act of de-legitimising terror for the pursuance of territorial sovereignty must take place from the side of Palestinians themselves.&nbsp;

While the Arab Spring of 2010s inspired pro-democracy demonstrations in both the West Bank and Gaza by Palestinians fed up with the years-long strife between Hamas and Fatah factions, the latter was virtually expelled from Gaza after Hamas ousted them in 2007 in a virtual coup.&nbsp;

In March 2018, Hamas was accused by Palestinian Authority of leading an assassination attempt on the then-Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.&nbsp;

With Hamas occupying the centre of Israel-Palestine conflict, the absence of a political process to achieve a viable two-state solution continues to be the biggest impediment to the peaceful settlement of the Palestine question.&nbsp;

For the scope of that settlement to emerge, Israel must win its war against terror in Gaza.

One may call Israel an occupying force, and list out all the occasions when its security forces targeted innocent Palestinian civilians. But all that amounted to nothing on a Saturday morning of mayhem, when visuals of youth running helter-skelter from the music festival amid the reign of terror shook the conscience of the world.

No Hamas, you don't attack a music festival to get support for your cause. You don't destroy unarmed families cowering in fear to legitimise your methods.

<img alt="Israel Vs Hamas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc3e419c-7427-4328-bb91-8a768e7dfb26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-10-13T204713.864.png" />

Children watch as civil defence responders search for victims in the rubble of a building after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 13, 2023 | AFP

Because today's internet-mediated wars are not just about weapons. It's about perception.

And you, Hamas, have destroyed the aspirations of millions of Palestinians, and legitimised the ongoing counter-assault by Israel, giving it a free cheque in the eyes of international community, to avenge your blood-thirsty rampage.

October 7 was your miscalculation.&nbsp;

It might end your history as a player in the Palestinian question.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

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Amid the onslaught of stories of death, deception and brutalities by Hamas terrorists in Israel, this journalist texted one of the survivors of the Re'im music festival massacre.

Amid the onslaught of stories of death, deception and brutalities by Hamas terrorists in Israel, this journalist texted one of the survivors of the Re'im music festival massacre. The event targeted by Hamas on October 7 was an open-air psychedelic trance festival, organised to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, near the Re'im kibbutz area close to Gaza Strip. According to eyewitnesses, the terrorists emerged from pickup trucks bearing Hamas military markings. Some landed on paragliders. In the indiscriminate shooting that followed, about 260 were killed. Young women were sexually assaulted. Several kidnapped. In the visuals released online later by Hamas-affiliated social media accounts, one could see women paraded through streets, blood streaming down from between their legs. "Hamas must be erased from this world. Since the end of Nazism, there was never a thing as evil as them," Guy Danon, one of the survivors of the music festival massacre, told me over Instagram. "Palestine deserves to live peacefully and free from Hamas," Danon added. Hours before texting Danon, a story of Israeli musician parents killed while shielding their son from Hamas' onslaught, was among the most read news items on the WION website. Shlomi Mathias (R) plays the guitar as his wife, Debbie ‘Shahar’ Mathias, laughs next to him. The two died while shielding their son Rotem (16) from Hamas' gunfire | AP They were the family of a music teacher father and singer-songwriter mother, who had plans to attend a Bruno Mars concert in Tel Aviv the following day. The 16-year-old Rotem Mathias survived as his parents' bodies acted as shields to keep him alive amid a barrage of gunfire from Hamas terrorists. These stories of survival reflect how the legitimate cause of a sovereign Palestinian homeland is losing the perception battle, courtesy the indiscriminate onslaught by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians, from babies to youngsters to the elderly. Also read | Israel Vs Hamas: Reports of Israeli babies being massacred create shockwaves The retaliation from Israel has been deemed as disproportionate by many in and beyond West Asia, with scores of civilians in Gaza becoming nothing but collateral damage in hardliner Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign to decimate Hamas. As India has often said, albeit in a different context related to its persistent tensions with Pakistan, terror and talks cannot occur side by side. Hamas, after morphing itself from a quasi-militant-political outfit into a full-fledged terror machine, is simply settling the score of an ethno-religious rivalry with a territorially assertive Jewish state. As an outgrowth of Muslim Brotherhood's Palestinian branch, Hamas has been the de-facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since 2007 when it ousted the Palestinian Authority from power. Since then, a total of seven reconciliation efforts have failed. Gaza faces blockade from both Israel and Egypt due to purported security concerns. This is exactly why Palestinians should decouple the movement for homeland from terrorism perpetrated by the likes of Hamas. For the state of Palestine to exist, the proxies of terror such as Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah must be de-legitimised, dismantled and decimated. The latter two actions -- dismantling and decimation -- may partly occur by the actions of its primary victim (which in this case is Israel) but the act of de-legitimising terror for the pursuance of territorial sovereignty must take place from the side of Palestinians themselves. While the Arab Spring of 2010s inspired pro-democracy demonstrations in both the West Bank and Gaza by Palestinians fed up with the years-long strife between Hamas and Fatah factions, the latter was virtually expelled from Gaza after Hamas ousted them in 2007 in a virtual coup. In March 2018, Hamas was accused by Palestinian Authority of leading an assassination attempt on the then-Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. With Hamas occupying the centre of Israel-Palestine conflict, the absence of a political process to achieve a viable two-state solution continues to be the biggest impediment to the peaceful settlement of the Palestine question. For the scope of that settlement to emerge, Israel must win its war against terror in Gaza. One may call Israel an occupying force, and list out all the occasions when its security forces targeted innocent Palestinian civilians. But all that amounted to nothing on a Saturday morning of mayhem, when visuals of youth running helter-skelter from the music festival amid the reign of terror shook the conscience of the world. No Hamas, you don't attack a music festival to get support for your cause. You don't destroy unarmed families cowering in fear to legitimise your methods. Children watch as civil defence responders search for victims in the rubble of a building after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on October 13, 2023 | AFP Because today's internet-mediated wars are not just about weapons. It's about perception. And you, Hamas, have destroyed the aspirations of millions of Palestinians, and legitimised the ongoing counter-assault by Israel, giving it a free cheque in the eyes of international community, to avenge your blood-thirsty rampage. October 7 was your miscalculation. It might end your history as a player in the Palestinian question. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) 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.

No Hamas, you don't attack a music fest: Palestinians lost perception war with reign of terror

Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections.

<h2>Australia's Indigenous referendum</h2>

Deemed "historic", the referendum on rights and recognition for Indigenous citizens, will result in almost 18 million Australians casting their ballots for or against constitutional changes to acknowledge Indigenous peoples for the first time and create an advisory body -- a so-called &nbsp;"Voice" -- to weigh laws that affect those communities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-australias-historic-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-proposal-why-it-might-get-rejected-646071">Explained | What is Australia’s historic Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal? Why it might get rejected?</a>

Opinion polls showed limited optimism for these reforms, with recent surveys indicating that the "yes" camp has support slightly above 40 per cent, while the "no" side approaches 60 per cent.

Australia's Indigenous population, with a heritage spanning over 60,000 years on the continent, comprises just 3.8 per cent of the total population.

However, the indigenous people have experienced persistent inequality since white settlement more than two centuries ago.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face higher rates of illness, imprisonment, and premature mortality compared to their more affluent white compatriots.

Advocates argue that these reforms are necessary to address these disparities.&nbsp;

<h2>Elections in New Zealand</h2>

Meanwhile, New Zealand's general election started on Saturday, where Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is seeking a third term for his center-left Labour party.

Hipkins assumed leadership in January, succeeding the popular&nbsp;Jacinda Ardern.

His Labour party is competing against the opposition, led by Christopher Luxon and the conservative National Party.

Also watch |&nbsp;New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins: No risk to national security

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The country maintains strict election-day laws governing media reporting and political campaigning to prevent undue influence on voters.

Exit polls are not allowed, leaving the electorate to await early results after polling stations close. Approximately 3.5 million people are registered to vote, with around 1.2 million having already cast their ballots.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections.

Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections. Australia's Indigenous referendum Deemed "historic", the referendum on rights and recognition for Indigenous citizens, will result in almost 18 million Australians casting their ballots for or against constitutional changes to acknowledge Indigenous peoples for the first time and create an advisory body -- a so-called "Voice" -- to weigh laws that affect those communities. Also read | Explained | What is Australia’s historic Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal? Why it might get rejected? Opinion polls showed limited optimism for these reforms, with recent surveys indicating that the "yes" camp has support slightly above 40 per cent, while the "no" side approaches 60 per cent. Australia's Indigenous population, with a heritage spanning over 60,000 years on the continent, comprises just 3.8 per cent of the total population. However, the indigenous people have experienced persistent inequality since white settlement more than two centuries ago. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face higher rates of illness, imprisonment, and premature mortality compared to their more affluent white compatriots. Advocates argue that these reforms are necessary to address these disparities. Elections in New Zealand Meanwhile, New Zealand's general election started on Saturday, where Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is seeking a third term for his center-left Labour party. Hipkins assumed leadership in January, succeeding the popular Jacinda Ardern. His Labour party is competing against the opposition, led by Christopher Luxon and the conservative National Party. Also watch | New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins: No risk to national security × The country maintains strict election-day laws governing media reporting and political campaigning to prevent undue influence on voters. Exit polls are not allowed, leaving the electorate to await early results after polling stations close. Approximately 3.5 million people are registered to vote, with around 1.2 million having already cast their ballots. (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.

Polls open in Australia's Indigenous rights referendum, New Zealand elections

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