Top 10 world news: Israel-Hamas war updates, UN chief visits Rafah crossing ahead of Gaza aid delivery & more

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas will soon enter the second week as Israel prepares for an offensive in response to the October 7 attack launched by the Palestinian militant group. In other news, the majority of the 200 people held hostage by the Hamas militant group in Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip are still alive, the Israeli army said in a statement on Friday.

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Israel-Hamas war LIVE: Palestiniandual nationals awaiting opening of Gaza’s border with Egypt

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The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas will soon enter the second week as Israel prepares for an offensive in response to the October 7 attack launched bythe Palestinian militant group.

'Majority of Israelis held hostage in Gaza are alive', says Israeli military

The majority of the 200 people held hostage by the Hamas militant group in Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip are still alive, the Israeli army said in a statement on Friday.

US President Joe Biden requests Congress for $105 bln security package, including funds for Ukraine and Israel

United States President Joe Biden, on Friday (Oct 20), requested Congress for a whopping $105 billion security package including funds for Ukraine and Israel.

Putin visits military HQ in southern Russia; Moscow ramps up attacks in Avdiivka, says Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin visited the headquarters in Rostov-on-Don overseeing the Ukraine offensive, said the Kremlin on Friday (Oct 20). Meanwhile, Ukraine has reported that its troops are facing a new Russian onslaught in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, which has recently witnessed a rise in attacks by Moscow.

Russia slaps genocide charges on Nazi veteran applauded in Canadian Parliament

A month after the Canadian Parliament applauded and gave an astounding honour to a Ukrainian immigrant Yaroslav Hunka who fought for a Nazi unit during World War II, Russia slapped genocide charges against the 98-year-old, media reports said.

UN chief Guterres visits Rafah border crossing, pushes for aid to move into Gaza

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday (Oct 20), visited the Rafah border crossing and said that the trucks loaded with aid for Gaza should move into the conflict-torn region as soon as possible from Egypt to alleviate a humanitarian crisis.

Explained: Russia detains another American journalist. Here’s what we know

The Prague-based journalist Alsu Kurmasheva for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is the second American journalist to be detained by Russia after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in March on spying charges, which he, his employer and the White House have since denied. WION Explains what happened.

Niger military says late night escape bid of President Bazoum thwarted

Niger military, which toppled the government and took over in July, said Thursday (Oct 19) that it thwarted an escape bid by deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni announces end of relationship with partner after his sexist comments

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday (Oct 20) announced that she had separated from her longtime beau and television journalist partner Andrea Giambruno, who recently was criticised for making sexist comments on air.

Pep Guardiola reveals who he'd like to win Ballon d'Or out of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has had his say on the Ballon d'Or battle between Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi. The Spaniard admitted he would love for Haaland to win the prestigious trophy but Messi was more likely to nick the Norweigian in the race.