National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides

The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS

Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?

How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?

Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition

‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal

Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch

Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine

Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states

Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions

Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS

'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia

Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift

New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'

IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act

Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott

Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances

Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims

Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed

US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance

Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built

Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH

Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school

Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report

On Monday (Oct 13), Donald Trump arrived in Israel as the hostage exchange was on between Tel Aviv and Hamas. The US president addressed the Israeli Parliament and it is day of joy as “20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their family” and there 28 others, who will be returning to “rest on the sacred soil.” He mentioned how the guns are silent. In his address, Trump appreciated “the Arab and Muslim world who came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free.”&nbsp;“Now at last for Israelis, Palestinians and many others, the long painful nightmare is finally over. Many of Iran's top terrorists have been extinguished.”&nbsp;He added, “We just ordered 28 more new B2 bombers.”&nbsp;Talking about the return of the hostages, the 79-year-old said that he ended eight wars. He was delighted to say the hostages are back and that is what he called the end of the war as they a back home. “The hostages are back; it feels so good to say it,” he continued.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The long and painful nightmare is finally over for Israelis and Palestinians. As the dust settles, smoke fades, and the debris is removed, and the ashes are cleaned from the air… a beautiful and much brighter future appears suddenly within your reach,” the US president added.

In his address, Trump appreciated “the Arab and Muslim world who came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free.”

On Monday (Oct 13), Donald Trump arrived in Israel as the hostage exchange was on between Tel Aviv and Hamas. The US president addressed the Israeli Parliament and it is day of joy as “20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their family” and there 28 others, who will be returning to “rest on the sacred soil.” He mentioned how the guns are silent. In his address, Trump appreciated “the Arab and Muslim world who came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free.” “Now at last for Israelis, Palestinians and many others, the long painful nightmare is finally over. Many of Iran's top terrorists have been extinguished.” He added, “We just ordered 28 more new B2 bombers.” Talking about the return of the hostages, the 79-year-old said that he ended eight wars. He was delighted to say the hostages are back and that is what he called the end of the war as they a back home. “The hostages are back; it feels so good to say it,” he continued. “The long and painful nightmare is finally over for Israelis and Palestinians. As the dust settles, smoke fades, and the debris is removed, and the ashes are cleaned from the air… a beautiful and much brighter future appears suddenly within your reach,” the US president added.

In his address, Trump appreciated “the Arab and Muslim world who came together to press Hamas to set the hostages free.”

'Long and painful nightmare is finally over': Trump says in the Israeli Parliament on Gaza peace deal

US President Donald Trump was interrupted by a left-wing Israeli member of parliament during his speech. Trump joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset to deliver an address shortly after the Gaza hostages were released on Monday (Oct 13). Ofer Cassif, the Israeli Minister who heckled the US president, was removed from the parliament immediately after an apparent protest. Another MP, Ayman Odeh, was expelled for holding up a ‘Recognise Palestine’ sign during the US president’s speech.Trump’s address at the Israeli parliament came after the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Both sides agreed to the US president’s peace plan, which also calls for the disarmament and no involvement of the Palestinian militant group in the post-war Gaza governance.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-long-and-painful-nightmare-is-finally-over-trump-says-in-the-israeli-parliament-on-gaza-peace-deal-1760354118829">'Long and painful nightmare is finally over': Trump says in the Israeli Parliament on Gaza peace deal</a><h2>What happened in the Knesset?</h2>As Trump delivered his speech in the Israeli parliament, Ofer Cassif interrupted his speech by shouting “genocide”. The incident created a brief moment of chaos in the parliament. In a swift action, the left-wing lawmaker was expelled from the Knesset by the security personnel. After his removal, the Israeli MPs gave Trump applause and a standing ovation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Watch the moment US President Donald Trump&#39;s address to the Israeli Knesset was disrupted by an Israeli MP <a href="https://t.co/ES9T5uiLcl">pic.twitter.com/ES9T5uiLcl</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1977696197771997343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Apart from this, Ayman Odeh, the chairman of the mainly Arab Hadash-Ta’al party, was removed for holding a poster that said 'Recognise Palestine' during Trump’s address. The Arab-Israeli lawmaker has voiced his support for Palestinian statehood, which Israel’s government rejects. Meanwhile, Cassif, who is the party’s only Jewish member, also tried to hold up a sign and was removed.Following their expulsion from the Knesset, Trump quipped, “That was very efficient,” earning a laugh from other members present there. He then went on to continue his lengthy speech.&nbsp;

“That was very efficient,” Trump quipped as the MP was taken out of the Knesset, earning a laugh from other members present there.

US President Donald Trump was interrupted by a left-wing Israeli member of parliament during his speech. Trump joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset to deliver an address shortly after the Gaza hostages were released on Monday (Oct 13). Ofer Cassif, the Israeli Minister who heckled the US president, was removed from the parliament immediately after an apparent protest. Another MP, Ayman Odeh, was expelled for holding up a ‘Recognise Palestine’ sign during the US president’s speech. Trump’s address at the Israeli parliament came after the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Both sides agreed to the US president’s peace plan, which also calls for the disarmament and no involvement of the Palestinian militant group in the post-war Gaza governance. Also read | 'Long and painful nightmare is finally over': Trump says in the Israeli Parliament on Gaza peace deal What happened in the Knesset? As Trump delivered his speech in the Israeli parliament, Ofer Cassif interrupted his speech by shouting “genocide”. The incident created a brief moment of chaos in the parliament. In a swift action, the left-wing lawmaker was expelled from the Knesset by the security personnel. After his removal, the Israeli MPs gave Trump applause and a standing ovation.

“That was very efficient,” Trump quipped as the MP was taken out of the Knesset, earning a laugh from other members present there.

WATCH | Was Trump heckled at Israeli parliament? Here’s what happened during US president’s speech at the Knesset

Nepali national, Bipin Joshi has been confirmed dead after he was held captive by Hamas in October 2023. Joshi was not included on the list published by Hamas of the 20 living hostages to be released during Monday's exchange of hostages held by Hamas and prisoners held by Israel.&nbsp;Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student, was in Israel under a student exchange program when Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023. During the assault, ten Nepalis were killed, five were seriously injured, and one managed to escape unhurt. Bipin was taken hostage by Hamas.&nbsp;A recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had raised hopes for the release of hostages, including Joshi.&nbsp;However, Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhana Prasad Pandit, confirmed to WION that Israeli authorities have informed the Nepali government of Joshi’s death.&nbsp;“The Israeli IDF informed us over a video call that Bipin Joshi is not alive. At the very same time, the families were informed too. We are coordinating to locate his body and we might receive some update by the end of the day,” Ambassador Pandit told WION over the phone from Israel.&nbsp;“Israeli forces have told us that Hamas has not been able to locate a few bodies, but we hope we can get Joshi’s,” he added.&nbsp;The location of his body remains unknown, delaying the repatriation process. The ambassador stated that efforts to locate the body are ongoing.&nbsp;Joshi's family had been tirelessly campaigning for his release for two years, raising their voice in Israel, the US, and within Nepal, but their efforts ended in heartbreak.&nbsp;Joshi’s sister Pushpa and mother, Padma, are currently in the US advocating for his release.&nbsp;Earlier, they visited Israel and met with the government officials including the President urging his release. Israeli President Isaac Herzog voiced a strong call for the release of Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity.&nbsp;Over the past two years, successive Nepali governments including presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and ambassadors made continuous diplomatic efforts to secure his release.&nbsp;

Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023. During the assault, ten Nepalis were killed, five were seriously injured, and one managed to escape unhurt. Bipin was taken hostage by Hamas.

Nepali national, Bipin Joshi has been confirmed dead after he was held captive by Hamas in October 2023. Joshi was not included on the list published by Hamas of the 20 living hostages to be released during Monday's exchange of hostages held by Hamas and prisoners held by Israel. Joshi, a Nepalese agriculture student, was in Israel under a student exchange program when Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023. During the assault, ten Nepalis were killed, five were seriously injured, and one managed to escape unhurt. Bipin was taken hostage by Hamas. A recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had raised hopes for the release of hostages, including Joshi. However, Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Dhana Prasad Pandit, confirmed to WION that Israeli authorities have informed the Nepali government of Joshi’s death. “The Israeli IDF informed us over a video call that Bipin Joshi is not alive. At the very same time, the families were informed too. We are coordinating to locate his body and we might receive some update by the end of the day,” Ambassador Pandit told WION over the phone from Israel. “Israeli forces have told us that Hamas has not been able to locate a few bodies, but we hope we can get Joshi’s,” he added. The location of his body remains unknown, delaying the repatriation process. The ambassador stated that efforts to locate the body are ongoing. Joshi's family had been tirelessly campaigning for his release for two years, raising their voice in Israel, the US, and within Nepal, but their efforts ended in heartbreak. Joshi’s sister Pushpa and mother, Padma, are currently in the US advocating for his release. Earlier, they visited Israel and met with the government officials including the President urging his release. Israeli President Isaac Herzog voiced a strong call for the release of Bipin Joshi from Hamas captivity. Over the past two years, successive Nepali governments including presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and ambassadors made continuous diplomatic efforts to secure his release.

Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023. During the assault, ten Nepalis were killed, five were seriously injured, and one managed to escape unhurt. Bipin was taken hostage by Hamas.

Nepali national held captive by Hamas confirmed dead

After two years of relentless bloodshed, the war in Gaza has finally paused. Israeli hostages, held captive since Hamas's brutal October 2023 attack, have been released in a dramatic exchange brokered by US President Donald Trump. Families torn apart by violence have reunited amid tears and cheers. For Israelis who wore yellow ribbons and marched weekly demanding their loved ones' return, this moment represents a profound victory. Yet across the border, Palestinians await the release of hundreds of prisoners, including many held without charges. As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence?&nbsp;The scenes were undeniably moving. Twenty hostages freed in two groups, handed over to the Red Cross, then rushed to medical facilities for evaluation before reuniting with families. Tens of thousands of Israelis erupted in celebration as live broadcasts showed their compatriots finally coming home. The emotional weight of 730 days in captivity, the anguished counting of each passing day, the protests that swelled in Tel Aviv—all of it culminated in this singular moment of relief. For many Israelis, the war's primary purpose has been fulfilled. The urgency that drove the conflict has dissipated, at least for now.&nbsp;But relief is not resolution. While hostages returned home, over 67,000 Palestinians lie dead, according to Gaza's health officials. Entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble. Before October 2023, nearly half of Gaza's population was unemployed and dependent on food aid due to a crippling blockade in place since 2007. Today, conditions are exponentially worse. Humanitarian aid is beginning to trickle in—cooking gas for the first time in months, medical supplies desperately needed—but the underlying structures of deprivation remain intact. If the land, sea, and air blockade persists, Gaza will simply slide back into the humanitarian catastrophe that existed before the war, only now amid ruins and trauma on an unimaginable scale.&nbsp;President Trump arrived in Tel Aviv to a hero's welcome, ready to receive Israel's highest civilian honour for his role in ending the war. His 20-point peace plan promises a "credible path to Palestinian self-rule and statehood," but history demands skepticism. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s made similar promises, only to crumble under the weight of settlement expansion, political extremism, and deep mistrust. Today's agreement, for all its fanfare, is a ceasefire—not a peace treaty, not an armistice. Fighting has stopped, but the fundamental disputes remain unresolved.&nbsp;Who will govern Gaza now? Hamas has lost its most powerful bargaining chip: the hostages. Without them, its leverage in future negotiations evaporates. Yet the peace plan's vision for Gaza's future remains vague. Will an internationally imposed "body of peace," led by figures like Tony Blair, take charge? Palestinian factions have already rejected foreign control, insisting that Gaza's future must be decided by Palestinians themselves. Any externally imposed government that ignores local voices risks repeating the failures of past interventions—legitimacy cannot be imported from abroad.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from Israel's right wing to resume military operations at the first sign of trouble. With hostages home, the domestic political calculus has shifted. The question for Israel's leadership is stark: will peace be treated as a strategic necessity for long-term security, or merely as a tactical pause before the next war? The answer will determine whether this ceasefire holds or shatters.&nbsp;For Palestinians, the challenges are equally daunting. Hamas may need to disarm and relinquish political control—something it has said it would only consider if an independent Palestinian state is officially recognized. This is where the peace plan's vagueness becomes dangerous. Promises of statehood have been made before, only to be blocked by settlement expansion, disputes over Jerusalem, and the US wielding its UN Security Council veto to prevent Palestinian recognition. Jerusalem remains the most sensitive issue: both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital, and no peace plan can succeed without addressing this reality head-on.&nbsp;The 20-point plan cannot treat Gaza in isolation. The Gaza conflict is inseparable from the broader Palestinian-Israeli struggle. Ignoring the West Bank, pretending that Gaza's suffering can be resolved without addressing the occupation and the dream of Palestinian self-determination, would be a catastrophic mistake. Any lasting peace must acknowledge that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank share a common cause, and that Israel's long-term security depends not on military dominance alone, but on a just political settlement.&nbsp;The numbers are staggering: nearly 70,000 dead, 11% of Gaza's population killed or wounded, 465 Israeli soldiers lost, and an entire generation scarred by war. Yet there is a sliver of hope. Aid is arriving. Hostages are home. Prisoners will be released. For the first time in two years, the guns are silent. This is not nothing. It is a chance—fragile and fleeting—to build something better.&nbsp;But peace talks demand more than ceasefires and prisoner exchanges. They require trust, which has been destroyed by decades of violence and betrayal. They require honesty about past failures and a commitment to do better. They require leaders willing to make painful compromises and populations willing to support them. Most of all, they require a recognition that the status quo—blockades, occupation, cycles of violence—is unsustainable for everyone.&nbsp;Trump declared, "The war is over," as he flew to Israel. Perhaps. But declaring victory is not the same as securing peace. The real test lies ahead, in the unglamorous work of negotiation, reconstruction, and reconciliation. Will Israel end the blockade and allow Gaza to rebuild with dignity? Will Hamas disarm? Will the US stop blocking Palestinian statehood at the UN? Will both sides resist the temptation to return to violence when the path forward becomes difficult?&nbsp;The hostages are free, and that is cause for celebration. But their freedom does not erase the 67,000 Palestinian lives lost, the shattered homes, the generational trauma. True peace will require more than exchanging prisoners—it will require exchanging fear for hope, occupation for sovereignty, and endless war for a shared future. The world is watching. So are the children of Gaza and Israel, who deserve better than the inheritance of pain their parents received. This ceasefire is a beginning, not an end. What comes next will determine whether it was a doorway to peace or just another tragic pause before the violence resumes. &nbsp;

As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence?

After two years of relentless bloodshed, the war in Gaza has finally paused. Israeli hostages, held captive since Hamas's brutal October 2023 attack, have been released in a dramatic exchange brokered by US President Donald Trump. Families torn apart by violence have reunited amid tears and cheers. For Israelis who wore yellow ribbons and marched weekly demanding their loved ones' return, this moment represents a profound victory. Yet across the border, Palestinians await the release of hundreds of prisoners, including many held without charges. As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence? The scenes were undeniably moving. Twenty hostages freed in two groups, handed over to the Red Cross, then rushed to medical facilities for evaluation before reuniting with families. Tens of thousands of Israelis erupted in celebration as live broadcasts showed their compatriots finally coming home. The emotional weight of 730 days in captivity, the anguished counting of each passing day, the protests that swelled in Tel Aviv—all of it culminated in this singular moment of relief. For many Israelis, the war's primary purpose has been fulfilled. The urgency that drove the conflict has dissipated, at least for now. But relief is not resolution. While hostages returned home, over 67,000 Palestinians lie dead, according to Gaza's health officials. Entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to rubble. Before October 2023, nearly half of Gaza's population was unemployed and dependent on food aid due to a crippling blockade in place since 2007. Today, conditions are exponentially worse. Humanitarian aid is beginning to trickle in—cooking gas for the first time in months, medical supplies desperately needed—but the underlying structures of deprivation remain intact. If the land, sea, and air blockade persists, Gaza will simply slide back into the humanitarian catastrophe that existed before the war, only now amid ruins and trauma on an unimaginable scale. President Trump arrived in Tel Aviv to a hero's welcome, ready to receive Israel's highest civilian honour for his role in ending the war. His 20-point peace plan promises a "credible path to Palestinian self-rule and statehood," but history demands skepticism. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s made similar promises, only to crumble under the weight of settlement expansion, political extremism, and deep mistrust. Today's agreement, for all its fanfare, is a ceasefire—not a peace treaty, not an armistice. Fighting has stopped, but the fundamental disputes remain unresolved. Who will govern Gaza now? Hamas has lost its most powerful bargaining chip: the hostages. Without them, its leverage in future negotiations evaporates. Yet the peace plan's vision for Gaza's future remains vague. Will an internationally imposed "body of peace," led by figures like Tony Blair, take charge? Palestinian factions have already rejected foreign control, insisting that Gaza's future must be decided by Palestinians themselves. Any externally imposed government that ignores local voices risks repeating the failures of past interventions—legitimacy cannot be imported from abroad. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from Israel's right wing to resume military operations at the first sign of trouble. With hostages home, the domestic political calculus has shifted. The question for Israel's leadership is stark: will peace be treated as a strategic necessity for long-term security, or merely as a tactical pause before the next war? The answer will determine whether this ceasefire holds or shatters. For Palestinians, the challenges are equally daunting. Hamas may need to disarm and relinquish political control—something it has said it would only consider if an independent Palestinian state is officially recognized. This is where the peace plan's vagueness becomes dangerous. Promises of statehood have been made before, only to be blocked by settlement expansion, disputes over Jerusalem, and the US wielding its UN Security Council veto to prevent Palestinian recognition. Jerusalem remains the most sensitive issue: both Israelis and Palestinians claim it as their capital, and no peace plan can succeed without addressing this reality head-on. The 20-point plan cannot treat Gaza in isolation. The Gaza conflict is inseparable from the broader Palestinian-Israeli struggle. Ignoring the West Bank, pretending that Gaza's suffering can be resolved without addressing the occupation and the dream of Palestinian self-determination, would be a catastrophic mistake. Any lasting peace must acknowledge that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank share a common cause, and that Israel's long-term security depends not on military dominance alone, but on a just political settlement. The numbers are staggering: nearly 70,000 dead, 11% of Gaza's population killed or wounded, 465 Israeli soldiers lost, and an entire generation scarred by war. Yet there is a sliver of hope. Aid is arriving. Hostages are home. Prisoners will be released. For the first time in two years, the guns are silent. This is not nothing. It is a chance—fragile and fleeting—to build something better. But peace talks demand more than ceasefires and prisoner exchanges. They require trust, which has been destroyed by decades of violence and betrayal. They require honesty about past failures and a commitment to do better. They require leaders willing to make painful compromises and populations willing to support them. Most of all, they require a recognition that the status quo—blockades, occupation, cycles of violence—is unsustainable for everyone. Trump declared, "The war is over," as he flew to Israel. Perhaps. But declaring victory is not the same as securing peace. The real test lies ahead, in the unglamorous work of negotiation, reconstruction, and reconciliation. Will Israel end the blockade and allow Gaza to rebuild with dignity? Will Hamas disarm? Will the US stop blocking Palestinian statehood at the UN? Will both sides resist the temptation to return to violence when the path forward becomes difficult? The hostages are free, and that is cause for celebration. But their freedom does not erase the 67,000 Palestinian lives lost, the shattered homes, the generational trauma. True peace will require more than exchanging prisoners—it will require exchanging fear for hope, occupation for sovereignty, and endless war for a shared future. The world is watching. So are the children of Gaza and Israel, who deserve better than the inheritance of pain their parents received. This ceasefire is a beginning, not an end. What comes next will determine whether it was a doorway to peace or just another tragic pause before the violence resumes.

As the dust settles on this fragile ceasefire, a harder question emerges: can this pause in fighting become something more—or will it collapse into yet another cycle of violence?

Hostages are free—but can peace survive what comes next?

Spiritual movements have in the past become friction points in US-China relations, with the former often highlighting so-called human rights violations when seeking to criticise Beijing. Remember Falun Gong? An underground Christian church is now emerging as a fresh point of contention in this long-running saga of personal beliefs versus state control in China. The US has called for the release of around 30 detained leaders of Zion Church arrested over the weekend by China. But not many outside China have heard of this church. Here’s what you should know about the Zion church of China —and its leader, who was once a Tiananmen Square protester.<h2>What happened to Zion Church leaders?</h2>Recently, China reportedly detained around 30 leaders of Zion Church, including its founder Jin Mingri. drawing condemnation from the US and other countries. The arrests were carried out in coordinated raids on the unregistered Protestant network across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangxi, and other provinces beginning on Friday (Oct 10).Pastors who were detained include Sun Cong (Beijing), Wang Lin (Shenzhen), Gao Yingjia, and Yin Huibin. Those arrested face charges of “illegal dissemination of religious information.”In a statement on Sunday, Zion Church said: “We are not criminals, just Christians.” &nbsp; The global NGO ChinaAid described the raids as the most coordinated wave of persecution since the 1980s.<h2>What is Zion Church of China?</h2>Zion Church was founded in 2007 by Pastor Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin. &nbsp;Having started in a rented Beijing space, it grew from 20 initial members into an underground network of up to 10,000 believers in 40 cities. The Beijing venue was shut down by authorities in 2018 after the church refused to install state-issued surveillance cameras.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-worries-over-religious-persecution-in-china-673321/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-worries-over-religious-persecution-in-china-673321/embed</a>Since then, the church has moved mostly online, holding meetings via Zoom and sharing sermons through WeChat and YouTube. It remains a symbol of resilience for China’s estimated 60–100 million underground Christians.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-official-says-west-using-christianity-to-undermine-country-202735">China official says West using Christianity to undermine country</a><h2>Who is Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church of China?</h2>Ezra Jin is a controversial figure, having once been a Tiananmen Square protester. &nbsp;A Peking University graduate, he later became a pastor. Jin, who holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in the US, was detained on Friday from Beihai in Guangxi province.His wife and three children, all American citizens, have lived in Maryland since 2018. Jin has been barred from leaving China to join them.Sean Long, a Zion Church pastor based in the US, said Jin had expected a crackdown and expressed hope that “a new wave of revival will follow.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/radical-chinese-christian-cult-active-in-northeast-india-reports-323056">Radical Chinese Christian cult active in Northeast India: Reports</a><h2>How the US has reacted to the Zion Church crackdown</h2>The US State Department has demanded that China release the detainees immediately.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the arrests as evidence of the Chinese Communist Party’s “hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference.” &nbsp; Former US Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also condemned the crackdown.But China pushed back, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warning against “interference under the pretext of religious issues.” &nbsp;Officially, China is an atheist state as promoted by the Chinese Communist Party, which only recognises state-approved churches that align with its political ideology.

The Chinese crackdown on Zion Church has sparked US condemnation. The detention of 30 church leaders, including its founder, is likely to raise further tensions over human rights and freedom of faith 


Spiritual movements have in the past become friction points in US-China relations, with the former often highlighting so-called human rights violations when seeking to criticise Beijing. Remember Falun Gong? An underground Christian church is now emerging as a fresh point of contention in this long-running saga of personal beliefs versus state control in China. The US has called for the release of around 30 detained leaders of Zion Church arrested over the weekend by China. But not many outside China have heard of this church. Here’s what you should know about the Zion church of China —and its leader, who was once a Tiananmen Square protester. What happened to Zion Church leaders? Recently, China reportedly detained around 30 leaders of Zion Church, including its founder Jin Mingri. drawing condemnation from the US and other countries. The arrests were carried out in coordinated raids on the unregistered Protestant network across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangxi, and other provinces beginning on Friday (Oct 10). Pastors who were detained include Sun Cong (Beijing), Wang Lin (Shenzhen), Gao Yingjia, and Yin Huibin. Those arrested face charges of “illegal dissemination of religious information.” In a statement on Sunday, Zion Church said: “We are not criminals, just Christians.” The global NGO ChinaAid described the raids as the most coordinated wave of persecution since the 1980s. What is Zion Church of China? Zion Church was founded in 2007 by Pastor Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin. Having started in a rented Beijing space, it grew from 20 initial members into an underground network of up to 10,000 believers in 40 cities. The Beijing venue was shut down by authorities in 2018 after the church refused to install state-issued surveillance cameras. https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-worries-over-religious-persecution-in-china-673321/embed Since then, the church has moved mostly online, holding meetings via Zoom and sharing sermons through WeChat and YouTube. It remains a symbol of resilience for China’s estimated 60–100 million underground Christians. Also read: China official says West using Christianity to undermine country Who is Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church of China? Ezra Jin is a controversial figure, having once been a Tiananmen Square protester. A Peking University graduate, he later became a pastor. Jin, who holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in the US, was detained on Friday from Beihai in Guangxi province. His wife and three children, all American citizens, have lived in Maryland since 2018. Jin has been barred from leaving China to join them. Sean Long, a Zion Church pastor based in the US, said Jin had expected a crackdown and expressed hope that “a new wave of revival will follow.” Also read: Radical Chinese Christian cult active in Northeast India: Reports How the US has reacted to the Zion Church crackdown The US State Department has demanded that China release the detainees immediately. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the arrests as evidence of the Chinese Communist Party’s “hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference.” Former US Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also condemned the crackdown. But China pushed back, with foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warning against “interference under the pretext of religious issues.” Officially, China is an atheist state as promoted by the Chinese Communist Party, which only recognises state-approved churches that align with its political ideology.

The Chinese crackdown on Zion Church has sparked US condemnation. The detention of 30 church leaders, including its founder, is likely to raise further tensions over human rights and freedom of faith&nbsp; &nbsp;

Chinese underground church leaders arrested. What is Zion church, and is it a new flashpoint of tensions with the US?

In a speech to the Israeli Knesset on Monday (October 13), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lavished praise on US President Donald Trump, calling him ‘the greatest friend that the Israel has ever had in the White House’. “No American president has ever done more for Israel, and as I said in Washington, it isn’t even close,” Netanyahu said, underscoring the significant impact Trump had on Israel’s diplomatic and security landscape.&nbsp;Netanyahu specifically highlighted Trump’s contributions, including his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital during his first term, a move that was met with widespread praise in Israel but condemned by much of the international community. He also lauded Trump for brokered the Abraham Accords, agreements that led to the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-gambling-with-war-eu-warns-russian-president-putin-against-airspace-violations-1760351432401">'Gambling with war': EU warns Russian President Putin against airspace violations</a>&nbsp;The Israeli leader further commended Trump for supporting Israel’s rights in the occupied West Bank and for recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, territory captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed — a decision that has not been recognised by much of the global community. Netanyahu also spoke about Trump’s role in advancing peace efforts in the region. He expressed optimism about Trump’s Gaza peace proposal, calling it a significant step toward “historic expansion of peace”. Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians and the wider Middle East, emphasising the importance of collaboration to reach lasting solutions.&nbsp;The prime minister also took a moment to honour the memory of Israeli soldiers who have lost their lives in service to the country. “We owe everything to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said before shifting focus to Trump’s involvement in recent hostage negotiations.<h2>Trump’s role in ceasefire and hostage exchange</h2>In a heartfelt portion of his address, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his crucial role in securing a ceasefire agreement that facilitated the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. "Trump’s decisive intervention was instrumental in bringing our hostages home,” Netanyahu said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire nation. “We know what your important part has been. It will be engraved in our history — and in the history of humankind.”&nbsp;Netanyahu’s praise for Trump marks the continuation of a close and warm relationship between the two leaders during Trump’s presidency. In recent weeks, as hostilities in Gaza have escalated, Netanyahu has acknowledged Trump’s key role in the negotiations that ultimately led to the exchange. While Netanyahu’s remarks underscored Trump’s deep influence on Israel’s security and diplomatic efforts, the prime minister’s focus on peace and the future highlighted the ongoing challenges Israel faces in its relationship with the Palestinians and the broader Middle East.

Netanyahu: ‘Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in White House’

In a speech to the Israeli Knesset on Monday (October 13), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lavished praise on US President Donald Trump, calling him ‘the greatest friend that the Israel has ever had in the White House’. “No American president has ever done more for Israel, and as I said in Washington, it isn’t even close,” Netanyahu said, underscoring the significant impact Trump had on Israel’s diplomatic and security landscape. Netanyahu specifically highlighted Trump’s contributions, including his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital during his first term, a move that was met with widespread praise in Israel but condemned by much of the international community. He also lauded Trump for brokered the Abraham Accords, agreements that led to the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. Also Read: 'Gambling with war': EU warns Russian President Putin against airspace violations The Israeli leader further commended Trump for supporting Israel’s rights in the occupied West Bank and for recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, territory captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed — a decision that has not been recognised by much of the global community. Netanyahu also spoke about Trump’s role in advancing peace efforts in the region. He expressed optimism about Trump’s Gaza peace proposal, calling it a significant step toward “historic expansion of peace”. Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians and the wider Middle East, emphasising the importance of collaboration to reach lasting solutions. The prime minister also took a moment to honour the memory of Israeli soldiers who have lost their lives in service to the country. “We owe everything to those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said before shifting focus to Trump’s involvement in recent hostage negotiations. Trump’s role in ceasefire and hostage exchange In a heartfelt portion of his address, Netanyahu thanked Trump for his crucial role in securing a ceasefire agreement that facilitated the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. "Trump’s decisive intervention was instrumental in bringing our hostages home,” Netanyahu said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the entire nation. “We know what your important part has been. It will be engraved in our history — and in the history of humankind.” Netanyahu’s praise for Trump marks the continuation of a close and warm relationship between the two leaders during Trump’s presidency. In recent weeks, as hostilities in Gaza have escalated, Netanyahu has acknowledged Trump’s key role in the negotiations that ultimately led to the exchange. While Netanyahu’s remarks underscored Trump’s deep influence on Israel’s security and diplomatic efforts, the prime minister’s focus on peace and the future highlighted the ongoing challenges Israel faces in its relationship with the Palestinians and the broader Middle East.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (October 13) addressed the Israeli Parliament&nbsp;

The European Union warned Moscow against Airspace Violations after a number of Russian drones and military jets allegedly entered the bloc's airspace frequently in the recent days. The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday (Oct 13) said that with such breaches Russia was "gambling with war".&nbsp;"Every time a Russian drone or plane violates our airspace, there is a risk of escalation, unintended or not. Russia is gambling with war," Kallas was quoted as saying by AFP in Kyiv.&nbsp;She also said that in such a situation the European Union "must translate the economic power of Europe into military deterrence," &nbsp;in order to keep a confrontation like a war at bay.&nbsp;Keeping this in mind NATO has already boosted its defences along its eastern borders.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-russia-with-long-range-tomohawk-missiles-says-i-may-1760330254751">Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomahawk missiles, says 'I may...'</a>&nbsp;Kallas was in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for talks on military and financial support to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. Financial support to Ukraine's energy infrastructure is also being looked into after Russia resumed attacks on power plants ahead of winter.&nbsp;As a result of the renewed attack by Russia on energy infrastructure, power cuts were enforced in cities across Ukraine, which Kyiv called it as "cynical."&nbsp;"The enemy wants to affect the spirit and mood of our population," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in a joint press conference with Kallas.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Ukraine retaliated by targeting Russian oil refineries, vital for funding its war.&nbsp;In fact, over 30 strikes has been launched by Ukraine on Russian energy sites since the beginning of August, triggering a rise in petrol prices inside Russia.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kallas said that the European Union must translate the economic power of Europe into military deterrence,  in order to keep a confrontation like a war at bay.

The European Union warned Moscow against Airspace Violations after a number of Russian drones and military jets allegedly entered the bloc's airspace frequently in the recent days. The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Monday (Oct 13) said that with such breaches Russia was "gambling with war". "Every time a Russian drone or plane violates our airspace, there is a risk of escalation, unintended or not. Russia is gambling with war," Kallas was quoted as saying by AFP in Kyiv. She also said that in such a situation the European Union "must translate the economic power of Europe into military deterrence," in order to keep a confrontation like a war at bay. Keeping this in mind NATO has already boosted its defences along its eastern borders. Also Read: Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomahawk missiles, says 'I may...' Kallas was in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for talks on military and financial support to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. Financial support to Ukraine's energy infrastructure is also being looked into after Russia resumed attacks on power plants ahead of winter. As a result of the renewed attack by Russia on energy infrastructure, power cuts were enforced in cities across Ukraine, which Kyiv called it as "cynical." "The enemy wants to affect the spirit and mood of our population," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in a joint press conference with Kallas. Meanwhile, Ukraine retaliated by targeting Russian oil refineries, vital for funding its war. In fact, over 30 strikes has been launched by Ukraine on Russian energy sites since the beginning of August, triggering a rise in petrol prices inside Russia.

Kallas said that the European Union "must translate the economic power of Europe into military deterrence," &nbsp;in order to keep a confrontation like a war at bay.

'Gambling with war': EU warns Russian President Putin against airspace violations

The Catalonia region of Spain is in the grips of flash floods, as torrential rains driven by Storm Alice thrash the northeastern parts of the country. Alice has battered parts of southeastern Spain, including the Balearic Islands, in recent days. The floods have left people trapped in cars as muddy water spread on the roads. Travel has been suspended across the Mediterranean coast. Video shows flooding in the towns of La Ràpita and Santa Bàrbara in Tarragona province, with vehicles swept away in the flowing water. Spain’s national weather agency Aemet has declared the highest red alert in Catalonia. It has predicted 180mm of rain (7 feet) in just 12 hours in the region. Residents in the Ebro Delta have been urged to stay indoors amid the havoc. “The situation is complicated, and more rain is forecast,” Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, was quoted as saying by La Vanguardia.&nbsp;&nbsp;People have been trapped in cars in the floods as their vehicles were submerged in the water. Emergency services have rescued several people from cars, and no deaths have been reported till now. Authorities have shut down several roads to prevent loss of life. Train services between Barcelona and Valencia are also stand suspended. Meanwhile, tourists on the popular island of Ibiza have been stranded because of floodwaters at the airport and roads. The heavy showers have led to power cuts at the airport. The roof in some portions is also leaking, because of which some inside areas had to be closed. &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Severe floods caused by extreme rainfall in Godall, Montsià, Tarragona Province, Spain 🇪🇸 (12.10.2025) <a href="https://t.co/q8ZHBwicYc">pic.twitter.com/q8ZHBwicYc</a>&mdash; Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) <a href="https://twitter.com/Top_Disaster/status/1977452742995218796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Spain floods 2024</h2>"Because of the adverse weather conditions in Ibiza, airport operations were temporarily paralysed between 6 pm and 7.20 pm,” Spanish airport authority officials told the media. From Valencia to the south of Tarragona, 10-12 inches of rain is expected. Spain witnessed a similar scene in October last year. Social media video showed water gushing through the streets as if it were "end of the world." A user shared a scary video and wrote, "Spain is having some Catastrophic Flooding, it's as if the world is ending!" They added, "The flooding taking place in Valencia, Spain, is biblical!" Notably, the 2024 floods killed nearly 200 people in Spain.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SPAIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SPAIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPANA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ESPANA</a> There is again flooding in Spain, this time in North-east Dpain. 🔴 SPAIN :📹 SEVERE FLOODING IN TARRAGONA PROVINCE, CATALONIA due to massive rainfall in the region. 📹Scenes from Godall. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ultimahora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ultimahora</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flooding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flooding</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Inundaci%C3%B3n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Inundación</a> <a href="https://t.co/VQ8h8bMYjb">pic.twitter.com/VQ8h8bMYjb</a>&mdash; LW World News 🌍 (@LW_WorldNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/LW_WorldNews/status/1977476969177776486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Storm Alice has spun off heavy and torrential rains in Catalonia and Valencia in Spain. Videos show water gushing through the streets, slamming cars. The flash floods left people stranded in cars. Tourists on the island of Ibiza are also stuck. 

The Catalonia region of Spain is in the grips of flash floods, as torrential rains driven by Storm Alice thrash the northeastern parts of the country. Alice has battered parts of southeastern Spain, including the Balearic Islands, in recent days. The floods have left people trapped in cars as muddy water spread on the roads. Travel has been suspended across the Mediterranean coast. Video shows flooding in the towns of La Ràpita and Santa Bàrbara in Tarragona province, with vehicles swept away in the flowing water. Spain’s national weather agency Aemet has declared the highest red alert in Catalonia. It has predicted 180mm of rain (7 feet) in just 12 hours in the region. Residents in the Ebro Delta have been urged to stay indoors amid the havoc. “The situation is complicated, and more rain is forecast,” Cristina Vicente, a senior official at the agency, was quoted as saying by La Vanguardia. People have been trapped in cars in the floods as their vehicles were submerged in the water. Emergency services have rescued several people from cars, and no deaths have been reported till now. Authorities have shut down several roads to prevent loss of life. Train services between Barcelona and Valencia are also stand suspended. Meanwhile, tourists on the popular island of Ibiza have been stranded because of floodwaters at the airport and roads. The heavy showers have led to power cuts at the airport. The roof in some portions is also leaking, because of which some inside areas had to be closed.

Storm Alice has spun off heavy and torrential rains in Catalonia and Valencia in Spain. Videos show water gushing through the streets, slamming cars. The flash floods left people stranded in cars. Tourists on the island of Ibiza are also stuck.&nbsp;

Storm Alice Spain: Highest red alert issued as catastrophic scenes emerge from Catalonia flash floods | VIDEO

The winners of the Nobel Prize 2025 have been announced to honour individuals who have made a great impact worldwide. From László Krasznahorkai, Maria Corina Machado, Mary E. Brunkow, and many more are on the list for their remarkable contributions to the world. Check the list given below.

Nobel Prize 2025 winners list: Check category-wise details of all awardees in Physics, Peace, Economic Sciences and more

On Monday (October 13), the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Joel Mokyr, an American-Israeli Israel, Philippe Aghion from France, and Peter Howitt from Canada for their groundbreaking work on how technology influences long-term economic growth. Mokyr, 79, received half of the prize for his research on identifying the necessary conditions that enable sustained economic growth through technological advancements, according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.&nbsp;Aghion, 69, and Howitt, 79, shared the other half for their development of the ‘creative destruction’ theory, which examines how economic growth is driven by innovation that displaces older technologies with newer, more efficient ones. John Hassler, the chair of the Nobel committee, explained that their work addresses the fundamental question of how technological innovation fuels economic growth and what is required to maintain that growth over time.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-donald-trump-is-the-greatest-friend-that-israel-has-ever-had-in-white-house-1760351513550">Netanyahu: ‘Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in White&nbsp;House’</a>&nbsp;Hassler highlighted the striking shift over the past two centuries, noting that for much of human history, living standards barely changed from one generation to the next, with economic stagnation being the norm. In contrast, the last 200 years have seen unprecedented growth. Kerstin Enflo, a member of the Nobel committee, emphasised that while the last two centuries of growth have been extraordinary, they still represent a brief period in the context of human history's long stretch of stagnation. She warned that progress should not be taken for granted and that societies need to remain vigilant about the factors that drive and sustain growth.&nbsp;Mokyr, a professor at Northwestern University, used historical data to explore how technological progress became the key driver of sustained growth, making it a more permanent feature of modern economies. Aghion and Howitt’s work built on this by formulating a mathematical framework to explain “creative destruction” — a process in which new innovations render older products and companies obsolete, driving economic transformation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING NEWS The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the 2025 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt “for having explained innovation-driven economic growth” with one half to Mokyr… <a href="https://t.co/ZRKq0Nz4g7">pic.twitter.com/ZRKq0Nz4g7</a>&mdash; The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) <a href="https://twitter.com/NobelPrize/status/1977672594330435860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When reached for comment, Aghion expressed his astonishment at the award, calling it a huge surprise. He also discussed the potential threats to continued growth, including the rising protectionism and trade barriers, such as those seen during Donald Trump’s presidency. Aghion argued that economic openness is a crucial driver of growth and that any barriers to this openness are detrimental.&nbsp;He also warned that Europe should not allow the US and China to dominate the global technological landscape, stressing the need for European countries to strengthen their position in innovation. The Nobel Prize in Economics, unlike the original five prizes established by Alfred Nobel’s will, was created in 1968 through a donation from Sweden's central bank, and some critics refer to it as a ‘false Nobel’. However, it follows the same selection process as the other Nobel categories, with winners chosen by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.&nbsp;This year’s Nobel season also recognised advancements in immunology, quantum mechanics, and molecular architecture. The Nobel Literature Prize went to Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai, whose works explore dystopian and melancholic themes, while the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who dedicated her award to Donald Trump, noting that he had long believed he deserved the honour.The Nobel Economics Prize includes a diploma, a gold medal, and a cash award of $1.2 million. The laureates will receive their prizes at the official ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.

Nobel Prize 2025 in Economic Sciences: Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt awarded

On Monday (October 13), the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Joel Mokyr, an American-Israeli Israel, Philippe Aghion from France, and Peter Howitt from Canada for their groundbreaking work on how technology influences long-term economic growth. Mokyr, 79, received half of the prize for his research on identifying the necessary conditions that enable sustained economic growth through technological advancements, according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Aghion, 69, and Howitt, 79, shared the other half for their development of the ‘creative destruction’ theory, which examines how economic growth is driven by innovation that displaces older technologies with newer, more efficient ones. John Hassler, the chair of the Nobel committee, explained that their work addresses the fundamental question of how technological innovation fuels economic growth and what is required to maintain that growth over time. Also Read: Netanyahu: ‘Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in White House’ Hassler highlighted the striking shift over the past two centuries, noting that for much of human history, living standards barely changed from one generation to the next, with economic stagnation being the norm. In contrast, the last 200 years have seen unprecedented growth. Kerstin Enflo, a member of the Nobel committee, emphasised that while the last two centuries of growth have been extraordinary, they still represent a brief period in the context of human history's long stretch of stagnation. She warned that progress should not be taken for granted and that societies need to remain vigilant about the factors that drive and sustain growth. Mokyr, a professor at Northwestern University, used historical data to explore how technological progress became the key driver of sustained growth, making it a more permanent feature of modern economies. Aghion and Howitt’s work built on this by formulating a mathematical framework to explain “creative destruction” — a process in which new innovations render older products and companies obsolete, driving economic transformation.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Monday (October 13) announced the winners of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their remarkable contributions

As military conflicts raged in the past five years, a rather 'benign tumour' has been growing in the world, which could become the potential flashpoint of the next wars: the race for critical minerals. Rare earths are the next oil, a potential cause for small to big wars. In essence, countries will likely wage wars over sand. Here is the dystopian view of the future of the 'rare earths wars', which is probably already on.<h2>What are rare earths and why could they become the cause of wars?</h2>The world today runs on rare earths: 17 obscure 'critical elements' powering everything from military systems and clean energy tech to your digital gadgets. From F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and AI semiconductors, these minerals are inside everything. Demand has exploded, but supply is dangerously concentrated in a few countries. China today controls more than 70 per cent of global mining of these elements, and over 90 per cent of their processing. It’s a geopolitical weapon in the hands of China, and its rivals, led by the US, will find any reason to change that status quo.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lifts-export-ban-on-fertilisers-rare-earths-tunnel-machines-as-wang-yi-visits-india-report-1755581848134">China lifts export ban on fertilisers, rare earths, tunnel machines as Wang Yi visits India:&nbsp;Report</a><h2>How China’s rare earths export controls triggered global panic and Trump anger</h2>Last week, China launched sweeping export controls on key rare earths and processing technologies, just ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned summit with US President Donald Trump, which the latter cancelled in anger. The Chinese curbs applied to holmium, europium, and ytterbium. It also blocked exports of critical magnet materials. Trump then threatened to slap 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and framed the export bans as a national security threat to the US. In the American view, the curbs were tantamount to economic warfare.In an analysis, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned these curbs could cripple American defence production within months, because without Chinese rare earths, America’s F-35 jets, submarine systems, and precision-guided munitions cannot be built.Decades of offshoring and underinvestment in rare earths have left the US and the West utterly dependent on China, with no viable alternatives in the short term.This is how critical minerals have become strategic leverage, just like oil once was—leading to the West’s excuses for military interventions in producer countries, mostly in the Middle East.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-7-countries-with-the-largest-rare-earth-reserves-see-where-india-stands-1759307993918">Top 7 countries with the largest rare earth reserves: See where India stands</a><h2>Rare earths are already a key factor in conflict zones, from Africa to Asia to Europe</h2>The scramble for rare earths is already playing out as a key aspect in several conflict and post-conflict zones. Trump’s planned re-entry into Afghanistan is being seen by many analysts in the context of the vast untapped reserves that include rare earths, lithium, and copper—at an estimated total value of up to $3 trillion by some accounts.Even before the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20 years of occupation, China had moved in aggressively, having signed multi-billion-dollar mining deals. Before and during the new Taliban regime, Chinese mining workers have been attacked by Taliban-linked groups and Islamic State Khorasan. The region is slowly becoming a battleground not just of jihadist ideology and terror, but of extraction rights. With Trump aides already discussing “securing American interests” in Afghanistan, the Great Game has shifted underground, quite literally.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-china-with-increased-tariffs-and-no-meeting-with-xi-jinping-over-rare-earth-monopoly-policy-market-down-1760120771356">Trump threatens 'massive tariffs' on China, says 'now there seems to be no reason' to meet Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;As the Ukraine-Russia war continues, mineral geopolitics is on full display. Invading Ukraine gave Russia control of roughly half of its rich rare earth deposits, and much of its graphite, lithium, and uranium. These resources are central to European energy independence and Western re-industrialisation plans.Under Trump, the US struck a deal with Ukraine for preferential access to its critical minerals, tying aid to resource rights—a kind of quid pro quo.Thus, the war has now become, at least partially, about controlling Europe’s last great mineral trove. Russia has weaponised these assets, using export controls and territorial dominance to manipulate markets and supply chains.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed</a>Africa, one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, is quietly becoming the next arena—even amid civil conflicts. Burundi, Tanzania, and the DRC hold enormous reserves of neodymium, cobalt, and dysprosium, but are also ravaged by decades of internecine wars involving armed groups, armies and governments. In spite of these conflicts, China has managed to dominate mining operations in the African continent for years.Amid the unrest and corruption, Western nations are planning to re-enter Africa strategically in several mineral-rich states, reminiscent of the scramble for Africa during colonialism.Rare earth extraction has been linked to insurgencies, land seizures, and violence in Africa.<h2>A resource opportunity to resource war: How demand-supply gaps could evolve into real conflicts</h2>Rising demand, monopolised supply, and unstable extraction zones—that’s the perfect powder keg that could ignite future wars in places with rare earth resources.Unlike oil, these minerals cannot be easily substituted, stored, or rerouted. Scarcity, strategic value, and long development cycles make them uniquely explosive and vulnerable to conflicts.Rare earths are the new fault lines of power. And the quiet race beneath the surface is already erupting into open confrontations. Whether in Ukraine, the mountains of Afghanistan, the jungles of the DRC, or the Gobi Desert, the next great conflict may be decided not by ideology or territory, but by who owns the minerals beneath our feet. And those who control the flow will control the future. We are not headed toward a rare earths war; we are already in it.

The global race for rare earth minerals is igniting geopolitical tensions that could lead to real wars. The tussles and tariff wars between China and the US is one aspect. The West is vying for control of critical elements, and could cause a new form of resource warfare.


As military conflicts raged in the past five years, a rather 'benign tumour' has been growing in the world, which could become the potential flashpoint of the next wars: the race for critical minerals. Rare earths are the next oil, a potential cause for small to big wars. In essence, countries will likely wage wars over sand. Here is the dystopian view of the future of the 'rare earths wars', which is probably already on. What are rare earths and why could they become the cause of wars? The world today runs on rare earths: 17 obscure 'critical elements' powering everything from military systems and clean energy tech to your digital gadgets. From F-35 fighter jets and missile guidance to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and AI semiconductors, these minerals are inside everything. Demand has exploded, but supply is dangerously concentrated in a few countries. China today controls more than 70 per cent of global mining of these elements, and over 90 per cent of their processing. It’s a geopolitical weapon in the hands of China, and its rivals, led by the US, will find any reason to change that status quo. Also read: China lifts export ban on fertilisers, rare earths, tunnel machines as Wang Yi visits India: Report How China’s rare earths export controls triggered global panic and Trump anger Last week, China launched sweeping export controls on key rare earths and processing technologies, just ahead of President Xi Jinping’s planned summit with US President Donald Trump, which the latter cancelled in anger. The Chinese curbs applied to holmium, europium, and ytterbium. It also blocked exports of critical magnet materials. Trump then threatened to slap 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and framed the export bans as a national security threat to the US. In the American view, the curbs were tantamount to economic warfare. In an analysis, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned these curbs could cripple American defence production within months, because without Chinese rare earths, America’s F-35 jets, submarine systems, and precision-guided munitions cannot be built. Decades of offshoring and underinvestment in rare earths have left the US and the West utterly dependent on China, with no viable alternatives in the short term. This is how critical minerals have become strategic leverage, just like oil once was—leading to the West’s excuses for military interventions in producer countries, mostly in the Middle East. Also read: Top 7 countries with the largest rare earth reserves: See where India stands Rare earths are already a key factor in conflict zones, from Africa to Asia to Europe The scramble for rare earths is already playing out as a key aspect in several conflict and post-conflict zones. Trump’s planned re-entry into Afghanistan is being seen by many analysts in the context of the vast untapped reserves that include rare earths, lithium, and copper—at an estimated total value of up to $3 trillion by some accounts. Even before the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20 years of occupation, China had moved in aggressively, having signed multi-billion-dollar mining deals. Before and during the new Taliban regime, Chinese mining workers have been attacked by Taliban-linked groups and Islamic State Khorasan. The region is slowly becoming a battleground not just of jihadist ideology and terror, but of extraction rights. With Trump aides already discussing “securing American interests” in Afghanistan, the Great Game has shifted underground, quite literally. Also read: Trump threatens 'massive tariffs' on China, says 'now there seems to be no reason' to meet Xi Jinping As the Ukraine-Russia war continues, mineral geopolitics is on full display. Invading Ukraine gave Russia control of roughly half of its rich rare earth deposits, and much of its graphite, lithium, and uranium. These resources are central to European energy independence and Western re-industrialisation plans. Under Trump, the US struck a deal with Ukraine for preferential access to its critical minerals, tying aid to resource rights—a kind of quid pro quo. Thus, the war has now become, at least partially, about controlling Europe’s last great mineral trove. Russia has weaponised these assets, using export controls and territorial dominance to manipulate markets and supply chains. https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-defends-rare-earth-export-curbs-world-business-watch-wion-1760334659059/embed Africa, one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, is quietly becoming the next arena—even amid civil conflicts. Burundi, Tanzania, and the DRC hold enormous reserves of neodymium, cobalt, and dysprosium, but are also ravaged by decades of internecine wars involving armed groups, armies and governments. In spite of these conflicts, China has managed to dominate mining operations in the African continent for years. Amid the unrest and corruption, Western nations are planning to re-enter Africa strategically in several mineral-rich states, reminiscent of the scramble for Africa during colonialism. Rare earth extraction has been linked to insurgencies, land seizures, and violence in Africa. A resource opportunity to resource war: How demand-supply gaps could evolve into real conflicts Rising demand, monopolised supply, and unstable extraction zones—that’s the perfect powder keg that could ignite future wars in places with rare earth resources. Unlike oil, these minerals cannot be easily substituted, stored, or rerouted. Scarcity, strategic value, and long development cycles make them uniquely explosive and vulnerable to conflicts. Rare earths are the new fault lines of power. And the quiet race beneath the surface is already erupting into open confrontations. Whether in Ukraine, the mountains of Afghanistan, the jungles of the DRC, or the Gobi Desert, the next great conflict may be decided not by ideology or territory, but by who owns the minerals beneath our feet. And those who control the flow will control the future. We are not headed toward a rare earths war; we are already in it.

The global race for rare earth minerals is igniting geopolitical tensions that could lead to real wars. The tussles and tariff wars between China and the US is one aspect. The West is vying for control of critical elements, and could cause a new form of resource warfare. &nbsp;

Will rare earths cause the next war (or what is common in China vs US, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Africa)?

After brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the United States President Donald Trump seems to now shift focus on the Russia-Ukraine war. While travelling in Air Force One en route to Israel on Monday (Oct 13) Trump threatened the Russian government with sending Tomahawk missiles to it foe Ukraine.&nbsp;“I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’ The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.”&nbsp;“I might tell them that if the war is not settled — that we may very well. We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up," he added.<h2>What did Russia say?</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Russia raised concerns about the possibility of the US supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could escalate the war further.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/gaza-hostage-release-who-are-the-20-israelis-freed-by-hamas-under-ceasefire-deal-details-here-1760344149387">Gaza hostage release: Who are the 20 Israelis freed by Hamas under ceasefire deal. Details here</a>&nbsp;Speaking to a Russian state television Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "The topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern." He added "Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides."&nbsp;While Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia called any such move “plain stupidity,” and said it is proof of Kiev’s recklessness.<h2>Tomahawk missile range and capabilities</h2>&nbsp;The all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile has a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), which puts Moscow within reach for Ukraine. It measure 20 feet (6.1 meters) long with an 8.5-foot wingspan, and weigh about 1,510 kg.&nbsp;The missiles' design makes it compatible with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, submunitions, and bunker-busters.&nbsp;These missile can target threats precisely, even in well-guarded airspace and can be launched from surface ships or submarines.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While travelling in Air Force One en route to Israel on Monday (Oct 13) the US president Donald Trump threatened the Russian government with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

After brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the United States President Donald Trump seems to now shift focus on the Russia-Ukraine war. While travelling in Air Force One en route to Israel on Monday (Oct 13) Trump threatened the Russian government with sending Tomahawk missiles to it foe Ukraine. “I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’ The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.” “I might tell them that if the war is not settled — that we may very well. We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up," he added. What did Russia say? Meanwhile, Russia raised concerns about the possibility of the US supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could escalate the war further. Also Read: Gaza hostage release: Who are the 20 Israelis freed by Hamas under ceasefire deal. Details here Speaking to a Russian state television Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "The topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern." He added "Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides." While Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia called any such move “plain stupidity,” and said it is proof of Kiev’s recklessness. Tomahawk missile range and capabilities The all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile has a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), which puts Moscow within reach for Ukraine. It measure 20 feet (6.1 meters) long with an 8.5-foot wingspan, and weigh about 1,510 kg. The missiles' design makes it compatible with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, submunitions, and bunker-busters. These missile can target threats precisely, even in well-guarded airspace and can be launched from surface ships or submarines.

While travelling in Air Force One en route to Israel on Monday (Oct 13) the US president Donald Trump threatened the Russian government with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

What are Tomahawk missiles that US President Trump is threatening Russia with

Twenty Israeli hostages have been freed from Gaza under the latest ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The hostages, many of whom had spent more than two years in captivity, were handed over to the Red Cross. Here’s a look at who they are and the stories behind their captivity.

Gaza hostage release: Who are the 20 Israelis freed by Hamas under ceasefire deal? Details here

Taiwanese firm Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer specializing in electronic gadgets, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) for investing ₹15,000 crore(approx $1.69bn) in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to the Tamil Nadu Government, a delegation led by Mr. Robert Wu, India Representative and senior global executive of Foxconn, met with the Chief Minister MK Stalin and Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, in Chennai.&nbsp;&nbsp;The meeting marks a new milestone in Foxconn’s strategic engagement with the State,reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s position as a global hub for high-value manufacturing, exports, andengineering innovation, said the government. During the meeting, Foxconn announced an investment commitment of ₹15,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, accelerating emerging tech manufacturing, strengthening the relationship between Foxconn and Tamil Nadu. This has the potential to create14,000 jobs, with a special focus on engineering graduates and skilled youth, signalling Foxconn’s shift towardsvalue-added manufacturing, R&amp;D integration, and technology-led operations in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Robert Wu expressed Foxconn’s confidence in Tamil Nadu’sgovernance model, proactive industrial policies, and the skilled talent pool. He noted that Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure readiness, ease of doing business reforms, and future-focused policy leadership make it a preferred destination for Foxconn’s next phase of growth in India, including strategic verticals such asbattery technologies and AI-led manufacturing systems.&nbsp;Chief Minister Stalin welcomed Foxconn’s continued expansion and assured full support through the State's Industries department's single-window investment facilitation mechanism, talent development partnerships, and dedicated executive coordination through the new Foxconn Desk at Guidance, which is the state's Investment promotion and facilitation entity.&nbsp;He reiterated the Government’s commitment to positioning Tamil Nadu as a global electronics and advanced manufacturing powerhouse, deeply integrated into international value chains. According to Stephen Hsu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center(TECC) in the Southern Indian city of Chennai, the longstanding India-Taiwan partnership includes close cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education and culture.&nbsp;&nbsp;He emphasised that India-Taiwan trade has touched $10.6 billion in 2024, and that it has doubled from what it was during the year 2016. He said that there are more than 300 Taiwanese businesses presently operating in India and that the number of firms have tripled over the last eight years. This year, as India and Taiwan mark the 30th year of the bilateral relationship, Stephen said that it is a significant milestone. On bilateral trade volume in the ongoing year, he said that it is expected to hit a new high, as it has grown by 15% as of August 2025, when compared to the same period last yearTaiwan plays an irreplaceable role in the globally supply chain, with the country producing 70% of the world's semiconductor chips, and 95% of advanced chips which derive the tech revolution.&nbsp;&nbsp;The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is home to the leading cluster of Taiwanese organisations in India. Electronics manufacturing, footwear production, semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and skilled workforce mobility are the major domains where India and Taiwan are collaborating on.&nbsp;In recent years, Tamil Nadu has inked over 21 MoUs with Taiwanese firms across sectors. Notably, the Foxconn factory that rolls out Apple iPhones from Tamil Nadu plays a substantial role in the state's electronics exports, which amounts to 41% of India's total electronic exports.&nbsp;

During the meeting, Foxconn announced an investment commitment of ₹15,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, accelerating emerging tech manufacturing, strengthening the relationship between Foxconn and Tamil Nadu. 

Taiwanese firm Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer specializing in electronic gadgets, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) for investing ₹15,000 crore(approx $1.69bn) in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to the Tamil Nadu Government, a delegation led by Mr. Robert Wu, India Representative and senior global executive of Foxconn, met with the Chief Minister MK Stalin and Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, in Chennai. The meeting marks a new milestone in Foxconn’s strategic engagement with the State, reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s position as a global hub for high-value manufacturing, exports, and engineering innovation, said the government. During the meeting, Foxconn announced an investment commitment of ₹15,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, accelerating emerging tech manufacturing, strengthening the relationship between Foxconn and Tamil Nadu. This has the potential to create14,000 jobs, with a special focus on engineering graduates and skilled youth, signalling Foxconn’s shift towards value-added manufacturing, R&D integration, and technology-led operations in the state. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Robert Wu expressed Foxconn’s confidence in Tamil Nadu’s governance model, proactive industrial policies, and the skilled talent pool. He noted that Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure readiness, ease of doing business reforms, and future-focused policy leadership make it a preferred destination for Foxconn’s next phase of growth in India, including strategic verticals such as battery technologies and AI-led manufacturing systems. Chief Minister Stalin welcomed Foxconn’s continued expansion and assured full support through the State's Industries department's single-window investment facilitation mechanism, talent development partnerships, and dedicated executive coordination through the new Foxconn Desk at Guidance, which is the state's Investment promotion and facilitation entity. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to positioning Tamil Nadu as a global electronics and advanced manufacturing powerhouse, deeply integrated into international value chains. According to Stephen Hsu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center(TECC) in the Southern Indian city of Chennai, the longstanding India-Taiwan partnership includes close cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education and culture. He emphasised that India-Taiwan trade has touched $10.6 billion in 2024, and that it has doubled from what it was during the year 2016. He said that there are more than 300 Taiwanese businesses presently operating in India and that the number of firms have tripled over the last eight years. This year, as India and Taiwan mark the 30th year of the bilateral relationship, Stephen said that it is a significant milestone. On bilateral trade volume in the ongoing year, he said that it is expected to hit a new high, as it has grown by 15% as of August 2025, when compared to the same period last year Taiwan plays an irreplaceable role in the globally supply chain, with the country producing 70% of the world's semiconductor chips, and 95% of advanced chips which derive the tech revolution. The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is home to the leading cluster of Taiwanese organisations in India. Electronics manufacturing, footwear production, semiconductors, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and skilled workforce mobility are the major domains where India and Taiwan are collaborating on. In recent years, Tamil Nadu has inked over 21 MoUs with Taiwanese firms across sectors. Notably, the Foxconn factory that rolls out Apple iPhones from Tamil Nadu plays a substantial role in the state's electronics exports, which amounts to 41% of India's total electronic exports.

During the meeting, Foxconn announced an investment commitment of ₹15,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, accelerating emerging tech manufacturing, strengthening the relationship between Foxconn and Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;

India: Foxconn inks MoU for $1.69bn investment in Tamil Nadu

In India's Kerala, another case of the fatal brain infection popularly referred to as 'brain-eating amoeba' was confirmed on Monday (Oct 13). The latest patient, as per reports, is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy from Thayyil in Kannur district. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. This comes as the death toll from the fatal brain infection went up to 23, as of Sunday (Oct 12), reported the state's health minister Veena George. In a statement, the minister said that, so far this year, a total of 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis, aka brain fever, have been reported in Kerala. He also revealed which Kerala districts have been hit worst by the brain fever. Here's all you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-scientists-revive-40-000-year-old-ancient-virus-with-pandemic-potential-from-arctic-ice-1759812221224">Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice</a><h2>These Kerala districts have reported the highest number of cases of brain-eating amoeba</h2>Kerala's Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have been most affected by the so-called brain-eating amoeba, according to estimates. In a post on Facebook, Veena George said that following the 2023 Nippah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, "it was decided and directed that all cases of encephalitis (brain fever) must be mandatorily reported and that the causes behind such cases should be identified".The health minister added that, as a result, "from 2024 onwards, encephalitis cases began to be officially reported, and some of them were found to be amoebic encephalitis". She said that, including the cases reported on Sunday, "a total of 104 amoebic encephalitis cases have been reported so far, of which 23 patients have died".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-do-something-trump-once-again-accuses-biden-of-planting-274-fbi-agents-at-jan-6-capitol-riot-1760255300932">‘Do something!!!’: Trump once again accuses Biden of planting 274 FBI agents at Jan 6 Capitol riot</a><h2>Kerala defying high global mortality rates</h2>George also detailed that globally, the fatality rate for Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba that causes amoebic encephalitis, stands at 98 per cent and for Acanthamoeba-related cases, the damning rate is somewhere above 70 per cent. However, she noted that despite the high global mortality rate, "Kerala has managed to significantly reduce the death rate by detecting and treating the disease at an early stage"."Based on the decisions taken at a joint meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, various departments are working together to ensure scientific chlorination and other preventive measures are carried out continuously across the state," she added.&nbsp;

Kerala confirms another case of the fatal 'brain-eating amoeba', bringing the total reported cases to 104 this year. A 3.5-year-old from Kannur tested positive for Naegleria fowleri. Earlier, Health Minister Veena George said 104 cases have been reported so far.

In India's Kerala, another case of the fatal brain infection popularly referred to as 'brain-eating amoeba' was confirmed on Monday (Oct 13). The latest patient, as per reports, is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy from Thayyil in Kannur district. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. This comes as the death toll from the fatal brain infection went up to 23, as of Sunday (Oct 12), reported the state's health minister Veena George. In a statement, the minister said that, so far this year, a total of 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis, aka brain fever, have been reported in Kerala. He also revealed which Kerala districts have been hit worst by the brain fever. Here's all you need to know. Also read | Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice These Kerala districts have reported the highest number of cases of brain-eating amoeba Kerala's Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have been most affected by the so-called brain-eating amoeba, according to estimates. In a post on Facebook, Veena George said that following the 2023 Nippah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, "it was decided and directed that all cases of encephalitis (brain fever) must be mandatorily reported and that the causes behind such cases should be identified". The health minister added that, as a result, "from 2024 onwards, encephalitis cases began to be officially reported, and some of them were found to be amoebic encephalitis". She said that, including the cases reported on Sunday, "a total of 104 amoebic encephalitis cases have been reported so far, of which 23 patients have died". Also read | ‘Do something!!!’: Trump once again accuses Biden of planting 274 FBI agents at Jan 6 Capitol riot Kerala defying high global mortality rates George also detailed that globally, the fatality rate for Naegleria fowleri, the brain-eating amoeba that causes amoebic encephalitis, stands at 98 per cent and for Acanthamoeba-related cases, the damning rate is somewhere above 70 per cent. However, she noted that despite the high global mortality rate, "Kerala has managed to significantly reduce the death rate by detecting and treating the disease at an early stage". "Based on the decisions taken at a joint meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, various departments are working together to ensure scientific chlorination and other preventive measures are carried out continuously across the state," she added.

Kerala confirms another case of the fatal 'brain-eating amoeba', bringing the total reported cases to 104 this year. A 3.5-year-old from Kannur tested positive for Naegleria fowleri. Earlier, Health Minister Veena George said 104 cases have been reported so far.

Kerala’s ‘brain-eating amoeba’ scare deepens: 3-year-old latest to be infected, death toll rises to 23

En route to Israel on Air Force One, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire announcement he made on October 9 was done to save millions of lives. A day after, the Nobel Peace Prize was announced and was hopeful of being the recipient, though he wasn’t named and Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado&nbsp;bagged the title. And three days later, Trump says he ended the ‘eighth war’ for the people and not the Nobel Prize. He said, “In all fairness to the Nobel Committee, it was for 2024. This (Nobel Peace Prize) was picked for 2024. But there are those who say you could make an exception because a lot of things happened during 2025 that are done and complete and great. But I did not do this for the Nobel. I did this for saving lives."&nbsp;As Trump announced the end of yet another war, Israel’s cabinet also approved the Gaza peace deal after a discussion. But the initial announcement came from America. “We ended the war in Gaza and created peace,” Trump said. He also hopes for everlasting peace in the Middle East. Lauding his nation, he said “All Americans should be proud of the role our country has played in bringing this horrible war to an end.”&nbsp;While talking about the peace deal, he mentioned the war between Israel and Hamas as the eighth war he ended and is now looking to end the one ongoing between Russia and Ukraine. Talking of the Middle East, Trump didn’t hesitate before saying, ‘the rich ones, the less than rich ones, they are all coming together’. He was elated to announce how the Middle East has come together to end the war in Gaza. Trump will be visiting Egypt for the ‘official signing’.&nbsp;On Monday (Oct 13), the hostage exchange has begun and the two sides are swapping people held captive. From prisoners to security detainees, this hostage deal also had about 1,700, who were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.

Trump says he ended the ‘eighth war’ for the people and not the Nobel Prize. 

En route to Israel on Air Force One, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire announcement he made on October 9 was done to save millions of lives. A day after, the Nobel Peace Prize was announced and was hopeful of being the recipient, though he wasn’t named and Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado bagged the title. And three days later, Trump says he ended the ‘eighth war’ for the people and not the Nobel Prize. He said, “In all fairness to the Nobel Committee, it was for 2024. This (Nobel Peace Prize) was picked for 2024. But there are those who say you could make an exception because a lot of things happened during 2025 that are done and complete and great. But I did not do this for the Nobel. I did this for saving lives." As Trump announced the end of yet another war, Israel’s cabinet also approved the Gaza peace deal after a discussion. But the initial announcement came from America. “We ended the war in Gaza and created peace,” Trump said. He also hopes for everlasting peace in the Middle East. Lauding his nation, he said “All Americans should be proud of the role our country has played in bringing this horrible war to an end.” While talking about the peace deal, he mentioned the war between Israel and Hamas as the eighth war he ended and is now looking to end the one ongoing between Russia and Ukraine. Talking of the Middle East, Trump didn’t hesitate before saying, ‘the rich ones, the less than rich ones, they are all coming together’. He was elated to announce how the Middle East has come together to end the war in Gaza. Trump will be visiting Egypt for the ‘official signing’. On Monday (Oct 13), the hostage exchange has begun and the two sides are swapping people held captive. From prisoners to security detainees, this hostage deal also had about 1,700, who were detained by the Israeli army in Gaza during the war.

Trump says he ended the ‘eighth war’ for the people and not the Nobel Prize.&nbsp;

'Not for Nobel Peace Prize': Trump says he ended Israel-Hamas war to save millions of lives

After two gruelling years of death and destruction, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is most likely coming to an end with the final prisoner-hostage exchange on Monday (Oct 13). Both sides are claiming victory. It is impossible to call anyone the victor in an unequal war. But one thing is clear: Hamas has emerged shaken and stirred, but not completely decimated, which was the declared objective of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he went into Gaza after the October 2023 terror attack. Who are the Hamas, and have they won the Gaza war? Here is an analysis:<h2>Who are Hamas? The back story</h2>Hamas’s roots go back to the aftermath of the 1967 war during which Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The founders of Hamas, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, initially built a network of religious and charitable institutions called Mujama al-Islamiya. Formally known as the Islamic Resistance Movement (Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah), Hamas came into being in 1987 during the First Intifada, or the Palestinian resistance against Israel. Hamas started as a grassroots offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and quickly became a fierce opponent of Israeli occupation. Equally, it opposed the secular nationalism of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), making it more religion-oriented and an aspect of jihad by merging Sunni Islamist ideology with Palestinian nationalism.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-hamas-names-20-surviving-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-that-will-be-freed-in-massive-prisoner-swap-today-1760329323951/amp">Hamas releases names of 20 surviving Israeli hostages that will be freed in massive prisoner swap today</a><h2>Israel once helped Hamas grow</h2>Israel saw in Hamas a counterforce against the PLO, which was secular and leftist. In the early years, Israel tacitly allowed the group to expand, a strategy that dramatically misfired when Hamas emerged as a political and militant force to reckon with. Palestinians frustrated with the perceived failures of diplomacy, particularly the Oslo Accords, joined Hamas in droves. The Oslo peace process in the 1990s was counterproductive as it led to expanding Israeli settlements, restricted Palestinian autonomy, and worsening economic conditions. Hamas completely rejected the Oslo framework as a betrayal of Palestinian rights.<h2>How Hamas became a militant force adept at asymmetric warfare</h2>While Fatah, the dominant group in the PLO, focused on negotiation and compromise, Hamas escalated armed resistance through suicide bombings and later through rocket attacks, using asymmetric warfare tactics. Even without a conventional army, the group developed guerrilla tactics against Israel’s military superiority: improvised explosive devices, anti-tank missiles, extensive tunnel networks beneath Gaza, and locally-assembled rockets such as the Qassam.<h2>Iran helped Hamas upgrade its arsenal</h2>Iran helped Hamas cut across the Sunni-Shia divide, providing financial and military support that allowed Hamas to challenge the perception of Israeli invulnerability. This was on full display on 7 October 2023, which Hamas called “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Hamas fighters breached Israel’s border by land, air (using parasailing), and sea, killing around 1,200 people and taking nearly 250 hostages. The attack, while stunning both Israel and the world, reinjected the Palestinian cause into global headlines and shocked the world back into discussing the Palestinian statehood issue.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-beginning-of-a-new-path-hostage-prisoner-swap-between-israel-hamas-to-take-place-monday-all-details-inside-1760292971752">‘Beginning of a new path’: Hostage-prisoner swap between Israel, Hamas to take place Monday – All details inside</a><h2>Hamas attacked Israel, Palestinians suffered in Gaza: The war aftermath&nbsp;</h2>The Palestinians in Gaza paid a heavy price for Hamas’s actions. Israel launched its most intensive campaign ever in Gaza, killing at least 60,000 Palestinians according to some accounts, and bombing much of Gaza into rubble.But till the last moments of the Israel-Hamas war, the group retained its fighting abilities. Reportedly, it has recruited tens of thousands of new fighters since the war began. Hamas also re-established operational cells even in areas Israel had claimed to have cleared. In short, Hamas dragged the Israeli military into an exhausting, asymmetrical, urban war of attrition.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-friends-family-of-hostages-to-watch-their-release-live-1760340067382/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-friends-family-of-hostages-to-watch-their-release-live-1760340067382/embed</a><h2>Hamas’s endurance to date is its greatest victory</h2>This is not a war whose winner and loser can be measured by traditional military benchmarks like territorial control, casualty counts, or a peace accord after surrender. It was a battle of survival. It was about who was able to extract more concessions, shape the narrative, and maintain relevance. Hamas was able to secure the maximum number of prisoners at an almost 3 to 1 ratio for the release of hostages, some already dead. Hamas remains visible even today in hostage negotiations and transfers, making it clear that it still runs Gaza. Many Western nations were forced to recognise the state of Palestine, despite Israel’s frenzied diplomacy and resistance. On these terms, Hamas achieved several key objectives of why it attacked Israel in 2023.<h2>Hamas is socially ingrained in Gaza</h2>Hamas’s military arm, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is what most people see, but it also has deep roots in the social infrastructure of Gaza. Even as the economy is crippled by the Israeli blockade and the war, Hamas has been filling critical governance gaps. It has a ‘dawa network’ that provides education, healthcare and food aid to tens of thousands of people. This network functions as a government in the absence of a viable state. Hamas has been able to mix resistance with social services, making it a resilient force, especially when rival factions like Fatah are viewed as corrupt or incompetent by many Palestinians.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-to-not-govern-post-war-gaza-names-almost-ready-for-palestinian-committee-here-s-what-we-know-1760264781454">Hamas to not govern post-war Gaza? Names ‘almost ready’ for Palestinian committee – Here’s what we know</a><h2>Hamas is a proxy of Iran</h2>Hamas is a key aspect of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” receiving financial and military support from Tehran. It also has political backing or engagement from Qatar, Turkey, and even discreetly from Russia and China, who see the Palestinian issue through a post-colonial prism. As we saw, the Hamas-Israel war also activated other militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. This gives Hamas strategic leverage in the region, making it not just a representative of Palestinian resistance, but part of a broader opposition to the Western-backed regional order.<h2>The real win for Hamas will come only if…</h2>The toughest task with Hamas, assuming the war is over, is the revival of Gaza in terms of infrastructure and economy. From food to healthcare to education and managing internal dissent, Hamas faces bigger enemies than Israel.Many Palestinians have accused Hamas of authoritarianism and repression of dissent and criticised it for prioritising military aims over civilian welfare. There is also the spectre of whether Hamas leaders would be tried for war crimes. A clear lack of recognisable leadership faces is another problem for Hamas. Would anyone come forward as the popular leader of the group, given that many of its elders were killed by Israel in overt or covert operations?For many Palestinians, Hamas is not perfect but necessary. It is the only force that refuses to accept the status quo of occupation, siege, and diplomatic stagnation—talks for the sake of talks without results. Despite the blockade, assassinations, and four major wars, Hamas has kept the Palestinian struggle alive in the international arena. In this sense, Hamas has not only survived but reshaped the conflict. Its continued presence signals that no military solution can fully decimate a deeply rooted political movement driven by decades of displacement, dispossession, and perceived injustice.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-rummaging-for-hope-hamas-and-israel-begin-hostage-exchange-gaza-1760330107614">In Pics | Rummaging for hope: Hamas and Israel begin hostage exchange</a><h2>So, did Hamas win the Gaza war?</h2>Whether Hamas has "won" the Gaza war depends on the angle through which the conflict is viewed. It has suffered immense military casualties. Gazas' civilians faced unimaginable suffering. But politically and symbolically, Hamas has ensured that its cause cannot be ignored as it disrupted Israeli security assumptions and rallied widespread regional and global support, It has forced a reckoning over the unresolved core issue of the conflict: the occupation of Palestinian land and the creation of a Palestinian state. Until that issue is addressed, Hamas’s fight and the broader resistance it represents will go on.

Hamas evolved from grassroots Islamist roots into Gaza’s ruling force, using militant and social strategies to resist Israeli occupation and reshape the Palestinian conflict narrative. As the Gaza war appears to be ending with the prisoner-hostage swap, here is an analytical look


After two gruelling years of death and destruction, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is most likely coming to an end with the final prisoner-hostage exchange on Monday (Oct 13). Both sides are claiming victory. It is impossible to call anyone the victor in an unequal war. But one thing is clear: Hamas has emerged shaken and stirred, but not completely decimated, which was the declared objective of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he went into Gaza after the October 2023 terror attack. Who are the Hamas, and have they won the Gaza war? Here is an analysis: Who are Hamas? The back story Hamas’s roots go back to the aftermath of the 1967 war during which Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The founders of Hamas, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, initially built a network of religious and charitable institutions called Mujama al-Islamiya. Formally known as the Islamic Resistance Movement (Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-Islāmiyyah), Hamas came into being in 1987 during the First Intifada, or the Palestinian resistance against Israel. Hamas started as a grassroots offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and quickly became a fierce opponent of Israeli occupation. Equally, it opposed the secular nationalism of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), making it more religion-oriented and an aspect of jihad by merging Sunni Islamist ideology with Palestinian nationalism. Also read: Hamas releases names of 20 surviving Israeli hostages that will be freed in massive prisoner swap today Israel once helped Hamas grow Israel saw in Hamas a counterforce against the PLO, which was secular and leftist. In the early years, Israel tacitly allowed the group to expand, a strategy that dramatically misfired when Hamas emerged as a political and militant force to reckon with. Palestinians frustrated with the perceived failures of diplomacy, particularly the Oslo Accords, joined Hamas in droves. The Oslo peace process in the 1990s was counterproductive as it led to expanding Israeli settlements, restricted Palestinian autonomy, and worsening economic conditions. Hamas completely rejected the Oslo framework as a betrayal of Palestinian rights. How Hamas became a militant force adept at asymmetric warfare While Fatah, the dominant group in the PLO, focused on negotiation and compromise, Hamas escalated armed resistance through suicide bombings and later through rocket attacks, using asymmetric warfare tactics. Even without a conventional army, the group developed guerrilla tactics against Israel’s military superiority: improvised explosive devices, anti-tank missiles, extensive tunnel networks beneath Gaza, and locally-assembled rockets such as the Qassam. Iran helped Hamas upgrade its arsenal Iran helped Hamas cut across the Sunni-Shia divide, providing financial and military support that allowed Hamas to challenge the perception of Israeli invulnerability. This was on full display on 7 October 2023, which Hamas called “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Hamas fighters breached Israel’s border by land, air (using parasailing), and sea, killing around 1,200 people and taking nearly 250 hostages. The attack, while stunning both Israel and the world, reinjected the Palestinian cause into global headlines and shocked the world back into discussing the Palestinian statehood issue. Also read: ‘Beginning of a new path’: Hostage-prisoner swap between Israel, Hamas to take place Monday – All details inside Hamas attacked Israel, Palestinians suffered in Gaza: The war aftermath The Palestinians in Gaza paid a heavy price for Hamas’s actions. Israel launched its most intensive campaign ever in Gaza, killing at least 60,000 Palestinians according to some accounts, and bombing much of Gaza into rubble. But till the last moments of the Israel-Hamas war, the group retained its fighting abilities. Reportedly, it has recruited tens of thousands of new fighters since the war began. Hamas also re-established operational cells even in areas Israel had claimed to have cleared. In short, Hamas dragged the Israeli military into an exhausting, asymmetrical, urban war of attrition. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-friends-family-of-hostages-to-watch-their-release-live-1760340067382/embed Hamas’s endurance to date is its greatest victory This is not a war whose winner and loser can be measured by traditional military benchmarks like territorial control, casualty counts, or a peace accord after surrender. It was a battle of survival. It was about who was able to extract more concessions, shape the narrative, and maintain relevance. Hamas was able to secure the maximum number of prisoners at an almost 3 to 1 ratio for the release of hostages, some already dead. Hamas remains visible even today in hostage negotiations and transfers, making it clear that it still runs Gaza. Many Western nations were forced to recognise the state of Palestine, despite Israel’s frenzied diplomacy and resistance. On these terms, Hamas achieved several key objectives of why it attacked Israel in 2023. Hamas is socially ingrained in Gaza Hamas’s military arm, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, is what most people see, but it also has deep roots in the social infrastructure of Gaza. Even as the economy is crippled by the Israeli blockade and the war, Hamas has been filling critical governance gaps. It has a ‘dawa network’ that provides education, healthcare and food aid to tens of thousands of people. This network functions as a government in the absence of a viable state. Hamas has been able to mix resistance with social services, making it a resilient force, especially when rival factions like Fatah are viewed as corrupt or incompetent by many Palestinians. Also read: Hamas to not govern post-war Gaza? Names ‘almost ready’ for Palestinian committee – Here’s what we know Hamas is a proxy of Iran Hamas is a key aspect of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” receiving financial and military support from Tehran. It also has political backing or engagement from Qatar, Turkey, and even discreetly from Russia and China, who see the Palestinian issue through a post-colonial prism. As we saw, the Hamas-Israel war also activated other militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. This gives Hamas strategic leverage in the region, making it not just a representative of Palestinian resistance, but part of a broader opposition to the Western-backed regional order. The real win for Hamas will come only if… The toughest task with Hamas, assuming the war is over, is the revival of Gaza in terms of infrastructure and economy. From food to healthcare to education and managing internal dissent, Hamas faces bigger enemies than Israel. Many Palestinians have accused Hamas of authoritarianism and repression of dissent and criticised it for prioritising military aims over civilian welfare. There is also the spectre of whether Hamas leaders would be tried for war crimes. A clear lack of recognisable leadership faces is another problem for Hamas. Would anyone come forward as the popular leader of the group, given that many of its elders were killed by Israel in overt or covert operations? For many Palestinians, Hamas is not perfect but necessary. It is the only force that refuses to accept the status quo of occupation, siege, and diplomatic stagnation—talks for the sake of talks without results. Despite the blockade, assassinations, and four major wars, Hamas has kept the Palestinian struggle alive in the international arena. In this sense, Hamas has not only survived but reshaped the conflict. Its continued presence signals that no military solution can fully decimate a deeply rooted political movement driven by decades of displacement, dispossession, and perceived injustice. Also read: In Pics | Rummaging for hope: Hamas and Israel begin hostage exchange So, did Hamas win the Gaza war? Whether Hamas has "won" the Gaza war depends on the angle through which the conflict is viewed. It has suffered immense military casualties. Gazas' civilians faced unimaginable suffering. But politically and symbolically, Hamas has ensured that its cause cannot be ignored as it disrupted Israeli security assumptions and rallied widespread regional and global support, It has forced a reckoning over the unresolved core issue of the conflict: the occupation of Palestinian land and the creation of a Palestinian state. Until that issue is addressed, Hamas’s fight and the broader resistance it represents will go on.

Hamas evolved from grassroots Islamist roots into Gaza’s ruling force, using militant and social strategies to resist Israeli occupation and reshape the Palestinian conflict narrative. As the Gaza war appears to be ending with the prisoner-hostage swap, here is an analytical look &nbsp;

Who are Hamas, and did they 'win' the Gaza war against Israel?

On Oct 9, US President Donald Trump announced the end of the war between Israel and Hamas. He also said it was a proud moment for all Americans. 

In Pics | Rummaging for hope: Hamas and Israel begin hostage exchange

Two years after the war broke out in the Gaza strip between Israel and Hamas, after the terror outfit attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing at least 1,200 people, a ceasefire has finally been agreed upon by both the sides, that has been brokered by United States President Donald Trump. It has not only garnered praise for Trump from across the world but also his opponents among whom former secretary of state Hillary Clinton happens to be one.&nbsp;In a rare praise for Trump, Clinton in a live interview with CBS jus after the landmark deal was signed in which Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages and Israel pledged to withdraw its military from parts of the Gaza Strip, said "I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region for making the commitment to the 20-point plan and seeing a path forward for what's often called the day after".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-russia-with-long-range-tomohawk-missiles-says-i-may-1760330254751">Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomohawk missiles, says 'I may...'</a>&nbsp;However, Clinton highlighted that the "first phase" as called by Trump is "going to take a lot of work. It's going to take a lot of coordination."<h2>"War is over in Gaza"</h2>Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Oct 12) declared that the "war is over in Gaza" as he departed for a high-stakes peace mission to Israel and Egypt, calling the trip a "very special visit." Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump brushed off doubts about the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas. "The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" he insisted when asked if he was confident the conflict had ended. When pressed on whether the truce would hold, he added, "I think it's going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries."&nbsp;

However, the former secretary of state Hillary Clinton highlighted that the first phase as called by Trump is going to take a lot of work. Its going to take a lot of coordination.

Two years after the war broke out in the Gaza strip between Israel and Hamas, after the terror outfit attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing at least 1,200 people, a ceasefire has finally been agreed upon by both the sides, that has been brokered by United States President Donald Trump. It has not only garnered praise for Trump from across the world but also his opponents among whom former secretary of state Hillary Clinton happens to be one. In a rare praise for Trump, Clinton in a live interview with CBS jus after the landmark deal was signed in which Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages and Israel pledged to withdraw its military from parts of the Gaza Strip, said "I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region for making the commitment to the 20-point plan and seeing a path forward for what's often called the day after". Also Read: Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomohawk missiles, says 'I may...' However, Clinton highlighted that the "first phase" as called by Trump is "going to take a lot of work. It's going to take a lot of coordination." "War is over in Gaza" Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Oct 12) declared that the "war is over in Gaza" as he departed for a high-stakes peace mission to Israel and Egypt, calling the trip a "very special visit." Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump brushed off doubts about the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas. "The war is over. Okay? You understand that?" he insisted when asked if he was confident the conflict had ended. When pressed on whether the truce would hold, he added, "I think it's going to hold. I think people are tired of it. It's been centuries."

However, the former secretary of state Hillary Clinton highlighted that the "first phase" as called by Trump is "going to take a lot of work. It's going to take a lot of coordination."

Hillary Clinton praises arch rival Donald Trump for Gaza peace deal, says "I really..."

United States President Donald Trump has threatened Russia with supplying Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. While being asked whether there is a possibility of sending Tomahawks to Ukraine in order to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin's government , Trump said "we'll see... I may", &nbsp;it would provide "a new step of aggression" in Ukraine's war with Russia.&nbsp;Travelling on Air Force One en route to Israel Trump said, &nbsp;“I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’ The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.”&nbsp;“I might tell them that if the war is not settled — that we may very well. We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up," he added.<h2>Moscow reacts to Trump's remarks</h2>&nbsp;The statement comes amid Moscow raising concerns about the possibility of the US supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could escalate the war further.&nbsp;Speaking to a Russian state television Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "The topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern." He added "Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides."&nbsp;Vladimir Putin has regularly warned US against supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine as it would "cross a red line" and lead to further hostilities.<h2>Tomahawk missile's range and capabilities</h2>&nbsp;The all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile has a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), which puts Moscow within reach for Ukraine. The missiles' design makes it compatible with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, submunitions, and bunker-busters.&nbsp;These missile can target threats precisely, even in well-guarded airspace and can be launched from surface ships or submarines.

Vladimir Putin has regularly warned US against supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine as it would cross a red line and lead to further hostilities.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened Russia with supplying Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine. While being asked whether there is a possibility of sending Tomahawks to Ukraine in order to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin's government , Trump said "we'll see... I may", it would provide "a new step of aggression" in Ukraine's war with Russia. Travelling on Air Force One en route to Israel Trump said, “I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks.’ The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not need that.” “I might tell them that if the war is not settled — that we may very well. We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up," he added. Moscow reacts to Trump's remarks The statement comes amid Moscow raising concerns about the possibility of the US supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, which could escalate the war further. Speaking to a Russian state television Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "The topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern." He added "Now is really a very dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides." Vladimir Putin has regularly warned US against supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine as it would "cross a red line" and lead to further hostilities. Tomahawk missile's range and capabilities The all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile has a range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles), which puts Moscow within reach for Ukraine. The missiles' design makes it compatible with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, submunitions, and bunker-busters. These missile can target threats precisely, even in well-guarded airspace and can be launched from surface ships or submarines.

Vladimir Putin has regularly warned US against supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine as it would "cross a red line" and lead to further hostilities.

Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomahawk missiles,  says 'I may...'

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, on Monday (Oct 13) published the names of 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza. The release is part of a deal reached with Israel, which aims to free the captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.<h2>Hostages identified</h2>The list shared on the group’s Telegram channel includes 20 of the 48 captives — both living and deceased — still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. In its Telegram post, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said that "as part of the #AlAqsa_Flood_Deal for prisoner exchange, the Al-Qassam Brigades decided to release the following living Zionist prisoners".&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-war-is-over-in-gaza-ahead-of-peace-summit-in-egypt-1760316244168">Trump declares 'war is over in Gaza' ahead of peace summit in Egypt</a> 1- Bar Avraham Kuperstein&nbsp; 2- Aviatar David&nbsp; 3- Yosef Haim Ohana&nbsp; 4- Segev Kalfon&nbsp; 5- Avinatan Or&nbsp; 6- Elkana Bohbot&nbsp; 7- Maxim Herkin&nbsp; 8- Nimrod Cohen&nbsp; 9- Matan Zangauker&nbsp; 10- David Konio&nbsp; 11- Eitan Horn&nbsp; 12- Matan Angrist&nbsp; 13- Eitan Mor&nbsp; 14- Gali Berman&nbsp; 15- Ziv Berman&nbsp; 16- Omri Miran&nbsp; 17- Alon Ohel&nbsp; 18- Guy Gilboa-Dalal&nbsp; 19- Rom Braslavsky&nbsp; 20- Ariel Konio OfficialAlso read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-after-almost-two-years-of-war-aid-finally-flows-into-gaza-1760251345599">In Pics: After almost two years of war, aid finally flows into Gaza</a><h2>Trump to get Israel's highest civilian honour</h2>For his efforts in mediating the freedom of the Israeli hostages, Tehran has announced that it will honour US President Donald Trump with its highest civilian honour. In a statement, Israel President Isaac Herzog said, "Through his tireless efforts, President Trump has not only helped bring our loved ones home but has also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on security, cooperation, and genuine hope for a peaceful future"."It will be a great honour for me to present him with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour," he said, adding that the award will be presented in the “coming months”.&nbsp;

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades has released the names of 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza. Read on for the names of the Hamas hostages that will be released today.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, on Monday (Oct 13) published the names of 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza. The release is part of a deal reached with Israel, which aims to free the captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hostages identified The list shared on the group’s Telegram channel includes 20 of the 48 captives — both living and deceased — still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. In its Telegram post, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said that "as part of the #AlAqsa_Flood_Deal for prisoner exchange, the Al-Qassam Brigades decided to release the following living Zionist prisoners". Also read | Trump declares 'war is over in Gaza' ahead of peace summit in Egypt 1- Bar Avraham Kuperstein 2- Aviatar David 3- Yosef Haim Ohana 4- Segev Kalfon 5- Avinatan Or 6- Elkana Bohbot 7- Maxim Herkin 8- Nimrod Cohen 9- Matan Zangauker 10- David Konio 11- Eitan Horn 12- Matan Angrist 13- Eitan Mor 14- Gali Berman 15- Ziv Berman 16- Omri Miran 17- Alon Ohel 18- Guy Gilboa-Dalal 19- Rom Braslavsky 20- Ariel Konio Official Also read | In Pics: After almost two years of war, aid finally flows into Gaza Trump to get Israel's highest civilian honour For his efforts in mediating the freedom of the Israeli hostages, Tehran has announced that it will honour US President Donald Trump with its highest civilian honour. In a statement, Israel President Isaac Herzog said, "Through his tireless efforts, President Trump has not only helped bring our loved ones home but has also laid the foundations for a new era in the Middle East built on security, cooperation, and genuine hope for a peaceful future". "It will be a great honour for me to present him with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour," he said, adding that the award will be presented in the “coming months”.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades has released the names of 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza. Read on for the names of the Hamas hostages that will be released today.

Hamas releases names of 20 surviving Israeli hostages that will be freed in massive prisoner swap today

Iran on Sunday (Oct 12) urged restraint as tensions between neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to rise. In a post on X, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, while calling for restraint, voiced concern over the recent developments between Islamabad and Kabul. Underscoring the importance of mutual respect for each country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said Tehran was prepared to act as a mediator to help resolve Pakistan-Afghanistan cross-border tensions.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Iran urges dialogue, restraint to prevent escalation of tensions between <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> Esmail Baqaei, <a href="https://twitter.com/IRIMFA_SPOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IRIMFA_SPOX</a> , expressed concern over the recent developments between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He underscored the necessity of mutual respect for the territorial… <a href="https://t.co/ev1wAmS8Ot">pic.twitter.com/ev1wAmS8Ot</a>&mdash; Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRIMFA_EN/status/1977372141260624368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes as Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier on Sunday claimed that dozens of each other’s troops were killed during heavy border clashes overnight. The fighting followed attacks by Taliban forces on Pakistani troops late Saturday, which Kabul called “retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul.” Pakistan has not formally acknowledged the strikes but insists it has the right to defend itself against militancy planned from Afghan soil.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-calls-nobel-peace-prize-winner-maria-corina-machado-a-demonic-witch-here-s-why-1760318486365">Maduro calls Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado a ‘demonic witch’. Here's why</a><h2>Conflicting casualty reports</h2>The two sides offered different figures. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and around 30 wounded, while nine Taliban fighters died. Pakistan’s military said 23 of its soldiers and over 200 Taliban-affiliated forces were killed.&nbsp;<h2>Tensions flare on both sides</h2>Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he called “provocations” by Afghanistan, warning: “There will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-war-is-over-in-gaza-ahead-of-peace-summit-in-egypt-1760316244168">Trump declares 'war is over in Gaza' ahead of peace summit in Egypt</a>Several border crossings were closed Sunday, and additional troops were deployed at Torkham, the main crossing between Kabul and Islamabad. Officials said no further clashes were reported there Sunday morning.Militancy has surged in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since the US-led troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power. Most attacks are linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which Islamabad says operates with support from Afghan Taliban authorities.From January to September 15 this year, more than 500 people — including 311 troops and 73 policemen — have been killed in attacks in the border region. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said talks to curb Taliban support for the TTP “have failed,” adding, “Enough is enough.”

Iran has urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint in light of escalating tensions between the two nations. Tehran's Foreign Ministry also offered to facilitate dialogue, emphasising the need to respect the sovereignty of both countries. Read full story.

Iran on Sunday (Oct 12) urged restraint as tensions between neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to rise. In a post on X, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, while calling for restraint, voiced concern over the recent developments between Islamabad and Kabul. Underscoring the importance of mutual respect for each country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said Tehran was prepared to act as a mediator to help resolve Pakistan-Afghanistan cross-border tensions.

Iran has urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint in light of escalating tensions between the two nations. Tehran's Foreign Ministry also offered to facilitate dialogue, emphasising the need to respect the sovereignty of both countries. Read full story.

Iran offers to mediate as Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions escalate

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: After nearly two years of bloodshed, peace could finally return to Gaza. On Monday (Oct 13), Hamas and Israel are set to begin the first phase of a historic hostage-prisoner exchange under a ceasefire deal brokered with US mediation.US President Donald Trump, who declared that “the war is over in Gaza,” is in the region for a high-stakes peace mission, with stops in Israel and Egypt. Trump will co-host a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, joined by leaders from around 20 nations, to finalise his 20-point Gaza peace plan.Even as Israel’s army chief has declared “victory” over Hamas, reports suggest not all hostages or remains will be returned immediately.<h2>Follow this LIVE blog for the latest on the ceasefire, summit, and hostage-prisoner exchange</h2>

US President Donald Trump leaves Egypt after co-chairing a summit on Gaza. He had arrived earlier in Sharm el-Sheikh aboard Air Force One, where more than two dozen heads of state, government, and international organizations awaited him, following a lightning visit to Israel.

Trump leaves Egypt after Gaza summit 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says that his country will host a conference on the reconstruction of Gaza following a deal for a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange.&nbsp;

Sisi says Egypt to host Gaza reconstruction conference

President Donald Trump called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East on Monday during a global summit on Gaza's future, trying to advance broader peace in the region after visiting Israel to celebrate a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas.

Trump urges leaders to put 'old feuds' aside

Trump said, &nbsp;“I hope everyone joins the Abraham Accords, we don't have Gaza as an excuse anymore. We will probably enlarge the board of peace."

' I hope everyone joins the Abraham Accords, we don't have Gaza as an excuse': Trump 

The US president also said, “The future will not be ruled by fights of the past. There won't be World War 3 in the Middle East. We're all agreed that Gaza's reconstruction needs to be one that is&nbsp;demilitarised.”

Trump: 'The future will not be ruled by fights of the past'

While addressing the after signing the peace agreement, Trump said, “Tthis is the day people around the world have been praying for. At long last we have peace in the Middle East. The hostages have been returned and further work goes on. Humanitarian aid is now pouring into Gaza. The rebuilding begins, I think this will be the easiest part.”

'The rebuilding begins', says Trump

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt said, “Lets make this historic moment a new&nbsp;start. The end of the Gaza war should be the end of all wars&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;region. We have full trust in Trump's leadership to see this&nbsp;plan&nbsp;through. The two state solution is the only way to end this&nbsp;conflict.”

'We have full trust in Trump's leadership', says Sisi

US President Donald Trump signed the Gaza peace deal during summit in Sharm&nbsp;El-Sheikh on Monday (October 13)

World leaders sign the Gaza peace deal during summit in Sharm El-Sheikh

The Israeli prison service said it had freed nearly 2,000 mostly Palestinian detainees as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. It said in a statement that "1,968 terrorists were transferred from several prisons across the country to the Ofer and Ktziot prisons". "After the conclusion of the necessary activities in the prisons and the approval of political authorities, all the terrorists were released from the Ofer prison to (the West Bank) and East Jerusalem, and from the Ktziot prison to Kerem Shalom," it added, referring to one of the crossings into the Gaza Strip.

Israel frees 1,968 inmates as part of Gaza ceasefire deal: Prison service

US President Donald Trump posed with the participating leaders of the Gaza peace summit

Trump poses with the participating leaders

US President Donald Trump said that the phase two of Gaza talks have started

Phase two of Gaza talks have started: Trump

Turkey opposed the presence of Benjamin Netanyahu at Monday's Gaza summit in Egypt, prompting a last-minute cancellation by the Israeli leader, a Turkish diplomatic source claimed. "At the initiative of President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and through Turkey's diplomatic efforts --&nbsp;with the support of other leaders -- Netanyahu did not attend the meeting&nbsp;in&nbsp;Egypt," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press.

Turkey put pressure to stop Israel PM attending Gaza summit: Reports

As countdown for the Gaza peace summit begins, US President Donald Trump's Air Force One was seen in the Egyptian skies&lt;iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F4323736461195523%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Trump's Air Force One in Egyptian skies as countdown to peace summit begins

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu. We support President Trump’s sincere…&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1977724045358416382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;October 13, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Indian PM Modi welcomes release of Gaza hostages

Hamas’s armed wing said in a statement that it will hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Monday.

Hamas to hand over four hostage bodies Monday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (October 13) hailed the ‘extraordinary’ Gaza ceasefire as bringing hope that US President Donald Trump could broker an end to the Russian invasion of his country. ""When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions," Zelensky said on social media. He added: "If a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us too,&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine."

Gaza deal brings hope for Ukraine: Zelensky

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said on Monday (October 13), playing a role in regional and international developments certainly does not depend solely on physical participation or absence from a particular event. In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi thanked Egyptian President El-Sisi's invitation to attend the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit. But added that ‘while favouring diplomatic engagement’, Iran will not attend Monday's summit in Egypt on ending the Gaza war.

Iran backs Gaza deal, says 'genocide' must end

Palestinian hostages arrive in West Bank after release from Israeli prisons &lt;iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1770277280287815%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;

Palestinian detainees arrive in Gaza and West Bank

US President Donald Trump will attend Gaza summit in Egypt

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Trump to attend Gaza summit in Egypt

The US President Donald Trump has finished his speech at the Knesset

Trump finishes his speech at the Knesset

US President Donald Trump asked President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, to pardon Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Trump to Herzog: Mr President, give Netanyahu a pardon

The US president said, I hope those who want to join Abraham Accords join quickly. My dream that the Abraham Accords will turn out to be as good as I thought it would. I terminated the Iran nuclear deal and I was very proud to do it. We are going to see if we can make a deal with Iran. US and Israel does not bear any hostility to Iran."

Trump: US and Israel does not bear any hostility to Iran

Trump also said that together we've shown that peace is not just a hope but a reality. The Middle-East is now ready to embrace its potential. These are incredible people that made all&nbsp;this&nbsp;possible. Now is the time to build their people up, instead of trying to tear&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;down

'Peace is not just a hope but a reality', say Trump

Addressing the Israeli Parliament, Trump said that it is time that there should be a peace deal with Iran. He said that Iran aren't starting nuclear programme again and it would be great is if there can be a peace deal with Iran

Trump: We should make a peace deal with Iran

The US president also said that his administration is helping the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah

'My administration is helping Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah', says US President Donald Trump

Donald Trump also said that Gaza will be immediately demilitarised and Hamas will be disarmed. The entire region has endorsed a plan that Hamas will be disarmed. Israel has won.

Donald Trump: Israel has won

Donald Trump while addressing the Israeli Parliament said that he stopped Iran from making nuclear weapons and said that it would be great if we can focus on Russia now

Donald Trump: 'Stopped Iran from making nuclear weapons'

US President Donald Trump while addressing the Israeli Parliament on Monday said that many of Iran's top terrorists have been extinguished and also annoucned that he has just ordered 28 new&nbsp;more&nbsp;B2&nbsp;bombers

We just ordered 28 new more B2 bombers, says Trump at the Knesset

US President Donald Trump while addressing the Israeli Parliament on Monday said that it feels good while saying that the hostages are back. Israel became strong and powerful, which led to peace. He also said that generations from now this will be remembered as the moment that everything began to change, and change very much for&nbsp;the&nbsp;better.

Donald Trump: 'The hostages are back, it feels so good to say it'

US President Donald Trump while addressing the Israeli Parliament on Monday said that the long and painful nightmare is finally&nbsp;over. My personality is actually all about stopping&nbsp;wars and that it is an incredible triumph for Israel and world

Donald Trump: Incredible triumph for Israel and world

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: After almost two years of war, peace may soon return to Gaza. Today (Oct 13), Hamas and Israel will begin exchanging hostages and prisoners as leaders from around 20 nations, including US President Donald Trump, meet in Egypt for a peace summit. LIVE updates here.

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: After nearly two years of bloodshed, peace could finally return to Gaza. On Monday (Oct 13), Hamas and Israel are set to begin the first phase of a historic hostage-prisoner exchange under a ceasefire deal brokered with US mediation. US President Donald Trump, who declared that “the war is over in Gaza,” is in the region for a high-stakes peace mission, with stops in Israel and Egypt. Trump will co-host a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, joined by leaders from around 20 nations, to finalise his 20-point Gaza peace plan. Even as Israel’s army chief has declared “victory” over Hamas, reports suggest not all hostages or remains will be returned immediately. Follow this LIVE blog for the latest on the ceasefire, summit, and hostage-prisoner exchange

Gaza ceasefire LIVE: After almost two years of war, peace may soon return to Gaza. Today (Oct 13), Hamas and Israel begin exchanging hostages and prisoners as leaders from around 20 nations, including US President Donald Trump, meet in Egypt for a peace summit. LIVE updates here.

world news

'Long and painful nightmare is finally over': Trump says in the Israeli Parliament on Gaza peace deal

WATCH | Was Trump heckled at Israeli parliament? Here’s what happened

Nepali national held captive by Hamas confirmed dead

Hostages are free—but can peace survive what comes next?

Will an underground Christian Church be the new flashpoint in US-China tensions?

Netanyahu: Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in White House

Gambling with war: EU warns Russian President Putin against airspace violations

Storm Alice Spain: Highest red alert issued as catastrophic scenes emerge

Nobel Prize 2025 winners list: Check category-wise details of all awardees

Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, Peter Howitt win Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences

Rare Earth Wars: The next conflict is already here

What are Tomahawk missiles that US President Trump is threatening Russia with

Gaza hostage release: Who are the 20 Israelis freed by Hamas under peace deal?

India: Foxconn inks MoU for $1.69bn investment in Tamil Nadu

Kerala’s ‘brain-eating amoeba’: 3-year-old tests positive, death toll at 23

'Not for Nobel Peace Prize': Trump says he ended war to save millions lives

Who are Hamas, and did they 'win' the Gaza war?

In Pics | Rummaging for hope: Hamas and Israel begin hostage exchange

Hillary Clinton praises arch rival Trump for Gaza peace deal, says "I really..."

Trump threatens Russia with long-range Tomahawk missiles, says 'I may...'

Hamas names 20 hostages that will be freed in massive prisoner swap today

Iran offers to mediate as Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions escalate

Gaza peace summit HIGHLIGHTS: Trump calls India a 'good friend'

Why Maduro called Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado ‘demonic witch’

Trump declares 'war is over in Gaza' ahead of peace summit in Egypt

Famous crypto investor, 32, found dead in his Lamborghini after market crash