As Biden heads to Israel, Gaza hospital explosion changes tenor of war

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Wednesday, October 18, 2023 1/ Joe Biden's Middle East summit cancelled after hospital strike, White House says Joe Biden's Middle East summit has been cancelled following the deadly strike on a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of Palestinians, the White House has confirmed. A White House official said Mr Biden would still travel to Israel, but the planned second leg of the trip to Jordan will be postponed for now. "After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President Sisi of Egypt," the official said in a statement. The official also said Mr Biden had "sent his deepest condolences for the innocent lives lost in the hospital explosion in Gaza, and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded".   Read the full article here 2/ Jim Jordan loses first vote to become House speaker as GOP chaos deepens The US House of Representatives now enters its second week without a speaker 3/ Donald Trump returns to his New York fraud trial after two gag orders The former president lashes out in the courthouse and online as he hears more testimony against him 4/  Trump claims Mar-a-Lago is worth $1.5bn. Palm Beach officials says it's only worth $37m Former president believes his Florida private club is worth '100 times' more than official estimates 5/  Here are some of the biggest Supreme Court cases to watch this term Justices will hear several significant cases this term including one concerning gun ownership rights for domestic abusers THE BIG QUESTION If Jim Jordan fails, who's the next House speaker? The next vote on the speakership bid of Rep Jim Jordan will be held today.   It comes after 20 Republicans voted against Mr Jordan in a first ballot that went worse than expected. He can only afford to lose four votes.   Several people have been floated as possible next options, but it remains unclear if anyone can get the 217 votes needed.   Read the full article Watch / Britney Spears says 'people need to know truth' in new promo for The Woman In Me book NUMBER OF THE DAY 20 20 Republicans voted against Jim Jordan in the first speaker ballot. It went worse than expected for the Ohioan - he can only afford to lose four votes. A second ballot will take place today. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY "We did not strike that, and the intelligence that we have suggests that it was a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, and I want to add, categorically, that we do not intentionally strike any sensitive facilities, any sensitive facilities, and definitely not hospitals." Israel's IDF "categorically" denied it was behind the hospital attack and instead blamed a "failed rocket launch" by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. Read more OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE  Fox News attorney claims network only settled Dominion lawsuit to avoid 'months of utter pain' AOC slams 'destructive and dangerous' DeSantis for saying all Gaza refugees are antisemitic Son of pastor accidentally shoots 2-year-old brother in the head outside of church The Independent View: Could Joe Biden save the Middle East? The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's US Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy