Author: WTX News

The News Bias Exposed Related News Bias distribution How has Netanyahu’s speech to Congress been interpreted by media? Netanyahu’s speech appealed to right-leaning media and lawmakers, with much of the coverage picking up on Netanyahu calling the protesters outside Congress ‘idiots’. Interestingly, Western media, regardless of political leaning has similar coverage with ‘We must stand together” and “Total victory in Gaza” the two most quoted parts of the speech in the headlines. Both sides pick up on the ‘close ties’ between the US and Israel, as highlighted in the speech. More left-leaning media offers fact-checks of Netanyahu’s claims in his speech  -…

Key points of Netanyahu’s US Congress speech  Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the US Congress for the fourth time. Here are the key quotes from his historic speech. Netanyahu praises allies in the US “Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your steadfast partner. On behalf of the people of Israel, I came here today to say thank you, America,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu takes aim at protesters “Many choose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers,” Netanyahu said. “These protesters stand with…

Breaking – French train network hit by massive attack ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony Source: BBC Eurostar trains cancelled and delayed after ‘co-ordinated’ attack, firm says Eurostar services in France to and from Paris are being diverted and several trains have been delayed, the rail firm says in a statement. The high speed line between Paris and Lille has been affected while journey times have increased by 90 minutes following “co-ordinated acts of malice in France”, it says. Several trains have been cancelled, as organisers panic as the French train network hit by massive attack ahead of Paris Olympics…

Gang kills women and children in Papua New Guinea massacre – reports Dozens of villagers have been killed in a series of attacks by a gang of young men in a remote region of Papua New Guinea. Local media reported at least 26 deaths, including 16 children, with fears the toll could rise to 50 as searches continue. UN human rights chief Volker Türk called the violence “shocking,” attributing it to a dispute over land and lake ownership, and urged accountability for those responsible. Governor Allan Bird highlighted the severe shortage of police in the Angoram district, with just 20…

French high-speed rail vandalised before Olympic ceremony Hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, French rail company SNCF reported “malicious acts” targeting its high-speed network, aiming to paralyse the system. The attacks affected several TGV lines to the west, north, and east of Paris, causing queues at Gare Montparnasse station. Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete condemned the “criminal acts” disrupting holiday plans. Several trains were cancelled, and SNCF warned that repairs could take “at least all weekend.”

Wildfires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town Wildfires have ravaged up to half of the historic Canadian town of Jasper, with the fires still out of control as firefighters work to save the remaining buildings. Entire streets in Jasper National Park have been reduced to smouldering rubble, though no deaths have been reported. Around 20,000 tourists and 5,000 residents have evacuated the area in Alberta province. During a news conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tearfully reported that “potentially 30 to 50 per cent” of buildings had been destroyed, calling it “the worst nightmare for any community.” She spoke…

Benjamin Netanyahu scolds critics of Israel’s war in Gaza in speech to Congress Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a defiant address before Congress on Wednesday, castigating critics of Israel’s war in Gaza as either motivated by Iran or antisemitism. The Israeli leader boasted about Israeli efforts to limit civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, a view that contradicts with the United Nations and international aid groups. While dozens of liberal Democrats boycotted the remarks, Republicans offered boisterous applause and many Democratic leaders clapped and stood up during various moments of the speech. Read More ↗

As US Congress cheered for Netanyahu, protesters gathered to denounce him Washington, DC – Hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the United States Capitol to deliver a speech to Congress, a woman with a blue scarf concealing her face sat alone on a park bench and waved a Palestinian flag near Union Station in Washington, DC. “We will fight for freedom wherever it’s being denied all over the world. We connect with the Palestinians because we are freedom fighters here in America,” the lone protester, who asked to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday. She was one of the…

At Netanyahu speech, most hostage relatives didn’t stand because they can’t anymore WASHINGTON — It was a line that brought just about everyone in the US House of Representatives chamber to their feet on Wednesday. “I will not rest until all their loved ones are home,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in his speech to a joint session of Congress. Referring to the Hamas captives held in Gaza, he made the pledge just after highlighting the families of the American hostages in the audience. While almost everyone stood and applauded, most of the roughly one dozen relatives of the eight…

Amid chaos of US politics, Netanyahu finally gets attention he craves in Washington On his third day in Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu finally got the attention he so desperately wanted in the US capital. Republicans and their guests in the House chamber stamped their feet and whistled as a joint session was gaveled into order, while the Democrat lawmakers who chose not to boycott someone whom colleagues had called a “war criminal” looked on in sullen silence. In a 56-minute speech punctuated with 50 rounds of applause, the Israeli prime minister dashed hopes of a quick end to the war in…

Tanker with 1,500 tonnes of oil sinks off Philippines A tanker carrying nearly 1.5 million litres of industrial fuel capsized and sank off the coast of the Philippine capital on Thursday, causing a significant oil spill. Sixteen crew members of the Philippine-flagged MT Terra Nova were rescued, while one remains missing, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Bautista said the oil spill was detected, but strong winds and high waves, exacerbated by Typhoon Gaemi, hindered response efforts. The typhoon had already caused severe flooding in Metro Manila and its suburbs the previous day and made landfall in Taiwan, resulting in…

Kenya’s Ruto appoints opposition to Cabinet amid unrest Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated key allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga to his cabinet, in an attempt to calm the rising dissatisfaction with his government.  He gave four posts to the opposition including key positions: in finance and energy ministries. The four members of the main opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who have joined the cabinet are: It’s the first time the opposition will serve in the government since Odinga took up the post of prime minister in then-President Mwai Kibaki’s cabinet in 2008. Ruto’s decision follows widespread…

14 dead after Nepal plane crashes during takeoff At least 14 people were killed when a plane crashed during takeoff in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, officials reported. The Saurya Airlines flight, carrying 19 people, was headed to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. Onboard were 17 technical staff and two crew members, all part of a test flight. Rescue operations are ongoing, with concerns that the death toll may rise. Videos posted online show the plane engulfed in fire and smoke. Emergency responders, including fire engines and ambulances, were quickly dispatched to the scene. Nepali police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki confirmed…

150,000 have fled Gaza’s Khan Younis since Monday, UN says Over 150,000 people have fled Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip since Monday, according to two UN agencies. This exodus follows a new Israeli military offensive targeting Hamas forces. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an evacuation order for parts of Khan Younis and reduced the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, citing its use by Hamas for terrorist activities and rocket fire. UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, estimates that 150,000 people have fled since the evacuation order, with many seeking refuge in displacement camps or hospitals. “Over 80% of the…

Trash balloons land near S Korea president’s office North Korean balloons carrying rubbish have landed in South Korea’s presidential compound in Seoul, marking the first time balloons from Pyongyang have breached the no-fly zone around the South Korean leader’s office. A chemical, biological, and radiological warfare response team collected the balloons, which posed no contamination or safety risk. The South Korean military refrained from shooting down the balloons to prevent spreading their contents. The balloons also landed in other parts of Seoul, prompting officials to advise residents to avoid contact and report sightings to the nearest military unit or police…

Russian arrested over alleged plot to ‘destabilise’ Paris Olympics A Russian man has been arrested in France on suspicion of plotting acts of “destabilisation” during the upcoming Paris Olympics. Prosecutors disclosed that the 40-year-old man was apprehended on Sunday, suspected of passing intelligence to a foreign power to incite hostilities in France. The plot is not believed to involve a terror attack. The arrest comes just days before the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday. Authorities searched the man’s Paris apartment at the interior ministry’s request. Sources told Le Parisien that evidence suggested he was preparing “pro-Russian operations” to destabilise France…

Macron says he won’t name government until after Olympics French President Emmanuel Macron announced he won’t appoint a new government until after the Paris Olympics, which conclude on August 11. This decision follows the New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition, nominating Lucie Castets, an economist and civil servant, for prime minister. Macron believes an immediate appointment would “create disorder.” The move has sparked criticism from left-wing politicians, accusing Macron of disregarding the recent legislative election results. Macron accepted Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s resignation after their centrist party’s heavy losses but asked him and his ministers to serve as a…

Israel orders evacuation of part of Gaza humanitarian zone as 70 killed by airstrikes The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 70 people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes around the southern city of Khan Younis. This escalation follows Israel’s order to evacuate part of a designated humanitarian zone in preparation for an operation targeting Palestinian fighters believed to have regrouped in the area. On Monday morning, the Israeli military cited “significant terrorist activity and rocket fire” from eastern Khan Younis neighbourhoods and instructed residents to move to the “adjusted” al-Mawasi humanitarian area. Subsequent heavy bombardment reportedly…

At least six killed in Croatia nursing home shooting A tragic shooting at a care home in Daruvar, Croatia, has left at least six people dead, leading to urgent calls for stricter gun control in the country. The attack resulted in five immediate deaths, including a care home employee, a sixth victim died later in hospital.  Several others were injured, with four in critical condition. The gunman fled the scene but was later caught at a cafe, carrying unregistered firearms. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic expressed his shock over the “savage, unprecedented” incident, urging for more rigorous gun ownership regulations. He…

Hungary stripped of EU meeting over Ukraine stance The European Union has revoked Hungary’s right to host the upcoming meeting of foreign and defence ministers due to its controversial stance on the war in Ukraine. This decision comes shortly after Hungary assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union and follows a contentious meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasised the need for consequences, stating, “We have to send a signal, even if it is a symbolic signal.” Hungary has dismissed the move as…

Landslides in Southern Ethiopia kill more than 50  Local officials have confirmed that over 50 people have died due to landslides in southern Ethiopia’s Gofa zone. The tragic incidents occurred between Sunday evening and Monday morning following heavy rains in the remote, mountainous area. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities fearing the death toll may rise. Dramatic footage shows hundreds of locals digging through the debris, desperately searching for survivors beneath the collapsed hillside and exposed red earth. Meskir Mitku, the Gofa zone’s general administrator, reported that the victims included women, children, and police officers. According to Kassahun Abayneh, a…

France recalls contaminated Olympic-branded water bottles France has recalled a line of Olympic-branded water bottles for children just a week before the Games’ opening ceremony in Paris. The reusable bottles, featuring the Olympic rings and the Paris 2024 mascot or flame, were found to contain excessive levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), according to the official consumer recall agency, Rappel Conso. These bottles, issued last August and sold until June, should be returned to the stores where they were purchased. BPA, commonly used in food containers, has been banned in France since 2015 due to its classification as an endocrine disruptor.…

Bangladesh Court Scraps Job Quotas After Deadly Unrest Bangladesh’s top court has significantly reduced quotas in government jobs, which had led to violent clashes across the country, resulting in over 100 deaths. Previously, a third of public sector jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war. However, the court has now ruled that only 5% of these roles can be reserved for veterans’ relatives. Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the government would implement the ruling within days. Despite the court’s decision, student leaders plan to continue their protests. Their demands include justice for protesters killed…

EU and Serbia sign historic lithium mining agreement The EU has praised a new lithium mining agreement with Serbia as a “historic day for Serbia and Europe,” concluding a competitive race to finalise the deal. On Tuesday, Serbia reinstated mining giant Rio Tinto’s licence to extract lithium in the Jadar Valley. By Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Belgrade, highlighting the deal’s importance for Europe’s economic security and emphasising its benefits for Germany’s auto industry. With the transition to zero-emission vehicles accelerating, carmakers need more lithium for batteries. Rio Tinto’s Jadar project could potentially meet up to 90% of Europe’s…

Israel strikes Houthis after drone attack Israel launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in Yemen, following a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the group. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the strikes were meant to send a strong message to the Houthis. “The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear,” he said. Houthi media reported that the strikes killed three people and injured over 80. Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the attack as “brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen.” On Sunday morning, Israel’s military intercepted a…