Author: WTX News

Hamas-run health ministry says 141 killed in Israeli strikes The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that 141 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes since Saturday, with about 400 more injured. One strike targeted a designated humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attack was aimed at senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, but his death is not confirmed.  Eyewitnesses in al-Mawasi described the scene as resembling an “earthquake,” with videos showing the aftermath of smouldering wreckage and casualties. The BBC has confirmed the strike occurred within a humanitarian zone.…

US-built $230 million pier in Gaza is shutting down after two months The high-profile $230 million pier built by the Biden administration to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza is shutting down after just two months due to it no longer being essential for Gaza’s supply of food, water and other humanitarian aid because of key border crossings that have recently reopened. “I do anticipate that in relatively short order, we will wind down pier operations,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday. The floating pier, intended to boost humanitarian aid during the Israel-Hamas war, faced numerous challenges. Initial aid convoys…

China hits back at Nato over Russia accusations China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has dismissed NATO’s claims that Beijing is supporting Russia in the Ukraine war, labelling them as “groundless accusations.” Wang warned the Western alliance against provoking confrontation, stating that China has always been a force for peace and stability. His remarks followed a NATO declaration accusing China of aiding Russia’s defence industry and called for an end to such support. During a call with Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, Wang reiterated China’s stance, denying any material or political support for Russia’s war effort. He also criticised NATO for…

Australian soldier charged with spying for Russia An Australian soldier, Kira Korolev, and her husband Igor Korolev have been arrested and charged with spying for Russia. The couple, both Russian-born Australian citizens, allegedly obtained Australian Defence Force (ADF) materials to share with Moscow. However, Australian police have stated that there has been “no significant compromise” of military secrets. This case marks the first use of Australia’s stricter foreign interference laws, introduced in 2018, to lay espionage charges. Kira, a 40-year-old army private, and Igor, a 62-year-old self-employed labourer, face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. Prime Minister Anthony…

Spanish PM calls out Western ‘double standards’ on Gaza at Nato summit Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has used his speech at NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington to call out the West’s “double standards” regarding the conflict in Gaza as he joined fellow Nato leaders in offering continued support to Ukraine.  Spain recently recognised a Palestinian state and has criticised Israel’s conduct in its war in Gaza. The Spanish stance has angered Israel and its right-wing government.  “If we are telling our people that we are supporting Ukraine because we are defending the international law, this is the same to what…

France’s former first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy charged in election funding scandal  France’s former first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has been charged in an election funding scandal from 2007 involving money from the former Libyan dictator, Col Muammar Gaddafi. She faces charges of hiding evidence and associating with wrongdoers to commit fraud. Additionally, she is suspected of witness tampering and attempting to bribe Lebanese judicial personnel.  Her lawyers says she will challenge the charges. She is under judicial control and cannot contact other accused individuals except her husband, former President Nicolas Sarkozy.  Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012,…

Israel tells everyone in Gaza City to leave The Israeli military has ordered all residents of Gaza City to evacuate south to the central Gaza Strip due to intensified operations in the north. Leaflets dropped from aircraft instructed people to leave the “dangerous combat zone” via safe routes leading to shelters in Deir al-Balah and al-Zawaida. The UN expressed deep concerns about these evacuation orders. This is the second time Gaza City residents have been asked to evacuate since the war began. Israeli forces have recently re-entered several districts, targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters. Hamas claims that Israel’s…

Irish woman charged in UAE for attempting suicide has case dropped and can return home Tori Towey, an Irish flight attendant, who had been facing charges including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol in the UAE, has had the charges dropped and her case closed. Towey, 28, from Roscommon, had her passport destroyed and was under a travel ban, but the Dubai Public Prosecution has confirmed the case is no longer active. Radha Stirling, a lawyer and human rights advocate from the Detained in Dubai group, announced that Towey and her mother were thrilled with the news. Irish Prime Minister Simon…

Nato pledges support for Ukraine’s future membership NATO members have pledged strong support for Ukraine’s future membership and additional aid at the recent summit in Washington DC. While no timeline for Ukraine’s membership was set, the alliance’s 32 members affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia. They committed €40bn in aid for the next year, including F-16 fighter jets and air defence support. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that supporting Ukraine is in the security interest of the alliance. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the transfer of US-built F-16 jets to Ukraine, marking the first time…

Thursday’s front pages report on domestic news, with the killing of the wife and two daughters of the BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt one of the morning’s lead stories. It comes after a manhunt in which Kyle Clifford, 26, was apprehended. 

Most papers feature images of the England National Team as they beat Switzerland 2-1 to reach the final of the European Championship – where they’ll face Spain. Ollie Watkins is pictured on many of the tabloids after his late goal gave England the win.

Brazil to implement free trade accord with Palestinian Authority in a move to show solidarity for the Palestinian state and people. The south american country has put into effect a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority that has been waiting for ratification for more than decade, in a show of support for the Palestinian people. “The agreement is a concrete contribution to an economically viable Palestinian state, which can live peacefully and harmoniously with its neighbors,” Brazil’s foreign ministry said on Monday in a statement. Brazil’s foreign ministry Recognises a Palestinian state It said Brazil, which recognises a Palestinian…

The final is set after another magical semi-final as Ollie Watkins sends the English into dreamland. OIlie Watkins had played 20 minutes at the Euro 2024 before tonight. And now he scored one of the most important goals of his life. The goal that sends England to the final of European Championships against Spain. “It has to be the best. It’s another landmark but we played well throughout the game. It was complicated. They kept changing so we had to change. It was so special at the end.” England boss Gareth Southgate It was another magical semifinal, entertaining and competitive…

The crossbow killer has been captured by Amred police in Enflied. A man thought to be Kyle Clifford has been seen receiving medical treatment and being stretchered out of Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, close to triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford’s home. There’s significant police presence, including armed officers, and emergency services all on site. He was seen being bundled into an ambulance by armed police. Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford, accused of killing Carol Hunt and her daughters with a crossbow, has been caught in a cemetery in Enfield. He was seen being bundled into an ambulance by armed…

France’s Socialist Party leader launches bid to become PM  Olivier Faure, leader of France’s Socialist Party, has announced his candidacy for prime minister following the left-wing alliance’s success in Sunday’s parliamentary election. Faure expressed his readiness to take on the role, emphasising the need for cooperation with his political partners. The left-wing New Popular Front, which includes Socialists, Greens, and Communists, emerged as unexpected winners but lacked sufficient seats to form a government by themseleves. The alliance won 182 seats, compared to President Emmanuel Macron’s coalition with 168 seats and the far-right National Rally’s 143 seats, leaving the parliament in…

Brazil’s Bolsonaro may be charged over jewel sale Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is under investigation for allegedly benefiting from an illegal scheme to sell $1.2 million worth of luxury gifts given to his government. Brazil’s Federal Police have recommended charges, including money laundering, for undeclared jewellery received between 2019 and 2022. The police report claims officials diverted these gifts, intended for Bolsonaro, and sold them for his personal gain, bypassing the formal banking system. The gifts reportedly included expensive watches and diamond pieces. Bolsonaro’s lawyer insists that heads of state do not control the fate of official gifts. Bolsonaro…

Israeli air strike kills 29 people at Gaza camp for displaced people At least 29 Palestinians have been killed and many others wounded in an Israeli air strike on a displaced persons camp near a school in southern Gaza, according to hospital officials. The strike targeted the area outside al-Awda school in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis. The Israeli military claimed it used precise munitions to hit a Hamas militant involved in the 7 October attack on Israel, and is investigating reports of civilian casualties. This incident follows the evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military a week prior,…

Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Washington Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Washington overnight to attend the 75th summit of the Nato defence alliance. He is there to commit more money to defence spending to maintain stability in the markets. defence spending is crucial to world markets as it fuels one of the biggest industries in the world. On the plane, Starmer was keen to reassure the Defence industry as he told reporters the new government had what he called a “cast iron commitment” to spend 2.5% of national income on defence – but he is still refusing to…

Canada faces pressure at Nato summit to increase military spending  Canada is under increasing pressure to boost its military spending, as it currently falls short of NATO’s target of 2% of GDP. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend a NATO summit in Washington DC, where this issue is expected to be discussed. Despite being a NATO founding member, Canada only spends 1.34% of its GDP on defence, ranking low among the 32-nation alliance. Canada’s defence budget is C$27bn, with plans to increase it to C$50bn by 2030, which would still be only 1.76% of GDP. US officials and politicians have…

Ukraine mourns after day of Russian air strikes Ukraine is observing a day of mourning following one of the deadliest waves of Russian missile strikes in months, which resulted in at least 41 deaths and 166 injuries. The attacks hit various cities, including Kyiv, where the main children’s hospital, Ohmatdyt, was severely damaged. Two people died in the hospital, and rescue efforts for survivors continued into Tuesday. Russian authorities denied targeting the hospital, claiming it was hit by fragments of a Ukrainian missile, but Ukraine reported finding remnants of a Russian cruise missile. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as…

Israeli forces bombard Gaza City as tanks re-enter central areas Palestinians in Gaza City have reported experiencing one of the most intense Israeli bombardments since the conflict with Hamas began on October 7. Israeli tanks are closing in on the city from multiple directions. The Gaza Civil Emergency Service has been unable to reach several areas due to ongoing fighting, and casualties are believed to be high. The Al-Ahli Baptist hospital has been evacuated, with patients moved to the already overcrowded Indonesian hospital. Meanwhile, indirect negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel are expected to…

Australia appoints special envoy to tackle antisemitism Australia has appointed a special envoy to combat antisemitism and promote social cohesion amid rising tensions over the Israel-Gaza war. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that lawyer and businesswoman Jillian Segal will consult with community leaders and discrimination experts to advise the government. A special envoy to address Islamophobia will also be appointed soon. The Israel-Gaza conflict has sparked protests from Jewish and Muslim communities in Australia and increased incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Albanese emphasised the need for unity during these times, noting that Australians are deeply concerned and hurting. Segal, who…

Highlights from Business news on Tuesday 9th July 2024. A Low key start to London markets amid summer holidays and Keir Starmer says no to Nationalising Thames Water, to calm the fears of industry after Labour’s Election win. While Tesla motors if feeling the pressure from electric competitor BYD who are investing $1bn in a new plant in Turkey to target Europe. Market Overview Markets Indices Crypto Today’s Business Briefing Low key start to London markets The FTSE 100 closed lower on Monday, and futures indicated a quiet start to Tuesday’s trading session.  A muted and cagey start to the Labours…

Massive floods affect millions across South Asia Massive floods have devastated regions of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, killing dozens and affecting millions. Rescue operations are in full swing, with authorities directing thousands to shelters and providing food and supplies to the stranded. Major rivers like the Brahmaputra and Koshi have overflowed due to heavy rain. In Nepal, 14 people have died since Thursday, with key highways blocked and bridges washed away. The Koshi River is flowing above danger levels, prompting alerts. In India’s Assam state, 2.4 million people are affected, with 66 deaths since mid-May. Floods have submerged roads and…

At least 20 dead in Russian attack on Ukraine cities At least 20 people have been killed in a massive missile attack launched by Russia across multiple Ukrainian cities, according to officials. In Kyiv, a rare daytime strike killed at least seven people and hit a children’s hospital, prompting its evacuation. In Kryvy Rih, at least 10 people were killed, and in the eastern town of Pokrovsk, three more died. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, currently visiting Poland, reported that Russia fired around 40 missiles targeting various locations, causing extensive damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. Kyiv’s mayor and Oleksandr Vilkul,…

France election shock as far right defeated but now faces hung parliament In a surprising turn of events, France’s far-right National Rally (RN) finished third in the recent snap election, despite being expected to win. The left-wing New Popular Front secured the most seats after the election, which was called only four weeks ago by a weakened President Emmanuel Macron. RN had led in the first round, but political alliances aimed at preventing their rise resulted in a hung parliament, with no party holding a clear majority. RN leader Jordan Bardella blamed these alliances for their defeat. Prime Minister Gabriel…