Author: WTX News Editor

Bangladesh celebrates after PM Sheikh Hasina flees country Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down following weeks of violent anti-government protests, ending her over two-decade-long dominance in the country’s politics. The 76-year-old leader reportedly fled to India on Monday. Celebrations erupted in the streets, with some protesters storming the prime ministerial palace and causing damage. In the wake of Hasina’s resignation, President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and…

Mexican journalist killed while under police protection Alejandro Martínez, a Mexican journalist known for reporting on violent crime, was killed while under police protection in Guanajuato. Martínez, also known as “The Son of the Lone Ranger,” was shot by unknown gunmen while travelling with two security guards. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with over 150 media workers killed since 1994, according to…

UN staff fired over possible links to 7 October attack The United Nations announced that nine staff members from the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) may have been involved in the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel. UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed that these individuals would be terminated following an investigation prompted by Israeli allegations. The attack resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 people being taken as hostages to Gaza. In…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read

Bangladesh clashes: 90 killed in anti-government protests At least 90 people were killed in Bangladesh on Sunday during escalating clashes between police and anti-government protesters. The violence follows a campaign of civil disobedience led by student leaders demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The unrest, initially sparked by a call to abolish quotas in civil service jobs, has evolved into a broader anti-government movement. In one of the deadliest incidents, 13 police officers…

IDF failures led to aid workers’ deaths – Australia An Australian government review has concluded that “serious failures” by the Israeli military led to a deadly drone strike on an aid convoy in Gaza on April 1, which killed seven workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK). The victims included aid workers from Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK, the US, and a Palestinian colleague. The review found that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not…

Ukraine receives first F-16 fighter jets from the US Ukraine has received its first American-made F-16 fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a ceremony at an undisclosed airbase. Standing beside two of the jets, Zelensky expressed gratitude to allies for providing the aircraft, which they had initially been reluctant to send. He emphasised that while these jets significantly enhance Ukraine’s air force, which mostly uses outdated Soviet-era planes, more F-16s are still needed.  Zelensky…

At least 30 dead in third Israeli strike on a school in a week Dozens of people have reportedly been killed in Israeli air strikes on two schools in Gaza, according to Palestinian rescuers and news outlets. Many of the victims were displaced individuals seeking shelter at these schools. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted Hamas “command and control centres” located within the schools in Gaza City. This incident marks…

Calls for foreigners to leave Lebanon as war fears grow Several nations have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon, fearing a broader Middle Eastern conflict. This comes after Iran threatened severe retaliation against Israel, blaming it for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not commented on the incident, which occurred just hours after Israeli forces killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Western officials are concerned that Hezbollah, supported by…

Italy opens controversial migrant centre in Albania Italy has launched its first of two planned migrant camps in Albania, marking the start of Europe’s first “offshoring” scheme for managing migrant arrivals. The camp, located in the northern Albanian port of Shengjin, will house up to 3,000 migrants per month who are rescued en route to Italy. These centres, fully managed and funded by the Italian government, are designed to handle migrants picked up in international…

Hamas leader’s funeral draws crowds in Iran Thousands gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, who was killed in a strike on Wednesday. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the prayers before Haniyeh’s body was transported to Qatar for burial. While Israel has not directly commented on the assassination, Iranian officials allege that the attack was carried out by Israel. US media reports indicate that Ayatollah Khamenei…

Canadian police thwart alleged Toronto terror plot Canadian authorities have arrested Ahmed Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, in connection with a planned terrorist attack in Toronto. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced the arrests on Wednesday, stating that the pair were taken into custody on Sunday at a hotel in Richmond Hill, Toronto. The Eldidis are accused of plotting a “violent, serious attack” in Toronto, allegedly in support of the Islamic…

Hezbollah confirms commander died in Israeli strike Hezbollah has confirmed the death of Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander, in an Israeli air strike in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, also killed four others, including two children. Shukr’s body was found in the rubble on Wednesday. The Israeli military described the operation as an “intelligence-based elimination,” targeting Shukr in response to a recent rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that…

Israel claims it killed senior Hezbollah commander in strike on Beirut Israel has announced the death of a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, following an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut. The Israeli military described the operation as an “intelligence-based elimination.” While Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukr’s death, they acknowledged that he was in a building targeted during the strike and mentioned that rubble was still being cleared. The airstrike comes after a rocket…

Fresh protests in Venezuela as anger grows at disputed election result Fresh protests have erupted in Caracas following the contentious results of Venezuela’s presidential election. Thousands gathered in the capital to oppose President Nicolas Maduro’s declared victory, with many demanding a new government. Some protesters believe change will only come if the security forces join their cause. However, the military and police remain loyal to Maduro, using tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators. Authorities…

Belarus pardon for German hints at wider prisoner swap Belarus’s authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has pardoned German citizen Rico Kroeger, who had been sentenced to death. Kroeger was arrested in October on charges of acting as a mercenary and planting explosives. His death sentence became widely known only last week, but Lukashenko’s intervention has commuted it to life imprisonment, sparing him from execution. The case’s sudden attention and Kroeger’s swift pardon have sparked speculation about…

India landslides kill 120 and trap dozens Heavy rains triggering devastating landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district have killed at least 123 people, with many still feared trapped. The disaster struck early Tuesday, catching residents off guard while they slept. Rescue efforts are ongoing but hampered by the weather and the collapse of a critical bridge. Officials report that around 100 people remain inaccessible, and the death toll may rise. This catastrophe is Kerala’s worst since…

Far right vigilantes attack Mosque and Police in Southport in what should have been a peaceful vigil for the victims of yesterday’s stabbings. Far right vigilantes attack Mosque Tommy Robinson inspired thugs took to the streets in Southport peppering police and a mosque with glass bottles and bricks during a vigil for the three children killed in fatal stabbing yesterday. The far-right sent an intimidating force to antagonize and attack a local mosque, It was…

Man arrested over suspected French railway vandalism A 28-year-old man was arrested in northwest France on Sunday after being found acting suspiciously near a railway site, French media report. The suspect, described as an “ultra-left militant,” was found with keys to technical premises, pliers, universal keys, and literature linked to the ultra-left. He is currently being questioned by police in Rouen. There is no current evidence linking the man to the recent suspected arson attacks…

Venezuelans clash with police after disputed election result Venezuelan security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters in Caracas following the controversial election result on Sunday. Thousands of people, including many from surrounding slums, marched towards the presidential palace on Monday evening to protest President Nicolás Maduro’s declared victory. The opposition, led by candidate Edmundo González, claims the election was rigged, saying that González actually won with 73.2% of the vote. Pre-election opinion…

45 dead and dozens trapped in India landslides Heavy rains have triggered massive landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, killing around 45 people and trapping dozens more. The disaster struck early Tuesday in the hilly regions of the district, part of the Western Ghats mountain range, which is prone to landslides during the monsoon season. Rescue operations are underway but are being hampered by continued heavy rains and the collapse of a crucial bridge connecting Chooralmala…

Italy PM Giorgia Meloni vows to relaunch ties with China Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has pledged to “relaunch” relations with China during her first visit to Beijing since taking office. Meloni met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the start of her five-day trip and signed a three-year plan to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations. This visit follows Italy’s exit from President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) last year, with Rome…

Convicted rapist Van de Velde booed on Olympic debut Convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde made his Olympic beach volleyball debut in Paris, greeted by a mix of boos and cheers. Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old British girl. Despite their high ranking of 10th in the world, Van de Velde and his partner Matthew Immers lost 2-1 to Italy’s Alex Ranghieri and Adrian…

Venezuela elections 2024: Venezuela’s Maduro declared winner in disputed vote President Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election, according to partial results from the National Electoral Council (CNE). Elvis Amoroso, the CNE head and a Maduro ally, reported that with 80% of the votes counted, Maduro secured 51.20%, while his main rival, Edmundo González, had 44.02%. The opposition rejected the CNE’s announcement as fraudulent, claiming González actually won with 70% of…

Thousands mourn children killed in Golan Heights strike Thousands gathered on Sunday in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights for the funerals of children and young people killed in a rocket strike. Druze community members in Majdal Shams carried caskets and expressed anger towards government officials. The White House and Israel attributed the attack, which killed 12 people, to the Iran-backed Hezbollah, although Hezbollah denied responsibility. World leaders condemned the attack and sought to reduce tensions to…