A government ban on the sale of disposable vapes begins this weekend, aiming to reduce youth nicotine addiction and environmental waste.
Author: WTX News Editor
Cliff Notes – Europe’s largest low-carbon horticulture site A new 40-hectare greenhouse facility in Essex, powered by waste incineration, is expected to become Europe’s largest low-carbon horticulture site by 2027, aiming to supply 6% of the UK’s tomato consumption. The Rivenhall site will utilise steam for electricity generation and heating, reducing CO2 emissions by 20% compared to landfills, while tackling the unsustainable reliance on imported produce. The National Farmers Union warns that government biodiversity policies…
A leaked wiretap has exposed Israeli firm Paragon and its spyware ‘Graphite’ for hacking journalists critical of Israel’s policies. The software, linked to ex-military chiefs and tested on Palestinians, allows full access to phones without user interaction.
This underreported story raises urgent questions about state surveillance, media suppression, and the demise of free speech.
Cliff Notes A train derailment in Russia’s Bryansk region has resulted in at least seven fatalities, including the driver. Authorities attribute the incident to “illegal interference” following a bridge collapse above the railway. Emergency responders are currently working to rescue survivors, with two children reported among the 30 injured. Bridge collapses onto train in Russia – as ‘illegal interference’ blamed | World News At least seven people have died in a train derailment in Russia…
Cliff Notes A car collided with four pedestrians in Leicester shortly after 12:30am on Saturday, resulting in injuries to two men and two women. A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving, with two additional men apprehended later in connection to the incident. The collision followed a fight at a nearby private event, and police are urging the public to refrain from speculation as investigations continue. Two more…
Cliff Notes The UK government plans to purchase up to 7,000 long-range missiles, rockets, and drones, alongside building at least six new weapons factories, as part of a £1.5bn rearmament initiative. The Strategic Defence Review, to be published soon, lacks specific details regarding timelines, types of weapons, and the appointment of a national armaments director to oversee the effort. The investment aims to enhance the UK’s military industrial base, create approximately 1,800 jobs, and address…
Cliff Notes – Robert Jenrick says kill all Islamist terrorists in prison Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick advocates for arming prison officers with lethal weapons to address rising terrorist threats and assaults on staff in high-security jails. He has used right keywords in his statement – ‘national security risks, Islamist Terrorists and radical’ (despite 90% of inmates not being imprisoned for terror related offences. Expert Ian Acheson’s recommendations include tactical equipment for officers and a…
Cliff Notes A woman in her 20s was fatally stabbed in Croydon, south London; a man in his 30s sustained minor injuries and has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Emergency services were called to Frith Road shortly after 9am on Saturday; a murder investigation has commenced, focusing on the events leading to the attack. Local police commend the community, including a teenage boy, for attempts to assist the victim; they believe the incident was…
This week’s World News Briefing tracks the rapidly evolving Gaza conflict as Israel expands West Bank settlements and deadly gunfire erupts at a US aid hub in Rafah.
King Charles reemerges with a symbolic address in Canada, urging global unity amid instability. In the UN, Lebanon’s PM demands US and Israeli withdrawal, triggering diplomatic ripples.
Meanwhile, a tragic glacier collapse in Switzerland buries most of a village, underscoring the accelerating climate crisis.
In Eastern Europe, Poland and Romania face critical elections amid a growing populist wave. Each story includes sentiment analysis, media comparison, and political reactions — plus tweets from world leaders and the public.
We also spotlight an underreported AI misinformation story, global cultural events, and an art showcase in Berlin. This edition ends with a motivational quote and key political updates from NATO, WHO, and the UN. Stay sharp and globally informed — only with WTX News.
Over 60,000 government employees have been laid off, with an additional 110,000 participating in a deferred resignation programme initiated by DOGE.
The Latest Updates from the Genocide in Gaza Israel announced plans for 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing fierce international criticism. Simultaneously, Israeli gunfire at a US aid distribution site in southern Gaza left at least one dead and 48 wounded. The IDF stated the shooting was accidental, but humanitarian agencies say the attack fits a pattern of deliberate targeting. These two developments mark a significant escalation in the Gaza crisis, further…
King Charles’ Speech in a Fractured World During a state visit to Canada, King Charles addressed global instability, ( which speech analysts have suggested was a statement directed to Trump) urging world leaders to “rebuild trust and empathy.” In a rare personal tone, he reflected on shared British-Canadian history and called for unity in the face of rising authoritarianism. The speech comes amid criticism of UK foreign policy’s dependence on U.S. military, and just days…
Lebanon PM Calls for Israeli & US Withdrawal Lebanon’s new PM Nawaf Salam delivered a striking address at the UN, demanding both Israel and the U.S. withdraw from Middle East operations. Citing international law and regional instability, Salam stated Lebanon would “not serve as a proxy battlefield.” The speech received applause from the Global South bloc, but was condemned by Washington as “divisive.” Analysts see this as Lebanon’s pivot away from Western alliances, however, the…
The collapse of the Plaine Morte glacier has buried much of the Swiss village of Blatten under tonnes of ice and debris. Early reports confirm at least 11 missing and widespread destruction.
Leaders from the Arab world due to visit Ramallah tomorrow on invitation of the Palestinian Authority – which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. However, Israel blocked the meeting, refusing to allow the Arab delegation entry to the West Bank.
Populist Surge Looms in Eastern Europe Elections What is Happening in the Eastern European Elections?Upcoming elections in Poland and Romania are poised to shift power toward far-right parties promising anti-EU reforms and tighter immigration laws. Both nations have seen a rise in economic discontent, and polls show support for populist candidates at record highs. Hungarian elections are also on the horizon as EU leaders invest in Orban’s rival Peter Magyar. Brussels is watching closely, as…
Cliff Notes A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving after a car struck four pedestrians in Leicester, resulting in serious injuries to three individuals. The incident, which occurred following a fight at a nearby private event, is under investigation, with the police urging the public not to speculate on social media. A cordon remains in place on De Montfort Street as forensic enquiries continue, and authorities…
Two adults and a teenager die after crash on M5 motorway. Police have said a second child suffered serious injuries and is in hospital following the tragic single-vehicle collision on Friday night.
Cliff Notes California’s State Championships are currently featuring high school athletes, with significant attention on AB Hernandez, a transgender girl competing in girls’ events, amid national debate over her participation. Hernandez is the favourite in several events, while protests and advocacy groups express both support and opposition to her inclusion, highlighting the polarised views on transgender athletes in sports. The state is responding to the controversy by potentially allowing more cisgender girls to compete, also…
Cliff Notes Buckingham Palace has disclosed records of official gifts to the Royal Family, including a $443,575 Rolls-Royce for King Charles from the King of Bahrain, meant for official use only. Other notable gifts received by the King during his coronation month include items from Indigenous leaders and a leather folder from Joe Biden containing historic correspondence between Queen Elizabeth II and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Official gifts are not personal property; they are tax-exempt and…
Cliff Notes A man, 41, was arrested for reversing into a police sergeant multiple times during an alleged hit and run in Rusholme, Manchester. The injured sergeant was taken to hospital with leg injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. An investigation is ongoing, with police urging witnesses to come forward and emphasising the unacceptability of assaults on officers. Man arrested after alleged hit and run on police sergeant in Manchester | UK News…
Cliff Notes Donald Trump announced plans to double tariffs on steel imports, raising them from 25% to 50%, claiming it will strengthen the US steel industry. British steel exports are exempt from the increase due to a newly signed UK-US trade agreement aimed at preserving economic relations. The tariff hike could lead to increased consumer prices for products using steel and aluminium, impacting industries from automotive to beverage manufacturing. Trump to double tariffs on steel…
Cliff Notes Jesse Armstrong’s directorial debut, Mountainhead, focuses on billionaire friends amidst a global crisis, allowing audiences to reflect their anxieties about the tech landscape. Armstrong aims for a quick production to align with audience sentiment, using satire to explore the dynamics of power among tech moguls, drawing on real-life figures for inspiration. He suggests that comedy thrives on the absence of self-knowledge, asserting that such traits make for compelling, relatable characters in his work.…
Cliff Notes A prison officer, 25, was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire. A 22-year-old suspect is in custody, with the police confirming that the incident is not linked to terrorism but rather an isolated disagreement. Audio footage circulating online regarding the incident has been clarified by police as unrelated to the event. Prison officer stabbed at high-security HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire | UK News…
Imane Khelif will not be able to compete in female category in a upcoming event in the Netherlands, following a ruling from the governing body.