Author: WTX News

UN warns attack on Rafah could lead to ‘slaughter’ Israel’s assault in the southern Gazan city Rafah could lead to a “slaughter” according to a top UN official.  Martin Griffiths said Palestinians in Gaza were already suffering an “assault that is unparalleled in its intensity, brutality and scope”. The consequences of an invasion of Rafah would be “catastrophic”, he said. Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to defeat Hamas gunmen that he claims are hiding in the city. Rafah is currently sheltering over a million people, who Griffiths said were “crammed in Rafah, staring death in the face”. He said…

Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP in Pakistan have struck a deal to establish a government together. The PPP has pledged support to help the PML-N elect a prime minister following last week’s election.

The Independent says David Cameron has cautioned Israel against the looming ground invasion saying there is nowhere for civilians to go. Foreign Secretary Cameron said that there must be an immediate pause in the fighting so aid can be delivered.

The news that a school headteacher has not hired classroom staff because a PFI contract forces him to spend £30,000 a year on mowing the grass on the playing fields is the lead story in the Metro.

David Potter says almost 20% of his whole budget is spent on the deal which helped build the school but ties it to the same maintenance firm for decades as prices rise, the paper says.

The Guardian leads with Labour withdrawing support for its candidate in the upcoming Rochdale by-election just weeks before voters go to the polls. The paper says the situation is a “key test” for Keir Starmer’s party.

The Sun leads on the news that Coronation Street star Bill Roache reportedly owes nearly £550,000 in tax and is now facing a battle in the High Court. It says his debt is revealed in court papers obtained by the newspaper on Monday, weeks after the paper reported that the actor faces “bankruptcy again”.

The Daily Express leads on the news that a medical study has found that dementia may be able to be predicted 15 years before the first symptoms emerge using a simple blood test.

The Daily Mirror leads with the news that Sarah Payne’s murderer Roy Whiting has been stabbed in prison. The paper writes that the paedophile was said to have been “saved” by a guard at Wakefield Maximum Security prison, where he was stabbed in a “frenzied” attack.

Israel must do more to protect the more than one million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, the southern Gazan city, according to Joe Biden. 

The US president has said civilians who are “packed” into Rafah are “exposed and vulnerable” and must be protected. 

Venezuelan authorities have officially acknowledged the arrest of Rocío San Miguel, a prominent human rights activist. San Miguel, known for her outspoken criticism of President Nicolás Maduro’s government, was arrested on Friday and transported to an undisclosed location.

Farmers’ protest: Delhi turns into fortress as thousands march to India capital Thousands of farmers from neighbouring states are currently marching towards Delhi, the capital of India, to demand guaranteed prices for their crops. This resurgence of protest comes after a previous year-long demonstration in 2020, during which farmers camped at the Delhi borders to oppose controversial agricultural reforms. Despite the government’s agreement to repeal the laws following that protest, farmers now say their key demands still haven’t been fulfilled. Concerns over the lack of fulfilment of key demands have prompted farmers to take to the streets once more. In…

Barnaby Joyce says he is “not looking for sympathy” after explaining that footage of him lying on a Canberra footpath and swearing into his phone was the result of combining alcohol and prescription drugs.

When it comes to testing the latest brow products, you got me. I’ll try anything and everything new to make my bushy beloveds look their very best.

The front page of the Independent reports that Britain’s economy is worse off – by £100bn, since leaving the European Union, according to a think tank. The paper says businesses are preparing for more border red tape. It goes on to say businesses have struggled with border costs, leading to 30 per cent less trade than if Britain had stayed in the EU.

The Guardian says international students accused of cheating at English language tests are planning a fresh push to clear their names 10 years on. The paper says thousands are thought to have been victims of a gross miscarriage of justice.

The Metro reports a new battle has erupted between Donald Trump and Joe Biden after the former US president said he would “encourage” Russia to invade its neighbours if they hadn’t paid their share of NATO’s budget. Biden’s office has labelled the comments “unhinged”, the paper reports.

Alex Batty has spoken to the Daily Mirror about his life back in the UK after six years on the run in Europe, revealing he hopes his mum and granddad do not get caught by police after taking him abroad.

On the eve of his 18th birthday, Alex, who now lives with his Gran in Oldham, tells the paper he doesn’t expect to hear from his Mum and doesn’t want to because he doesn’t want her to get caught. He reveals he’s started a computer programming course, been on a few dates, and already enjoyed some birthday celebrations.

The Daily Express reports Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has pledged to end the “poisonous” woke culture which he says threatens to distract the military from its job of protecting the nation.

Also on the front page is the vigil to mark the first anniversary of teenager Brianna Ghey’s murder and a story about mobile coverage in rural areas.

The Sun says King Charles waved and looked relaxed as he made his first public appearance since revealing he has cancer. Charles and Camilla were en route to Church on the Sandringham Estate.

Arsenal’s 6-0 thrashing of West Ham also makes the front page, the paper summarises the game as ‘hammered.’

Pakistan’s second and third political groups have agreed to collaborate following elections where imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s backers secured the lead.

The PMLN led by ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP released a statement announcing their intention to work together to establish political stability.

If they succeed in forming a government, it’s likely to provoke anger among Khan’s supporters.

Khan’s PTI party was disqualified from participating in the election, leading many of its candidates to run as independents.

Earlier, police dispersed a crowd of Khan’s supporters in Rawalpindi using tear gas.

The chief of NATO has criticised Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US wouldn’t protect NATO allies who don’t spend enough on defence, stating it undermines security and puts troops at risk.

Jens Stoltenberg emphasised that such remarks could endanger US and European troops.

Trump indicated he would “encourage” Russia to attack any NATO member not meeting the alliance’s 2% GDP defence spending target.

Brazil, the defending champions, have failed to qualify for Paris 2024 after a 1-0 loss to Argentina. 

Brazil had been eyeing up a third consecutive gold in the men’s Olympic football tournament. They have won a men’s football medal at the past four Olympics.

Argentina, who won gold in 2004 and 2008, finished the final qualifying event with five points.

Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder for the men’s marathon from Kenya, tragically passed away in a car accident in his home country at the age of 24.

The accident occurred on a road in western Kenya on Sunday, claiming the lives of Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda.

Kiptum rose to prominence in 2023 as a formidable competitor to fellow Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kipchoge.

Finland’s former conservative Prime Minister, Alexander Stubb, has won the presidential election held on Sunday, according to final results.

Stubb secured 51.6% of the vote, defeating his Green Party rival, Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, who had 48.4%. Haavisto has conceded defeat.

This election marks Finland’s first since joining the NATO military alliance.

Israel rescued two male hostages in a raid in Rafah amid reports of Israeli airstrikes hit the southern Gazan city of Rafah. 

The Israeli military confirms the men are in “good medical condition.” The international community – including the UK –  had warned about Israel’s planned offensive in Rafah. 

Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said Rafah was under attack, with a number of deaths reported. 1.5 million people are sheltering in the southern city.