Author: WTX News

US aims to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East The U.S. is working to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East amid concerns over a possible Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasised the country’s goal to “deter and defend against any future attack and avoid regional conflict” during a UN Security Council meeting. At the Security Council meeting in New York, Thomas-Greenfield called for a ceasefire deal to be finalised. “A broader regional conflict is not inevitable,” she said. “The United States’ overall goal remains to turn the temperature down in the region, deter…

Japan set for new PM as Kishida bows out as party leader Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), signalling a need for a “new start” within the party. The 67-year-old leader, who has served as Prime Minister since 2021, is expected to step down after the LDP selects a new leader in September. Kishida’s decision comes as his popularity has sharply declined due to a corruption scandal within his party, rising living costs, and a weakening yen. His approval ratings hit a record low…

One dead as wildfires rage across Athens suburbs Fierce wildfires in the suburbs of Athens killed one person on Monday as flames spread rapidly across northern parts of the city. The body, believed to be a woman, was found in a shop in Vrilissia, a town in northern Athens, according to fire service sources. Thousands have been evacuated as the fires threaten homes, businesses, and schools, with authorities warning that the blazes could persist into Tuesday. While the main fire front in the north-eastern Attica region, which includes parts of Athens, has been contained, numerous smaller fires remain active, particularly…

Ukraine claims to control 1,000 sq km of Russian territory Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Ukrainian forces have seized control of 1,000 square kilometres of Russian territory in their largest cross-border incursion since the war began. The offensive, now in its seventh day, is focused on Russia’s Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia, having brought war to others, is now experiencing it on its own soil. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack as a “major provocation” and ordered Russian forces to expel Ukrainian troops from the area. As the conflict intensifies, around 59,000…

US sends submarine to Middle East as tensions grow The US has deployed a guided missile submarine to the Middle East as regional tensions escalate following the assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced that an aircraft carrier, which was already heading to the area would sail there more quickly. This move highlights the US’s commitment to defending Israel, with Austin stating that the US will “take every possible step” to protect its ally. The deployment comes amid concerns that Iran may retaliate for the assassination of Hamas’s top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in…

Hamas says Gaza truce talks must be based on Joe Biden’s plan Hamas has stated that any ceasefire talks regarding the conflict in Gaza should be based on existing plans rather than introducing new rounds of negotiations. This comes after international mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US urged both Israel and Hamas to participate in ceasefire and hostage release negotiations scheduled for August 15. Israel has agreed to send a team of negotiators, following a previous breakdown in talks last month when new terms were introduced to a framework initially presented by US President Joe Biden in May. On…

Pilot killed as chopper crashes into Australian hotel A helicopter crashed into the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Cairns, northern Queensland, early Monday morning, resulting in the death of the pilot. The crash, which occurred around 01:50 am local time, ignited a fire and forced the evacuation of hundreds of hotel guests. Authorities confirmed that the pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, died at the scene. Two hotel guests, an elderly man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, were taken to the hospital in stable condition. Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety…

Ukrainian troops now up to 30km inside Russia, Moscow says Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 30 kilometres inside Russia, marking the most significant incursion since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The offensive, taking place in Russia’s Kursk region, has entered its sixth day. Russia’s defence ministry reported clashes between its troops and Ukrainian forces near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez. Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of “intimidating the peaceful population of Russia.” In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attack, noting that Russia had launched…

Greek residents flee as wildfire rages uncontrolled near Athens A massive wildfire north of Athens has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents as flames, some reaching 25 meters (80 feet) high, continue to devastate the area. The historic site of Marathon is among the regions where emergency services are relocating people to safety. In the nearby town of Varnavas, properties have been engulfed by the fire, with firefighters working to rescue those trapped in a convoy of 20 to 25 vehicles attempting to flee the area. Greece has been battling 40 wildfires since Saturday afternoon, with seven still active.…

Venezuela opposition urges global protest over poll result Venezuela’s opposition party is urging worldwide protests on August 17 in response to its claim of winning the recent presidential election. The official results, announced by the government-controlled electoral commission, declared President Nicolás Maduro the winner, granting him a third consecutive term. The opposition claims that its candidate, Edmundo González, was the true victor and demands the release of detailed polling station data. This claim has gained support from the European Union and the US, while several Latin American countries have yet to recognise Maduro’s win. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called…

Rwandan president sworn in after 99% election win Paul Kagame has officially begun his fourth term as Rwanda’s president after securing 99% of the vote in last month’s election. While Kagame is credited with bringing peace and stability to Rwanda following the 1994 genocide, critics argue that his rule has become increasingly authoritarian, stifling dissent and democracy. Rights groups have pointed to the overwhelming electoral margin as evidence of a flawed democratic process, noting that only two challengers were allowed to run against Kagame in the July 15 election. This is consistent with his previous election victories, where he has…

Venezuelan president bans X for 10 days over Musk row Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has signed a decree blocking access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for 10 days after a public feud with its owner, Elon Musk. The dispute began after Maduro was declared the winner of last month’s contested presidential election. Musk called Maduro a “dictator” and a “clown,” while Maduro accused Musk of inciting hatred and violence. Amid rising anti-government protests over the election, Venezuela’s security forces have arrested hundreds. Independent observers and the main opposition party have labelled the July 28 election as undemocratic,…

US, Egypt and Qatar call on Israel and Hamas to resume talks The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have issued a joint statement urging Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage-release deal. The three nations have reportedly reached a “framework agreement” with only the implementation details left to finalise. Israel has agreed to send negotiators to the talks, scheduled for August 15 in Doha or Cairo, while Hamas has yet to respond. This diplomatic push aims to prevent further regional tensions, particularly after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an act Iran blames on…

Teen planned ‘explosives and knives’ attack at Swift concert Austrian authorities arrested a 19-year-old on Wednesday for plotting a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The suspect, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), admitted to planning an attack using explosives and knives. Swift’s three sold-out shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium, expected to draw over 195,000 attendees, were cancelled as a result. The suspect had reportedly stolen chemicals from his former workplace and made significant progress in bomb-making. Authorities also discovered weapons and evidence of his plans to drive a car into the crowd.…

Yunus sworn in as interim Bangladesh leader Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, 84, has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader, pledging to uphold the constitution and restore democracy. He took the oath at Dhaka’s presidential palace, accompanied by his new cabinet members, including student leaders Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, who played key roles in the recent anti-government protests. This transition comes after Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s long-time prime minister, resigned and fled to India following weeks of deadly student-led protests demanding her removal. Yunus’ appointment as interim leader was the result of a meeting between President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military officials,…

Polish man jailed for four months for punching Danish PM A Polish man has been sentenced to four months in jail for assaulting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The incident occurred in June in Copenhagen, where the 39-year-old man, whose name has not been disclosed, punched Frederiksen on the shoulder.  In addition to his jail term, the man will be deported from Denmark and banned from entering the country for five years. The court also found him guilty of several counts of fraud and indecent exposure related to other incidents. During the trial, the man claimed he was too drunk…

State of emergency declared as Ukraine launches raid into Russia A state of emergency has been declared in Russia’s Kursk region following a rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops. Acting regional governor Alexei Smirnov stated this move was necessary to address the consequences of the incursion. Russian officials reported that at least five civilians have been killed and 31 wounded, including six children, since the attack began. Ukraine has not officially commented on the situation, and the extent of the incursion remains unclear. On Tuesday, up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops, along with 11 tanks and over 20 armoured vehicles, reportedly…

Iran will respond at ‘right time’ to killing of Hamas leader Iran’s acting foreign minister has vowed the country will respond to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the “right time” and in an “appropriate” manner. His statement followed a day of intense diplomacy in the Middle East, including an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia. During the OIC meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Baqeri Ali Bagheri Kani urged member states to support Iran’s response, framing it as a defence of regional stability and security. The OIC later issued a statement holding Israel…

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as new overall leader Following two days of intensive negotiations in Doha, Hamas has appointed Yahya Sinwar as its new overall chief. Sinwar succeeds Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran last week. Previously serving as the leader of Hamas inside the Gaza Strip since 2017, Sinwar will now head the group’s political wing. His appointment was confirmed by a senior Hamas official, who described the decision as a unanimous one by the Hamas leadership. The announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran and its allies threatening retaliation for…

Threat made against Irish PM Simon Harris and his family The Gardaí (Irish police) are currently investigating a threat made against Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris, his wife, and children. The threat, which included references to knives, was posted on Instagram over the weekend, as reported by RTÉ. Despite the intimidation, Harris remains steadfast in his commitment to his role. “The laws of the land apply to people online just as much as offline,” the Taoiseach stated. “There can be no hiding place for anyone seeking to threaten, attack or harm people or to incite others to do so.”…

Nobel Peace Prize winner to lead Bangladesh interim government Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, a prominent critic of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been appointed as the interim leader of Bangladesh. The 84-year-old economist and microloan pioneer was chosen following Hasina’s abrupt departure from the country, which came after weeks of violent protests demanding her resignation. The protests, initially sparked by university students opposing civil service job quotas, quickly evolved into a widespread anti-government movement. The unrest has resulted in over 400 deaths, predominantly civilians, due to clashes with police. The violence reached a peak on Monday, with more than…

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 students detained during recent demonstrations against a government job quota system. President Shahabuddin announced plans to form an interim government, call new elections, and lift…

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 Reporters Without Borders. Martínez, in his 50s, operated a popular news outlet on Facebook with over 340,000 followers and had been under protection since surviving…

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 the aftermath, the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza have reportedly led to over 38,400 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. While Haq did…

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