Author: WTX News

Hungary stripped of EU meeting over Ukraine stance The European Union has revoked Hungary’s right to host the upcoming meeting of foreign and defence ministers due to its controversial stance on the war in Ukraine. This decision comes shortly after Hungary assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union and follows a contentious meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasised the need for consequences, stating, “We have to send a signal, even if it is a symbolic signal.” Hungary has dismissed the move as…

Landslides in Southern Ethiopia kill more than 50  Local officials have confirmed that over 50 people have died due to landslides in southern Ethiopia’s Gofa zone. The tragic incidents occurred between Sunday evening and Monday morning following heavy rains in the remote, mountainous area. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities fearing the death toll may rise. Dramatic footage shows hundreds of locals digging through the debris, desperately searching for survivors beneath the collapsed hillside and exposed red earth. Meskir Mitku, the Gofa zone’s general administrator, reported that the victims included women, children, and police officers. According to Kassahun Abayneh, a…

France recalls contaminated Olympic-branded water bottles France has recalled a line of Olympic-branded water bottles for children just a week before the Games’ opening ceremony in Paris. The reusable bottles, featuring the Olympic rings and the Paris 2024 mascot or flame, were found to contain excessive levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), according to the official consumer recall agency, Rappel Conso. These bottles, issued last August and sold until June, should be returned to the stores where they were purchased. BPA, commonly used in food containers, has been banned in France since 2015 due to its classification as an endocrine disruptor.…

Bangladesh Court Scraps Job Quotas After Deadly Unrest Bangladesh’s top court has significantly reduced quotas in government jobs, which had led to violent clashes across the country, resulting in over 100 deaths. Previously, a third of public sector jobs were reserved for relatives of veterans from the 1971 independence war. However, the court has now ruled that only 5% of these roles can be reserved for veterans’ relatives. Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the government would implement the ruling within days. Despite the court’s decision, student leaders plan to continue their protests. Their demands include justice for protesters killed…

EU and Serbia sign historic lithium mining agreement The EU has praised a new lithium mining agreement with Serbia as a “historic day for Serbia and Europe,” concluding a competitive race to finalise the deal. On Tuesday, Serbia reinstated mining giant Rio Tinto’s licence to extract lithium in the Jadar Valley. By Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Belgrade, highlighting the deal’s importance for Europe’s economic security and emphasising its benefits for Germany’s auto industry. With the transition to zero-emission vehicles accelerating, carmakers need more lithium for batteries. Rio Tinto’s Jadar project could potentially meet up to 90% of Europe’s…

Israel strikes Houthis after drone attack Israel launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in Yemen, following a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the group. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the strikes were meant to send a strong message to the Houthis. “The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear,” he said. Houthi media reported that the strikes killed three people and injured over 80. Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the attack as “brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen.” On Sunday morning, Israel’s military intercepted a…

After months of speculation US President Biden drops out of US presidential race and endorses Kamala Harris. Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump, leaving the presidential race in uncharted territory. President Biden drops out of US presidential race Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President.…

Banks and airlines down as Mass IT outages reported worldwide have been caused by a catastrophic failure in Microsoft. This has a had global impact, affecting airlines, banks and media organisations. Sparking a mass outrage suggesting this is the firesale that will lead to the collapse of the Dollar. This is Global cyber outage; a digital nuclear explosion has sent data centres into a frenzy, and Microsoft are frantically diverting resources form Tier 3 countries to Tier 1. The end of the Dollar The London Stock Exchange is also experiencing outages and trading may be suspended today. If this issue…

Chip stocks drop on fears US to toughen China rules Global technology stocks have plunged due to concerns over the computer chip industry. The decline followed reports that the Biden administration might tighten restrictions on exporting semiconductor equipment to China. Additionally, former US President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting Taiwan should pay for its defence heightened these worries. Taiwan is a major chip producer. In the US, the Nasdaq index fell by 2.7% on Wednesday, with notable drops in chip stocks in Europe and Asia. Companies like Nvidia and AMD saw significant losses, with Nvidia down 6.6% and AMD over 10%.…

Germany plans to halve military aid for Ukraine Germany is set to nearly halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, reducing it from around €8 billion to approximately €4 billion. This change is part of a draft budget approved by the German government. Despite the cut, Finance Minister Christian Lindner assured that Ukraine’s financing is secure, thanks to a G7 initiative aiming to raise $50 billion from interest on frozen Russian assets. Currently, Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the US, with a 2024 budget for Kyiv set at nearly €7.5 billion. However, the reduction in aid comes…

Deadly unrest over job quotas grips Bangladesh Schools and universities across Bangladesh have been closed indefinitely after six people died during protests over government job quotas. University students have been rallying against the system that reserves a portion of public sector jobs for the relatives of war heroes, women, ethnic minorities, and the disabled. They argue the system is unfair and demand merit-based recruitment. Clashes erupted between supporters of the anti-quota movement and the student wing of the governing Awami League, known as the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL). The violence saw students attacking each other with bricks and sticks, while…

Six tonnes of cocaine found in banana shipment Sniffer dogs in Ecuador discovered 6.23 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment, police reported. The dogs alerted handlers during a routine inspection at Posorja port, leading to the seizure of 5,630 parcels of cocaine. The shipment, destined for Germany, was worth an estimated $224 million. Five people were arrested, including a representative from the export company and the banana plantation managers. The cocaine was hidden beneath crates of bananas set for export. Ecuador has become a major transit hub for cocaine from Peru and Colombia, with criminal gangs using its…

50 reportedly killed in latest Israeli strikes in Gaza At least 50 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli air strikes in south and central Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. One of the deadliest attacks was in the humanitarian zone of al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, and another hit a UN-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted members of Palestinian armed groups and is investigating reports of civilian casualties. It claims that half of Hamas’s military leadership and about 14,000 “terrorists” have been killed or detained in nine months…

Toronto reels from floods and power cuts after severe storms Record rainfall from three massive storms has flooded parts of Toronto, cutting power and stranding drivers on major motorways. Environment Canada reported nearly 100mm (4 inches) of rain fell on Tuesday, breaking the city’s daily record set in 1941. Images showed severe flooding, submerged cars, and water pouring down staircases at Union Station. Pop star Drake posted a video on Instagram showing his Toronto home, partially submerged in brown water. The storm left over 167,000 customers without power, according to Toronto Hydro. Several flights were delayed or cancelled at Billy…

Israeli blitz Gaza from land, sea and air on Monday as the Genocide in Palestine showed no sign of slowing down. Israeli Blitz Gaza from land, sea and air Shells rained down on the neighbourhoods of Tal Al-Hawa, Sheikh Ajlin and Al-Sabra in Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli army had shelled the Al-Mughraqa area and the northern outskirts of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Deadly Israeli attack on al-Mawasi tent camp not justifiable Israel can “kill 2.3 million people by simply claiming that it was to kill Hamas.” UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Excessive force against Palestinian…

‘This is not who we are. This is not who we want to be. And this is not who will ever be.’Taoiseach Leo Varadkar makes a statement following yesterday’s stabbing and last night’s riots in Dublin City. pic.twitter.com/mT5Cn6Clvp— Irish and UK Media News (@IREUKmedia) November 24, 2023 Irish PM condemns anti-immigrant Dublin violence Fifteen people appeared in a special court in Dublin following violent protests at a site designated for asylum seekers. Protesters set pallets and construction machinery on fire at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, causing a large blaze. Work was set to begin on…

Israeli strike on central Gaza school reportedly kills 22 At least 22 Palestinians were killed and 100 wounded in a strike on a UN-run school in central Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted Hamas “terrorists” operating from Abu Oraiban School in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Witnesses, however, reported no armed fighters were present, and children were among the casualties. This incident marks the fifth attack on or near schools in eight days. Residents in central Gaza reported new air and artillery strikes on Monday, with five people killed in the Maghazi…

BREAKING: Five people were killed and several others were injured in a mosque shooting in Oman capital Muscat, according to police. pic.twitter.com/VLKFRxha1i— World Times (@WorldTimesWT) July 16, 2024 Four killed in shooting near Oman mosque Four people were killed in a shooting near a mosque in Muscat, Oman’s capital, according to the country’s police. Several others were injured in the incident, which occurred in the al-Wadi al-Kabir area.  Police responded promptly, and an investigation is now underway. While details are scarce, some reports indicate that at least one gunman used an assault rifle. The police have implemented all necessary security…

Colombia football head arrested on battery charge Ramón Jesurún, head of the Colombian Football Federation, and his son, Ramón Jamil, were arrested following a brawl at Sunday’s Copa América final in Miami. The Miami-Dade Police Department charged them with battery involving an official or employee. The altercation occurred after Colombia’s 0-1 loss to Argentina in extra time. According to police, the incident began when the Jesurúns became angry while approaching the field entrance. A security officer, instructed to delay entry, tried to guide Ramón Jamil back, leading to an escalation where Ramón pushed the officer, and his son assaulted him…

Combat dog set on Palestinian with Down syndrome and left to die A Palestinian family hiding in their home in eastern Gaza City’s Shujaiya when Israeli soldiers stormed it has suffered an unimaginable level of horror. Muhammed, 24, who had Down syndrome desperately screamed as he tried to free himself from a combat dog unleashed by Israeli soldiers.  “The dog bit his chest, then started biting and mauling his arm. Muhammed was screaming and trying to free himself as the blood poured,” his mother recalled to MEE. “Muhammed could not speak or say any word, but out of horror, he…

Police hunt mayor accused of being Chinese spy The mayor of Bamban, Philippines, Alice Guo, accused of being a Chinese spy, has gone into hiding, officials say. Police were unable to arrest her over the weekend as she was not found at any of her known addresses. Guo is linked to scam centres uncovered in Bamban, concealed in online casinos catering to mainland Chinese, leading to suspicions about her Chinese parentage and potential espionage for Beijing. Her case has captivated the nation, especially amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea. The Senate ordered her arrest…

Lammy urges immediate ceasefire during Israel visit David Lammy, during his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories as Foreign Secretary, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasised the need to stop the horrendous loss of life and urged for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an increase in aid to the territory. In talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority PM Mohammad Mustafa, Lammy stressed the importance of conducting war according to international humanitarian law. He expressed frustration over British aid trucks being blocked or delayed from entering Gaza…

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…