Browsing: World News

Latest World news news, comment and analysis from WTX News, the world’s independent and unbiased news publisher.

“Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said in a statement, external. “We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”

‘Russia fires intercontinental missiles’ & ‘COP29 climate talks deadlock’ – Paper Talk EUROPE  EU

Russia has fired intercontinental missiles into Ukraine, marking the first time they have used such weapons. It comes after Ukraine fired British and American missiles into Russia. The ongoing escalations in the war dominate European news, as the EU leaders prepare for US support for Ukraine to come to a screeching end in January when Donald Trump takes office.

The ongoing discussions at COP29 continue to dominate European news as a climate finance deal has failed to break a stand-off between rich and poor nations.

Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has surged dramatically, leaving at least 150 dead since November 11 and pushing the country’s death toll for the year past 4,500, according to the United Nations. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk warned of escalating chaos, calling for urgent action to halt the gang violence overwhelming the capital.

Israel launched overnight strikes in three areas north of Gaza which continued until this morning. At least 95 people were killed in less than 24 hours, local media reports. The overnight strikes killed at least 66 people in Beit Lahiya and injured dozens. In Sheikh Radian at least 22 people, including children, were killed in the air strikes and at least 7 people, including one child, were killed in Al-Mawasi.

The United Nations has raised alarm about dire humanitarian conditions in northern Gaza, where no significant aid has been delivered for 40 days due to an ongoing siege by Israeli forces. According to the UN, 65,000 to 75,000 people in areas like Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia face severe shortages of food and other essentials.

The DOJ has proposed breaking up Google to curb the tech giants’ dominance in online search. In a court filing on Wednesday, the DOJ suggested that Google should be required to sell its Chrome web browser and end contracts that make its search engine the default choice on devices from companies like Apple and Samsung.

A fourth tourist has reportedly died from suspected mass methanol poisoning in Laos. Australian teenager Bianca Jones, 19, death was confirmed by her family on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the US State Department confirmed the death of an American man who died in the tourist hotspot of Vang Vieng.

The UN Security Council is set to vote on Wednesday on a resolution demanding an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, along with the release of all hostages. However, the United States, a key ally of Israel, may block the draft, which has already drawn criticism from Israeli officials.  

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has halted its medical operations in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, citing escalating violence and a brutal attack on its staff. The decision follows an incident on November 11, when Haitian police, reportedly backed by a paramilitary group, stopped an MSF ambulance, removed two gunshot patients, and executed them outside the hospital grounds.  

The US front pages cover a wide variety of mostly American news. The arrival of the next president Donald Trump – who will take office in January – also continues to make the front pages, as his cabinet choices continue to be scrutinised.

Publications also look ahead at what the next Trump term could look like. 

There’s speculation over Trump’s economic plans for the country with experts warning that it could lead to higher inflation and interest rates.

Several front pages report on Donald Trump’s promise to mass deport illegal immigrants using the American military, and that he will declare a national emergency to help force millions out of the United States.

‘Germany suspects sabotage over undersea cables’ & ‘French farmers escalate protests’ – Paper Talk EUROPE EU

Monday’s main European headlines report on a variety of political stories from across the bloc. The biggest stories cover the severed undersea cable between Germany and Finland – believed to be intentional.

The latest from the war in Ukraine as the US permits them to use American weapons to strike inside Russia. It leads to many of the European nations pondering if Germany – Europe’s largest economy – will follow suit.

Many of the UK media already report the UK is set to follow Washignton’s lead and allow Ukraine to use British weapons.

Coverage of the EU vote on whether to suspend Israel talks over Gaza and the bloc’s plans to increase defence spending are two other huge stories dominating the European news this morning.

The French newspapers continue coverage of the horrific rape trial that has not only caught the country’s attention – but the world’s.

Spain continues coverage of the devastating floods earlier in the month and the devastation left behind.

The German press reports on the severed undersea cables calling it an act of sabotage and a “hybrid action”, without knowing who is to blame.

The G20 summit in Brazil also finds space across Europe’s biggest news media.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed plans to use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants, marking one of the most ambitious immigration initiatives in U.S. history. On his Truth Social platform, Trump endorsed claims that he would declare a national emergency to mobilise military resources, including the National Guard, to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the effort.  

EU fails to agree to pause talks with Israel over Gaza EU

The European Union has opted not to suspend its political dialogue with Israel after failing to reach a unanimous agreement at a Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday.  EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed the suspension, citing alleged human rights violations and breaches of international law by Israel in Gaza. However, the measure required the support of all 27 member states and did not achieve consensus.  

Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for subversion in a landmark trial under China’s controversial national security law (NSL).  They were among the “Hong Kong 47,” a group of activists and lawmakers charged with organising a primary election in 2020 to select opposition candidates for local polls.  

An undersea telecommunications cable linking Germany and Finland has been severed, raising concerns amid already heightened tensions in Europe. The 1,170 km (730-mile) C-Lion1 fibreoptic cable connects Helsinki and Rostock, but all fibre connections in the line have been disrupted, according to Finnish network operator Cinia.  

A car drove into a crowd outside Yong’an Primary School in China’s southern Hunan province, leaving several students and adults injured, according to state media. Details on the number of casualties remain unclear, but those injured have been taken to the hospital.  This is the third attack on a public crowd in China within a week, sparking concern over public safety.

A massive protest unfolded in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, as over 35,000 people gathered outside parliament to oppose a controversial bill seeking to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi.  The demonstration marked the conclusion of a nine-day hīkoi (peaceful march), which grew significantly on Tuesday as participants arrived in Wellington.

Monday’s US front pages – like many others around the world – lead with news the US president has given Ukraine the green light to use American-made missiles in Russia.

Away from the policy shift, many of the major American newspapers continue their coverage of domestic politics as Donald Trump’s picks for cabinet continues to be scrutinised – as does the role of Elon Musk.