The Fort Worth Press

Israel pounds Gaza as UN Security Council meets over deadly strike

Israel carried out fresh strikes on Wednesday in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where its forces are battling Hamas militants, after the UN Security Council met to discuss a deadly attack that sparked global outcry.

'Normalised and invisible': online abuse targets Ethiopian women

Influential Ethiopian women's rights activist Betelehem Akalework says she has been forced to move home twice in two years after enduring a barrage of online abuse, death threats and physical harassment.

'Two Mexicos' prepare to vote amid economic divide

One runs an aerospace parts maker, the other works in a restaurant near a major new oil refinery -- both women will vote in Mexican elections this weekend, but they could be from different countries.

South Africa votes in 'watershed' election

South Africans vote on Wednesday in what may be the most consequential election in decades, as dissatisfaction with the ruling ANC threatens to end its 30-year political dominance.

Haiti transitional council names prime minister

Haiti's transitional government council on Tuesday named a new prime minister to lead the violence-hit Caribbean nation, council members said, choosing Garry Conille, who briefly served in that role from 2011 to 2012.

Blinken to support Moldova's Western hopes against Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Moldova on Wednesday with plans to show robust support for the frontline country's Western aspirations amid alarm over Russian gains elsewhere.

US allows Cuban entrepreneurs conditional banking access

Private sector entrepreneurs in Cuba will be able to establish US bank accounts which they can remotely access, US officials said Tuesday, in announcing an update to the country's Cuba policy.

Prosecutor urges jury to convict Trump using 'common sense'

Prosecutors pleaded with jurors Tuesday to use their "common sense" and find Donald Trump guilty, as the first ever criminal trial of a former president reached its dramatic final phase.

Venezuela withdraws invitation to EU to observe July vote

Venezuela said Tuesday it has withdrawn an invitation to the European Union to observe its July presidential election, accusing the bloc of "interventionist practices" through sanctions.

Biden's blurred red lines under scrutiny after Rafah carnage

Joe Biden's red lines over Israel's assault on Rafah have kept shifting, but the US president faces growing pressure to take a firmer stance after a deadly strike in the Gazan city.

Israel's Rafah incursion taking dire health toll: WHO

Israel's military offensive in Rafah is already taking a dire health toll in southern Gaza, and if it continues, "substantial" increases in deaths can be expected, a top WHO official warned Tuesday.

US says not changing Israeli policy despite Rafah strike

US President Joe Biden has no plans to change his Israel policy following a deadly weekend strike on Gaza's Rafah -- but is not turning a "blind eye" to the plight of Palestinian civilians, the White House said Tuesday.

Peru's president questioned for alleged power abuse in graft case

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was questioned by prosecutors Tuesday over the shuttering of a police unit that had searched her house in a corruption case.

Countries at odds over how to reignite pandemic agreement

Countries aired stark differences Tuesday on where to go next in trying to strike a global agreement for handling future pandemics, after missing a deadline to finalise a deal.

Prosecutor urges guilty verdict in Trump trial, citing 'powerful evidence'

Donald Trump engaged in a "conspiracy and a cover-up" to hide hush money payments to a porn star, prosecutors told the jury on Tuesday in closing arguments at the first ever criminal trial of a former US president.

French lawmaker suspended for waving Palestinian flag

France's parliament on Tuesday suspended a left-wing lawmaker for two weeks after he held up a Palestinian flag during a heated debate over whether France should recognise Palestinian statehood, as President Emmanuel Macron said such a step should not be based on "emotion".

Civil defence says 21 dead in new strike on Gaza camp that Israel denies

A civil defence official in Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli strike on a displacement camp west of Rafah on Tuesday killed at least 21 people, after a similar strike that sparked global outrage.

Thousands rally in Georgia to protest adoption of 'foreign influence' law

Thousands of Georgians rallied Tuesday outside parliament after ruling party MPs adopted a divisive "foreign influence" law, overcoming a presidential veto on the bill despite Western warnings the move could jeopardise the country's path to the European Union.

Putin warns of 'serious consequences' if Western arms strike Russia

President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that there would be "serious consequences" if Western countries allowed Ukraine to use their weapons to strike targets in Russia, as sought by Kyiv.

Biden's blurred red lines on Rafah under pressure

Joe Biden's red lines have repeatedly shifted when it comes to Israel's assault on Rafah, but the US president faces growing pressure to firm up his stance after a deadly strike in the Gazan city.

Former Dutch security boss Schoof to be next PM

Dutch right-wing coalition parties on Tuesday nominated former security chief Dick Schoof as their preferred candidate to become the Netherlands' next prime minister.

Georgia adopts 'foreign influence' law despite protests

Georgia's parliament on Tuesday voted into law a controversial "foreign influence" bill, overriding a presidential veto despite weeks-long mass protests and warnings from the West that it could jeopardise the country's path to the European Union.

UK Labour touts pro-business shift as industry figures back party

The UK's Labour opposition vowed Tuesday to be both "pro-worker and pro-business" after winning the backing of 120 industry leaders as the party tries to oust the Conservatives in the upcoming general election.

De Niro slams Trump at press event outside courthouse

Actor Robert De Niro on Tuesday spoke outside the New York court where Donald Trump is standing trial, branding him a dangerous "clown" who will become a dictator for life if reelected.

UK opposition deputy faces no further police action afer probe

UK police said Tuesday that Labour's deputy leader would face no further police action over claims she broke the law, a boost for the opposition party during Britain's general election campaign.

Gaza civil defence says 21 dead in new Israeli strike on Gaza camp

A civil defence official in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said an Israeli strike on a displacement camp west of Rafah on Tuesday killed at least 21 people, days after a similar strike that sparked global outrage.

'Dangerous day for America,' Trump says as closing arguments begin

Closing arguments began Tuesday in the hush money trial of Donald Trump with the White House hopeful facing the prospect of becoming the first criminally convicted former president in US history.

Trump trial to hear closing arguments ahead of jury decision

Donald Trump arrived Tuesday for closing arguments in his New York hush money trial ahead of the jury deciding whether to make him the first criminally convicted former president and current White House hopeful in history.

Israeli tanks reach centre of Rafah as Security Council to discuss camp blaze

Israeli tanks penetrated the heart of Rafah on Tuesday despite global outrage over a strike that set ablaze a crowded camp in Gaza's far-southern city, killing 45 people according to Palestinian officials.

145 countries now recognise a Palestinian state

Israel's war in Gaza since the October 7 attack has revived a global push for Palestinians to be given a state of their own.

UK Labour touts pro-business shift as industry figures back party in election