Author: Trainee Reporter

Caracas: Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez and US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum have announced that Venezuela and the United States will work together to develop the South American nation’s mining sector, signalling a new phase of economic cooperation between the two countries. Burgum, who also heads the National Energy Dominance Council under Donald Trump, met Rodríguez at the presidential palace in Caracas during a high-profile visit accompanied by executives from more than two dozen American mining companies. The companies could bring billions of dollars in investment and create thousands of high-paying jobs, according to US officials. “Delcy Rodríguez,…

Canberra: Canada has indicated that it could potentially participate militarily in the escalating Middle East conflict, though officials stressed that no decision has been made and the scenario remains hypothetical. Speaking in Canberra alongside Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government could not completely dismiss the possibility of involvement in the conflict sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Carney remarked that, “One can never categorically rule out participation.” However, the prime minister reiterated concerns about the legality of the attacks, describing them as appearing inconsistent with international law. The Prime Minister noted that Canada was not informed…

Beijing: China is set to roll out its 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026–2030 during the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC), outlining its economic, industrial and social priorities for the next five years. The week-long session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, brings together nearly 3,000 delegates from across the country. The plan will be unveiled as part of one of China’s most significant political gatherings of the year. The NPC runs alongside the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), with the two events collectively known as the ‘Two Sessions’. While the CPPCC serves in…

London: The UK Home Office has announced an unprecedented suspension of study visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, alongside a halt on work visas for Afghan nationals, as the government moves to curb rising asylum claims and address growing anti-immigration sentiment. In a statement issued, the Home Office confirmed that an emergency brake on visas has been imposed for the first time on citizens from the four countries. The move follows what officials described as a dramatic spike in asylum applications from students entering the United Kingdom on study visas. According to the department, asylum claims by…

British Columbia: The British Columbia has announced it will move to year-round daylight saving time, eliminating the need for biannual clock changes starting later this year. The western Canadian province confirmed that the upcoming one-hour clock change on March 8, 2026, will be the last seasonal shift. The time change scheduled for November 1 will be scrapped as the province transitions permanently to daylight saving time. The decision is aimed at reducing disruptions for families, improving consistency for businesses and ensuring longer evening daylight during winter months, according to the office of Premier David Eby. Eby stated that, “This decision…

Riyadh: Tensions across the Gulf have escalated sharply after the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, was struck by two drones, triggering a limited fire inside the diplomatic compound. Saudi authorities said the attack caused minor material damage, while later reports suggested additional drones were launched toward the site as part of Iran’s broader retaliation across the region following US-Israeli strikes. Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, home to multiple foreign missions, after a loud blast was heard in the area. Witnesses reported flames inside the compound, though officials described the fire as small in…

Oman: Global oil prices have jumped sharply after multiple vessels were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating fears of supply disruption as Iran intensifies its military response across the region following strikes by the United States and Israel. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), at least two vessels were struck by projectiles, while another experienced an explosion close by. Iran has warned commercial ships against transiting the strait, a vital corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies effectively halting most maritime traffic at its entrance. Shipping disruption triggers market shock International shipping…

Tehran: At least 153 people, including children, were killed after a reported missile strike hit a girls’ school in Minab in southern Iran, according to Iranian officials, in one of the deadliest incidents since the latest escalation of conflict in the region. Authorities in Tehran blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. However, the United States Central Command (Centcom) said it was reviewing reports of the incident, while the Israel Defence Forces stated it was not aware of any operations in the area at the time. The school was located roughly 600 metres from a base belonging to…

El Alto: At least 15 people have been killed and dozens injured after a Bolivian military cargo plane crashed while landing in the western city of El Alto. The aircraft, operated by the Bolivian Air Force, went down at approximately 18:15 local time on February 27 as it approached El Alto International Airport from the eastern city of Santa Cruz. Aviation officials said the plane skidded off the runway before slamming into nearby vehicles. Bolivia’s Defence Ministry later confirmed the aircraft was a C-130 Hercules transporting banknotes destined for the Central Bank of Bolivia. According to Air Force Commander Sergio…

Tehran: Explosions have rocked Iran’s capital after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on targets in Iran, with multiple missiles reported to have struck key areas of Tehran. Iranian media outlets reported that missiles hit University Street and the Jomhouri district, sending plumes of smoke across the skyline. The media reports stated that additional explosions struck the northern Seyyed Khandan area, indicating that attacks were extending to the western province of Ilam. Washington and Tel Aviv cite security threats US President Donald Trump described the operation as a pre-emptive move against what he called imminent threats from…