Author: Trainee Reporter

Port-au-Prince: Haiti’s Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, has said the country’s deteriorating security situation makes it impossible to hold presidential elections scheduled for August, as escalating gang violence continues to destabilise the Caribbean nation. Fils-Aime acknowledged that the current conditions do not allow authorities to organise safe and credible polls. Fils-Aime stated that, “If everything goes according to plan, Haiti could have an elected president by February 7.” Elections delayed again  Haiti has not conducted elections since 2016, with successive administrations repeatedly postponing voting due to mounting instability and the growing influence of armed gangs. The country plunged deeper into…

Hyderabad: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to adopt austerity measures, including reviving work-from-home practices, limiting foreign travel, reducing gold purchases and using public transport, as India grapples with rising global energy prices triggered by the prolonged Middle East crisis. Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad, Modi said responsible consumption and conservation were crucial at a time when India’s economy was under mounting pressure due to disruptions in global oil supplies. Modi remarked that, “Patriotism is not only about the willingness to sacrifice one’s life on the border. In these times, it is about living responsibly and…

Istanbul: A new international study suggests that people who face longer working hours are more likely to be obese, while reducing working time could help improve public health outcomes. The research, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, analysed working patterns and obesity prevalence across 33 OECD countries between 1990 and 2022. It found that countries such as the United States, Mexico and Colombia, where annual working hours are relatively high, also recorded higher obesity rates. This was observed despite some northern European countries consuming more energy-dense and fatty diets on average. Reduced working hours linked to lower…

Tamil Nadu: C Joseph Vijay, the film superstar-turned-politician popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay, was sworn in as the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a major political shift in one of India’s most influential states. The oath-taking ceremony took place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium under tight security, with nine ministers taking the oath alongside the 51-year-old leader. Senior politicians, film personalities, business leaders and thousands of supporters attended the event, turning it into a high-profile political spectacle. Vijay’s newly-formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the recent assembly elections, winning 108 seats in…

France: French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a strategic tour of East Africa as France attempts to strengthen its position on the continent following a series of political and diplomatic setbacks, particularly in its former colonies in West Africa. The French president began his three-country visit in Egypt, before heading to Kenya and Ethiopia later this week. The tour is being closely watched as Paris works to redefine its role in Africa amid growing competition from global powers and rising anti-French sentiment in several regions. A key highlight of the visit will be the ‘Africa Forward’ summit in Kenya, where…

Indonesia: Three people hiking on Indonesia’s Mount Dukono were killed after the volcano erupted violently, sending a massive ash column nearly 10km into the sky. Officials said the victims were part of a 20-member hiking group made up of Singaporean and Indonesian climbers who had ignored safety restrictions and entered the volcano’s danger zone despite repeated warnings from authorities. The eruption occurred at 07:41 local time, catching several hikers near the crater during early morning climbs. Dramatic videos and images shared online showed thick volcanic ash and debris blasting high above the mountain on Indonesia’s North Maluku island. Authorities confirmed…

Ethiopia: A 35-year-old woman in Ethiopia’s Harari Regional State has given birth to rare naturally conceived quintuplets after spending 12 years trying to have a child. Bedriya Adem delivered four boys and one girl at the Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital through a Caesarean section, hospital officials confirmed. The newborns, who each weighed between 1.3kg and 1.4kg, are reported to be in full health and remain under medical supervision alongside their mother. Bedriya stated that, “I cannot express my happiness in words,” describing years of emotional pain and social pressure before finally becoming a mother. Bedriya added that, “I prayed for…

Vatican: The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is set to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace as the United States seeks to calm growing tensions with the Vatican following repeated attacks on the pontiff by US President Donald Trump. The high-level meeting comes with one of the most strained periods in relations between Washington and the Holy See in recent history. Rubio is expected to hold talks with Pope Leo before meeting senior members of the Italian government later in the day. Trump reignited controversy earlier this week after accusing the pope of supporting nuclear weapons and…

Toronto: Ontario’s ‘Putting Fans First Act’ is set to play a key role during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, preventing ticket resales above face value for matches hosted at Toronto Stadium. Under the provincial legislation, no individual or platform is permitted to sell or facilitate the resale of tickets on the secondary market for more than the original ticket price. In response, FIFA has updated its ticket resale terms specifically for matches held in Toronto. According to FIFA’s revised policy, tickets for games at Toronto Stadium cannot be relisted on FIFA’s official resale marketplace at a price higher than the…

California: Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading customers about artificial intelligence features on its latest iPhones. The settlement, filed in a federal court in California, resolves claims from a consolidated lawsuit brought by US consumers who purchased the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 between June 2024 and March 2025. The company did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the agreement. Under the deal, eligible buyers are expected to receive compensation ranging from $25 to $95. The lawsuit centred on Apple’s promotion of its AI system, Apple Intelligence,…