Author: Trainee Reporter

Singapore: The Singapore court has fined three women who organised a walk in support of the Palestinian cause, overturning an earlier acquittal in a case that has reignited debate over public assembly laws in the city-state. The Singapore High Court imposed fines of $2,300 (S$3,000) on each of the three activists after allowing an appeal by prosecutors. The decision reversed a lower court ruling from October 2025, which had cleared the women of organising an illegal procession. The case stems from a February 2024 incident in which Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori and Kokila Annamalai led around 70…

Mexico: United States prosecutors have charged Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, along with nine current and former officials, over alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel in a move that could strain relations between the two countries. An indictment unsealed in New York alleges that Rocha Moya, 76, collaborated with cartel leaders to facilitate the movement of large quantities of narcotics into the US in exchange for political backing and bribes. Prosecutors claim the support extended to his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, when members of the cartel’s ‘Chapitos’ faction, associated with Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, allegedly helped secure…

Geneva: Europe have experienced widespread above-average temperatures in 2025, alongside record-breaking marine heatwaves and extensive wildfires, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organisation. The findings, released in collaboration with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), highlight the accelerating pace of climate change across the continent, describing the situation as increasingly severe and urgent. Florian Pappenberger, director-general of the ECMWF, stated that, “Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts are already severe. Almost the whole region has seen above-average annual temperatures.” Europe is warming >2x as fast as the global average, reducing snow & ice…

Washington: The United States government is set to introduce a limited-edition passport featuring a portrait of President Donald Trump, marking a symbolic addition to the country’s celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. According to the White House, the commemorative passport will be made available starting in July 2026, coinciding with nationwide festivities surrounding the historic milestone. Administration officials have since confirmed the initiative. Limited rollout and availability Officials stated that the redesigned passport will be issued to any American citizen applying for a passport during the rollout period, subject to availability. However, distribution will…

Jakarta: At least 14 people have been killed and dozens injured following a devastating train crash near Jakarta, as rescue teams continue urgent efforts to reach survivors trapped inside the wreckage. The accident occurred outside Bekasi Timur Station when a stationary passenger train was struck from behind by a long-distance commuter train travelling on the same track. The impact caused severe damage to multiple carriages, leaving several passengers pinned under twisted metal. According to Mohammad Syafii, who leads Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, some victims remain alive but are trapped beneath debris. Syafii remarked that, “There are still victims who…

Canada: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a formal apology over the company’s failure to notify law enforcement about concerning online activity linked to an 18-year-old who later carried out one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings. Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, went on a shooting spree in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10, killing eight people before dying by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victims included his mother, half-brother, and five students from a local secondary school in the remote community. According to OpenAI, Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account had been internally flagged in June for misuse in furtherance of…

Washington: The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has directed federal prisons to broaden execution methods, introducing firing squads, gas asphyxiation, and electrocution alongside existing practices. The move, outlined in a 48-page memo released, aims to reinforce the application of capital punishment in the United States. Officials say the expanded approach will strengthen the death penalty by ensuring justice for victims, deterring severe crimes, and providing closure to families. The policy also maintains support for lethal injection, describing pentobarbital as the ‘gold standard,’ despite ongoing criticism over its use and difficulties in sourcing the drug. The decision follows a shift in…

Nepal: A large and unstable ice formation has disrupted climbing operations on Mount Everest, forcing hundreds of climbers and local guides to postpone their summit attempts during the crucial spring season. Authorities confirmed that a hazardous serac, a towering block of ice has formed along the route between Everest Base Camp and Camp I, making passage extremely risky. Officials from Nepal’s Department of Mountaineering said the unstable ice poses a serious threat of collapse, raising fears of avalanches in one of the most dangerous sections of the ascent. The obstruction lies within the notorious Khumbu Icefall, a constantly shifting glacier…

Louisiana: A deadly shooting at the Mall of Louisiana has left one person dead and five others injured after a confrontation between two groups escalated into gunfire, authorities confirmed. Police in Baton Rouge said the incident unfolded in the mall’s food court, where an argument between the groups quickly turned violent, resulting in multiple rounds being fired. Officials noted that several bystanders were caught in the crossfire. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr remarked that, “Unfortunately there were some innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds.” Initially, authorities reported that up to ten individuals…

Equatorial Guinea: Pope Leo has urged authorities in Equatorial Guinea to ensure that justice systems focus not only on punishment but also on protecting society and restoring lives, as he raised concerns over the treatment of prisoners. Speaking during a visit to a prison in Bata, the Pope emphasised that true justice should aim to rebuild the lives of victims, offenders and communities, while upholding human dignity. Addressing inmates gathered in the courtyard, he encouraged them not to lose hope, reminding them that they are not forgotten. The visit comes with longstanding criticism of the country’s human rights record. Amnesty…