Author: Trainee Reporter

Afghanistan: At least 11 people have been killed after gunmen opened fire on civilians at a popular picnic location in western Afghanistan, according to local officials. The attack took place in the Enjil district of Herat province, where families had gathered near the village of Deh Mehri for recreation. Authorities initially reported four deaths, but later confirmed that seven more critically injured victims had succumbed to their wounds. No group has claimed responsibility for the assault so far. An interior ministry spokesperson said unidentified armed men riding motorcycles opened fire on the crowd in an area that is typically busy…

Washington: The White House has issued an internal warning to staff, cautioning them against using non-public government information to place bets on fast-growing prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. According to reports, the email was circulated on March 24, just a day after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on potential military strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. The timing of the advisory has drawn attention, coming with heightened scrutiny over suspicious trading activity linked to geopolitical developments. Concerns over insider trading risks The email referenced recent media reports that raised concerns about government officials potentially leveraging…

Moscow: Russia has declared a temporary 32-hour ceasefire to mark Orthodox Easter, with Ukraine confirming it will honour the pause despite continued hostilities on the ground. The announcement, made by Vladimir Putin, signals a brief halt in fighting during one of the most significant religious holidays observed in both countries. According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will begin at 4pm Moscow time on April 11 and continue until midnight on April 12, covering the Easter period. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov instructed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to suspend military operations, while maintaining readiness to respond to any…

United Kingdom: McLaren has made a significant long-term statement by securing the services of Gianpiero Lambiase, one of Formula 1’s most respected engineers, from Red Bull Racing starting in 2028. Widely recognised as the race engineer of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, Lambiase will take on a senior role supporting McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. While the exact title of his new position remains undisclosed, the move is understood to be aimed at strengthening McLaren’s race operations as the sport grows increasingly complex. Strategic reinforcement at McLaren The recruitment of Lambiase marks another high-profile addition to McLaren’s technical and operational…

Kerala: Voting has commenced across multiple Indian regions, including Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, marking the start of a crucial electoral cycle widely viewed as a political litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Two more politically significant states, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are scheduled to vote later this month, with counting across all five regions set for May 4. Together, these elections cover 824 assembly seats and involve an estimated 174 million voters, accounting for roughly 18 percent of India’s electorate. BJP eyes expansion beyond strongholds The BJP, currently in power…

New Delhi: India’s aviation sector has received temporary relief after the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) directed major airports to reduce landing and parking charges by 25 percent for domestic flights for a period of three months. The move follows requests from the country’s largest carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, which had urged authorities to rationalise airport-related fees with mounting operational challenges. Airlines are currently grappling with rising costs linked to the ongoing Iran war, compounded by restrictions preventing Indian carriers from using Pakistani airspace. Airport and air navigation service charges represent the third-largest expense category for…

Washington: A planned US military strike on Iran was halted just hours before execution after Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension, citing a breakthrough mediated by Pakistan. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. The pause is conditional on Iran reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies. Trump stated that, “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and…

Washington: The US Department of Education has terminated a series of agreements with multiple school districts and a college that were designed to uphold protections for transgender students under federal civil rights law. The move effectively removes the department’s role in enforcing these settlements, which were established under previous administrations to ensure schools complied with anti-discrimination requirements. The affected institutions include school districts in Delaware, Washington, Pennsylvania and California, along with Taft College. These agreements had required schools to adopt policies protecting transgender and LGBTQ+ students, particularly in areas such as access to facilities and participation in school activities. During…

Queensland: A new initiative offering a painless, needle-free flu vaccine to children is being rolled out across several Australian states, as authorities move to reverse declining vaccination rates among young children. New South Wales has joined Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia in providing the nasal spray flu vaccine free of charge to eligible children. The vaccine is administered as a simple spray into each nostril, offering a gentle alternative to traditional injections and making the process less stressful for both children and parents. Health officials believe the needle-free option could significantly improve vaccine uptake, particularly among families hesitant about…

Portugal: Bernardo Silva, captain of Manchester City, will depart the club at the end of the current season, assistant manager Pep Lijnders has confirmed. Speaking after City’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Liverpool FC in the FA Cup quarterfinal, Lijnders acknowledged the midfielder’s impending exit. Lijnders remarked that, “Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months, there are only six weeks left and he has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention.” The 31-year-old Portugal international will leave as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the 2025–26 campaign, bringing…