Author: Trainee Reporter

South Korea: At least 18 people have died and others have been injured as devastating wildfires continue to sweep through South Korea’s southeast region, authorities confirmed. More than 23,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as the blazes spread rapidly, fueled by strong, dry winds. Acting President Han Duck-soo described the crisis as “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation’s history.” Officials say the majority of those who perished were in their 60s and 70s. Among the destruction is the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong city, which was reduced to ashes despite efforts to rescue cultural…

Saudi Arabia: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to eliminate the use of force in the Black Sea following parallel negotiations with US officials in Saudi Arabia. However, the Kremlin has stated that a maritime ceasefire will only take effect if sanctions on Russian agricultural exports are lifted. The White House is currently reviewing Russia’s conditions, with US President Donald Trump confirming that the Kremlin has proposed several terms, including access to international financial systems and reduced maritime insurance costs. While Moscow claims Washington has agreed to concessions, Trump has stopped short of confirming any sanctions relief. Both nations have also…

Tokyo: A Tokyo court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, stripping it of its tax-exempt status following allegations of financial exploitation. The decision comes after intensified scrutiny of the religious group in the wake of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination in 2022. Authorities launched an investigation after Abe’s alleged killer claimed he targeted the leader due to his ties with the church, which he blamed for his family’s financial ruin. The probe indicated that the church pressured followers into making large donations and purchasing costly religious items under the guise of spiritual well-being. Japan’s education and culture…

China: Shenzhen-based electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has reported annual revenue for 2024 that surpasses Tesla, solidifying its dominance in the global market. The company’s revenue surged 29 percent to $107 billion (777 billion yuan; £83 billion), outpacing Tesla’s $97.7 billion. BYD’s growth has been fueled by strong sales of its hybrid models, which continue to gain traction with evolving consumer preferences. While both automakers sold a comparable number of fully electric vehicles—BYD at 1.76 million and Tesla at 1.79 million—BYD’s total vehicle sales, including hybrids, reached a record 4.3 million units. In a direct challenge to Tesla’s dominance, BYD…

United States: Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection and announced the immediate resignation of its co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki. The company will now seek a sale under court supervision while continuing operations. In a statement, 23andMe assured customers that there would be no changes to how it stores or protects their data. However, California’s Attorney General has advised customers to delete their data due to the company’s financial troubles. Founded in 2006, 23andMe was once valued at $6 billion, gaining popularity for its at-home DNA testing kits. However, despite going public in 2021, the company has…

North America: Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White has debuted at the top of the North American box office, despite receiving lukewarm reviews and encountering multiple controversies. The film grossed an estimated $87.3 million (£67.5m) globally during its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo, with nearly half of that amount coming from North America. However, the earnings remain at the lower end of expectations, considering the reported $270 million production budget. Anticipation for the film was high, but Snow White became a focal point for social and political debates even before its international release. The casting of Rachel Zegler,…

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has joined the growing criticism of federal judges by Donald Trump and his administration, mocking a judge who blocked a ban on transgender troops in the military. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that Trump’s executive order barring transgender individuals from military service likely violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection. Hegseth responded on social media by sarcastically referring to the judge as “Commander Reyes” and suggesting she had overstepped her authority. Hegseth stated that, “Since ‘Judge’ Reyes is now a top military planner, they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to…

Khan Younis: An Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis has killed senior Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel. The strike also claimed the life of Bardaweel’s wife, according to local sources. Israeli officials have not yet commented on the operation. The air strike comes with a renewed Israeli military offensive on Gaza, which resumed after Israel accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement that had been in place since January 19. The truce, which had lasted nearly two months, was mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Hamas has denied the Israeli allegations and, in…

India: Bowlers will once again be allowed to use saliva to shine the cricket ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), marking the end of a five-year-old saliva ban imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision, taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), follows widespread support from franchise captains during a recent meeting, ESPNcricinfo reported. The temporary saliva ban was first introduced in May 2020 on medical grounds, with players permitted to use sweat as an alternative. The International Cricket Council (ICC) later made the restriction permanent in September 2022 to minimize potential virus transmission.…

Washington, D.C.: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise and a long-standing goal of some traditional factions. Calling the agency’s record “breathtaking failures,” the president vowed to return control and funding to individual states. Trump declared at a White House signing ceremony, stating that, “We’re going to shut it down as quickly as possible,” though administration officials acknowledged that a complete closure would require congressional approval. The move is already encountering legal challenges from groups opposing the closure and the sweeping staff cuts announced last week. The executive…