Author: Trainee Reporter

Washington: The United States Secret Service has launched an investigation after reports of gunfire near the White House, prompting a temporary security escalation in the area. Authorities responded shortly after midnight to alerts of gunshots around Lafayette Park, located just north of the presidential residence. Officers conducted a thorough search of the park and surrounding streets, but did not locate any suspect. No injuries were reported. Officials said they are currently looking for a possible vehicle and a person of interest as part of the ongoing probe. While the incident raised immediate concerns, the Secret Service confirmed that operations at…

Havana: Cuba has started releasing prisoners after announcing that 2,010 inmates would be freed in what authorities described as a ‘humanitarian and sovereign gesture, as the island faces mounting pressure from the United States and a worsening energy crisis. Emotional scenes unfolded outside detention centres, including La Lima prison near Havana, where families gathered early and reunited with relatives as they walked free, many in tears and embracing loved ones. The Cuban government said the release will include foreign nationals, women, young people and prisoners over 60, with eligibility based on factors such as good conduct, time already served and…

Florida: Astronauts aboard Artemis II mission have captured the first high-resolution images of Earth as they travel beyond orbit toward the Moon, marking a historic return to deep space exploration. The images were taken by mission commander Reid Wiseman shortly after the spacecraft completed a crucial manoeuvre known as a trans-lunar injection burn. This engine burn propelled the Orion spacecraft out of Earth’s orbit and onto a trajectory toward the Moon. One of the standout images, titled ‘Hello, World,’ reveals a vivid view of the Atlantic Ocean framed by a thin glowing layer of Earth’s atmosphere. The photograph also captures green…

Brasília: Brazil has passed a landmark law allowing separating couples to share custody of their pets, marking a significant shift in how animals are treated in legal disputes. Lawmakers in the Brazilian Congress approved the measure, acknowledging the evolving role of pets as integral members of modern families. The move comes with a rise in disputes over pet ownership following breakups. Under the new legislation, if separating couples fail to reach an agreement, a judge will step in to decide custody arrangements. The court will also determine how maintenance costs for the animal are fairly divided between both parties. The…

Indonesia: A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island, leaving at least one person dead and several others injured, while briefly triggering tsunami warnings across the region. The quake hit at 06:48 local time at a depth of 35km, according to seismic authorities. A tsunami alert issued shortly after the tremor was lifted within two hours after officials confirmed no significant wave activity. A 70-year-old woman in North Sulawesi died after being crushed by falling debris, while another individual suffered a broken leg after jumping from a building during the chaos, as reported by Indonesia’s national…

Washington: A US federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a controversial $400 million ballroom project initiated by President Donald Trump at the White House, citing a lack of congressional approval. The ruling, issued by US District Judge Richard Leon, grants a preliminary injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The group argued that the demolition of the historic East Wing and the commencement of construction exceeded presidential authority and bypassed required legislative oversight. National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen has released the following statement in response to…

Tokyo: Japan has enacted a landmark change to its child custody laws, allowing divorced couples to negotiate joint custody for the first time in over a century. As of April 1, amendments to the Japan Civil Code allow parents to choose between joint or sole custody of their children after divorce, replacing the long-standing requirement that only one parent be granted custody. A major shift in family law The reform follows years of criticism from advocacy groups and affected parents who argued that the previous system often caused emotional strain on children and sidelined the non-custodial parent. The change was…

Ahmedabad: Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has delivered a sensational performance to guide Rajasthan Royals to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. The young opener smashed a blistering 15-ball half-century, marking one of the fastest fifties of the season and the third 50-plus score in his brief eight-match IPL career. His explosive knock set the tone early, dismantling Chennai’s bowling attack during the powerplay. Opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi powered Rajasthan to 74 without loss in the first six overs. The duo stitched together a rapid 75-run partnership before Sooryavanshi was dismissed for 52…

Canberra: Debit and credit card surcharges in Australia will be abolished by October, following major reforms announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), in a move aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and improving pricing transparency. Under the new rules, businesses will no longer be allowed to impose additional fees on payments made through major card networks such as Mastercard, Visa, and EFTPOS. The decision is expected to impact around 16 percent of businesses that currently apply surcharges to recover transaction costs. The RBA estimates that consumers currently pay approximately $1.6 billion annually in such fees. The reforms will also…

Canberra: The government of Australia has announced a temporary cut to petrol and diesel taxes, aiming to ease mounting financial strain on households as global fuel prices spike amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the fuel excise would be reduced by half from April 1 to June 30, following a sharp rise in crude oil prices linked to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. The international oil benchmark has climbed above $116 per barrel, reflecting heightened uncertainty in global energy markets. Speaking in Canberra, Albanese noted that the measure is designed to provide immediate relief to consumers…