Author: Trainee Reporter

Panama: Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has dismissed recent accusations by US president-elect Donald Trump, who claimed that Chinese soldiers are stationed at the Panama Canal. Trump’s comments, made via his Truth Social account, indicated that China is “illegally” operating the canal, a claim Mulino called “nonsense” and unequivocally denied. In response to Trump’s claims, Mulino stated that, “There is not a single Chinese soldier in the canal,” emphasising that there is “absolutely no Chinese interference.” Mulino also rejected Trump’s demand for lower tolls for US ships, strengthening that the canal is entirely under Panamanian control and that there would…

India: Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, one of India’s most revered leaders and architects of modern economic reforms, has died at the age of 92. Singh, who served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014 and formerly as finance minister, passed away in Delhi after his health deteriorated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Singh, calling him “one of India’s most distinguished leaders” and praising his “wisdom and humility.” Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi also mourned the loss, with Rahul directing Singh as a “mentor and guide.” Born on September 26, 1932, in the Punjab region…

Kazakhstan: Dozens of people have survived a tragic crash involving Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, which was carrying 67 passengers and crew when it crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan. Local authorities notified that 38 individuals were killed in the incident. The flight, which had departed from Baku, Azerbaijan, at 03:55 GMT on 25th December, was en route to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted due to dense fog. The plane tried an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometres from Aktau but caught fire as it descended. The crash occurred around 06:28 GMT, and the aircraft descended rapidly with its landing gear deployed before…

Russia: Russia has launched a large-scale overnight assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in a Christmas Day attack, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemning the strikes as a “conscious choice” to impose suffering. Ukraine’s air force reported detecting 184 missiles and drones during the attack, many of which were intercepted or failed to reach their targets. Casualties were reported, though no precise figures have been released. The assault initiated widespread power outages, including in Kyiv’s capital, where residents sought shelter in metro stations. Ukrainian energy company DTEK confirmed that this was the 13th major attack on the country’s energy sector this…

Israel: Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has confirmed for the first time that Israel was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this past July. Speaking in a speech, Katz reaffirmed Israel’s objective to target key leaders of the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, which has established missile and drone attacks on Israel. Haniyeh, who was a central figure in Hamas, was killed in a building in Tehran, an attack attributed to Israel. Katz also vowed to resume Israel’s strategy of “decapitating” the leadership of militant groups, mentioning past operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.  In…

New York: Vital Voices, a global non-profit organisation committed to empowering women, has rescinded Justin Baldoni’s Voices of Solidarity Award. The decision came after Lively filed a legal protest accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign to spoil her reputation. Actor Justin Baldoni, known for his role in It Ends With Us, is facing serious allegations from co-star Blake Lively, leading to the cancellation of a prestigious women’s solidarity honour. The award, presented on December 9 during a New York ceremony by comedian Hasan Minhaj, praises men who advocate for women and girls. Baldoni shared his gratitude on…

Moscow: Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has stirred controversy by making an unannounced trip to Moscow to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marks him as only the third Western leader to meet Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, joining Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Fico, a prominent critic of the European Union’s support for Ukraine, stated that the discussions centred on Russian gas supplies to Slovakia, which remains heavily reliant on them. The current gas transit agreement between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Ukraine is set to expire at…

United States: President-elect Donald Trump has called on Panama to reduce fees for the use of the Panama Canal, labelling the current charges “ridiculous” and “highly unfair” to American shipping and naval vessels. Speaking at a Turning Point USA conference in Arizona, Trump warned that if the fees remain unchanged, he would drive for the canal to be returned to U.S. control. Trump stated that, “This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop,” adding that the canal is a “vital national asset” for the U.S. His remarks come ahead of his inauguration on January 20. Panama’s President Jose Raul…

Albania: Albania has announced a one-year TikTok ban in response to the killing of a teenager last month, flashing concerns over social media’s impact on children. Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed the decision, framing it as part of wider efforts to ensure safety in schools. Edi Rama stated that, “For one year, we’ll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania.” The move comes after the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old schoolboy in November, reportedly following a social media-fuelled dispute with a fellow student. TikTok has since called for “urgent clarity” from Albanian authorities,…

United States: Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of US President-elect Donald Trump, has withdrawn her name from consideration for US Senate. Lara Trump has announced she will not desire to replace outgoing Florida Senator Marco Rubio, designated for secretary of state. In a post on X, Trump said she made the decision “after an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many.” She expressed her approval for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who will appoint a successor to Rubio’s seat, which is set to expire in 2026. Trump stated that, “I could not have been more honoured to serve as RNC…