Author: Trainee Reporter

United States: US President-elect Donald Trump is meeting TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as the social media giant fights to prevent a ban in the United States. Under a law passed earlier this year, TikTok will encounter a nationwide ban unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, before January 19. The app’s legal team has proposed an emergency application to the US Supreme Court requesting a delay to the ban’s enforcement. The US government claims that ByteDance’s alleged ties to the Chinese state pose national security risks—an accusation TikTok and its…

Serbia: A report by Amnesty International has revealed that Serbian police and intelligence agencies are using cutting-edge mobile forensics tools and undisclosed spyware, NoviSpy, to surveil journalists, environmental campaigners, and civil rights activists unlawfully. The report highlights the use of Cellebrite products, developed by the Israeli firm known for its mobile data extraction technology, to access and unlock smartphones. Once opened, NoviSpy spyware is installed, enabling leaders to collect sensitive personal data, remotely activate cameras and microphones, and strengthen surveillance. Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Europe, stated that Serbian authorities are utilising these technologies as tools of…

Fiji: Seven people, including four Australian tourists, have been hospitalised in Fiji with suspected alcohol poisoning after reportedly consuming cocktails at a bar in the five-star Warwick Fiji resort. Local health authorities conveyed that the affected individuals, aged between 18 and 56, included one American and two expatriates living in Fiji. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and neurological distress began shortly after the group consumed cocktails at the Coral Coast resort. The individuals were initially treated at Sigatoka Hospital before being transferred to Lautoka Hospital for further care. Officials now convey all seven are in stable condition, though some were…

Georgia: Demonstrations are sweeping through Georgia’s towns and cities as parliament prepares to appoint former Manchester City footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as president. The controversial decision comes after weeks of pro-EU protests flashed by the government’s decision to delay EU accession talks until 2028. Kavelashvili, 53, is a former MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, widely criticised for its authoritarian shift. Kavelashvili is the sole candidate for the presidency, a move boycotted by the country’s four main opposition groups, who claim the October elections were equipped. Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili has condemned the process, calling it a “travesty” and demanding…

Italy: Italy’s government has granted citizenship to Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, due to his Italian heritage, a move that has ignited backlash from opposition politicians and migrant advocates. Critics claim the decision highlights the stark imbalances in Italy’s citizenship policies. Milei, who is currently in Rome for meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and to attend the Brothers of Italy party’s annual festival, received his citizenship through laws that prioritise blood ties. Italy’s rules make it relatively easy for descendants of Italian nationals to acquire citizenship, while children born in Italy to migrant parents face significantly more stringent requirements.…

Australia: Launceston City Park’s Japanese macaques, a beloved attraction in Tasmania for over four decades, will slowly disappear after a council’s sterilisation decision for the males in the troop. The move, aimed at addressing concerns about inbreeding and overcrowding, was passed in a 10-1 vote . The troop, originally gifted by Launceston’s Japanese sister city, Ikeda, in 1980, consists of 26 macaques, including two newborns and one pregnant female. The council’s decision confirms that no future breeding will take place, with desexing expected to take two years to complete. Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood emphasised the decision was made in the…

India: Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest world chess champion, beating defending champion Ding Liren of China in a thrilling final round. The victory marks a monumental milestone for the 18-year-old from Chennai, who tops the record previously held by Russian legend Garry Kasparov, who won the title at 22 in 1985. Dommaraju’s triumph in the FIDE World Chess Championship, held in Singapore, concluded with a dramatic victory in the final game. Playing on black, he capitalised on a critical error from Ding, who moved his rook into a vulnerable position, leading to his…

Australia: Child offenders as young as 10 in Queensland will now face adult-level penalties for serious crimes under new laws passed by the state parliament. The legislation, labelled “adult crime, adult time,” includes mandatory life detention for murder with a non-parole period of 20 years and more strenuous penalties for 12 other offences, such as serious assault and break-ins. The government says the reforms respond to public outrage over youth crime, with Premier David Crisafulli claiming the laws prioritise victims’ rights over offenders. David Crisafulli stated that, “These laws are for every Queenslander who has ever felt unsafe and been…

United States: FBI Director Christopher Wray has resigned, citing a desire to defend the bureau’s integrity. His decision comes just weeks after President-elect Donald Trump publicly announced his intention to fire Wray and appoint controversial loyalist Kash Patel as his replacement. Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 following the release of James Comey, informed FBI staff at its Washington headquarters of his plans to step down at the end of the current administration in January. Wray said in an emotional address, stating that, “This is the best way to avoid pulling the bureau deeper into the fray while…

South Korea: South Korean authorities have raided the presidential office in Seoul as part of a widening investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial attempt to set martial law. The raid sketches a dramatic escalation in a tumultuous week for South Korean politics, with the president facing multiple investigations into charges of insurrection and treason. Yoon, who has endured an impeachment vote and calls for his resignation, is under fierce scrutiny. His efforts to inflict martial law have sparked widespread protests and provoked resignations from several key officials in his administration. The ex-defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who took responsibility for…