Author: Trainee Reporter

United States: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the 51st US state, declaring that, “Canada is not for sale.” The two leaders met at the White House for the first time since Carney’s Liberal Party won the general election on April 28, a victory many see as a response to rising Canadian concerns over Trump’s aggressive trade tactics and sovereignty-challenging rhetoric. Trump greeted Carney with warmth, praising his election win as ‘one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics,’ and floated the idea of a ‘wonderful marriage’ between the two…

United Kingdom: The UK and India have signed a major trade deal designed to boost exports and cut tariffs, in what the British government has called its most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the European Union in 2020. The deal, three years in the making, will ease the export of UK goods such as whisky, cars, aerospace products and cosmetics to India, while lowering taxes on Indian imports like clothing, footwear, jewellery, and food products entering the UK. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the deal as a landmark agreement that would deliver for British people and…

United States: U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has announced a sweeping reduction in the number of high-ranking officers in the military, part of an aggressive plan to streamline the country’s armed forces and improve combat readiness. In a memo issued, Hegseth ordered a 20 percent cut in the number of four-star generals and admirals, the highest-ranking officers in the U.S. military, as well as a 10 percent reduction across all general and flag officer positions. The National Guard will also see a 20 percent reduction in its general officer corps. According to the Department of Defence, there were 38…

New York: The night has seen fashion royalty descend on New York City for the 2025 Met Gala, delivering an evening of unforgettable style moments and powerful cultural statements. This year’s theme, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ marked a return to menswear as the focal point for the first time since 2003. It draws inspiration from a new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute that examines the legacy of the ‘black dandy’ and the significance of style in shaping Black identity across the Atlantic diaspora. The red carpet was graced by a diverse mix of fashion, heritage, and…

United States: The US president Donald Trump has announced a 100 percent tariff on all movies produced in Foreign Lands, claiming the U.S. film industry is facing a very fast death due to overseas incentives enticing American filmmakers. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had authorised the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to begin implementing the tariffs immediately. He labelled the trend of foreign film production a National Security threat, citing messaging and propaganda concerns. Trump reamarked that,“We want movies made in America, again.”The announcement drew swift attention, though specific implementation details were not…

Brazil: Brazilian police have confirmed they prevented a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga’s free concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian authorities said they thwarted a planned bomb attack targeting Lady Gaga’s free concert, where more than two million fans gathered for the show. In a statement, the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state confirmed that the plot involved improvised explosive devices and was orchestrated by individuals seeking notoriety on social media. The operation was carried out in coordination with Brazil’s justice ministry. Two people were arrested in connection with the scheme, including the alleged mastermind,…

Brazil: Brazil’s Social Security Minister Carlos Lupi has resigned just nine days after federal police uncovered a sweeping corruption scandal that defrauded pensioners of an estimated $1.1 billion (approximately £829 million). The probe revealed that over the past decade, the National Social Security Institute (INSS) made unauthorised deductions from the pensions of millions of Brazilians. According to investigators, the funds were funneled to associations and unions, many of them falsely registering pensioners as members without their knowledge, before being siphoned off by corrupt officials. Police said the fraud disproportionately targeted impoverished regions, where victims were less likely to detect or…

United States: The Trump administration is preparing for sweeping personnel reductions at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other key U.S. intelligence units, in a move aimed at downsizing the federal government. According to media reports, the CIA is expected to eliminate around 1,200 positions, with thousands more job reductions anticipated across the broader intelligence community. The cuts are set to unfold over several years and will be driven largely by reduced hiring rather than direct layoffs. Although the CIA did not confirm the exact figures, a spokesperson stated that Director John Ratcliffe is implementing a strategy to align the…

Australia: A Tasmanian boat builder has unveiled what it claims is the largest electric ship ever constructed, a vessel hailed as a milestone for sustainable maritime transport. Launched in Hobart, the 130-metre vessel, named Hull 096, was built by Incat for South American ferry operator Buquebus. Designed to run between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, the ship is fully battery-electric and can carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate. Incat Chairman Robert Clifford remarked that, “This is a giant leap forward in sustainable shipping. Hull 096 is the most ambitious, most complex, and most…

United States: Apple has announced a major shift in its manufacturing strategy, moving production of most iPhones and other key products destined for the US market out of China. The company will now rely more heavily on India and Vietnam in response to ongoing US-China trade tensions and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the majority of iPhones sold in the United States in the coming months will be manufactured in India. Meanwhile, Vietnam will become the main production hub for iPads, Mac computers, Apple Watches, and AirPods sold in the US.…