Author: Trainee Reporter

Tokyo: Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dissolved the country’s lower house of parliament ahead of a snap general election scheduled for February 8, triggering the start of an official 12-day campaign next week. The dissolution was formalised after the speaker of the 465-member lower house read out the order, as lawmakers erupted into the traditional rallying cry of ‘banzai’. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, announced earlier this week her intention to call an early election. Elected leader in October, she has been in office for just three months but currently enjoys approval ratings of around 70 percent. Takaichi…

Canberra: Australia is observing a national day of mourning for the victims of last month’s mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish community celebration, killing 15 people. Flags across the country are flying at half-staff, with a national moment of silence scheduled for 7:01 pm Sydney time (08:01 GMT). Memorial services are being held at the Sydney Opera House and Bondi’s Chabad House, a Jewish community centre. Most of the victims were members of the Jewish community, including a 10-year-old child. The memorials are centred on the theme ‘Light will win’, with the…

Karachi: The death toll from a devastating fire at Gul Plaza Shopping Centre in Karachi has climbed to at least 61, Pakistani officials confirmed, after 30 bodies were recovered from a single burned shop within the complex. Search and recovery operations continued at the densely packed three-storey mall, where more than 80 people are still feared missing following the blaze that broke out. Rescue teams are carefully removing debris as authorities attempt to locate any remaining victims. Karachi South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza reported that at least 30 bodies were found in a mezzanine-floor shop, bringing the estimated…

Davos: US President Donald Trump has intensified his controversial stance on acquiring Greenland, asserting on social media that there is ‘no going back’ and describing the territory as ‘imperative’ for the United States. During a White House press conference, Trump was asked how far he was willing to go to secure Greenland. He responded cryptically that, ”You’ll find out.” The comments have raised concerns among global leaders about potential geopolitical ramifications. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, warned of a shift towards a world without rules, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that…

Sydney: Australian lawmakers have approved sweeping new measures to tackle hate crime and gun violence following last month’s mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The House of Representatives voted in favour of a national gun buyback scheme, stricter gun licence requirements and tougher laws targeting hate-related offences. The reforms are part of a broader government push to strengthen public safety and prevent future acts of extremist violence. The proposed gun control package is expected to pass with the support of the Greens, despite opposition from the conservative Liberal-National Coalition. Meanwhile, the anti-hate legislation is likely to…

London: The UK government has launched a nationwide consultation to explore stricter online safety measures for children, including the possibility of introducing an Australian-style ban on social media use for minors. In a statement, the government said it would examine international evidence on a wide range of proposals aimed at protecting young people online. Among the key ideas under review are whether a social media ban for children would be effective, how such a policy could be enforced, and whether the current digital age of consent should be raised. As part of the process, UK ministers are expected to visit…

Beijing: Canada has announced a significant shift in its foreign and trade policy after Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed a new agreement with China that will see both countries ease tariffs on key goods. Speaking after the deal was reached, Carney said Canada must take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be, underscoring a pragmatic approach to global relations despite ongoing concerns about China’s human rights record. The comments mark a notable change in tone from last year, when Carney described China as the biggest security threat facing Canada. Under the agreement, Canada will reduce…

Washington: US President Donald Trump is set to announce a proposal that would allow Americans to tap into their retirement savings to fund down payments on homes, as his administration intensifies efforts to address concerns about housing affordability. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett hinted at the plan, offering a broad outline but few concrete details. Kevin Hassett suggested that homebuyers could contribute equity from their property into their 401(k) accounts, allowing retirement savings to grow alongside home ownership. Kevin Hassett stated that, “Suppose that you put 10 percent down on a home, and then you take 10 percent of…

Wales: An artist and beekeeper from a remote region of the Peruvian Andes has won one of the UK’s most prestigious Artes Mundi Prize and announced plans to invest the $53,528 (£40,000) prize in creating a cultural centre in the mountains of his homeland. Antonio Paucar was named the winner of the biennial Artes Mundi Prize, based in Wales, after presenting a body of work that blends indigenous philosophy, environmental activism and deeply personal performance. His pieces range from a large spiral made of alpaca wool to a video performance in which he writes a poem using his own blood,…

Washington: María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump during a private meeting at the White House, describing the moment as historic for Venezuelans. Speaking after the meeting, the first in-person encounter between the two leaders, Machado said the gesture symbolised gratitude for Trump’s support of Venezuela’s struggle for freedom. The meeting comes weeks after US forces detained President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him in a drug-trafficking case. Trump acknowledged the gesture in a post on social media, calling it ‘a wonderful gesture of mutual respect’ and…