Author: Trainee Reporter

United States: The United States is hopeful it can strike a great trade deal with the United Kingdom, according to Vice President JD Vance, who praised the cultural and economic ties between the two nations. The remarks come just weeks after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs on imports, rattling global markets and fueling fears of an economic slowdown. The administration has since eased several of those measures, reducing the general import tariff to 10 percent and lifting charges on electronics like smartphones and laptops. A steep 145 percent duty on Chinese goods was also rolled back. While the UK…

Singapore: Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, marking the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who assumed office in 2024. The nine-day election campaign is expected to focus on the rising cost of living, housing challenges, job opportunities, and healthcare needs, as the country grapples with an ageing population. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is foreseen to retain power, continuing its dominance since Singapore gained self-rule in 1959. In the 2020 general election, the PAP secured 83 of the 93 seats, with the opposition Workers’ Party winning a historic 10 seats, the largest opposition…

Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the human toll of the war before agreeing to any peace deal with Russia. Zelenskyy stated that, “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.” The attack, which also injured 117, has drawn global condemnation. Trump described the strike as a ‘horrible thing’ while Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said it constituted a ‘serious war crime’. There has been no official response from Moscow, though reports suggest Russian…

China: Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a strong call against trade wars, saying they bring ‘no winners, as he embarks on a high-profile tour of Southeast Asia. His remarks come at a time of escalating trade tensions between China and the United States. Xi emphasised the importance of multilateral cooperation and an open global economy. Xi stated that, “Trade wars and tariff wars yield no winners, and protectionism offers no solutions,” urging nations to uphold the multilateral trading system and safeguard the stability of global supply chains. The Chinese leader also highlighted China’s continued role as a key engine…

Greece: An explosion occurred in central Athens, near the offices of Hellenic Train, the Greek railway company, has caused alarm but no reported injuries. CCTV footage captured the moment the blast tore through a backpack reportedly left outside the office building. Police confirmed that anonymous warning calls were made to local media ahead of the incident, which took place near Leoforos Andrea Siggrou — one of the capital’s most dynamic thoroughfares. Authorities have classified the event as a ‘criminal act’ that endangered public safety. Greek Transport Minister Christos Staikouras strongly condemned the attack. Christos Staikouras stated that, “This is a…

United States: Donald Trump has undergone his annual medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland, a routine check-up that could offer the public its first exhaustive look at the president’s health in years. Trump stated that, “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done.” The exact duration of the exam remains unclear, but Trump spent more than five hours at the facility before leaving on Air Force One for a weekend trip to Florida. While White House officials say a detailed report will be shared, questions linger over how much information…

United States: OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing the Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) boss of a deliberate campaign to damage the company through legal threats, public attacks, and a ‘sham bid’ to take control of its assets. The legal filing, submitted in a California district court, asks a federal judge to halt what OpenAI describes as Musk’s ‘unlawful and unfair actions.’ The company claims Musk has used every tool at his disposal, including his extensive social media following and influence, to disrupt its operations and reputation. Musk co-founded OpenAI alongside CEO Sam Altman in 2015 but…

Argentina: A massive general strike has brought Argentina to a standstill, with major disruptions to transport and widespread closures across the country. The action, led by the country’s powerful unions, is a protest against sweeping public spending cuts introduced by President Javier Milei. All domestic flights have been cancelled, while train and metro services have been suspended in Buenos Aires and other cities. Although bus services continue to operate, many shops and businesses in the capital remained closed throughout the day. Airlines confirmed that international flights would move with only minor delays. This is the third general strike since Milei…

Australia: Australia has dismissed China’s offer to unite in opposition to Donald Trump’s escalating trade war, despite the U.S. imposing a 10 percent import tax on Australian goods. Meanwhile, China raised its tariffs on Australian imports to a staggering 125 percent. China’s Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, argued that the only way to counter what he described as “hegemonic and bullying behaviour” from the U.S. was through joint resistance. He urged Canberra to cooperate with Beijing to defend the global trade environment from what he called “weaponised” trade tactics by the Trump administration. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by…

South Korea: South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has declared his candidacy for the presidency, vowing to address economic inequality and drive growth in the country. Lee emphasised his commitment to tackling economic polarisation, which he identified as a primary cause of social unrest and political instability. He argued that this divide had intensified recent political conflicts, particularly in the wake of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration. The upcoming presidential election is set for June 3, following the constitutional court’s April 4 decision to uphold Yoon’s impeachment. Lee, currently leading in opinion polls, suggested significant government-level…