Author: Trainee Reporter

Australia: Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign has taken a major hit, with captain Pat Cummins “hugely unlikely” to feature due to injury, while paceman Josh Hazlewood is also doubtful, coach Andrew McDonald confirmed. Cummins, who opted out of the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, is also nursing an ankle problem. With the tournament set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE, Australia may be forced to find a new captain for the ODI event. McDonald stated that, “Patty is hugely unlikely, which is a bit of a shame, and we’ve…

Amritsar: A US deportation flight carrying 104 Indian nationals accused of entering the country illegally has landed in Punjab. The military aircraft, which departed from Texas, arrived in Amritsar, where local authorities have put steps in place to process the deportees. Officials in Punjab confirmed that special counters have been set up to receive the returnees, ensuring that they would be treated in a “friendly” manner. The deportees will be processed separately from regular passengers before being transported to their respective home states, including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The US government has identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals…

Uganda: Uganda has commenced a clinical trial for an Ebola vaccine following a deadly outbreak declared last week, marking the country’s sixth encounter with the Sudan strain of the virus. The trial began just four days after the demise of a nurse in Kampala, the capital, and aims to target health workers and individuals disclosed to the virus. Two additional cases were confirmed by relatives of the first victim, driving immediate action. This outbreak comes with the ongoing challenge of fighting the Sudan strain, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. Of the five other known Ebola species, only one…

Los Angeles: Former US President Joe Biden has taken a major step towards shaping his post-presidency career by signing with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The agency, based in Los Angeles, previously represented Biden from 2017 to 2020. Richard Lovett, co-chair of CAA, voiced excitement over the reunion, calling Biden “one of America’s most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs.” He further complimented Biden’s commitment to public service, emphasising values of unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility. CAA, known for its connections to Hollywood stars and top-tier celebrities, has also worked closely with former President Barack Obama and former…

India: Shein, the Chinese fast fashion giant, has made a comeback in India after a five-year break, following a ban in 2020. The app, which was previously stopped due to data security concerns with rising tensions between India and China, relaunched under a licensing deal with Indian retail partnership Reliance Retail. An anonymous official from Reliance Retail confirmed the long-term deal with Shein’s parent company, concentrating on selling products manufactured and sourced within India. While the group has yet to issue a formal statement, the partnership marks Shein’s strategic re-entry into the Indian market. Under the new arrangement, Shein must…

Panama City: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has allocated a stark warning to Panama, insisting on immediate action to deny what he describes as China’s growing “influence and control” over the Panama Canal. Rubio stated that failure to act could provoke the U.S. to take necessary measures under a long-standing treaty between the two nations. The statement follows President Donald Trump’s recent vow to retake the canal, strengthening diplomatic tensions between Washington and Panama. Rubio met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino in Panama City, but their interpretations of the discussion appeared to differ. Mulino downplayed the probability of…

United States: Canada, Mexico, and China have vowed to retaliate after the United States announced significant new tariffs on their exports. President Donald Trump confirmed that the new duties, which take effect, include a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports and an additional 10 percent tax on Chinese goods. Canadian energy exports, however, will face a lower 10 percent levy. The White House has framed the tariffs as a response to concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking, two of the key issues Trump campaigned on. The administration stated in a post on X, stating that, “Today’s tariff…

United Kingdom: Barclays customers have continued to experience intermittent issues with payments and transfers for a second consecutive day, observing a major IT outage that has affected the bank’s app, online banking, and some card transactions. The disruption, coinciding with payday and the self-assessment tax return deadline, has left many consumers unable to access their funds. Barclays has yet to provide an explanation for the outage or ensure how many people are affected. Many customers have reported severe difficulties, with some unable to complete house moves, pay staff wages, or even purchase necessities. Diane Forrest, 61, from London, was left…

Colombo: Sri Lanka is set to relax regulations on vehicle imports, marking a step toward economic healing after a severe crisis that led to the ousting of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Starting February 1, the government will allow imports of buses, trucks, and utility vehicles, with further facilitating expected in phases. However, many Sri Lankans remain eager for leaders to lift the ban on private cars, SUVs, and three-wheelers, which serve as crucial transport options. Despite the move, affordability remains a key concern. Vehicle prices have skyrocketed due to scarcity, a weak currency, and high import taxes, leaving many questioning…

Washington, D.C.: President Donald Trump has taken to the White House press room, addressing the nation following a deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C. While proposing condolences to victims and first responders, he quickly pivoted to a political attack, blaming diversity hiring agendas for alleged shortcomings in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Trump stated that, “We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas,” suggesting that engaging policies under the Biden and Obama administrations may have compromised safety standards. Despite admitting that the investigation was still ongoing, Trump and senior officials—including…