Author: Trainee Reporter

United States: US defence secretary Pete Hegseth had a commercial internet connection, known as a dirty line, installed in his Pentagon office to bypass government security systems and access the encrypted Signal messaging app on a personal computer. The move raised serious concerns within the Department of Defence, as it potentially exposed sensitive national security information to hacking or surveillance. The Pentagon typically routes internet access through two controlled systems: SiprNet, which handles classified material, and NiprNet, designated for unclassified government communication. By contrast, the dirty line enabled Hegseth to visit sites and use apps blocked on official networks. People…

India: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to hunt down and punish the perpetrators of a deadly militant Kashmir attack that claimed the lives of 26 men in Pahalgam, marking the worst assault on civilians in the region in over two decades. In a strong-worded public address from Bihar, Modi said those behind the attack would be pursued ‘to the ends of the Earth.’ Addressing both domestic and international audiences, Modi stated that, “They will certainly pay. Whatever little land these terrorists have, it’s time to reduce it to dust. Terrorism will not go unpunished.” The attack, claimed by…

United States: The US president Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping higher education, escalating his administration’s ongoing campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes while tightening scrutiny on foreign donations to U.S. universities. The measures, signed in the Oval Office, include directives to enforce existing laws requiring universities to disclose large foreign gifts and to overhaul the accreditation process, which Trump has repeatedly described as his ‘secret weapon’ to overhaul institutions that are dominated by Marxist maniacs. Will Scharf, the White House staff secretary, introduced the orders, criticising third-party accrediting agencies for prioritising…

United States: US markets have taken a sharp hit as Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of failing to act swiftly to protect the economy. Trump referred Powell as ‘a major loser’ and urged him to cut interest rates pre-emptively in response to what Trump called slow and ineffective leadership amid growing economic threats. The heightened rhetoric comes at a volatile time for global markets, with Trump’s own tariff proposals contributing to investor unease and fuelling recession fears. The S&P 500 fell by around 2.4 percent, marking a roughly 12 percent decline…

United States: The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-hailing and delivery company of deceptive practices related to its Uber One subscription service. According to the complaint, the FTC alleges that Uber enrolled customers in the $9.99-per-month (or $96-per-year) service without obtaining proper consent and made it purposefully difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson stated that, “The Trump-Vance FTC is fighting back on behalf of the American people.” Ferguson, a Trump appointee, took charge earlier this year after President Donald Trump commenced his second term in office. The…

India: The US Vice-president JD Vance has arrived in India for a four-day visit aimed at fast-tracking a bilateral trade talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Washington’s tariff war with China intensifies and global alliances face strain. Landing in Delhi alongside his wife Usha Vance and their three children – Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel – Vance’s trip includes both high-level negotiations and a personal sightseeing tour, including stops in Jaipur and at the Taj Mahal. The White House framed the visit as focused on ‘shared economic and geopolitical priorities,’ while India considers it an opportunity to review progress in…

Beijing: Beijing has issued a sharp warning to countries considering trade concessions with Washington, urging them not to ‘appease’ the United States with ongoing tariff negotiations led by President Donald Trump. The warning from China’s Ministry of Commerce follows a report suggesting the US plans to pressure its trade partners into limiting commerce with Beijing in relations for exemptions from newly imposed American import tariffs. A spokesperson for the Chinese commerce ministry stated that, “Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot earn one respect. China believes that all parties should stand on the side of fairness and should defend international…

United Kingdom: A growing wave of misogyny and racism is sweeping through UK schools, fuelled by the online influence of controversial figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Tate, teachers have warned. According to a new survey by the NASUWT teaching union, social media and online gaming platforms are significantly shaping pupil behaviour, with female teachers facing the brunt of abuse. Teachers say pupils are increasingly reflecting the rhetoric of online personalities, making sexist, racist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks with little regard for consequences. One of the teachers stated that, “A lot of the students are impacted by Tate and Trump.…

Washington, D.C: The United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have held their first phone call since the White House imposed sweeping tariffs on British goods, Downing Street has confirmed. According to reports, the conversation was described as ‘ongoing and productive’, with both leaders reaffirming their dedication to strengthening economic ties despite the mounting tensions triggered by Washington’s new trade policy. Sir Keir underlined the UK’s stance on ‘free and open trade’ and the need to safeguard national interests, as Britain scrambles to negotiate a trade agreement to avoid further fallout from US tariffs. The…

United States: The US government has threatened to block Harvard University from enrolling international students, escalating its standoff with the Ivy League institution over alleged antisemitism on campus. The echoing demands from President Donald Trump, have pressed Harvard to overhaul its hiring, admissions, and teaching policies measures it claims are necessary to combat antisemitism. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the university of threatening national security and ‘bending the knee to antisemitism,’ in remarks delivered. She also called for detailed records on foreign students allegedly involved in ‘illegal and violent’ actions. International students make up over 27 percent of Harvard’s…