Author: Trainee Reporter

Washington: Australia and Japan have joined a widening list of countries halting some parcel shipments to the United States after the Trump administration scrapped a long-standing exemption that allowed low-value packages to enter duty-free. The exemption, known as the ‘de minimis’ rule, permitted parcels valued under $800 to enter the US without customs duties. With the rule set to end, postal operators worldwide are scrambling to adjust. Australia Post announced that it was implementing a ‘temporary partial suspension’ of shipments to the US and Puerto Rico. The postal service said parcels lodged would not be accepted until further notice, though…

Australia: Labour’s major expansion of the home guarantee scheme will help more Australians buy their first home, but experts warn it risks pushing property prices even higher. The scheme, first introduced in 2020, allows eligible first-time buyers to enter the market with a deposit as low as 5 percent without paying costly lender’s mortgage insurance. The government covers up to 15 percent of the loan as a taxpayer-backed guarantee, a move aimed at cutting years off the time required to save a deposit. Housing minister Clare O’Neil announced that from October, the programme will no longer be capped at 50,000…

United States: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has called off a planned test flight of its Starship megarocket, citing an issue with ground systems at the company’s Texas launch site. The launch was halted approximately 30 minutes before liftoff, with SpaceX confirming that the delay would allow for troubleshooting. The company said it plans to make another attempt. This marks the latest setback in a series of troubled test campaigns. Starship’s upper-stage flights in January, March and May ended in mid-air explosions, while a June static fire test saw the vehicle detonate on the launchpad. Standing down from today’s tenth flight of…

Austin: The Texas Senate has given final approval to a new Republican-leaning congressional map, sending it to Governor Greg Abbott for his signature. The chamber passed the measure 18–11 along party lines shortly, following more than eight hours of heated debate. The new map, strongly backed by President Donald Trump, adds five districts expected to favour Republicans and is designed to help the GOP maintain its slim majority in the 2026 midterm elections. Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign the map swiftly, though Democrats have vowed to challenge it in court. The effort prompted state Democrats to stage a…

New York: At least five people have died and dozens were injured after a tourist bus returning from Niagara Falls overturned on a motorway in western New York. The crash occurred around 40 miles (64km) from Niagara Falls, a popular tourist destination on the US-Canada border. Authorities said the vehicle, carrying 52 passengers mostly from India, China, and the Philippines, lost control before flipping into a ditch near the town of Pembroke, about 30 miles (48km) east of Buffalo. Several passengers were ejected from the bus, while others were trapped inside the wreckage for hours. Police believe most of them…

Geneva: A joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that workers across the globe urgently need better protection from extreme heat as climate change drives more frequent and intense heatwaves. The report highlights that millions of workers are regularly exposed to heat stress, which poses serious health risks and reduces productivity. It urges governments, employers, and employees to collaborate on adaptation strategies to safeguard both public health and economic output. Although the WHO has previously cautioned about the dangers of extreme heat, this is its first report on workplace heat stress…

Colombia: At least five people were killed and 36 injured after a powerful car bomb exploded on a busy street in the western city of Cali in Colombia. The blast targeted the Marco Fidel Suárez Military Aviation School in the city’s north, killing civilians in the surrounding area and damaging several homes. Mayor Alejandro Eder condemned the attack, offering a reward for information on those responsible. In the immediate aftermath, schools and nearby buildings were evacuated, and authorities imposed a ban on large trucks entering the city. Eyewitnesses described a ‘thunderous sound’ near the air base, while police confirmed dozens…

United States: Sony has announced a price increase for its PlayStation 5 gaming consoles in the United States, citing rising costs, tariffs, and a challenging economic environment. All three PS5 models will see a $50 hike. The base model will now retail at $499.99, while the most expensive PS5 Pro is priced at $749.99. Accessories, however, will remain at their current prices, with no changes announced for other markets. The decision comes as US importers of Japanese goods face a 15 percent tariff, adding to the burden on companies like Sony. Isabelle Tomatis, Vice president of global marketing at Sony…

United States: Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are facing lawsuits from passengers who claim they were charged extra for window seats but ended up sitting next to a blank wall. The complaints, filed separately against the US carriers, are seeking millions of dollars in damages on behalf of more than a million customers of each airline. Both lawsuits were filed by the legal firm Greenbaum Olbrantz. According to court documents, some Boeing and Airbus aircraft have seats without windows due to the positioning of air conditioning ducts, wiring, or other components. Passengers allege that neither Delta nor United flags…

Canberra: The Australian federal government will inject $2 billion into a new national programme designed to divert children with mild to moderate developmental delays or autism away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by mid-2027. Health Minister Mark Butler unveiled the initiative, known as the ‘Thriving Kids’ programme, during a speech at the National Press Council. Mark Butler said the scheme would provide earlier and more tailored interventions for children, addressing what he described as an over-reliance on the NDIS for support. Butler stated that, “Many children have been placed on the NDIS, which was designed for permanent disability,…