Author: Trainee Reporter

Uttarakhand, India: 46 construction workers were pulled out alive after being trapped for nearly 60 hours under snow and debris following a massive avalanche in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The disaster, which struck near Mana village, claimed the lives of eight workers while dozens remained buried under snow. According to officials, the workers were housed in metal containers at the construction camp for a highway expansion project. These containers delivered crucial oxygen supply, enabling many to survive until rescuers reached them. A large-scale rescue operation, involving the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local…

Los Angeles: The low-budget comedy Anora dominated the 2025 Academy Awards, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Adrien Brody claimed Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. Sean Baker, the creator of Anora, made a record as the first individual to win four Oscars for a single film in one night, taking home awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. In his speech, he delivered tribute to the sex worker community, realising their influence on his work. Baker stated that, “I share this with you,” expressing gratitude to those who…

Washington, D.C.: A high-profile meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump has erupted into a heated exchange, emphasising deep divisions over the future of Ukraine and its war with Russia. The talks, initially planned to finalise a rare earth minerals agreement and discuss U.S. security assurances, quickly dropped into confrontation. Zelenskyy arrived at the White House, greeted with a handshake and a pointed statement from Trump about his military-style outfit. Initial discussions concentrated on a proposed deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. However, the atmosphere soured as Zelenskyy pressed for security guarantees,…

South Africa: The US government’s harsh decision to cut HIV funding programmes has been described as a “wake-up call” for South Africa, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi conveyed. The move has sent shockwaves across the country, lifting fears of a major health crisis. The cuts could lead to deaths, Dr Motsoaledi warned but confirmed that state-funded clinics would strive to ensure no patient is left without life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The sudden termination of funding has pitched HIV organisations into chaos, with many scrambling to find alternative support for nearly 900,000 affected patients. Kate Rees from the Anova Health Institute,…

London: Stargazers around the world are in for a celestial treat as seven planets align in a rare astronomical event on February 28. Known as a planetary parade, the planet alignment occurs when multiple planets appear to line up in the night sky. Dr. Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained that while such planetary groupings happen regularly, a full seven-planet alignment is uncommon. Greg Brown stated that, “The more planets involved, the more things need to be aligned to be visible at once. This makes full seven-planet parades fairly rare.” The alignment will feature Mercury, Venus,…

Washington, D.C.: A new trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom could be finalised “very quickly,” President Donald Trump said during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House. Trump voiced optimism about securing “a real trade deal” that could exempt the UK from tariffs he has risked against other trading partners. The meeting, a key moment in Starmer’s premiership, focused on trade, Ukraine, and other global issues. During the visit, Starmer proposed Trump with a letter from King Charles, inviting him to a second state visit to the UK.…

Washington, D.C.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet US President Donald Trump to finalise an agreement on mineral deal, that could significantly shape Ukraine’s economic future and its ties with the West. Zelensky described the agreement as inadequate and emphasised the need for further deals that include US security guarantees. However, Trump dismissed the idea of extensive American commitments, stating that Europe should bear more accountability for Ukraine’s defence. Trump also appeared to shut down Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO, a long-standing ambition of Zelensky’s administration. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the US president asserted that having American…

United States: Instagram is considering launching its short-form video feature, Reels, as a separate app, according to a new report by The Information. The potential move comes as the future of TikTok in the US remains pending. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri reportedly discussed the idea with staff this week, though the company has not made any official announcement. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the report. The uncertainty encircling TikTok stems from ongoing regulatory pressure in the US. In January, former President Donald Trump gave TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a law…

Malaysia: More than a decade after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished in one of aviation’s greatest mysteries, a new search has been initiated, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced. Maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity has continued its efforts to locate the missing aircraft, though specific contract details between the Malaysian government and the company are still being finalised. Loke welcomed Ocean Infinity’s proactive approach, stating that their ships had already been deployed for the search. However, he did not specify when the renewed hunt officially commenced or how long it is expected to last. MH370 disappeared from radar shortly after…

United Kingdom: Shares in electric vehicle giant Tesla has tumbled more than 9 percent after sales in the European Union and the UK plummeted by nearly 50 percent in January. The decline caused Tesla’s market valuation to fall below the $1 trillion mark for the first time since November 2024. Despite overall European electric car sales rising by more than a third in January, Tesla’s sales dropped sharply—falling over 45 percent across the EU, EFTA, and UK, and more than 50 percent in the EU alone, according to trade body Acea. This follows Tesla’s first annual sales decline in over…