Author: Trainee Reporter

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has remained disconnected from the power grid for seven consecutive days, raising fears of a potentially critical situation. The outage marks the longest turmoil at Europe’s largest nuclear facility since Russian forces seized it during the early stages of the 2022 invasion. Zelenskyy said ongoing Russian shelling has prevented the restoration of a power line crucial for cooling the reactors and avoiding a potential meltdown. It is now the seventh day – something that has never happened before – of an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear…

Washington: The Trump administration has announced a landmark agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer that will allow patients to purchase prescription drugs at heavily discounted prices through a new federal government website. The deal will see prices for certain medicines cut by as much as 85 percent on the upcoming direct-to-consumer platform, TrumpRx, which is expected to launch in early 2026. The White House described the move as a historic breakthrough in reducing healthcare costs for Americans. President Trump Delivers an Announcement, Sep. 30, 2025 https://t.co/hELNDHh9q2 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 30, 2025 Agreement details As part of the deal,…

Sidoarjo: A tragic building collapse at Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in East Java has left one student dead and dozens missing, authorities confirmed. Rescue teams are currently searching for 38 individuals believed to be trapped under the rubble. According to Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management, 11 people have been rescued from the debris, while 91 others managed to escape on their own. Seventy-seven victims have been admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries. The agency remarked that, “Efforts to assess the site, monitor the remaining building structure, and prepare evacuation routes for victims are the primary focus…

Kabul: Afghanistan is facing a total internet blackout after the Taliban government ordered a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications, weeks after fibre-optic connections were first severed. According to global internet watchdog NetBlocks, multiple networks across the country went offline in a stepwise manner, with both mobile internet and satellite TV services now severely disrupted. International news agencies confirmed they have lost contact with their offices in Kabul. Local media also declared that flights from Kabul International Airport have been cancelled, with at least eight departures and arrivals disrupted, data from FlightRadar24 shows. Taliban silent on reasons The Taliban authorities have not…

Michigan: At least four people were killed and eight others injured after a gunman rammed his vehicle into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, opened fire on congregants, and set the church ablaze before being shot dead by police. Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan, a Marine Corps veteran. The attack happened during a morning service attended by hundreds of worshippers in Grand Blanc, about 60 miles (100km) northwest of Detroit. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said the incident began around 10:25 a.m. local time (15:25 GMT) when Sanford…

Wellington: The New Zealand falcon, known locally as the kārearea, has been named the winner of the country’s annual Bird of the Year competition, securing 21 percent of the valid votes. Renowned for its speed and agility, the kārearea can reach up to 200 km/h in a dive, making it a formidable hunter in New Zealand’s dense forests. Despite its prowess, the species stays at risk, with only an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 birds left in the wild. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the competition, which aims to raise awareness about the nation’s native species facing threats such…

Japan: Ducati’s Marc Marquez has clinched his seventh MotoGP championship and his first since 2019 after securing an unassailable lead in the world championship with five rounds remaining. The Spaniard’s triumph was confirmed after he finished second behind teammate Francesco Bagnaia, outscoring his brother and title rival Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing. Marquez needed to outscore Alex by at least three points to secure the championship. Crossing the finish line in second, Marquez extended his lead to 201 points, while Alex settled for sixth. A touching moment followed when Alex was the first to congratulate his brother, sharing a warm…

Karur: At least 36 people, including children, have lost their lives in a tragic stampede during a political rally for actor-turned-politician Vijay in southern India’s Karur district, state officials confirmed. Tens of thousands had gathered at the campaign venue, which was reportedly delayed by several hours. Local television footage showed packed crowds with people fainting as chaos unfolded. Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the death toll included at least 16 women, nine men, and six children. More than 50 others sustained injuries and are being treated in local hospitals. இரவு முழுவதும் உயிரிழந்தவர்களின் குடும்பத்தினர் சிந்திய கண்ணீரும், அவர்களது துக்கம் நிறைந்த…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced a fresh wave of tariffs targeting multiple industries, including a 100 percent levy on branded or patented drug imports from October 1, unless manufacturers are building factories in the United States. The new measures also include a 25 percent import tax on heavy-duty trucks and 50 percent duties on kitchen and bathroom cabinets, along with a 30 percent tariff on upholstered furniture. Trump said the move was necessary to counter the flooding of US markets with foreign products and to protect domestic manufacturers. “Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100%…

Seoul: South Korea has legalised tattoo artistry by non-medical professionals for the first time in more than 30 years, marking a major shift for the country’s tattoo industry. Until now, offering tattoos was restricted to medical professionals following a 1992 Supreme Court ruling. Anyone practising without medical credentials faced up to five years in prison or fines of up to $35,000 (50 million Korean won; £28,000). The new Tattooist Act, passed by the General Assembly allows non-medical tattooists who make up the majority of the industry to obtain a licence and work legally. Lim Bo-ran, president of the Korea Tattoo…