Author: Trainee Reporter

Johannesburg: At least 12 people were killed and nine others injured in a mass shooting at an informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg, according to South African police. Authorities said a group of more than 10 armed suspects arrived in a white Toyota Quantum near a petrol station before entering the settlement through different access points. The attackers allegedly moved through the area, opening fire on residents and community members at multiple locations before fleeing the scene in the same vehicle. Police officers responded to reports of an active shooting at approximately 23:10 local time. Emergency medical teams were also dispatched…

San Francisco: Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, a public-facing version of its highly advanced artificial intelligence model Claude Mythos, despite earlier concerns that the technology was too powerful for widespread deployment. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the rapidly evolving AI industry. Claude Mythos, first introduced to a limited group of organisations in April for testing and evaluation, generated considerable attention among technology leaders, financial institutions, and government agencies due to its unprecedented capabilities. At the time of its preview release, Anthropic warned that Mythos possessed advanced reasoning and autonomous operation abilities that could potentially be misused to…

Gulf of Oman: All 24 Indian crew members aboard the tanker MT Marivex were safely rescued after a fire broke out on the vessel in the Gulf of Oman following a strike by US forces, Indian authorities confirmed. The incident occurred at around 1:30 pm local time, prompting distress calls from the crew, who reported that the tanker was on fire and taking on water. The vessel, which was reportedly unladen at the time, was carrying 24 Indian sailors. Opesh Kumar Sharma, an official from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said preliminary reports indicated that all crew members…

Mogadishu: Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to make history as the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament, has been removed from the list of match officials after being denied entry into the United States. Artan, who was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, was reportedly stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently repatriated. Artan is currently in Turkey. US immigration authorities have not publicly disclosed the reason for the decision. The development comes with travel restrictions affecting nationals from several countries, including Somalia, under…

Mindanao: A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines, killing at least 15 people, damaging buildings, and triggering widespread panic across Mindanao as rescue teams rushed to search for survivors trapped under debris. According to the Philippines’ national disaster agency, 15 fatalities have been confirmed so far, including 12 deaths in the Soccsksargen region of Mindanao and three in Davao Occidental province. Authorities warned that the toll could rise as emergency responders continue rescue operations in affected areas. Robert Dagon, an official with the General Santos City Police, said numerous structures suffered damage, although authorities remain focused on rescue efforts.…

Overberg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of sweeping measures to curb illegal migration, as anti-foreigner sentiment intensifies across the country with concerns over unemployment, crime, and pressure on public services. In a national address, Ramaphosa unveiled a five-point strategy to strengthen immigration enforcement while cautioning citizens against taking the law into their own hands. The measures come as tensions continue to rise, with anti-migrant groups demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa by June 30. The president revealed plans to impose tougher penalties, including imprisonment, on employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Dedicated immigration courts…

Ohio: At least 12 people were injured in a shooting near a popular community festival in Toledo, Ohio, prompting a major police investigation as authorities search for the suspects involved. According to the Toledo Police Department, 10 victims are reported to be in stable condition, while two remain in critical condition following the incident. The shooting occurred at approximately 5:37 p.m. local time near the Old West End Festival, a well-known annual event celebrating one of the nation’s largest historic districts. Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said preliminary investigations suggest that two individuals exchanged gunfire and were likely targeting each…

Madrid: Pope Leo XIV has begun his first official visit to Spain by commending the country’s commitment to peace, international cooperation, and support for migrants. Speaking at a reception hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the pontiff praised Spain’s active commitment to peace and solidarity among peoples. The Pope also highlighted Spain’s adherence to international law and its commitment to multilateral cooperation, remarks widely seen as an endorsement of the foreign policy positions taken by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Sánchez has recently disagreed with Donald Trump over tensions involving Iran and has…

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting as part of efforts to end the ongoing war between the two countries. In an open letter addressed to Putin, Zelenskyy argued that it would be a mistake to wait for international attention to shift back to the conflict in Ukraine, noting that the United States is currently focused on developments involving Iran. He stressed that lasting peace could only be achieved through direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy also called for a comprehensive ceasefire during any proposed…

Texas: A flesh-eating screwworm parasite capable of infesting warm-blooded animals has been detected in the United States for the first time since 1966, raising concerns among livestock producers and agricultural authorities. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of the New World Screwworm (NWS) in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, located about 48 kilometres from the US-Mexico border. The parasite has been steadily advancing through Mexico over the past year despite ongoing efforts to prevent its entry into the United States. New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose females lay eggs in open wounds…