Author: HeraldStar

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a key meeting in Jerusalem on Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, amidst the fragile Gaza ceasefire and an ambitious regional diplomatic push. The meeting comes at a critical juncture, as the ceasefire, which began on January 19, is part of an ongoing effort to stabilize the region and reduce tensions between Israel and Gaza. It was reported that Witkoff had also recently visited Saudi Arabia, followed by a trip to Gaza, where he oversaw the implementation of the ceasefire and its terms. His visit is seen as a…

Switzerland has announced plans to ban international adoptions following concerns over potential abuses in the practice. The government cited findings from an independent group of experts, which concluded that even well-designed adoption laws cannot fully prevent exploitation. The decision, aimed at protecting vulnerable children, was based on the experts’ report and past irregularities in international adoptions. The number of international adoptions in Switzerland has significantly dropped from several hundred to just 30 per year. A proposal for the ban, along with potential exceptions for intrafamily adoptions, is expected to be drawn up by the end of 2025 for public consultation.

The Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced Pam Bondi’s nomination as President Donald Trump’s attorney general, setting the stage for a full Senate vote later this week. The 12-10 vote saw Democrats opposing her confirmation, voicing concerns about Bondi’s ability to resist potential improper or illegal orders from President Trump. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, reassured lawmakers during her confirmation hearing that she would uphold the independence of the Justice Department and avoid politicizing criminal or civil investigations. However, skepticism remains as recent actions by the Trump administration, such as firing and reassignment of career Justice Department employees,…

The abrupt suspension of U.S. foreign aid by President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across the globe, threatening critical humanitarian programs and leaving millions at risk. The freeze, initiated as part of Trump’s “America First” agenda, has put in jeopardy essential healthcare, landmine clearance efforts, and refugee assistance in crisis-hit regions from Thailand to Ukraine. With the United States accounting for 42% of global aid, the impact of the 90-day suspension is being felt worldwide. Refugee camps in Thailand, home to nearly 100,000 displaced people from Myanmar, have already been forced to shut down clinics due to halted funding from…

Shipping companies using the Baltic Sea may soon be required to pay a fee to help finance the protection of vital undersea cables, Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced on Wednesday. The proposal comes in response to growing concerns over acts of suspected sabotage targeting power and communication lines in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. The Baltic Sea, bordered by eight NATO nations and Russia, has recently seen a series of alarming incidents involving ships allegedly damaging critical infrastructure with their anchors. In response, NATO has committed to deploying frigates, patrol aircraft, and drones to enhance security. However,…

As thousands of displaced Palestinians return to northern Gaza after a ceasefire, the initial relief of homecoming is replaced by the harsh reality of destruction. Homes are reduced to rubble, basic necessities are scarce, and families are forced to live in makeshift tents in the bitter winter cold. Many residents face dire shortages of water, food, and electricity, queuing for hours just to collect drinking water. At night, entire neighborhoods remain engulfed in darkness due to a lack of fuel for generators. “There is nothing, no life, no water, no food, no drink—nothing for living,” said Hisham El-Err, who returned…

A deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of nearly 40 people in the early hours of Wednesday. The disaster unfolded as tens of millions of Hindu devotees gathered to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers on what is considered the most auspicious day of the six-week-long festival. According to local officials and eyewitnesses, the tragedy struck when an overwhelming surge of worshippers rushed towards the sacred waters, causing a chaotic stampede. The scene turned into devastation as people fell over each other,…

By Hadia Safeer Many young American users are migrating to Xiaohongshu, a Chinese platform, in response to the looming ban of TikTok by the U.S. government on the grounds of data privacy and national security. These self-claimed TikTok Refugees, who have pushed Xiaohongshu to the top of the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store, are not just seeking a continuation of their digital presence but also waging a protest against government control. By embracing a Chinese platform, these users are subtly resisting the overreach by U.S. authorities, especially in the wake of privacy scandals surrounding American tech giants…

By Wang Kai At the National Alpine Skiing Center of China, ski instructor Xin Dawei is welcoming the busiest snow season in his 9-year career. “My schedule is nearly fully booked with classes each day. The number of instructors here has grown by about a third this year to meet the fast-rising demand, and hiring is still going on,” he told China Economic Net (CEN) reporter. “Youngsters venture into the snow fields inspired by Winter Olympic super idols such as Eileen Gu and Yiming Su. Many are also driven by their skillful friends or partner. Once the wheels are in…

Beijing, 07 January 2025– A pivotal meeting was convened in Beijing to discuss avenues for strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and China under the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) framework. The meeting brought together Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt & Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD); Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan-China Commerce Alliance International (PCCAI) for Health; and Majid Khan, PCCAI Vice Chairman for Education. The discussions centered on fostering partnerships in key areas such as research, diplomacy, health innovation, and sustainable development. Leaders underscored the importance of leveraging the Belt & Road framework to create mutually…