Author: HeraldStar

In the war-torn Gaza Strip, 11-year-old Mohammed collects rubble from his ruined home, transforming it into gravel to make tombstones for victims of the conflict. His father, Jihad Shamali, who used to work in construction, now salvages materials from their wrecked house in Khan Younis to bury the dead. This grim scene is part of a larger struggle as Gaza faces the daunting task of clearing over 42 million tonnes of rubble created by Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. The United Nations estimates that this debris exceeds the damage from previous Gaza conflicts by 14 times, enough to fill Egypt’s…

Pakistan secured a convincing victory against Sri Lanka, winning by 31 runs in a low-scoring encounter that highlighted the dominance of spin bowling. Pakistan posted a total of 116 runs, which proved enough as Sri Lanka struggled to reach the target, finishing at 85-9 after 20 overs. In a match that showcased the challenges of batting on a sluggish pitch, Pakistan’s innings was bolstered by captain Fatima Sana’s late surge, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls. Despite losing their last wicket on the final ball of their innings, the team managed to set a competitive target. Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari…

In a thrilling opener at the Women’s T20 World Cup, Scotland faced a 16-run defeat against Bangladesh, marking their first-ever appearance in the prestigious tournament. Set a target of 120 runs on a slow pitch with high humidity in Sharjah, Scotland struggled to find their rhythm, finishing their innings at 103 for 7. Opener Sarah Bryce emerged as Scotland’s standout performer, scoring an impressive 49 not out, but lacked adequate support as the middle order faltered under pressure. The team also faced early jitters in the field, dropping three crucial catches while managing to restrict Bangladesh to 119 for 7.…

The horrific aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to plague the Southeastern United States, with severe weather and extreme flooding leading to significant loss of life across Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. As the region grapples with the catastrophic impact, Helene has quickly ascended to become one of the top ten worst storms in U.S. history, based on damage reports and a rising fatality count. In the wake of the hurricane, communities are dealing with unprecedented destruction, with entire neighborhoods submerged and infrastructure severely damaged. Rescue operations are underway, as first responders and volunteers work tirelessly to assist…

Nearly 60 U.S. lawmakers, including 10 senators and 48 representatives, have called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to advocate for human rights protections in Azerbaijan ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Baku next month. In a letter addressed to Blinken, the lawmakers stressed the importance of pressing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to release political prisoners and take “tangible measures” to ensure a conducive environment for successful diplomacy at the summit. The letter highlighted concerns about provocative statements made against Armenia, which could undermine ongoing peace negotiations following Azerbaijan’s recent control of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Lawmakers urged…

In the vibrant 1980s, amid the backdrop of Thatcherism in the UK and Reaganomics in the US, a group of flamboyant young creatives, including performance artist and style icon Leigh Bowery, ignited a bizarre yet influential movement within London’s club scene. Their audacious performances and extraordinary costumes not only defied societal norms but also gave birth to a subculture that celebrated hedonism and self-expression. A new exhibition, Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of Leigh Bowery’s 1980s London, at the Fashion and Textile Museum, pays homage to this era, showcasing Bowery’s transformative influence on fashion and art. The decade was characterized by a…

Texas has initiated a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the popular social media platform violated children’s privacy rights and state law by sharing minors’ personal identifying information without obtaining consent from their parents or legal guardians. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, aims to secure an injunction against TikTok and seeks civil penalties that could amount to $10,000 for each violation of the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE Act). In his statement, Paxton emphasized that TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, fails to provide adequate tools for safeguarding children’s privacy…

Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) director Rakesh Gangwal made headlines on Wednesday after purchasing over $100 million in the airline’s stock, amid increasing pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management for significant changes in the company’s leadership. Gangwal, who co-founded India’s low-cost carrier InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), bought approximately 3.6 million shares at prices between $29 and $30 each on September 30 and October 1, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The timing of Gangwal’s purchase coincided with the reopening of the trading window for company insiders, highlighting his confidence in the airline’s potential despite the current tumult. His…

The U.S. dollar surged to a six-week high on Thursday, buoyed by strong economic data and safe-haven demand amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The dollar index increased by 0.33% to 101.98, reaching a peak of 102.09, the highest level since August 19. This upward movement comes as the U.S. services sector reported significant growth, with activity in September hitting a 1.5-year high, although employment figures showed signs of a slowdown. Traders are now closely monitoring the upcoming jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, which is expected to influence Federal Reserve policy decisions. Economists predict an addition of…

Thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on Thursday, voicing their concerns over Austria’s political landscape following the recent general election, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) achieved a historic victory. The FPO garnered 29% of the vote, marking a significant milestone for the Eurosceptic and Russia-friendly party, founded in the 1950s under controversial circumstances, including ties to Nazi leadership. Despite its electoral success, the FPO fell short of an absolute majority, necessitating a coalition to govern. The conservative People’s Party (OVP), which finished second in the election, has expressed a willingness to consider an alliance with the FPO, albeit with…