Author: HeraldStar

By Qaiser Nawab COP 29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, was not just another chapter in the climate discourse; it was a game-changer for global climate policy. This year, the spotlight was on two intertwined issues that are crucial for a sustainable future: the global shift to renewable energy and the urgent need to address the escalating loss and damage caused by climate change. These discussions weren’t just about policies—they were about justice, equity, and securing a future that doesn’t leave the most vulnerable communities in the dust. One of the key takeaways from COP 29 was the establishment of a…

Islamabad, Pakistan – December 13, 2024 Founder & CEO of THE Society International (Together for Health and Education) and President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), Mr. Qaiser Nawab, called on H.E. Mr. Alisher Tukhtayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. During the meeting, Mr. Qaiser Nawab highlighted the longstanding brotherly relations between the two nations and explored potential opportunities to deepen collaboration, particularly in areas of trade, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. He also briefed the Ambassador on BRISD’s activities and progress along the…

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 12, 2024 Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), participated as a distinguished panelist in the session titled “Enhance Soil Biodiversity for Better Food Security through Organic Crop Rotation and Biofertilizers” at the Blue Zone, COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The session, moderated by Cataleya Han, an influential advocate for climate action and sustainable development, gathered global leaders and experts to address the critical challenges of soil biodiversity loss and food security in the face of climate change. Cataleya’s diverse roles, including as World Bank MTE Climate Ambassador and…

A federal congressman, Benito Aguas, was tragically assassinated late on Monday in Veracruz, a Gulf Coast state plagued by rising political violence. The Veracruz attorney general’s office confirmed Aguas’ death in a statement shared on social media. Alongside Aguas, another man named Agustin Linares was found dead at the scene, and authorities are currently investigating the suspected murders. Reports indicate that Aguas was shot multiple times in the mountainous municipality of Zongolica, located in central Veracruz. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his wounds at the scene. Ricardo Monreal, the leader of the lower house of Congress, expressed…

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime has ushered in a new era for Syria, marked by both hope and uncertainty. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the forces that toppled Assad, has vowed to seek justice for those who suffered under the previous administration. In a statement released on state TV, Golani declared that individuals involved in torture or killings during Assad’s rule would be pursued relentlessly, with no room for pardons. He also called on other nations to extradite fugitives implicated in these crimes, emphasizing a commitment to accountability. The international community is closely monitoring Syria’s new leadership to…

The international community must set “several red lines” in discussions with Syria’s new leadership to ensure the country’s future stability, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Luis Albares said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference, Albares emphasized the urgency of establishing key conditions to guide Syria’s transition after rebel forces recently overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Albares outlined the primary prerequisites for engaging with Syria’s new leadership. These include transforming the rebel factions responsible for the regime change into a legitimate political movement, ensuring respect for human rights and minority protections, and preserving Syria’s territorial integrity. He stressed the need…

Lithuania’s Defence Minister, Dovile Sakaliene, has called for greater European contributions to defense spending, labeling the current reliance on the United States as inequitable. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on Wednesday, Sakaliene stressed the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its defense industries to counter threats from Russia and China. Europe’s Role in Defense Under Scrutiny “Europe must pull its weight,” Sakaliene stated, emphasizing that the disproportionate share of defense spending borne by the United States was unfair. Her remarks echoed long-standing calls from Washington for European nations to increase their defense investments, an issue that…

Nigeria experienced a widespread electricity blackout on Wednesday following the collapse of its national grid, according to statements from the country’s power distribution companies. This marks yet another failure in a year that has seen at least 10 partial or total grid collapses, attributed to faults and vandalism of critical power installations. The collapse occurred at approximately 12:33 GMT, plunging Africa’s most populous nation into darkness. Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria revealed a dramatic drop in electricity generation, from 3,087 megawatts just before the grid failure to zero by 14:00 GMT. The recurring collapses underline the fragility of…

For the second consecutive year, Sudan has ranked first on the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) annual global humanitarian crisis watchlist, underscoring the devastating impact of conflict and instability. Released on Wednesday, the 2025 watchlist also highlights other critical hotspots, including Gaza and the West Bank, Myanmar, Syria, and South Sudan. The IRC, a New York-based humanitarian aid organization, initiated this watchlist over 15 years ago as a tool to guide internal planning. However, CEO David Miliband emphasized its growing importance as a global call to action, urging coordinated efforts to address escalating humanitarian crises. Humanitarian Need Reaches Record Highs The…

John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s former president, has reclaimed the country’s highest office after being declared the winner of the presidential election on Monday. In a decisive victory, the 65-year-old Mahama secured 56.5% of the votes cast, equating to 6.3 million ballots, according to the Electoral Commission of Ghana. His primary opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat on Sunday after garnering 41% of the vote, or 4.6 million ballots. Electoral Commissioner Jean Mensa confirmed that while vote counting continued in nine constituencies, the results would not alter the overall outcome. Voter turnout stood…