Author: HeraldStar

By Hadia Safeer Choudhry The European Union’s recent imposition of tariffs on China’s EVs presents itself as a measure against China’s alleged state-backed advantages. However, a closer examination suggests that this move not only unfairly targets Chinese manufacturers but also contradicts the EU’s own heavy subsidy practices. While Europe claims to be defending free markets, its own funding strategies for the green transition point toward an uneven playing field that ultimately threatens the spirit of fair trade and cooperation in global sustainability efforts. Under its Green Deal and related initiatives, the EU has provided extensive support to domestic industries, particularly…

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used his keynote speech at the COP29 climate summit to criticize Western nations for their stance on fossil fuels, accusing them of running a “well-orchestrated campaign of slander and blackmail” against Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry. As nearly 200 nations gathered to discuss how to reduce fossil fuel emissions, Aliyev defended his country’s oil and gas resources, calling them a “gift from God,” while urging countries to be realistic about their energy needs. He pointed out the hypocrisy of Western nations, particularly the U.S. and the European Union, which, despite setting ambitious carbon-cutting targets, continue to…

China has ramped up its pressure on the Philippines, demanding the country concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, according to Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. This escalation comes as the Philippines continues to face China’s assertive actions in the disputed waters, particularly in areas claimed by both nations as well as other Southeast Asian countries. The growing tensions were highlighted following a meeting between Teodoro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Canberra. The two nations are strengthening their defense ties, with Australia becoming a key partner in countering Chinese activities in the region. Teodoro described the…

President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to take swift and decisive actions on his first day in office, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. According to sources familiar with the transition, Trump will sign a series of executive orders aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement, rolling back key programs initiated under President Joe Biden, and accelerating the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. One of Trump’s key actions will grant federal immigration officers broader authority to arrest individuals without criminal records, giving them the green light to pursue non-criminal undocumented immigrants for deportation. This order will reverse Biden’s focus…

On Tuesday, the Israeli military launched one of its heaviest daytime attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs, signaling a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, ruled out any ceasefire until key Israeli objectives are met, including Hezbollah’s disarmament and withdrawal beyond the Litani River. Plumes of smoke rose over Beirut as a series of at least 10 airstrikes hit the city, targeting 12 sites identified as Hezbollah facilities. The advance warning from the Israeli army urged residents to avoid these areas. Video footage circulating on social media captured the moment two missiles struck…

The Israeli military has ramped up efforts to provide humanitarian aid to northern Gaza as the crisis there reaches critical levels, with mounting international pressure for immediate relief for civilians caught in the crossfire. On Tuesday, Israel reported the delivery of hundreds of food packets and thousands of liters of water to areas heavily impacted by the ongoing military operation. These actions come as Israel faces a looming deadline from the United States, which has stipulated that more aid must reach the Palestinian enclave or risk cuts to American military assistance. Despite these steps, Gaza remains gripped by an escalating…

11 November, 2024, Baku: Today, Parties assembled for the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference achieved a critical early success by reaching consensus on standards for the creation of carbon credits under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. This will enable climate action by increasing demand for carbon credits and ensure that the international carbon market operates with integrity under the supervision of the United Nations. Commenting on the outcome, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said, “This will be a game-changing tool to direct resources to the developing world. Following years of stalemate, the breakthroughs in Baku have now begun. But…

By Wang Kai Five days after the European Union Commission announced a tiered anti-subsidy tariffs ranging between 17% and 35.3% on electric vehicles imported from China, China’s Ministry of Commerce filed lawsuit with WTO on Monday, calling EU’s decision “unacceptable and a serious violation of WTO rules.” Bilateral talks are still going on after Brussels dispatched a technical team to Beijing for a new phase of talks on price commitment. Italian President Sergio Mattarella is visiting China from Thursday on the heels of French Minister Delegate Sophie Primas, which are considered as moves to avoid further escalation. Still room for…

By Qaiser Nawab The 2024 U.S. presidential election has culminated in one of the most tumultuous and divisive outcomes in recent American history. Donald Trump has secured a landslide victory, winning 270 electoral votes against Kamala Harris’s 224, thus becoming only the second Republican president in two decades to clinch a second term—the first being George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. This election was not merely a domestic affair; it served as a global barometer, reflecting and influencing socio-political dynamics across the world. Trump’s triumph is emblematic of the enduring strength of populist rhetoric and the persistent appeal of…

Aston Villa’s perfect start to the 2024 Champions League campaign was brought to an unexpected end on Wednesday, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Belgian side Club Brugge. The match, which marked Villa’s return to Europe’s top competition for the first time in 41 years, turned into a frustrating spectacle for the visitors, with Tyrone Mings at the center of a bizarre moment that led to the only goal of the game. The bizarre incident occurred early in the second half when Villa’s Mings, in a moment of confusion, picked up the ball after goalkeeper Emi Martinez had passed…