Author: HeraldStar

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo launched their first mpox vaccination campaign on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the fight against an outbreak that has extended beyond its epicenter in the country to various African nations. The vaccination ceremony took place at a hospital in Goma, with healthcare workers being the first to receive the vaccine doses. However, the Health Ministry cautioned that the scope of the vaccination campaign would be limited due to constrained resources. Currently, there are 265,000 vaccine doses available, with additional doses expected to arrive in the near future. This initial rollout addresses…

The Zimbabwean government has announced plans to allocate an initial $20 million this month to compensate both foreign white farmers and local Black farmers who lost their land during the controversial farm invasions that occurred under former President Robert Mugabe’s regime in the early 2000s. This decision was revealed by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Friday and marks a significant step towards reviving the country’s struggling agricultural sector and addressing past injustices. The compensation forms part of a broader series of measures outlined in Zimbabwe’s 2024 budget aimed at restoring the agricultural industry, which was once a cornerstone of the…

Israeli airstrikes early on Sunday morning targeted a mosque and a school housing displaced Palestinians in central Gaza, killing 26 people and injuring dozens more, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strikes hit Ibn Rushd school and Al-Aqsa Martyrs mosque in Deir al-Balah, both located within the humanitarian zone in southern Gaza. The Israeli military stated the sites were being used by Hamas militants as “command and control” centres. Footage verified by the BBC showed scenes of devastation, with bodies and blood among the rubble of the mosque, and the school engulfed in flames. Rescue workers could be seen…

Massive Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs early on Sunday, sending shockwaves across the Lebanese capital for nearly 30 minutes. The strikes, targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure and weapons storage, have intensified since the Israeli military eliminated the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a September 27th attack. His potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, is also missing following a strike near Beirut’s international airport. Israel has confirmed its efforts to minimize civilian casualties by providing advanced warnings before airstrikes. This escalation comes amid Israel’s year-long campaign against Hezbollah and Hamas, which has expanded into Lebanon. Israel has reportedly killed over 440 Hezbollah fighters…

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…