Author: HeraldStar

The Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless advocacy for a world free of nuclear weapons. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored the group for its efforts to educate the world about the horrors of nuclear warfare and to uphold the “nuclear taboo” through the testimony of survivors, known in Japan as “hibakusha.” Nihon Hidankyo, founded by atomic bomb survivors, has long been a voice for the global abolition of nuclear weapons. The hibakusha, who witnessed the unimaginable devastation of the atomic bombings…

The World Bank’s executive board has approved the establishment of a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) to support Ukraine, with contributions expected from the United States, Canada, and Japan, according to sources familiar with the decision. This new fund, which will be administered by the World Bank, aims to bolster Ukraine’s economic stability by tapping into up to $50 billion in pledged funding from Group of Seven (G7) countries. The United States, Japan, and Canada are expected to be the primary contributors to the fund, although the exact amounts are still being finalized. The FIF will be partly backed by interest…

On Thursday night, Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut, killing 18 people and wounding at least 92, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes targeted a densely populated area, including a gas station, resulting in widespread destruction. A senior Hezbollah figure was reportedly the intended target, although their identity remains unclear. The attack marks an escalation in hostilities, as Israel had previously focused its strikes on Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold. Rescue workers searched through the rubble for survivors amid large fires caused by the explosions. The area hit had not been targeted by Israel in previous strikes, raising concerns about further…

Global Leaders Gather to Advance Climate Negotiations Before COP29 Today, the COP29 Presidency hosted global climate leaders, government officials, constituencies, and delegates at the opening of Pre-COP in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pre-COP provides an important platform for Parties to advance climate negotiations ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set to take place in November. Pre-COP discussions will focus on making progress on key priorities before COP29, including climate finance, specifically the New Collective Quantified Goal, mitigation, adaptation, and supporting vulnerable communities in global climate solutions. In an address delivered on…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing. The approval for emergency use of the Alinity m MPXV assay, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply. Early diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and control of the virus. Limited testing capacity and delays in confirming mpox cases persist in Africa, contributing to the continued…

The Pre-COP meeting, a significant gathering of global climate leaders, government officials, and stakeholders, is set to commence tomorrow, October 10th, in Baku, Azerbaijan. This pivotal event will play a crucial role in advancing climate negotiations ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled for November. The opening ceremony of the Pre-COP will be livestreamed, allowing individuals around the world to engage with the proceedings. Starting at 9 AM AZT (UTC+4), viewers can access the livestream on YouTube via the following link: COP29 Pre-COP Opening Ceremony Livestream. This year’s…

In a revealing series of interviews with The New York Times and People magazine, Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino has shared the harrowing details of his near-fatal battle with COVID-19 in 2020, offering insights into his perspective on life and death. The 84-year-old star recounted the moment he realized he was gravely ill, describing a surreal experience where he briefly lost consciousness and had no pulse. Pacino recalled feeling “unusually not good” before succumbing to a fever and severe dehydration. “I was sitting there in my house, and I was gone,” he said. “I didn’t have a pulse.” Reflecting on his…

The final day of Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) saw powerful commitments and groundbreaking initiatives, strengthening Azerbaijan’s leadership on global climate action ahead of COP29. The week-long gathering, running from 30 September to 4 October, saw over 700 participants across more than 30 events, bringing together international climate experts, government officials, youth and private sector leaders to focus on green finance, the just energy transition, methane abatement, water and sustainable food systems, and more. Key highlights included the launch of the first standalone Agriculture Report of the Breakthrough Agenda. Led by CGIAR and in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development…

FTX has received court approval for its bankruptcy plan, paving the way for the repayment of customers using up to $16.5 billion in recovered assets since the collapse of the once-prominent cryptocurrency exchange. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey hailed the plan as a “model case” for managing complex Chapter 11 proceedings during a court hearing in Wilmington, Delaware. The approved plan relies on a series of settlements involving FTX customers, creditors, U.S. government agencies, and liquidators overseeing the company’s operations outside the United States. This framework allows FTX to prioritize repaying its customers, particularly those with balances of $50,000 or…

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA, a molecule that plays a crucial role in regulating how cells function within the human body. Announced by the Nobel Prize committee in Sweden on Monday, the award recognizes the duo’s extensive research that unveiled the intricate processes of gene regulation, allowing for the development of various cell types from the same genetic material. The Nobel committee lauded their work as a revelation of “an entirely new dimension to gene regulation,” emphasizing its fundamental importance…