Author: HeraldStar

Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that its forces had successfully thwarted six new Ukrainian attempts to breach its western Kursk region. Supported by aircraft and artillery, Russian forces repelled the incursions near the village of Novy Put, located 79 kilometers (50 miles) west of Sudzha, a crucial crossing point for Russia’s natural gas exports to Europe through Ukraine. The defense ministry’s statement, shared on the Telegram messaging app, highlighted the ongoing strategic significance of the region. The Kursk region has become a focal point in the Russia-Ukraine war since Ukraine launched a significant cross-border offensive on August 6,…

On Sunday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the gates of RAF Akrotiri, a British military base in Cyprus, to protest the UK’s perceived support for Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Waving Palestinian and Cypriot flags, a couple of hundred protesters peacefully chanted “Out with the bases of death,” expressing their opposition to Britain’s involvement in the region’s conflicts. RAF Akrotiri, Britain’s largest military base in the Middle East, has been a focal point for opposition, given its strategic role in past airstrike operations. The protest followed Britain’s deployment of additional troops to Cyprus last week, a move intended…

By Qaiser Nawab As China celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the world takes stock of the remarkable journey of a country that has transformed itself from one of the poorest nations into the world’s second-largest economy. This meteoric rise, marked by economic prowess, scientific advancements, and global influence, positions China as a key player in shaping the future of global development. China’s 75 years of transformation demonstrate not just the resilience of its people, but also the strategic vision that has turned the country into an economic powerhouse and a vital partner…

The Shanghai Stock Exchange is set to conduct tests on its auction and various trading platforms on Sunday, as reported by the state-run Securities Times. This decision comes in response to an unexplained delay in transactions that occurred on Friday, coinciding with a surge in stock prices following a series of government announcements aimed at stimulating the economy through monetary and fiscal measures. The delay affected trades at the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, raising concerns among market participants about the reliability of the trading platform during a period of heightened activity. To address these issues, the upcoming test will allow…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised significant concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense capabilities during discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday, emphasizing that Beijing’s rhetoric about seeking peace in Ukraine is inconsistent with its actions. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders also discussed several contentious issues, including China’s activities in the South China Sea and enhancing communication between their military forces. At a press conference following the meeting, Blinken highlighted the alarming extent of Chinese imports to Russia, noting that approximately 70%…

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency focused on international development, has announced a significant $480 million five-year grant aimed at enhancing electricity access in Sierra Leone. Currently, only about 30% of the population has reliable access to electricity, with the figure dropping to less than 5% in rural areas. This new funding is set to benefit approximately 4.6 million people and is part of a broader initiative to provide reliable and affordable energy across the country. The grant will finance three key projects designed to improve the coverage and reliability of Sierra Leone’s power network, as well…

The World Bank announced its commitment to roll out new measures aimed at ensuring that recipients of its lending to Uganda are not subjected to discrimination in light of the country’s controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). This announcement comes after the law, enacted in May 2023, received widespread condemnation from Western nations and led to sanctions from the United States. Under the AHA, same-sex intercourse is punishable by life imprisonment, while so-called aggravated homosexuality can lead to the death penalty. In response to the situation, a World Bank spokesperson confirmed that the measures would include the establishment of an independent monitoring…

Tunisia’s parliament has passed a controversial law stripping the Administrative Court of its power to adjudicate electoral disputes, just nine days before the upcoming presidential election. This decision has raised alarm among opposition groups, who fear it is a deliberate move to manipulate the electoral outcome and maintain President Kais Saied’s grip on power. The Administrative Court is viewed as the last bastion of judicial independence in Tunisia, particularly following Saied’s actions in 2022 that led to the dissolution of the Supreme Judicial Council and the dismissal of numerous judges. Out of 161 lawmakers, 116 voted in favor of this…

Lebanon’s Hezbollah has officially confirmed the death of its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The announcement, made on Saturday, marks a pivotal moment for the militant group, which has been a significant player in regional politics and armed conflict for decades. In a statement, Hezbollah declared its commitment to continue the fight against Israel “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.” Israel’s military had previously claimed responsibility for the airstrike that killed Nasrallah, asserting that it targeted his underground headquarters as part of…

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been transferred to a secure, undisclosed location within Iran amid heightened security concerns, two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters. The move comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East following Israel’s announcement that it killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday. The death of Nasrallah, a key figure in the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance,” marks a significant moment in the region’s ongoing conflicts. The sources revealed that Iranian officials are in continuous communication with Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to assess the…