Author: HeraldStar

The European Union is moving forward with its ambitious plans to regulate artificial intelligence by appointing a select group of experts to determine compliance standards for businesses under the forthcoming AI Act. On Monday, the European Commission will hold the inaugural plenary meeting of these working groups, composed of external specialists tasked with creating a “code of practice.” This code is intended to guide companies on how to adhere to the extensive legal framework governing AI technologies. Four distinct working groups have been formed, each focusing on key issues, including copyright, risk mitigation, and transparency. Among the notable experts leading…

Global rice prices experienced a significant decline on Monday following India’s decision to resume exports, a move that is expected to increase global supply and provide relief to poor Asian and African buyers seeking more affordable rice options. India, the world’s largest exporter of rice, announced on Saturday that it would allow exports of non-basmati white rice, while simultaneously cutting the export duty on parboiled rice to 10%. This announcement comes as India prepares for a new crop and sees an increase in inventories within state warehouses, providing the necessary conditions to lift restrictions. According to Himanshu Agarwal, executive director…

India’s monsoon rainfall in 2024 marked the highest since 2020, delivering crucial relief to the country’s agriculture sector after a dry spell last year, according to a report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). For three consecutive months, the country experienced above-average precipitation, with overall monsoon rainfall from June through September standing at 107.6% of the long-period average. This extended rainy season provided the much-needed water supply for India’s nearly $3.5 trillion economy, which is heavily reliant on monsoon rains to irrigate farmland and replenish reservoirs. Almost 70% of the rain India needs each year falls during the monsoon season.…

Japan’s cherished giant pandas, Shin Shin and Ri Ri, have been safely returned to China, according to a statement from Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Garden. The pandas arrived at the Ueno Zoo in 2011, bringing joy and comfort to the nation just months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 of that year. Over the years, the duo has continued to capture the hearts of visitors, drawing fans of all ages eager to see their playful antics and gentle nature. The announcement of their impending departure a month ago stirred a wave of nostalgia and excitement…

Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, announced on Monday that he will call a general election for October 27, following a closely contested leadership race within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This election, scheduled a year earlier than required, will determine control of the lower house of parliament and will occur ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November. Ishiba emphasized the importance of quickly receiving a mandate from the public, stating at a press conference in Tokyo, “It is important for the new administration to be judged by the people as soon as possible.” In the…

The inaugural Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), taking place from September 30 to October 4, 2024, has begun, with over 700 registered attendees from all over the world. The event will bring together diverse sustainability experts, policymakers, leaders from the private sector and civil society to explore and accelerate scalable climate solutions. As the international community prepares for COP29 in Baku this November, BCAW will serve as a critical moment in the climate calendar. Following the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week, BCAW will amplify the momentum towards the Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C announced by the COP Presidencies…

China’s central bank announced on Sunday that it will require commercial banks to lower mortgage rates for existing home loans before October 31, as part of a broader effort to support the struggling property market amid an economic slowdown. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) stated that banks should reduce interest rates on existing mortgages by at least 30 basis points (bps) below the Loan Prime Rate (LPR), which serves as the benchmark for mortgage rates. This initiative is expected to result in an average cut of approximately 50 bps for existing loans. The move is part of a series…

In a developing diplomatic incident, the Sudanese army has firmly rejected allegations from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that its forces bombed the residence of the UAE ambassador in Khartoum. The accusation, made by the UAE on Monday, described the attack as a “heinous act” perpetrated by a Sudanese military aircraft. In response, Sudan’s foreign ministry denounced the claims as “false allegations,” asserting that the real responsibility lies with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Sudanese army’s statement labeled the attacks as “shameful and cowardly acts” attributed to the RSF, further complicating an already tense situation. This ongoing conflict…

At least six people were killed, and ten others were injured on Saturday due to bomb explosions in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, and in the town of Jowhar in the Middle Shabelle region. The attacks come amid ongoing violence and insecurity in the Horn of Africa nation, where Islamist militant group al-Shabaab has been known to orchestrate such incidents regularly. In Mogadishu, a car packed with explosives detonated near the National Theatre, roughly one kilometer away from the president’s office. Eyewitness accounts and police reports indicated that the blast killed five individuals and left seven others wounded. The police, who were…

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO members should remain undeterred in their military support for Ukraine, despite recent “reckless” nuclear threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Stoltenberg’s comments came in response to Putin’s declaration that Russia could resort to nuclear weapons if struck by conventional missiles, warning that any attack on Russia, particularly one supported by a nuclear power, would be treated as a joint assault. This rhetoric adds to the already tense atmosphere as the U.S. and its allies deliberate whether to grant Ukraine permission to fire Western missiles deep into Russian territory, targeting sites integral to Russia’s…