Author: HeraldStar

Palestinians in Gaza fear that the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, marked by escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, is diverting global attention away from their own conflict, where Israeli airstrikes have killed dozens in recent days. Many in Gaza are concerned that the focus on Lebanon is diminishing already slim hopes for a ceasefire in the war with Israel, now stretching into its second year. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October last year, has devastated Gaza. With the Lebanese front grabbing headlines, Gazans like Hussam Ali, a resident of Gaza City, worry that the war in…

Kenya’s government has formally requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conduct an official assessment of its corruption and governance issues, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move follows pressure from Western nations and aims to address concerns over whether governance vulnerabilities and corruption are undermining the country’s financial stability and revenue generation. The request seeks the IMF’s “governance diagnostic,” a specialized assessment that examines a country’s susceptibility to corruption and the effectiveness of its governance structures. The diagnostic will investigate how corruption and weak governance practices could be draining public resources or contributing to fiscal inefficiencies. IMF…

Ghana has reported its first case of mpox this year, marking a fresh challenge for the country’s health system. The Ghana Health Service confirmed the case but did not disclose which variant of the virus was involved, stating that further testing is underway. A health official told Reuters that authorities are particularly concerned about the possibility of the clade Ib strain, a variant of mpox that has triggered international alarm due to its rapid spread and the limited understanding of its behavior. The patient, identified as a young male, presented with symptoms including fever, a rash, and body aches, which…

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dismissed Akol Koor Kuc, the country’s long-serving intelligence chief, replacing him with a close ally, Akec Tong Aleu, according to a presidential decree announced on state broadcaster SSBC. Kuc had led the internal security bureau of the National Security Service (NSS) since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, playing a significant role in shaping the country’s controversial security apparatus. The dismissal follows the government’s decision to extend the transitional period by two more years and delay national elections, originally scheduled for 2022, for a second time. The delay in elections has drawn…

Zambia is currently facing its most severe electricity crisis in recent history, despite being home to the mighty Zambezi River and the hydro-powered Kariba Dam. Frequent blackouts, sometimes lasting for up to three days, have disrupted daily life for the 43% of Zambians connected to the national grid, leaving many frustrated and disillusioned. The widespread power cuts are a direct result of one of the worst droughts in decades, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has dramatically reduced Zambia’s power generation capacity. The drought has dried up key water reservoirs that supply up to 84% of Zambia’s electricity,…

The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Brazil for having eliminated lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. “Eliminating a disease is a momentous accomplishment that takes unwavering commitment,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “I congratulate Brazil for its efforts to free its people of the scourge of this painful, disfiguring, disabling and stigmatizing disease. This is another example of the incredible progress we have made against neglected tropical diseases and gives hope to many other nations still fighting against lymphatic filariasis that they too can eliminate this disease.” Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a debilitating parasitic…

In an extraordinary meeting held in Doha, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reiterated its strong support for Lebanon during a critical period of conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The ministerial meeting, which took place late on Wednesday, addressed the escalating tensions in the region, with a strong appeal for all parties to refrain from violence and exercise self-restraint. The GCC expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories, urging for swift diplomatic efforts to end the violence. The statement follows a year of intense cross-border fighting between Israel…

The U.S. is facing increasing threats from Russia, Iran, and China to influence the upcoming November 5th elections, according to a new U.S. threat assessment released on Wednesday. These countries, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report, are expected to deploy a range of tactics, including artificial intelligence (AI), to spread misinformation and sow discord within the U.S. political landscape. In particular, the use of AI to create fake or divisive content has become a significant concern, with Russian “influence actors” amplifying stories about migrants entering the U.S. to heighten tensions. The report highlighted how Russian actors have…

A major search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of Djibouti after smugglers forced over 100 migrants to jump into the sea, leaving many missing and at least 45 confirmed dead, according to the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM). The incident occurred on Tuesday and has made 2024 the deadliest year for sea crossings along the migration route between East Africa and Yemen. Two boats carrying a total of 310 migrants had left Yemen bound for Djibouti. Midway through the journey, smugglers pushed their passengers into the open sea, near the coast of Obock, a port town…

Lebanon’s civil defense forces, led by veteran responder Mohamed Arkadan, faced one of their most devastating challenges when Israeli airstrikes hit apartment buildings near Sidon, burying over 100 people under rubble. Arkadan’s team, despite years of experience in conflict zones, was shocked by the scale of the destruction. Lacking modern equipment and resources, the team rescued 60 survivors but could only recover the bodies of 40 victims, including children, using outdated tools and minimal protection. Lebanon, already crippled by a severe economic crisis since 2019 and the 2020 Beirut port explosion, is struggling to provide even basic services. The civil…