Author: HeraldStar

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will grant Egypt its full $1.3 billion in military aid for 2024, overriding human rights conditions for the first time during this administration. The decision has raised concerns, given Egypt’s ongoing human rights issues, but it reflects the strategic importance of Cairo to U.S. national security interests, especially in mediating between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the move, explaining that $320 million of the allocated military financing was previously tied to Egypt’s human rights record. Of that, $225 million was waived by Secretary of…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to commence its long-anticipated mpox vaccination campaign on October 2, almost a week ahead of its initial schedule. The expedited timeline was confirmed on Wednesday by Cris Kacita, the head of the country’s mpox outbreak response team, following new developments that accelerated the process. As the epicenter of the ongoing global mpox outbreak, the DRC faces immense pressure to curb the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified the outbreak as a global public health emergency. However, the country’s vaccination efforts have been hampered by a severe shortage…

In a rare display of unity, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump attended the 9/11 commemoration ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York City on Wednesday. The event marked the 23rd anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in 2001. Despite their contentious presidential debate the previous night, Harris and Trump shook hands and exchanged brief words before lining up for the ceremony. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, was also in attendance. The solemn ceremony, held at the “ground zero” site where the…

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s former Environment Minister and a leading candidate to become the country’s next prime minister, has pledged to respect the independence of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in setting monetary policy if he is elected. In a televised interview on BS 11 on Wednesday, Koizumi emphasized the importance of maintaining the central bank’s autonomy, saying, “I will respect the Bank of Japan’s independence.” He added that his focus would be on ensuring smooth dialogue and communication between the government and the BOJ. Regarding currency market volatility, Koizumi expressed his disapproval of excessive fluctuations, stating that they are “undesirable.”…

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday, discussing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, investment, and trade, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA. Earlier in the day, Premier Li urged China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to accelerate free trade negotiations during a meeting with GCC Secretary General Jasem al-Budaiwi. Li emphasized the importance of finalizing the trade talks, which have been stalled over concerns about cheap Chinese imports. The GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, has been negotiating a…

Sayeedmukarram Abduqodirzoda, Tajikistan’s highest-ranking Muslim cleric, was injured in an attack outside a central mosque in the capital Dushanbe on Wednesday, according to the interior ministry. The incident occurred following a prayer service at the mosque, when an individual with “hooligan motives” stabbed Abduqodirzoda, the ministry said. The 61-year-old cleric suffered minor injuries and was released after a medical examination. Authorities have detained the attacker and opened a criminal case into the incident, the ministry added. The motive behind the attack is currently unknown, but officials have ruled out terrorism. Abduqodirzoda has served as chairman of the Islamic Council of…

Unidentified assailants opened fire on a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s northwestern region on Wednesday, killing one vaccine administrator and one police officer providing security, according to local authorities. The attack occurred in the Bajaur tribal district, which borders Afghanistan, just two days after Pakistan launched its latest nationwide campaign to eradicate polio. The country aims to vaccinate up to 30 million children in the effort to stamp out the virus, which remains a significant health threat in Pakistan despite being largely eradicated globally. District Police Officer Waqas Rafique confirmed the incident, stating that “unidentified armed men opened fire on…

As Sri Lanka prepares for its presidential election on September 21, a striking gender disparity has emerged, with not a single woman among the 38 contenders vying for the country’s top office. This stark contrast is particularly notable in a country where women make up more than half of the voters and workforce. Sri Lanka has a rich history of female leadership, having elected the world’s first female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, also held the office 30 years later. However, despite this legacy, women’s representation in politics has remained stubbornly low. According to statistics,…

China’s Vice Foreign Minister and his Philippine counterpart held a “frank and in-depth” exchange on sea-related issues, particularly the contentious Sabina Shoal, also known as Xianbin Reef, in a meeting on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. During the high-level talks, China reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine vessel from the disputed area, emphasizing its commitment to “firmly uphold its sovereignty” over the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry underscored Beijing’s unwavering stance on the issue, as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic effort to…

An air raid alarm sounded for over 30 minutes in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Wednesday afternoon, sparking concern and disruption during a high-profile visit by top Western officials. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy were among the dignitaries in Kyiv, meeting with Ukrainian leaders to discuss ongoing support and cooperation. The sudden alert, which began at approximately 2:00 pm local time, prompted a swift response from Ukrainian authorities. The Ukrainian Air Force announced a ballistic missile threat on the Telegram messaging platform, warning of a potential strike. According to the statement, a…