Author: HeraldStar

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…

In a charged rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Donald Trump unleashed a vehement critique of illegal immigration, labeling certain immigrant groups as “vicious” multiple times during his nearly two-hour address. His speech, the fourth in a month in this pivotal state, was laden with graphic descriptions of violent crimes attributed to undocumented immigrants, despite the absence of evidence showing that they commit crimes at a higher rate than U.S.-born citizens. The former president’s rhetoric appeared designed to energize his core supporters rather than appeal to moderates, as he focused on immigration—a topic he believes will resonate deeply with voters.…

Stephen James Hubbard, a 72-year-old American citizen, pleaded guilty in a Moscow court on Monday to charges of mercenary activity, admitting to receiving financial compensation to fight for Ukraine against Russia. The RIA state news agency reported that Hubbard confirmed his agreement with the indictment, which stems from his involvement in the ongoing conflict that has escalated since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Hubbard was placed in pre-trial detention last week for a period of six months, facing a potential prison sentence ranging from seven to 15 years if convicted. The prosecution stated that he had signed…

Russia launched multiple waves of drones targeting Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early on Monday morning. The drone assault, which lasted over five hours, was met with a robust response from Ukraine’s air defense units, who reported successfully intercepting the majority of the threats. According to the Ukrainian military, all drones aimed at Kyiv were either shot down or neutralized through electronic warfare, highlighting the effectiveness of the city’s defense mechanisms. Witnesses in Kyiv reported hearing numerous explosions, which sounded like air defense systems in action, as well as seeing objects being intercepted mid-air. Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed…

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) celebrated a landmark victory in the country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, securing 29% of the vote—the party’s best result ever. However, despite this triumph, the FPO, led by the controversial Herbert Kickl, faces an uphill battle in forming a governing coalition, as leaders of other political parties in Austria immediately rejected the possibility of aligning with the far-right party. Kickl’s Freedom Party, which is Eurosceptic and has expressed a friendly stance toward Russia, finished around 2.5 percentage points ahead of Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s conservative People’s Party (OVP). While the FPO’s victory is a significant milestone…

The UK government has called for restraint and a ceasefire following two weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which have resulted in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, several key commanders, and approximately 1,000 Lebanese civilians. The violence has also forced over one million people to flee their homes, further destabilizing the region. Speaking on Monday, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense, but stressed the need for immediate de-escalation to prevent the situation from spiraling further. “Our very clear message now is, on all sides, for all…

In the aftermath of devastating Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah has vowed to confront any Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon, according to the group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem. His speech, delivered from an undisclosed location, marked his first public appearance since the death of the organization’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah. The strikes that killed Nasrallah last week have shaken Hezbollah, marking the most significant blow to the group since its founding by Iran in 1982. Despite this, Qassem declared Hezbollah’s preparedness to engage Israeli forces in a ground war if necessary. “We are ready if the Israelis decide to enter by land,”…