Author: HeraldStar

In a bid to address the devastating impacts of its worst drought in 100 years, the Namibian government has announced a contentious plan to cull over 700 wild animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos. The program aims to distribute the meat to people struggling with food insecurity, while also reducing pressure on water resources and minimizing conflicts between elephants and humans. The culling program, which has already begun, targets animals in national parks and communal areas with “sustainable game numbers.” Professional hunters will carry out the culling, which includes 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest,…

In a touching gesture, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received a Christmas invitation from Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, to spend the holiday at Althorp House, the ancestral home of the late Princess of Wales. This warm invitation comes after Prince Harry’s recent return to the UK for his uncle’s funeral, where he stayed at Althorp House and reportedly remains extremely close to his late mother’s side of the family. According to the Express, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have been invited to join the Spencer family for Christmas…

The Seattle Seahawks have made a significant leap in the national power rankings after their impressive 26-20 victory over the Denver Broncos at home on Sunday. Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News has bumped the Seahawks up to 17th in the league, a seven-spot jump from their pre-Week 1 ranking of 24th. The Seahawks’ dominant performance was led by a strong defense, which held the Broncos to just 13 first-half points despite facing challenging field positions. The offense, meanwhile, found its rhythm in the second half, with quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker III leading the charge. Iyer…

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has directed all doctors protesting over the rape and murder of a female medic last month to return to work by Tuesday, warning of “adverse action” if they fail to comply. The nationwide strike, which began after the body of the trainee doctor was found in a Kolkata hospital, has seen hundreds of doctors demand justice and better working conditions, including improved security measures and basic infrastructure in government-run hospitals. The court’s order comes as demonstrations over the attack spread globally, with thousands of Indians protesting in over 130 cities across…

Despite the Federal Reserve’s readiness to ease monetary policy, last week’s 4.3% decline in the S&P 500 has left market veteran Ed Yardeni perplexed. He believes another factor is at play: the unwinding of the carry trade. The carry trade, which involves borrowing cheaply in Japanese yen and investing in higher-yielding assets like US tech stocks, has been a popular strategy in recent years. However, when Japan tightens rates, as it did in August, the trade buckles, forcing traders to sell assets to cover margin calls. Yardeni points to hawkish interest rate comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda…

President Abdulmadjid Tebboune has been declared the winner of Algeria’s presidential election, securing 95% of the vote, according to official preliminary results. However, the election was marred by allegations of irregularities, including pressure on polling station officials and instances of proxy voting, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the outcome. Rival candidate Abdelaali Hassani Cherif’s campaign has disputed the results, claiming the candidate won far more votes than announced. In a joint statement, three presidential candidates, including Tebboune and Cherif, objected to the provisional results, citing ambiguity, contradictions, and vagueness in the electoral commission’s announcement. The election saw a…

Finance Minister John Mbadi announced on Monday that the government will solicit suggestions from the public on new legislation aimed at increasing revenue and addressing economic challenges. This move comes after protests forced the government to withdraw its financing law, leaving a significant budget deficit and delayed funding from the International Monetary Fund. Mbadi, who was appointed last month, stated that the government is struggling to manage its finances and has no choice but to continue servicing its debt, which exceeds the recommended level. He emphasized that debt restructuring is not an option and that the government will instead focus…

In an effort to drum up much-needed cash for the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine, Russia’s state-controlled nuclear entity, Rosatom, is promoting atomic energy as a “green” solution to Central Asia’s power problems. However, concerns about safety and haphazard operational practices threaten to undermine Rosatom’s efforts. Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, are considering nuclear energy as a potential solution to electricity-supply challenges. Rosatom is seeking to build small, low-power nuclear reactors in the region, despite concerns about safety in a seismic zone prone to powerful earthquakes. Dmitry Konstantinov, Rosatom’s chief representative in Kyrgyzstan, attempted to dispel concerns…

In a significant diplomatic meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez convened at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Monday, emphasizing the need to elevate their bilateral relations to a new level with strategic commitment. The two leaders highlighted the importance of mutual respect, equal treatment, and fostering new dimensions in their bilateral relations, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and new energy. They also agreed on strengthening cultural exchanges, language education, youth engagement, culture, and tourism to enhance people-to-people ties. Both leaders expressed their commitment to multilateralism, free trade, and international cooperation…

Renowned actor James Earl Jones, known for his iconic voice and prolific career, passed away on Monday at his home in Dutchess County, New York, at the age of 93. His death was confirmed by his representatives at Independent Artist Group. Jones’ distinctive deep voice brought to life iconic characters such as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise and Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.” He had a storied career spanning over six decades, with numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe, two Tonys, and two Primetime Emmys. Born in 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones overcame a childhood…