Author: HeraldStar

A devastating report has revealed widespread sexual abuse across hundreds of Ireland’s religious-run schools, with 2,395 allegations documented involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools. The report, released Tuesday, sheds light on the dark history of child sexual abuse in Ireland’s religious institutions, spanning from 1927 to 2013. The allegations, reported from the records of 42 religious orders, include accounts of molestation, rape, and drugging, often accompanied by violence. Over 140 survivors shared their harrowing testimonies, describing an atmosphere of terror and silence. Many reported that their childhood ended the day the abuse started. Ireland’s Minister for Education, Norma Foley,…

A controversy surrounding the Miss Fiji beauty pageant has come to a head, with the initial winner, Manshika Prasad, being dethroned and later reinstated amidst allegations of rigging and conflict of interest. The scandal began when Miss Universe Fiji (MUF) issued a press release stating that a “serious breach of principles” had occurred, and “revised results” would be made public shortly. Prasad was subsequently told she would not be traveling to Mexico to compete for the Miss Universe title in November, with runner-up Nadine Roberts taking her place. However, an investigation by the BBC has revealed that Roberts is married…

The Japanese government has announced plans to take several steps to secure local consent for restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco). The measures aim to address concerns and enhance safety features, paving the way for the potential restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant by generation capacity. The agreement, reached on Friday, includes: The government’s move comes after the national nuclear regulator lifted an operational ban on the plant in December, allowing Tepco to work towards gaining local permission to restart. The Niigata Prefecture’s governor has requested additional talks on the possible restart,…

In a significant development, Japan’s first casino resort is expected to open its doors in the western city of Osaka in late 2030. According to local media reports, the main operator, Osaka IR KK, has decided to waive its right to withdraw from the project without penalty, paving the way for the resort’s construction. Osaka IR KK, a joint venture between US-based MGM Resorts International and local partner Orix Corp, will commence preparatory work at the end of September. The integrated resort (IR) will be built on Yumeshima, a reclaimed island in Osaka Bay, which is also set to host…

From September 7 to 13, the 5th World Nomad Games are being held in the ethnoaul”Universe of Nomads” offering an opportunity to immerse in the cultural heritage of theKazakh people. Entry to all cultural events of the ethnoaul is FREE for residents of thecapital, guests, and participants of the Games. Tickets are required only for sportscompetitions.The opening of the ethnoaul began with the vibrant grand procession “Shattyk Kerueni”The most sacred place in the ethnoaul is the Tayqazan, filled with water from holy springsfrom 20 regions of the country.The main stage of “Oner Ordasy” has become the heart of the cultural…

In a significant move toward LGBTQ+ recognition, India’s main opposition Congress party has established an internal unit to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, while another opposition party has appointed a community member as its spokesperson for the first time. These political developments mark a turning point for LGBTQ+ inclusion after years of legal and social setbacks. The Supreme Court of India decriminalised homosexuality in 2018, but the LGBTQ+ community faced disappointment last year when the court declined to legalise same-sex marriage, leaving the issue for parliament to decide. Despite this, the political landscape is slowly evolving to reflect the need for…

China’s central bank has held off on adding gold to its reserves for the fourth consecutive month in August, according to official data released on Saturday. Despite the pause, the value of China’s gold holdings rose to $182.98 billion at the end of August, up from $176.64 billion in July, as global gold prices continue to surge. China’s total gold reserves remain at 72.8 million fine troy ounces. Gold prices have climbed by 21% this year, driven by expectations of imminent U.S. interest rate cuts and increased demand for safe-haven assets amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Central banks worldwide…

The Chinese government has announced that it will no longer send children overseas for adoption, ending a policy that has been in place for over 30 years. This decision comes as China adjusts its cross-border adoption regulations to align with international trends. Since 1992, over 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families worldwide, with approximately 82,000 adoptions taking place in the United States, according to China’s Children International (CCI). The majority of these adopted children were girls, largely due to China’s one-child policy, which favored male offspring. The new rules allow only for the adoption of a child or…

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday, voicing their discontent with President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to appoint Michel Barnier, a centre-right politician, as prime minister. The protesters, estimated to be around 300,000 in number, including 160,000 in Paris, accused Macron of disregarding the results of the recent legislative elections and betraying the trust of the people. The demonstrations, which were peaceful, saw protesters carrying banners and placards criticizing Macron’s decision, with some even calling for his impeachment. The left-wing parties, led by Jean-Luc Melenchon’s France Unbowed party, have been vocal in their opposition to Barnier’s appointment,…

Ukraine’s air force reported a massive overnight attack by Russia, involving 67 long-range Shahed drones, with 58 successfully shot down. The attack prompted air defense units to be scrambled in 11 regions across Ukraine, with drone debris found near the parliament building in Kyiv. This rare incident of a Russian missile or drone penetrating central Kyiv’s defenses has raised concerns, as the city is protected by a network of Soviet-era and Western-donated air defense systems. The hilltop government quarter, housing key government offices, is considered one of the best-defended sites in Ukraine. Pictures posted on Telegram showed debris scattered near…