Author: HeraldStar

The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched a global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to stop outbreaks of human-to-human transmission of mpox through coordinated global, regional, and national efforts. This follows the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO Director-General on 14 August. The current plan is subject to inputs by Member States, who were briefed on the plan on Friday, 23 August. The plan covers the six-month period of September 2024-February 2025, envisioning a US$135 million funding need for the response by WHO, Member States, partners including Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC),…

In anticipation of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to take place in Baku this November, the COP29 Presidency, in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Azerbaijan and supported by PASHA Holding and Trendyol, organised a workshop focused on effective media communication strategies. The workshop aimed to provide local media with insight into the COP29 processes and to enhance local capacity to cover the climate conference. The event began with opening remarks from key stakeholders, highlighting the importance of media engagement in the lead-up to COP29.…

A severe blood shortage has been declared in the US, with the American Red Cross reporting a 25% drop in its national inventory in July. The ongoing heatwave has hindered efforts to replenish the supply, with over 100 blood drives impacted across nearly every state. An additional 60 blood drives were canceled in August due to extreme weather conditions. America’s Blood Centers has urged eligible donors, particularly those with O-positive and O-negative blood types, to come forward to meet the demand. To incentivize donations, the American Red Cross is offering $20 Amazon gift cards to those who give blood before…

Italian prosecutors have placed the captain of the superyacht Bayesian under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck following the vessel’s tragic sinking off Sicily last week, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch. Captain James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, is being investigated after being interrogated for a second time, according to a judicial source. The investigation does not imply guilt, and formal charges may not necessarily follow. The Bayesian, a 56-meter-long British-flagged yacht, capsized and sank on August 21 after being hit by a sudden storm while anchored off northern Sicily. Fifteen…

In a significant move to address the country’s energy challenges, the South African presidency has announced plans to establish a specialized body to oversee the raising of 319 billion rand ($18 billion) needed to repair and upgrade the country’s municipal power grids. The Just Energy Transition Municipal Forum and its secretariat will be responsible for managing the funds and ensuring that the upgrades are carried out efficiently and effectively. According to officials who spoke at a conference near Johannesburg on Monday, the new body will also play a crucial role in training municipality staff and ensuring that the poor and…

Freelance photographer Moses Sawasawa, who has been collaborating with The Associated Press since 2021, has taken a powerful photo of a 90-year-old man suffering from mpox in the Congo. The image, taken just days after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency, highlights the impact of the disease on adults, who make up 30% of cases in the region. Sawasawa waited patiently for 20-30 minutes for the elderly man to wake up, capturing a poignant moment that tells a story of resilience and struggle. The photo, taken with a Sony a7R Mark IV and a 24-70mm GM 2.8…

A recent purchase of a luxurious $100 million aircraft for President Bola Tinubu has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation among Nigerians, who view it as a blatant display of extravagance and disconnect from the country’s economic reality. As Nigeria grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades, characterized by soaring prices, widespread poverty, and a staggering 40% of the population living below the poverty line, the acquisition of the shiny new Airbus A330 has been widely criticized. The purchase has been described as a symbol of the administration’s “fiscal recklessness and dishonesty” by former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, who joins…

The stage is set for the Little League World Series championship game, as Florida’s Lake Mary All-Stars take on Chinese Taipei’s Kuei-Shan Little League in a highly anticipated showdown. The two teams have earned their spots in the title game after impressive performances in the tournament. Florida’s Lake Mary All-Stars made a thrilling comeback in the United States final, overcoming a four-run deficit to defeat Texas in an electrifying game. The team’s late rally saw them score nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings, securing their place in the championship game. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei’s Kuei-Shan Little League dominated Venezuela…

In a significant move, China’s military has deployed troops to Yunnan province in southwestern China, near the Myanmar border, to conduct armed patrols and live-fire drills. The deployment, which began on Monday, aims to test the military’s ability to maintain security in border areas amid concerns over potential fallout from the fierce fighting in Myanmar’s civil war. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military announced that the troops will carry out armed patrols, joint air-ground patrols, and live-fire drills in four locations, including two in Ruili city, from Tuesday to Thursday. The exercises are designed to test the military’s…

In a significant diplomatic development, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to visit China from August 27 to 29, marking the first visit by a US National Security Advisor to China in eight years. The visit, which comes at the invitation of Chinese official Wang Yi, aims to address escalating tensions between the two nations through strategic communication talks on Taiwan and tariffs. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Sullivan’s visit will focus on discussing China-US relations, sensitive issues, and major international and regional hotspots. China is expected to raise concerns about the Taiwan question,…