Author: HeraldStar

In a devastating escalation of violence, Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine during Monday’s morning rush hour, firing over 100 missiles and 100 attack drones across the country. The brutal attack claimed at least five lives and crippled energy facilities nationwide, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The coordinated strike, which marks a significant intensification of Russia’s two-and-a-half-year invasion, targeted critical infrastructure in at least 10 regions, including power plants and water supply systems. The impact was felt in numerous cities, including the capital Kyiv, where residents faced power cuts and water outages. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack as…

In a significant move, IBM, the world’s largest technology services company, has announced the complete closure of its research and development (R&D) operation in China, affecting more than 1,000 jobs. This decision comes as the company grapples with declining demand for its hardware and faces challenges in growth markets like China. According to a spokesperson for IBM, the changes will not impact the company’s ability to support clients across the Greater China region. However, the closure of the R&D operation marks a significant shift in IBM’s strategy in the region. The move is seen as a response to the company’s…

Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto aims to accelerate the country’s transition to palm oil-based biodiesel, targeting a mandatory 50% blending by early next year. This move is expected to reduce fuel imports by $20 billion annually and lower emissions from fossil fuels. Currently, Indonesia has a 35% blending requirement, which is set to increase to 40% in January 2025. Prabowo’s ambitious plan to reach 50% blending, known as B50, has sparked both optimism and concerns within the industry. The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) has expressed reservations, stating that B50 cannot be implemented in early 2025 without further testing. Meanwhile,…

A coalition of Asian tech giants, including Google, Meta, and Apple, has urged the Malaysian government to reconsider its plan to require social media platforms to obtain a license, citing a lack of clarity and potential stifling of innovation. In an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) expressed concerns over the proposed regulations, which would affect platforms with over eight million users in Malaysia. The group argued that the licensing regime is “unworkable” and would impose undue burdens on businesses, leading to industry uncertainty and potential harm to Malaysia’s growing digital economy. The AIC…

New York Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge made history on Sunday, becoming the fifth player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season at least three times. Judge’s 50th and 51st homers of the season led the Yankees to a convincing 10-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. In other games, the Washington Nationals salvaged the final game of their three-game series against the Atlanta Braves with a 5-1 victory. Jacob Young’s RBI double highlighted a three-run seventh inning, while starter DJ Herz pitched five scoreless innings to set up the win. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates secured a thrilling…

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking environmentally friendly refrigeration system that sets new world records for cooling performance. This innovative technology, which was recently published in the journal Nature Energy, has the potential to transform industries reliant on cooling systems while significantly reducing global energy consumption. The new system is based on electrocaloric cooling technology, a cutting-edge approach that offers a viable solution to the environmental challenges posed by traditional refrigeration methods. The researchers’ breakthrough not only sets a new standard in cooling efficiency but also marks a major step forward in…

In a significant policy shift, an inter-ministerial panel in India has approved investment proposals from Chinese firms in the country’s electronics manufacturing sector. This development comes even as India and China remain embroiled in a tense border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. Among the key approvals are investments from Luxshare, a prominent Apple supplier, and a joint venture between Huaqin Technology and the parent company of Indian smartphone maker Micromax. These approvals mark a departure from the stringent restrictions that India imposed on Chinese companies and investments in 2020, following provocations by the People’s…

The foreign and defense ministers of India and Japan convened in New Delhi on Tuesday for high-level security discussions, aiming to strengthen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region amidst growing concerns over China’s assertive economic and military activities. This meeting marked the third round of the “two-plus-two” talks between the two nations, a dialogue format that brings together their foreign and defense ministers, first launched in 2019. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with their Japanese counterparts in discussions that were described as “wide-ranging,” focusing on regional and global issues, with a particular emphasis…

A new policy brief published by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on August 15 reveals that nearly 60,000 children aged 0-17 years across five countries in Central Asia are currently living in residential care facilities. This alarming figure translates to an average of 203 children per 100,000, nearly double the global average of 105 per 100,000, raising concerns about the effectiveness of child protection systems in the region. “The rate of children in residential care can reflect the strength of a country’s child protection system, with a higher rate signaling a system that is failing to keep families together,”…

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are set to launch their Democratic campaign for the White House with a bus tour through Georgia next week, as they seek to solidify support in a state that is poised to play a crucial role in the November 5th election. The tour marks the first time Harris and Walz will campaign together in Georgia, a state where polls show a tight race between Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump. Harris, who formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday in Chicago, will be joined by Walz, her vice-presidential running…