Author: HeraldStar

Unidentified assailants opened fire on a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s northwestern region on Wednesday, killing one vaccine administrator and one police officer providing security, according to local authorities. The attack occurred in the Bajaur tribal district, which borders Afghanistan, just two days after Pakistan launched its latest nationwide campaign to eradicate polio. The country aims to vaccinate up to 30 million children in the effort to stamp out the virus, which remains a significant health threat in Pakistan despite being largely eradicated globally. District Police Officer Waqas Rafique confirmed the incident, stating that “unidentified armed men opened fire on…

As Sri Lanka prepares for its presidential election on September 21, a striking gender disparity has emerged, with not a single woman among the 38 contenders vying for the country’s top office. This stark contrast is particularly notable in a country where women make up more than half of the voters and workforce. Sri Lanka has a rich history of female leadership, having elected the world’s first female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, also held the office 30 years later. However, despite this legacy, women’s representation in politics has remained stubbornly low. According to statistics,…

China’s Vice Foreign Minister and his Philippine counterpart held a “frank and in-depth” exchange on sea-related issues, particularly the contentious Sabina Shoal, also known as Xianbin Reef, in a meeting on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. During the high-level talks, China reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine vessel from the disputed area, emphasizing its commitment to “firmly uphold its sovereignty” over the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry underscored Beijing’s unwavering stance on the issue, as tensions between the two nations continue to simmer. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic effort to…

An air raid alarm sounded for over 30 minutes in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Wednesday afternoon, sparking concern and disruption during a high-profile visit by top Western officials. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Minister David Lammy were among the dignitaries in Kyiv, meeting with Ukrainian leaders to discuss ongoing support and cooperation. The sudden alert, which began at approximately 2:00 pm local time, prompted a swift response from Ukrainian authorities. The Ukrainian Air Force announced a ballistic missile threat on the Telegram messaging platform, warning of a potential strike. According to the statement, a…

In a devastating escalation of violence, three women were killed and five other civilians were injured on Wednesday in Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, prosecutors said. According to the Prosecutor’s General Office, Russian troops shelled a residential area of the town, located 14 km (nine miles) from the active combat zone, killing two elderly women. The attack, which occurred in the morning, targeted a densely populated neighborhood, causing widespread destruction and panic among local residents. Later in the day, Russian forces hit another residential area, likely using a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher,…

An Israeli airstrike killed at least five people in the West Bank city of Tubas on Wednesday, Palestinian emergency services said, as Israeli security forces continued an extended operation targeting Iranian-backed militant groups. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that rescue crews had recovered five bodies at the site and transferred them to a hospital. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that it had hit an armed militant group, but provided no further details. “As part of the counter-terrorism activity, an IAF (Israeli Air Force) aircraft struck an armed terrorist cell a short while ago in the area of Tubas,”…

In a tense and divisive presidential debate on Tuesday, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris repeatedly put her Republican rival, Donald Trump, on the defensive, attacking his fitness for office, support for abortion restrictions, and legal woes. The debate, moderated by ABC News, was marked by heated exchanges and personal attacks, with Harris controlling the narrative from the start. Harris, a former prosecutor, came prepared to take on Trump, leveraging her experience and skill to land several key blows. She attacked Trump’s support for abortion restrictions, highlighting the devastating impact of statewide bans on women’s healthcare. Trump, who has sometimes struggled with…

Aston Martin has pulled off a significant coup in the world of Formula One, confirming the highly anticipated appointment of renowned design expert Adrian Newey from Red Bull. The 65-year-old Briton, widely regarded as the greatest technical mastermind of his generation, will join Aston Martin as managing technical partner and become a shareholder, effective March 2025. Newey’s arrival marks a major turning point for Aston Martin, as the team seeks to transform itself into a world championship contender. With his unparalleled expertise and proven track record, Newey is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s technical direction…

In a significant victory for European Union antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s top court has upheld her crackdown on Apple’s Irish tax deal and Google’s anticompetitive practices. The court rulings, announced on Tuesday, confirm Vestager’s efforts to hold Big Tech accountable for their tax arrangements and business practices in the EU, sending a strong message that the days of exploiting loopholes and stifling competition are over. Apple’s Irish Tax Deal: A Sweetheart Arrangement Exposed The court sided with Vestager’s 2016 decision, ordering Apple to pay 13 billion euros ($14.4 billion) in back taxes to Ireland. The judges found that…

In a shocking revelation, victims of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh have come forward to share their harrowing experiences in secret prisons allegedly run by the country’s military intelligence. The testimonies of Michael Chakma, a Bangladeshi Indigenous rights activist, and Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, a lawyer, expose the brutal conditions and dehumanizing treatment of detainees in these clandestine facilities. Chakma, who was held for five years, described his detention as “harrowing and filled with unending despair.” He was kept in a windowless room, handcuffed and shackled, with no way to tell time or whether it was day or night. “I was…