Author: HeraldStar

In a significant move, Panasonic Holdings, a leading Japanese technology company, announced on Tuesday that it will conclude its 37-year sponsorship contract with the Olympic Games following the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision marks the end of a long-standing partnership that began in 1987, during which Panasonic provided technological support, products, and services to the Games. Panasonic’s withdrawal follows a similar move by fellow top sponsor Toyota Motor, which is also ending its 10-year contract with the Olympics this year. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has relied heavily on revenue from top sponsors, generating $2.295 billion from 2017 to 2021,…

Shigeru Ishiba, a former Japanese defense minister and contender in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership race, emphasized the importance of exiting deflation and achieving sustainable growth in real wages. Ishiba, seeking to become Japan’s next prime minister, pledged to prioritize economic growth and address concerns about his focus on fiscal discipline. Ishiba’s comments, made at a press conference where he laid out his policy pledges for the LDP leadership race, highlighted the need for a complete exit from deflation. He noted that private consumption has not yet recovered strongly, despite some signs of improvement. Ishiba promised to achieve…

In a shocking escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has launched its largest and most daring drone attack to date on the Russian capital of Moscow, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least one life. The unprecedented assault, which involved over 70 drones, targeted residential areas in the Moscow region, causing widespread panic and chaos. According to Russian authorities, at least 20 drones were destroyed over Moscow, with an additional 124 downed over eight other regions. The drone strikes damaged high-rise apartment buildings in the Ramenskoye district, setting flats on fire and causing widespread destruction. Eyewitnesses described the…

China has announced joint naval and air drills with Russia. The exercises, which start this month, underline the growing closeness of the two giant powers. In a move that underscores their growing strategic partnership, China and Russia have announced joint military exercises in the Pacific Ocean, scheduled to take place in September. The “North-Joint 2024” drills will bring together naval and air forces from both nations, focusing on maritime patrol and security cooperation in the skies and waters around the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk, off Russia’s coast. The exercises aim to deepen strategic cooperation and enhance joint…

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…