Author: HeraldStar

India’s medical community has launched a nationwide strike in response to the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing the country’s largest group of doctors, has called for the shutdown of all non-essential hospital services on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in their protest. The IMA described the killing as a “barbaric crime” and highlighted the urgent need for safer environments for women in the country. They have called upon the public to support their “struggle for justice.” The association emphasized that emergency and casualty services would remain operational…

The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency. WHO convened its emergency committee amid concerns that a deadlier strain of the virus, clade Ib, had reached four previously unaffected countries in Africa.This strain had previously been contained to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The independent experts met virtually Wednesday to advise WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the severity of the outbreak. After that consultation, he announced that he had declared a public health emergency of international concern — the highest level of alarm under international health law. “The detection and rapid spread of a new clade…

In a move aimed at safeguarding national security and interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will impose export restrictions on antimony, a versatile mineral used in a wide range of applications, including batteries, weapons, flame retardants, and more. Effective September 15, exporters of antimony in its various forms will be required to obtain a license, ensuring compliance with regulations and international non-proliferation obligations. This measure is designed to prevent the mineral’s use in activities that could undermine China’s national sovereignty, while also protecting its security and interests. The controls extend to related technologies and equipment,…

A surge in flood defence costs is threatening to divert essential funding away from crucial services in high-risk areas, local councils have warned. The District Councils’ Network, representing 169 English councils, reports a 28% average increase in costs over the past two years, driven by rising energy and fuel prices, extreme weather events, and wage hikes. Internal drainage boards, responsible for managing flood risks and water levels, face significant cost pressures, impacting nearly one million properties, 50,000 farms, 56 power stations, and critical infrastructure. Councils, tasked with funding these boards through council tax, must now allocate more resources to flood…

Amnesty International has called on the German government to extend its Afghanistan reception program, which is set to expire next year, citing ongoing human rights violations and dangers faced by Afghans. The program, which has accepted 3,100 Afghan applications, provides a safe haven for those in extreme danger. However, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has indicated that funding may be terminated due to financial concerns. Theresa Bergmann, spokeswoman for Amnesty International Germany, condemned the potential move, stating, “It is shameful to consider ending this lifeline for Afghans fleeing persecution and violence.” German Human Rights Commissioner Luise Amtsberg echoed this sentiment, emphasizing…

Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, and Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Euronews, signed a landmark agreement on August 14 to establish a Euronews representative office in Astana, Kazakhstan. This move marks a significant expansion of Euronews into Central Asia. The agreement aims to promote Kazakh culture, art, and lifestyle globally, as well as cover regional business and economic events. Euronews plans to produce several TV shows, including “Modern Nomads,” “Connection of East and West,” and “Voices from Central Asia,” featuring prominent regional figures. The Astana hub will also produce “Focus” reports…

Tokyo, Japan – The Japanese government has lifted its week-long megaquake warning, but warned citizens that the threat of a major earthquake remains. The alert, issued last Thursday, had prompted thousands to cancel holidays and stock up on essentials, leading to bare shelves in some stores. Disaster Management Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura announced the lifting of the warning, citing no significant changes in seismic activity or crustal deformation. However, he emphasized that the possibility of a major earthquake has not been eliminated and urged citizens to remain prepared. The initial warning was issued after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake injured 14 people…

A devastating wildfire that swept through mountainous areas northeast of Athens this week has burned 104 square kilometers (40 square miles) of land, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The fire, which was contained on Tuesday after a massive effort, gutted scores of homes and prompted multiple countries to send assistance to Greece. A factory worker lost their life in the blaze, which covered an area almost twice the size of Manhattan and blanketed the Greek capital with a thick cloud of smoke. Greek officials reported that 22 businesses were damaged, and at least 78 homes were…

Alison Davidian, UN Women Country Representative in Afghanistan, briefed journalists in New York on their latest report addressing the plight of women and girls since the de facto authorities returned to power in August 2021. She described this period as “three years’ worth of countless decrees, directives, and statements targeting women and girls – stripping them of their fundamental rights and eviscerating their autonomy.” ‘The horrors have not stopped’ Taliban edicts have denied girls from getting an education beyond the sixth grade and banned women from working for non-governmental organization (NGOs). “Three years ago, the world was watching a takeover that was livestreaming horror after horror,” she…

The COP29 Presidency has today hosted the second meeting of its International Advisory Committee (IAC), bringing together eminent international leaders and valuable perspectives on climate action. Discussions were moderated by Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2017-2018) and former Minister of Defense of Ecuador (2012-2014). Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia (1997-2007) and Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center was guest of honour at the meeting. In the meeting, further progress was made in operationalising the five contact groups within the Committee. These groups will…