Author: HeraldStar

In the scorching heat of northern Malawi, small-scale farmers are finding innovative ways to adapt to the challenges of climate change. Emily Nkhana, a farmer from Karonga district, has discovered a profitable use for over-ripe bananas – making banana wine. This entrepreneurial venture has not only transformed her life but also those of her colleagues, who are part of the Twitule Cooperative Group. Extreme heat and rising water levels have forced farmers to move to higher grounds, where temperatures soar to 42C, causing bananas to ripen too quickly and go to waste. The changing climate has also led to increased…

A catastrophic dam collapse has left thousands of people homeless and struggling to survive in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. The Alau Dam, located 20km south of the city, gave way after heavy rains, releasing a massive amount of water into the city and surrounding areas. The disaster has affected over a million people, with many more at risk of disease and hunger. The floods have caused widespread destruction, with homes, businesses, and public structures, including hospitals and the prison, severely affected. The city’s sewer network has been badly damaged, contaminating water sources and raising concerns about the outbreak of waterborne diseases.…

The Security Council today extended sanctions against Sudan — including asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo — until 12 September 2025. Unanimously adopting resolution 2750 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2750(2024)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the 15-member organ decided to roll over those measures for another year, with a decision on their further renewal to be made no later than 12 September 2025. After the adoption, the representative of the United States said that the people of Darfur continue to live in danger, desperation and despair. Every day they are faced with intensified fighting and restrictions on humanitarian aid,…

In a significant move to address the nation’s mental health crisis, the Biden administration announced a final rule on Monday aimed at expanding access and reducing costs for mental health and substance use disorder care. The new rule, which applies to group health plans and health insurance issuers, ensures that mental health care is covered at the same level as physical health benefits. According to a White House fact sheet, the rule requires insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder care with the same level of benefits, limitations, and restrictions as physical health care. This may involve…

In a recent interview with Fox & Friends, former President Donald Trump downplayed Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, while also taking the opportunity to compliment Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Trump stated that he was never a fan of Swift’s music and that her endorsement of Harris came as no surprise, given her liberal views. He also warned that Swift may face backlash for her political stance, saying she “will probably pay a price for it in the marketplace.” Swift, who had previously supported Joe Biden’s presidential bid…

Aubrey Plaza, the 40-year-old actress known for her roles in “The White Lotus” and “Parks & Recreation,” has shared a harrowing account of a medical scare she faced years ago. In an interview with Howard Stern on September 11, Plaza revealed that she suffered a sudden stroke at the age of 20 while visiting friends in New York City. Plaza described the experience as “wild” and “terrifying,” explaining that it happened mid-sentence while she was speaking with her friends. “I took the train to Astoria to have lunch with my friends and I walked into their apartment—I hadn’t even taken…

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it will grant Egypt its full $1.3 billion in military aid for 2024, overriding human rights conditions for the first time during this administration. The decision has raised concerns, given Egypt’s ongoing human rights issues, but it reflects the strategic importance of Cairo to U.S. national security interests, especially in mediating between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the move, explaining that $320 million of the allocated military financing was previously tied to Egypt’s human rights record. Of that, $225 million was waived by Secretary of…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to commence its long-anticipated mpox vaccination campaign on October 2, almost a week ahead of its initial schedule. The expedited timeline was confirmed on Wednesday by Cris Kacita, the head of the country’s mpox outbreak response team, following new developments that accelerated the process. As the epicenter of the ongoing global mpox outbreak, the DRC faces immense pressure to curb the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently classified the outbreak as a global public health emergency. However, the country’s vaccination efforts have been hampered by a severe shortage…

In a rare display of unity, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump attended the 9/11 commemoration ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York City on Wednesday. The event marked the 23rd anniversary of the devastating terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in 2001. Despite their contentious presidential debate the previous night, Harris and Trump shook hands and exchanged brief words before lining up for the ceremony. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, was also in attendance. The solemn ceremony, held at the “ground zero” site where the…

Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s former Environment Minister and a leading candidate to become the country’s next prime minister, has pledged to respect the independence of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) in setting monetary policy if he is elected. In a televised interview on BS 11 on Wednesday, Koizumi emphasized the importance of maintaining the central bank’s autonomy, saying, “I will respect the Bank of Japan’s independence.” He added that his focus would be on ensuring smooth dialogue and communication between the government and the BOJ. Regarding currency market volatility, Koizumi expressed his disapproval of excessive fluctuations, stating that they are “undesirable.”…