Author: HeraldStar

The UK government has announced the suspension of some arms sales to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law. This decision follows a review of UK arms exports to Israel, which was launched by Foreign Secretary David Lammy upon taking office. The review found that there was a risk that UK arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. As a result, around 30 of 350 export licences will be suspended. Lammy stressed that the suspension is not a blanket ban or an…

In a special edition of Colorado Matters, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson joined Colorado Public Radio’s Ryan Warner for a monthly climate conversation. The discussion, which took place in late August 2024, covered a range of topics, including Mike’s 50-year career in meteorology and his experiences covering climate change. Nelson, who has spent decades tracking weather patterns and predicting storms, shared his insights on the evolving field of meteorology and the growing importance of climate coverage. Warner and Nelson also discussed the upcoming fall weather outlook, with a focus on temperature trends and precipitation patterns. In addition, the conversation touched…

Brazil’s economy continued to grow at a robust pace in the second quarter, driven by strong household expenditure and resilient private consumption. According to a Reuters poll, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to show a 0.9% expansion compared to the first quarter, with an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The median forecast of 18 analysts surveyed between August 28 and September 2 suggests that household spending remained a key driver of growth, supported by a strong labor market and rising real wages. Public spending also contributed to the expansion, with an increase in social benefit payments and…

The countries of Central Asia are grappling with significant challenges in drinking water and sanitation, with a looming investment gap threatening to exacerbate the situation. Experts warn that urgent action is needed to address the region’s water crisis, which is being driven by rapid population growth, urbanization, and climate change. According to Arman Akhunbaev, Head of the Sectoral Analysis Center at the Eurasian Development Bank, over 10 million people in Central Asia lack access to safe drinking water, with a funding shortfall of over $12 billion needed to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. The region’s…

A heated debate has erupted over plans to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower, with descendants of the iconic landmark’s designer and locals expressing strong opposition. Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Saturday that she intends to replace the original rings, which were installed during the recent Olympic Games, with new ones. However, the Association of Gustave Eiffel’s Descendants has criticized the move, stating that the Eiffel Tower should not become an “advertising outpost.” The association’s chairman, Olivier Berthelot-Eiffel, argued that while the family did not object to the rings staying longer than the Paralympic Games, they should not…

A team of researchers has identified a probable deployment site in Russia for the 9M370 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile. The site, located in Vologda, Russia, approximately 295 miles north of Moscow, appears to be under construction and features infrastructure consistent with the deployment of the Burevestnik. The researchers used satellite imagery from Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, to make their assessment. The images, taken on July 26, reveal a construction project adjacent to a nuclear warhead storage facility known as Vologda-20 or Chebsara. The facility is believed to be the likely deployment site for the Burevestnik. The…

A makeshift mpox isolation ward in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to cope with an influx of patients, amidst a global public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization. The hospital in Kavumu has received over 900 symptomatic patients in the past three months, with 135 currently crammed into three large plastic tents. Health workers are facing significant challenges, including daily medicine shortages and lack of space. “We are overwhelmed and desperate for support,” said head doctor Musole Mulamba Muva. “Donations from international organizations have dwindled, and we are struggling to make ends meet.” Relatives, who typically…

UNICEF today announced that it has issued an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. Vaccines can play a critical role in containing the mpox outbreak which was declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNICEF tender is issued to help secure mpox vaccines for the hardest hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and other partners. This collaboration to increase access and timely allocation also includes working together to facilitate donations of…

As the deadline for nominating European Commissioners approached, EU member states rushed to submit their candidates for Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as President of the European Commission. This crucial process has seen most countries meet the required deadline, but a few notable developments and delays have shaped the final hours of this nomination phase. Bulgaria Leads with a Balanced Approach Bulgaria has emerged as a unique case in this round of nominations. In a rare move that aligns directly with von der Leyen’s request, Bulgaria has proposed both a male and a female candidate. The country put forward…

Dear Colleagues, With COP29 in Baku fewer than 75 days away, it is imperative that we take tangible steps to demonstrate our shared commitment to climate action. As we conveyed earlier this year, the COP29 Presidency’s vision centers around two parallel and mutually reinforcing pillars: enhancing ambition and enabling action, with climate finance as our top priority. As we reiterate the necessity for all Parties to enhance their ambition in the next generation of national climate plans, transparency forms a cornerstone of mutual trust and accountability. It ensures that our collective actions to combat climate change are robust, comprehensive, and…