Author: HeraldStar

In a breathtaking conclusion to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise made an unforgettable appearance at the closing ceremony, leaving the audience in awe with a daring stunt that perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the games. The Mission: Impossible actor, known for his fearless on-screen feats, descended from the roof of the Stade de France on a wire, drawing gasps and cheers from the crowd. Clad in a sleek leather jacket and gloves, Cruise embodied his iconic action-hero persona as he made his dramatic entrance, timed to the electrifying guitar riffs of H.E.R., who delivered a powerful performance…

As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29 in November, the city of Baku is gearing up to host the inaugural Baku Climate Action Week to engage and mobilise society ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Held under the auspices of the COP29 High-Level Champion, Nigar Arpadarai, Baku Climate Action Week will take place from Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October. Working in partnership with London Climate Action Week, now the world’s largest whole of society city-based climate action event, Baku Climate Action Week will feature a range of high-level international conferences alongside multistakeholder local and community events. The…

Hamas has called on mediators to revisit and implement earlier ceasefire proposals rather than seeking new agreements for Gaza, just days before talks organized by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. In a statement on its official Telegram channel, Hamas emphasized the need for a plan based on the May 31 ceasefire proposal from US President Joe Biden, along with the framework established by Qatar and Egypt on May 6, and UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The May 6 proposal, previously accepted by Hamas but rejected by Israel, included provisions for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza and an…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been officially sworn in for his fourth term following a decisive victory in last month’s election, where he secured more than 99 percent of the vote. The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, was attended by several dozen heads of state and dignitaries from across Africa. Thousands of Rwandans gathered from the early hours to witness the event. Kagame took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, pledging to “preserve peace and national sovereignty, and consolidate national unity.” The outcome of the July 15 election was widely…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Matthias Schmale of Germany as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, with the host Government’s approval, starting on 11 August. Mr. Schmale succeeds Denise Brown to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service. Mr. Schmale brings more than 30 years of experience in humanitarian and development work. He previously served as Senior Adviser to the UN Development Coordination Office’s regional team for Africa, as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (a.i) in Nigeria, and in several high-level positions with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near…

The 33rd Olympic Games in Paris came to a spectacular close as stars from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and music gathered to mark the end of the event at the Stade de France. Among the highlights, actor Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance, descending from the stadium’s roof to collect the Olympic flag, symbolizing the handover to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Games. Cruise’s daring appearance was followed by a swift departure on a motorcycle, setting the tone for a thrilling conclusion. The closing ceremony also featured electrifying performances on Venice Beach, with music legends such…

The grieving parents of a young girl, one of three murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed event in northern England last month, have made a heartfelt appeal for an end to the widespread rioting that erupted across the country following the tragic incident. Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, along with two other girls, lost her life in a stabbing attack during the event in the seaside town of Southport two weeks ago. The brutal incident also left eight others injured, sparking days of unrest in Southport and spreading to towns and cities across the United Kingdom. The violence was fueled by…

A fast-moving wildfire erupted on Sunday near Athens, forcing residents to flee their homes as the blaze, driven by hot and windy conditions, tore through trees, houses, and vehicles, sending plumes of smoke over the Greek capital. The wildfire, which ignited around 3 p.m. local time near the village of Varnavas, approximately 35 km (20 miles) north of Athens, quickly spread, propelled by strong gale-force winds. By nightfall, the flames had engulfed the area, casting an orange glow across the sky as firefighting aircraft were grounded until dawn. Over 400 firefighters, supported by 16 water-dropping planes and 13 helicopters, were…

China has taken a significant leap in unmanned aerial technology with the successful maiden flight of its latest large twin-engine transport aircraft. The groundbreaking flight took place on Sunday at Zigong Fengming General Airport in Sichuan Province, signaling a major advancement in the nation’s air cargo transportation capabilities. The aircraft, developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Co., Ltd., a leading company in intelligent aerial vehicle research and manufacturing, completed a 20-minute test flight where all systems reportedly functioned normally. This achievement reflects the company’s growing expertise and leadership in the field of unmanned aerial technology. This new transport aircraft boasts…

The Philippines and China exchanged accusations on Saturday following an aerial encounter over a disputed region in the South China Sea. The Philippine military condemned what it described as “dangerous and provocative actions” by the Chinese air force, while the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintained that its actions were professional and lawful. This marks the first time the Philippines has publicly criticized the actions of Chinese aircraft, rather than navy or coast guard vessels, since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022. According to a statement from the Philippine military, two Chinese Air Force aircraft executed hazardous maneuvers…