Author: HeraldStar

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sought to calm concerns about the US economy on Saturday, stating that despite recent weak job reports, the economy remains strong and is “basically operating at full employment.” Yellen acknowledged that job growth has slowed compared to the post-pandemic “hiring frenzy,” but emphasized that the economy is “deep into a recovery” and not experiencing meaningful layoffs. Her comments come after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 142,000 new jobs in August, lower than expected, and a decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.2%. Yellen downplayed concerns about a recession, saying “I don’t see red lights flashing.”…

In a meeting with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Chief Adviser to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, urged for a fast-tracked third-country resettlement of Rohingya Muslims living in Bangladesh. This comes as a new wave of refugees flee escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, adding to the over one million Rohingya refugees already living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar district. Around 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed the border into Bangladesh in recent months, escaping intensifying fighting between Myanmar’s ruling junta and the Arakan Army. The Rohingya refugees have little hope of returning to their homeland, where they are…

A devastating report has revealed widespread sexual abuse across hundreds of Ireland’s religious-run schools, with 2,395 allegations documented involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools. The report, released Tuesday, sheds light on the dark history of child sexual abuse in Ireland’s religious institutions, spanning from 1927 to 2013. The allegations, reported from the records of 42 religious orders, include accounts of molestation, rape, and drugging, often accompanied by violence. Over 140 survivors shared their harrowing testimonies, describing an atmosphere of terror and silence. Many reported that their childhood ended the day the abuse started. Ireland’s Minister for Education, Norma Foley,…

A controversy surrounding the Miss Fiji beauty pageant has come to a head, with the initial winner, Manshika Prasad, being dethroned and later reinstated amidst allegations of rigging and conflict of interest. The scandal began when Miss Universe Fiji (MUF) issued a press release stating that a “serious breach of principles” had occurred, and “revised results” would be made public shortly. Prasad was subsequently told she would not be traveling to Mexico to compete for the Miss Universe title in November, with runner-up Nadine Roberts taking her place. However, an investigation by the BBC has revealed that Roberts is married…

The Japanese government has announced plans to take several steps to secure local consent for restarting the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco). The measures aim to address concerns and enhance safety features, paving the way for the potential restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant by generation capacity. The agreement, reached on Friday, includes: The government’s move comes after the national nuclear regulator lifted an operational ban on the plant in December, allowing Tepco to work towards gaining local permission to restart. The Niigata Prefecture’s governor has requested additional talks on the possible restart,…

In a significant development, Japan’s first casino resort is expected to open its doors in the western city of Osaka in late 2030. According to local media reports, the main operator, Osaka IR KK, has decided to waive its right to withdraw from the project without penalty, paving the way for the resort’s construction. Osaka IR KK, a joint venture between US-based MGM Resorts International and local partner Orix Corp, will commence preparatory work at the end of September. The integrated resort (IR) will be built on Yumeshima, a reclaimed island in Osaka Bay, which is also set to host…

From September 7 to 13, the 5th World Nomad Games are being held in the ethnoaul”Universe of Nomads” offering an opportunity to immerse in the cultural heritage of theKazakh people. Entry to all cultural events of the ethnoaul is FREE for residents of thecapital, guests, and participants of the Games. Tickets are required only for sportscompetitions.The opening of the ethnoaul began with the vibrant grand procession “Shattyk Kerueni”The most sacred place in the ethnoaul is the Tayqazan, filled with water from holy springsfrom 20 regions of the country.The main stage of “Oner Ordasy” has become the heart of the cultural…

In a significant move toward LGBTQ+ recognition, India’s main opposition Congress party has established an internal unit to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, while another opposition party has appointed a community member as its spokesperson for the first time. These political developments mark a turning point for LGBTQ+ inclusion after years of legal and social setbacks. The Supreme Court of India decriminalised homosexuality in 2018, but the LGBTQ+ community faced disappointment last year when the court declined to legalise same-sex marriage, leaving the issue for parliament to decide. Despite this, the political landscape is slowly evolving to reflect the need for…

China’s central bank has held off on adding gold to its reserves for the fourth consecutive month in August, according to official data released on Saturday. Despite the pause, the value of China’s gold holdings rose to $182.98 billion at the end of August, up from $176.64 billion in July, as global gold prices continue to surge. China’s total gold reserves remain at 72.8 million fine troy ounces. Gold prices have climbed by 21% this year, driven by expectations of imminent U.S. interest rate cuts and increased demand for safe-haven assets amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Central banks worldwide…

The Chinese government has announced that it will no longer send children overseas for adoption, ending a policy that has been in place for over 30 years. This decision comes as China adjusts its cross-border adoption regulations to align with international trends. Since 1992, over 160,000 Chinese children have been adopted by families worldwide, with approximately 82,000 adoptions taking place in the United States, according to China’s Children International (CCI). The majority of these adopted children were girls, largely due to China’s one-child policy, which favored male offspring. The new rules allow only for the adoption of a child or…