Author: HeraldStar

A suffocating heatwave has descended upon China’s eastern seaboard, wrapping megacities like Hangzhou and Shanghai in a sweltering blanket of temperatures that refuse to relent. The mercury has soared above 40°C (104°F) for days, unleashing a frenzy of electricity demand as desperate residents and businesses crank up their air conditioners in a bid for relief. In Hangzhou, a city of 12.5 million souls and a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit, the authorities have sounded the alarm, imposing a draconian ban on non-essential outdoor lighting and displays to conserve precious energy. The city’s power grid is groaning under the strain, its very…

On August 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. This visit, part of Shoigu’s broader tour including Tehran, quickly drew media attention. Shoigu’s trip to Tehran, which came in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and amidst rising Israeli-Iranian tensions, and his subsequent visit to Baku, have sparked considerable interest. While the official narrative focuses on strengthening bilateral relations and regional security, the timing and context suggest deeper strategic motives. Why the Tehran Visit Matters? One key reason for Shoigu’s visit to Tehran is Russia’s…

Niger has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, joining Mali in a growing rift between West African nations and Kyiv. The move comes after a Ukrainian military official’s comments sparked outrage, suggesting Ukraine played a role in the killing of dozens of Malian soldiers last month. Mali and Niger have accused Ukraine of violating their sovereignty, citing remarks by Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence. Yusov hinted that Ukraine provided crucial information to rebels, leading to the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries in July’s clashes. Ukraine has been attempting to bolster its African alliances amid the ongoing…

In the aftermath of Israel’s audacious killing of Hezbollah’s top commander, Fuad Shukr, the Lebanese capital of Beirut is poised on a knife’s edge. The city’s sun-kissed seafront, where locals and tourists alike once strolled carefree, now feels like a fragile facade, masking the ominous threat of war. Billboards emblazoned with Shukr’s image and defiant slogans like “We will avenge” dot the landscape, a testament to Hezbollah’s unyielding resolve. In the heart of the city’s southern suburbs, a bastion of Hezbollah support, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. Inside a heavily fortified complex, the faithful gather, their faces set with…

Israeli fighter jets flew over the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Tuesday, causing a series of sonic booms intended to intimidate the city’s residents. This show of force followed drone attacks on northern Israel by Hezbollah, an armed group. The low-flying aircraft rattled windows across Beirut, highlighting the Israeli military’s capability to strike Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed retaliation for what he described as a series of Israeli assassinations. “The Israelis chose escalation by carrying out assassinations,” Nasrallah stated, promising a “strong and effective” response, potentially in coordination with other members of the Iran-backed “axis of resistance.” Nasrallah emphasized that…

Kosovo’s government has received significant backlash from international allies, including the United States and the European Union, after closing nine Serbian post offices in predominantly ethnic Serb northern municipalities. The U.S. expressed its “deep disappointment” with the action. Serbia claims it distributes millions of euros in pensions and welfare to Serbian residents in Kosovo. The Serbian postal service is integral to this distribution, but the use of Serbian dinars for these payments contravenes a central bank ruling that prohibits the use of the Serbian currency for all transactions in Kosovo. This decision, coupled with subsequent raids on Serbian banks in…

In a groundbreaking move, Uzbekistan has embarked on an innovative partnership with two trailblazing Chinese companies, Chengdu Xingrong Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Shiny Technology Co., Ltd., to transform the way waste is managed and energy is produced. The Memorandum of Cooperation, signed at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, marks the beginning of a pioneering journey to convert waste into valuable resources, harnessing the potential for a more sustainable future. During the meeting, Uzbekistan’s visionary reforms in waste management took center stage, showcasing the country’s commitment to creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly system.…

On July 17, a joint effort by Biffa, a recycling firm, and Mitchells & Butlers, a hospitality company, resulted in a significant cleanup of Dorset’s Southbourne Beach. The collected waste, totaling 60kg, was subsequently transported to Biffa’s Poole depot for sorting and weighing. The haul consisted of 50% glass bottles and nearly 30% plastic bottles, both of which are readily recyclable. Eligible materials, including plastics and glass bottles, were sent for recycling, while non-recyclable waste was directed to an energy-from-waste facility to generate electricity. Mark Chapman, Biffa’s head of corporate accounts, expressed pride in supporting local sustainability initiatives and collaborating…

US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 election. Harris announced her choice on X, praising Walz’s dedication to working families and his achievements as a governor, teacher, coach, and veteran. Walz, a former teacher and US Army National Guard member, has implemented various progressive policies in Minnesota, including: Harris chose Walz after considering nearly a dozen candidates, all of whom were white men. Walz’s selection indicates Harris’s intention to strengthen her campaign in the upper Midwest, a critical region in presidential politics. Minnesota has produced two previous vice presidents,…

A UK government minister has denounced Elon Musk, the American tech mogul, for his inflammatory social media remarks regarding the ongoing far-right unrest in England and Northern Ireland. Musk’s comment on X, a social media platform, suggesting that a British “civil war” is unavoidable, was met with widespread criticism. He further fueled the controversy with a contentious response to a tweet from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, prompting the minister to condemn Musk’s statements as “unacceptable.