Author: HeraldStar

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…

The COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company organised the Eco Enacthon project for COP29 volunteers. This two-day interactive event brought together volunteers in the development of innovative projects designed to tackle urgent environmental challenges. The event, which took place at the Heydar Aliyev Centre on August 29-30, featured COP29 volunteers engaging in a variety of training sessions on the first day. Led by specialised experts, these sessions addressed an array of environmental topics, including climate change, sustainability, and waste management. Additionally, workshops focused on developing sustainable business ideas and the creation and management of sustainable product brands. The theoretical and practical knowledge…

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe defended the austerity measures tied to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout as he officially launched his re-election campaign on Thursday. The 75-year-old leader emphasized that the $2.9 billion IMF rescue package, which he negotiated last year, was necessary to stabilize the nation’s economy after the unprecedented crisis two years ago. The economic meltdown, marked by severe food and fuel shortages, led to widespread protests and ultimately forced Wickremesinghe’s predecessor to flee the country. Wickremesinghe, who took over during the turmoil, stressed that the reforms required by the IMF are crucial to prevent a recurrence…

Recession warnings are gaining attention as several key indicators suggest trouble ahead for the US economy. The Sahm Rule, which triggered in early August, the inverted Treasury yield curve, and The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index have all signaled potential economic distress. Adding to the growing concern, John Hussman, president of Hussman Investment Trust and known for predicting the 2000 and 2008 stock market crashes, has highlighted two additional indicators that point to an economy hovering on the brink of recession. Hussman’s first warning sign is a composite index that measures the relationship between manufacturing output and business demand. Typically,…

In a groundbreaking development, David Game College, a private school in London, is set to launch the UK’s first classroom entirely taught by artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative, which will begin in September, will see 20 GCSE students learning through AI platforms and virtual reality headsets, marking a significant shift in the educational landscape. The AI-driven classroom promises a tailored learning experience for each student, with the technology adapting lesson plans based on individual strengths and weaknesses. According to John Dalton, co-principal of David Game College, the precision and continuous evaluation offered by AI surpasses that of human teachers. “There…

The Shetland Islands have been connected to the Great Britain electricity grid for the first time following the completion of a new wind farm and a 260km subsea transmission link. SSE, the energy company behind the project, hailed this achievement as a “groundbreaking milestone for clean energy in the UK.” The Viking Wind Farm, featuring 103 turbines, boasts an installed capacity of 443 megawatts (MW), which is sufficient to power approximately 500,000 homes annually. The subsea cable, a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link, will facilitate the transfer of electricity generated in the Shetland Isles to the rest of the UK.…

In a recent phone conversation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi discussed the state of bilateral relations and the ongoing developments in Palestine. During the call, Minister Safadi congratulated Araghchi on his appointment as Iran’s Foreign Minister, wishing him success in his new role. The Jordanian Foreign Minister voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the increasing tensions in the West Bank, emphasizing the urgent need to de-escalate the situation in both regions. Minister Araghchi expressed gratitude for the warm congratulations and reiterated Iran’s readiness to engage…

One of the strongest typhoons to hit Japan in decades, Typhoon Shanshan, has wreaked havoc across the country, leading to the cancellation of trains and flights, and causing significant damage. As the storm drenches cities in its path, at least six people have been killed, and more than 100 others have been injured. Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in southwestern Japan on Thursday, initially bringing with it winds of up to 252 km/h (157 mph). Although the storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, it still packs winds of 90 km/h (56 mph) and continues to move northeast, leaving…

In a significant development, the US military forces, in collaboration with the Iraqi Security Forces, conducted a joint operation in western Iraq early Thursday, resulting in the elimination of 15 Islamic State (IS) “operatives.” The operation specifically targeted the leadership of the militant group. US Central Command (Centcom) reported that during the operation, American and Iraqi troops encountered IS members equipped with an array of weapons, grenades, and explosive suicide belts. Despite the intense confrontation, Centcom confirmed that there were no civilian casualties in the operation. The Iraqi military released an earlier statement, detailing that the operation began with air…