Author: HeraldStar

The battle to become Japan’s next PM officially began on Thursday, with several current and former cabinet members signaling their intentions to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership election next month. This development follows Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s unexpected announcement that he will not seek reelection. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, speaking on behalf of the outgoing prime minister, stated that all ministers are free to participate in the leadership contest. However, Hayashi, who is considered a close ally of Kishida, did not confirm whether he himself would enter the race. Among the prominent candidates expressing their…

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is reportedly planning a visit to the United States in late September to attend the U.N. General Assembly, with a possible meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. The visit, expected to begin around September 22, comes as Kishida prepares to step down as Japan’s prime minister after withdrawing from the leadership race for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Japanese Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office have not yet confirmed the visit. As Kishida’s term as LDP leader ends in late September, the date for the party’s election remains undecided, though September 27…

Europe is bracing for a potential surge in Mpox cases following the announcement of the first diagnosed case in Sweden earlier this week. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has raised its risk alert level, sparking widespread concern across the continent. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency as the Mpox virus, also known as monkeypox, continues to spread across central and eastern Africa. The virus has already claimed at least 450 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been detected in at least 13 countries, prompting urgent calls for international…

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza may be within reach, while cautioning parties in the Middle East not to undermine ongoing negotiations aimed at securing the release of captives held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Biden noted that a deal is “much, much closer” than when talks first began, though he emphasized that challenges remain. “There are a couple more issues. I think we’ve got a shot,” he said. Previous efforts by the Biden administration to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have faced setbacks,…

India’s medical community has launched a nationwide strike in response to the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing the country’s largest group of doctors, has called for the shutdown of all non-essential hospital services on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in their protest. The IMA described the killing as a “barbaric crime” and highlighted the urgent need for safer environments for women in the country. They have called upon the public to support their “struggle for justice.” The association emphasized that emergency and casualty services would remain operational…

The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency. WHO convened its emergency committee amid concerns that a deadlier strain of the virus, clade Ib, had reached four previously unaffected countries in Africa.This strain had previously been contained to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The independent experts met virtually Wednesday to advise WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the severity of the outbreak. After that consultation, he announced that he had declared a public health emergency of international concern — the highest level of alarm under international health law. “The detection and rapid spread of a new clade…

In a move aimed at safeguarding national security and interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it will impose export restrictions on antimony, a versatile mineral used in a wide range of applications, including batteries, weapons, flame retardants, and more. Effective September 15, exporters of antimony in its various forms will be required to obtain a license, ensuring compliance with regulations and international non-proliferation obligations. This measure is designed to prevent the mineral’s use in activities that could undermine China’s national sovereignty, while also protecting its security and interests. The controls extend to related technologies and equipment,…

A surge in flood defence costs is threatening to divert essential funding away from crucial services in high-risk areas, local councils have warned. The District Councils’ Network, representing 169 English councils, reports a 28% average increase in costs over the past two years, driven by rising energy and fuel prices, extreme weather events, and wage hikes. Internal drainage boards, responsible for managing flood risks and water levels, face significant cost pressures, impacting nearly one million properties, 50,000 farms, 56 power stations, and critical infrastructure. Councils, tasked with funding these boards through council tax, must now allocate more resources to flood…

Amnesty International has called on the German government to extend its Afghanistan reception program, which is set to expire next year, citing ongoing human rights violations and dangers faced by Afghans. The program, which has accepted 3,100 Afghan applications, provides a safe haven for those in extreme danger. However, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has indicated that funding may be terminated due to financial concerns. Theresa Bergmann, spokeswoman for Amnesty International Germany, condemned the potential move, stating, “It is shameful to consider ending this lifeline for Afghans fleeing persecution and violence.” German Human Rights Commissioner Luise Amtsberg echoed this sentiment, emphasizing…

Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, and Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Euronews, signed a landmark agreement on August 14 to establish a Euronews representative office in Astana, Kazakhstan. This move marks a significant expansion of Euronews into Central Asia. The agreement aims to promote Kazakh culture, art, and lifestyle globally, as well as cover regional business and economic events. Euronews plans to produce several TV shows, including “Modern Nomads,” “Connection of East and West,” and “Voices from Central Asia,” featuring prominent regional figures. The Astana hub will also produce “Focus” reports…