Author: HeraldStar

The United Nations has renewed its demands for the immediate and unconditional release of 13 staff members detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen for two months. The detainees, including six staff from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, were seized on trumped-up spying charges, according to the UN. UN High Commissioner Volker Turk condemned the storming of the UNHCR’s office in Sana’a by Houthi forces, calling it a “serious attack” on the UN’s ability to perform its mandate. The detained staff are being held incommunicado, and Turk warned that their human rights must not be violated. The US has…

A devastating surge in violence convulsed the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. Hamas militants unleashed a barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv, Israel’s vibrant commercial hub, shattering months of relative calm. The projectiles, fired from the embattled Gaza Strip, sent shockwaves through the region, with one crashing into the Mediterranean Sea and the other falling short of Israeli territory. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, citing the “Zionist massacres” and displacement of Palestinians as justification for their actions. The Israeli military responded with fierce airstrikes, pounding multiple locations across Gaza, including…

Boeing Co. (BA.N) announced on Tuesday that it had delivered a total of 43 commercial jets in July, matching the same month’s output last year despite ongoing supply chain challenges that have impacted the industry. The company, led by new CEO Kelly Ortberg, is working to ramp up aircraft production by year’s end, a crucial step towards restoring its position as a leading aircraft manufacturer. In a significant boost to the company, Boeing handed over 31 MAX jets to customers, including a few to Chinese carriers, marking the resumption of deliveries to China after regulatory delays. This milestone comes as…

In a tumultuous wave of demonstrations sweeping across Nigeria, police have arrested over 90 protesters brandishing Russian flags, as the country’s economic crisis reaches a boiling point. Thousands have taken to the streets, decrying government policies and the soaring cost of living, in what has become Africa’s most populous nation’s worst economic downturn in a generation. The protests, which began last week, have seen demonstrators clash with security forces, resulting in a growing number of casualties. The appearance of Russian flags at the rallies has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with officials alleging sinister external influences at play. The government…

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Los Angeles, California, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 12:20 p.m., just 2 miles southeast of Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, at a depth of 12.1 km. Initially recorded as a 4.7 magnitude quake, the USGS later revised it to 4.4. The tremors were felt across several areas, including Los Angeles, East San Gabriel, Rosemead, Monterey Park, and Long Beach. In response, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) immediately activated its “earthquake mode,” initiating a one-hour survey to inspect critical infrastructure and other key areas. As…

Amid growing fears of an impending recession, economist Ed Yardeni has offered a more optimistic perspective, arguing that traditional recession indicators, such as the inverted yield curve, may be misleading in the current economic environment. In his latest analysis, Yardeni pointed to several key factors that suggest the U.S. economy remains on stable ground. Yardeni emphasized that credit conditions have held up remarkably well despite the Federal Reserve’s tightening of interest rates. He noted that the Fed’s Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey shows that fewer lenders have tightened their lending standards this year, with expectations for a broader loosening in…

As Nigeria marked this year’s International Youth Day, the National Youth Alliance (NYA) condemned the country’s leadership, accusing them of being “dream killers” who perpetuate themselves in power at the expense of the nation’s youth. In a statement issued by NYA Imo State Chairman, Chinonso Uba, the group lamented the dire state of youth participation in governance, contrasting it with other nations where young people play active roles in leadership. Uba highlighted that while countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and some African nations empower their youth to lead, Nigeria’s leaders have stifled the potential of their young…

In a wave of unrest that echoes the Arab Spring, protests have erupted across Africa, with Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria at the forefront of this rising tide of anger. The demonstrations, sparked by issues ranging from tax hikes and corruption to soaring living costs, have gripped the continent and captured global attention. In Kenya, widespread protests against tax increases culminated in a dramatic showdown on June 25, when demonstrators stormed the Parliament Building in Nairobi, setting it ablaze and symbolically seizing power. This unrest quickly spread across the continent, with Ugandans taking to the streets in July to denounce corruption,…

In a troubling turn of events, Tunisia’s media landscape is facing unprecedented pressure as the government intensifies its crackdown on dissent ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The departure of veteran journalist Elyes Gharbi from Mosaïque FM’s “Midi Show” after nine years highlights the growing threats against press freedom in the country. Gharbi’s exit follows a year of increasing repression, with authorities stifling critical voices and silencing media professionals. Human Rights Watch has reported that at least five journalists are currently imprisoned for their work, and the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) notes that 39 legal cases have been…

In a significant move to safeguard workers’ rights, the UAE government has introduced stringent measures to penalize employers who breach labour laws. A federal decree outlines severe punishments for companies engaging in illegal practices, including hiring minors, employing workers without valid permits, and falsifying recruitment figures. The new legislation imposes fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for offences such as: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has been empowered to settle cases, provided the employer pays half of the minimum fine value and repays government incentives obtained through fake employees. Disputes will be brought before the courts if…