Author: HeraldStar

In a significant move to address the country’s energy challenges, the South African presidency has announced plans to establish a specialized body to oversee the raising of 319 billion rand ($18 billion) needed to repair and upgrade the country’s municipal power grids. The Just Energy Transition Municipal Forum and its secretariat will be responsible for managing the funds and ensuring that the upgrades are carried out efficiently and effectively. According to officials who spoke at a conference near Johannesburg on Monday, the new body will also play a crucial role in training municipality staff and ensuring that the poor and…

Freelance photographer Moses Sawasawa, who has been collaborating with The Associated Press since 2021, has taken a powerful photo of a 90-year-old man suffering from mpox in the Congo. The image, taken just days after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency, highlights the impact of the disease on adults, who make up 30% of cases in the region. Sawasawa waited patiently for 20-30 minutes for the elderly man to wake up, capturing a poignant moment that tells a story of resilience and struggle. The photo, taken with a Sony a7R Mark IV and a 24-70mm GM 2.8…

A recent purchase of a luxurious $100 million aircraft for President Bola Tinubu has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation among Nigerians, who view it as a blatant display of extravagance and disconnect from the country’s economic reality. As Nigeria grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades, characterized by soaring prices, widespread poverty, and a staggering 40% of the population living below the poverty line, the acquisition of the shiny new Airbus A330 has been widely criticized. The purchase has been described as a symbol of the administration’s “fiscal recklessness and dishonesty” by former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili, who joins…

The stage is set for the Little League World Series championship game, as Florida’s Lake Mary All-Stars take on Chinese Taipei’s Kuei-Shan Little League in a highly anticipated showdown. The two teams have earned their spots in the title game after impressive performances in the tournament. Florida’s Lake Mary All-Stars made a thrilling comeback in the United States final, overcoming a four-run deficit to defeat Texas in an electrifying game. The team’s late rally saw them score nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings, securing their place in the championship game. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei’s Kuei-Shan Little League dominated Venezuela…

In a significant move, China’s military has deployed troops to Yunnan province in southwestern China, near the Myanmar border, to conduct armed patrols and live-fire drills. The deployment, which began on Monday, aims to test the military’s ability to maintain security in border areas amid concerns over potential fallout from the fierce fighting in Myanmar’s civil war. The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military announced that the troops will carry out armed patrols, joint air-ground patrols, and live-fire drills in four locations, including two in Ruili city, from Tuesday to Thursday. The exercises are designed to test the military’s…

In a significant diplomatic development, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to visit China from August 27 to 29, marking the first visit by a US National Security Advisor to China in eight years. The visit, which comes at the invitation of Chinese official Wang Yi, aims to address escalating tensions between the two nations through strategic communication talks on Taiwan and tariffs. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Sullivan’s visit will focus on discussing China-US relations, sensitive issues, and major international and regional hotspots. China is expected to raise concerns about the Taiwan question,…

In a devastating escalation of violence, Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine during Monday’s morning rush hour, firing over 100 missiles and 100 attack drones across the country. The brutal attack claimed at least five lives and crippled energy facilities nationwide, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The coordinated strike, which marks a significant intensification of Russia’s two-and-a-half-year invasion, targeted critical infrastructure in at least 10 regions, including power plants and water supply systems. The impact was felt in numerous cities, including the capital Kyiv, where residents faced power cuts and water outages. Ukrainian officials condemned the attack as…

In a significant move, IBM, the world’s largest technology services company, has announced the complete closure of its research and development (R&D) operation in China, affecting more than 1,000 jobs. This decision comes as the company grapples with declining demand for its hardware and faces challenges in growth markets like China. According to a spokesperson for IBM, the changes will not impact the company’s ability to support clients across the Greater China region. However, the closure of the R&D operation marks a significant shift in IBM’s strategy in the region. The move is seen as a response to the company’s…

Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto aims to accelerate the country’s transition to palm oil-based biodiesel, targeting a mandatory 50% blending by early next year. This move is expected to reduce fuel imports by $20 billion annually and lower emissions from fossil fuels. Currently, Indonesia has a 35% blending requirement, which is set to increase to 40% in January 2025. Prabowo’s ambitious plan to reach 50% blending, known as B50, has sparked both optimism and concerns within the industry. The Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI) has expressed reservations, stating that B50 cannot be implemented in early 2025 without further testing. Meanwhile,…

A coalition of Asian tech giants, including Google, Meta, and Apple, has urged the Malaysian government to reconsider its plan to require social media platforms to obtain a license, citing a lack of clarity and potential stifling of innovation. In an open letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) expressed concerns over the proposed regulations, which would affect platforms with over eight million users in Malaysia. The group argued that the licensing regime is “unworkable” and would impose undue burdens on businesses, leading to industry uncertainty and potential harm to Malaysia’s growing digital economy. The AIC…