Author: HeraldStar

The Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a poignant moment of victory and reflection as Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secured the light welterweight gold medal amidst a backdrop of controversy and discrimination. Her journey to the top, however, evoked memories for South African track and field icon Caster Semenya, who has faced similar challenges in her storied athletic career. Khelif’s dominant performance on Friday night, where she defeated her Chinese opponent to claim gold, was a moment of redemption. But her path to the podium was marred by persistent allegations over her gender, rooted in a 2023 decision by a now-discredited boxing…

Islamabad, 09 August 2024 – Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD) and a globally recognized youth climate leader, held a significant meeting with Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the Minister of Planning and Development and Energy for the Government of Sindh, at Sindh House, Islamabad. The meeting centered on the Sindh government’s ambitious plans to switch to renewable energy as a key strategy in combating climate change. Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah shared his vision and mission for renewable energy in Sindh, emphasizing the province’s vulnerability to climate catastrophes, including flooding and heatwaves. He…

In a historic and unexpected turn of events, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, globally revered for his pioneering work in microcredit, has been sworn in as the head of an interim government in Bangladesh. His appointment comes on the heels of a national upheaval that has seen widespread violence, mass protests, and the dramatic resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The 84-year-old economist took the oath of office late Thursday night, marking a new chapter in Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape. Yunus’s arrival at Dhaka’s airport earlier in the day was met with a grand reception by top military officials and…

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Tokyo and eastern Japan on Friday evening, according to government reports, just one day after the country issued its first advisory about the potential for a massive earthquake in the western region. While the extent of damage near the epicenter remains unclear, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that no significant damage had been reported as of his address at his office in Tokyo shortly after the tremor. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) identified the quake’s epicenter in Kanagawa Prefecture, located just south of the capital, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Kanagawa is not…

The Yay Fest, Azerbaijan’s largest youth festival, continues to unfold. The festival’s fourth week is designated as COP Week, specifically organized for COP29 volunteers. Throughout the week volunteers engaged in various green initiatives and interactive events, focusing on topics such as COP processes, environmental conservation, and the role of youth in tackling climate issues. From the 5th to the 9th of August, the camp welcomed nearly 230 COP29 volunteers. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Shamakhi and immersed in nature, the event featured interactive training sessions led by experts from the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, allowing volunteers to enhance their…

The escalating cases of mpox across Africa are raising concerns about the potential for a widespread global outbreak, with the continent’s leading health organization potentially on the verge of declaring a public health emergency. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), emphasized the need for “active engagement” with African Union member states to curb the cross-border spread of mpox, warning that failure to do so could result in “another pandemic.” “We are dedicated to mobilizing resources and offering technical support to the affected nations in an effort to control this outbreak,”…

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni engaged in a telephone conversation on Thursday, focusing on key developments in the West Asia region and broader international matters. The leaders shared perspectives on how to uphold global peace and security in the face of ongoing challenges. During their discussion, President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Meloni reviewed the current state of bilateral relations between Iran and Italy. Given Italy’s current role as the rotating president of the Group of Seven (G7) major economies, the dialogue also explored potential avenues for collaboration within this significant international framework. Both leaders emphasized…

On Thursday, Donald Trump stepped into a room filled with journalists at his Mar-a-Lago estate for a press conference. His demeanor suggested he wasn’t in the best of spirits. This appearance followed a week where Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, had dominated the media spotlight, raising significant funds and seeing an uptick in poll numbers. Trump’s media event appeared more like an attempt to reclaim the headlines rather than to deliver any groundbreaking news. Just before Trump approached the podium, one of his advisors texted me a light-hearted comment, noting that Donald Trump is “never boring!!” (the…

In a notable act of respect and acknowledgment, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan announced his decision to bestow the Order of the Golden Eagle (Altyn Qyran Order), the highest state honor of Kazakhstan, upon President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. This announcement came during a press briefing following bilateral discussions at Akorda, as reported by NHC. President Tokayev emphasized the significant contributions of President Mirziyoyev in strengthening the friendly and allied relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, highlighting the critical importance of these ties for both nations. “The diligent efforts of the Uzbek leader are highly valued by the people of Kazakhstan.…

Noah Lyles competed in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night and secured a bronze medal, all while battling COVID-19. Lyles revealed this news to reporters in the mixed zone after not winning his signature event, the 200 meters. Wearing a mask, Lyles shared that he tested positive for COVID-19 early Tuesday morning. Despite the diagnosis, he finished third in the race, following Letsile Tebogo from Botswana and Kenny Bednarek, his U.S. teammate. “It definitely affected my performance,” Lyles remarked, adding that he was “more proud of myself than anything, coming out and getting a bronze medal…