Author: Starvision News Desk

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a Brics summit in South Africa next month, according to the country’s presidency, a media report said.The announcement came after a South African leader said that any attempt to arrest Vladimir Putin would be a declaration of war against Russia. This is because if Putin leaves Russian soil, he will be subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, BBC reported.South Africa is an ICC signatory and is expected to help in Putin’s arrest in that case. Instead, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country at…

Lucknow, July 19 (IANS) Medical experts have warned people against taking stomach acidity lightly and advised them not to take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.Dr N.S. Verma, a senior doctor of King George’s Medical University (KGMU), said, “About 80 per cent of people suffer from acidity at some point in their lives. This is related to what they eat, their physical activity and their sleep pattern. Too much sugar intake and having spicy and fried food are the most common mistakes we make every day that cause gastro problems.”Dr R.K. Sharma, of Medanta Hospital, said, “Hyperacidity-related disorders are very common and faced…

New York, July 19 (IANS) Ever wondered why you feel sick at the smell of a food item and thus avoid it? Research shows our immune system plays a crucial role in changing behaviours, particularly in the case of an allergy.Researchers from Yale University in the US showed that the immune system recognises allergens and pathogens in the environment and allows the brain to take defensive measures, such as avoidance. The same avoidance behaviour is exhibited by people who develop food poisoning after eating a certain meal.Without immune system communication, the brain does not warn the body about potential dangers…

Islamabad, July 19 (IANS) The ruling coalition government of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is preparing to hold the farewell session of the National Assembly and announce the dissolution to bring in a caretaker setup and move towards the general elections. According to sources in the government, the session is expected to begin on Friday, during which some important lawmaking and electoral reforms will be conducted while lawmakers would give their respective farewell speeches.“The session will continue until the dissolution of the Assembly,” said a source in the National Assembly Secretariat.The source also confirmed that the agenda of the session…

Suva, July 19 (IANS) The Fiji Meteorological Service issued a heavy rain alert on Wednesday, saying a trough of low pressure with associated clouds and heavy rainfall to the north of the island nation is expected to drift south and affect the country from Thursday until Friday.It said the rain will sweep the Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups, Western Viti Levu, the provinces of Bua and Macuata, Kadavu, and nearby smaller islands, reports Xinhua news agency.Localized heavy falls may lead to flooding of susceptible communities, businesses, and low-lying areas, minor roads, Iris crossings and bridges, with some disruption to traffic flow.Heavy…

Phnom Penh, July 19 (IANS) Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday appealed to all eligible people to exercise their right to vote in the general election which will be held on July 23.In a message released to the media by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, the monarch said people are free to choose any political leaders they like in the election, reports Xinhua news agency.”The election on Sunday, July 23, 2023, is a universal, free, fair, equitable and secret one based on the principle of multi-party liberal democracy,” Sihamoni said.”Therefore, I call on the people not to worry…

Suva, July 19 (IANS) Fiji on Wednesday signed a $200 million agreement with the World Bank to develop the tourism potential of Vanua Levu, the country’s second-largest island.The deal was signed by Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Manuela Ferro, Xinhua news agency reported.Prasad, who is also the Finance Minister, said the Fiji Tourism Development Program for Vanua Levu will not only bolster tourism, but lead to the improvement of drainage, sewage and transport infrastructure generally.He added that the project will focus on overcoming barriers and promote sustainable tourism,…

Canberra, July 19 (IANS) A major government-funded review of Australia’s universities on Wednesday called for bold reforms to prepare the future labour force with the necessary skills.The Australian Universities Accord, established in November 2022, published its interim report earlier in the day, recommending “bold, long-term change”, reports Xinhua news agency.According to the report, 55 per cent of Australian jobs could require a university degree by 2050 compared to 36 per cent currently.In order to meet the growing demand for skilled workers, it said universities must make more places available for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.As priorities, the report recommends changes…

Seoul, July 19 (IANS) Nearly 8,000 people in South Korea are yet to return home after torrential rains pounded the country last week, despite the monsoon rain coming to a lull on Wednesday, officials said.Across the country, a cumulative 16,514 people had temporarily evacuated their homes, and of them, 7,843 were still staying at relatives’ houses or shelters set up at senior centres, village halls or schools, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.The torrential rain that swept the country last week left 44 people dead and six others missing nationwide, reports Yonhap News Agency.In particular, the flooding…

Islamabad, July 19 (IANS) At least eight people were killed and four went missing on Wednesday after a wall collapsed due to heavy rain in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city, the rescue service said.The service said that the incident took place in the morning on Peshawar Road in the Golrah Mor area of the city when the wall near an under-construction underpass collapsed, following heavy rain, reports Xinhua news agency.The victims were sleeping along the wall under a tent, it added.Upon receiving the information, the rescue workers reached the site and recovered eight bodies from the rubble, the service said, adding that…