US First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and was experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said. The 72-year-old, who is vaccinated and has received boosters, will stay at home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where she and…
1st Muslim Hajj pilgrimage without COVID-19 restrictions begins
Thousands of Muslim pilgrims have started the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the first without any restrictions since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to official figures, up to 1.6 million people arrived from abroad alone, while…
Prepare for next pandemic, future pathogens with “even deadlier potential” than COVID, WHO chief warns
The head of the World Health Organization urged countries across the globe to prepare for the next pandemic, warning that future health emergencies could be even worse than the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s warning comes weeks…
Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin files for divorce
Finland’s outgoing prime minister, Sanna Marin, has filed for divorce jointly with her husband of three years, Markus Raikkonen, they said on Instagram on Wednesday. “We are grateful for the 19 years together and our beloved daughter. We will remain…
Bruce Springsteen contracts Covid and misses his Archives’ Inaugural Awards show, but presents via video
The inaugural American Music Honors awards show — a fundraiser for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University — launched Saturday night without two very important presenters in attendance: Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. Bob…
Konga named most innovative e-commerce brand in Africa
A new consumer-focused survey has projected Konga as the most admired and innovative e-commerce company on the African continent. The survey, which was published on March 15, 2023, according to a statement, coincided with the World Consumer Rights Day. The…
China appoints Li Qiang, a trusted ally of Xi Jinping, as premier
China’s rubber-stamp legislature has appointed Li Qiang, a long-time aide of leader Xi Jinping, as premier, the man tasked with reviving the world’s second-largest economy after three years of zero-Covid restrictions. The National People’s Congress endorsed Li in a largely…
Novak Djokovic withdraws from Indian Wells because of vaccination status
World number one Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from this week’s Indian Wells Masters event with the Serb unable to enter the United States. The 22-time Grand Slam winner, 35, had applied for special permission to enter the US because he…
Johnson may have misled Parliament over parties, say MPs
MPs have said Boris Johnson may have misled Parliament multiple times over Partygate – but the former PM insists he will be vindicated by their report. The privileges committee said it had seen evidence that “strongly suggests” Covid rule breaches…
Queen Camilla tests positive for COVID-19 for the 2nd time, cancels week’s engagements
Queen Camilla has tested positive for coronavirus nearly a year to the day after her first diagnosis with COVID-19 was announced. Buckingham Palace shared the news in a statement on Monday. “After suffering the symptoms of a cold, Her Majesty…
