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UK pandemic hero's daughter slammed by charity probe

The family of a 100-year-old UK war veteran who became a global hero for his fundraising efforts during the Covid pandemic gained "significant" financial benefit from links to a charity set up in his name, a watchdog said Thursday.

K-drama for mental health? Binge on, one expert says

If you've ever binge-watched an entire season of a K-drama like "Squid Game" or "Crash Landing On You", one Korean-American expert has good news: it's likely improved your mental health.

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US baby formula shortage could last for some time: official

The nationwide shortage of baby formula in the United States could last for some time, a top White House economic adviser cautioned on Friday.

Queen Elizabeth II visits horse show after health concerns

A smiling Queen Elizabeth II was pictured watching the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday, allaying some fears over health problems that saw her miss the opening of the UK parliament earlier this week for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Chinese police crack down on Beijing lockdown 'rumours'

Chinese police are investigating a woman for allegedly fabricating "rumours" that Beijing will enter a three-day lockdown, officials said Friday, after the claims on social media prompted panic buying across the capital.

Mass tourism returns to Barcelona -- so does debate

Visitors are once again jamming the narrow streets of Barcelona's Gothic quarter as global travel bounces back from the pandemic, reviving tensions over mass tourism in the Spanish port city.

North Korea confirms first Covid-19 death in 'explosive' outbreak

North Korea confirmed its first ever Covid-19 death on Friday, saying fever was spreading "explosively" nationwide and tens of thousands of people were being isolated and treated after falling sick.

Virtual global Covid summit yields $3bn in new funding

US President Joe Biden warned nations attending Thursday's virtual global summit on Covid-19 that there was "still so much left to do" to quell the pandemic, as more than $3 billion in new funding was pledged.

US doctors reflect on exhaustion, trauma of one million Covid deaths

Joseph Varon -- who is chief of intensive care at United Memorial, a small hospital that mainly treats minority patients in Houston -- made headlines when a photo of him hugging an elderly Covid patient during Thanksgiving in 2020 went viral.

US mourns one million dead from Covid-19

The United States has crossed the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, the White House said on Thursday, as the nation seeks to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.

North Korea fires missiles after Covid cases prompt Kim to order lockdown

North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid-19 cases Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns.

Beijing residents swamp supermarkets after lockdown rumours

Beijing residents rushed to supermarkets on Thursday as Chinese officials tried to curb mounting panic over a rumour the capital would be placed under stay-at-home orders.

US funding doubts overshadow Biden's latest global Covid summit

President Joe Biden will address a global summit on Covid-19 Thursday, but Congress' refusal to authorize billions of dollars in funding has thrown into doubt his role as leader of ambitious plans to vaccinate the world and finally stop the pandemic.

North Korea fires missile after Covid cases prompt Kim to order lockdown

North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid cases Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un appearing in a mask on television for the first time to order nationwide lockdowns.

US marks 1 mn Covid deaths, early epicenter New York seeks to move on

The United States has crossed the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, the White House said on Thursday, as cities like New York try to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.

Tourism recovering, but not back to pre-pandemic levels

Global tourism is roaring back to life despite Covid travel headaches and the effects of the war in Ukraine, but it has yet to return to its pre-pandemic health.

North Korea reports first Covid cases, Kim orders national lockdown

North Korea confirmed its first-ever Covid cases on Thursday and declared a "serious emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un ordering lockdowns across the country.

One million dead: Five things to know about America's pandemic

One million dead from Covid-19: two years ago it would have been unimaginable, but now the United States is on the verge of surpassing this terrible milestone.

US nears 1 mn Covid dead, early epicenter New York seeks to move on

The United States is about to cross the threshold of one million deaths from Covid-19, a grim milestone that comes as cities like New York try to turn the page on the pandemic despite threats of another surge.

North Korea reports first Covid-19 outbreak, declares emergency

North Korea has confirmed its first-ever case of Covid-19 and declared a "severe national emergency", with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "eliminate" the virus, state media said Thursday.

Baby formula shortage sends US parents into panic

It's a nightmare for parents. The United States is in the grip of a severe shortage of baby formula -- with a mass product recall aggravating pandemic supply chain woes -- sending families on sometimes desperate hunts for the vital supplies.

US overdose deaths rose 15% in 2021 to more than 100,000

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 people in the United States in 2021, data showed Wednesday, as the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated a crisis driven by fentanyl and fake online pills.

China censors zero-Covid debate after WHO criticises policy

China's censors scrambled to wipe out online debate over its zero-Covid strategy on Wednesday after the World Health Organisation (WHO) criticised the country's hardline approach to crushing the virus.

Where's the money? Japan town sues after $360,000 subsidy mix-up

A Japanese town that accidentally sent a resident $360,000 in financial aid said on Wednesday it has been forced to file a lawsuit after the recipient refused to return the funds.

New Zealand fully reopens to the world in August: Ardern

New Zealand will fully reopen to the world in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday, ending one of the toughest anti-Covid-19 border restrictions.

WHO says China's zero-Covid strategy unsustainable

China's flagship zero-Covid strategy to defeat the pandemic is unsustainable, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, adding that it had told Beijing so and called for a policy shift.

FIFA confirms replay for abandoned Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier

FIFA on Monday confirmed the abandoned 2022 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed, after rejecting appeals from both national federations.

Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a Covid-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.

'There's no why': Shanghai rages at endless Covid lockdown

Scuffles with officials, workers storming factory gates and households raging at being dragged into quarantine -- Shanghai's long fight against Covid-19 is unravelling into chaos and desperation.

For Ukraine doctors, treating injured Russians a necessary evil

For more than two months, Dr Farad Ali-Shakh has spent his waking hours tending wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He also treats injured Russians, albeit reluctantly, who could be part of future prisoner exchanges.

Downtown Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital