Covid super-immunity mysteries: Patients who recover develop antibodies capable of ‘defanging’ variants
Around a year ago – before Delta and other variants entered the Covid-19 lexicon – virologists Theodora Hatziioannou and Paul Bieniasz, both at the Rockefeller University in New York City, set out to make a version of a key SARS-CoV-2 protein with the ability to dodge all the infection-blocking antibodies...
Hit-and-rise: Healing power of Adele’s new single ‘Easy on Me’ that topped US charts in three minutes
Adele’s comeback single Easy on Me has reportedly smashed records worldwide as it reached the number one spot in the charts amid its debut overnight. The stunning ballad, which reflects on the singer’s divorce from husband Simon Konecki, was released at midnight, and represents the first piece of new music...
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners said to have settled on confirmed assassin with the ammo to spill opposition blood
Arsenal are expected to install a Premier League hitman as their top striker target, and the attributes he would bring would fit Mikel Arteta’s system like a glove, according to a report in The Sun. The Gunners are poised to experience a mini overhaul in their forward ranks over the...
Ronaldo may’ve brought Man United 600m new followers on social media, but has killed style and flair
Take one look at Manchester United’s Twitter account these days and supporters could be forgiven for thinking Cristiano Ronaldo’s public relations team had staged a permanent takeover. United’s social media team are capitalising on the return of the most followed footballer on earth, with Ronaldo bringing goals and 600million loyal...
First mission to Jupiter lifts off from Florida, to spend next 12 years studying outer Solar System
A NASA spacecraft began its journey to a realm of the outer Solar System that has never before been visited: a set of asteroids orbiting the Sun near Jupiter. The rocks are “the last unexplored but relatively accessible population of small bodies” circling the Sun, says Vishnu Reddy, a planetary...
Amid allegations of lack of transparency in Covid origin findings, WHO names new team to reboot research
The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected 26 scientists to oversee a fresh investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, and into future outbreaks of emerging diseases. The organisation plans to officially appoint all or most of them soon after a two-week period of public review. With the launch...
Aided racism: Workers say equality in humanitarian agencies doesn’t go beyond colourful rhetoric
Several aid agencies have reported taking action to improve diversity, equity and inclusion since last year’s renewed push for racial justice, but aid workers say they haven’t felt the effects, according to two questionnaires circulated by The New Humanitarian. The questionnaires assessed changes made within aid agencies since the Black...
Impounded contraband cigarettes smuggled through Zimbabwe linked to South African army
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has recorded multiple seizures of illicit cigarettes being smuggled into South Africa, with several million dollars’ worth of cigarettes confiscated recently. The SANDF said a joint operation with members of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) based at the Beitbridge Port of Entry...
International maritime body reports lowest piracy incidence in Africa waters in two decades
Piracy incidents in the first nine months of 2021 are the lowest reported in 17 years with, at the other end of the scale, 51 crew kidnapped, eight taken hostage and one killed. The latest piracy report from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) released this week shows 85 vessels boarded,...
Red flag raised over imminent takeover of Namibia’s Walvis Bay port by Dubai royal family
A government-backed Dubai-based port management company is at the tail-end of a process that will see the company, DP World, take complete control of Namibia’s main seaport, Walvis Bay, at the expense of Namport. Walvis Bay port managing entity Namport, will cede its functions to the concessionaire at the new...
