WORLD

The Netherlands has become the latest country to suspend use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine over concerns about possible side effects. The Dutch government said the move, which will last until at least 29 March, was a precaution. The Republic of Ireland earlier made a similar decision over reports of …

The US senators for New York joined growing calls for Andrew Cuomo to resign as a seventh woman came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against the governor. Fellow Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand said Mr Cuomo had “lost the confidence” of New Yorkers. Six women have accused Mr …

President Joe Biden has said he is hopeful that America can “mark independence” from Covid-19 on 4 July if people get vaccinated. In his first primetime address as president, Mr Biden said he would order states to make all adults eligible for vaccinations by 1 May. Current measures prioritise people …

President Joe Biden’s $1.9tn (£1.4tn) relief bill to help Americans deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has cleared its final hurdle in Congress. The House of Representatives approved the massive economic aid plan 220-211 on Wednesday along partisan lines, with no Republicans voting in favour. Having already passed …

Piers Morgan, who prompted a backlash and an investigation from the United Kingdom’s media regulator over his comments about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will depart “Good Morning Britain,” ITV abruptly announced Tuesday. “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” ITV said …

Health systems in most of Brazil’s largest cities are close to collapse due to Covid-19 cases, the country’s leading health institute warns. More than 80% of intensive care unit beds are occupied in the capitals of 25 of Brazil’s 27 states, Fiocruz said. Experts warn that the highly contagious variant …

The race issues raised by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with Oprah Winfrey are “concerning” and “taken very seriously”, Buckingham Palace has said. In a statement, the Palace said “recollections may vary” but the matters will be addressed privately. Meghan told Oprah Harry had been asked …

Crisis meetings involving senior royals have taken place following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph said it was “increasingly unsustainable for Buckingham Palace to say nothing” about Prince Harry and Meghan’s claims. She said the palace “will not want to feel …

Prostitutes in the Netherlands are protesting their continuous ban from practicing their trade. According to them, the government has allowed other contact trades such as masseuse to work while still restricting them from plying their trade due to COVID-19. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, and is highly patronised. But …

The Duchess of Sussex has said she found life within the British Royal Family so difficult that at times she “didn’t want to be alive anymore”. In a deeply personal TV interview, Meghan told Oprah Winfrey that she did not get help when she asked for it. She said a low point …