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Kevine Umurerwa's routine flu turned into a week-long battle with Influenza A, in late May when the 23-year-old university student got ill, highlighting the rising threat of severe flu strains in Rwanda. ALSO READ: Public warned about increase of influenza-like illnesses Umurerwa came down with what she assumed was a normal flu. But as the days went on, she realised something wasn’t right. Her body felt unusually weak, and her elbow began to ache, a symptom she had never associated with the flu. The exhaustion was so intense that she couldn’t go to work – she operates a cloths store during the day – for an entire week. Alongside the weakness came a persistent cough and pounding headache, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. “I did what I always do when the flu hits. I bought Fervex, the medication that’s always worked for me in the past. But this time, it didn’t help. I completed the full dose, hoping I’d feel better, but my condition got worse. The way my symptoms d...

The Alibaba founder highlights 'changes' in the company's development as it embarks on an ambitious AI strategy Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group Holding, responded to the resignation letter of a long-term employee on Tuesday, a rare move for the tech veteran who stepped back from all corporate roles in 2019. In a response published on Alibaba's internal website, Ma addressed the concerns raised by a 15-year employee, who criticised the "big company disease" afflicting the Chinese e-commerce giant in an extensive internal letter. The employee, a product development leader on the team responsible for enterprise collaboration tool DingTalk, reflected fondly on his early years at Alibaba and praised the company's core values, but sharply critiqued what he saw as various internal issues. They included unsuccessful acquisitions, unclear strategies, undesirable hiring practices, as well as unfair performance assessments and promotion mechanisms. Do yo...

Former Sing Tao News Corp chair, who became surprise anti-smoking advocate, remembered by city leader as 'successful entrepreneur' who provided 'insights' Hong Kong tobacco and media tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, formerly the chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation, has died at the age of 75. He revealed in February that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Two sources confirmed his death on Thursday, with one saying he died on Tuesday. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed sorrow over Ho's death and extended his condolences to his family. "Mr Ho was a successful entrepreneur who made contributions to the media industry over the years ... actively being involved in national affa...

Charles Ho, who has died after developing lung cancer, turned from a staunch supporter of Hong Kong smokers' rights to a firm opponent of deadly habit It is not that unusual for well-known people to become public anti-smoking converts after being diagnosed with diseases related to tobacco use. An example was tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, who died this week aged 75, months after revealing he had lung cancer. Ho was involved in national and local affairs as a standing committee member of China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and as a former owner of Sing Tao News Corporation. But what really set him apart as the anti-smoker he became was that he inherited a tobacco empire from his grandfather, Ho Ying-chie, founder of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company. Indeed, Ho was until late in life a staunch advocate of smokers' rights in the face of incontrovertible evidence of the deadly health risks. He once said ...

The Ministry of Health has gazetted the third batch of Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) under the Tobacco Control Act, reaffirming the commitment to tobacco control and public health protection. The warnings, which feature approved pictures and pictogrammes, will be required on all tobacco product packaging. These new regulations will come into effect nine months from the date of publication. The intervention aims to increase public awareness of the serious health risks associated with tobacco use, deter tobacco consumption, particularly among the youth, and protect non-smokers and other vulnerable populations from the harms of second-hand smoke. In a statement, the Ministry of Health emphasised the importance of public participation in ensuring the successful implementation of the new regulations. The public has been urged to report instances of non-compliance, actively support awareness campaigns, and advocate for smoke-free environ...

Reports have started to emerge of another fatal incident near a distribution centre in southern Gaza The Israeli military says it fired shots near an aid distribution complex after identifying "several suspects" and it is examining reports of casualties The Hamas-run health ministry says Israeli troops killed 24 people who were waiting for aid near a distribution site in Rafah The Hamas-run civil defence agency says Israeli forces opened fire with tanks and drones on thousands of Palestinians waiting to be granted access to the aid hub Israel denied shooting Palestinians in a similar incident on Sunday which the Gaza health ministry said killed 31 people and injured nearly 200 Gaza health ministry says many killed while waiting for aid in Rafah

A-ha frontman Morten Harket has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The news was announced on Wednesday on the Norwegian synth-pop band's official website in an article written by their biographer Jan Omdahl, which also revealed the singer had already undergone brain surgery twice. Harket, 65, said he had "no problem accepting the diagnosis". He added: "With time I've taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: 'I use whatever works'". A-Ha are best known for their megahit Take On Me, taken from their 1985 debut album Hunting High and Low which peaked at number two in the UK chart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914 Omdahl who penned the a-ha biography The Swing of Things wrote: "You know him as a-ha's iconic frontman, a divinely gifted singer, reluctant pop star, solo artist, songwriter, eccentric thinker, father of five and a grandfat...

Wednesday's UK Spending Review means Stormont ministers now know the rough size of their budget in the two years before the next assembly election . In 2026, they will have about £16.3bn for day-to-day spending, up by about 2% in cash terms compared to this year. That will initially rise by another 3% in cash terms in 2027 to £16.8bn. Finance Minister John O'Dowd did not waste any time in managing expectations about what this means. "The reality is the executive will still remain in a financially constrained position, particularly in 2026-27," he said. "It is clear that significant challenges remain for our public services." Those challenges were obvious on the streets of Northern Ireland this week. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which the chief constable says is "critically underfunded", had to ask for outside help after just two nights of violence. Justice Minister Naomi Long is bidding for f...

Punjab Emergency Operations Centre for polio eradication has raised concern over gaps in coverage among mobile and migrant populations, instructing district teams to thoroughly fill these gaps. Chairing a review meeting of all 36 districts on Friday, EOC Coordinator Mr. Adeel Tasawur commended the efforts of over 200,000 frontline workers who participated in the recent polio campaign, targeting more than 23 million children across the province. He announced that Punjab achieved an impressive 99% overall coverage, which he described as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the government, the health department, and the dedication of polio workers. Despite the success, Mr. Adeel directed all district administrations to closely examine causes of underperformance in certain union councils during the recently concluded National Immunization Days (NIDs). He emphasized that districts must submit comprehensive reports outlining the reasons behind missed targets. A specia...

A Singaporean woman has been sentenced to six months in jail in Taiwan for stalking and harassing Taiwanese pop star Olivia Tsao, an obsession that spiraled from online fandom into a disturbing real-world confrontation. Cassandra Low, believed to be in her 30s, was convicted by the New Taipei District Court on June 5 for offenses including stalking, endangering personal safety and public insult. The court also ruled she will be deported after serving her sentence or paying a fine of NT$1,000 (US$34) per day in lieu of jail time. Once a fan of Tsao, also known as Tsao Ya-wen, Low began reaching out to the 38-year-old singer through Facebook, Instagram and email in late 2023. But when Tsao blocked her on social media, the interaction took a dark turn. Low reportedly bombarded Tsao and her family with threats and verbal abuse, prompting the singer and her agent to relocate for safety, The Straits Times reported. The situation came to a head in February when Low tracked Tsao...

A Chinese woman was briefly detained in Seoul for allegedly attempting to enter the home of BTS idol Jungkook, who was released from his military service a day before, police said Thursday. The septuplet BTS, South Korea's most lucrative musical act, has been on a self-described hiatus since 2022 while its members separately completed their military service, which is mandatory in the South for all men under 30. Thousands of fans of the K-pop supergroup have been gathering in Seoul this week, as four members of the band wrapped up their mandatory army duties and reentered civilian life, triggering a fan frenzy as the idols vowed to get back to performing. Six of the seven members of the group have now finished military service, with the final member SUGA, who was doing alternative service for health reasons, due to be released next week. The group will also hold its annual FESTA celebration Friday, which marks the anniversary of their debut and attracts thousands of f...

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako has directed a full investigation into the alleged neglect of accident victims at the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Jabi, Abuja. In a video that trended on social media at the weekend, someone was heard lamenting that he rushed some accidents victims he saw at the road to the facility but that the staff were slow in attending to them. The video showed arguments between the good Samaritan and some staff of the hospital one of whom talked about the unavailability of gloves. One of the victims was seen in a car while the others were finally assisted into the emergency unit. In a statement Sunday, Obadiah N.K. Gana, Public Relations Officer of FMC Abuja said ,'We have been made aware of an online video that negatively depicts our hospital. In response, we have initiated a thorough investigation to uncover the facts surrounding this incident.' He said the h...

All passengers were escorted from the New Delhi-bound flight AI 379 after it landed back at Phuket airport An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand to India's capital New Delhi received an on-board bomb threat on Friday and made an emergency landing on the island, airport authorities said. All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said. The aircraft took off from Phuket airport bound for the Indian capital at 9.30am (local time) on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The incident follows the crash of an Air India flig...

The search for bodies at the site of one of India's worst aviation disasters entered its third day on Saturday, with the death toll climbing as high as 270 and authorities continuing their search for more bodies. The Air India, London-bound Boeing 787 crashed into a medical college hostel in a residential area of India's Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, killing 241 on board and at least 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived , who is currently still under observation for some of his wounds. “He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon,” said Dr. Dhaval Gameti at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Some relatives of the crash victims expressed frustration on Saturday that the process of identifying and handing over the remains of the dead was taking too long. Authorities say it normally takes up to 72 hours to complete DNA matching with samples provided by relatives, and they are expediting the process. ...

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated that their focused attention is to ensure that no child would be left unimmunised against polio, saying polio vaccine is safe and effective. This was disclosed on Saturday in Gusau by the Social Policy Specialist and Officer in Charge, UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Isah Ibrahim, during the flag-off ceremony for the June 2025 Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign held at the Gusau Emir’s Palace, Zamfara State. The UNICEF social policy specialist explained that through united efforts, remarkable progress has been made in the fight against polio. “However, we must acknowledge that significant challenges remain, demanding our immediate and focused attention to ensure that no child is left behind,” he stated. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional leadership of Zamfara State leaders for unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our children. Your steadfast...

General Hossein Salami was a central figure in Iran's military and a vocal opponent of the US and Israel Iranian state television confirmed the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed in Israel's strikes on Friday morning. General Hossein Salami was the chief of one of the country's most powerful centres, and his death was a tough blow to Iran's embattled leadership, which has had a series of setbacks in the past 20 months of Middle Eastern war and unrest. Salami rose to power six years ago and had a history of threatening the US and Israel. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Iran's Revolutionary Guard was created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since it was established, it's evolved from a paramilitary, dome...

The Anambra State Government has expressed its preparedness to respond effectively to any flood related emergency by taking precautionary measures across the state to avert any disaster. The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, made this known in an interview with journalists in Awka, on Saturday, adding that the ministry in collaboration with relevant agencies, has intensify the sensitisation of the people to this year’s rainfall and likely flooding. This is coming ahead of the three-day rainy weather conditions predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency starting from Saturday to Monday across Nigeria. Also, fears have gripped residents since last Monday when a heavy downpour caused severe flooding around Zik’s Avenue, Iweka Road, near the popular Ochanja Market in Onitsha, the commercial centre of the state, ravaged some shops and disrupted business activities in the area. The flood, triggered by several hours of non-stop rainfall and wor...

A Minnesota state lawmaker has been killed and another has been injured after "targeted shootings" in the US, officials say Minnesota Governor Tim Walz earlier said the shootings took place in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, two neighbouring cities near Minneapolis A shelter-in-place order has been issued by Brooklyn Park Police Department for a three-mile (4.8 km) radius of Edinburgh Golf Course Authorities are warning people in the area not to answer their door for a police officer unless there are two officers together, local outlets report One Minnesota state politician dead, another injured after targeted shooting, officials say

The Lagos State Government has issued a strong advisory to residents to remain on high alert as forecasts indicate the likelihood of intense rainfall and flash floods across several parts of the state in the coming days. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab , the government explained that recent geostationary imagery from its weather monitoring stations showed a disturbing build-up of thunderstorms and widespread convective rainfall, accompanied by thick cloud cover. This development, he said, signaled a high probability of heavy downpours and sudden flooding in various communities. The warning is particularly directed at residents living in low-lying areas and communities close to rivers and lagoons, where the risk of flash floods and strong water currents is significantly heightened. Wahab urged residents without pressing outdoor engagements to remain indoors...

An Air India flight was forced to make an emergency landing today after a bomb threat - less than 24 hours after the Ahmedabad air disaster. Flight AI 379 was travelling from Thailand 's Phuket to India's capital New Delhi but had to suddenly land again after an explosion warning, airport authorities said. The plane took off, circled the west coast of the island and then landed again minutes later on the holiday island. Passengers were evacuated from the plane in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said. There were 156 passengers on the flight and the bomb threat was received on board the plane, it said in a statement. It came after Air India's service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed yesterday, killing more than 290 people. Flight AI 379 took off from Phuket airport for the Indian capital at 9.30am local time on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed ba...