BRUSSELS — The European Commission did not allow the public enough access to information about COVID-19 vaccine purchase agreements it secured with pharmaceutical companies during the pandemic, the EU general court said Wednesday. The decision came a day ahead of a vote at the European Parliament at which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen … Read more
Here’s a look at the state of COVID-19 in the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes its latest advice on vaccinations. About 300 COVID-19-associated deaths were occurring weekly in May, according to the most recent provisional CDC data. That’s the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. Nearly 26,000 people died … Read more
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s contentious restrictions on public mask-wearing became law on Thursday after GOP lawmakers successfully overrode a veto by the state’s Democratic governor. The Senate gave its final stamp of approval in a 30-14 override vote along party lines. The state House initiated the process Wednesday when it voted to override Gov. … Read more
NEW YORK — With fresh COVID-19 cases bubbling up in some parts of the country, health officials are setting course for a fall vaccination campaign. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended new shots for all Americans this fall. Officials acknowledged the need for shots is not as dire as it was … Read more
NEW YORK — Marsha Ambrosius was done with the demands required of a successful R&B star, including the wear-and-tear of touring and fickle music industry politics. She was at peace working behind the scenes and writing for other artists. But Dr. Dre had a prescription to rejuvenate her on-stage desire. “I didn’t want to do … Read more
Kena Betancur | Corbis News | Getty Images Pfizer had a “phenomenal” first quarter — and Wall Street took notice, CEO Albert Bourla told thousands of employees during a companywide town hall on May 2, according to a recording heard by CNBC. A day earlier, the pharmaceutical giant’s stock had closed 6% higher after its … Read more
LONDON — Nathaniel Dye believes he probably won’t live to see Britain’s next election. But the music teacher diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer is doing everything he can to make sure the Labour Party wins this one. Dismayed by delays in his diagnosis by the National Health Service, the 38-year-old says he feels let … Read more
MINNEAPOLIS — Five people were charged Wednesday with conspiring to bribe a Minnesota juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash in exchange for the acquittal of defendants in one of the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI announced Wednesday. Court documents made public reveal an extravagant scheme in … Read more
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron is joining several African leaders on Thursday to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa, after the coronavirus pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. The launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which will provide financial incentives to vaccine … Read more
LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are bringing the “Verzuz” series back with a new major platform for viewers to watch musicians face off in a song-against-song battle. The legendary producers announced Wednesday that Verzuz cemented an exclusive partnership for independent distribution with the social media site X. Swizz Beatz … Read more
