Vaccine production game changer

Tribune de Geneve quotes the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying the US backing of a proposed waiver of intellectual property rights for COVID vaccines was a “monumental moment” in the fight against the virus. The waiver could significantly boost vaccine production around the world by lifting patents, copyrights and protections for COVID vaccines.

Starmer bracing for impact

The Daily Mail reports British Labour leader Keir Starmer is facing the threat of a hard-Left coup with polls suggesting the party is on track for disaster in today’s “Super Thursday” elections. One survey showed the Conservatives set for a stunning 17-point victory in the Hartlepool bye-election.

Escalation of tensions in the Channel

According to The Guardian, the UK has dispatched two Royal Navy patrol boats to protect Jersey from a feared blockade by French fishing vessels, in an escalation of a dispute over post-Brexit access to waters around the Channel island. On Wednesday, the chief minister of the British Crown Dependency warned Downing Street of imminent movements by French fishing boats to cut off the island’s main port.

US registers lowest birth rate in 50 years

The birth rate in the United States has reached its lowest level in the last 50 years. USA Today quotes a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention saying this was the result of the economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In the year of COVID-19, the rate reached 1.6 per woman, well below the 2.1 necessary for there to be a generational change.

Malian gives birth to nine children

Morocco’s Le Matin says Halima Cisse, 25, from Mali, captured the attention of the West African nation when she delivered her nine babies via C-section on Tuesday. Doctors originally thought she would give birth to seven babies after she had an ultrasound – but missed two of them in a scan. Halima, flown in to Morocco for specialist care, went on to give birth to five girls and four boys. Mother and all babies were doing well.