World News

Japan’s Covid-19 vaccine minister has public support in PM race

Japan’s minister in charge of fighting COVID-19 and a top choice of voters for Japanese prime minister, may also pick up the backing of a popular ruling party heavyweight in the race for party leader, broadcaster TV Asahi said on Monday.

According to the survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily published on Monday, 23% of respondents said Kono, the minister in charge of vaccines, was the most suitable person to take over – echoing a Sunday poll that had 31.9% favouring Kono.

Kono held a narrow edge over former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, with 21%. Former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, who has already formally announced his candidacy, trailed with 12%.

A former foreign and defence minister, the 58-year-old Kono, educated at Georgetown University and a fluent English speaker, has built a popular after among young voters with an active social media presence in two languages and 2.3 million followers on his Japanese page alone.

Source: Reuters

In other news – Hackers take over Zodwa Wabantu’s Instagram account

Socialite and dancer Zodwa Wabantu has joined the growing list of celebrities who have had their social media accounts hacked, but the star seems in good spirits since the ordeal.

Zodwa Wabantu

It all began when supposed hackers took over Zodwa’s Instagram account, heading straight to her stories with ransom demands. Learn more