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TO MARK International Women’s Day, we asked readers how the pandemic has impacted you – and the results make for sobering reading. It’s been a year like no other. While the pandemic has been tough for everyone, multiple studies suggest that women have been disproportionately impacted by it, both at home and at work. Globally, women are 1.8 times more likely to have lost their jobs in the last year, while the Women And Equalities Committee has warned that the government risks turning back the clock on gender equality unless it takes proactive steps to support women through the pandemic. So this International Women’s Day , a year since coronavirus swept the country , we spoke to almost 3,000 readers to find out how the toughest year on record has really impacted them. The results make clear that the pandemic has hit women’s mental and physical health hard. One In Ten readers lost their job during the pandemic Nearly half have felt more … [Read more...] about We asked four readers why it has been the toughest year ever for women

The billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has married a science teacher. MacKenzie Scott, who is the 22nd richest person in the world, has tied the knot with Seattle teacher Dan Jewett. The marriage was mentioned in a letter to The Giving Pledge, an organisation which encourages ultra-rich people to give away their billions. "Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them," Bezos said in a statement. Jewett said he would be signing on to Scott's commitment to give away most of her wealth. Since Scott, 50, split from the Amazon founder after 25 years of marriage in 2019 and became worth $53billion (£38billion) according to Forbes, she has set about donating. In December, Scott said she had donated over $4.1billion (£2.96billion) in the four months prior to food banks and emergency relief funds amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That followed donations of $1.7billion (£1.23billion) last year to causes including racial equality, LGBTQ rights, … [Read more...] about Billionaire MacKenzie Scott marries teacher 2 years after split from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos

A hat similar to the one Sarah Everard was wearing when she was last seen on Wednesday evening has been found on Clapham Common. The cream wool hat was discovered in a bush by a passer-by at about 11am, Sky News understands. It appears to be similar to the one worn by the 33-year-old in CCTV footage released by detectives in a public appeal. The garment was spotted close to the route Ms Everard is believed to have taken across the common, said Sky's crime correspondent, Martin Brunt. Specialist officers went to the scene in south London, took photographs of the hat, and made several phone calls. Advertisement About an hour after that, a police cordon was placed around the area. Detectives later arrived, placed the hat in an evidence bag, and took it away for tests. More from London Girl, 10, tasered by police in London after 'threatening woman with hammer and garden shears' Sarah Everard: Police 'increasingly concerned' for … [Read more...] about Sarah Everard: Hat found in search for missing 33-year-old as uncle says her phone is ‘not ringing’

On the quiet streets of Windsor, usually bustling with tourists in normal times, there was a mixed response to the Harry and Meghan interview. The town is home to Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip have been staying during the pandemic. Live updates after Sussexes' Oprah interview The historic residence is also where Harry and Meghan tied the knot in 2018 before stepping back from royal duties last year. Here are just some of the thoughts of locals on the bombshell interview. Advertisement 'It's a bit of a cheek' Derek Prime, who was born and bred in Windsor, has no sympathy for the couple after their Oprah Winfrey interview on Sunday, describing the fact they'd sat down for the chat at all as "a bit of a cheek". "The Queen has got enough on her plate without having to worry about other members of her family and those who married into it causing hassle. We can do without it," he said. 'Weird timing - but … [Read more...] about Meghan and Harry interview: How the people of Windsor reacted to the Sussexes’ chat with Oprah Winfrey

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19, his office has confirmed. Officials said 55-year-old President Assad and his wife Asma are both in "good health and in a stable condition". The pair will return to work after spending two to three weeks in isolation in their home. Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world In a statement, Mr Assad's office said the couple took PCR tests after they felt minor symptoms consistent with coronavirus. Advertisement Syria, which marks 10 years of war next week, has recorded nearly 16,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 1,000 deaths from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University. The country began a vaccination campaign last week, but no details have been given about the process. More from UK Meghan and Harry interview latest: Live updates as Duke of Sussex tells Oprah about awkward call with Queen Meghan and Harry interview: Queen … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and wife test positive for coronavirus