COVID-19 vaccines do not contain eight HIV fragments, expert confirms
via Business News5 min read
A message posted on X by an account named Stern Drew, who claims to be a cryptocurrency expert, recently caused concern by asserting that COVID-19 booster shots contain "eight complete fragments of HIV" designed to block white blood cell production. The post, shared hundreds of times, alleged that these vaccines are a "biological weapon" responsible for rapid cancers, immune collapse, and sudden deaths in previously healthy individuals. This alarming publication was presented as proof of a global health conspiracy. However, these claims are false and constitute misinformation that has been widely documented since the beginning of the pandemic. The idea that COVID-19 vaccines contain HIV fragments is not based on credible scientific evidence. It recycles an old rumor from 2020, based on a misinterpretation of a scientific work that was later retracted. The origin of this misinformation dates back to a preprint published in early February 2020 on the bioRxiv platform, a non-peer-reviewed document, which claimed to have identified short amino acid sequences in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein that resembled certain sequences present in HIV proteins. This hypothesis was quickly picked up by sites known for spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation, then amplified on social media. However, this study was criticized by many researchers in virology and genetics, who highlighted that the compared sequences were extremely short, making such correspondences statistically frequent an
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Sihem Ben Sedrine, former president of the Truth and Dignity Instance IVD, has had her hearing before the investigating judge at the economic and financial judicial division postponed to May 26, 2026. She remains free. This decision is part of a judicial inquiry into actions related to her tenure at the IVD. Concurrently, two other cases involving Ben Sedrine are before the criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption at the Tunis Court of First Instance, both postponed to May 18. One case involves a reconciliation agreement with Abdelmajid Bouden, a Tunisian residing in France, concerning the Franco-Tunisian Bank BFT file, for which an arrest warrant has been issued against Bouden. The second case relates to a settlement between the IVD and businessman Slim Chiboub, whose request for release was denied, and he remains in detention. These two cases, stemming from the IVD's arbitration and reconciliation mechanisms, are under close scrutiny due to the individuals involved and their implications for transitional justice in Tunisia.
The Tunisian Parliament is reviewing a 153 million dinar loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development AFESD to modernize railway lines for phosphate transport. This initiative, debated on April 21, 2026, aims to renew and upgrade rail infrastructure in Gabès, Gafsa, and Sfax, covering approximately 190.5 kilometers of tracks. While the loan seeks to streamline phosphate delivery, reduce logistics costs, and enhance competitiveness, parliamentary discussions have highlighted deeper, persistent issues within the phosphate sector. During commission hearings, leaders from the Gafsa Phosphate Company CPG and the Tunisian Chemical Group GCT emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive upgrades across production, transport, and processing. However, deputies raised concerns about the effectiveness of previous loans and the absence of a clear, integrated recovery strategy. The Director General of CPG acknowledged that past investments had not yielded expected results and admitted to a lack of a clear program for renewing the phosphate wagon fleet. A significant point of contention was the discrepancy in production figures for 2025; CPG reported 3.9 million tons, while the President of the Finance and Budget Committee, Maher Kettari, cited figures closer to one million tons. This disparity raises questions about transparency and the economic rationale for investing heavily in rail transport if production remains low. The GCT's Director General also revealed that the grou
Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur gave birth to her first child on Monday, April 20, 2026, in Dubai. This intimate and symbolic moment comes for the athlete who has proudly represented Tunisia on the global tennis stage. Jabeur had announced her pregnancy in November 2025 with a video alongside her husband and physical trainer, Karim Kmoun, stating they were "preparing the most adorable comeback ever" and expecting a baby boy in April. Since then, the champion has taken a deliberate break from the demanding tennis circuit to recenter herself. This withdrawal was not solely due to pregnancy but also a desire to recover and preserve her well-being after challenging months marked by injuries and a deeper, more silent fatigue. Jabeur has openly discussed the emotional toll and invisible pressures of high-level sports, acknowledging the difficulty of recognizing mental strain and the importance of not always pushing forward at all costs. This period of reflection has allowed her to find inner peace, a state she hadn't fully experienced amidst the constant demands of tournaments. She has learned to decouple her happiness from victories, accept her emotions, and prioritize herself. The birth of her child solidifies this personal transformation, marking a return to essentials. For her fans, this reveals another side of the champion: a woman who, after conquering the courts, is now building her balance away from the spotlight. While speculation about her return to competition may aris
The death of a woman in Villeurbanne, France, following a hyaluronic acid injection performed in a rented apartment, has prompted a strong reaction from Tunisian aesthetic medical professionals. Imene Ben Amara, president of the Union of Aesthetic Doctors, speaking on Mosaïque FM on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, highlighted the growing issue of injections performed outside medical settings. She emphasized that "fillers," or dermal fillers, are medical devices regulated by health authorities and must only be administered by qualified doctors. The proliferation of products sold outside official channels, often online, and the involvement of untrained individuals, including influencers, pose significant risks, from unpredictable reactions to fatal consequences. Ben Amara stressed that injecting fillers is a medical act requiring anatomical knowledge. Tunisian law mandates that only doctors, such as dermatologists, aesthetic surgeons, or trained medical practitioners, are authorized to perform these injections; illegal practice carries criminal penalties. Despite this, unauthorized centers, home services, and social media promotions continue. Ben Amara urged Tunisian authorities, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Commerce, to increase controls, close illegal aesthetic centers, and strengthen product surveillance. She also proposed an "electronic police" to monitor and shut down online pages and accounts illegally selling these products, acknowledging the digital nat