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Japan trials over-the-counter sales of 'morning-after' pill

Japan on Tuesday began trial sales of over-the-counter "morning-after" contraceptive pills, according to the country's pharmaceutical association, in a partial victory for campaigners.

Texas top court to hear case challenging abortion ban for medical emergencies

The Texas Supreme Court is set Tuesday to hear arguments in a case brought on behalf of 22 women who were denied abortions even though they had serious complications with their pregnancies that were in some cases life-threatening.

Pope's condition after illness 'good and stable': Vatican

Pope Francis is improving after suffering from flu symptoms at the weekend, the Vatican said Monday, noting that the 86-year-old pontiff was postponing some appointments during his recovery.

Incoming New Zealand govt to abandon anti-smoking laws

New Zealand's incoming conservative government will jettison world-leading measures to stub out smoking, new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed Monday, in a move described by health campaigners as a "huge win for the tobacco industry".

What we know so far about surging respiratory illnesses in China

Cases of respiratory illnesses have been surging in northern China, particularly among children, sparking speculation online of a new pandemic threat four years after Covid-19 first emerged in the country.

China reports no 'unusual or novel pathogens' in respiratory illnesses upsurge

China has reported no 'unusual or novel pathogens' in respiratory illnesses spreading in the north of the country, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

Novo Nordisk spends big in France to expand obesity drug capacity

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk will announce Thursday a major investment in a French production site to expand capacity for a blockbuster anti-obesity drug, the French presidency said.

WHO asks China for more data on respiratory illnesses outbreak

The World Health Organization has asked China for more data on respiratory illnesses spreading in the north of the country, urging people to take steps to reduce the risk of infection.

Israel and Hamas agree truce, hostages for prisoners swap

Israel and Hamas said Wednesday they had agreed on a four-day truce in the Gaza war during which the Palestinian militant group would free at least 50 of the hostages they took in their deadly October 7 attack.

Israel, Hamas agree truce, release of 50 hostages

Israel and Hamas announced a deal on Wednesday allowing at least 50 hostages and scores of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, while offering besieged Gaza residents a four-day truce after weeks of all-out war.

Israel, Hamas agree four-day truce, 50 hostages to be released

Israel and Hamas announced a deal on Wednesday allowing at least 50 hostages and scores of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, while offering besieged Gaza residents a four-day truce after weeks of all-out war.

Covid-19 variant maintains threat: WHO

Covid-19 remains a threat as a virus variant has been spreading steadily around the globe, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.

Hopes mount for hostages after Hamas chief says truce deal 'close'

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday that a truce agreement with Israel was in sight, raising hopes that dozens of people taken hostage in the October 7 attacks could be released from war-torn Gaza.

Hamas says Gaza truce deal 'close', raising hopes for hostages

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday a truce agreement with Israel was in sight, raising hopes that his militant group could soon release dozens of people taken hostage in the October 7 attacks.

29 Gaza babies evacuated to Egypt as Hamas reports deadly hospital strike

Twenty-nine premature babies were evacuated from war-torn Gaza to Egypt on Monday as the Hamas-run health ministry accused Israel of launching a deadly strike on the territory's Indonesian Hospital.

Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital a 'death zone', WHO says urging evacuation

Gaza's largest hospital has become a "death zone," the World Health Organization said Sunday, announcing plans to evacuate the facility, as Israel's army said it was expanding operations to destroy Hamas.

Bomb craters and bodies as Gazans evacuate hospital

Columns of Palestinians, some sick, some wounded made their way out of Gaza's largest hospital Saturday, walking for hours through the debris of war as they sought a new refuge.

Hundreds flee from hospital at centre of Israel-Hamas war

Hundreds of people fled on foot Saturday after the director of Gaza's main hospital said Israel's army ordered evacuation of the facility where more than 2,000 patients, medics and displaced people were trapped by the war between Israel and Hamas.

Fuel enters Gaza as 26 reported killed in Khan Yunis strike

A first consignment of fuel has entered Gaza after US pressure on Israel, allowing communications to resume in the territory, where a hospital director on Saturday said 26 people had been killed in a strike in Khan Yunis.

Israel allows two fuel tankers into Gaza daily as aid halted

Israel has agreed to allow two fuel trucks a day into Gaza, Israeli officials said Friday, after the UN warned shortages had halted aid deliveries and put people at risk of starvation.

Iraqis haunted by war battle mental health issues

Raghad Qassem searched all over Iraq's capital Baghdad for a psychologist she could talk to about her problems, before finally settling for consultations online.

Brussels extends use of controversial herbicide

The European Commission said Thursday it will allow the use of the controversial herbicide glyphosate for another 10 years, breaking a stalemate between EU states divided over its safety.

Israel forces search Gaza hospital as civilians stranded inside

Israeli forces were searching building to building at Gaza's main hospital Thursday as Hamas said the military had "destroyed" parts of the compound where deep concern has mounted for the up to thousands of Palestinians trapped inside.

Israel takes Gaza port, battles Hamas fighters

Israeli troops on Thursday advanced their campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza, fighting gun battles and taking control of a key port a day after a raid on the territory's main hospital.

Israel presses Gaza hospital raid

Israel renewed its operation at Gaza's largest hospital Thursday, targeting what it maintains is a Hamas command centre concealed in a complex sheltering more than 2,000 civilians.

Israeli tanks at Gaza hospital's gates, Biden urges protection

Tanks were massed near the gates of Gaza's main hospital where Palestinians were trapped in dire conditions on Tuesday as US President Joe Biden pressed Israel to protect the complex.

Pogba, potions and impotence: the secret world of witch doctors in France

"There's a lot of jealousy in football," said Sheikh Issa, holding up a piece of bark and a bottle of a yellowish potion.

Israeli tanks at gates of Gaza hospital, Biden urges care

With tanks massed at the gates of Gaza's largest hospital, US President Joe Biden pressed Israeli allies to protect civilians, who on Tuesday were trapped inside with dwindling supplies of fuel and water.

Israeli tanks at gate of Gaza hospital, Biden urges care

With Israeli tanks now massed at the gates of Gaza's largest hospital, US President Joe Biden pressed his ally to protect scores of civilians trapped inside with dwindling supplies of fuel and water Monday.

MSF doctor warns of 'inhuman' conditions in main Gaza hospital

Hundreds of people stranded in Gaza's biggest hospital were enduring "inhuman" conditions on Monday while heavy fighting raged around them, a doctor said as the Hamas-run health ministry reported a rising patient death toll.

US approves first vaccine against chikungunya virus

US health authorities on Thursday approved the world's first vaccine for chikungunya, a virus spread by infected mosquitoes that the Food and Drug Administration called "an emerging global health threat."

US approves first vaccine against chikungunya virus: drug regulator