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Hamas open to truce extension as US urges Gaza 'safe' zones
Hamas is willing to further extend a truce for hostage and prisoner exchanges, a source close to the militant group said Thursday, and the United States urged Israel to set up safe zones for Gaza civilians as a pause in their deadly war neared expiry.
US to replace all lead water lines within 10 years
President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday announced it would require the removal of the nation's remaining lead pipes within a decade, preventing an estimated 22 million people from potential exposure to the toxic metal in their drinking water.
Israel and Hamas extend truce for one day
Israel and Hamas extended their truce by another day on Thursday as Washington's top diplomat arrived to urge a more lasting break in the devastating conflict.
Poor education, stigma fuel Philippines' soaring HIV infections
HIV infections are soaring in the Philippines, with experts blaming online dating, poor sex education and conservative attitudes in the deeply religious country for fuelling the spread of the virus.
Hamas frees more hostages as Gaza truce expiry looms
More hostages were freed from Gaza on Wednesday, as mediators raced to broker another extension to the truce between Israel and Hamas hours before it was due to expire.
Hamas set to free more hostages as Gaza truce expiry looms
Hamas was expected to free more hostages Wednesday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as mediators raced to broker another extension to a Gaza truce hours before it was due to expire.
Full Gaza ceasefire urged as truce expiry looms
Efforts intensified Wednesday to extend a halt in deadly violence in Gaza as a truce was set to expire, with a source saying militant group Hamas was willing to free more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Croatia struggles to contain whooping cough epidemic
Croatia was struggling to contain a whooping cough epidemic that health officials said Wednesday was due in part to a drop in inoculation rates linked to the growth of the anti-vaccine movement.
'Citizens of the Reich': Raids and suspicion as German group grows
On the outskirts of the eastern German town of Wittenberg, a corrugated iron gate painted with green leaves welcomes visitors to the "Koenigreich Deutschland" (Kingdom of Germany).
Breathless pope delegates reading as flu persists
Pope Francis presided over his weekly audience Wednesday despite the flu that caused him to scrap a trip to Dubai, but asked an aide to deliver his reading for him.
Hamas eyes Gaza truce extension for more hostage releases
Hamas is willing to extend a truce for four days and release more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a source close to the militant group said Wednesday, as mediators sought a lasting halt to the conflict.
Texas top court hears case challenging abortion ban for medical emergencies
The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case brought on behalf of some two dozen women who were denied abortions even though they had serious complications with their pregnancies that were in some cases life-threatening.
Japan trials over-the-counter 'morning-after' pill
Japan began a pilot project on Tuesday selling over-the-counter "morning-after" contraceptive pills, but campaigners criticised the scheme as far too small and called for all restrictions to be lifted.
Doctors warn of New Zealand health tragedy after smoking ban scrapped
Doctors blasted New Zealand’s conservative government on Tuesday for revoking world-leading anti-smoking laws, warning that people will die over the act of "public health vandalism".
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.