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US approves updated Pfizer, Moderna shots targeting Omicron
US health officials on Wednesday authorized updated Covid-19 vaccinations by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech that specifically target the latest strains of the Omicron variant, with the goal of jump-starting a new booster campaign.
US life expectancy drops for 2nd straight year, due to Covid
Life expectancy for Americans dropped in 2021 for the second straight year -- the biggest two-year decline in a century -- notably due to the Covid-19 pandemic, US health officials announced Wednesday.
'Burning with pain': Pakistan floods threaten major health crisis
At a charity clinic in a southern Pakistani village, dozens of people affected by relentless rains and floods crowd around the door waiting to talk to a volunteer doctor.
First death linked to monkeypox reported in US
Texas authorities on Tuesday confirmed the first US death linked to monkeypox, but said they are still determining what role the disease played in the demise of the "severely immunocompromised" patient.
Mississippi declares drinking water emergency for state capital
Mississippi officials declared a health emergency Tuesday after historic flooding damaged treatment systems and left 180,000 people in the state capital Jackson without safe drinking water.
China imposes Covid-19 lockdowns for millions around Beijing
Millions of people in areas surrounding China's capital were ordered into lockdown Tuesday, with authorities doubling down on efforts to contain Covid-19 ahead of a key ruling Communist Party meeting this year.
North Korea says new fever cases were flu, not Covid
North Korea said Friday that the fever cases it detected earlier this week were found to be influenza, and not a Covid-19 resurgence as initially suspected.
Europeans cross borders to get monkeypox vaccine
Hundreds of Europeans have crossed borders for the monkeypox vaccine, sparking calls to address a gaping inequality in access to doses between nations.
US judge blocks part of restrictive Idaho abortion law
A US federal judge blocked part of a law banning most abortions in Idaho Wednesday, a victory for US President Joe Biden's administration.
Wyoming cowboys open up about addiction and suicide
Jonn Beer's ashes rise in a cloud of dust from the saddle of a rodeo horse, the final journey for a young Wyoming cowboy killed by his addiction to opioids.
Hubble-bubble trouble: Hookah ban leaves Malians divided
"Shisha-abana," exclaims Bilal, a grocer in Mali's capital Bamako, in the national language Bambara: "Shisha is finished."
Anthony Fauci, face of US Covid fight, to step down in December
Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert who became the face of America's fight against Covid-19, announced Monday that he will leave government service after more than 50 years in December, stepping down as advisor to President Joe Biden.
Biden's Covid advisor Anthony Fauci to step down in December
President Joe Biden's Covid advisor Anthony Fauci, America's top infectious disease expert who became the face of the country's fight against the pandemic, announced Monday that he will step down in December.
Japan PM tests positive for Covid-19, symptoms mild
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has tested positive for Covid-19, his office said Sunday, a week before the leader was expected to attend an African development conference in Tunisia.
WHO pushes two Ebola treatments found to boost survival rates
The World Health Organization said Friday that two existing treatments dramatically reduced deaths from Ebola and should be given to people of all ages suffering from the often-fatal haemorrhagic disease.
Facebook bans major US anti-vaccine group
Facebook-owner Meta said Thursday it had kicked one of the most influential US anti-vaccination groups off the social media network for spreading Covid-19 misinformation.
WHO experts back second Covid booster for most at risk
The World Health Organization's vaccine advisers on Thursday recommended that people most at risk from Covid-19 should be offered a second booster dose to increase their immunity.
US to provide monkeypox vaccines at Pride events
Monkeypox vaccines will be made available at Gay Pride and other events as part of a new pilot program to stem the fast spread of the virus, US health authorities said Thursday.
WHO urges caution after dog catches monkeypox
The World Health Organization called Wednesday for people infected with monkeypox to avoid exposing animals to the virus following a first reported case of human-to-dog transmission.
US makes hearing aids over-the-counter to curb costs
Over-the-counter hearing aids will for the first time be available to tens of millions of Americans, officials said Tuesday, in an effort to cut prices from $5,000 a pair.
Walrus that attracted crowds in Oslo fjord euthanised
A walrus nicknamed Freya that attracted crowds while basking in the Oslo fjord was euthanised on Sunday, with Norway officials saying it was the only option but experts slamming an "infinitely sad" decision.
US lawmakers set to pass major climate, health bill in big win for Biden
US lawmakers on Friday were expected to adopt President Joe Biden's sprawling climate, tax and health care plan -- a major win for the veteran Democrat that includes the biggest ever American investment in the battle against global warming.
North Korea declares 'victory' over Covid, says Kim had fever
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19 as his sister revealed he had fallen ill during the outbreak, which she blamed on Seoul, state media said Thursday.
Chinese medical portal censored after doubting herbal 'Covid remedy'
A popular Chinese medical information site has been censored by authorities for "violation of relevant laws and regulations", months after its criticism of a government-backed herbal Covid-19 treatment sent shares in a pharmaceutical giant tumbling.
N Korea declares 'victory' over Covid, says Kim had fever
North Korea's Kim Jong Un declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19 as his sister revealed he had fallen ill during the outbreak, which she blamed on Seoul, state media said Thursday.
North Korean leader declares 'shining victory' over Covid
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19, after officials reported no new cases of the virus for nearly two weeks.
Biden signs bill aiding veterans exposed to toxins
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a bill boosting benefits for veterans exposed to toxic fumes, a cause close to his own heart after his son died of brain cancer.
EU eyes autumn approval of Pfizer jab for Covid variants
The EU's medicines watchdog said Wednesday it aims to approve this autumn a Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine adapted for two fast-spreading subvariants of the Omicron strain.
New US strategy to make monkeypox vaccine go further
US health authorities on Tuesday authorized a new procedure for injecting the monkeypox vaccine that should make it possible to inoculate more people with the same amount of the drug, at a time when doses are running short in the country.
Study shows environmental impact of 57,000 products sold in supermarkets
Eating fruits and vegetables is better for the planet than eating meat and cheese, but a new study by scientists released Monday showed chips and sugary drinks also have a very low environmental impact.
Tennis star Zverev launches diabetes charity
Tennis world No.2 Alexander Zverev has launched a charity to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes, a condition the 25-year-old recently revealed he has been suffering from.
Climate deniers use past heat records to sow doubt online
With Europe gripped by successive heatwaves, climate-change deniers are spreading scepticism by publishing data on social media on extreme temperatures allegedly recorded decades ago to imply scientists are exaggerating global warming.