The National Times

Weather - Sydney 25°C

Featured

US reports first bird-flu case in a child

A child in California has become the first in the United States to test positive for bird flu infection, authorities said Friday, as health officials offered checks and preventive treatment to exposed contacts at the child's day-care center.

UK pandemic hero's daughter slammed by charity probe

The family of a 100-year-old UK war veteran who became a global hero for his fundraising efforts during the Covid pandemic gained "significant" financial benefit from links to a charity set up in his name, a watchdog said Thursday.

Last news

Short fuses in Egypt as blackouts stretch into sweltering summer

At least once a day, the hum of every fan, air conditioner and fridge across Egypt goes quiet. The lights go out and an expletive is muttered or hurled into the quickly-heating air.

Legal weed limps into next phase in Germany

So-called cannabis clubs will be allowed to sell the drug legally in Germany starting Monday, but in practice it will be some time before the associations get up and running.

Israeli troops, warplanes strike north Gaza

Israel's military on Friday said it was conducting raids backed by air strikes in northern Gaza, killing "dozens" of militants in an area where it had declared the command structure of Hamas dismantled months ago.

Japan firm probing 76 more deaths in supplement scare

Japanese health supplement maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said Friday it was probing 76 more deaths possibly linked to its tablets containing red yeast rice, meant to lower cholesterol.

Tour de France favourite Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid

Tadej Pogacar said Thursday there had been "a little question mark" but he has now "fully recovered" after suffering from Covid 10 days ago as he bids for a third Tour de France triumph.

In narrow ruling, US Supreme Court allows emergency abortions in Idaho

The US Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for women experiencing medical emergencies to obtain abortions in Idaho, but the ruling's narrow scope meant it was a muted victory for reproductive rights activists.

Hospital doctors in England launch new strike ahead of election

Junior hospital doctors in England on Thursday began a five-day strike, a week before a general election in which the state of the publicly funded National Health Service is a major issue.

'Broken' healthcare a key issue for UK voters

Fatme Ibryanova, 36, will travel from Britain to Turkey next month, not to holiday but for a medical appointment about surgery she is struggling to get on the UK's "broken" state-run health service.

US health workers sound alarm on Gaza medical crisis

Patients in Gaza's few standing hospitals are dying in droves from infections resulting from a lack of protective gear and soap, even when they survive their horrific blast injuries.

Fears new 'most dangerous' mpox strain could cross borders

A new deadlier strain of mpox that transmits more easily between people is killing children and causing miscarriages in the Democratic Republic of Congo and may have already spread to neighbouring countries, researchers have warned.

Peru abandons 'mental disorder' label for trans people

Peru announced Tuesday that it will stop classifying transgender identities as a "mental disorder," an obsolete term long abandoned by the World Health Organization and which had sparked angry protests.

US surgeon general declares gun violence a 'public health crisis'

The US surgeon general on Tuesday issued a landmark advisory declaring gun violence a "public health crisis" and calling for wide-ranging firearm controls that have historically met stiff political opposition.

Victims of Haiti's gangs face health system in crisis

Suffering from gunshot wounds to the leg and buttocks, 31-year-old Olivier Vilminio sought treatment in a hospital in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

Ketamine pill treats depression without psychedelic effects: study

A new pill that slowly releases ketamine could treat people with severe depression without giving them the psychedelic side effects of the often-misused drug, early trial results suggested on Monday.

Death toll from Indian toxic alcohol rises to 56: police

The death toll from a batch of toxic illegal alcohol in India had risen to 56, police said Monday, with 117 people in hospital recovering from the deadly drink.

Dalai Lama arrives in US for knee treatment

Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived Sunday in New York to undergo knee treatment, drawing a warm and festive welcome from thousands of followers.

Dalai Lama arrives in US for knee surgery

Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived Sunday in New York to undergo knee surgery, drawing a warm and festive welcome from thousands of followers.

French star Varane's intervention a game changer for concussion crusader

Michael Monsour, owner of Gibraltar football club Manchester 62 was in his "darkest hour" until ground-breaking comments by former France defender Raphael Varane reignited his goal to "save millions of future players' lives", he told AFP.

New $1.2 bn plan to boost African vaccine production launched

A new $1.2 billion programme to massively boost vaccine production in Africa was launched on Thursday, aiming to give the continent more sovereignty to fight numerous diseases including a cholera resurgence.

Over $1 billion pledged to create 'African vaccine market'

World leaders, health groups and pharmaceutical firms announced $1.2 billion in funding at a summit Thursday to produce vaccines in Africa, which is facing numerous health crises including rising cholera outbreaks.

Palestinian medical students in Cuba highlight pain of diaspora

Thousands of miles from Gaza, medical student Samar Alghoul is supposed to be living her dream in Cuba, where she and hundreds of other Palestinians have been given the opportunity to study for free.

Los Angeles moves to ban smartphone use in school

Education bosses in Los Angeles voted Tuesday to work towards a complete ban on the use of smartphones in the city's schools.

Diplomats say at least 550 pilgrims died during hajj, mostly Egyptians

Diplomats said on Tuesday that at least 550 pilgrims died during the hajj, underscoring the gruelling nature of the pilgrimage which again unfolded in scorching temperatures this year.

Bird flu shows world not ready for future pandemics: report

Surging cases of bird flu among mammals, including US cattle, offer a stark warning that the world is not ready to fend off future pandemics, a report said on Tuesday, urging leaders to act quickly.

Celine Dion offers a portrait of resilience in vulnerable documentary

Celine Dion vowed Monday her "passion as a performer will never disappear," despite health struggles she says are still just a small part of her monumental story.

Celine Dion offers a portrait of resilience in new documentary

Music legend Celine Dion vowed Monday her "passion as a performer will never disappear," despite health struggles she says are still just a small part of her monumental story.

Put tobacco-style warnings on social media: US health official

Social media platforms should feature tobacco-style health warnings for adolescents, a top US government health official said Monday.

Trump boasts of cognitive test, then flubs doctor's name

Donald Trump is so proud of a cognitive assessment he took while president that he boasted about it in a speech Saturday, while attacking what he claims is US President Joe Biden's lack of mental acuity.

UK's Princess Kate to make first public appearance in six months

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced on Friday she will make her first public appearance in six months this weekend after "making good progress" in treatment for cancer.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, to make first public appearance in six months