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White House touts Covid-19 'lab leak' theory on revamped site

The White House on Friday unveiled a revamped Covid-19 website that promoted the contentious theory that the virus leaked from a Chinese laboratory, framing it as the pandemic's "true origins."

Etzebeth returns to Sharks lineup after concussion absence

Veteran Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will return to action on Friday after four months out with injuries that included concussion, his Durban-based Sharks team announced on Thursday.

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Last chance for global pandemic agreement talks

Countries returned to the negotiating table Monday for one last push to conclude an international agreement on how to handle future pandemics, with the most likely outcome being a slimmed-down accord that shelves some of the thorniest issues.

Last chance for pandemic agreement talks

Countries return to the negotiating table on Monday for one last push on concluding a pandemic agreement, now in slimmed-down form with some of the thorniest aspects stripped out and shelved.

Biden stalls on menthol cigarette ban fearing Black vote backlash

President Joe Biden's government on Friday said it was taking more time to consider a ban on menthol cigarettes, amid fears it could alienate Black voters in a tough election year.

US approves gene therapy treatment for hemophilia

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has received US approval for a gene therapy against a form of hemophilia, a rare and inherited blood clotting disorder, the company said Friday.

Nestle sales slump on weak North America demand for frozen food

Swiss food giant Nestle reported slimmer sales than expected in the first quarter on Thursday, weighed down by weak demand for frozen pizza and snacks in North America.

French national library quarantines 'poisonous' books

France's national library said Thursday it had removed four 19th-century books from its shelves whose emerald green covers were likely laced with highly poisonous arsenic.

France records growing number of supercentenarians

The number of people in France living beyond 110 years is growing fast, the national demographic studies institute said Wednesday, with women dominating the supercentenarian contest.

Thai trans people push to be 'truly' accepted

Stethoscope over her white coat, Thai doctor Kachisarah Sridakhot walks hospital corridors hoping to beat a path for other trans women to be fully accepted in the kingdom.

Biden admin issues rule protecting abortion privacy

President Joe Biden's administration announced a new rule Monday to protect the privacy of women who go out of their home state to have legal abortions, amid fears they could be prosecuted upon their return.

Belgian whose body brews alcohol beats drink-driving rap

A Belgian man with a very rare metabolic condition that causes his body to produce alcohol had a drink-driving charge against him dismissed in court on Monday.

Japan doctors sue Google Maps over 'punching bag' reviews

Around 60 doctors in Japan have accused Google Maps of ignoring vitriolic reviews of their clinics in a class-action lawsuit touted as the first of its kind.

UK parliament debates law phasing out smoking

The UK parliament on Tuesday kicked off its first debate on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's planned flagship legislation to prevent young people from smoking, despite opposition from many in his own Conservative Party.

Big money flows to US charities fueling vaccine misinformation

An anti-vaccine group founded by US presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr raised millions of dollars during the coronavirus pandemic, tax records show, boosting its coffers as it ramped up what experts call dangerous health misinformation.

Waste not want not: Peruvian drive to feed more with less

Peruvian cook Isabel Santos prepares a salad with carrot peels and pea shells at a community kitchen in Lima; a disciple of a sustainable cuisine movement seeking to tackle hunger and food waste at the same time.

Ballet star and survivor Steven McRae says dance must change

After an almost super-human recovery from an injury, star dancer Steven McRae says the ballet world must take much better care of its artists.

Israel urges Iran sanctions as world warns against escalation

World powers urged restraint on Sunday for fear that Iran's unprecedented missile and drone strikes on Israel could spark a wider war in the Middle East, as the United Nations heard a call for new sanctions against Tehran.

World urges restraint after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel

World leaders urged restraint on Sunday after Iran launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and attack drones against its arch foe Israel overnight, at a time the Gaza war has inflamed Middle East tensions.

Iran warns of 'stronger response' if Israel retaliates to attack

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned on Sunday against any "reckless" Israeli retaliation to Tehran's unprecedented missile and drone attack, as world leaders urged restraint.

Israel says Iran attack 'foiled' amid fears of wider conflict

Iran's unprecedented overnight attack on Israel has been "foiled", the Israeli military said Sunday, with hundreds of missiles and drones intercepted with the help of the United States and allies.

Iran launches unprecedented strikes on Israel, risking wider conflict

Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles on Israel in an unprecedented attack late Saturday, the Israeli army announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes.

Israel warns Iran will suffer 'consequences' of escalation

Israel warned on Saturday that Iran would suffer the "consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further" as fears grew of wider conflict more than six months into Israel's war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

US troops head to region as fears grow of Gaza war's spread

Troop reinforcements from Israel's ally the United States headed to the region on Saturday, with fears of wider war growing more than six months into Israel's battle against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

US sterilizations spiked after national right to abortion overturned: study

Sterilization rates abruptly spiked after the national right to an abortion was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2022, a study said Friday.

Asia-Pacific gets new weapon in fight against drug-resistant TB

A faster and vastly more effective treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis is being rolled out in the Asia-Pacific region, raising hopes of a "new era" in tackling one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

Israel on alert after Iranian threat as Gaza war grinds on

Israel was on alert Thursday after its arch foe Iran threatened reprisals over a strike in Syria this month that killed two Iranian generals, and as the war against Hamas ground on in Gaza.

Israel bombs Gaza during Muslim festival despite US rebuke

Israeli strikes hit Gaza on Wednesday as Muslims marked the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and after US President Joe Biden labelled Israel's approach to the war a "mistake".

Hamas studies truce proposal six months into Gaza war

Hamas said Tuesday it was considering a new framework for a truce proposed during the latest round of negotiations in Cairo, as Palestinians returning to southern Gaza confronted the extent of destruction left after Israeli troops' withdrawal.

Hamas, Israel discuss Gaza truce

Hamas said Monday it is studying a proposal for a truce and hostage-prisoner swap after talks in Cairo, as Israel's defence minister said it is the right time for a deal, six months into the Gaza war.

Israel, Hamas dampen hopes for speedy Gaza truce deal

Israel and Hamas both dampened hopes on Monday of a speedy breakthrough in Cairo talks towards a Gaza truce and hostage release deal after Egyptian state-linked media had reported "significant progress".

Six months into war, Israel pulls troops out of south Gaza

Israel pulled its forces out of the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday in a partial withdrawal that came half a year into the war sparked by the attack by Hamas militants on October 7.

Why unprotected eclipse gazing will leave you seeing stars

Just a single, unguarded glance at a solar eclipse can result in a lifetime of vision loss, eye health experts warn.

Gaza truce talks on, after aid worker death outcry

American, Israeli and Hamas negotiators are expected in Cairo over the weekend in a renewed push for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in a war that reaches the half-year mark on Sunday.

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