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Macron slammed over racist remarks Elysee denies he made

President Emmanuel Macron faced accusations of racism Friday over an alleged comment on problems in French hospitals which the Elysee strongly denies he made.

Suspect in health CEO killing faces murder charges in New York

The man accused of gunning down a US insurance executive on the streets of Manhattan appeared in front of a judge Thursday to face federal charges including murder.

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US overdose deaths rose 15% in 2021 to more than 100,000

Drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 people in the United States in 2021, data showed Wednesday, as the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated a crisis driven by fentanyl and fake online pills.

China censors zero-Covid debate after WHO criticises policy

China's censors scrambled to wipe out online debate over its zero-Covid strategy on Wednesday after the World Health Organisation (WHO) criticised the country's hardline approach to crushing the virus.

Where's the money? Japan town sues after $360,000 subsidy mix-up

A Japanese town that accidentally sent a resident $360,000 in financial aid said on Wednesday it has been forced to file a lawsuit after the recipient refused to return the funds.

New Zealand fully reopens to the world in August: Ardern

New Zealand will fully reopen to the world in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday, ending one of the toughest anti-Covid-19 border restrictions.

WHO says China's zero-Covid strategy unsustainable

China's flagship zero-Covid strategy to defeat the pandemic is unsustainable, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, adding that it had told Beijing so and called for a policy shift.

FIFA confirms replay for abandoned Brazil-Argentina World Cup qualifier

FIFA on Monday confirmed the abandoned 2022 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will be replayed, after rejecting appeals from both national federations.

Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a Covid-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.

'There's no why': Shanghai rages at endless Covid lockdown

Scuffles with officials, workers storming factory gates and households raging at being dragged into quarantine -- Shanghai's long fight against Covid-19 is unravelling into chaos and desperation.

For Ukraine doctors, treating injured Russians a necessary evil

For more than two months, Dr Farad Ali-Shakh has spent his waking hours tending wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. He also treats injured Russians, albeit reluctantly, who could be part of future prisoner exchanges.

Downtown Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a Covid-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.

US probes five child deaths, 109 cases linked to mystery liver disease

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 109 childhood cases of a mysterious form of hepatitis, including five reported deaths, the agency said Friday.

US says investigating deaths of five children linked to mystery liver disease

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 109 childhood cases of a mysterious form of hepatitis, including five reported deaths, the agency said Friday.

Fears mount for China's economy as leaders dig in on zero-Covid

Mass testing of China's vast population could bring fresh misery to the economy, experts warned Friday, after Beijing vowed to regain control of the narrative around a zero-Covid policy that has strangled growth and fanned anger across the country.

From lockdown to wedlock: Shanghai couple defy Covid woes to marry

A couple in Shanghai have beaten Covid lockdowns and bureaucracy to tie the knot, celebrating their marriage in the car park of their housing compound after a ceremony officiated via Zoom from the United States.

US drug regulator limits use of J&J Covid vaccine

The US said Thursday only adults who "have personal concerns" about mRNA vaccines, access issues or medical reasons for refusing them may now receive the Johnson & Johnson Covid shot, which has been linked to a rare but serious clotting condition.

S.Africa's daily Covid cases soar 50% in one day amid new surge

South Africa's new Covid-19 cases shot up by more than 50 percent Thursday from the previous day, official data showed amid a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants.

Disgraced surgeon defends windpipe transplants at Swedish trial

An Italian surgeon once hailed for pioneering windpipe surgery but now charged with assault told a Swedish court Thursday the experimental procedures were the result of "teamwork" and that he just wanted to save lives.

Covid pandemic killed 13 to 17 million in 2020-21: WHO

The Covid-19 pandemic killed 13.3 to 16.6 million people in 2020 and 2021, the WHO estimated Thursday -- up to triple the number of deaths officially attributed to the disease.

S.Africa backtracks on masks for children amid Covid surge

The South African government on Thursday retracted its earlier announcement stating school children were no longer required to wear masks amid a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants.

S.Africa drops masks for children despite Covid surge

South Africa on Thursday ended mask-wearing for school children despite a surge of infections driven by two new Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus.

Hong Kongers relish beaches reopening as virus outbreak recedes

Filipino domestic worker Marites Saliganan loves getting outdoors on her one day off a week, and after Hong Kong's government lifted a pandemic ban on gathering at beaches on Thursday, she and her friends headed for the sand.

Millions in Beijing urged to work from home to fight Covid

The streets of Beijing's business district were deserted on Thursday as the government called for people to return to work remotely, with scores of subway stations shut after a national holiday muted by coronavirus curbs.

Millions in Beijing urged to work from home to fight Covid outbreak

Millions of people in Beijing returned to work Thursday, many remotely, with scores of subway stations shut after a national holiday muted by the coronavirus curbs.

Hong Kong more unequal, less free as Carrie Lam leaves office

Hong Kong has emerged a more unequal city, its freedoms curtailed and international shine dulled after five years with Carrie Lam at the helm, analysts say, as her turbulent leadership draws to an end.

Beijing closes dozens of subway stations, extends Covid restrictions

Beijing closed dozens of subway stations and expanded Covid restrictions Wednesday, constricting movement around the Chinese capital despite logging only dozens of daily cases.

40 million more faced acute hunger in 2021: UN

The number of people facing hunger rose to 193 million last year as conflict, climate change and economic crises ravaged people's livelihoods, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization said Wednesday.

Beijing closes dozens of subway stations as Covid controls tighten

Beijing closed dozens of subway stations on Wednesday as Covid restrictions constrict movement around the Chinese capital despite it recording only dozens of cases daily.

Experts sound alarm over baby tongue surgery

Lea had no problems breastfeeding her newborn son when she took him to see an osteopath in Paris, who nonetheless recommended surgery to cut a "too thick" strip of tissue under his tongue.

Much-maligned rats unlikely to spark next pandemic: study

Rats have been seen as filthy disease-spreaders since at least the time of the plague, but new research shows that rodents and other city-dwelling animals are less likely to cause the next pandemic than previously thought.

Pressure on OPEC+ eases amid oil demand fears

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia meet Thursday with less pressure to open tabs more widely than planned as China's Covid lockdown threatens demand.

WHO warns of obesity 'epidemic' in Europe

The WHO said Tuesday that "epidemic" overweight and obesity rates are linked to over 1.2 million deaths annually across Europe, calling for swift policy changes to reverse the dangerous trend.

Leaked draft shows US court set to strike down abortion rights: Politico

The Supreme Court may be poised to strike down the right to abortion in the United States, US media reported Monday, citing a leaked draft of a majority opinion that would represent a staggering blow to women's rights.

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