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Mosquito-borne chikungunya kills two in France's La Reunion
A disabling mosquito-borne disease called chikungunya has killed two elderly people in the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, local authorities said Friday.

Kennedy off to a bumpy start as US health secretary
Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr is off to a turbulent start as US health secretary as he grapples with a deadly measles outbreak, resignations among his staff and a snub in the Senate.

Hospitalised Pope Francis admits frailty, calls body 'weak'
Pope Francis acknowledged being fragile and "facing a period of trial", as he thanked well-wishers Sunday for prayers in a message from hospital, where he has been slowly recovering from pneumonia.

Hospitalised Pope Francis addresses frailty, calls body 'weak'
Pope Francis acknowledged being fragile and "facing a period of trial", as he thanked well-wishers Sunday for prayers in a message from hospital, where he has been slowly recovering from pneumonia.

Pope Francis receiving 'surge' in mail, says Italian post
Pope Francis is receiving "thousands" of letters a day from around the world as he slowly recovers from pneumonia in a Rome hospital, said Italy's postal service.

Ebola-infected monkeys cured with a pill, raising hopes for humans: study
Monkeys infected with Ebola can be cured with a pill, according to a new study out Friday that could pave the way for more practical, affordable treatments in humans.

White House withdraws vaccine-skeptic nominee to lead US health agency
The White House on Thursday pulled its vaccine-skeptical nominee for director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ahead of a scheduled Senate hearing.

'Getting scary': US aid cuts undermine global fight against TB
The Trump administration's sweeping foreign aid cuts will send tuberculosis cases and deaths soaring around the world, humanitarian workers have warned.

Pope appears out of danger, talk turns to return home
Pope Francis was reported to be in good spirits on Tuesday, a day after the Vatican indicated he was out of danger and could be discharged in the near future after almost one month in hospital with pneumonia.

'Really suffocating': Pakistan emerges from record smog season
Tens of millions of Pakistanis spent at least four months breathing toxic air pollution 20 times above safe levels, in the worst winter smog season for several years, according to data analysed by AFP.

Pope still improving, Vatican eyes end of hospitalisation
Pope Francis's condition is improving and doctors no longer fear for his life, the Vatican said Monday, indicating for the first time in weeks that he could soon leave hospital where he has been treated for double pneumonia.

Five years ago, WHO's pandemic call shook world into action
Five years ago on Tuesday, the World Health Organization announced Covid-19 had become a pandemic -- a moment when the world finally woke up to the unfolding disaster.

Ailing pope thanks doctors as condition improves
Pope Francis, who is responding well to treatment for pneumonia, thanked his doctors and healthcare workers Sunday as he missed delivering a fourth straight Angelus prayer in person.

Barca Liga match postponed after club doctor dies
Barcelona's La Liga match against Osasuna was postponed on Saturday after one of the club's first team doctors died.

Pope doing physiotherapy in hospital after quiet night
Pope Francis was doing physiotherapy Saturday after passing a quiet night, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old head of the global Catholic Church battles pneumonia.

Two dead, nearly 230 sickened in US measles outbreak: authorities
A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has killed two people and infected more than 200, prompting a top health agency to issue a travel warning.

Two dead, 200 sickened in US measles outbreak: authorities
A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has killed two people and infected more than 200, prompting a top health agency to issue a travel warning.

Children get tooth brushing lessons as UK battles dental care crisis
England on Friday launched a national campaign to teach children in schools and nurseries how to brush their teeth properly, as the nation grapples with a dental health crisis.

Ethiopia's ancient instrument begena healing souls
Biruktawit Tasew's fingers glide over the strings of the begena, producing a deep, hypnotic sound. Along with six fellow musicians, she breaks into a solemn religious melody, holding their audience spellbound.

Ailing pope 'rested well' but misses start of Lent
Pope Francis rested well during his 19th night in hospital with pneumonia, the Vatican said Wednesday, as celebrations for the Lent religious season started without him.

New Delhi vows to flatten monster garbage pile in Indian capital
India's capital New Delhi has vowed to clear one of its largest trash piles by next year as part of a plan to eradicate unsightly landfills dotting the megacity's skyline.

Pope 'slept all night' after two breathing attacks: Vatican
Pope Francis, hospitalised with penuemonia in both lungs, slept "all night long and continues to rest" after suffering two bouts of acute respiratory failure, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

60% of adults will be overweight or obese by 2050: study
Nearly 60 percent of all adults and a third of all children in the world will be overweight or obese by 2050 unless governments take action, a large new study said Tuesday.

Ski crash almost killed me, says French racer Sarrazin
French downhill specialist Cyprien Sarrazin said Monday that a crash in December that left him with head injuries had almost killed him.

Paris imposes car-sharing lane on congested ring road
Paris on Monday began limiting one lane of its notoriously busy ring road to car sharing during rush hours, the latest move by the French capital to ease congestion and pollution on one of Europe's most traffic-clogged thoroughfares.

Pope spent 'calm night' in hospital: Vatican
Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for more than two weeks with double pneumonia, spent a "calm night", the Vatican said on Sunday, after reporting he was in a stable condition.

Pope 'stable', no repeat of breathing crisis: Vatican
Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a "stable" condition, with no repeat of the previous day's breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday.

Pope spends 'peaceful night' after breathing crisis
Pope Francis, hospitalised for two weeks with pneumonia in both lungs, spent a peaceful night after suffering a breathing crisis, the Vatican said Saturday, as Catholics prayed for his speedy recovery.

Hospitalised pope no longer in critical condition: Vatican source
Pope Francis's condition is not currently critical, a Vatican source said Friday, after a series of clinical improvements for the 88-year-old pontiff suffering from pneumonia in both lungs.

Pope rests as Vatican reports new improvement
Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in hospital, the Vatican said Friday, a day after it noted improvement in his clinical condition for a second straight day.

Parents rush to vaccinate children after measles outbreak hits Texas
Five-year-old Shado is one of dozens of children being rushed to a health center in the US state of Texas to get the measles vaccine, after the recent death in the area of a child who was not immunized against the highly contagious virus.

Second day of health improvements for Pope Francis, reports Vatican
Pope Francis's condition was continuing to improve, the Vatican said Thursday, as the 88-year-old pontiff marked two weeks in hospital with pneumonia in both lungs.