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Hong Kong economy tips into technical recession
Hong Kong has tipped back into a technical recession, new government figures showed Monday, weighed down by mounting interest rates, weakened global trade and the city's continued adherence to strict coronavirus controls.
'Good to be back': Hugs and tears as Tonga reopens borders
Families embraced and cried tears of joy Monday as they reunited at Tonga's airport -- the inaugural arrivals to the Pacific nation after it lifted Covid restrictions for the first time since the pandemic struck.
Macau to reopen after Covid sinks gaming revenue to record low
Macau was set to remove most coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday after the casino hub's gaming revenue hit its lowest level on record.
Hong Kong Sevens fans can drink, but not eat, in stands
Rugby fans in the stands at November's Hong Kong Sevens will be allowed to drink, but not eat, with masks having to be worn between sips, an official said on Monday.
OPEC+ walks 'fine line' between US and Russia
The OPEC+ group of oil exporters are set to hammer out a new strategy at their meeting Wednesday, with all eyes on how they will react to soaring crude prices.
'Warn everyone': Spain's gay community acts as monkeypox spreads
Whether it's abstinence, avoiding nightclubs, limiting sexual partners or pushing for a swift vaccine rollout, Spain's gay community are on the front line of the monkeypox virus and are taking action.
Spain reports second monkeypox-linked death
Spain on Saturday reported its second monkeypox-related death, bringing to three the number of fatalities linked to the current outbreak outside of Africa.
Ageing pope admits he must slow down, or quit
Pope Francis admitted Saturday he needs to slow down, telling reporters after a six-day trip to Canada that he cannot maintain his pace of international travel -- and may have to think about retiring.
Pope calls Canada Indigenous abuse 'genocide', says must slow down
Pope Francis said Saturday the decades-long abuse of Indigenous schoolchildren across Canada amounted to "genocide" as he returned from a six-day trip with an acknowledgement that he needed to slow down his pace of travel -- or could even resign.
Covid-hit Macau reopens beaches but bans swimming
Macau beachgoers were left high and dry as the Chinese gambling hub reopened two beaches on Saturday but banned swimming and water sports, citing coronavirus concerns.
Hong Kong Sevens to return in November after Covid hiatus
Hong Kong's rugby sevens tournament will return after a three-year coronavirus pandemic hiatus, organisers confirmed Saturday, with the event likely adopting a Beijing Olympics-style "closed-loop" system.
North Korea reports no new cases for first time since Covid outbreak
North Korea reported zero fever cases on Saturday for the first time in more than two months since it confirmed its first Covid-19 infections in May.
Spain, Brazil report first monkeypox-related deaths outside Africa
Spain and Brazil reported their first monkeypox-related deaths on Friday, marking what are thought to be the first fatalities linked to the current outbreak outside of Africa.
First kisses may have helped spread cold sore virus
The modern strain of the virus that causes cold sores has been traced back to around 5,000 years ago, with researchers suggesting its spread could have been propelled by the emergence of kissing.
Long-lasting loss of smell, taste in 5% of Covid cases: study
Around five percent of people who have had Covid-19 develop long-lasting problems with their sense of smell or taste, a large study said Thursday, potentially contributing to the burden of long Covid.
Global fight against HIV 'In Danger' amid resource crunch, says UN
The global fight against HIV has stalled from shrinking resources due to Covid-19 and other crises, according to a new report presented at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada.
Bacteria behind rare disease found in US soil and water samples
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday issued a health advisory to clinicians after discovering the bacteria behind a rare but serious disease for the first time in the continental United States.
Antibiotic taken after sex drastically reduces STDs: study
An antibiotic taken after sex without a condom can drastically reduce the rate of three bacterial STDs among high-risk groups, data from a clinical study showed Wednesday.
Botswana hits 'historic' UN goal against HIV: report
Botswana has become the second nation in the world, after Eswatini, to reach a landmark UN goal towards eradicating AIDS, researchers said Wednesday, in what health experts hailed as "stellar results".
China's 'Silicon Valley' tightens rules over Covid flare-up
China's biggest tech hub is rushing to stamp out a fresh Covid outbreak, ordering some of the country's biggest manufacturers to operate in a 'closed loop' to reduce infections, state media reported.
Monkeypox symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and vaccines
The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency at the weekend, as calls grow for swift action to stop the spread of the virus.
Shortages leave bankrupt Sri Lanka's hospitals empty
Entire wards are dark and nearly empty in Sri Lanka's largest hospital, its few remaining patients leaving untreated and still in pain, and doctors prevented from even arriving for their shifts.
Thailand's first monkeypox patient found after fleeing to Cambodia
A Nigerian man who went on the run after becoming Thailand's first monkeypox case was found in Phnom Penh Saturday and taken to hospital, the Cambodian Health Ministry said.
WHO triggers highest alert on monkeypox
The World Health Organization on Saturday declared the monkeypox outbreak, which has affected nearly 16,000 people in 72 countries, to be a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound.
China confirms top officials vaccinated as it seeks to reassure vaccine-sceptic
Chinese anti-Covid vaccines are safe and have been given to the country's top leaders, Beijing's health authorities said Saturday, in a bid to reassure the population about their quality in the face of dwindling inoculation rates.
WHO to say if it will trigger highest alert on monkeypox
Faced with a surge in monkeypox cases, the head of the World Health Organization is Saturday expected to declare if the agency has decided to classify the outbreak as a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound.
Japan's baby hatch hospital offers mothers 'last resort'
When the alarm sounds at Jikei hospital in southern Japan, nurses race down a spiral staircase. Their mission: to rescue an infant left in the country's only baby hatch.
WHO discusses declaring emergency on monkeypox
Monkeypox experts discussed Thursday whether the World Health Organization should classify the outbreak as a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound.
A Covid tale of two presidents
More than two years into the pandemic, a second US president has tested positive for Covid.
WHO decides on sounding highest alarm on monkeypox
Monkeypox experts were discussing Thursday whether the World Health Organization should classify the outbreak as a global health emergency -- the highest alarm it can sound.
Across Haiti, fuel shortages and power outages bring life to a halt
With gang violence racking Haiti's capital, other cities across the island nation face another major issue: a shortage of both fuel and electricity threatens daily life for millions.
'Severe' pain: a New Yorker's experience of monkeypox
"It was the worst pain that I have experienced in my life," says 26-year-old New Yorker Kyle Planck, recalling his recent monkeypox infection.