High-risk Covid gene more common in South Asians

scientists say 60 per cent of people from South Asian backgrounds and 15 per cent of people of European ancestry carry the high-risk version of the gene.

190 nations and organisations pledge to quit coal

Major coal users including Poland, Vietnam and Chile are committing to shift away from fossil fuel, in pledges made at the COP26 climate summit, the UK government says.

HPV vaccine cutting cervical cancer by nearly 90%

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, the vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90 per cent, the first real-world data shows. Cancer Research UK described the findings as "historic", and said it showed the vaccine was saving lives.

India cuts fuel taxes as prices hit record highs

India has cut the taxes paid by consumers on petrol and diesel after the surging cost of crude oil pushed fuel prices to record highs.

Missing 4-year-old found alive in Australia

A four-year-old girl missing for 18 days in a remote part of Western Australia has been found alive and well in a locked house, police have said.

Explosions and gunfire heard at Kabul military hospital

The Afghan capital Kabul has been rocked by two explosions and gunfire at the site of a military hospital. A Taliban spokesman said the first blast happened in front of the 400-bed Sardar Daud Khan hospital and the second was nearby.

COP26: World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030

More than 100 world leaders will promise to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, in the COP26 climate summit's first major deal. Brazil - where stretches of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down - will be among the signatories on Tuesday.

Vax declared word of the year for 2021

Vax has been chosen as the word of the year by lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Words related to vaccines have spiked in frequency in 2021 due to Covid, with double-vaxxed, unvaxxed and anti-vaxxer all seeing a surge in use.

Thailand reopens to vaccinated tourists from over 60 nations

Tens of thousands of travellers are expected to arrive in Thailand today as the country reopens to tourists after 18 months of Covid restrictions.

Gunmen attack Afghan wedding to stop music

Gunmen who identified themselves as Taliban attacked a wedding in eastern Afghanistan to stop music being played, killing at least two people and injuring 10 others, officials say.