DR Congo: ‘We need to stay vigilant over cholera risk’

Psilocybin, a psychedelic drug found in magic mushrooms, is as effective at reducing symptoms of depression as conventional treatment, a small, early-stage trial of 59 people has found. Those taking part in Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research’s trial were given either psilocybin or a common antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)….

A pharmacist whose brother died after having the AstraZeneca vaccine has told the BBC she still feels strongly that people should continue have their jabs. Alison Astles’ brother Neil, 59, died of a blood clot on the brain on Sunday, after having the vaccination on 17 March. She said he was “extraordinarily unlucky” and that…

Japan is headed for a general election on Sunday which is widely expected to keep Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in power. His party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has led Japan for most of the last 65 years. Tokyo correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes explains how it manages to keep its grip on power. Video by Jiro…

Afghanistan’s government still hopes a political settlement with the Taliban might be possible, the country’s ambassador to the US, Adela Raz has said. She told BBC World News that the government of Afghanistan and its people were ready for a political settlement. “There is no deal yet but we are not giving up hope, we…

Ai-da is performing self-composed poetry readings to mark the 700th anniversary of poet’s death.

A leading campaigner for women’s rights in Afghanistan was evacuated from Kabul last week, after going into hiding.