Health

An advertising agency that helped develop marketing campaigns for OxyContin and other prescription painkillers and a drugmaker announced separate agreements Thursday worth a total of $500 million to avoid going to trial on claims that they bore some

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia court has fined a church in the Annapolis Valley $5,000 for violating provincial restrictions on faith gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Weston Christian Fellowship Church in Berwick, N.S.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — State courts in Pennsylvania must allow people on probation to continue to take medication for opioid withdrawal as part of a Justice Department settlement announced Thursday.

Britain could officially recognize a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in Gaza without waiting for the outcome of future talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Thursday.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced changes to rules surrounding transgender youth.

Ontario is investing $110 million in an effort to connect more than 300,000 people to primary care teams, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said Thursday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest versions of COVID-19 vaccines were 54% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in adults, according to the first U.S. study to assess how well the shots work.

Political polarization. Economic struggles. Inequity. Climate change. War. In an often-bruising world, you can hardly blame people for seeking out ways to cushion themselves.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After a deadly school bus crash last summer, a task force convened by Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended Wednesday more training, driver benefits and safety features — but not a seat belt mandate.

South Africa’s foreign minister alleged Israel is ignoring the ruling by the United Nations’ top court last week, which ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, by killing hundreds more civilians in a matter of days in Gaza.