Europe Today
WHO says Siberia plague risk is low as drones sink Black Sea ships
The WHO says the risk of a plague epidemic is low after a lab worker died in Siberia. We report on the drone attacks that have sunk ships off Romania and Bulgaria in recent days. And: EU envoys are set to approve the biggest Russia sanctions package since 2022.
Russia
Russia denies lab worker died of plague as quarantine stays in place
Rospotrebnadzor said tests found no pathogen linked to the deceased lab worker's work at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, but more than 60 colleagues remained isolated inside the building and several hospitals stayed closed without explanation.
Iran
War, sanctions and inflation leave Iran short of hundreds of medicines
Prices for basic medicines such as paracetamol and insulin have skyrocketed amid major shortages of less common pharmaceuticals. More than 70% of healthcare costs in Iran are paid out of pocket, leaving the most vulnerable patients unable to afford treatment.