Leading Japanese hospital suspends childbirth pain relief
Women who give birth at one of Japan's top hospitals are no longer being offered a common option to relieve pain. A shortage of anesthesiologists at Osaka University Hospital has led management to suspend epidurals, with a few exceptions for patients with chronic illness.
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Ukraine: Fear and distrust as Russia's invasion reaches crossroads
A possible ceasefire may be on the negotiating table, but many ordinary Ukrainians will still maintain a deep mistrust of Russia. "My biggest worry is that if they resume their aggression after a truce, the sacrifices we make every day will be in vain," says Tetiana Vatsenko-Bondareva who lost her husband in the invasion. She's among many women and children who must live with the severe emotional and physical scars, long after the fighting comes to an end.
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Hoping for a better future: How a Gaza schoolgirl learns Japanese amid violence and uncertainty
Gaza schoolgirl Roaa was fostering her passion for Japan and its language ― and then the conflict between Israel and Islamic group Hamas broke out.
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Myanmar: People's struggle depicted in manga
The comic book "Myanmar, the last stand" is rekindling international interest in how people there are struggling with military rule. It has been four years since the junta seized control in a coup that limits artistic expression ― but thanks to the efforts of a French author and Hong Kong illustrator, it is connecting readers around the world who share democratic values, particularly in Asian countries.
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Sexual violence survivors in Ukraine plead for justice
An increasing number of male and female victims of sex crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine are coming forward to share their harrowing experiences. Their stories paint a horrible picture of life in occupied territory ― and as US-Russia ceasefire talks get underway, survivors fear their abusers may never be brought to justice.
*This report contains references to sexual violence and trauma that may be distressing for some readers.
New Zealand