Amid historically low birth rates and economic pressures from its aging population, China will eliminate a decades-old tax exemption on contraceptives. A visitor looks at condoms during the Beijing International Sex Supplies Exhibition. Amid historically low birth rates and economic pressures from its aging population, China will eliminate a decades-old tax exemption on contraceptives. China aims to impose a unique strategy to address a falling birth rate that threatens its long-term stability. As of January 1, 2026, the government will levy a 13 percent value-added tax (VAT) on various contraceptives, including condoms.

RFK Jr.'s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men's Health Initiative At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a "men's health crisis." Others called to ease men's access to hormones. The US Department of Health and Human Services is considering launching a federal men's health initiative, a source at the agency tells WIRED. Brian Christine, who will be sworn in on December 12 as assistant secretary for health at HHS and head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, called for such an effort Wednesday during a Food and Drug Administration panel on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men. A spokesperson for HHS declined to comment.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Is RFK Jr. better on women's health than Newsom? We're about to find out Halle Berry speaks Wednesday during the New York Times DealBook Summit, where she criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for vetoing a bill that would guarantee access to menopause treatment for California women. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Science How Many Kids Will Have to Die for RFK Jr. to Be Stopped? Enter your email to receive alerts for this author. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. You're already subscribed to the aa_Mary_Harris newsletter. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

The vaccine advisory group ACIP, not all members of which seemed to know what the group does, recommended to the CDC that combined MMRV shots not be given before age 4. A federal vaccine advisory committee made of members hand-picked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended in an 8-3 vote on Thursday that the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine should not be given before age four, citing long-known evidence that shows a slightly increased risk for febrile seizures in that age group. Experts say that while frightening, febrile seizures--which are uncommon after vaccination--are usually short-lived and harmless, and removing the option for parents could cause a decline in immunization rates against measles, mumps, and rubella, some of the most dangerous childhood diseases. Known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, the group provides recommendations to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine usage. These recommendations are typically adopted by CDC and have an impact on state vaccine requirements for school, insurance coverage of vaccines, and pharmacy access--something at least one member of the panel seemed to be unaware of. Thursday's vote is part of a new shift in vaccine policy being spearheaded by Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist.

Speaking at a WIRED event Tuesday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said he was "encouraged" by the company's dialogue with the FDA--but acknowledged recent setbacks. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel prepares to testify before the Senate on March 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. At the WIRED Health summit on Tuesday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said the recent changes to Covid-19 vaccine policy made by Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are a "step backward." Moderna is one of the manufacturers of mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, and last month the company received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for an updated version of the shot . But as part of that approval, the FDA imposed new restrictions on who can receive the vaccine.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Dozens of cargo containers fall off vessel at Port of Long Beach. A boat uses jets of water to corral shipping containers that fell off a cargo vessel Tuesday at the Port of Long Beach. Voice comes from the use of AI. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. 'Breaking Bad' actor accused of spraying woman with water in L.A. parking dispute Raymond Cruz attends the premiere of Season 2 of "Breaking Bad" at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on Feb. 26, 2009. Voice comes from the use of AI. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . Actor Raymond Cruz was held in custody for five hours on Monday after a sudsy spat with three women in his Los Angeles neighborhood.

Things to Do in L.A. When I got COVID, readers said it proved vaccines don't work. What has RFK Jr. wrought? A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccination. Voice comes from the use of AI. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

With demonstrations ramping up against the Trump administration, this week was all about protests. With President Donald Trump taking the historic step to deploy US Marines and the National Guard to Los Angeles, we dove into the "long-term dangers" of sending troops to LA, as well as what those troops are permitted to do while they're there. Of course, it's not just the military getting involved in the LA protests against the heavy crackdowns by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There's also Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which further escalated federal involvement by flying Predator drones over LA. And there are local and state authorities, who've used "nonlethal" weapons and chemical agents like tear gas against protesters.