Thursday briefing: The long, long wait for a male contraceptive pill may soon be over

In today’s newsletter: Reversible male hormonal contraception could reach the market within five to 10 years. But why has this development been so slow? Good morning. Since the first vasectomy was performed in the 1890s (imagine being that volunteer), the male contraceptive armoury has barely advanced. The last reversible method was added to this repertoire centuries ago: while rubber condoms hit the mass market in the 1850s, earlier versions date back beyond ancient Egypt. This looks on the cusp of change. In a landmark announcement last week, the World Health Organization said it expects reversible male contraceptives to be available on the market within five to 10 years. Politics | Senior Downing Street officials have been reaching out to thinktanks and pollsters as they look to test public support for the UK rejoining the EU. Middle East | One of the pilots of a plane flying from the United Arab Emirates to Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the aircraft, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, as Israeli officials said they were investigating whether the incident was an attempted terror attack on Israelis. UK news | There are “strong indications” that Iran played a role in events in which five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as part of a terror investigation, Andy Burnham has said. Immigration and asylum | The UK government’s “one in one out” deal with France, which was supposed to help deter small boat arrivals, is expected to expire on Thursday, as talks stall over French demands for an EU-wide scheme. Television | Esther Rantzen, the Bafta-winning TV presenter and founder of Childline, has died aged 86. In a statement, her family paid tribute to “the most wonderful mother” and “cherished grandmother”. Continue reading...

Read it at The Guardian (Health) ↗

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