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HOW THE DRUGS WORK Mifepristone is taken first, swallowed by mouth. The drug dilates the cervix and blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol, a drug also used to treat stomach ulcers, is taken 24 to 48 hours later. The pill is designed to dissolve when placed between the gums and teeth or in the vagina. It causes the uterus to cramp and contract, causing bleeding and expelling pregnancy tissue. While the two-drug combination is slightly more effective, misoprostol is sometimes used alone for abortions. That practice is more common in countries...

By Nov. 15, the world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion, and by 2023, India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country, according to a new report from the United Nations.The international agency listed these projections among several key highlights in its annual World Population Prospect report, released to mark World Population Day Monday.“This year’s World Population Day falls during a milestone year, when we anticipate the birth of the Earth’s eight billionth inhabitant,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, reacting to the report’s findings.“This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity,...