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This is the Global News podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm John Sudworth and at 16 hours GMT on Monday the 2nd of February, these are our main stories.

Israel has opened the Rafa border crossing between

Gaza and Egypt, which has largely been kept closed for two years, but with strict limits on the

number of Palestinians who are being allowed to cross in each direction. Pakistan has begun

a nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate more than 45 million children.

Syria's only woman in the transitional government tells the BBC about the challenges facing her country.

Also in this podcast, how high-tech is helping dementia patients in Japan.

If doctors can use motion-capture data, such as walking patterns or posture, they can intervene

earlier, prescribe treatment and delay the onset of dementia.

But first, the Rafa border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been reopened.

The territory's only gateway to the outside world is seen by Palestinians as a vital lifeline.

And apart from a brief period during the temporary ceasefire last winter, the crossing has remained shut since May 24 when Israeli troops took control of it in the eighth month of

their war against Hamas. Although the number of people will, initially at least, be strictly

limited with some reports suggesting a cap of 50 a day in each direction,

the opening is expected to provide desperately needed relief for wounded and sick Palestinians seeking medical care abroad.

Gaza remains strictly off limits to foreign journalists,

and so our correspondent Yolandell, is monitoring events from Jerusalem.

A short time ago, we had this announcement from an Israeli security official saying that the

strategically important raffach crossing between Gaza and Egypt is now fully open.

That's for the entry and exit of Palestinian residents after a lot of delays.

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