Category: Lifestyle
Unease grows at the CDC as Trump administration keeps grip on research, messaging
By Pien Huang , Will Stone The situation is far from normal at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, current and former CDC officials tell NPR, even as a clampdown on external communications is starting to ease. New layers of review from political appointees installed by the new Trump Administration remain in place amid…
Look for ‘Slow Flower’ Bouquets, Plants Grown without Health-Harming Chemicals Used in Overseas Operations
The Beauty of ‘Slow Flowers’ versus the Pretty Poison of Plants Grown with Dangerous Chemicals New “slow flower” farms grow beautiful blooms—without health-harming chemicals used by overseas operations that dominate the U.S. flower market By Maryn McKenna edited by Josh Fischman Dahlias bloom at the Maine Flower Collective, a group of local growers. On a…
Bo-Kaap: the candy-coloured corner of Cape Town facing tourism v heritage dilemma
Some locals in picturesque district of Bo-Kaap are fed up with influx of visitors, and worry about impact of gentrification After Table Mountain, the candy-coloured houses of Bo-Kaap have become one of Cape Town’s most iconic images, a key stop in any tourist’s visit to the South African city and a must-have for Instagram feeds.…
Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for young people puts hospitals in a bind
Selena Simmons-Duffin Kristen Chapman had already moved her family from Tennessee to Virginia to try to find a state that would be more welcoming to her transgender daughter, Willow. After months waiting for an appointment at the gender-affirming care clinic at VCU Health in Richmond, Willow had one on the calendar on Jan. 29. President…
4 things you didn’t know elephants do for you
Editor’s note: On April 18, 2018, Conservation International released its virtual reality film, “My Africa.” The film tells the story of a young Samburu woman in Kenya whose community is working to save elephants, reknitting an ancient coexistence between people and wildlife. In honor of this film, Conservation News is telling stories about the people,…
Expert: Rollbacks of environmental protections imperil nature — and human health
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, countries around the world have been shrinking or eliminating areas set aside to protect nature — some to drill for fossil fuels, others for urban development. Yet the environmental rollbacks that some governments claim could help humanity recover economically from the coronavirus could put humanity more at risk of future…
Trump Executive Orders Create Confusion for Science and Health Agencies
Funding Freeze and Communications Hold Create Confusion for U.S. Researchers Researchers in the U.S. are grappling with Trump administration executive orders around health and science agency funding and communications. By Rachel Feltman, Max Kozlov, Lauren J. Young, Fonda Mwangi & Madison Goldberg [CLIP: Theme music] Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman.…
Senate Democrats call for answers on health communications freeze and funding delays
Carmel Wroth In a letter sent Wednesday night to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Dorothy Fink, a group of 34 Democratic senators called for the federal health agency to end its freeze on “external communications and funding.” “We write to express our deep concern over the Administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications…
Maryland federal judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday blocked President Trump’s executive order to end citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to parents in the country without legal status. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are…
Trump Administration Closes Climate Health Office
Trump Administration Shutters Climate Health Office A climate office at the Department of Health and Human Services has been shuttered, and its staff was placed on administrative leave By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News An elderly man faints in front of the Supreme Court in June 2024 as temperatures in Washington, D.C., rose into the…
New Game Card “Beat”
🎮 BEAT Party Game Card: The Game That Takes Truth to the Limit is Now on Kickstarter If you’ve ever felt that a simple “Truth or Dare” wasn’t enough, BEAT Party Game Card is here to revolutionize how we play with the truth. This bold and exciting board game, created by Monkey Republic Games, has…
Vagus nerve stimulation may tame autoimmune diseases
Jon Hamilton Tiny pulses of electricity may provide the next big advance in treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The pulses would be delivered via implanted devices that stimulate the vagus nerve, and they are showing promise in people with arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, including Crohn’s, and multiple sclerosis. Currently, autoimmune diseases are usually treated…
RFK, Jr., Confirmation Hearing Is Tomorrow. Here’s What to Know
4 Things to Know as RFK, Jr., Confirmation Hearing Approaches Some health professionals have spoken out about President Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for Secretary of Health and Human Services By Arthur Allen & KFF Health News Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, on…
Did your date give you ‘the ick’? Here’s the science behind the feeling
By Andrea Muraskin The food was top-notch, the atmosphere was cozy and my date aimed to entertain. I love a good personal story, so I invited him to relate one that he’d referenced in his profile. Good fodder for a first date, I thought. At one point in the story, as he recounted it, a…
Trump administration purges websites across federal health agencies
By Will Stone , Selena Simmons-Duffin At the direction of the Trump administration, the federal Department of Health and Human Services and its agencies are purging its websites of information and data on a broad array of topics — from adolescent health to LGBTQ+ rights to HIV. Several webpages from Centers for Disease Control and…
Senator calls RFK Jr.’s position on race and vaccines dangerous
By Will Stone It was one of the more tense exchanges in an already heated confirmation hearing as senators put Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s record on vaccines — and his shifting stances on their safety and efficacy — under the microscope. Senator Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat from Maryland, pointed to past comments made by Kennedy…
After fires, LA students yearn to get back to school, and a normal life
Jonaki Mehta Augusta Robbins and her family have been hopping between temporary housing for the last three weeks or so. When the smell of smoke crept into their family home on January 7th, the second grader was playing laser tag. Now, not only has Augusta lost her home, but most of her school is gone,…
Recapping RFK, Jr’s First Day of Confirmation Hearings in 5 Takeaways
RFK Jr., Confirmation Hearing Showed 5 Ways He Threatens Public Health From Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s views on vaccines to Medicaid, here are some ways his nomination for head of the Department of Health and Human Services could have sweeping effects on health care By Tanya Lewis edited by Lauren J. Young Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,…
Trump Asks SpaceX to Return NASA’s ‘Stranded’ Astronauts to Earth ASAP
Trump Asks SpaceX to Return NASA’s ‘Stranded’ Astronauts to Earth ASAP Despite a recent request from Trump, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were already scheduled to return to Earth on a Crew Dragon capsule this spring By Mike Wall & SPACE.com NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station. Join Our Community of Science Lovers! Well, this…
How districts are responding after Trump cleared the way for immigration arrests at schools
From By Robin Young , Hafsa Quraishi President Donald Trump has put an end to a longstanding policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals and schools. The Migration Policy Institute estimates 733,000 school-aged children live in the United States without legal status. Chalkbeat reporter Kalyn Belsha says…
Israeli troops fire on displaced Palestinians hoping to return to homes, killing 2
By Willem Marx Israeli troops have blocked thousands of displaced Palestinians from traveling back to their homes in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, amid Israeli accusations that Hamas had breached the ceasefire deal by delaying the release of specific hostages. Israeli soldiers fired on the large crowds of Gaza residents hoping to return…
The Health Effects of FDA-Authorized ZYN Nicotine Pouches
What’s in ZYN, the FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch? Is It Harmful? ZYN, the popular brand of flavored nicotine pouches, recently earned FDA authorization for reducing smoking, but some questions linger. Experts explain the efficacy and potential health risks of nicotine pouches By Lauren J. Young edited by Dean Visser ZYN smokeless nicotine pouch containers for sale…
Once off-limits to Syrians, Assad’s former summer residence now attracts tourists
Hadeel Al-Shalchi QARDAHA, LATAKIA, Syria — There is a long, winding road leading to what was once the family home of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad just outside Latakia on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. On either side of the road in the village of Burj al-Islam, there are lush orange trees and olive trees. The quiet…
The U.S. just experienced its slowest annual sales of homes since 1995
Laurel Wamsley The final figures for home sales last year are in, and the story is quite grim: 2024 was the slowest year for existing home sales in nearly three decades. Existing-home sales last year totaled 4.06 million, the lowest on an annual basis since 1995, according to the National Association of Realtors on Friday.…
Italy says Libya war crimes suspect was sent home due to ‘social dangerousness’
General Osama Najim was released on a technicality and repatriated by Italy without any prior consultation, says international criminal court Italy’s interior minister said on Thursday a Libyan man detained under an international war crimes arrest warrant and then unexpectedly released had been swiftly repatriated because of his “social dangerousness“. Osama Najim, also known as…
RFK Jr. plans to keep a financial stake in lawsuits against the drugmaker Merck
By Sydney Lupkin Even if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as the next Health and Human Services secretary, he still plans to collect fees from Wisner Baum, a law firm suing Merck over claims that the pharmaceutical company failed to properly warn consumers about risks from its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, according to new filings…
One Family in Gaza Returned Home. But Home Was Gone.
Middle East “It took us a few minutes to accept that this pile of rubble was our home,” said Islam Dahliz, whose family was ordered by Israeli forces to evacuate Rafah in May. By Vivian Yee and Bilal Shbair Vivian Yee reported from Cairo, and Bilal Shbair from Rafah, Gaza. Minutes after the fighting stopped…
The Health Risks of Alcohol, a Red Dye Ban and Commercial Space Launches
A Mixed Bag for Private Spaceflight, a New Spider Species and the Health Risks of Alcohol We discuss a big week for commercial spaceflight, a red dye ban and a scary spider species in this news roundup. By Rachel Feltman, Madison Goldberg & Fonda Mwangi [CLIP: “It Doesn’t End Here (Instrumental),” by Nehemiah Pratt] Rachel…
If a Sports Bra & Tank Top Had a Baby It’d Be This Cami- Get 3 for $19
Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Some brands featured in this article are partners of Amazon’s Creator Connections program, which means E! may make an increased commission on your purchase if you buy something through our links. Learn more. Once you…
Opinion: Great writers on Los Angeles
Scott Simon Los Angeles has long been a kind of dreamscape, the city of the silver screen, on the edge of a great ocean, that draws in people from all over the world, despite the looming threats of being shaken by earthquakes or scorched by wildfires. Many great writers have been drawn to Los Angeles.…
A California fifth grader interviews his firefighter father
By Lauren Migaki , Janet W. Lee When the fires in Los Angeles broke out just over one week ago, fire captain Shane Lawlor was quickly dispatched to the Palisades. He has been at work ever since. On his first day, Lawlor was on his team’s fireline for 20 hours straight with no breaks for…
BMI Sidelined in New Obesity Definition That Favors Health Evaluation
BMI Sidelined in New Obesity Definition That Favors Health Evaluation Instead of using the controversial body mass index, or BMI, to assess weight, an international group of scientists proposes an approach that looks at how excess body fat affects health By Giorgia Guglielmi & Nature magazine Amid the rising buzz around Ozempic and similar weight-loss…
Some Los Angeles homes made it through the firestorm. Here’s how
Lauren Sommer More than 10,000 houses have been destroyed in Los Angeles, the charred piles of wood and metal all that remains after the fast-moving wildfires. But within that wreckage, some homes are still standing, seemingly untouched. It’s a phenomenon that’s been seen in other high-intensity fires, something that can feel like a stroke of…
How the Gaza war has remade the Middle East
Greg Myre TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which may now be drawing to a close, has dramatically reshaped much of the Middle East and is still delivering aftershocks. When Hamas launched its surprise attack into southern Israel on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, it was operating under Middle East rules…
The Supreme Court’s Trans Health Case Shows Why Patients Should Make the Decisions
Opinion The Supreme Court’s Case on Trans Health Shows Why Patients Should Make the Decisions Supreme Court arguments over trans health care makes plain how badly we need personalized health care in all of medicine By Meredithe McNamara & Dan Murphy edited by Dan Vergano A transgender rights supporter takes part in a rally outside…
The FDA calls for at-a-glance nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods
Maria Godoy The Food and Drug Administration wants to change how packaged food is sold in the U.S. In the waning days of the Biden administration, the agency has proposed requiring a new label on the front of most packaged food and drinks aimed at helping Americans make healthier food choices. The proposed labels would…
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke
Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke Wildfires are storming into urban areas more frequently, and toxins in homes and cars are increasing cancer risk for firefighters By Ariel Wittenberg & E&E News A firefighter battles a house fire along PCH as the Palisades Fire burns in Malibu Wednesday. CLIMATEWIRE | Firefighter Matt Alba…
Why Urban Wildfires like L.A.’s Release Such Toxic Smoke
What Makes Urban Wildfire Smoke So Toxic Wildfires burning in cities unleash a toxic, unpredictable combination of compounds into the air By Allison Parshall edited by Dean Visser Smoke over destroyed homes in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Firefighters are making some progress on controlling…
Destructive Los Angeles Fires Explained in Photos
Photos Show Why Los Angeles Fires Were the Worst in City’s History The ferocity and scale of the fires that tore through the Los Angeles area become clearer in photographs By Andrea Thompson & Amanda Stosz A home on Mariposa Street in Altadena, Calif., goes up in flames during the Eaton Fire on January 8.…
‘I feel blessed to get weight-loss jab’ – but can the NHS afford it for all?
Ray, 62 from south London, became one of the first patients to receive the weight-loss jab Wegovy on the NHS last year and has lost 14kg (just over two stone) in five months. BBC Panorama joined him as he was prescribed his first dose at London’s Guy’s Hospital, where he was told he would probably…
Southern California wildfires destroy or damage many houses of worship
By Jason DeRose , Sarah Ventre A cantor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels led the congregation in a haunting refrain during a special Mass this week for victims and first responders of the Los Angeles wildfires: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” The fires in Los Angeles County continue…
More than 100 famous works by Australian authors rescued from oblivion by literary heritage endeavour
Three-year project returns out-of-print classics – including six Miles Franklin winners – to circulation and into ebook format for the first time More than 160 books by noted Australian authors have been rescued from oblivion, including six winners of the Miles Franklin literary award. The three-year project, which culminated at the end of last year,…
Far From the Fires, the Deadly Risks of Smoke Are Intensifying
Researchers see a growing health danger from the vast plumes of pollution spawned by wildfires like the ones devastating Los Angeles. By Hiroko Tabuchi It kills more people each year than car crashes, war or drugs do. This invisible killer is the air pollution from sources like cars and trucks or factory smokestacks. But as…
When the power goes out, health risks rise
Maria Godoy Tens of thousands of people are currently without power in California, Texas and Arkansas, as wildfires ravage the West and a winter storm hits the South. Research shows when the power fails, it also raises the risk of a host of health concerns — from gastrointestinal illness to heart attacks and even burns.…
Amid the fires, LA is warning some residents the tap water isn’t safe. Here’s why
Pien Huang The warning is stark: “Do not drink or cook with the tap water … Do not treat the tap water yourself,” typed in all caps and boldface. The alert, issued January 10 by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, also advises people not to take hot baths or long showers. It’s…
‘Hotel of mum and dad’ in UK at its fullest in two decades, study finds
Almost a fifth of adults aged 24-34 are living with parents, particularly in areas of high-cost housing The “hotel of mum and dad” is the busiest it has been for two decades as an increasing number of young adults in the UK choose – or are forced by low wages and rising rents – to…
More than half a million students were out of school because of LA fires this week
Jonaki Mehta More than 600,000 students in and around Los Angeles have had their schooling disrupted by the historic fires this week. School districts across the region started announcing school closures on Tuesday and Wednesday. That includes the second-largest school district in the nation, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which serves more than 500,000…
Is smoke in your home? Here’s how to make an air purifier from a box fan
By Bill Chappell This is a developing story. For the latest local updates head to LAist.com and sign up for breaking news alerts. Interest in air filters and purifiers is spiking in Southern California, including questions about how to build a homemade air purifier. Getting clean air is the latest challenge for residents who evacuated to safe areas,…
Cold weather health alert extended for England with -20C possible
Officials say impact of freezing temperatures likely to be felt across health service and amber alert to stay until Tuesday An England-wide amber health alert has been extended to Tuesday as temperatures are expected to continue to fall over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency extended the alert, which was previously in place until…
Interstate travellers take to the train as air fares between Melbourne and Sydney soar
Exclusive: Seats on 11-hour Sydney-Melbourne service regularly sold out over holiday period, as one-way flights to Tullamarine average almost $500 The 11-hour Sydney-Melbourne train has become so popular services are selling out – even with extra carriages added – as travellers seek alternatives to an aviation duopoly that is stronger than ever, with carriers charging…
Her family thought they would return home the next day. Now, their house is gone
Frank Langfitt On the opening day of California’s destructive wildfires, Jinghuan Liu Tervalon was keeping an eye on Watch Duty, an app that tracks the flames. Altadena, her Los Angeles County town, was still only under an evacuation warning on Tuesday. Then, a friend who’s married to a firefighter called and warned her that the…
Hey, meat eaters. Your gut health can rival a vegan’s. Here’s how
Maria Godoy Our guts are home to trillions of microbes that have a profound influence on our overall health. Now, a new study finds that — whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or omnivore — the key to a healthy gut microbiome is the same: Eat lots of different plant-based foods. Gut microbes break down food that…
I woke from a coma to find my baby had been born
A woman who was placed in an induced coma after experiencing severe pregnancy sickness has described waking to find her baby had been born. Atlanta McIntyre, 29, from Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taf, had excessive nausea and vomiting during her pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). During one episode of vomiting, Ms McIntyre choked and…
ColourPop’s New Moon Makeup Collection Has Dropped & It’s Selling Out
Get ready to sparkle and shine—ColourPop’s New Moon-inspired collection is here, packed with sultry reds, warm oranges, and rich golds for every Twilight lover’s dream look. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. Twilight fans, ColourPop is back with its second Twilight-inspired collection—this time, paying homage to New Moon.…
‘I paid fake doctor thousands for fillers – now I look like a gargoyle’
A former tattooist who left a woman “looking like a gargoyle” after giving her botched face fillers had been posing as a doctor at his aesthetics clinic, a BBC investigation has revealed. It comes as a leading practitioner warns of more “death and disfigurement” as plans to regulate the industry continue to be delayed. Andrea…
Home Office says record number of refused asylum seekers deported since July
Labour’s description of 16,400 ‘immigration offenders and foreign criminals’ angers campaigners Keir Starmer has boasted of deporting a record number of refused asylum seekers and overseas criminals since scrapping the Rwanda scheme, using language that has dismayed human rights campaigners. The Home Office said on Thursday it had returned more than 16,400 “immigration offenders and…
Guantánamo Bay Explained: The Costs, the Captives and Why It’s Still Open
Trump Investigations Just 15 men remain at the prison, down from hundreds when it opened 23 years ago. But the costly operation could go on for years. By Carol Rosenberg Carol Rosenberg has been covering the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, since the first detainees were brought there on Jan. 11, 2002. She first reported…
Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, other celebrities share LA fire experiences, resources
Andrew Limbong Actor Jamie Lee Curtis opened her appearance on The Tonight Show last night speaking about the devastating fires in California. “It’s just a catastrophe,” she said. “Obviously there have been horrific fires in many places. This is where I live.” The fires have spread across tens of thousands of acres, destroying homes, businesses,…
A major winter storm will bring snow to the South. Here are tips from winter experts
By Mara Hoplamazian Much of the southern U.S. is bracing for significant snowfall and frigid temperatures this week. Weather warnings and watches extend throughout the region, including northern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Georgia, where several inches of snow could fall. The second major winter storm of 2025 is expected to bring snow and freezing…
Looking to have fun without alcohol? This guy has ideas that may help
Allison Aubrey If you’re looking for inspiration to stick with your Dry January commitment, you may want to check out booze-free gatherings happening all over the country. A Mindful Drinking Fest returns to Washington, D.C., this weekend. There’s Mocktails & Mingle in Chicago, a Dry Vibes celebration in Kansas City, a Mocktail Fest in Miami,…
More fires erupt in Southern California and spread to the Hollywood Hills
By Ayana Archie Nearly 30,000 acres remained burning early Thursday across Los Angeles County as firefighters struggled to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that has forced mass evacuations and leveled entire communities. At least five people have died as new fires broke out late Wednesday in Los Angeles County, totaling about more than 29,000…
Fluoride analysis triggers renewed debate over what levels are safe for kids
Pien Huang Most communities in the U.S. add fluoride to the tap water. It has been common practice for nearly 80 years to protect against tooth decay and cavities, and it’s considered a major achievement in public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says research shows that community water fluoridation reduces cavities by…
Parents in Welsh county told to come to school to change nappies if their child is not toilet trained
Policy change by Blaenau Gwent council means teachers will no longer change nappies or pull-ups unless there is a ‘medically recognised need’ Parents in Blaenau Gwent, Wales have been told they have to come to school to change nappies if their children are not toilet trained. The local authority told parents that it was their…
A record 24 million people now get Obamacare health plans. Will it last under Trump?
Selena Simmons-Duffin Nearly 24 million Americans are buying their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act – and there’s still a week to go for open enrollment signups. “We’ve once again set a new all-time record for marketplace enrollment,” Neera Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden, said on a press call Tuesday. “In fact,…
American Global Health Leadership in a Second Trump Administration
Opinion American Global Health Leadership in a Second Trump Administration The Trump administration may undermine U.S. leadership and the international system of global health cooperation. Pandemic preparedness, resilient health systems and reproductive rights will suffer worldwide By Lawrence O. Gostin & Eric A. Friedman edited by Dan Vergano Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.…
Survival of the luckiest? New study hints at the potential role of luck in evolution
By Jonathan Lambert For many, evolution boils down to a simple phrase: survival of the fittest. Within a population, individuals vary in their ability to survive and reproduce, and the winners of this competition shape the next generation. “Everywhere we look, outcomes across populations are unequal,” says Matthew Zipple, an evolutionary biologist at Cornell University.…
After Helene’s floods, North Carolina tries to tame trauma’s lasting damage
By Katia Riddle ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Sebastian Saraellno Paez’s parents already were in a panic, he recalls, when he woke up on Friday, Sept. 27. Hurricane Helene hit the night before and now, water — two feet deep and rising — surrounded his family’s home. Trying to remain calm and think about solutions, the 17-year-old…
Winter illnesses return with a vengeance
Rob Stein The winter holiday rituals are behind us. It’s cold and snowy in many places. And, now, unfortunately, another annual tradition is upon us. “Respiratory season is here,” says Dr. Brendan Jackson, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is getting to be in full swing now with a lot…
In a workforce transformed by war, Ukrainian women are now working in coal mines
By Joanna Kakissis , Michael Robinson Chávez TERNIVKA, Ukraine — It’s still dark when the busload of miners arrives for the morning shift at this small city in eastern Ukraine’s coal country. Among the workers is 36-year-old Iryna Ostanko, effusive and athletic, smiling at her fellow coal workers in the cold dawn as they walk…
Australia’s housing market ‘buckling’ under widening gap between income and home values, report finds
Australia’s housing downturn is being driven by a widening gap between income, borrowing capacity and home values, but the dip is likely to be “shallow and short-lived”, a new report has found. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email “After almost two years, the housing market appears to finally be buckling to these pressures,”…
What We Know About HMPV, the Virus Spreading in China
Global Health While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV is common and decades old. By Stephanie Nolen Stephanie Nolen covers global health. Reports of a surge in cases of a respiratory virus in China have evoked dark…
CFPB sues Berkshire Hathaway-owned mortgage lender for alleged predatory practices
By Scott Neuman The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Monday that it is suing a Tennessee-based mortgage lender owned by Berkshire Hathaway, accusing the company of predatory practices aimed at steering borrowers into manufactured homes they could not afford. The CFPB said that Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance often disregarded evidence that borrowers could not…
We asked global thinkers how to improve life on earth in 2025. Here are their wishes
By NPR Staff Making a wish is such a basic human instinct. Like when your birthday rolls around and candles are lit on a cake. Blow them out and make a wish. But of course you can’t tell anyone your wish or it won’t come true. But not every wish is kept secret. Over the…
Hundreds join huge scrum for medieval game
Hundreds of people have turned out to take part in a centuries-old rugby-style game involving rival villagers. The annual Haxey Hood game between pubs in the North Lincolnshire villages of Haxey and Westwoodside dates back to the 14th Century. It involves large crowds of people facing off in a mass scrum to push a leather…
Night owl or early bird? Here’s how your inner clock impacts your health
Tonya Mosley Did the holidays mess up your sleep patterns? Maybe you stayed up late ringing in the new year, or changed time zones while traveling. Science journalist Lynne Peeples says the body’s circadian rhythms are sensitive to many different types of changes — but especially to sunlight. In her new book, The Inner Clock:…
At least 4 people are dead as massive snowstorm creates dangerous travel conditions
By Chandelis Duster , Ayana Archie There have been hundreds of calls for help on the highways and thousands of stranded cars from Kansas to Virginia since Saturday, including a car pileup in Illinois. In Kansas, where blizzard warnings had been issued across the state over the weekend, at least three people have died in…
In Africa, Danger Slithers Through Homes and Fields
Venomous snakes bite millions of people each year, killing at least 120,000. Many of them are poor people in rural areas of Africa without easy access to treatment. Venomous snakes bite millions of people each year, killing at least 120,000. Many of them are poor people in rural areas of Africa without easy access to…
‘A very, very small number’ of teens receive gender-affirming care, study finds
Selena Simmons-Duffin How many transgender teens in the U.S. are receiving medical care related to gender transitions? According to a peer-reviewed research letter published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, the answer is very, very few. It’s a key data point as Republican lawmakers in Congress and around the country continue to focus on transgender youth in…
Sugary Drinks Linked to Global Rise in Diabetes, Heart Disease
A new study assesses the effects of sugar-laden beverages on global health, with higher rates of consumption found in Latin America and parts of Africa. By Andrew Jacobs Across the world, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is responsible for about 340,000 deaths each year from Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a study…
UK cut health aid to vulnerable nations while hiring their nurses, research finds
Royal College of Nursing says Labour has a duty to fix health ‘double whammy’ by raising aid and funding for UK nursing The UK cut health aid to some of the world’s vulnerable countries at the same time as recruiting thousands of their nurses, in a “double whammy” for fragile health systems, new analysis has…
Dr. Rachel Levine focused on her job at HHS. Still, anti-trans politics followed her
Selena Simmons-Duffin In 2021, the country had one state with a ban on gender-affirming care for youth on the books — Arkansas. In March of the same year, Dr. Rachel Levine won confirmation by the Senate to lead the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps as the assistant secretary for health. She holds the rank…
Indonesia launches free meals program to fight stunting
By The Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s new government started an ambitious $28 million project Monday to feed nearly 90 million children and pregnant women to fight malnutrition and stunting although critics question whether the nationwide program is affordable. The Free Nutritious Meal program delivers on a campaign promise by President Prabowo Subianto, who…
Expanded seven-day health hubs to help tackle NHS waiting times in England
Proposals to be outlined by Keir Starmer will offer patients 500,000 more appointments a year, as health secretary says without reforms NHS could collapse ‘like Woolworths’ Patients in England will be offered 500,000 more appointments a year via seven-day health hubs under plans to tackle lengthy waiting times, as ministers warned the NHS could collapse…
Millions face snow and ice as a major winter storm moves across the U.S.
By Chandelis Duster Millions across the U.S. are facing weather warnings and watches as a major winter storm moves from the Central Plains into the mid-Atlantic, where parts of the Washington, D.C., area could receive up to a foot of snow through Tuesday morning. Heavy snowfall and wind gusts more than 40 miles per hour…
Filth and frolics – how pointy shoes once caused moral outrage in London
Perhaps one of the oddest moral panics – a fear that some evil threatens the wellbeing of society – was one that arose in medieval times. Fashionable pointy-toed shoes called poulaines were alleged to promote sexual deviancy and, as a resulting sanction from God, were blamed for bringing about the plague. The long points were…
Getting your steps in can reduce depression, research finds
By Ronnie Cohen Feeling down? Taking a walk could help, new research shows. The more steps we take, the less likely we are to feel depressed, according to a JAMA Network Open paper published in December. Researchers analyzed 33 studies examining the movements of nearly 100,000 adults using smartphones, pedometers and other fitness trackers. Those…
Heavy snow disrupts travel in England and Wales as airports close runways
Forecast of freezing rain to follow raises fears of treacherous conditions, with road and rail also affected Heavy overnight snow in Wales and northern England is causing travel disruption as the new year gets off to a frosty start. Two amber weather warnings from the Met Office have been put in place in England and…
Cash incentives for GPs under Labour’s radical plan to cut NHS waiting lists
Doctors will be given £20 each time they consult with a specialist to see if there is an alternative to hospital visits GPs will be offered financial incentives to discuss with specialists whether patients can be treated outside hospital, under radical plans to cut NHS waiting lists. Doctors will be given £20 each time they…
Covid and flu rates rise across the US, according to the CDC
Less than half of Americans planned to get Covid vaccine in 2024, and slightly more than half planned to get flu shot The amount of acute respiratory illness causing Americans to seek healthcare is at a high level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In an update issued on Friday, the…
All NHS acute hospital trusts in England are missing Labour’s 18-week target
The PM’s ‘milestones’ include 92% of patients waiting no more than 18 weeks – but not one of the 124 trusts is hitting the mark Every acute hospital trust in England is failing to hit Keir Starmer’s key target to treat 92% of patients within 18 weeks, analysis of NHS figures reveals. The new data…
It’s the pits! Would you pay £35 for one of the new, posh deodorants?
Fashionistas are forking out a fortune as the humble anti-perspirant goes high end Once humble, bought for a quid and used with little pleasure, deodorant has done an about-face. Where it used to be a simple case of misting armpits with Lynx or spritzing with Sure, in recent times the world of deodorant has evolved…
How to keep babies warm in cold weather and other winter tips
Much of the UK is being hit with cold weather. Here are some tips for coping with low temperatures. Babies and children under five are more at risk in cold weather. The NHS advises that babies and children should wear several layers of clothes to keep warm, external. Importantly, babies do not need hot rooms…
The Year Ahead
There’s an empty calendar spread out before us. What meaning will we give to it? By Melissa Kirsch Four days into the year and it’s all possibility right now. You have an idea of how things will go — what you’re looking forward to, what’s going to be challenging — but you’re working off archival…
‘My son thinks I’d mad’ – meet the woman who owns 50 classic cars
Jane Weitzmann admits she has an obsession – and it’s all down to a Jaguar Mark X. Bought in the 1980s, the classic car has led her to buy “just” the 49 more, and they are all stored at her home in the village of South Littleton, Worcestershire. Ms Weitzmann’s collection includes BMWs, Ferraris, Lamborghinis,…
5 financial habits to leave behind for a more prosperous new year
By Marielle Segarra , Malaka Gharib If you want to get a better handle on your spending in 2025, Life Kit’s experts are here to help. They share five financial habits to leave behind in 2024 — so you can save money and have a more prosperous new year. This section comes from a story published…
Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116
Born in 1908, she raised four children, ran a family textile factory during World War II, and remained an avid hiker into her 80s. By Martin Fackler Reporting from Tokyo Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman born before the start of World War I and the sinking of the Titanic who was believed to be the…
Holiday Briefing: Welcome to 2025
Plus, you shared the New Year’s resolutions that stuck. By Gaya Gupta It’s been a year, hasn’t it? There was a lot to cover. Donald Trump stormed back to the White House after his felony conviction. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine raged on. A.I. became an even bigger part of our lives.…
How to drive in snow and icy weather
Snow and ice is forecast across much of the UK from Saturday, with a Met Office yellow warning in place for England and Wales and parts of Scotland. In very bad conditions it may be best to avoid driving at all, but if you do need to use your car make sure you are as…
Naples, Italy: A Popular Tourist Destination Suffering from Violence and Unemployment
The southern Italian city has become fashionable for tourists, models and actors in a social media age. Yet it remains merciless for many of its youth. The southern Italian city has become fashionable for tourists, models and actors in a social media age. Yet it remains merciless for many of its youth. Mourners for the…
The U.S. Surgeon General wants cancer warnings on alcohol. Here’s why
By Milton Guevara , Steve Inskeep U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is calling on Congress to require health warning labels that inform consumers about the link between alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer. Murthy released a new advisory detailing how drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing seven types of cancer. “Alcohol is the…