Seasonal illnesses in full force in most US states, CDC says

Seasonal illnesses in full force in most US states, CDC says

The holidays came with a side of flu for many Americans, with 40 states reporting high or very high levels of illness last week, according to the latest government health data. “A lot of flu out there,” said Carrie Reed of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of course, there are a number of … Read more

US surgeon general urges cancer warnings for alcoholic drinks

US surgeon general urges cancer warnings for alcoholic drinks

WASHINGTON/LONDON —  Alcoholic drinks should carry a warning about cancer risks on their label, the U.S. surgeon general said Friday in a move that could signal a shift toward more aggressive tobacco-style regulation for the sector. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including … Read more

South Sudan begins mass inoculation campaign with cholera vaccines 

South Sudan begins mass inoculation campaign with cholera vaccines 

Juba, South Sudan   —  More than 1.1 million doses of an oral cholera vaccine have arrived in South Sudan, as the government launched a program to inoculate more than 80 percent of the population. But the mass vaccination exercise faces numerous challenges, including a lack of access to the areas dealing with the worst … Read more

‘Dinosaur highway’ tracks dating back 166 million years discovered in England

‘Dinosaur highway’ tracks dating back 166 million years discovered in England

LONDON —  A worker digging up clay in a southern England limestone quarry noticed unusual bumps that led to the discovery of a “dinosaur highway” and nearly 200 tracks that date back 166 million years, researchers said Thursday. The extraordinary find made after a team of more than 100 people excavated the Dewars Farm Quarry, … Read more

How to catch the Quadrantids, first meteor shower of 2025

How to catch the Quadrantids, first meteor shower of 2025

WASHINGTON —  When the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks Friday, it will be the year’s first chance to see fireballs in the sky. A waning crescent moon means good visibility under clear and dark conditions. Most meteor showers are named for the constellations where they appear to originate from in the night sky. But the Quadrantids … Read more

Five years on, WHO urges China to share COVID origins data

Five years on, WHO urges China to share COVID origins data

Geneva —  The World Health Organization on Monday implored China to share data and access to help understand how COVID-19 began, five years on from the start of the pandemic that upended the planet. COVID-19 killed millions of people, shredded economies and crippled health systems. “We continue to call on China to share data and … Read more

India rocket launches space docking mission

India rocket launches space docking mission

NEW DELHI —  India launched a rocket Monday carrying two small spacecraft to test docking in space, a critical step for the country’s dreams of a space station and a manned moon mission. The mission is “vital for India’s future space ambitions,” Jitendra Singh, the country’s science and technology minister, said in a statement ahead … Read more

Record-breaking heat likely to continue in 2025, accelerating climate change

Record-breaking heat likely to continue in 2025, accelerating climate change

The World Meteorological Organization warns this year’s record-breaking heat is likely to continue in 2025, further accelerating climate change and leading to catastrophic consequences if urgent action is not taken to stem the “human activities” behind this looming disaster. According to the United Nations weather agency, 2024 is set to be the warmest year on … Read more

Netanyahu ‘in good condition’ after prostate surgery, says hospital

Netanyahu ‘in good condition’ after prostate surgery, says hospital

JERUSALEM —  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully underwent prostate removal surgery on Sunday and is in good condition, according to the hospital treating him. The surgery took place while Israel remains at war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, more than 14 months after an unprecedented attack by Palestinian militants on Israel on … Read more

Abortions more common in US, as women turn to pills, travel

Abortions more common in US, as women turn to pills, travel

Abortion has become more common despite bans or deep restrictions in most Republican-controlled states, and the legal and political fights over its future are not over yet. It’s now been two and a half years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door for states to implement bans. The policies … Read more