Health
→ NewsDog's dramatic rescue caught on camera after he falls through ice
A yellow Labrador named Phoenix fell through thin ice into a pond in Westerly, Rhode Island on New Year's Day and was rescued by firefighters in a protective suit; the dog and the responding crews were checked and reported to be well.
US measles cases reach highest level in 30 years amid outbreaks
In 2025 the CDC recorded 2,065 confirmed measles cases, with outbreaks reported in South Carolina, Arizona and Utah; officials report community spread in some areas.
Dry January began with one person and has become a global phenomenon
Amanda Kuda's personal month off alcohol grew into lasting change for her, and Alcohol Change UK formalized and trademarked the Dry January challenge in 2013.
Apple Fitness+'s short yoga and strength workouts fit into hectic days.
Apple Fitness+ is launching four new multi-week programs made of short, stackable 10-minute yoga, strength and HIIT workouts starting Jan. 5, and the service shows real-time Apple Watch metrics across iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Texas Mom Gives Birth to a Very Large Baby and Chooses a Fitting Name
Markie Smith named her son Canyon and he weighed 12 pounds, 10½ ounces at birth; after a week in the NICU he was discharged on Christmas Eve.
European countries welcomed non-European babies at New Year
Several European hospitals reported first births of 2026 on Jan. 1, including babies named Zaïd in Avignon, Abdullah in Erlangen, and Mustafa in Drogheda.
Swiss bar fire at Crans-Montana reportedly killed dozens
Officials say a New Year’s Eve fire at the Constellation Bar in Crans‑Montana left at least 40 people dead and 119 injured, and investigators are searching for answers.
Sleep should be your New Year's resolution this year, say experts
Experts say better sleep supports mood, immunity and steady energy. Most adults need around 7–9 hours of sleep a night.
Oprah Winfrey's weight journey and how she has cared for her health.
Oprah Winfrey has described changes in how she approaches weight and health over many years. She began a doctor-prescribed GLP-1 medication in 2023 and later spoke of it as a relief.
U.S. vaccination rates are falling and many schools now have fewer immunized kindergartners.
Kindergarten vaccination coverage in the U.S. has declined since before the pandemic. The share of counties with about 95% measles vaccination fell from roughly 50% to 28%, and more schools are now vulnerable to outbreaks. For now, we'll stick to the confirmed facts.
Super flu cases surge as Minnesota child care payments are halted.
A mutated H3N2 ‘‘super flu’’ variant is spreading quickly and has increased hospital strain, with young children and older adults among those most affected. Federal child care payments to Minnesota were frozen amid a fraud probe and payments remain paused while investigators review the matter.
Older Americans are stopping GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for four main reasons.
A January 2025 JAMA study of more than 125,000 people reported that many patients — particularly older adults — stop GLP-1 medications within a year. Reports cite side effects, rising costs and coverage limits, muscle loss concerns, and gaps in clinical follow-up as the main reasons.
Waterloo region flu cases rise earlier and hospitalizations increase
Waterloo region is seeing an earlier-than-usual rise in flu cases and more hospitalizations; 503 cases have been reported this season and a new H3N2 variation may be contributing to the increase.
Heated Rivalry author says TV success brought specialist help for her Parkinson's.
Rachel Reid, author of Heated Rivalry, says publicity from the TV adaptation led a Parkinson's specialist to contact her and arrange a neurologist appointment. She was diagnosed in mid‑2023 and had been on a long local waiting list for care.
Bruce Willis anniversary: Emma Heming shares a tender tribute for their 18th year
Emma Heming posted a throwback photo on Instagram to mark 18 years since she and Bruce Willis became an official couple. The post came as the family continues to manage Bruce Willis's reported health condition of frontotemporal degeneration.
SNAP benefits: some states are set to ban junk food purchases in 2026.
Several U.S. states have received federal waivers to limit purchases of certain junk foods or sugary drinks with SNAP benefits starting in 2026. The approvals cover about 18 states and will be implemented at different times next year.
Assisted dying bill is unsafe, new Archbishop of Canterbury warns
The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, said the assisted dying bill is unsafe and lacks sufficient safeguards. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passed the House of Commons earlier this year and is now being considered in the House of Lords.
Maine taxes in January will include higher cigarette, cannabis and streaming levies
Maine will raise the sales tax on adult-use cannabis from 10% to 14% and add a 5.5% sales tax on streaming services on Jan. 1, and the cigarette tax will increase by $1.50 per 20-pack on Jan. 5.
Care home to remain in special measures after follow-up inspection
A care home rated inadequate in July will stay in special measures following an October inspection, the Care Quality Commission said. The regulator reported problems with safety and leadership and said it will continue close monitoring while the provider works on improvements.
Karoline Leavitt's Vanity Fair photos raise concern about cosmetic injections during pregnancy
Karoline Leavitt announced she is expecting a baby girl due in May 2026. Photos from a recent Vanity Fair shoot prompted some medical experts to say elective cosmetic injectables are usually advised to be postponed during pregnancy because safety data are limited.
