Health

Just one drink a day may put your health at risk, federal report finds

Jan. 15, 2025

Just one alcoholic drink a day is linked to a wide range of negative health effects, according to a federal report released Tuesday. The findings, which apply to both men and women, tied a daily drink to an increased risk of liver cirrhosis, several cancers and injuries but a lower risk of ischemic stroke. That apparent protection is canceled out, however, by occasional binge drinking. “The idea that you are, on average, going to be healthier and longer-lived by drinking a drink a day if you’re a woman, or two drinks a day if you’re a man, is not true,” Keith Humphreys, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, said.

Health

Osteoporosis screening guidelines updated: Do you need a bone scan?

Jan. 15, 2025

How strong are your bones? At least 1 in 5 women older than 50 in the U.S. have osteoporosis, but many don’t realize it. Women 65 years and older should have a bone density scan to screen for osteoporosis, updated guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend. Osteoporosis is often described as a “silent disease” because there are few, if any, symptoms until someone fractures a bone, usually in the hip, wrist or spine. Women who have gone through menopause are at highest risk of bone loss, although it can also affect men.

Health

FDA bans Red No. 3, artificial coloring used in beverages, candy and other foods

Jan. 15, 2025

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it’s banning the use of Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives food and drinks their bright red cherry color but has been linked to cancer in animals. The dye is still used in thousands of foods, including candy, cereals, cherries in fruit cocktails and strawberry-flavored milkshakes, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety advocacy group that petitioned the agency in 2022 to end its use. More than 9,200 food items contain the dye, including hundreds of products made by large food companies, CSPI said, citing Agriculture Department data. The FDA is not prohibiting other artificial dyes, including Red No. 40, which has been linked to behavioral issues in children.

International News

Israel and Hamas reach deal on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release

Jan. 15, 2025

The Biden administration called for a final push before the president leaves office, with many seeing the Trump inauguration as an unofficial deadline.

International News

Hopes grow for Gaza ceasefire as official says Hamas and Israel are on the verge of agreement

Jan. 15, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Wednesday that Hamas had not yet responded to the draft agreement, after reports of a breakthrough in Israeli media.

Entertainment

Meghan Markle attempts brand rehab like Martha Stewart but is 'inauthentic': expert

Jan. 15, 2025

Meghan Markle, a former American actress, is attempting to take on a new role this year: domestic diva. The Duchess of Sussex’s highly anticipated Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," has been pushed to March 4 due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Ahead of its premiere, the former "Suits" star has been compared to Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson, two lifestyle gurus who overcame bad press. But some royal experts believe the mother of two has a long way to go before she can be welcomed into the coveted circle.

Automotive

BMW announces battery recycling partnership with SK tes

Jan. 15, 2025

BMW Group and Singapore-based SK tes launched a European battery recycling partnership to recover cobalt, nickel, and lithium from used batteries, the automaker announced Monday. Recovered materials will be returned to BMW’s supply chain to produce new batteries, creating a circular recycling ecosystem for end-of-life batteries. The first batteries produced with recycled raw materials will be used in BMW’s next-generation “Neue Klasse” electric vehicles. The closed-loop battery recycling partnership with BMW will later expand around the globe, and is set to expand to the US-Mexico-Canada region as early as 2026, according to the release.

Science & Tech

SpaceX launches two moon missions in one fell swoop

Jan. 15, 2025

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blared toward space Wednesday carrying a pair of lunar landers on a journey to our closest celestial neighbor — kicking off what’s expected to be a bustling year of moon missions amid a renewed race to establish a long-term human presence on the lunar surface.

Automotive

US finalizes ban on connected vehicle tech from China, Russia

Jan. 15, 2025

The Department of Commerce issued a finalized rule Tuesday banning the sale or import of connected vehicle hardware and software originating from China or Russia. The action ends a year-long exploration into the potential security threats of external connectivity between bluetooth, cellular or satellite technology and autonomous driving platforms, according to a White House fact sheet. However, the rule excludes trucks and buses, which regulators said will be addressed separately. “Through this rule, the Commerce Department is taking a necessary step to safeguard U.S. national security and protect Americans’ privacy by keeping foreign adversaries from manipulating these technologies to access sensitive or personal information,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in the release.

Science & Tech

Get ready to experience thrill of eVTOL racing

Jan. 15, 2025

You might have heard about electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL). Well, there's some exciting news coming from Jetson, a Swedish startup that’s making waves in the air racing scene. While Australia's Airspeeder has been working on crewed eVTOL races, Jetson founder and CTO Tomasz Patan recently took the spotlight with a demonstration that many are calling the start of the world's first eVTOL air racing.