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Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal
Israel, Hamas Agree To Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal after 15 months of war, according to multiple reports, citing senior sources in the White House. Around 30 hostages are expected to be released in the initial phase of the agreement, according to CNN.  There are seven Americans being held, two of whom are expected to be free in the first phase, according to Axios. Hundreds of incarcerated Palestinians being held by Israel are expected to be released in the initial phase, CNN reports. It's unclear when the ceasefire will start. The agreement, reached on Wednes…

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by Joe Lombardi
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FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods The Food and Drug Administration has officially banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives certain foods their vivid cherry-red hue, due to cancer concerns in lab animals. The FDA revoked the authorization for the coloring's use in food products, oral drugs, and dietary supplements, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Manufacturers have until Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, to remove Red Dye 3 from food products and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2028, for drugs. Products made before these deadlines may still appear on shelves if they were manufactured before …

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by Chris Spiker
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Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know
Vicious Norovirus Strain Driving Surge In US Outbreaks: What To Know A highly contagious strain of norovirus, GII.17, is rapidly spreading across the United States, fueling an unusually high number of outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Facts Record Outbreaks: The CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in the first week of December, the highest for this time of year in recent history. Dominant Strain: GII.17 accounts for nearly 70 percent of US cases and has driven a similar surge in Britain. Foodborne Threats: Contaminated oysters from a Los Angeles event sickened at least 80 people. Recall…

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by Joe Lombardi
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IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible
IRS Sending $2.4B In Unclaimed Stimulus Payments: Here's Who's Eligible Around $2.4 billion in automatic payments will be issued to nearly one million taxpayers, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency said they will go to those who missed out on claiming the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.  These payments, with a maximum of $1,400 per individual, aim to ensure eligible Americans receive money they may have overlooked when filing their tax returns. Automatic Payments, Eligibility No action is required for eligible taxpayers to receive the payments, which will be issued automatically.  The funds, based on IRS data, will be sent via …

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by Joe Lombardi
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FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease
FDA Proposes Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packages To Fight Chronic Disease The Food and Drug Administration has proposed moving nutrition labels to the front of most packaged foods, aiming to help consumers make healthier choices, officials said. The FDA officially unveiled its proposal requiring front-of-package nutrition labels, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. This effort is part of a broader strategy to combat chronic diseases, which affect about 60 percent of Americans and account for $4.5 trillion in annual health care costs. The proposed "nutrition info box" would display saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content i…

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by Chris Spiker
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Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map
Respiratory Illnesses Rising Dramatically In These States: Brand-New Map Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, are surging across the United States, with healthcare systems feeling the strain as more people seek care for these conditions.  The CDC reported on Monday, Jan. 13 that the nation is experiencing high levels of acute respiratory illnesses, with young children and older adults particularly affected. COVID-19 activity has increased in most areas, fueled by rising emergency department visits, elevated lab test positivity, and high levels of virus detected in wastewater.  Influenza remains widespread, while RSV activity …

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by Joe Lombardi
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Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says
Human Ear Evolved From Gills Of Ancient Fish, New Report Says It turns out the human ear got off to a fishy start. Literally. A fascinating new study reveals that the mammalian outer ear has its evolutionary roots in the gills of ancient fish.  This surprising discovery sheds light on how structures can adapt over millions of years to serve entirely new functions. Published in Nature by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the study connects the elastic cartilage in mammalian ears to the same rare tissue found in fish gills.  To explore this link, scientists used gene enhancers — DNA sequences that control tissue development.…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time
Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time A 36-year-old Maryland man who used women's' drug dependency to compel them to participate in commercial sex work for him up and down the East Coast will spend nearly two decades in prison, federal authorities announced. William O’Neil Murray III pleaded guilty in August 2024 to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion over the course of several months in several states. On Monday, Jan. 13, Murray was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison and also ordered to pay his victims nearly $95,000 in restitution. “This sentencing is a powerful reminder that the FBI Richmond team will tir…

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by Zak Failla
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Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds
Convicted Sex Offender In MD Sentenced For Illegal Reentry After Deportation To Guatemala: Feds A Hyattsville man convicted of sexually abusing a minor in Maryland is heading to federal prison after illegally reentering the country following his deportation, officials said. A judge sentenced 48-year-old Erbeth Gomez-Delgado to 24 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of reentry after deportation during a three-day trial in November 2024, according to the US Attorney's Office. Gomez-Delgado was first encountered by US Customs and Border Patrol on July 29, 2016, crossing the Rio Grande in Texas without inspection.  Officials deported him to Guatemala the same day,…

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by Zak Failla
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Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study
Find Out How MD Ranks Among Best States For Raising Families In New Study Massachusetts leads the U.S. as a place for raising families and two other Northeast states are among the nation's best, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of best and worst states to raise a family on Monday, Jan. 13. The personal finance website ranked each state on family-friendliness, evaluating factors like housing affordability, healthcare quality, job security, and education. Massachusetts claimed the top spot, excelling in education and healthcare. The state boasts the nation’s best public schools, the highest rate of children with health insurance, and …

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by Chris Spiker
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Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It
Rare Comet Could Shine As Bright As Venus: Here’s When You Can See It A celestial event 160,000 years in the making will grace the night sky this week, as Comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) makes its rare appearance.  Expected to be the brightest comet in nearly 20 years, it could shine as brightly as the planet Venus, offering a spectacular sight for skywatchers. Until now, the comet has only been visible in the Southern Hemisphere. However, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, including those in the US and Europe, will get their chance to view it as it travels back toward the Sun. The best time to catch a glimpse of the comet is around half an hour before sunr…

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by Joe Lombardi
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New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed The number of confirmed deaths from six separate wildfires in the Los Angeles area has climbed to 16. The situation remains dire, with at least another 16 people still reported missing, and authorities anticipate that this number may increase as the search continues. The wildfires have destroyed 40,000 acres -- more than twice the size of Manhattan and almost the size of Washington, DC, while The creating apocalyptic scenes that seem straight from a horror movie. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. A red flag warnings for dangerous fire conditions through Wednesday, Jan.…

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by Joe Lombardi