The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is removing black box safety warnings from hormone therapy treatments for menopause, citing a review of recent scientific evidence. The warnings, which previously highlighted risks of cancer, dementia, heart attacks, and strokes, will be removed to increase accessibility and facilitate shared decision-making between patients and clinicians. Despite this change, systemic estrogen products still carry potential risks, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) emphasizes the importance of individual consultations. The FDA’s decision, however, has drawn some criticism, as it bypassed the usual advisory committee process.
Read More
Japan censures “extremely inappropriate” remarks by Chinese envoy as Taiwan furore escalates, and it’s a powder keg of geopolitical tensions just waiting to ignite. Let’s break it down: a Chinese diplomat, Xue Jian, shared a provocative article in a Japanese newspaper, directly responding to comments made by Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi. The article was quickly removed, but the damage was done.
At the heart of the matter lies Takaichi’s remarks, which sparked this whole incident. While the specifics are somewhat blurred, her comments, initially framed as “hypothetical,” seemingly touched on Japan’s stance regarding Taiwan. The Chinese diplomat’s response, however, crossed a line.… Continue reading
Following the Senate’s vote to reopen the government, progressive groups are demanding Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s resignation. These groups are angered by Schumer’s failure to maintain unity within the Democratic caucus and the absence of key Democratic demands in the deal. Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, criticized Schumer’s leadership, citing either deceit or ineptitude. The timing of the vote, post-election, is viewed by some as a strategic move to avoid negative consequences from Democratic voters.
Read More
The Czech fundraising campaign “Gift for Putin,” initially aimed at financing one Ukrainian-made “Flamingo” cruise missile, will now result in the production of two due to the missile manufacturer’s pledge to match the public donations. The campaign successfully raised 16 million Czech korunas, exceeding its target, prompting the manufacturer to double the value of the public contribution. The two missiles, named DANA 1 and DANA 2, will honor the late Czech nuclear physicist Dana Drábová. The remaining funds will be used to purchase additional equipment for Ukraine, with a public poll determining whether to buy ambulances, plastic explosives, or contribute to a training aircraft. The “Flamingo” is a ground-launched cruise missile with a 1,150-kilogram warhead and a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, intended for long-range precision strikes.
Read More
Senator Shaheen clarified that she kept Senate leadership informed throughout the process regarding the continuing resolution. She emphasized that the Democrats’ primary concern was rising healthcare costs for Americans, citing this as the reason for the shutdown. Shaheen’s actions potentially reveal that either Senator Schumer was secretly maneuvering to end the shutdown while placing blame on others, or that he lacks control over his party. Regardless, these events underscore the need for the Democrats to consider replacing their minority leader.
Read More
Speaker Mike Johnson intends to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva before a vote to reopen the government, breaking a long delay. Democrats have pushed for her swearing-in since her August election, even filing a lawsuit. As the Senate prepares to pass an amended continuing resolution, Johnson is calling House members back to Washington. The Senate’s version extends the resolution to January 31, 2026, and includes a minibus of appropriations, excluding extensions of Obamacare subsidies.
Read More
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes the country’s geopolitical future is optimistic, contingent on Ukraine’s victory in its war against Russia. Tusk emphasized that a Ukrainian loss would significantly worsen Poland’s situation. He stressed the importance of Poland strategically utilizing its regional position and maintaining support for Ukraine, as friendly relations with a sovereign Ukraine are crucial. Furthermore, Tusk referenced the recent incident involving Russian drones in Polish airspace as a turning point, highlighting the difficult decisions regarding national security.
Read More
Overnight, Ukrainian forces launched coordinated strikes against targets in southwestern Russia, including a key oil tanker loading terminal in Tuapse via kamikaze drones and robot boats. The attack resulted in explosions and fires within the port area, despite Russian claims of interception and minimal damage. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drones targeted railroad infrastructure in Rostov, prompting air travel disruptions and reports of damage, alongside an extensive drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. These attacks are part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting Russian oil exports and retaliating for Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, with a notable increase in strikes against power grids and heating plants.
Read More
A new report indicates that Drax power plant, the UK’s largest carbon emitter, continues to source wood from old-growth forests in Canada despite claiming to use only sustainable sources. The Stand.earth report alleges Drax’s Canadian subsidiary received hundreds of truckloads of logs, likely including trees hundreds of years old, throughout 2024 and into 2025. This raises questions about Drax’s sustainability claims, especially as it receives substantial green energy subsidies. The report highlights that Drax has sourced from areas with a high percentage of old-growth forests, even though they claimed to have stopped sourcing from designated protected areas.
Read More
The Shopping Trends team at CTV News operates independently, offering curated product recommendations to readers. The team may receive a commission for purchases made through the provided links. This allows them to generate revenue while offering valuable shopping insights. Details on their relationship with the newsroom can be found on their about page.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood