Cold

Myth or truth: Do air conditioners really make us sick?

Quite a few people find themselves with a cold precisely during the summer. But is the air conditioner to blame? A family physician answers.

|ByDR. KAY ALKARA
Do air conditioners really make us sick?
A de-icing crew works during winter storm Fern on a Southwest Airlines flight at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, US, January 24, 2026.

Winter Storm Fern grounds thousands of US flights, strains power grids nationwide

A sweeping winter storm has canceled thousands of US flights, triggered emergency declarations in multiple states, and placed severe strain on power grids as extreme cold spreads nationwide.

|ByREUTERS, TOBIAS HOLCMAN
A man walks through the snow as Winter Storm Fern arrives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US, January 23, 2026.

US braces for record-breaking winter storm hitting 40 states, with 180 million Americans affected

The US National Weather Service warned that heavy snow, freezing rain, and sleet are expected throughout the weekend, while more than 10,000 flights nationwide were disrupted.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Residents at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026.

Russia strikes on Kyiv leave 6,000 buildings without heat as temperatures near -20°C

Kyiv's Mayor Vitaly Klitschko advised citizens on Friday to temporarily evacuate the city after Russian strikes and the difficulty authorities face in resuming services.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS

Colorado’s color-changing wildlife face new risks as snow vanishes

Four of them live in Colorado: snowshoe hares, white-tailed ptarmigan, short-tailed weasels and long-tailed weasels.

JANUARY 1, 2026ByJONATHAN SHIKES/THE DENVER POST/TNS
A white-tailed ptarmigan in a snowy meadow in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Experts warn: A common home treatment for colds may cause severe harm

A method many people use in winter may end with a burn – and you should also check the hot water bottle you take to bed.

DECEMBER 11, 2025ByWALLA! HEALTH
Watch out

Flu or cold? How to spot the differences – and when to seek help

Flu symptoms appear faster and stronger than a cold. A short guide for parents and adults: Identification, home treatment, warning signs, and when to see a doctor urgently.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025ByWALLA! HEALTH
A cold usually starts gradually and remains milder