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Today: April 02, 2025
Today: April 02, 2025
Nahal Garakani

Nahal Garakani

Staff Writer

Nahal is a Digital Content Editor with experience in digital strategy and social media. She began her career with internships at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and later worked as a digital and social media planner for Wizard World Comic Con. Currently, she serves as a Digital Content Editor at the L.A. Post, overseeing digital narratives and strategies. Nahal holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Cal State Northridge and enjoys staying active through dance and fitness.

Latest From Nahal Garakani

Science|WrittenByLAPost

Why Some Friends Only Text Back When They Need a Favor

We’ve all had that one individual in our circle who stays quiet on our text messages for hours, and sometimes days. When they finally respond, it’s often because they require something. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you might be dealing with a “textertunist.” A textertunist is someone who seems to behave opportunistically through text messaging. They often reply to your messages only when they need a favor or see a benefit in the conversation. This behavior can be exasperating, particularly when you’re left hanging, waiting for a reply. If it’s a recurring issue, you might even feel somewhat

Why Some Friends Only Text Back When They Need a Favor
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Confused about healthy women's weight? This might help

Juliette Martin, a French lady, was able to climb the corporate ladder with an outstanding elegance and slimness, finally becoming the chief executive of the American division of Veuve Clicquot. She successfully negotiated the complex world of weight management and provided insights into the French manner of maintaining a slender figure in her best-selling book, “French Women Don’t Get Fat.” This book has been quite successful. However, her narrative of success is entangled with the expectations of society as well as the complex link that exists between one’s weight, income, and gender. The narrative begins with Martin’s, teenage years, when

Confused about healthy women's weight? This might help
Uncategorized|WrittenByLAPost

Indigo Girls' 'Closer to Fine' Lights Up the Big Screen in Barbie Epic

The Indigo Girls, the renowned folk duo, have made their mark on pop culture once again through an unexpected medium – Mattel’s iconic Barbie. Their timeless hit, “Closer to Fine,” has found its way into the heart of the Barbie universe, bringing a new depth to the character and a moment of sweet vindication for the band’s loyal fans. Since 1987, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, together known as the Indigo Girls, have been creating music that stirs the soul. Their musical journey is distinguished by sincerity and a profound connection to their beginnings, as evidenced by the fact that

Indigo Girls' 'Closer to Fine' Lights Up the Big Screen in Barbie Epic
Political|WrittenByLAPost

Social Media's Influence in the Israel-Hamas Conflict Battle for Truth

The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has underscored the role of social media platforms in shaping users’ understanding of global events. As the conflict unfolded, millions turned to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, aiming to grasp the brutal warfare in real time. The surge in search terms such as “graphic Israel footage” and “live stream in Israel right now” reveals a growing desire for firsthand viewpoints. However, this demand for unfiltered accounts also opens the door for disinformation and propaganda, posing significant challenges to public debates about the conflict. Platforms like TikTok provide users with intimate views of the conflict, showing poignant

Social Media's Influence in the Israel-Hamas Conflict Battle for Truth
Opinion|WrittenByLAPost

Standing With Israel, Mourning Suffering on Both Sides

Israel is a small country in a big world. It’s like a little house on a big street. Sometimes, this house faces challenges. There are groups and people who don’t like Israel. One such group is called Hamas. They sometimes send dangerous rockets into Israel, trying to hurt the people there. Over the past week, we have seen the aftermath of the violence that has taken place between Israel and Gaza. There have been over 100 fatalities, including children’s deaths. Homes, schools, and hospitals have been wrecked.. Israel is bombing Gaza because of constant rocket attacks. Terror groups like Hamas

Standing With Israel, Mourning Suffering on Both Sides
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

FTC Warns of Social Media Scammers Exploiting Trust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is a advanced government organization whose biggest objective is to protect consumers from fraudulent and unfair business practices has recently published an important new cautionary statement advising consumers that scammers are increasingly using social media to try to trick them into sending them money. In order to steal their money or sensitive data scammers will work endlessly to deceive victims via social media sites . These social media applications are intended to enable users to interact with their friends and post online status updates, photographs, and videos. However, it has become a primary source of

FTC Warns of Social Media Scammers Exploiting Trust
Political|WrittenByLAPost

President Biden's Plan to Eliminate Hidden 'Junk Fees' and Protect Consumers

President Biden claims that so-called “junk fees” are a major source of public dissatisfaction in the United States. Customers end up paying more than necessary since these fees are buried in the fine print of lengthy invoices. These predatory charges can add hundreds of dollars to a bill, straining family finances and making it harder to pay bills. The President emphasized that these fees, while seemingly little to the well-off, place a heavy burden on middle- and low-income households. New measures were announced by the President to reduce these nuisance charges. Biden claims that these changes will provide Americans some

President Biden's Plan to Eliminate Hidden 'Junk Fees' and Protect Consumers
Travel|WrittenByLAPost

Passport Delays Leave Travelers Frustrated and Scrambling

Applying for or renewing a passport has become an exercise in patience for many Americans in 2022. Processing times have slowed dramatically, with some waiting half a year or more to receive their new passport or get their expired one renewed. The delays stem largely from rampant demand as pandemic restrictions have eased combined with staffing shortages at the agency that issues passports, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. The bureau says it is working to hire more passport agency employees to tackle the backlog, but in the meantime many travelers seeking passports are left frustrated and in limbo.

Passport Delays Leave Travelers Frustrated and Scrambling
Business|WrittenByLAPost

Ordering in? Add a few bucks for blazing-fast delivery

Craving piping hot takeout, stat? Take it from the experts—your food won’t arrive crazy fast unless you cough up the minimum tip. Ordering delivery with just a few quick taps on your phone has become second nature. But while Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub make takeout easy, they don’t always guarantee fresh, lightning-fast service. Turns out, a fleeting factor determines whether your pad thai arrives lukewarm or mouth-wateringly hot and quick: the tip. Deliverers working as independent contractors rely on your generosity, not hourly pay. So when that growling stomach calls, how much should you tip to make sure your

Ordering in? Add a few bucks for blazing-fast delivery
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Finding Camaraderie in New Friends and New Digs at a Retirement Community

As baby boomers reach their golden years, an increasing number are choosing to live in retirement communities. While retirement homes offer many benefits, from social activities to assisted care, the transition can also pose difficulties. Understanding the pros and cons of retirement living can help seniors make the best choice for their needs. Recent studies by the National Institute on Aging show that over 30% of Americans over 65 now reside in some type of retirement community. This represents a major shift, as past generations largely lived independently or with family in their later years. The rise of retirement homes

Finding Camaraderie in New Friends and New Digs at a Retirement Community
Technology|WrittenByLAPost

Cable TV's Profits Dwindle as Streaming Services Rise

Cable TV, once a dominant force in the television industry, is facing an uncertain future as streaming services disrupt traditional business models. Recent disputes between major players foreshadow the challenges ahead as companies walk a fine line between maintaining lucrative cable deals while also positioning themselves for the streaming era. The tremors rocking cable TV were felt earlier this year in a standoff between Disney and Charter Communications, one of the largest cable providers. Charter CEO Chris Winfrey threatened to drop Disney channels, claiming they had diminishing value as Disney put more content on its streaming platforms. The two sides

Cable TV's Profits Dwindle as Streaming Services Rise
World|WrittenByLAPost

After 18 Years, Confession Reveals Brutal Details in Holloway Murder Case. Listen to the Audio.

After nearly two decades, Joran van der Sloot has finally confessed in chilling detail to the brutal murder of Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. In a newly released 3 minute and 45 second audio recording, van der Sloot calmly describes to investigators how he killed the 18-year-old Alabama high school student after she rejected his sexual advances on a beach. The fresh evidence comes as shocking evidence in the mysterious high-profile cold case.  Although he was never legally indicted, Van der Sloot was long suspected of being behind Holloway’s abduction. N Now 36 years old, he was convicted of

After 18 Years, Confession Reveals Brutal Details in Holloway Murder Case. Listen to the Audio.
World|WrittenByLAPost

UM-Flint Nursing Student Killed by Ex in Multi-State Tragedy

Last week, the life of Gina Bryant, a promising young nursing student at the University of Michigan-Flint, was tragically cut short. The 25-year-old was shot and killed on October 12 by her former boyfriend, Justin Wendling, who then took his own life at a rest stop in Iowa. The murder-suicide spanned three states and appeared to be linked to a history of domestic violence in their relationship, police said. Bryant was killed after family members believe she was abducted from her home in Macomb Township, Michigan where she lived. Her mother and sister had helped her move out just weeks

UM-Flint Nursing Student Killed by Ex in Multi-State Tragedy
Health|WrittenByLAPost

The Hidden Eating Disorder Behavior Ensnaring Millions of Teens

Raising awareness serves as the initial step toward aiding more individuals, especially teenagers. Heidi McLachlan, starting in her youth and spanning over two decades, grappled with a detrimental body image. Her relentless endeavors to prevent weight gain propelled her into a realm of disordered eating behaviors, including anorexia nervosa and chewing and spitting. Chew and spit (CHSP) is a behavior involving the act of chewing food and then intentionally spitting it out, driven by the desire to derive pleasure from the taste without actually consuming the calories. For McLachlan, chewing and spitting began as a symptom of anorexia nervosa —

The Hidden Eating Disorder Behavior Ensnaring Millions of Teens
Business|WrittenByLAPost

TikToker Cracks Secret Costco Pricing Code: 'Never Miss a Great Deal Again'. Watch the Video.

Costco customers are discovering that the wholesaler’s pricing contains hidden codes that reveal special deals and discounts. A viral TikTok video with over 1.3 million views claims to decode the cent values on Costco’s price tags, uncovering their secret meanings. The key to deciphering Costco’s prices lies in the cents, according to TikTok user Ryan Quinlan. His video breaks down what each price ending allegedly signifies: Prices ending in .99 indicate a regularly priced item. Costco prices most goods at .99. A .97 price denotes a store manager’s deal, exclusive to that location. These prices likely won’t last long. Items

TikToker Cracks Secret Costco Pricing Code: 'Never Miss a Great Deal Again'. Watch the Video.
Health|WrittenByLAPost

COVID Cases Creeping Up as Officials Await New Boosters

As COVID-19 cases slowly rise in Los Angeles County, public health officials are anticipating the rollout of updated COVID-19 booster shots targeting the latest Omicron subvariants. The new bivalent booster shots have been tweaked with the goal of providing better protection against the currently dominant strains, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The big question is when the Omicron-specific shots will be available to the public. The CDC expects the updated vaccine rollout to begin in mid to late September, meaning pharmacies will likely start offering the new boosters in October. But who will be eligible

COVID Cases Creeping Up as Officials Await New Boosters
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Updated COVID Boosters Come With Possible Side Effects, But Benefits Still Outweigh Risks

As COVID-19 infection rates spike heading into fall, the arrival of an updated booster vaccine targeting the latest Omicron subvariants comes at a critical time. But with any vaccine, side effects are possible. Experts say the benefits of the new COVID booster still far outweigh the risks. Immunologists concur that while the vaccine provides important protection, it should not be the sole preventative measure against the virus, especially amid surging rates of the highly contagious Omicron offshoot Eris. “The vaccine should be used in conjunction with other protective measures such as masking and ventilation for those people at higher risk

Updated COVID Boosters Come With Possible Side Effects, But Benefits Still Outweigh Risks
Travel|WrittenByLAPost

Frontier's GoWild Pass Comes With Major Hidden Restrictions

Frontier Airlines’ all-you-can-fly GoWild pass has delivered frustration instead of flexibility for some customers who purchased the $699 travel deal. The GoWild pass allows unlimited flights, domestic or international, over a three-month period. But the pass comes with major restrictions that Frontier does not proactively advertise, leaving some feeling misled. The biggest constraint is that GoWild pass holders cannot book domestic flights more than 24 hours before departure. They can reserve international flights up to 10 days out. This limited advance booking window has made it impossible for some pass holders to plan trips and book preferred flights. Denise Smith,

Frontier's GoWild Pass Comes With Major Hidden Restrictions
Political|WrittenByLAPost

TikTok Steps Up Efforts to Curb Harmful Content Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Video-sharing app TikTok is implementing new measures to combat the spread of misinformation, hate speech and incitements to violence relating to the ongoing violent conflict between Israel and Hamas. The company announced Sunday that it is establishing a command center to coordinate moderation efforts, enhancing its technology to automatically detect graphic content, and hiring more Arabic and Hebrew speakers to review posts. “We do not tolerate attempts to incite violence or spread hateful ideologies,” TikTok said in a statement. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for content praising violent and hateful organizations and individuals.” Tensions boiled over on October 7 when

TikTok Steps Up Efforts to Curb Harmful Content Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
Health|Local|WrittenByLAPost

Speed Dating Makes Comeback in LA with Creative New Twists

Speed dating is undergoing an unexpected resurgence in Los Angeles, transcending its 1990s origins to cater to the diverse demographics of the city. According to Eventbrite’s data, there’s an increase of 75% in speed dating events from 2021 to 2022. Furthermore, Google search interest surpassed pre-pandemic levels in February, marking the first instance of such a resurgence since the onset of COVID-19. This resurgence is drawing in not only older generations but also capturing the interest of Millennials and Gen Z, who are exploring modern approaches to courtship. While the traditional rapid-fire speed dating format remains, innovative variations such as

Speed Dating Makes Comeback in LA with Creative New Twists
World|WrittenByLAPost

Can Israel Destroy Hamas' Underground 'Gaza Metro' Without Civilian Toll

The Israeli military is gearing up to target an elaborate network of tunnels built by Hamas underneath Gaza City, known as the “Gaza metro,” as part of its ground offensive into the Palestinian territory. Hamas utilizes the underground passages to move fighters and weapons covertly. But given Gaza’s extreme population density, the subterranean system dangerously hides military assets below civilian areas, according to Israel. While tunnels have long offered asymmetric warfare advantages, Hamas has taken the concept to another level by constructing such an extensive tunnel network under one of the most crowded urban areas on Earth. Nearly 2 million

Can Israel Destroy Hamas' Underground 'Gaza Metro' Without Civilian Toll
Local|WrittenByLAPost

Los Angeles Landmark: The Magic Behind the Magic Castle

For over six decades, the Magic Castle has been an iconic fixture in Hollywood, elevating the art of illusion to the level of a sought-after VIP experience. Only those who are lucky enough to get an invitation will learn the establishment’s secrets. The Magic Castle is more than just a venue – it’s an entire world of its own, a secretive society for members and their guests where magic is celebrated and appreciated. The idea for the private clubhouse was born in 1963 from founders Milt Larsen, William Larsen Jr., and Irene Larsen. From a terrible fire in 2011 to

Los Angeles Landmark: The Magic Behind the Magic Castle
Economy|Local|WrittenByLAPost

Disney Parks Spread Cheer with $50 Ticket Deal for Kids

The Walt Disney Company announced new discounts on children’s tickets at its U.S. theme parks in an effort to boost attendance, according to a company blog post. The temporary price reductions come as Disney parks grapple with signs of slowing foot traffic. Beginning October 24, Disneyland Resort in California will offer $50 per day tickets for children ages 3-9 valid for use between January 8 and March 10, 2023. Meanwhile, Florida’s Walt Disney World will roll out a vacation package deal on November 14 including reduced kids’ tickets and dining plans. That offer can be used for travel from March

Disney Parks Spread Cheer with $50 Ticket Deal for Kids
Business|Technology|WrittenByLAPost

30+ states allege Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive

In a legal challenge, over 30 U.S. states are aiming for Instagram’s parent company, Meta, alleging its photo-sharing app was intentionally designed to hook and harm adolescents. Filed in federal court, the lawsuit claims Instagram deploys an addictive concoction of infinite feeds, constant notifications, and other behavioral tricks to entrap teens’ attention. This “addict’s algorithm” deliberately preys on young users’ vulnerabilities, the suit argues, triggering destructive usage, low self-esteem, and severe mental anguish. Installed on millions of teenagers’ phones nationwide, Instagram allegedly causes both mental and physical harm—from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. With teen well-being

30+ states allege Meta intentionally designed Instagram to be addictive
Local|WrittenByLAPost

Violence on LA Streets: Homeless Murders Hit Record High

The homelessness crisis in Los Angeles took a deadly turn in 2022, as the number of homeless individuals murdered across the city climbed to 92 – a shocking 60% increase from 2020. The grim tally amounts to nearly a quarter of all 382 homicides recorded in LA last year, even though the unhoused make up only about 1% of the population. Experts say the violence stems from increased gang activity, disputes between homeless people, and bias against those living on the streets. “A friend of mine was thrown into a fire by a fellow homeless man,” said Rev. Andy Bales

Violence on LA Streets: Homeless Murders Hit Record High

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