Today: October 06, 2024
Today: October 06, 2024

Latest From The Los Angeles Post

Economy

War in Ukraine might give the Chinese yuan the boost it needs to become a major global currency -- and be a serious contender against the US dollar

China and the U.S. compete to be the world’s largest economy, but the dollar dominates the yuan as a currency. peng song/Moment Collection/Getty Images The Chinese economy’s sheer size and rapid growth are impressive. China maintained one of the highest economic growth rates in the world for more than a quarter of a century, helping lift over 800 million people out of poverty in just a few decades. The country is the largest exporter in the world and the most important trading partner of Japan, Germany, Brazil and many other countries. It has the second-largest economy after the U.S., based

War in Ukraine might give the Chinese yuan the boost it needs to become a major global currency -- and be a serious contender against the US dollar
Economy

Getting Social Security on a more stable path is hard but essential – 2 experts suggest a way forward

No big Social Security reforms have taken effect since the Reagan administration. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images Social Security is in trouble. The retirement and disability program has been running a cash-flow deficit since 2010. Its trust fund, which holds US$2.7 trillion, is rapidly diminishing. Social Security’s trustees, a group that includes the secretaries of the departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Social Security commissioner, project that the trust fund will be completely drained by 2033. Under current law, when that trust fund is empty, Social Security can pay benefits only from dedicated tax

Getting Social Security on a more stable path is hard but essential – 2 experts suggest a way forward
Economy

Work requirements don't work for domestic violence survivors – but Michigan data shows they rarely get waivers they should receive for cash assistance

Denying waivers to survivors of domestic violence can hinder their independence from their abusers. Alvaro Medina Jurado/Moment via Getty Images The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea Very few people who have survived domestic violence are getting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) waivers from the work requirements and time limits tied to those benefits – even though they’re eligible for them, according to our new research. State governments administer the federal TANF program, commonly known as welfare or cash assistance, in accordance with their own guidelines. Federal law allows states to grant

Work requirements don't work for domestic violence survivors – but Michigan data shows they rarely get waivers they should receive for cash assistance
Economy

UK PM Sunak visits Washington to strengthen ties, watch baseball – having already struck out on trade deal

‘I don’t drink coffee, I take tea’ — the quintessential Englishman in, well, D.C. Paul Faith/WPA Pool/Getty Images Alongside meetings with President Joe Biden, U.S. business leaders and members of Congress, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will take in a baseball game during a Washington trip that starts June 7, 2023. He may be given the honor of throwing out the first pitch; many at home will be hoping he doesn’t drop the ball. It is a high-stakes visit for Sunak, his first to Washington since becoming prime minister in October 2022. The British leader will be keen to showcase

UK PM Sunak visits Washington to strengthen ties, watch baseball – having already struck out on trade deal
Economy

Why insurance companies are pulling out of California and Florida, and how to fix some of the underlying problems

Wildfires can destroy hundreds of homes within hours. PH2(AW/SW) Michael J. Pusnik, Jr / Navy Visual News Service / AFP via Getty Images When the nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 property and casualty insurance companies – State Farm and Allstate – confirmed that they would stop issuing new home insurance policies in California, it may have been a shock but shouldn’t have been a surprise. It’s a trend Florida and other hurricane- and flood-prone states know well. Insurers have been retreating from high-risk, high-loss markets for years after catastrophic events. Hurricane Andrew’s unprecedented US$16 billion in insured losses across

Why insurance companies are pulling out of California and Florida, and how to fix some of the underlying problems
Economy

Arrests of 3 members of an Atlanta charity's board in a SWAT-team raid is highly unusual and could be unconstitutional

Police arrested three people who have been aiding protesters at this Atlanta house in May 2023. AP Photo/Kate Brumback On May 31, 2023, the Atlanta Police Department deployed a SWAT team to arrest Marlon Kautz, Adele MacLean and Savannah Patterson. These three people weren’t fugitives from justice or drug kingpins, but rather volunteer board members of a local charity. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation then charged these trustees of the Network for Strong Communities Inc. with charity fraud and money laundering. Charges under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a very expansive state version of federal RICO laws,

Arrests of 3 members of an Atlanta charity's board in a SWAT-team raid is highly unusual and could be unconstitutional
Economy

Republicans' anti-ESG attack may be silencing insurers, but it isn’t changing their pro-climate business decisions

Insurers are facing rising costs from effects of climate change. © Marco Bottigelli/Moments via Getty Imagse Over recent months there has been an orchestrated pushback against investors and insurers who integrate the risks of climate change into their business models. That pushback – emanating from Republican-led states – is having an impact on how companies speak publicly. But whether it will affect their efforts to respond to climate change is less clear. The latest targets have been global insurance companies, and their responses offer some insight. Under pressure, several major insurers, including AXA, Allianz, Lloyd’s and Swiss Re, have pulled

Republicans' anti-ESG attack may be silencing insurers, but it isn’t changing their pro-climate business decisions
Economy

Overcrowded trains serve as metaphor for India in Western eyes – but they are a relic of colonialism and capitalism

By the end of the 19th century, railways were being used by millions across India. Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images A devastating rail crash that left almost 300 people dead has refocused international attention on the importance of railways in the lives of Indians. Indeed, to many Western observers, images of men and women crammed into overcrowded cars serve as a metaphor for modern India. Take, for example, a report by German newspaper Der Spiegel on India’s population surpassing China’s. Published just weeks before the accident in Odisha province on June 2, the now much-criticized cartoon depicted a shabby Indian train

Overcrowded trains serve as metaphor for India in Western eyes – but they are a relic of colonialism and capitalism
Economy

Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn't clear on employees' rights or employers' obligations

Hot flashes can happen anywhere, including at work. Aleksei Morozov/iStock via Getty Images Plus While she was interviewing Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in March 2023, Drew Barrymore suddenly exclaimed: “I’m so hot … I think I’m having my first hot flash!” She took off her blazer and fanned herself dramatically. While most hot flashes aren’t televised, the entertainer’s experience was far from unique. Barrymore, age 48, is one of approximately 15 million U.S. women from 45 to 60 who work full time and may experience menopausal symptoms. Unlike Barrymore, most women are silent about their menopausal symptoms. Yet their

Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn't clear on employees' rights or employers' obligations
Economy

Inside the black box of Amazon returns

Retailers’ costs for managing returns are rising. Ronny Hartmann/picture alliance via Getty Images E-commerce may make shopping more convenient, but it has a dark side that most consumers never see. Say you order an electric toothbrush for Father’s Day and two shirts for yourself from Amazon. You unpack your order and discover that the electric toothbrush won’t charge and only one shirt fits you. So, you decide to return the unwanted shirt and the electric toothbrush. Returns like this might seem simple, and often they’re free for the consumer. But managing those returns can get costly for retailers, so much

Inside the black box of Amazon returns
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Family Feuds: Why Political Spats Often Turn Painfully Personal

Arguing politics with loved ones can quickly spiral into personal attacks that damage relationships. Experts say our political views become tied to identity, making dissent feel like a personal affront. This breeds defensiveness and strips nuance from debates. With partisanship rising nationally, Americans increasingly view opposing parties negatively. Growing polarization fuels emotional confrontations over issues. Figures show 35-45% of partisans now oppose interparty marriages in the family. I recently experienced this phenomenon firsthand. A discussion about politics with my brother rapidly devolved into hurtful statements. It ended with him blocking me on social media. We haven’t spoken since aside from

Family Feuds: Why Political Spats Often Turn Painfully Personal
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Dating Apps Are Leaving People More Burnt Out Than Loved Up

When dating apps like Tinder were initially introduced ten years ago, it appeared to be a fresh age for individuals who are not in a committed relationship. However, the actual experience has proven to be a difficult, frequently exasperating, and occasionally harmful process for numerous individuals. Many users feel emotionally exhausted due to the repetitive swiping, uninteresting chats, and the continual worry of being harassed. “It’s kind of like having a part-time job,” says Abby, a financial analyst and someone who has been using online dating sites for 8 years. Abby has used various dating apps, such as OkCupid, Bumble,

Dating Apps Are Leaving People More Burnt Out Than Loved Up
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Do Your Dreams Keep Playing on Repeat? Here's What It Could Mean

Recurring dreams are a fascinating phenomenon that has intrigued psychologists, sleep scientists, and dream researchers for years. These are dreams that you experience repeatedly, often with the same theme or narrative. Mostly, recurring dreams are a common cause of anxiety and confusion for the individuals who experience them. However, this needn’t be the case for everyone. Let’s delve deep into the reality of recurring dreams and how to deal with them. Recurring dreams are not the same as your usual dreams. They’re a unique class of dreams that repeat themselves, often with the same theme or narrative. Whether the dream

Do Your Dreams Keep Playing on Repeat? Here's What It Could Mean
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Treats, Tricks, and Halloween Delights for Dietary Needs

Despite the variety, it’s crucial to double-check labels, as manufacturers can change formulas. While allergies are typically managed by avoiding certain foods, diabetes management can be more flexible. Consuming less sugar is generally better for overall health, but children with diabetes can still enjoy Halloween candy in moderation. Chocolate may be a better choice than sugar-based sweets for some children with diabetes, as it metabolizes slower. Children with braces or other dental hardware often find chocolate easier to eat than sticky or hard candies. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies are less risky for damaging braces.

Treats, Tricks, and Halloween Delights for Dietary Needs
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Don't Let Daylight Saving Ruin Your Health This Fall

As clocks across America “fall back” an hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 6, internal clocks may lag behind. This semi-annual switch between daylight saving time and standard time has measurable impacts on public health and safety, according to research. While the spring switch to daylight saving is more disruptive, the upcoming change to standard time also negatively affects health. The most immediate impact of the time change is increased traffic accidents and workplace injuries. Researchers estimate that the switch to and from daylight saving contributes to thousands of car crashes and 300 deaths in the U.S. each year.

Don't Let Daylight Saving Ruin Your Health This Fall
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Ozempic Shortage Sparks Health Concerns. What Comes Next?

The rising popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are primarily used to manage diabetes, has caused a significant strain on their supply. Both these drugs contain semaglutide, a compound that aids in controlling blood sugar and insulin levels while reducing appetite. This double-action has made them a preferred choice for many individuals trying to manage their weight or diabetes. However, the sudden unavailability of these drugs can have a profound effect on those relying on them. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed both Ozempic and Wegovy as “in shortage” for several months. Trulicity, another similar

Ozempic Shortage Sparks Health Concerns. What Comes Next?
Health

Popular nasal decongestant doesn't actually relieve congestion, FDA experts say

The leading decongestant used by millions of Americans looking for relief from a stuffy nose is likely no better than a dummy pill, according to government experts who reviewed the latest research on the long-questioned drug ingredient. Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Tuesday against the effectiveness of the ingredient found in popular versions of Sudafed, Allegra, Dayquil and other medications sold on pharmacy shelves. “Modern studies, when well conducted, are not showing any improvement in congestion with phenylephrine,” said Dr. Mark Dykewicz, an allergy specialist at the Saint Louis University School of

Popular nasal decongestant doesn't actually relieve congestion, FDA experts say
Health

How evasive and transmissible is the newest omicron offshoot, BA.2.86, that causes COVID-19? 4 questions answered

BA.2.86 is beginning to spread throughout the United States. baranozdemir/E+ via Getty Images The latest variant, or sublineage, of SARS-CoV-2 to emerge on the scene, BA.2.86, has public health experts on alert as COVID-19 hospitalizations begin to rise and the new variant makes its way across the globe. The Conversation asked Suresh V. Kuchipudi, a virologist and infectious disease expert at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, to explain what researchers know about BA.2.86’s ability to dodge immune protection and whether it causes more severe infection than its predecessors. 1. What is BA.2.86 and how is it related

How evasive and transmissible is the newest omicron offshoot, BA.2.86, that causes COVID-19? 4 questions answered
Health

Challengers seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measures, calling them misleading

Abortion advocates asked a judge on Monday to rewrite what they call misleading descriptions of several constitutional amendments on abortion rights that voters could see on Missouri’s 2024 ballot. Missouri is among several states, including Ohio, where abortion opponents are fighting efforts to ensure or restore access to the procedure following the fall of Roe v. Wade last year. In part, one of the Missouri petitions would amend the state’s constitution to ban government infringement on the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters

Challengers seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measures, calling them misleading
Health

US approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall

The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine much like getting a yearly flu shot. There’s still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations

US approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall
Health

Food recalls are pretty common for things like rocks, insects and plastic

Rocks in Trader Joe’s cookies. Insects in its broccoli-cheese soup. Pieces of plastic in Banquet frozen chicken strips. In recent weeks, U.S. consumers have seen high-profile food recalls for an unappetizing reason: They’re contaminated with foreign objects that have no place on a dinner plate. And while no one wants to bite down on stainless steel in peanut butter or bone fragments in smoked sausage, this type of contamination is one of the top reasons for food recalls in the U.S. Food safety experts and federal agencies use the terms “extraneous” or “foreign” materials to describe things like metal fragments,

Food recalls are pretty common for things like rocks, insects and plastic
Health

Updated COVID shots are coming. They're part of a trio of vaccines to block fall viruses

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are coming soon, just in time to pair them with flu shots. And this fall, the first vaccines for another scary virus called RSV are rolling out to older adults and pregnant women. Doctors hope enough people get vaccinated to help avert another “tripledemic” like last year when hospitals were overwhelmed with an early flu season, an onslaught of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and yet another winter coronavirus surge. COVID-19 hospitalizations have been steadily increasing since late summer, although not nearly as much as this time last year, and RSV already is on

Updated COVID shots are coming. They're part of a trio of vaccines to block fall viruses
Health

Sri Lanka's ruling coalition defeats a no-confidence motion against the health minister

Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition on Friday defeated a no-confidence motion against the country’s health minister who has been accused of allegedly failing to secure enough essential drugs and laboratory equipment that some say resulted in preventable deaths in hospitals. The motion was initiated by opposition lawmakers who claimed Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s actions had ruined the health sector. The parliament debated for three days before defeating the motion in a 113-73 vote on Friday in the 225-member house. Sri Lanka provides free health service through state-run hospitals but they have suffered from a shortage of

Sri Lanka's ruling coalition defeats a no-confidence motion against the health minister
Health

Anemia afflicts nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide, but there are practical strategies for reducing it

Anemia symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. Peter Dazeley/The Image Bank via Getty Images Anemia is a major health problem, with nearly 2 billion people affected globally. It afflicts more people worldwide than low back pain or diabetes – or even anxiety and depression combined. Despite this, investments in reducing anemia have failed to substantially reduce the massive burden of anemia globally over the last few decades. People become anemic when their blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This decreased oxygen delivery causes many of the most common symptoms of anemia,

Anemia afflicts nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide, but there are practical strategies for reducing it
Health

Florida abortion rights at stake as state Supreme Court takes up challenge to GOP-led restrictions

The fate of abortion rights in Florida will be at stake Friday morning when the state Supreme Court is expected to take up a challenge to a law banning the procedure in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which will determine whether an even stricter six-week ban signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis can take effect. The seven justices — including five conservatives appointed by DeSantis, a GOP candidate for president — are set to hear oral arguments in Tallahassee in the lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and others. They claim the Florida Constitution’s

Florida abortion rights at stake as state Supreme Court takes up challenge to GOP-led restrictions

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