The S&P 500 climbed to a record high on Wednesday, fueled by enthusiasm over Netflix's quarterly results and the technology sector's strong performance.
A brush fire broke out in Jurupa Valley on Tuesday, January 21, as strong Santa Ana winds persisted across Southern California. Known as the "Clay Fire," it ignited along the Santa Ana River Bottom near Pedley Road and Van Buren Boulevard around 5 p.m.
Los Angeles is grappling with the toxic aftermath of wildfires that devastated areas including Pacific Palisades and Altadena, destroying over 15,000 structures and releasing dangerous pollutants into the air. Scientists report that the burning of homes, cars, and infrastructure has produced hazardous levels of toxins, including lead and chlorine.
A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights key vulnerabilities in the infant formula supply chain and suggests reforms to prevent future shortages. This comes after a 2022 formula crisis left families across the nation struggling to access an essential source of infant nutrition.
MSNBC host Rachel Maddow shared her reaction to President Joe Biden’s farewell address on Wednesday, describing the president’s stark warning about the state of American democracy as chilling. Maddow highlighted Biden’s focus on the dangers of concentrated power, misinformation, and attacks on the press, noting the gravity of his message as a significant departure from traditional farewell speeches.
France’s birthrate fell to its lowest level since the end of World War I, with only 663,000 babies born in 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). This marks a 2.2% decline from the previous year and the lowest recorded births since 1946. The fertility rate also dropped to 1.62 children per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain population stability.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended President Joe Biden’s delay in taking executive action on the southern border during an interview with PBS NewsHour on Tuesday. Facing criticism from outgoing ICE Deputy Director P.J. Lechleitner, who argued the administration should have acted sooner, Mayorkas emphasized that earlier action would have likely faced litigation with uncertain outcomes.
