As Rose Parade nears, California greets visiting bands

An 8-year-old girl recently became the third person to die in a Texas measles outbreak, bringing attention to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, who endorsed the MMR vaccine but also promoted unproven treatments. Experts criticize his framing that suggests equal efficacy between vaccination and alternative treatments, warning it may exacerbate the outbreak, which has now reached 541 cases in Texas alone. As misinformation spreads, the risk of losing the U.S.'s measles-eliminated status increases,...

Decades after his mother Selonia Reed was murdered in 1987, Reggie Reed Jr. reflects on the profound impact of her death, which he experienced at just six years old. Selonia's body was discovered in her car with multiple stab wounds and evidence of sexual assault, leading to a complex investigation that uncovered various clues but no clear suspects. In his memoir, "The Day My Mother Never Came Home," Reggie shares his memories and the emptiness...

In May 2010, 23-year-old Shannan Gilbert, an escort, called 911 claiming someone was after her before disappearing near Gilgo Beach, New York. Over the following months, investigators discovered the remains of four other young women, identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, all in their 20s and involved in escort work, later termed the "Gilgo Four." The case remains a haunting mystery linked to Gilbert's disappearance, prompting ongoing investigations into a...

Australia's government announced a A$10 billion ($6.29 billion) initiative to construct up to 100,000 homes for first-time buyers ahead of the May 3 election, focusing on housing affordability. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government aims to build 1.2 million homes by 2030 and will offer loan guarantees for first home buyers, allowing them to purchase with a 5% deposit. In response, Liberal leader Peter Dutton is proposing tax deductions for mortgage payments to address the...

Publishers Clearing House (PCH) has filed for bankruptcy in Manhattan, reporting only $490,000 in cash against $40 million in debts, as it shifts focus from traditional marketing to digital advertising and online gaming. The company, which has awarded over $500 million in prizes since its founding in 1953, plans to continue its sweepstakes during the restructuring process while exploring asset sales or partnerships for growth. Despite its financial struggles, PCH aims to maintain its legacy...

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), which went public in September 2020, has seen its stock rise 714% primarily due to the launch of its AI software platform in April 2023, although it recently faced a 38% drop from its 52-week high due to broader market negativity and recession fears. The company reported significant growth in its customer base and contract values, particularly in AI, with a 43% year-over-year increase in customer count and a 56% rise...