Marjorie Taylor Greene Blames Earthquake, Eclipse on God's Wrath

Scientists Warn of Link Between Fluoride and Negative Health Outcomes When Pregnant

Scientists Warn of Link Between, Fluoride , and Negative Health Outcomes When Pregnant . 'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development. . 'Newsweek' reports that scientists have urged expectant mothers not to drink unfiltered tap water, exposing a link between exposure to fluoride and disruptions in fetal brain development. . In 1962, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended that public water contain fluoride in an effort to prevent tooth decay. . As a result, 3 in 4 Americans receive water that has been fortified with fluoride. . While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USPHS say fluoride consumption at levels set by the government are safe. opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses. . opponents to the fluoridation of the water supply argue that potential health impacts of even low level fluoride exposure have been identified, particularly for developing fetuses. . According to a new study, maternal fluoride exposure was associated with a near-doubling increase in the risk of the child developing neurobehavioral problems. The team's findings were published in the journal 'JAMA Network Open.'. These neurobehavioral problems include emotional reactivity, headaches, anxiety and symptoms linked to autism. Our results showed that higher fluoride levels in mother's urine were associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their three-year-old children, especially for internalizing problems like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek. Our results showed that higher fluoride levels in mother's urine were associated with significantly increased neurodevelopmental problems in their three-year-old children, especially for internalizing problems like depression and anxiety, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek. These results are very concerning from a public health perspective, given that the majority of U.S. communities have fluoridated water, Tracy Bastain, Associate professor of clinical population and public health science and senior author of the study, via Newsweek. 'Newsweek' reports that the authors of the study say more research is "urgently needed" in order to better understand the implications of these findings on public health.

Credit Card Delinquencies Are on the Rise

Credit Card Delinquencies , Are on the Rise. New York Federal Reserve data that was published on May 15 shows that credit card delinquencies kept rising from January to March, Fox Business reports. . In Q1 2024, delinquencies reached 8.9% at an annualized rate. America hasn't seen this high of a percentage of serious credit card delinquencies since 2012, Fox News reports. . In the first quarter of 2024, credit card and auto loan transition rates into serious delinquency continued to rise across all age groups, Joelle Scally, regional economic principal within the Household and Public Policy Research Division at the New York Fed, via Fox Business. An increasing number of borrowers missed credit card payments, revealing worsening financial distress among some households, Joelle Scally, regional economic principal within the Household and Public Policy Research Division at the New York Fed, via Fox Business. Researchers aren't sure why delinquencies are so high since the unemployment rate is low, but they have a few theories. One of those theories is that consumers drained savings throughout the pandemic but continue to spend at high levels. Another theory is that some Americans switched to jobs with lower salaries. Additionally, credit card eligibility may have been expanded for many whose student debt wasn't being reported to credit bureaus amid the pandemic. These are all kinds of complex issues. We don't exactly know what's behind the increase of these delinquency rates. But it's definitely something that we're tracking, New York Fed researchers, via Fox Business. The average annual percentage rate for credit cards hit a record of 20.72% recently.

Experts Question Claim That Yogurt Can Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Experts Question Claim , That Yogurt Can Help , Prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Associated Press reports that the United States Food and Drug Association's recently allowed yogurt producers to claim it reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes. . However, at the time, the agency acknowledged that the claim is based on limited evidence. In 2018, Danone North America, the U.S. side of the French firm, sought FDA clearance for making the "qualified health claim.". Qualified health claims lack full scientific support but are allowed as long as manufacturers include a disclaimer to avoid misleading the public. Similar qualified health claims have been allowed for dietary supplements since 2000 and for food products since 2002. . In March of 2024, the FDA granted Danone's request. . According to the FDA, there is some evidence that eating at least 2 cups of yogurt a week could reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which impacts about 36 million Americans. Critics of the FDA's decision have countered that the claim is not based on randomized control trials which could prove or disprove yogurt's purported health benefits. Critics of the FDA's decision have countered that the claim is not based on randomized control trials which could prove or disprove yogurt's purported health benefits. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group, cautions that no single food can reduce the risk of developing a disease linked to overall diet. AP reports that experts have expressed concerns that the label change could encourage people to eat yogurt high in sugar, which could increase the risk of developing diabetes

FTC to Decide Whether Noncompete Agreements Should Be Banned

FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned. After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. . The commission said that if approved, the final rule "would generally prevent most employers from using noncompete clauses.". The commission said that if approved, the final rule "would generally prevent most employers from using noncompete clauses.". Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. . The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages. The White House also argues that these agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. . FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when the proposed ban was initially introduced. The freedom to change jobs is core to economic liberty and to a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement. Noncompetes block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement. Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information. Those businesses also question whether the agency has the power "to regulate such agreements," NPR reports. . If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days, and legal challenges would likely ensue.

Millennials Want a 4-Day Workweek, Poll Indicates

Millennials Want a 4-Day Workweek, , Poll Indicates. Redfield and Wilton Strategies recently conducted a poll for 'Newsweek' to find out how Americans feel about the idea of moving toward a four-day workweek. 4,000 U.S. voters were surveyed between April 6 and 7. 63% were in favor of a four-day workweek. 46% think the model makes employees more productive. Out of all age groups surveyed, millennials accounted for 74% of those who want to work less hours. Of that 74%, 44% "were strongly in favor of a shorter working week," 'Newsweek' reports. 50% of people born in 1964 and before supported a four-day workweek. The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress. The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress. The sad reality is, Americans now work more hours than the people of most other wealthy nations, Bernie Sanders, via March 2024 health committee hearing. Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, called a 5-day, 40-hour workweek outdated. The five-day workweek was created in a different time. It served its purpose, but today's world is more fast-paced and technology-driven than our workplace predecessors could have imagined, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'. Since implementing a four-day workweek, our results have been incredible. , Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'. We've found our employees are more productive, report better work-life balance, and experience less burnout. Incredibly, our turnover rate has been cut nearly in half, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits US East Coast

4.8-Magnitude Earthquake , Hits US East Coast. NBC reports that the East Coast of the United States was struck by an earthquake on April 5 which was felt from Maryland to Maine. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck just before 10:30 a.m. local time and was measured at a 4.8-magnitude. . There were no initial reports of any major damage. According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the quake could be felt across the state. . My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day, Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, via NBC. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state's emergency operations center had been activated. As a result of the quake, the Port Authority Transit Corp. suspended service between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. . Crews will inspect the integrity of the line out of an abundance of caution. Once inspection is complete, service will resume. No timeframe. Updates to follow, Port Authority Transit Corp. statement, via X. Meanwhile, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said service would not be impacted by the quake, and teams would be inspecting train lines for damage. NBC reports that earthquakes are a rare occurrence in the Northeast, however in February of 2023, Buffalo, New York, was struck by a 3.8-magnitude quake

Hundreds of Thousands Lose Power Amid Deadly Nor’easter

Hundreds of Thousands Lose Power , Amid Deadly Nor’easter. As of April 5, hundreds of thousands of people have lost power, and at least three people have died as a result of heavy snow and powerful winds slamming parts of the Northeast, CNN reports. . 40 mph wind gusts were encountered in areas across the region. Three people were killed in Pennsylvania and New York when trees fell onto their cars. . One of the victims was "the wife of a New York Yankees executive," CNN reports. . As of the morning of April 5, over 300,000 people were without electricity in Maine and New Hampshire. The heaviest snow is over, but danger still remains, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will also remain gusty and may result in additional downed branches and limbs due to the weight of freshly fallen snow, National Weather Service, via statement. Many roads, particularly in York County, Maine, have been left impassable due to debris and fallen power lines. I encourage all residents to remain alert during today’s storm. High winds and rains can cause unexpected and often disastrous weather, I urge everyone to stay safe, Ed Warren, East Kingston, New Hampshire, fire department chief, via statement

Germany and France express deep worry about Georgia's controversial "media law"

Borrell denounces Georgia's 'Russian law' and demands its withdrawal

The statement came 24 hours after the law passed its third reading in the Georgian parliament.

Law passed in Georgia 'step in wrong direction,' says NATO spokesperson

The law requires media and NGOs to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.