The recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and around 50 minutes to bake. It can be served warm with coffee for breakfast or brunch, or topped with vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert.

Ingredients for apple crumb cake

• For the cake
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar.
• 2 large eggs.
• 1 cup sour cream.
• ½ cup vegetable or canola oil.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg.
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt.
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda.
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour.
• For the apples
• 2 large firm apples, peeled and thinly sliced.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter.
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• A pinch of kosher salt.
• For the crumb topping
• ½ cup all-purpose flour.
• ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar.
• ¼ cup rolled oats.
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
• ¼ cup softened unsalted butter.

How to make apple crumb cake

1. Prepare the pan and oven. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
2. Cook the apples. Add the sliced apples, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt to a skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the fruit softens and the juices begin to thicken. Remove from the heat.
3. Prepare the crumble. Mix the flour, brown sugar, oats and salt in a bowl. Add the softened butter and work it into the dry ingredients with your fingers until small, irregular crumbs form.
4. Mix the cake batter. Whisk the brown sugar and eggs until foamy. Add the sour cream, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in the baking powder and baking soda, then gently incorporate the flour until just combined.
5. Layer the cake. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Place the cooked apples across the surface and finish with an even layer of the oat crumble.
6. Bake and serve. Bake for approximately 45 to 55 minutes, or until the cake is risen and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool before slicing and serve warm or at room temperature.

The cake can be kept loosely covered at room temperature for up to three days.

To obtain the passport, each citizen must make an appointment for each of the people interested in the process, even within the same family group.

Valid documents to prove Mexican nationality in order to obtain the passport

If, after consulting the databases, systems, or files accessible to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), it is not possible to prove the nationality of the applicant, they must present one of the following documents:

• Birth certificate issued by the Mexican civil registry office or by a consular office
• Mexican nationality certificate
• Declaration of Mexican nationality by birth
• Naturalization certificate
• Citizen identity card
• Consular registration certificate

A valid original official identification must be presented, such as the INE voter ID or the consular registration card.

How much the passport costs in 2026

The fees in force since January 1, 2026, according to article 20 of the 2026 Federal Rights Law, are:

The 50% discount applies to people over 60 years old, people with disabilities, which must be verified, and agricultural workers in the Mexico-Canada Temporary Agricultural Workers Program.

Note that the passport valid for one year is issued only to children under 3 years old. In addition, the benefit for the 10-year validity does not apply to agricultural workers. Another important point is that payment in Mexico must be made in Mexican pesos.

Passport delivery is made on the same day as the appointment, provided that the person has met the requirements and made the corresponding payment of fees.

As for the possibility of renewing the passport before it expires, the SRE allows it but reminds applicants that they cannot have more than one valid passport at the same time. If a new document is needed because the current one was damaged or the visa pages have been used up, it can be renewed by presenting it physically at the time of your appointment.

Among them, Mexico as a whole is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution. But it also includes other areas at levels 1, 3 and 4.

“Exercise greater caution in Mexico, due to terrorism, crime and kidnappings, the risk is high in some areas. Read the full travel advisory”, the official Travel.State.Gov website says.

What does Alert Level 4 mean?

According to Travel.State.Gov., “Alert Level 4 - Do Not Travel” is the highest warning because of “life-threatening risks”, which are described in the Travel Advisory.

“The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to provide assistance, even in an emergency”, the official page explains.

The DOS recommends that U.S. citizens “do not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so”.

The United States advises against traveling to six states in Mexico: which are they?

The DOS advises against traveling to the following specific areas:

• Colima
• Guerrero
• Michoacán
• Sinaloa
• Tamaulipas
• Zacatecas

What risks exist in each state of Mexico?

The highest alert level, “Level 4 - Do Not Travel”, applies because of risks linked to terrorism, crime, kidnappings and violence by criminal groups.

In the six states, U.S. authorities describe specific restrictions and warn about homicides, shootings, extortion, robberies, disappearances and kidnappings:

• Colima: risk of violence by criminal groups, terrorism and kidnappings. Only certain tourist and port areas of Manzanillo and some specific routes are authorized.
• Guerrero: armed groups are warned about, which may set up checkpoints on roads and resort to violence. The restriction covers the entire state, including Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco and Ixtapa.
• Michoacán: crime and violence are widespread. There are restrictions on travel throughout the state, with specific exceptions for transit routes, Morelia and Lázaro Cárdenas.
• Sinaloa: there is a risk from terrorism and crime. Authorized travel for U.S. employees is concentrated in specific areas of Mazatlán, Los Mochis and Topolobampo, with restrictions on access and movement.
• Tamaulipas: the warning includes shootings, murders, armed robberies, vehicle theft, kidnappings, disappearances, extortion and sexual assaults. Criminal group activity is also noted on the border, especially between Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo.
• Zacatecas: violent crime, extortion and gang activity are widespread. U.S. Government employees may travel only to the city of Zacatecas under specific conditions and mainly by air.

Levels 1, 2 and 3: what other states are under alert?

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel

The Department of State advises reconsidering travel due to the “serious risks” to safety.

• Baja California
• Chiapas
• Chihuahua
• Guanajuato
• Jalisco
• Morelos
• Sonora

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution

DOS states that “there are increased safety risks”, which are described in the travel advisory:

• Aguascalientes
• Baja California Sur
• Coahuila
• Durango
• Hidalgo
• Mexico City
• Mexico
• Nayarit
• Nuevo León
• Oaxaca
• Puebla
• Querétaro
• Quintana Roo
• San Luis Potosí
• Tabasco
• Tlaxcala
• Veracruz

Level 1 - Take normal precautions

This is the lowest alert level in terms of safety risks.

• Campeche
• Yucatán

What the freezer coin trick consists of

The method is simple and requires only water and a coin:

1. Fill a glass with water and put it in the freezer until it completely solidifies.
2. Once frozen, place a coin on top of the ice.
3. Put the glass back in the freezer, especially if you are going to be away for several days or if a storm is expected that could cut off electricity.

What does the position of the coin mean

When you return, the coin serves as a witness to what happened while you were gone:

• If the coin stayed on top, on the surface: the freezer kept the cold, and the food remained frozen the whole time. In principle, the food is safe.
• If the coin sank to the middle or bottom of the glass: there was a prolonged power outage. The ice thawed, the coin sank, and then the water froze again with the coin at the bottom. That indicates the food may have thawed, and it should be discarded.

The coin “marks” whether the ice melted at some point, something that is not noticeable at first glance if the power came back before you returned.

What do the official guidelines say about frozen food

The coin trick is a practical aid, but the final decision about the food should be based on food safety recommendations from FoodSafety:

• A full, closed freezer keeps a safe temperature for about 48 hours without electricity; if it is half full, about 24 hours.
• The key is to keep the door closed for as long as possible during the outage.
• As a general rule, foods that still have ice crystals or that were kept at 40 °F (about 4 °C) or lower can be refrozen or consumed.
• When in doubt, the official guideline is clear: if you are not sure, throw it out (“when in doubt, throw it out”).

The reconstruction is based on fossils discovered at Jebel Irhoud, an archaeological site in Morocco that contains the oldest fossils currently attributed to our species. The remains have been dated to approximately 315,000 years ago, placing them far earlier than many of the fossils traditionally associated with modern humans.

The new facial approximation was created by a team led by Brazilian 3D specialist Cicero Moraes and published in September 2026 in the scientific journal Heritage. Researchers used digital models, anatomical measurements and computer-based reconstruction techniques to recreate the facial structure associated with the Jebel Irhoud fossils.

What did the first Homo sapiens look like?

The resulting face looks surprisingly familiar while also preserving some features that distinguish these early humans from people living today.

The reconstruction shows a prominent brow region, a relatively broad face and other characteristics associated with the Jebel Irhoud fossils. At the same time, the underlying skull had a braincase that was more primitive in shape than that of most modern humans.

This combination is one of the reasons the fossils are so important to the study of human evolution. The Jebel Irhoud remains display a mixture of modern human facial characteristics and more archaic cranial features, suggesting that the anatomy associated with our species developed gradually rather than appearing all at once.

The researchers also estimated the volume of the reconstructed endocranial cavity at approximately 1,364 milliliters, a figure that falls within the range observed in modern human populations.

The face is a scientific approximation

Despite its photorealistic appearance, the image should not be interpreted as an exact portrait of a person who lived 315,000 years ago.

The researchers worked with a composite skull, meaning the digital model combines anatomical elements from several fossils recovered from the same archaeological layer at Jebel Irhoud. The main component is the Irhoud 1 fossil, discovered in 1961, while other fossil remains were used to complete portions of the jaw, face and teeth.

To reconstruct the soft tissues, the team used a CT scan of an anonymized modern adult and applied anatomical deformation techniques to adapt the modern skull and associated soft-tissue structures to the fossil’s anatomy.

The researchers produced two versions of the result. One is a grayscale reconstruction focused on the anatomical relationship between the fossil and the estimated facial structures. The other is a colored artistic version intended to communicate the reconstruction to a wider audience.

That distinction matters because characteristics such as skin color, hair and facial hair cannot be directly recovered from the fossil. They are artistic interpretations added to make the reconstruction easier to visualize.

Why the Jebel Irhoud fossils changed the story of human evolution

Jebel Irhoud has played a major role in changing scientists’ understanding of when and where Homo sapiens emerged.

The first major discovery at the site was made in 1961, when a skull was uncovered during mining activity. It was initially interpreted as an African form of Neanderthal and was thought to be only about 40,000 years old.

Later discoveries and improved dating methods dramatically changed that interpretation. In 2017, researchers published evidence in Nature identifying the Jebel Irhoud fossils as early Homo sapiens and dating them to approximately 315,000 years ago. That made them the oldest fossils attributed to our species at the time.

The discovery also challenged the idea that modern humans suddenly appeared with all of their characteristic anatomical features in a single region. Instead, the Jebel Irhoud fossils support a more complex picture in which different features associated with Homo sapiens emerged progressively across Africa.

More than three centuries later—wait, more than 300,000 years later—the new reconstruction provides another way to visualize those early members of our species.

It does not show exactly what one individual looked like. Instead, it offers a scientifically constrained approximation of the face associated with some of the oldest known Homo sapiens fossils, bringing one of the earliest chapters of human evolution into view.

The New York Times reported the exchange Monday, drawing on interviews, records and police body camera footage. The only witness, Mattai and Mathews’ lawyer all agree on the insult. Mathews declined to speak to the newspaper.

The shooting happened at the Centerville Mills Dog Park in Bainbridge, on the edge of the Cleveland suburbs. Mattai survived after two surgeries.

How did the argument over Trump at an Ohio dog park turn into a shooting?

Jamie Jedlinsky, 70, a regular at the park, complained about a newspaper headline on the war with Iran, and Mathews defended Trump. Mattai, who later admitted he had been drinking, called Trump the worst president ever. Mathews said he was the best.

After a shouting match, Mattai left, came back and told Mathews to go. Mathews turned at the fence and made the remark about Mattai’s mother. Mattai reached over and grabbed him by the hair.

Jedlinsky pulled them apart. As the men loaded their dogs into their cars, Mathews fired first, according to the Times, hitting Mattai in the lower back. Mattai fired at least four rounds as Mathews drove off, missing him.

What is Ohio’s ‘stand your ground’ law, and how could it apply to the dog park shooting?

Under a 2020 Ohio law, a person facing an imminent threat of serious harm doesn’t have to try to escape before using deadly force. This is known as a “stand your ground” law.

Mathews’ lawyer, Ian Friedman, plans to argue at trial that his client fired to save his own life. Friedman told the Times the case “was never about politics.”

Mathews told police that Mattai had head-butted him and was coming at him with a gun. Mattai denies the head butt. Jedlinsky didn’t see one and couldn’t say what Mattai was doing when he was shot.

What charges do the men in the Ohio dog park shooting face, and when are they due in court?

Mathews is charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony that in Ohio covers causing serious harm or using a deadly weapon to hurt someone. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in prison, with at least three served.

He was released on a $50,000 bond, wears a GPS ankle monitor and goes to trial in February. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office took over his case after the county’s top prosecutor stepped aside, because the prosecutor’s mother lives with Mathews.

A prosecutor from another county charged Mattai in August with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct, based on the head-butt claim. He faces up to six months in jail and returns to court in late October. He has said he would plead guilty or no contest, which accepts a conviction without admitting guilt, to avoid jail time.

The State Department of the United States warns that completing the form with errors or leaving information incomplete can cause delays, as the applicant may have to correct the data and reschedule their consular interview.

U.S. visa: what mistakes should be avoided when completing the DS-160?

The form must be completed accurately and with true information. According to the official instructions, there are several points applicants should review before submitting it.

Among the main mistakes that should be avoided are:

• Writing surnames incorrectly: they must exactly match those that appear on the passport.
• Entering the date of birth incorrectly: it must be entered exactly as it appears on the passport.
• Answering in another language: responses must be in English, except when the full name is requested in the native alphabet.
• Leaving required questions unanswered: most fields must be completed. Only optional fields may be left blank, or it may be indicated that they do not apply when the system allows it.
• Using outdated information: those who retrieve data from a previous application should check that it is still correct.

The State Department also warns that submitting false or misleading information can have serious consequences, including permanent visa denial or denial of entry to the United States.

What documents is it advisable to have before completing the DS-160 form?

To avoid mistakes, the agency recommends having certain documents on hand when completing the application.

Among the main documents and data are:

• Valid passport.
• Travel itinerary, if arrangements have already been made.
• Dates of the last five visits to the United States, if applicable.
• International travel history for the last five years, if requested.
• Information about current or previous studies and jobs, when required.

Depending on the type of visa, other documents and additional information may also be requested.

What happens if the DS-160 form has errors?

An incorrect or incomplete application may require changes before continuing with the process.

If the form has already been submitted and the embassy or consulate detects errors, the applicant must follow that office’s instructions to correct the information.

In some cases, it may also be necessary to reschedule the consular interview.

In addition, the applicant must keep the form confirmation page, as it is needed for the interview and allows the authorities to review the application.

The regulation of AI is one of the main topics on the table in the United States between democrats and republicans. While the Democratic Party advocates for more control over this technology, the administration wants to promote AI development.

Donald Trump created a new committee for Super Intelligence

“The Super Intelligence Force is tasked with coordinating the effort of the Federal Government to ensure that America continues to lead the World in Super Intelligence, which many say is bigger than the Industrial Revolution and the Internet, and will protect the interests and improve the lives of all Americans,” Trump wrote on his social media.

So far, the president has not shared details about the reason behind the Super Intelligence Force, but he believes that it is necessary for the country’s development.

The White House will replace “Artificial Intelligence” with “Super Intelligence”

According to the executive order, federal departments and agencies will use the terms “Super Intelligence” and “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence” and “AI” in official communications, websites, reports, policy documents, and other non-statutory documents.

The order defines “Super Intelligence” as the technologies and systems currently covered by the federal definition of artificial intelligence. The White House said the new terminology is intended to reflect the rapid development and capabilities of these technologies.

Trump ordered a new federal definition of Super Intelligence

The executive order also gives the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology 60 days to submit proposed legislative language to establish a federal definition of “Super Intelligence” and “SI.”

The proposal must evaluate whether the new definition should modify or replace the existing statutory definition of artificial intelligence. It must also include recommendations for additional presidential or executive actions needed to implement the definition across the executive branch.

The White House said the policy is part of the administration’s effort to expand the capabilities and applications of Super Intelligence, strengthen the U.S. economy and improve the lives of Americans.

Although its ordinary validity is 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16, the U.S. Department of State can invalidate it before this period ends if it is reported as lost or misplaced.

“Report your valid U.S. passport as lost or stolen immediately to protect yourself against identity theft,” authorities indicate.

The United States cancels all passports that are registered as lost or stolen

The procedure to report this situation can be done online, by mail, or during the application for a new copy.

It is important to note that once this is completed, the authorities will cancel the passport, and it will completely lose all validity for travel, even if it is later found among the belongings of the person who lost it.

How to report a stolen or lost passport online

The official instruction for this option is to use the form filler tool (Form Filler). The procedure can be started by clicking here.

The passport will be canceled within one business day from the moment it is registered, and once that happens, the Department of State will send an email confirming it.

How to report a stolen or lost passport by mail

In this case, you must complete the DS-64 form online, print it, sign it, and send it to the address provided along with a photocopy of the front and back of a photo ID.

Although the alternative is available for those who choose it, the process may take several weeks to complete, so it is advisable to opt for the online procedure whenever possible.

How to report a stolen or lost passport by applying for a new one

This is the last way to carry out the process. When a passport is lost or misplaced, it no longer qualifies for a renewal procedure, so you must apply for a new copy in person by completing Form DS-11.

Those who choose to report the lost or stolen passport this way will have to indicate where and when the previous one was lost and provide a copy of the police report (if any) when making the application.

The cancellation process may also take several weeks when done this way.

How to apply for a new American passport in person after loss or theft

The instruction for those who must obtain a passport from scratch is:

• Fill out Form DS-11 and print it. All details of the theft or loss must be completed.
• Attach physical proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Present a photo ID.
• Provide photocopies of the document certifying citizenship and the photo ID.
• Submit a photo that meets the official requirements.
• Find a place to submit the completed application and pay the corresponding fees.

The dispute is now in federal court, where a lawsuit seeking to force the drawing is still pending.

What is the visa lottery?

The Diversity Visa Program, known as the “visa lottery” or “green card lottery,” gives out up to about 55,000 permanent residencies each year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. Winners are chosen at random from among those who meet the requirements (being born in an eligible country and having a certain level of education or work experience).

Registration is free and is done only on the official State Department website during a period that, in previous years, usually opened in October and lasted about a month.

Why DV-2027 started without any winners

The anomaly is explained by a succession of events. In November 2025, the State Department announced that it was “implementing certain changes in the lottery registration process” and that it would announce the DV-2027 opening date “as soon as possible.” That date never came.

As a result, the 2026 fiscal year ended on September 30, 2026, without registration having opened, and the period for DV-2027 (which runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027) began without a list of selectees. For the first time, the lottery was left without its registration and drawing stage.

What did the government say and what happened in court?

The case led to a lawsuit. The law firm Red Eagle Law, in California, sued the secretary of state in federal court, arguing that the State Department has the legal obligation to carry out the program and open a registration period, and that failing to do so violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

The government, however, maintains that the deadlines established by law make it impossible to hold DV-2027 registration now.

In court, Judge Jinsook Ohta rejected a request for a temporary restraining order in early September (which sought to force the drawing), considering that, given the timing, “most of the ship had already sailed.”

Subsequently, a request for a preliminary injunction remained pending, with a ruling expected in mid-October 2026. At the time of this publication, the case remains open.

What do we know about DV-2028

There are more doubts than certainties about the next edition. The State Department did not announce registration dates for DV-2028, and in the court case itself the possibility was raised that the government would directly “move on to DV-2028,” skipping the DV-2027 round.

Meanwhile, potential applicants can only wait for official announcements. The general recommendation is to follow only the State Department’s channels and distrust websites or intermediaries that promise early registrations or guarantee a result.

It is a collaboration between AmeriCorps NCCC and FEMA, where members must help with different tasks and receive meals, lodging, and other benefits in return.

If the program is completed in full, a $7.300 stipend is given that must be used to cover educational expenses or to pay off student loans.

FEMA Corps: eligibility requirements

According to what is explained on the official program website, the requirements are

• Be between 18 and 26 years old if serving as a volunteer (for team leader, the minimum is 18 years old, but there is no maximum age)
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Pass an initial drug screening test
• Have 10 months of availability for full-time service

In addition, those applying to be team leaders must have a valid driver’s license.

What specific actions volunteers would have to carry out

As for the duties, new members will receive intensive training at the start of service.

“You will receive training in disaster response and recovery practices, teamwork and development, technical skills, professionalism, communication, project management, health and safety, and other topics,” it states.

Some possible tasks are

• Data entry
• Preparation of evacuation route maps
• Helping disaster survivors enroll to receive assistance

Teams will consist of up to 8 young adults.

What they offer those who sign up for the FEMA Corps program

The authorities explain that during service basic expenses are covered, such as shared housing and meals. Limited health benefits are also included.

Likewise, travel costs related to the program are covered, including the return trip once the service period has ended, and a stipend described as “modest” is paid for personal expenses.

In addition, it is explained that although federal payments on certain student loans may be suspended during service, when the 10 months are over, members are eligible for the interest that accrued during that time to be paid.

Finally, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is received when the program ends and is worth more than $7,300 for educational or loan expenses. It will be granted along with access to a national service employer network to facilitate the job search, among other benefits.

Those who want to learn how to sign up and view active openings can do so by clicking here.

For Pavan Bapu and Luke Wilson, everything started with a single video. The two co-workers turned a homemade dog feeder that went viral on TikTok into Houndsy, a Chicago-based company that has generated $15 million in revenue in four and a half years.

The TikTok-inspired idea that changed their lives

In 2021, Bapu, now 40, worked as director of growth marketing at a hardware and software company, where Wilson was a senior product manager.

One day, Wilson told Bapu about a TikTok video he had posted showing a dog food dispenser he had built himself. The video had already surpassed 15 million views.

The device stored a large bag of food and dispensed the right portion with the crank of a lever, without electronics and without having to bend down. Bapu was so impressed that he watched Wilson’s video on a loop for 30 minutes. “Luke would build these kibble dispensers; I would sell them. A side hustle was born,” he told Entrepreneur.

That’s how Houndsy was born.

The partners started the business with less than $20,000. They used TikTok to collect about 70.000 email addresses from potential customers and then launched a Kickstarter campaign that raised $160.000 without spending on advertising.

The organic growth from $456.000 to $15 million

Houndsy generated $456,000 in its first year and $1.7 million in the second, a 273% increase. Wilson left his job in 2022, and Bapu followed in 2023. As of April 2026, the company was on track to reach $15 million in revenue this year alone, according to Bapu.

Looking back, Bapu admits he waited too long. “I should have quit my day job sooner,” he said. For two years he worked about 20 extra hours a week on the business, and his family felt it the most.

What he enjoys most is something the founders didn’t anticipate: the impact on people with disabilities. “We’ve received emails from paraplegic customers telling us they fed their dog on their own for the first time in their lives,” he told on the same interview.

His advice for other entrepreneurs: “Don’t chase the money. Chase a defensible solution to a meaningful problem that people are willing to pay for, and the money will follow.”

The route also ranks first among North American routes analyzed by the site specialized in air turbulence. The ranking included nearly 10,000 routes connecting the world’s 550 largest airports and used records of flight paths available over the past year as a reference.

What is the most turbulent air route in the United States?

The Denver (DEN) - Jackson (JAC) route is the U.S. connection that tops the list of North American routes with the highest average turbulence during 2025.

The trip connects Denver International Airport (DEN), in Colorado, with Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), in Wyoming. According to the data, the route is 653 kilometers long and records an average turbulence of 18.18 EDR.

Worldwide, the route placed tenth, behind routes in South America and Asia that posted higher values.

Other North American routes with the highest turbulence

The continental list was led by:

• Denver (DEN) - Jackson (JAC): 18.18 EDR.
• Albuquerque (ABQ) - Denver (DEN): 18.18 EDR.
• Jackson (JAC) - Salt Lake City (SLC): 17.676 EDR.
• Denver (DEN) - Salt Lake City (SLC): 17.538 EDR.
• Bozeman (BZN) - Denver (DEN): 17.221 EDR.

How is flight turbulence measured?

Turbli uses the eddy dissipation rate, known as EDR, to express the intensity of turbulence.

The platform explains that approximately 10,000 routes were ranked based on connections between the 550 largest airports in the world. To carry out the analysis, it used its turbulence forecast archive and evaluated conditions along the available recorded flight paths during the year.

The platform also established different ranges to classify intensity: “light (0-20), moderate (20-40), mod-sev (40-60), severe (60-80) and extreme (80-100)”.

What is the most turbulent air route in the world?

First place in the ranking went to the route between Mendoza (MDZ), Argentina, and Santiago (SCL), Chile, with an average turbulence of 22.983 EDR.

At a court hearing in Nashville on Wednesday, a lawyer for the state said any new execution date is up to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Lee, who can commute death sentences, has not indicated what he will do.

Pike, 50, received two doses of pentobarbital and is believed to be the first person to survive after execution drugs were administered. She regained consciousness Tuesday. She was sentenced to death for the 1995 killing of classmate Colleen Slemmer.

Lee ordered a third-party review of the failed execution and postponed the only other execution Tennessee had scheduled this year.

Can Tennessee legally try to execute Christa Pike again?

A second lethal injection could be challenged under the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which bans cruel and unusual punishment. Pike’s was the state’s second failed execution this year, after officials halted Tony Carruthers’ in May.

Her lawyers could also argue the method is unconstitutional in her specific case. Before Sept. 30, they warned that her small veins and a blood-clotting condition would complicate the procedure.

The electric chair is an option only if Pike chooses it. Because her crime predates a change in Tennessee law, she could waive lethal injection in writing.

Her mental state could also block a new attempt. Executing someone who can’t understand why it is happening is considered cruel and unusual, and it is not yet known whether the failed execution left her with brain damage.

What are Christa Pike’s lawyers asking for?

Her attorneys want Lee to commute her sentence to life in prison without parole, arguing she has already suffered enough.

They are also seeking answers on what went wrong, which state officials have not explained. On Wednesday, a Nashville judge ordered the state to preserve all evidence from the execution attempt.

Attorney Randy Spivey said Pike still can’t move her arms or swallow and has some cognitive confusion. She also has pneumonia and a blood clot in her arm, and her prognosis is unclear.

Although Columbus Day is listed as a federal holiday, it does not necessarily mean that everyone has the day off or that all institutions operate on the same schedule, since in the case of schools, class dates and non-instructional days may depend on the calendar set by each institution, so some students may find themselves in a situation different from what they might expect on a holiday.

One of the cases mentioned is in Nevada, where a private school has already published its academic calendar for October, which explains what will happen to its students during Columbus Day.

Why is Monday, October 12 a federal holiday in the United States?

According to USAGov, the official portal of the United States Government, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October to remember Christopher Columbus’s arrival on the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, a date that was declared as such in 1937 and that is part of the federal holiday calendar of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Which students will have to go to class on Monday, October 12?

These students who will not have the day off and will have to attend classes in October as usual are the students of Brookfield School, a private educational institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school’s official calendar expressly states that Monday, October 12, 2026 will be “School in Session”, that is, there will be a school day.

Brookfield School offers education from preschool through middle school and its calendar has scheduled for Friday, October 30, a closure of all its schools for Nevada Day.

Why will these Brookfield School students have classes on Monday, October 12?

A federal holiday does not automatically establish a day off from classes for all schools since the federal designation primarily determines the treatment of the date for federal government employees, while educational institutions can manage their own calendars.

How many federal holidays are left in the United States in 2026?

After Columbus Day, there are three federal holidays left on the United States calendar for 2026, according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM):

• Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11.
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26.
• Christmas Day: Friday, December 25.

When do Social Security retirees born from the 1st to the 10th get paid in October 2026?

Wednesday, October 14 is the established payment date for this group of beneficiaries. Therefore, the benefit will not be affected by the holiday.

The SSA rule establishes that those who applied for their benefits since May 1, 1997 receive payment according to the birth date of the person whose record determines the benefit. For those born between the 1st and the 10th, the second Wednesday of each month applies.

Does the October 12 holiday change the payment date?

Not in this case, but there is a Social Security Administration rule that provides for changes only when the scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday. In those cases, the SSA advances the deposit to the previous business day.

“If the Wednesday of your payment falls on a federal holiday, we will send your payment on the previous day that is not a legal federal holiday”, the agency explains. This month, since Wednesday the 14th is not a federal holiday, that change is not triggered.

How does the SSA payment schedule continue?

After the payment on Wednesday, October 14, the SSA schedule continues as follows:

• Born between the 11th and 20th: third Wednesday of the month - October 21.
• Born between the 21st and 31st: fourth Wednesday of the month - October 28.

This is the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which is part of the Child Tax Credit and is intended for taxpayers who meet certain income conditions and have dependent children.

IRS: Who can receive up to US$1,700 per child?

According to the IRS on its official website, the Child Tax Credit can reach US$2,200 for each qualifying child for the 2025 tax year.

Of that amount, up to US$1,700 may be refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit. This benefit is aimed at those who have little or no obligation to pay federal income taxes, as long as they meet the requirements.

To qualify, the taxpayer must have earned income of at least US$2,500 and meet the conditions established by the agency.

In addition, to receive the full credit, annual income must not exceed US$200,000 or US$400,000 in the case of married couples filing jointly. Those who exceed those amounts could qualify for partial credit.

What requirements must children meet?

For tax year 2025, the IRS establishes that children must meet certain conditions:

• Be under 17 years old at the end of the year.
• Be sons, stepchildren, eligible foster children, siblings, or certain relatives, such as grandchildren or nieces and nephews.
• Have lived with the taxpayer for more than half the year.
• Not having provided more than half of their own financial support.
• Be listed as dependents on the tax return.
• Be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or resident aliens in the United States.
• Not have filed a joint return with their spouse, except in certain cases.

The IRS requires that each qualifying child have a valid Social Security number for work in the United States. In addition, the taxpayer or, if filing jointly, at least one of the spouses must meet this requirement.

How do you apply for the benefit through Form 1040?

People who meet the requirements must claim the credit when filing their tax return with the IRS.

To do so, they must:

1. Complete Form 1040, which is used to file the federal personal income tax return.
2. Include information about the children and other dependents.
3. Complete and attach Schedule 8812, which allows the Child Tax Credit and its refundable portion to be calculated.

On the other hand, the IRS clarifies that the corresponding refunds cannot be issued before mid-February of the filing year.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) distinguishes between the standard deduction and itemized deductions. Although both have the same goal, they work differently, and choosing the most convenient one depends on each taxpayer’s situation.

How is a standard deduction different from an itemized deduction?

The standard deduction is a fixed amount that depends on the taxpayer’s filing status. The IRS adjusts it annually for inflation and includes additional amounts for people age 65 or older and blind people.

By contrast, itemized deductions allow certain expenses incurred during the tax year to be deducted, as long as they meet the requirements established by the regulations. Instead of applying a fixed amount, the expenses that can legally be deducted are added up.

In general, taxpayers must choose one of these two methods, since they cannot use them simultaneously on the same return.

How do you know which one is better, according to the IRS?

To know which one is better, the IRS recommends comparing the amount of the standard deduction that applies to the taxpayer with the total expenses that can be included among itemized deductions.

In general, it is better to choose the option that allows you to reduce the greatest amount of taxable income.

For example, for tax year 2026, if a person is entitled to a standard deduction of US$16,100 but has US$18,000 in allowed deductible expenses, they could benefit from choosing itemized deductions.

However, there are people who cannot claim the standard deduction. These include married taxpayers who file separately when their spouse uses itemized deductions.

How are deductions itemized?

Taxpayers who choose this method must complete Schedule A of Form 1040, where the expenses that can be deducted from taxable income are identified and calculated.

Among the items recognized by the IRS are:

• Medical and dental expenses: certain health care expenses that were not reimbursed.
• State and local taxes: payments of income or sales taxes, real estate taxes, and certain personal property taxes.
• Mortgage interest: interest on qualifying mortgage loans.
• Charitable donations: contributions made to authorized organizations.
• Casualty losses: certain losses that meet legal requirements.
• Gambling losses: amounts that can be deducted within the established limits.

To complete the schedule, you must identify the expenses that meet the requirements, calculate how much can be deducted for each item, and add up the allowed amounts.

In addition, the IRS recommends keeping receipts and documents that can support the deductions claimed.

The limitations of itemized deductions: what are they?

Not all expenses can be deducted in full, since the IRS sets specific limits for each category.

In the case of medical and dental expenses, only the portion of eligible unreimbursed expenses that exceeds 7.5% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income can be deducted.

State and local taxes have a maximum amount that can be deducted each year. Meanwhile, the limits on mortgage interest depend on how much money was borrowed, when the loan was taken out, and what it was used for.

As for charitable donations, the allowed amount depends on the type of contribution, the beneficiary organization, and the applicable limits. Casualty losses must also meet specific requirements and, in general, be related to federally declared disasters.

Finally, for tax year 2026, gambling losses can be deducted up to 90% of their value, without exceeding the winnings obtained from those activities.

Now, a video shared on Instagram by the account raicessn caught the attention of gardening enthusiasts by showing a simple way to obtain new specimens from an adult plant.

The post explains two alternatives for reproducing mother-in-law’s tongue without having to buy a new one: separating the plant through its rhizomes or using its own leaves to generate new specimens.

How to reproduce mother-in-law’s tongue by division and obtain new plants

One of the techniques shown in the video is the division of the shoots that grow around the main plant. These small specimens appear over time and usually develop when the Sansevieria already occupies much of the available space in the pot.

To begin, it is necessary to carefully remove the plant and observe how the different shoots are connected. The connection is found beneath the soil, through a rhizome, which is the structure from which new roots and shoots develop.

The cut must be made precisely to separate each specimen without damaging it. A key point is to make sure that each new plant retains a segment of rhizome and its own roots. That way, the separated shoots will be able to continue developing independently once transplanted.

The trick to prevent snake plant cuttings from rotting

After separating the new specimens, there is an important step to encourage their development and reduce the chances of the cut deteriorating. Before placing them in soil, it is recommended to let the cut parts rest for one or two days, until the area can heal.

This waiting period helps reduce the risk of rot and other moisture-related problems. Once that time has passed, the cuttings can be planted in the chosen substrate.

If it is necessary to transplant immediately, as happens in the video, it is also possible to do so without first letting the cut dry. In that case, the recommendation is to not water for approximately one week.

The key is to avoid excess moisture during the first few days, as it can encourage rot and make it harder for the new specimens to develop their roots properly.

How to reproduce snake plant from its leaves

Another of the alternatives shown in the video for multiplying a Sansevieria consists of using its own leaves. The procedure requires selecting a healthy leaf and cutting it into different parts to obtain several cuttings.

In this case, there is a fundamental aspect that must not be overlooked: each fragment must retain the same orientation it had on the plant. The content creator sums it up forcefully: “If we put it upside down, it won’t work”.

For this reason, before starting the cuts it is advisable to identify which was the top of the leaf and which the bottom. She also advises preparing more than one cutting, since there is a possibility that some will not develop. According to her, roughly half may not thrive, so making several attempts increases the chances of obtaining new plants.

Once the fragments have been obtained, the procedure requires another waiting period. As with propagation through rhizomes, it is recommended to leave the cut parts for about two days so that the area can heal before placing them in water or directly in the substrate.

What happens with new snake plants

There is an important difference between the two reproduction techniques, especially for those who have a Sansevieria with particular characteristics and want to preserve them in the new specimens.

Cuttings obtained from a leaf can give rise to plants with a different appearance from the original. This is especially noticeable in varieties with variegated leaves, since the new shoots may grow completely green and lose some of the visible characteristics of the mother plant.

The situation is different when reproduction is done through division of the rhizome. In this case, the new plants retain the genetic characteristics of the plant from which they were separated, so it is the most suitable method when the goal is to preserve their original appearance.

Thus, with the same Sansevieria it is possible to obtain new specimens through different techniques. The choice of method will depend, among other factors, on whether the goal is simply to multiply the plant or to preserve the particular characteristics of the original variety.

The telephone survey of 615 likely voters was conducted in English and Spanish Sept. 21-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. Another 4% were undecided. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Talarico, 37, is a state representative from Austin, a former middle school teacher and a Presbyterian seminarian who has put his Christian faith at the center of his campaign.

Paxton, the state’s attorney general and his rival, won the Republican nomination with President Donald Trump’s endorsement after defeating four-term Sen. John Cornyn in a May runoff. No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994.

Who is James Talarico, the Democrat running for Senate in Texas?

Talarico taught language arts in a low-income, largely Latino area of San Antonio through Teach for America, a program that places recent graduates in under-resourced schools. He later earned a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard.

In 2018, he won a seat in the Texas House representing District 52, a suburban area north of Austin that includes his hometown of Round Rock.

Trump had narrowly carried the district in 2016, and Talarico flipped it from Republican to Democratic, becoming the state’s youngest legislator.

During that campaign, he walked the full 25-mile length of his district and ended up in the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He then learned his insulin would cost $684 a month.

As a lawmaker, he passed a bill capping insulin copays at $25 a month, which Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law.

How does faith shape James Talarico’s politics?

Talarico is on leave from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and has said he plans to become a minister. He regularly cites the Bible to make the case for progressive policies, an unusual approach for a Democrat.

He drew national attention in 2023 when he told a Republican colleague that her bill requiring the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom was “deeply un-Christian.”

On “The Ezra Klein Show” in January, he said the Bible mentions economic justice about 3,000 times, yet the theme is absent from Christian nationalism and the religious right.

His core message is about wealth. He often says the country’s biggest divide is between the top and the bottom, not left and right. In the Senate, he says he would push to:

• Limit the money that political action committees, groups that raise and spend money to influence elections, can pour into campaigns.
• Ban members of Congress from trading stocks.
• Outlaw gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district lines to favor one party.

Former President Barack Obama has called him a “really talented young man,” and podcaster Joe Rogan told him during an interview that he should run for president.

What controversies has James Talarico faced?

Some of his positions are a hard sell in Texas. He opposes the death penalty in a state that has carried out more executions than any other since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed them to resume in 1976, and he rejects religious exemptions from vaccine requirements.

He has also faced criticism for past remarks, which he later renounced, in which he said that “God is nonbinary” and that there are six biological sexes.

Paxton has made those remarks a centerpiece of his campaign. His first general election ad called Talarico “radical” and “too low-T for Texas,” and he has mocked him with nicknames such as “Six-Gender Jimmy.”

Outside groups have amplified that message. As of mid-September, Texas PAC, a group linked to Senate Republican leadership, had spent $62.4 million on ads in the race, the most of any spender, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.

During the primary, Morgan Thompson, a political content creator on TikTok, said Talarico had privately called former Rep. Colin Allred a “mediocre Black man.”

Talarico denied it, saying he had called Allred’s campaign mediocre, not Allred himself, and that he would never attack him on the basis of race.

Can James Talarico beat Ken Paxton in Texas?

Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March 3 Democratic primary, winning more than half the vote and avoiding a runoff. Weeks earlier, his campaign reported raising $2.5 million in 24 hours after Stephen Colbert said CBS had blocked his interview with Talarico from airing on TV. CBS disputed that account.

Black voters favored Crockett in primary polling, and Talarico told The New Yorker there is no way to flip the seat without Black Texans. In the new poll, he leads among Black likely voters 91% to 7%, though that group’s smaller sample means a wider margin of error.

Several of the poll’s questions about the candidates were asked of 465 respondents, so their results also carry a wider margin of error. In those questions, 47% view Talarico favorably and 38% unfavorably, while 39% view Paxton favorably and 51% unfavorably.

Asked about ideology, 40% said Talarico is too far to the left, and 47% said Paxton is too far to the right.

Paxton’s own controversies weigh on his campaign. The Texas House impeached him in 2023 over allegations that included bribery, and the state Senate acquitted him. His wife has also accused him of adultery.

Most likely voters have heard about those controversies: 73% said they had heard a lot or some about them. Asked how the controversies affect their vote, 32% of all likely voters said they cannot support him, while 38% said the controversies haven’t changed their support.

Trump’s standing could also matter. In the poll, 40% of Texas likely voters approve of his job performance and 57% disapprove.

In this regard, if a person does not meet any of these requirements, they will have to use another renewal method.

For this reason, before starting the online process, it is important to check who can use it and what alternatives exist for those who are excluded from this option.

Who will not be able to renew their U.S. passport online?

The State Department confirms that renewal is available only to citizens who meet all the requirements established for this service, which is why those who do not meet any of these conditions must use another method to renew or apply for a new passport.

Among the people who cannot renew their passport online are:

• Those under 25 years old.
• Those who need to change personal information, such as the name or sex that appears on the passport.
• Those who plan to travel internationally within six weeks of submitting the application, because the State Department states that online renewals cannot be processed with expedited service.
• Those who are outside the U.S. or its territories at the time of submitting the application.
• Those who do not have their passport in their possession, or whose document is damaged, mutilated, or was reported lost or stolen.
• Those trying to renew a passport that was not valid for 10 years, that is not within the period allowed for online renewal, or that has been expired for five years or more.

In this regard, there are restrictions related to the type of document, that is, if a person has a passport card and wants to obtain a passport book, they cannot make that change online. The same applies if they have a book and want to obtain only a card; in those cases, the State Department indicates that they must renew by mail.

What can those who do not meet the requirements to renew their passport online do?

Being excluded from online renewal does not mean they cannot renew their passport, since the State Department indicates that those who do not qualify to do it online can renew by mail or in person, depending on the circumstances of each case.

Likewise, the urgency of the trip can also determine the course to follow, because expedited processing can take between 2 and 3 weeks, not counting mailing time, and has an additional cost of $60.

If the international trip is within the next 14 days, an appointment can be requested at a passport agency or center, and proof of travel plans is presented.

Where can applicants with questions about passport renewal consult?

The State Department offers different official channels to receive assistance with the passport process. Those who need help can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC):

• Within the United States: 1-877-487-2778
• For people with hearing difficulties: 1-888-874-7793
• Outside the United States: +1-202-501-4444
• Assistance can also be requested by email using the State Department contact form.

For inquiries specifically related to a previously submitted application, the State Department recommends having the process information on hand so staff can help identify the case.

The project is located in Puerto Jiménez, in the province of Puntarenas, and is looking for people who want to collaborate for a few hours a day on different tasks related to the maintenance and development of a new tourist space.

The proposal includes a stay of between two and four weeks and is aimed at volunteers between 19 and 35 years old who have an intermediate level of English.

In exchange for the collaboration, the host offers accommodation in camping, meals during the stay, and other services.

What tasks volunteers will have to perform

The collaboration requires about five hours of help per day and includes different activities, depending on the needs of the project.

Among the published options are painting and decoration work, gardening, construction and repairs, as well as tasks related to the arts, such as painting, drawing, or sculpture.

The goal, according to the publication, is to help develop a new space dedicated to tourism. Therefore, the tasks may vary depending on the area in which each volunteer can contribute.

The proposal includes two days off per week, which participants can use to rest or explore the surroundings of Puerto Jiménez.

Accommodation, meals, and other benefits included

One of the main attractions of the proposal is that the exchange includes accommodation and food during the stay. Volunteers will have a tent within the camping area and access to a private room, according to the conditions stated in the publication.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also included every day, as well as the use of a equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. The place also has high-speed internet for those who need to work remotely.

Additional benefits include access to bicycles and passes for certain events.

Where the camping area is located and how long you can stay

The project is located in front of the main beach of Puerto Jiménez, a town on the Osa Peninsula. According to the information published by the host, it is about 200 meters from the main dock and the airport, while shops are approximately 800 meters away.

The published availability covers the months of October, November, December, January, February, and March. The minimum stay is two weeks and the maximum is four weeks, so those who want to apply must fit within that period.

Requirements and expenses that the traveler must cover

The opportunity is aimed at people between 19 and 35 years old, with intermediate English, and accepts individual applications. The host does not accept couples or pairs of volunteers for this proposal.

It is important to note that the exchange does not include flights, travel insurance, internal transportation, or a visa. These expenses must be covered by each traveler and, before traveling, it is also necessary to verify the relevant immigration requirements according to nationality.

Applications are made through Worldpackers. The platform recommends checking the specific conditions with the host before confirming the trip, especially the tasks, schedules, and other aspects of the collaboration.

The shelter measures 20 feet long, 12 feet wide and 10 feet high, giving it enough space to cover trucks, SUVs, boats and other large equipment. Walmart also describes it as a versatile shelter that can be used for outdoor storage, vehicles and other activities.

A 20×12 covered space for vehicles and equipment

The carport features a powder-coated galvanized steel frame designed to resist rust and corrosion during outdoor use. The frame is covered with a 140g polyethylene canopy that Walmart describes as waterproof, UV-resistant and tear-resistant.

The canopy is designed to provide protection throughout the year from conditions including rain, snow, wind and direct sunlight. That makes the structure useful not only for parking a vehicle but also for storing certain equipment outdoors.

With its 20×12-foot footprint, the shelter can provide additional covered space for a truck, SUV, boat, tools or other outdoor equipment.

Four roll-up doors and mesh windows

One feature that sets this model apart from a basic open-sided carport is its enclosed design.

The shelter comes with four roll-up doors and four mesh ventilation windows, allowing users to close off the structure for additional protection or open sections to improve airflow. The sidewalls can also be removed.

The ventilation features can be useful when the shelter is used to store vehicles, tools or equipment for extended periods, allowing air to circulate inside the structure.

How much the carport costs at Walmart

At the time of checking, Walmart lists the 20×12×10-foot carport online for $138.19.

The listing also says the structure uses a spring-button connection system designed to make assembly easier without tools.

As with other Walmart Marketplace products, the price and availability may change, so shoppers should check the listing before purchasing.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that, to control mold, it is important to clean affected areas, dry them properly, and reduce humidity in the environment.

How do you clean and remove mold from the bathroom curtain?

First, it is important to review the manufacturer’s instructions and check whether it can be washed. Then, the EPA recommends:

1. Scrub hard surfaces that have mold with water and detergent.
2. Rinse.
3. Dry completely and you’re done. This instruction also works for cleaning other affected surfaces in the shower.

The agency also warns that absorbent or porous materials may need to be replaced if the mold cannot be removed.

How can you prevent mold from reappearing in the bathroom?

According to the EPA, places that remain constantly damp may develop recurring mold.

To reduce its appearance, the agency recommends:

• Ventilate the bathroom: open a window or use a fan to promote air circulation.
• Clean more often: pay attention to the shower and other areas where moisture accumulates.
• Dry surfaces: prevent water from sitting for too long.
• Repair water leaks: fix drips and other problems that keep the environment damp.

Experts at AAA Club Alliance notes that cleaning automotive glass can be more challenging than it seems, especially when swirl marks or a hazy film remain after the windshield has been cleaned. The inside of the glass can be particularly difficult because materials inside the vehicle may release gases that eventually leave a coating on the surface.

How to make a windshield cleaning solution

One recommended option is to make a homemade solution using one part white vinegar and three parts water, along with just a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Start by soaking a microfiber towel in the solution and wringing it out before cleaning the glass. Then scrub the windshield to remove dirt and residue from the surface.

AAA also notes that some people have had good results with a mixture of water and rubbing alcohol combined with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

The trick to avoiding streaks

Once the windshield has been cleaned, use a second microfiber towel that is clean and free of lint, grease and oil to dry the glass.

Instead of wiping in circles, experts at AAA recommends using straight motions while drying. This can help minimize marks that become particularly noticeable when sunlight hits the windshield.

The condition of the towels also matters. Avoid reusing towels that have been used for other cleaning jobs, and do not use fabric softener when washing microfiber towels intended for glass cleaning.

Which products should you avoid?

Ammonia-based cleaners may not be suitable for automotive glass, particularly in vehicles with tinted windows. AAA warns that these products can damage window tint films and affect other materials inside the vehicle.

It is also better to clean the windshield when the glass is cool and away from direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause cleaning products to evaporate too quickly, leaving streaks behind.

Once the process is complete, the windshield should be clear and free of visible residue. If an oily film quickly returns to the inside of the glass even after cleaning, AAA notes that it could point to a mechanical issue, such as a small coolant leak in the vehicle’s heating system.

On board the Voyager 1 and 2 missions -designed to explore the planets that are outside the solar system- travels a golden record with a curated selection of images, sounds and data to locate Earth. 49 years after the launch of these probes, the mission remains active and trackable.

What is the “time capsule” that has been traveling through space since 1977 like

According to the official information shared by NASA, the time capsule was sent in disc format, built on gold-plated copper.

Its cover is coated with a material that has an average lifespan of 4.468 billion years: ultra-pure uranium-238. In addition, it is engraved with the inscription “To the makers of music – all worlds, all times” (To the makers of music: of all worlds and of all times).

Anticipating that this capsule would eventually be found by extraterrestrials, they attached technical and precise instructions on the cover on how to use the disc, how to locate our planet, and materials were used to allow them to calculate how long the disc has been traveling through space.

What was included in this time capsule sent by NASA

The contents sent included 115 images (some of which can be viewed by clicking here) that illustrate human anatomy, natural landscapes, animals, cultural institutions, technological advances, among many other things.

In addition, natural sounds such as water, wind, whales, birds and music from different cultures were included. In the case of the United States, pieces such as Melancholy Blues performed by Louis Armstrong and Hot Seven; Navajo Indians, Night Chant by Willard Rhodes; Dark Was the Night by Blind Willie Johnson and Johnny B. Goode, by Chuck Berry, were chosen.

The capsule also includes messages from then United States President Jimmy Carter and greetings in 55 languages.

“The messages on the record were designed to allow possible extraterrestrial civilizations that intercepted the craft millions of years later to reconstruct some images of 20th-century Earth and its inhabitants,” states the official press release launched on August 1, 1977.

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2: what is known about these probes

“The twin probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are the only spacecraft that have traveled beyond the heliosphere, the bubble of particles and magnetic fields generated by the Sun that protects us,” states the space agency. So far, no other object launched by NASA has gone farther than Voyager 1.

Those who want to follow this mission and learn where the spacecraft are can do so from this link and updates on its operation can be found here.

The climate pattern is already becoming unusually strong. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said on October 8 that El Niño continues to strengthen, with a strong-to-very-strong event likely to persist through the winter. The agency also said there is a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter.

That could have important consequences for snowfall. However, the impact will not be the same across the country. Some areas could receive more winter precipitation and snow, while much of the northern United States could see below-normal snowfall.

The states that could see the biggest snow changes

The latest forecasts point to a major divide between the northern and southern parts of the country.

Much of the northern U.S. is expected to lean toward warmer conditions, which could reduce the amount of precipitation that falls as snow. The pattern is particularly important across parts of the northern Rockies, northern Plains and areas around the Great Lakes.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Nevada, southern Rockies and parts of the Southwest could have a stronger opportunity for above-normal snowfall because of increased moisture combined with sufficiently cold temperatures at higher elevations.

California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Colorado are among the areas that could benefit from the combination of a wetter storm track and mountain elevations. Recent seasonal projections have identified the central Sierra Nevada as one of the areas with a particularly strong snowfall signal.

The Southeast and parts of the central and southern United States could also experience more winter precipitation as El Niño strengthens the Pacific jet stream and shifts storm activity farther south.

Why El Niño does not automatically mean more snow

There is an important distinction between more precipitation and more snowfall.

El Niño typically favors a stronger Pacific jet stream, which can transport additional moisture into the southern United States. Historical NOAA data shows that strong El Niño winters have often produced above-average cold-season snowfall across parts of the southern half of the country, particularly in the West.

But precipitation only becomes snow when temperatures are cold enough.

That means a state can experience a wetter winter without necessarily seeing more snow. Lower elevations may receive rain during storms that produce significant snowfall in nearby mountains.

This is particularly relevant in the Northeast, where a wetter winter could bring more storms but does not guarantee a snowier season. The eventual outcome will depend on storm tracks, temperatures and the availability of cold air when individual systems arrive.

What the 2026-27 winter could look like

The current outlook suggests that the biggest shift may not be simply a nationwide increase or decrease in snowfall. Instead, El Niño could redistribute where the best chances for snow are found.

Higher elevations in the West could see more opportunities for significant snowfall, while parts of the northern United States could experience a milder and less snowy pattern.

At the same time, the central and southern United States could see a more active winter storm track. If sufficiently cold air moves into the region at the right time, some of those storms could produce substantial snow and ice.

NOAA emphasizes that even a very strong El Niño does not guarantee a specific weather outcome in every location. Seasonal outlooks describe broad probabilities over several months rather than predicting individual snowstorms.

For that reason, the map should be viewed as a seasonal guide, not a guarantee of how much snow a particular state or city will receive.

With El Niño continuing to strengthen, however, the winter of 2026-27 is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched snow seasons in years.

When that amount is exceeded, federal law requires the funds to be declared to CBP to avoid possible penalties. The procedure can be completed before the trip, which makes it possible to have the corresponding documentation ready when passing through customs.

How much money can be brought into or taken out of the United States without having to declare it?

According to CBP, travelers can enter or leave the United States with up to US$10,000 without needing to file a special declaration for the amount of money.

At the same time, federal law does not set a maximum amount that can be carried, but it does require any amount exceeding US$10,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency or monetary instruments to be declared.

This applies not only to those traveling alone but also to those traveling as a group or family. This is because the limit applies to the total amount they carry and not to each person separately. Therefore, if a group of 5 people carries US$2,500 each, they must declare the total amount of money to CBP.

If the money is not declared: what happens?

According to CBP, if the necessary steps to declare the money are not followed, the agency may proceed with different sanctions and penalties:

• Seizure of the money: authorities may retain the funds or monetary instruments that were not declared.
• Permanent loss of the funds: the seized money may be subject to forfeiture proceedings.
• Financial penalties: depending on the seriousness of the violation and the applicable legal provisions.
• Criminal penalties: in certain cases, the people involved may face criminal charges and prison sentences.

What counts as money to be declared?

According to CBP, the obligation to declare applies not only to cash but also to various monetary instruments that allow funds to be transferred:

• Banknotes and coins: both U.S. dollars and foreign currencies.
• Traveler’s checks: regardless of their format.
• Checks, promissory notes, and money orders: when they are bearer instruments, are endorsed without restrictions, or allow the funds to be transferred by delivery.
• Incomplete monetary instruments: such as signed checks in which the name of the payee is not specified.
• Bearer securities and stock: when their ownership can be transferred by delivery of the document.

How should it be declared correctly to avoid unwanted consequences?

Those who must file the declaration to enter or leave the United States with more than US$10,000 must use FinCEN Form 105, and there are three ways to do it:

1. Complete the form online by clicking here. The requested information must be completed, and the receipt or confirmation number saved.
2. Download and complete the paper form and hand it to the CBP officer at the checkpoint.
3. Request the form at customs and complete it to file the declaration.

Those who complete the procedure electronically should keep in mind that the form is valid for 72 hours.

In addition, people entering the United States with more than US$10,000 must declare the amount using CBP Form 6059B, in addition to submitting FinCEN Form 105.

In this regard, the agency states that “a minor’s passport cannot be renewed. It must be applied for in person every time”, a rule that remains in effect in 2026. In addition, the document has a five-year validity.

Not to mention that they must apply in person together with their father, mother, or legal guardian, even if they have already had one before.

When does the passport have a 5-year validity and cannot be renewed?

A U.S. citizen under 16 has a passport with a five-year validity from the date of issue.

The Department of State specifies that minors’ documents have this validity period and that they cannot be renewed through the simplified process used for certain adult passports.

What is needed to get a passport for a minor under 16?

To apply, the Department of State requires documentation that allows proof of both the child’s citizenship and the relationship with their parents or guardians:

• Complete and print the DS-11 Form.
• Submit physical proof of the minor’s U.S. citizenship. This can be, among other options, a U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a naturalization certificate, or a previous U.S. passport that had full validity.
• Submit documentation showing the relationship between the minor and their parents or legal guardians.
• Bring a physical photo ID for the parents or guardians.
• Provide the required photocopies of the documents.
• Submit a photo of the minor that meets passport photo requirements.
• Take the minor in person to the office where the application is submitted.
• Meet the consent requirements of both parents or guardians.

“We do not accept digital proof of U.S. citizenship”, the Department of State clarifies, so documents must be submitted in physical form.

How much does a U.S. passport for a minor under 16 cost in 2026?

The cost depends on whether the family requests a passport book, a passport card, or both documents.

For minors under 16, the fees set by the Department of State are:

Passport book

• Application fee (paid to the Department of State) $100
• Acceptance fee (paid at the office where the documents are submitted) $35
• Total $135

Passport card

• $15
• $35
• Total $50

Book and card

• $115
• $35
• Total $150

Expedited service

• An additional $60

The routine processing time for a minor’s passport is four to six weeks, while expedited service takes between two and three. It should be noted that these times do not include mailing delays.

The annual benefit was set by the Alaska Legislature through House Bill 263. The 2026 amount includes a $1,000 PFD and a $200 energy relief payment.

When will Alaska send the $1,200 PFD payment?

The first 2026 PFD payments were issued on October 1 to applicants who filed online, selected direct deposit, and were in “Eligible-Not Paid” status by September 18.

A second round is scheduled for October 22 for applications that were in “Eligible-Not Paid” status by October 12. This group includes both paper and electronic applications and payments by direct deposit or check.

The state will continue making monthly distributions as additional applications are determined eligible for payment. Residents can check their application status through the state’s MyPFD system.

Who qualifies for Alaska’s 2026 PFD?

To qualify, applicants generally must have been Alaska residents for the entire 2025 calendar year and intend to remain Alaska residents indefinitely when they apply. The state also has additional eligibility requirements under Alaska law.

Applicants may also be ineligible if, during all or part of the qualifying year, they were sentenced or incarcerated as a result of a felony conviction. Other restrictions and eligibility rules apply depending on an applicant’s circumstances.

However, not all assets are covered by these provisions, as there are exceptions for certain properties.

In addition, the Probate Code establishes an order of priority among heirs and regulates what happens when there are no relatives or other people entitled to receive the inheritance.

Intestate succession: when there is no will and an inheritance must be distributed

Intestate succession is a legal mechanism that applies when a person dies without leaving a valid will. It is not exclusive to California, as there are similar provisions in other countries and jurisdictions, although the distribution rules may vary.

In California, this procedure is regulated by the state Probate Code, which establishes who is entitled to inherit, what share of the estate belongs to them, and how the assets must be distributed.

California courts explain that, depending on the type of property and the value of the estate, it may be necessary to begin probate proceedings or use simplified transfer mechanisms.

What assets are not covered by the Intestate Succession Law?

According to the California courts, certain assets can be transferred directly to designated beneficiaries or surviving co-owners, without needing to be distributed under the intestate succession rules.

Among the main assets that may be excluded are:

• Assets included in a living trust (living trust).
• Life insurance policies with designated beneficiaries.
• Retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries.
• Bank accounts with designated beneficiaries.
• Investment accounts with transfer on death.
• Property held in joint ownership with right of survivorship.
• Real estate with a valid transfer-on-death deed.
• Registered vehicles with transfer on death, when legal requirements are met.

However, if a beneficiary designation cannot be enforced, certain assets may be included in the estate subject to intestate succession.

The courts also distinguish between assets that fall outside probate and those that can be transferred through simplified procedures, without the need for a full court process.

How is the Intestate Succession Law applied in California?

Sections 6401 and 6402 of the California Probate Code set out the rules for distributing the estate when a person dies without leaving a valid will.

The share that corresponds to each heir depends on their relationship to the deceased and on the legal classification of the assets, which are divided into three main categories:

• Community property: property acquired during the marriage through the spouses’ income or efforts.
• • El cónyuge sobreviviente conserva su mitad y hereda la mitad que pertenecía al fallecido.
• Quasi-community property: certain property acquired outside California that would have been considered community property if it had been acquired within the state.
• • La participación del fallecido pasa al cónyuge sobreviviente.
• Separate property: property that a person owned before marriage or received individually through an inheritance or gift.
• • Su distribución depende de los familiares sobrevivientes.

To determine who inherits separate property and what share they receive, the Probate Code establishes different family situations:

• Children, but no spouse: the children inherit the entire estate subject to intestate succession.
• Spouse, but no descendants, parents, siblings, or descendants of deceased siblings: the spouse inherits the entire estate subject to intestate succession.
• Parents, but no children or other descendants and no spouse: the parents inherit the entire estate.
• Siblings, but no descendants, spouse or parents: the siblings inherit the entire estate.
• Spouse and one child, or descendants of a single deceased child: the spouse receives all community property and half of the separate property. The other half goes to the descendants.
• Spouse and two or more children: the spouse receives all community property and one-third of the separate property. The children inherit the remaining two-thirds.
• Spouse, one child, and grandchildren of another deceased child: the spouse receives all community property and one-third of the separate property. The remaining two-thirds are distributed among the descendants according to the rules of representation.
• Spouse and grandchildren of two or more deceased children: the spouse receives all community property and one-third of the separate property. The grandchildren inherit the remaining two-thirds, distributed according to the rules of representation.
• Spouse and parents, but no descendants: the spouse receives all community property and half of the separate property. The parents inherit the other half.
• Spouse and siblings, but no parents or descendants: the spouse receives all community property and half of the separate property. The siblings, or the descendants entitled to represent deceased siblings, receive the other half.

These provisions correspond to the general rules of sections 6401 and 6402. Distribution may vary when other descendants are involved or special provisions apply.

What happens when there are no heirs?

When a person dies without leaving a valid will, and there are no heirs legally entitled to receive their estate, the assets pass to the State of California through a mechanism called escheat.

Section 6800 of the California Probate Code establishes that this procedure applies when there is no person entitled to receive the assets through testamentary or intestate succession.

However, before the assets pass to the State, all categories of heirs provided for in the regulations must be considered, including distant relatives and certain relatives of a previously deceased spouse.

The rule is not final. DHS said the fees would curb fraud and abuse found by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, or SEVP, which certifies schools to enroll international students. The agency cited questionable worksites and pay-to-stay schemes as examples.

International education groups criticized the plan. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators, said in a statement that discouraging foreign students would hurt the U.S. economy.

Who would pay the $70,000 OPT fee under the DHS proposed rule?

The school would pay, not the student or the employer. Payment would be due before the school’s designated school official, the staff member who manages international student records, recommends the student for OPT.

The school would also have to pay before the student applies for work authorization with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS would not grant work authorization if the fee is unpaid.

The fee would not be tied to a specific employer, and the money would go to the U.S. Treasury. The DHS announcement does not say whether schools could pass the cost on to students.

Which F-1 students and types of OPT would the $70,000 fee cover?

The fee would apply to any type of OPT, whether a student uses it during their studies or after finishing their program. Schools would pay $70,000 for a student’s initial OPT and $30,000 for any subsequent OPT.

Students can get up to 12 months of OPT at each degree level. Graduates in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, may qualify for a 24-month extension.

The announcement does not say which of these periods would count as subsequent OPT. It also does not say how the fees would affect students already on OPT.

When could the $70,000 OPT fee take effect, and how can you comment?

DHS has not set a date. The agency is taking public comments from Thursday through Nov. 9 and may revise the rule before finalizing it.

A separate 60-day comment period applies to the rule’s paperwork requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Instructions for commenting are in the notice published in the Federal Register, the government’s official journal of rules.

SEVP said it would post updates through its SEVIS Broadcast Messages, which go to schools, and the Study in the States website.

The two most popular are TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, which are often confused but are not the same.

What TSA PreCheck is

TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening on flights within the United States (domestic flights). Those who have it use dedicated lines and, above all, do not need to take off their shoes, belt, or a light jacket, nor remove their laptop or liquids from their bag during screening.

• Cost: between $76.95 and $85 for a five-year membership, depending on the authorized provider chosen.
• Who can apply: U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents.

What Global Entry is

Global Entry is designed for those who travel abroad. Its main benefit is to speed up customs and immigration clearance when returning to the United States from another country through automated kiosks, and it also speeds up crossings at land borders with Mexico and Canada.

• Cost: $120 for a five-year membership.
• One key point: Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits. In other words, someone with Global Entry can also use the fast security lines on domestic flights.
• Who can apply: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of some partner countries. It requires a passport and usually has stricter requirements.

How they differ

The basic difference is where each program saves you time:

• TSA PreCheck: only at security screening for flights within the U.S.
• Global Entry: at customs when returning from abroad and at land border crossings, plus everything PreCheck already offers.

In practice, Global Entry is an “expanded PreCheck”: it does the same thing and also covers international trips. Therefore, for those who can choose this option, it can be said to be the most convenient, although each traveler should always prioritize their own circumstances when making a choice.

How and where to complete the application for both programs

In both cases, the general process includes:

1. Complete the online application at their respective websites and pay the corresponding fee.
2. Pass a background check.
3. Attend an interview at an enrollment center (there are more than 1,000 for PreCheck and more than 100 for Global Entry).

None of these programs guarantees fast passage 100% of the time, since all travelers may be subject to checks. Even so, for those who fly often, the time savings are usually considerable.

The celebration corresponds to Columbus Day, which is commemorated every year on the second Monday of October. For this reason, those who need to carry out procedures or errands should take into account possible changes in hours of operation.

What is commemorated on Monday, October 12 in the United States?

Columbus Day, also known as Columbus Day, remembers the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America on October 12, 1492.

The celebration began to gain recognition in the United States in the years following the fourth centenary of that event. Colorado was the first state to recognize it as a holiday, in 1907, and New York did the same in 1909.

During the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the date gained federal recognition. Later, it was established that it would be observed on the second Monday of October, instead of keeping a fixed date.

In 2026, that day will be Monday, October 12, according to the calendar published by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

October 12 holiday: which banks and offices will be closed?

During Columbus Day, the federal Government offices that do not provide essential services will remain closed.

It is also expected that numerous bank branches will suspend in-person service, so some procedures will have to be carried out before or after the holiday.

Customers will still be able to use services such as:

• ATMs to withdraw cash and carry out available transactions.
• Banking apps to check balances and transactions.
• Financial institutions’ websites to carry out digital transactions.

In addition, it is recommended to check the hours published by each bank before going to a branch.

Will all workers have the day off on Monday, October 12?

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, so it mainly applies to federal Government employees.

In the private sector, companies are not generally required to grant the day off. The decision depends on each employer’s policies and the applicable rules.

Nor is there a general federal obligation to pay extra simply for working during a holiday, unless it is established in a contract, labor agreement, or other applicable rule.

Other holidays that the United States will have in 2026

The official calendar also stipulates:

• Veterans Day: November 11.
• Thanksgiving: November 26.
• Christmas: December 25.

As of 7 a.m. CDT Thursday, the National Hurricane Center placed Isaias about 385 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The Category 1 storm had 80 mph winds and was moving east-northeast at 9 mph. It is expected to strengthen through early Friday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey have declared states of emergency. Evacuation orders are in place on Dauphin Island, Alabama, and in parts of Okaloosa County, Florida.

When will Hurricane Isaias hit the US Gulf Coast?

Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the warning areas Friday, according to the hurricane center. Hurricane conditions should follow Friday night into early Saturday, when Isaias is expected to come ashore within the hurricane warning zone.

Isaias is forecast to turn northeast later Thursday as it passes north of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It should then turn north Friday and remain a dangerous hurricane as it nears the coast that night.

The hurricane center says preparations in the warning area should be finished Thursday. Once tropical-storm-force winds arrive, outdoor work becomes difficult or dangerous.

Which Gulf Coast areas are in Hurricane Isaias’ path?

The hurricane center has posted alerts between southeastern Louisiana and Florida’s Big Bend. A warning means dangerous conditions are expected, while a watch means they are possible:

• Hurricane warning: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida.
• Storm surge warning: Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Steinhatchee River in Florida.
• Tropical storm warning: Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line in Louisiana to west of Ocean Springs, and east of the Bay/Gulf County line to the Aucilla River in Florida.
• Storm surge watch: Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

Residents should follow evacuation instructions from local officials and check their local National Weather Service office for alerts specific to their area.

What storm surge, rain and tornado risks does Hurricane Isaias bring to the Gulf Coast?

The hurricane center calls the storm surge threat life-threatening. If the peak surge arrives at high tide, water could rise to these heights above normally dry ground:

• 5 to 7 feet: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, including Mobile Bay.
• 4 to 6 feet: Indian Pass to the Steinhatchee River.
• 3 to 5 feet: Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs.
• 2 to 4 feet: Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown.
• 1 to 3 feet: Lake Pontchartrain.

From Friday through the weekend, far southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle could get 3 to 7 inches of rain, locally up to 10. Parts of the Southeast as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas could see 1 to 3 inches, raising the risk of flash flooding.

Isolated tornadoes are possible Friday night in coastal Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and far southwestern Georgia. On Saturday, the threat shifts to eastern Alabama, Georgia and northern Florida. Life-threatening rip currents are also expected along Gulf beaches starting Friday.

Some beneficiaries may receive up to three payments during the month because they receive both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and another Social Security benefit.

The unusual payment pattern is the result of the way the SSA handles SSI payments when the first day of a month falls on a weekend or federal holiday. Because November 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday, the SSI payment for November will be sent early, on Friday, October 30.

Who can receive three payments in October

Beneficiaries who receive both SSI and another Social Security benefit, such as retirement, disability or survivor benefits, are the ones who may receive three deposits during October.

The first payment is their October SSI benefit, scheduled for Thursday, October 1. The second is their regular Social Security payment, scheduled for Friday, October 2 for beneficiaries in this category.

The third payment will arrive on Friday, October 30. However, this is not an extra benefit or bonus. It is the November SSI payment being issued early because November 1 falls on a Sunday.

As a result, beneficiaries who receive the October 30 payment should know that they will not receive another SSI payment in November. The next SSI payment is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1.

Official: Social Security payment schedule for October 2026

The SSA’s official 2026 calendar divides Social Security payments according to the type of benefit and, for most beneficiaries, their date of birth.

The SSA generally distributes Social Security payments on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on the beneficiary’s date of birth.

Why some beneficiaries receive more than one payment

Receiving two or three deposits in the same month does not mean that the SSA has increased the beneficiary’s monthly benefit. It is simply a result of the agency’s payment calendar and the need to move payments forward when a scheduled date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

In October 2026, the adjustment is particularly noticeable because the SSI payment for November is being issued on October 30. This means someone who receives both SSI and another Social Security benefit can see three deposits in their account during October, even though one of those payments technically belongs to the following month.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) also sets different fees for learner permits, motorcycles, commercial licenses (CDL), replacements and temporary visitor documents.

How much does it cost to get a driver’s license in Texas in 2026?

The price depends on age and the procedure to be carried out. For a Class A, B or C driver’s license, the official fees are:

• Under 18, new license: USD16. Validity: until the day of the 18th birthday.
• 18 to 84 years old, new license and renewal: USD33. Validity: 8 years.
• 85 years old and over, new license and renewal: USD9. Validity: 2 years.
• License replacement: USD11. Validity: keeps the expiration date.
• Disabled veterans with 60% disability, new or renewal: free. Validity: as applicable.

These amounts include a USD1 administrative fee, according to the DPS official schedule.

What documents do I need to get a driver’s license in Texas?

Before going to a DPS office, the state recommends using the REAL ID Document Check tool, which allows you to answer questions and obtain a personalized list of the documents needed.

The requirements include proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, proof of residence in Texas, identity documents and Social Security number.

New residents who surrender a license from another state must also present proof of current Texas vehicle registration for each vehicle they own and proof of insurance.

Anyone taking the practical exam must have the Impact Texas Driver (ITD) certificate. The document must have been issued within the 90 days prior to the driving test.

For those between 18 and 24 who are applying for their first license, a six-hour driver education course is also required. The requirement does not apply to new residents over 18 who surrender a valid, current license from another state. Nor does it apply to people 25 or older.

How do you get a driver’s license in Texas in 2026?

1. Preparation of documents.
2. Appointment at a driver’s license office. “All services are offered by appointment only”, DPS assures.
3. There, the applicant must present the required documentation, submit the application, provide biometric information, take a photo and pay the corresponding fee.
4. Pass the vision test and, if applicable, the written and practical driving test.
5. Finally, a provisional driving permit is issued that allows driving until the final card arrives. The document generally arrives by mail within two to three weeks.

The Treasury Department announced on October 1 that automatic enrollment had been completed. As a result, every eligible child under 18 with a valid Social Security number now has a Trump Account ready to be claimed.

The program was created as a tax-advantaged investment vehicle for children and is intended to give families another way to build savings over the long term. Once an account is claimed, parents and guardians can manage it and allow eligible relatives, friends and employers to contribute.

The step parents must take to claim the account

Automatic enrollment does not mean the account is automatically under a parent’s control. A parent or guardian must claim the child’s Trump Account through the official Trump Accounts app.

The process requires the adult to verify their identity, confirm their relationship to the child, review the child’s information and accept the applicable account terms.

That distinction matters because a child may already have an account even if the family has not completed the claiming process. Until a parent or guardian claims it, they cannot manage the account or arrange contributions through it.

The Treasury Department also says that an eligible child’s account must be claimed in order to receive the program’s one-time $1,000 Treasury contribution.

Who qualifies for the $1,000 contribution

The $1,000 government contribution is not available to every child with a Trump Account. It is part of a specific federal pilot program for eligible children who meet certain requirements.

The IRS states that the $1,000 pilot contribution does not count toward the general $5,000 annual contribution limit. Other contributions to a Trump Account, including money from family members, friends and employers, generally count toward that limit.

Trump Accounts are designed for long-term investing rather than immediate household expenses. The official Trump Accounts website says the funds are automatically invested in American companies through the program’s investment options.

Parents, relatives, friends, employers and certain organizations can contribute to an account, subject to the program’s rules. The general annual contribution limit is currently $5,000 per child, with some exceptions that do not count toward that limit.

During the account’s growth period, withdrawals are generally restricted. Once the child turns 18, control of the account passes to the beneficiary. At that point, the beneficiary can generally continue investing the money or withdraw funds under the rules that apply to a traditional IRA.

The new figures apply to income earned during 2026 and will generally affect tax returns filed in 2027. The IRS included the adjustments as part of the tax changes associated with the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Who could qualify for up to $8,231?

The maximum $8,231 EITC is available only to qualifying taxpayers with three or more qualifying children. The amount a taxpayer actually receives depends on several factors, including earned income, adjusted gross income, filing status and family size.

The IRS emphasizes that the EITC is designed to help low- to moderate-income workers and families. Taxpayers generally need earned income from employment or self-employment and must meet additional eligibility requirements.

For tax year 2026, the maximum EITC amounts are:

The maximum for families with three or more qualifying children rises from $8,046 in tax year 2025 to $8,231 in 2026.

The $8,231 is not an automatic IRS payment

The $8,231 figure is the maximum tax credit, not a guaranteed refund that every eligible family will receive.

The EITC can reduce the amount of federal income tax owed and, for eligible taxpayers, can increase the amount of their tax refund. The final benefit depends on the taxpayer’s individual circumstances.

Among the basic requirements, taxpayers generally must have earned income, meet the applicable income limits, have a valid Social Security number and satisfy the IRS rules regarding citizenship or residency. The agency also has specific requirements for taxpayers claiming qualifying children.

Taxpayers who want to determine whether they qualify can use the IRS’s EITC Assistant, which helps evaluate eligibility based on income, filing status and family circumstances.

However, not everyone qualifies, and there are rules that can affect travel plans. Also, the State Department warns that each person must complete their own application: third-party services cannot submit it on their behalf. Applicants need

• Their current passport
• A digital passport photo
• A credit or debit card.

After applying, they will receive email updates on the status of their application and must respond within 90 days if more information is requested.

Who can renew a passport online?

According to the State Department, applicants must meet all of these requirements:

• The passport being renewed is or was valid for 10 years, and it expires within the next year or expired less than five years ago.
• The applicant is 25 or older.
• They are not changing personal information, such as their name or sex.
• They are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks after applying.
• They are in a U.S. state or territory when they apply.
• They have their current passport, and it is not damaged or reported lost or stolen.

Those who do not qualify can renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.

How much it costs

• Passport book: $130
• Passport card: $30
• Passport book and card: $160
• Optional 1-to-3-day delivery: $26.87

The 6-week rule

Online renewals cannot be expedited when applying. That is why the State Department requires applicants not to have international travel planned for at least six weeks after submitting the application.

If plans change, applicants can call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 to request expedited service.

Also, it is important to notice that once the application is submitted, the State Department cancels the current passport, so it can no longer be used for international travel. Applicants should not mail it, though, because an old passport still works as proof of citizenship.

The law, in effect since 2019, allows people to drive legally without needing a Social Security number and also establishes protections for the personal data of those applying for the license.

What is the Green Light Law

The Green Light Law, officially the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, went into effect on December 16, 2019, in the state of New York. It allows people 16 years of age or older to apply for a standard noncommercial driver’s license or a learner permit (learner permit), regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

The law does not change the right to vote (only U.S. citizens can register to vote) or create a path to citizenship: it is limited to access to a driver’s license.

What Documents the DMV Requires

The process works with a 6-point system: you must present a combination of documents that, together, prove identity, date of birth, and address in New York. The documents are:

• Valid foreign passport.
• Consular identification or IDNYC (the New York City municipal ID, which serves as proof of identity and address).
• Foreign driver’s license.
• School, tax, or other documents that help complete the required points.

A key point of the law: you do not need a Social Security card to apply for the license. Those who never received a Social Security number (SSN) must sign an affidavit stating that.

How the Process Works Step by Step

For those who have never driven in the state, the general process is:

1. Pass the written knowledge test to obtain the learner permit.
2. Practice driving and take the pre-licensing course.
3. Pass the road test to receive the full license.

The process begins by submitting the original documents at a DMV office. All offices offer assistance in several languages for people with limited English proficiency.

What Data the Law Protects

One of the pillars of the Green Light Law is data privacy. The law limits access by agencies whose main function is immigration law enforcement to DMV information, and requires the agency to notify the holder when an immigration enforcement agency requests their data. Disclosure of that information generally only occurs through a court order.

The situation is linked to the dates established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the different benefits and to a change in the schedule toward the end of the year, which will cause some payments to be concentrated on the same day.

To know whether a person will be able to obtain these four deposits, it will be necessary to take into account which benefit they receive and review the dates set by the SSA for the month of December, since the official schedule makes it possible to identify who is included, who is not, and when the payments will be credited.

In which month will there be four Social Security payments?

December 2026 will be the month in which beneficiaries of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may receive four payments in their accounts. In this sense, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sets different schedules for each program and, in certain cases, payments may be concentrated in the same month when a usual date is moved up because of a weekend or holiday.

Who will receive four payments?

Beneficiaries who receive Social Security and SSI may have four deposits during December because, according to the SSA, those who receive both benefits normally have Social Security paid on the third day of the month and SSI on the first day. In addition, people who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997 receive Social Security on the third day.

In December 2026, those who receive both programs will have an SSI payment on December 1 and a Social Security payment on December 3, but they will also receive two other payments on December 31, one SSI payment corresponding to January 2027 and another Social Security payment that is moved up because the usual payment date falls on a nonworking day.

What are the SSA payment dates?

The official SSA schedule sets the following dates for December 2026:

• December 1: SSI payment.
• December 3: Social Security payment for those who receive both benefits and for those who began receiving Social Security before May 1997.
• December 9: Social Security for beneficiaries whose birth date is between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
• December 16: Social Security for beneficiaries whose birth date is between the 11th and the 20th.
• December 23: Social Security for beneficiaries whose birth date is between the 21st and the 31st.
• December 31: SSI payment corresponding to January 2027 and advanced Social Security payment.

Why will there be two Social Security payments on the same day?

On December 31, 2026, two payments corresponding to the following month will be concentrated. On the one hand, the SSA will send the SSI corresponding to January 2027, which would normally have to be paid on January 1, but since that date will fall on a federal holiday, Friday, for New Year’s Day, the agency will move the deposit up to the last previous business day, that is, to Thursday, December 31.

The SSA establishes that SSI payments are made on the first day of the corresponding month, except when that date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Likewise, on December 31, a Social Security payment will also be sent that, according to the usual schedule, would be set for Sunday, January 3, 2027. However, that date falls on a weekend, which is why the SSA moves the payment up to the previous business day.

This does not always mean that you have to replace the phone or use the famous trick of “factory reset” to make it work like new. Operating system manufacturers such as HONOR and Apple recommend some measures to improve performance and regain speed.

What are the reasons why a phone starts working more slowly?

Apps freeze, the screen locks up, and the simplest tasks, such as using the keyboard to type a message, become very tedious. This has different reasons depending on the operating system.

On Android, factors such as:

• Full storage.
• Too many apps running in the background.
• Outdated software.
• Wear and tear on components.

On iOS, other factors may interfere, such as:

• Battery deterioration.
• Extreme temperatures.
• Internet connection problems.

What do Android manufacturers recommend?

HONOR, an innovative Android manufacturer, recommends a series of measures to improve performance without having to factory reset it:

1. Restart the phone: this allows active processes to be closed and system resources to be freed up.
2. Update Android: installing new available versions makes it possible to correct errors, improve security, and optimize compatibility with apps.
3. Free up storage space: deleting unnecessary files, photos, and apps can help recover some space.
4. Clear app cache: some tend to accumulate a lot, although these are generated again after a while.
5. Uninstall or disable apps that are not used: this helps reduce unnecessary consumption of resources.
6. Reduce system animations: this can make transitions feel faster.

Likewise, they also suggest limiting certain background processes through developer options, but this must be done with caution since it may affect the operation of some apps.

What do iOS manufacturers recommend?

The main iOS manufacturer, Apple, released an official guide with recommendations to improve performance when the iPhone -or even the iPad- begins to show performance issues.

The main measures proposed are:

• Check the internet connection: a slow or congested network can cause delays in apps that need connectivity.
• Close only unresponsive apps: constantly closing apps can have the opposite effect because their data has to be loaded again.
• Keep free space: keep at least 1 GB of available storage to avoid performance issues.
• Delete or offload apps: from Settings, General, and iPhone Storage you can free up space. The option to offload an app allows you to keep its documents and data.
• Check Low Power Mode: when this function is enabled, certain device activities are reduced to save battery, so some tasks run more slowly.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: both excessive heat and cold can affect performance.
• Check battery health: these components lose capacity and performance with use, so they eventually need replacing.

When is it time to change your phone?

In the case of Android, manufacturers such as HONOR recommend that if the device continues to run slowly after trying to optimize its performance, a device replacement could be considered. This can happen when the phone’s components no longer have enough capacity to run the latest apps and operating systems.

In the case of iOS, Apple recommends checking the battery health first, since its deterioration can affect performance. Replacing the battery or requesting a technical inspection may be an alternative to buying another device.

In general terms, replacing the phone can be considered when performance problems persist, the device no longer adequately responds to the user’s needs, or its technical limitations make regular use difficult.

It is Isaias, which continues strengthening as it moves through the Gulf. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the system has sustained winds of 80 miles per hour and could make landfall between Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10.

Hurricane Isaias: Which states are under alert?

The hurricane mainly threatens the coastal areas of Mississippi, Alabama, and northwestern Florida, although its effects could also reach parts of Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center maintains hurricane, tropical storm, and storm surge warnings at different points along the Gulf coast.

Among the main risks are the following:

• Heavy rains: Could cause flooding in streets, homes, and areas near rivers.
• Strong winds: Could cause property damage and power outages.
• Storm surges: Rising sea levels could flood coastal areas.
• Isolated tornadoes: Could occur in some areas of the southeastern United States.

The authorities warn that conditions may worsen during Friday and the weekend, especially in the areas closest to the hurricane’s path.

When will Hurricane Isaias make landfall?

According to the official forecast, Isaias could make landfall between the night of Friday, October 9, and the early hours of Saturday, October 10.

The system continues intensifying and is expected to remain quite strong as it approaches the U.S. coast.

In addition, the NHC forecasts rainfall accumulations of 3 to 7 inches, with amounts that could reach up to 10 inches in specific areas of the central Gulf of Mexico coast.

These rains could cause flash flooding, urban flooding, and isolated river rises.

What recommendations should residents of affected areas follow?

As the hurricane approaches, the National Hurricane Center asked people living in areas under warning to complete preparations to protect their homes and remain attentive to local authorities’ instructions.

It also recommended following updates from the National Weather Service, as Isaias’s path and intensity could change over the next few hours.

Cleaning specialists consulted by The Spruce explained that the acidity of distilled white vinegar allows it to act on certain types of dirt stuck to garments. However, its effectiveness depends on the origin of the stain, and it is important to use it correctly to avoid damaging fabrics.

What is mixing white vinegar with water on clothes for?

According to Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water can be used to treat deodorant residue and the stains that appear in the underarm area of garments.

The procedure consists of soaking the garment in this mixture for 30 minutes or 1 hour. Once that time has passed, it can be washed normally.

In addition to this use, the specialists consulted by The Spruce pointed out that white vinegar can be useful against other common laundry problems, such as greasy or oily food stains, detergent residue, mineral buildup, and mold.

Tom Ceconi, president of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, explained that distilled white vinegar should be used specifically, since its acidic properties help break down certain stains, particularly those related to fats and oils.

How to use white vinegar to treat tough stains

For stains other than deodorant, Ceconi recommends a more complete procedure. The first step is to pre-treat the affected area with an enzymatic stain remover or with a concentrated mixture of enzymatic detergent and water.

Then, fill the sink, a bathtub, or a container with warm water, place the garment there, and add a cup of white vinegar to let it soak.

The next step is to take the garment to the washing machine and wash it using a cup of white vinegar, without adding detergent at that stage. Then check whether the stain is gone and, if so, wash it again with detergent.

The specialists highlight other possible uses of vinegar during washing; Schrader explained that it can help neutralize odors and soften fabrics, as well as help with certain residues.

White vinegar on clothes: precautions to keep in mind

Although it can be used as an ally for certain laundry tasks, experts warn that vinegar should not be mixed with bleach or chlorine bleach, since that combination can produce toxic fumes.

They also recommend being especially careful with delicate garments. Ceconi advises avoiding the use of vinegar on fabrics with very saturated colors, due to the risk of affecting the garment.

For this reason, white vinegar should not be considered a universal solution for any stain or type of clothing. The result will depend both on the fabric and on the origin of the dirt and the way it is applied.

The Arkansas Education Freedom Account (EFA) is a state-funded program that helps families pay for eligible K-12 education expenses, including private school tuition, homeschooling, and other educational services.

Arkansas Department of Education improved the school choice payments system

The EFA program was established for families who retire their child from public schools and look for other educational alternatives, such as private schools or homeschooling.

It provides families with up to $7,208 annually per student who is eligible. Arkansas uses taxpayer funds to pay for this tuition or expenses, and every recipient receives their payment through the Florida-based vendor ClassWallet platform.

The EFA allows families to choose from different educational options:

• Private schools: Students can enroll in a participating private school, and EFA funds can be used to cover tuition and certain eligible expenses.
• Homeschooling: Families can educate their children at home and use the funds for curriculum, instructional materials, and other eligible expenses.
• Microschools and learning pods: These offer smaller and more flexible educational settings.
• Online schools: Families can also use EFA funds for eligible virtual education providers.
• Tutoring and other services: Students can use part of the funds for tutoring, educational therapies, instructional materials, technology, and other approved expenses.

Who is eligible for Arkansas’ $7,208 school choice payments?

Students must be Arkansas residents and eligible to enroll in grades K-12 in an Arkansas public school. A parent or legal guardian must also be an Arkansas resident.

For the 2026-27 school year, the program has universal eligibility, so families do not have to meet income requirements or prove that their child previously attended a public school. Families must apply and be approved to receive the funds.

How long can students receive Arkansas EFA funds?

Students can remain eligible for the Education Freedom Account until they graduate from high school, enroll full-time in a public school, are expelled from a participating school, or reach the program’s age limit. Students can continue through the school year in which they turn 21, but cannot remain enrolled after June 30 following their 21st birthday.

Families must renew their EFA participation each year. Eligibility can also end if the account remains inactive for a full school year, the student moves out of Arkansas, or the family fails to follow program rules.

This is a recommendation from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which shared different easy-to-implement mixtures, ideal for those who have young children and want to reduce their use of conventional cleaning products to limit the risks of poisoning and exposure.

An article published on April 2 of this year by the American Academy of Pediatrics analyzed injuries related to cleaning products treated by emergency departments in the U.S. between 2007 and 2022 and estimated that 240,862 children 5 years old or younger were treated for injuries related to household products.

Mix cornstarch, white vinegar and warm water: what it is recommended for

Specifically in the kitchen, CHOP explains that mixing cornstarch, white vinegar and warm water can be effective for cleaning glass panes and windows.

The recommendation is to choose a large container and mix:

• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 3.78 liters of warm water

This preparation is placed inside a spray bottle and should be sprayed onto glass and window surfaces as needed for cleaning.

“Consider using non-toxic alternatives that you can make yourself; they can be as effective as commercial products and much less dangerous in the event of accidental ingestion,” the experts indicate.

This preparation is placed inside a spray bottle and should be sprayed onto glass and window surfaces as needed for cleaning.

“Consider using non-toxic alternatives that you can make yourself; they can be as effective as commercial products and much less dangerous in the event of accidental ingestion,” the experts indicate.

Other homemade mixtures that can replace common cleaning products

In line with the previous advice, CHOP also includes in its recommendations:

• Water and a thin layer of baking soda: for cleaning the oven
• 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda: for cleaning the drain
• 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 3.78 liters of warm water: as an all-purpose cleaner

In addition, baking soda can be used as a safe alternative for cleaning the toilet, if it is combined with vinegar and then the usual scrubbing procedure is carried out. It is also useful for cleaning bathtubs and tiles.

As it is a federal holiday, there will be no mail service or service at public offices or at most banks, although much of retail and the financial markets will continue to operate.

What services will be affected during the federal holiday?

Because it is a federal holiday, the following do not operate that day:

• Federal government offices and federal courts.
• The mail (USPS): there is no regular mail delivery or service at branches.
• Most banks: as the Federal Reserve observes the holiday, many banks and credit unions close their branches. Online banking and ATMs remain available.
• The bond market, which remains closed.
• Many state and local offices, including several DMV offices, although this depends on each state.

What remains open during the holiday

Daily life, on the other hand, largely continues as normal:

• The Stock Exchange (NYSE and Nasdaq) operates normally that day.
• Stores, supermarkets, and restaurants usually open during their regular hours.
• The UPS and FedEx parcel companies maintain their services.
• Schools vary by district: some suspend classes and others do not.

Since hours may change depending on the area, it is advisable to confirm before going to a store or an office in person.

The extension service of the University of Georgia lists, along these lines, different mixtures that can be prepared quickly and easily to remove sweat stains with materials that are often found at home. One of them consists of mixing salt with warm water.

3 tablespoons of salt in 1 liter of warm water: what this mixture is for and why to do it at night

First, the university’s advice for washing clothes and removing sweat odor is to soak the garments in warm water and sodium perborate bleach for 15 to 30 minutes, then wash using the hottest water the fabric can withstand and bleach.

If the sweat odor persists even after washing, dissolving 3 or 4 tablespoons of salt per quart —a U.S. unit that is approximately equivalent to 1 liter— of warm water may be the solution. The institution recommends preparing this mixture at night to make use of the time and leave the smelly garments to soak, which then must be rinsed well in the morning.

Another trick, if the bad odor persists, is to place liquid detergent on the affected area before washing and let it sit.

Important information to consider when washing clothes

The publication also warns about the importance of:

• Always read the garment labels before applying home methods to remove stains.
• Taking great care when combining cleaning products.
• Testing cleaning agents on an inconspicuous area of the garment to determine its resistance.
• Store products according to their recommended instructions.
• Ventilate rooms when using cleaning products.

Other tips for caring for textiles from stains

For its part, the American Cleaning Institute also recommends treating stains immediately and checking after each wash whether any remain, so they can be pretreated quickly and the garment wetted again. Drying can set them permanently.

In addition, it indicates that they should be dabbed with a sponge, never rubbed, since this can spread them and damage the fabric.

In that sense, there are broadly two types of strategies depending on each taxpayer’s particular situation: short-term plans or long-term plans, each with its own requirements.

What are Short-term payment plans?

This alternative is intended for those who cannot pay their debt at the moment but believe they will do so within the next 180 days. Requesting it is free, although the interest and penalties on the obligation will continue to accrue until it is fully paid.

This plan can be requested from the online account or by contacting the tax agency at the number shown on the official debt notice.

How do long-term payment plans work

This option is offered to those who need several months to be able to pay their debt, and the IRS evaluates which type of plan is appropriate according to each situation.

“The IRS charges an initial fee when you set up a payment plan; however, if you are a low-income taxpayer, this initial fee is reduced and may possibly be waived or reimbursed when certain conditions apply,” it states.

They can be requested online, by completing and mailing Form 9465 (SP), or by calling the IRS.

IRS Simple Payment Plan: requirements to qualify

According to what the tax agency reports, “more than 90% of individual taxpayers with an outstanding balance qualify for a Simple Payment Plan”.

The requirements are:

• Not owe more than USD 50,000 in assessed taxes, penalties, and interest
• Be current with the filing of tax returns

Although it is stated that in general taxpayers have up to 10 years to pay their balance, as time passes, interest and penalties increase, so it is advised to pay off the debt as soon as possible.

As for how to pay, the agency recommends setting up monthly automatic payments from a bank account, which have a reduced fee, but there is also the option to schedule and modify payments through the online account or pay through Direct Pay.

IRS guaranteed installment agreement: requirements to qualify

The IRS specifies that this option is offered to those who owe USD 10,000 or less, excluding interest, and who meet the following conditions:

• Have timely filed all tax returns and paid any taxes owed during the last 5 years.
• Not having established an installment payment plan to pay taxes in the last 5 years.
• Agree to pay the full amount within 3 years and comply with tax obligations and laws while the plan remains in effect
• It was not possible to pay the obligation in full by the due date.

IRS partial payment plan: what it is

When more time than established is needed to pay -generally more than 10 years-, the IRS may request financial information to establish a plan that will be reviewed every two years and thus dynamically reassess how much must be paid per month.

Those who want to consult more information about IRS installment payments can do so by clicking here.

The advice is always to seek guidance from the agency to determine that you are requesting the plan that best fits each situation.

In addition, the agency emphasizes the importance of not losing contact when you have a tax debt, since ignoring official notices can lead to collection actions.

A study published in Journal of Food Protection tested different household washing methods and specifically compared solutions of water, 5% vinegar and 13% lemon.

The study used lettuce, broccoli, apples and tomatoes experimentally contaminated with Listeria innocua, a microorganism used as a substitute for Listeria monocytogenes in previous research.

The researchers Agnes Kilonzo-Nthenge, Fur-Chi Chen and Sandria L. Godwin analyzed what happened after soaking the foods for two minutes in different solutions and then rinsing them under running water.

Is it better to wash fruit and vegetables with 5% vinegar, water or 13% lemon?

According to the study results, cold running water is an effective and practical alternative for reducing surface contamination. In particular, the researchers found that soaking the produce for two minutes and then rinsing it could produce a greater bacterial reduction than simply rinsing it.

The research tested a 5% vinegar solution and a 13% lemon solution, but did not find a statistically significant advantage of these alternatives over cold water in the case of lettuce.

The authors’ conclusion was clear: they found no sufficient reasons to consider vinegar or lemon superior to cold tap water for this procedure.

“Reductions in surface contamination of lettuce after soaking it in lemon or vinegar solutions were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those obtained by soaking it in cold tap water”, the study states.

5% vinegar and 13% lemon for washing fruit and vegetables: how effective are they?

The 5% vinegar and 13% lemon were the other two treatments evaluated by the researchers. Both were applied to lettuce.

Some specimens were submerged for two minutes in a vinegar solution, while others were placed in a lemon solution. Then, all were rinsed for 15 seconds with running water.

Regarding vinegar, the average reduction of Listeria innocua was 1.88 log CFU/g. For comparison, soaking for two minutes in water followed by a rinse produced a reduction of 1.79 log CFU/g, while lemon reached 1.72 log CFU/g.

Although the figures are different, the analysis determined that the differences between the treatments were not significant.

How does the study recommend washing fruits and vegetables?

The method the researchers consider appropriate is washing produce under cold running water and rubbing or brushing it whenever the surface allows it.

In the experiment, simple rinsing for 15 seconds performed worse on lettuce than the procedures that included a pre-soak. In apples and tomatoes, it was also observed that soaking followed by a rinse could improve bacterial reduction.

“Instructing consumers to rub or brush fresh produce under cold running tap water before consuming it”, experts consider appropriate.

The study also found that irregular surfaces can be more difficult to clean. In apples, for example, the stem and blossom-end areas retained greater contamination after washing than other parts of the surface.

How long should fruits and vegetables be left to soak?

The study compared a two-minute soak against one of 30 and concluded that the longer procedure did not produce a significant difference compared with the shorter one. In turn, the authors considered that keeping produce in water for half an hour was not practical for consumers.

In apples, for example, a two-minute soak in water followed by a rinse produced an average reduction of 2.32 log CFU/g.

In tomatoes, the commercial product used in the study had the greatest reduction, with 2.89 log CFU/g. Soaking in water followed by a rinse reached 2.53 log CFU/g.

In broccoli, by contrast, the differences between the different treatments were much smaller and were not statistically significant.

However, to make the most of its benefits, it is important to choose a suitable space so that it can grow and develop. In that sense, Architectural Digest explains which are the most recommended places to put it and which are those where, according to Feng Shui, it is advisable to avoid placing it.

What does the snake plant mean according to Feng Shui?

The snake plant, whose scientific name is Sansevieria, is one of the plants that Feng Shui associates with protection and energetic balance in the home. According to this tradition, the elongated and pointed shape of its leaves is linked to a protective energy, while the plant is also valued for its ability to purify the air.

The 3 places in the house to put the snake plant to attract good luck

According to Feng Shui, there are three locations that can be especially favorable for the snake plant. One of them is near the front door, although it is recommended to avoid placing it directly opposite the entrance.

It can also be placed in the southeast area of the home, associated in this tradition with abundance, prosperity, and money. On the other hand, those who want to prioritize well-being and health can place it in the east area of the home.

Beyond Feng Shui beliefs, to keep the plant healthy it is important to choose a place with good lighting, preferably indirect light, and avoid excess water.

However, not all spaces are considered suitable. Tradition recommends avoiding certain locations in order to maintain a balance between the different elements that make up the environment.

The places where it is not advisable to place the snake plant

One of the spaces that Feng Shui discourages for this plant is the kitchen. According to this tradition, the fire element predominates there and the presence of a plant with pointed leaves could create an energetic imbalance.

It is also recommended not to place the Sansevieria directly in front of the front door. The explanation within Feng Shui is that its placement could interfere with the flow of energy entering the home.

Why they recommend avoiding the snake plant in the living room

Although the living room is usually one of the spaces chosen for placing plants, Feng Shui raises certain reservations about the snake plant. The explanation is related to the presence of the wood element: plants represent this element and, by adding too much wood presence in the same environment, the balance between the different energies could be lost.

In addition, its rigid and pointed leaves are considered a characteristic that can generate a more intense energy. For this reason, some Feng Shui recommendations suggest choosing other rooms for this species.

From a practical perspective, however, Sansevieria can grow in different areas of the home as long as it has the necessary conditions to develop.

Can the snake plant be placed in the bathroom?

The bathroom also does not appear among the most recommended places for Sansevieria. Beyond Feng Shui beliefs, there are reasons related to plant care that may explain this recommendation.

The snake plant needs little water and tolerates dry periods better than excess moisture. For that reason, a bathroom with constant humidity and little ventilation can favor problems in its roots and leaves if the substrate remains too wet.

Lighting is also important. Although Sansevieria can survive with little light, to grow in better conditions it needs light, preferably indirect. A dark bathroom with poor ventilation, therefore, does not always offer the most favorable environment.

Why don’t they recommend the snake plant in the workplace?

According to Feng Shui, it would also not be convenient to place this plant on a desk or workspace. The reason is once again related to the shape of its leaves, which are rigid, vertical, and pointed and can be associated with an energy considered too intense.

Within this tradition, that characteristic could generate tension, doubts, or a feeling of stagnation in an environment intended for working and developing creativity. Some interpretations even relate pointed leaves to conflicts or arguments.

These are interpretations specific to Feng Shui and not scientifically proven effects. From the point of view of plant care, the essential thing is that it receives adequate lighting, has good drainage, and is not overwatered.

How to keep a snake plant healthy

• Light: bright, indirect light is ideal, although the plant tolerates lower-light conditions.
• Water: allow the soil to dry between waterings.
• Drainage: use a pot with drainage holes to prevent excess moisture.
• Humidity: avoid constantly wet conditions.
• Pets: keep the plant out of reach of cats and dogs

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that still charge an inheritance tax, and it offers a way to pay less: according to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, estates that pay within three months of the death receive a 5% discount.

Who pays the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania, and how much

Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax rates depend on the heir’s relationship to the deceased:

• 0% for a surviving spouse or for a parent inheriting from a child aged 21 or younger.
• 4,5% for children, grandchildren, and other direct descendants.
• 12% for siblings.
• 15% for other heirs, except charities and other exempt institutions.

Some assets are exempt, including property owned jointly by spouses and certain farmland transferred to eligible relatives. Experts recommend consulting an attorney or the local Register of Wills before making payments.

How does the 5% discount work, and when does it apply?

The discount is a reduction on the inheritance tax itself. In practice, if the estate pays the tax early, it pays 5% less on that payment.

For example, if the inheritance tax owed is $20,000 and the estate pays it in full within the deadline, it only has to pay $19,000. The $1,000 difference is the discount.

The payment must meet these requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue:

• Must be made within three calendar months of the date of death. After that, the full tax applies.
• Discount only covers the amount actually paid in that period. If the estate pays only part of the tax within three months, the 5% applies only to that part.
• Cannot include money that is later refunded. If the estate pays more than it owes and gets a refund, that extra amount does not count toward the discount.
• Payment must go to the County Register of Wills in the county where the deceased person lived.

Attorneys in the state note that many executors make an estimated payment within the first three months to secure the discount and then adjust the final amount.

How to pay the inheritance tax in Pennsylvania

The inheritance tax needs to be paid at the moment of death and becomes delinquent nine months later. After that date, unpaid tax begins to accrue interest.

The executor, or the administrator if there is no will, is responsible for filing the inheritance tax return, Form REV-1500, and paying the tax with estate assets within the nine-month deadline. Estates that cannot pay the full amount can contact the Department of Revenue to ask about payment plans.

There are a lot of ways to clean a house correctly, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shared a list of steps you can adopt in your routine to prevent getting allergies from your carpets.

These techniques can also be applied in your office and other places whose floors are covered by carpets.

According to NIH, this is why you must remove dust from carpets to prevent allergies

Allergic rhinitis is more common than we like to think, and sometimes it comes from indoor exposure. But you do not have to worry if you have applied the perfect cleaning routine in your house. Carpets are one of the main causes of indoor rhinitis; therefore, it is really important to learn how to clean this accessory.

According to the NIH, vacuuming carpets and other home furnishings daily can reduce levels of dust and allergens. Similarly, a clinical trial in South Korea found that daily vacuuming reduced dust levels and eased allergic rhinitis symptoms in 40 children ages 6 to 12 with mild persistent allergies specifically linked to house dust mites.

How to reduce dust mite allergens at home, according to medical experts

• Vacuum carpets, mattresses, and furniture regularly: Frequent vacuuming can help reduce house dust mite allergen levels over time.
• Consider removing carpets or upholstered furniture coverings: These materials can act as reservoirs for dust mite allergens, although the review does not recommend removal as a primary strategy because the evidence of clinical benefit is limited.
• Keep indoor humidity under control: Reducing humidity can help limit the conditions that allow dust mites to thrive.
• Use protective covers for mattresses and pillows: These covers can help reduce exposure to dust mite allergens.

Other ways to reduce dust and allergens at home

The NIH review also highlights several measures that can help limit exposure to dust mite allergens beyond regular carpet cleaning. Keeping indoor humidity under control, using protective covers on mattresses and pillows, and regularly cleaning other surfaces such as furniture can help reduce allergen levels.

Removing carpets or upholstered furniture coverings may also reduce exposure in some cases. However, the review notes that the evidence for clinical benefits is limited, so these measures are not generally recommended as the primary approach to controlling dust mite allergens.

The White House announced the Medicare payment Oct. 2. Trump revived the $5,000 promise a day later in a video on Truth Social, his social media platform. The $500 refunds, announced Sept. 10, started going out Sept. 30.

If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 Midterm Elections, I’m going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America, $5,000! Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to signing those checks! https://t.co/YOkESiUBrc

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2026

Here’s how the three payments compare.

Who gets the $90 Medicare payment from Donald Trump?

The payment is limited to about 20.8 million people in Original Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient care, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Recipients must live in the U.S.

Three groups are left out. The first is people in Medicare Advantage, the private-plan alternative to Original Medicare. The second is people whose premiums are paid by Medicaid. The third is higher-income enrollees who pay an extra surcharge on their premium.

Most recipients get the $90 by direct deposit from Social Security on or around Oct. 8, and others will get a Treasury check later in October. To check eligibility, call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). For payment status, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 starting Oct. 15.

The money comes from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a $2 billion reserve Congress set up in 2008. The administration says it’s the first time the fund has been used to pay enrollees directly.

Who gets the $500 Obamacare refund?

The refund goes to about 950,000 people who paid full price for 2026 coverage on HealthCare.gov, the federal marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act. They didn’t receive premium tax credits, the subsidies that lower monthly costs for most marketplace customers.

The refund arrives as a paper check mailed to the recipient’s home address, and there’s nothing to apply for.

The White House calls it the Working Families Obamacare Refund. It says the recipients were overcharged under the Biden administration.

Will Donald Trump’s $5,000 checks actually go out?

Only if two things happen. Republicans would need to keep both the House and the Senate. Then Congress would have to approve the payments, because it controls federal spending.

Trump has said the plan would cost around $1 trillion and would be paid for with tariff revenue and economic growth. The Supreme Court struck down his reciprocal tariffs in February.

Lawmakers from both parties have pushed back. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., warned the payments could push interest rates up. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., called the plan a “political bribe.”

There is no application or payment date for the $5,000 checks. Earlier pledges never produced checks either, including a $5,000 “DOGE dividend” in 2025 and a $2,000 tariff payment.

The first instinct is to leave it plugged in all night, but that maneuver almost never solves the problem. In this sense, it is worth understanding what happens inside a notebook battery when it fails.

This problem can have three sources: a poor power supply, faulty hardware or a malfunctioning monitor. The first thing is to rule out the power supply.

Why charging it all night doesn’t work

The answer is simple: lithium does not allow overcharging or trickle charging. This means that, when the battery is full, the charger cuts off the current.

In other words, a full charge, in most laptops, takes between 2 and 3 hours. In conclusion, leaving it plugged in all night does not add a solution.

How to diagnose it correctly step by step

• Remove the laptop battery.
• Connect the device to a working power outlet.
• Confirm that the outlet works by plugging in another device.
• Try turning on the laptop using only the charger.

If it turns on, “the problem is not the power supply, but the battery,” according to HP. In this case, the laptop can be used only with alternating current, that is, it will always have to be used plugged in and the final solution is to buy a new battery.

If it is an internal battery that cannot be removed, it is advisable to take it to a technical service center.

If, on the other hand, the battery is not the cause, other points should be checked:

• CMOS battery: this is a battery different from the main one, whose function is to store the motherboard settings. It usually fails in old equipment that spends a lot of time turned off. It can be replaced with another one.
• Screen: if the power button lights up and the fan can be heard, but the screen does not show an image, the screen inverter is faulty and must be replaced.
• External devices: disconnect USB devices, drives or DVDs, because the BIOS may try to boot from them and the notebook freezes.

In conclusion, HP suggests checking these points in order: first the power supply, then the battery and only then the rest of the components. With these tests, the user can know the origin of the notebook fault and make a decision accordingly.

As of the NHC’s 4 a.m. CDT advisory, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and was located about 420 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving east-northeast at 9 mph.

When could Isaias make landfall

Isaias is expected to turn northeast on Thursday and north on Friday and to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday. Additional strengthening is forecast through early Friday, and the NHC expects it to remain a strong hurricane as it approaches the coast, close to major hurricane intensity.

The areas under warning and watch are:

• Hurricane Warning: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay/Gulf County line, Florida.
• Tropical Storm Warning: Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line, Louisiana, to west of Ocean Springs; and east of the Bay/Gulf County line to the Aucilla River, Florida.
• Storm Surge Warning: Mouth of the Mississippi River to the Steinhatchee River, Florida.
• Storm Surge Watch: Steinhatchee River to Yankeetown, Florida.

A warning means dangerous conditions are expected, not just possible. Hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area Friday night into early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions starting Friday.

How much rain is expected to fall on Friday and into the weekend

From Friday through the weekend, Isaias is forecast to bring 3 to 7 inches of rain, with localized totals up to 10 inches, from far southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.

Across much of the Southeast, as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas, 1 to 3 inches are possible, with localized amounts up to 5 inches. Flash and urban flooding, along with isolated river flooding is possible.

The NHC warns of a life-threatening storm surge that could reach 5 to 7 feet above ground from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to Indian Pass, Florida, and in Mobile Bay, and 4 to 6 feet from Indian Pass to the Steinhatchee River. Residents should promptly follow evacuation orders from local officials.

The process can be done online or through a paper application sent by postal mail, and the cost depends on the filing method and the reason for replacement.

USCIS states that permanent residents must carry a valid and current card or equivalent documentation. Therefore, if the Green Card is about to expire, was lost, stolen, damaged, or contains information that needs to be corrected, it is important to review which procedure applies before submitting the application.

How do you replace a green card in the United States?

To renew or replace the Permanent Resident Card, the Form I-90 must be used when it applies to the resident’s situation. USCIS allows the application to be filed by postal mail or online.

If you choose the online process, you must create a USCIS account. From there, you can pay the fee, check the status of the case, receive notifications, review estimated completion dates, respond to requests for evidence, and update contact information.

It should be noted that the Form I-90 cannot be filed online if a fee waiver is requested. It is also important to know that a signature is a basic requirement to prevent the application from being rejected. USCIS states explicitly: “Do not forget to sign your form. We will reject any form that is not signed”.

For those who choose the paper form, USCIS warns that all pages must correspond to the same edition and that the edition date and page numbers must be visible.

How much does it cost to replace the green card?

The cost of Form I-90 depends on the filing category. According to USCIS, the standard filing costs USD465 with the paper form and USD415 if filed online.

However, there are situations in which the fee is $0, including certain cases in which USCIS issued the card with incorrect information due to an error by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or when the agency issued the card but it was never received and was returned to USCIS because it could not be delivered.

However, before filing the I-90, it is advisable to verify the fee that applies to the applicant’s specific case in USCIS’s official fee tool.

When should the Permanent Resident Card be replaced?

One of the most common situations is when the Green Card has a validity of 10 years and has already expired or will do so within the next six months. In such a case, USCIS requires filing Form I-90.

There are also other reasons to request a new card, among which the following stand out:

• The Green Card was lost.
• The card was stolen.
• The card was destroyed or damaged.
• The resident needs to correct information.
• There was a legal name change.
• The resident turned 14 and their card must be replaced.

What documents are needed to replace the Green Card?

The documents depend on the reason for which the replacement is requested. For example, if the card was lost, stolen, or destroyed, USCIS requires a copy of the Green Card or a government-issued identification that includes name, date of birth, photograph, and signature.

When there is a legal name change or an incorrect detail that was not caused by the Department of Homeland Security, legal documents proving the new or correct name, or a copy of the residence card, may be required.

In any case, USCIS states that original documents should not be sent unless expressly requested. And if the document is in a foreign language, it must be accompanied by a complete English translation and the translator’s certification.

The Tremont Avenue Busway began operating on September 19. In this regard, the corridor was designed to increase speed and service reliability, as well as to incorporate changes aimed at improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

The project mainly benefits users of the Bx36 line, used by 39,000 passengers per day, according to New York City DOT (NYC DOT).

Where is New York’s new exclusive bus corridor?

Tremont Avenue Busway is located in the Bronx, on Tremont Avenue. The stretch is approximately half a mile long and operates in both directions, although speed limits vary depending on the direction.

In the eastbound direction, the corridor extends from Third Avenue to Southern Boulevard; in the westbound direction, it runs from Southern Boulevard to Belmont Avenue.

It is worth noting that the intervention is not limited to reserving space for buses since the project also included safety improvements at eight intersections, including Tremont Avenue with Webster Avenue, Third Avenue, and Southern Boulevard, with sidewalk extensions that reduce the distance pedestrians must walk when crossing.

Which bus line uses the corridor?

The line benefited by the corridor is the Bx36, a Bronx bus route that connects passengers with different options for city public transportation. According to NYC DOT, around 39,000 passengers use this bus line daily, and this busway seeks to reduce delays caused by traffic so that travel times are more predictable.

Likewise, this infrastructure seeks to improve connections with other transportation alternatives since Tremont Avenue allows passengers to access various subway lines and the Metro-North Railroad, in addition to connecting with other local bus routes.

What are the hours of the exclusive corridor?

The Tremont Avenue Busway operates every day from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm for buses, trucks with six or more wheels, emergency vehicles, Access-A-Ride vehicles, and bicycles.

Private vehicles, taxis, and other passenger vehicles may enter to access a property, business, or parking lot, or to pick up and drop off passengers, although they must exit at the next available right turn, according to NYC DOT guidelines.

On the other hand, parking is permitted in the corridor as long as the corresponding parking signs are observed. Compliance with the rules is monitored by NYPD traffic agents and automated cameras. Any citizen who commits an offense could receive fines of between US$50 and US$250.

As for the 8:00 pm to 6:00 am schedule, NYC DOT explained that any vehicle may travel through the corridor since, for now, the busway-specific restrictions are not applied during those hours, unless another sign indicates otherwise.

The closures are part of the company’s policy for these dates and are intended to let employees spend time with their family and friends.

What days will Olive Garden close in 2026?

According to Olive Garden’s official information , its restaurants will remain closed on these two dates:

• Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day.
• Friday, December 25: Christmas.

In this way, those planning to visit any of the chain’s restaurants during the holidays should keep these two closures in mind.

Olive Garden clarifies that hours during the holidays may vary in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and its international locations, so in these cases it is advisable to check directly with the restaurant.

What will happen the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Restaurants may close earlier both the day before Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve, although this does not necessarily happen at all locations.

According to Olive Garden, the decision depends on the number of customers each restaurant has and is left to its management team.

For this reason, the company recommends contacting the restaurant directly to find out the expected closing time for Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, December 24.

Outside of these dates, opening hours may vary by location, so customers can check in advance the relevant information for the restaurant they plan to visit.

The CP12 Notice is among these communications, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service -run by the tax agency- explains what it means and how to act if you receive it.

IRS CP12 Notice: what it means to receive it

According to the official information, this notice is issued when taxpayers filed a tax return with errors that affect the amount of the expected refund.

When this notification is received, the taxpayer may receive a refund different from the one initially estimated or have a refund due when they believed they owed taxes or were not entitled to receive anything.

What should I do if I receive an IRS CP12 Notice?

The instruction in these cases is to compare the notice received with the information provided to the IRS in the tax return and, if you agree, no further action will be required.

On the other hand, if the taxpayer believes the IRS made a mistake, they should contact the agency at the phone number listed in the upper right corner of the notice or reply by mail to the address indicated in the communication.

Those who choose to get in touch must do so within 60 days and are advised to include as much documentation as possible to support their case. After this time, the changes made by the agency cannot be reversed.

Important information for those who receive the IRS CP12 Notice

If you receive this notice, the agency refund should be received within four to six weeks, unless there are other taxes or debts pending.

The agency also indicates that if you want to correct the copy of the return to keep your records in order, the document should not be sent to the agency.

The order, published by the White House, says farmers and truckers have been hit especially hard. It directs the Treasury secretary to postpone certain diesel tax payments and waive related penalties where the law allows.

None of the relief is automatic. The Treasury Department has until Saturday to decide whether it has the legal authority to act, and it still has to issue guidance on who qualifies and when the postponed taxes come due.

Will gas prices go down under Donald Trump’s diesel tax order?

Not directly. The order applies only to diesel fuel, so the federal gas tax and the price of regular gasoline are outside its scope.

Diesel prices aren’t guaranteed to fall either. The order says nothing about prices at the pump, and whether fuel sellers pass any savings on to customers is up to the market.

The order also can’t change state fuel taxes. It tells the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to encourage states to adopt matching relief, but each state makes its own decision.

What does Donald Trump’s diesel tax order actually do?

If Treasury confirms its authority, certain federal diesel excise taxes incurred from Oct. 5 through Dec. 31 could be deferred without penalties or interest. That would leave more cash in the hands of businesses that owe the tax for the rest of the year.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would also announce that it won’t penalize the use of dyed diesel on highways during the same period. Dyed diesel is normally reserved for farm and other off-road use, and running it on public roads usually brings fines.

The tax is delayed, not canceled. Deferred amounts will still be owed by a date Treasury must set, and the order only directs the agency to explore forgiving them, including through legislation that would need Congress.

The Agriculture Department is tasked with getting enough dyed diesel to high-demand farm areas. Meanwhile, federal highway safety audits and inspections continue under the order.

Flight FZ1073 had left Dubai on Sept. 30 when the co-pilot turned the cockpit’s emergency axe on the captain. Passengers tackled him, and an off-duty crew on board took over. They landed the Boeing 737 MAX and its more than 180 passengers in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the people who stopped the attack averted “a 9/11 disaster.” He also said the co-pilot had been radicalized through Islamist indoctrination.

Flydubai later sent another aircraft to take the passengers to Israel. UAE Attorney General Hamad al-Shamsi has described the incident as an attempted “terrorist act.” He said Oct. 3 that results of the investigation will be made public once it concludes.

What did the Flydubai co-pilot plan to do in Tel Aviv?

The plan relied on the flight looking routine, according to sources cited by Israeli media. Once the captain, Smit Machchhar, was out of the way, the co-pilot would stay on course and be cleared to land at Ben Gurion as usual.

Neither Emirati nor Israeli authorities have commented on these accounts.

Several reports have identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen who reportedly studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017. Australia has opened its own inquiry into those ties.

UAE investigators were still interrogating him over the weekend and keeping Israeli officials briefed.

How was the Flydubai co-pilot cleared to fly to Tel Aviv?

Israel has opened a security review over the case. Netanyahu has ordered the head of the country’s National Security Council to examine how flights by foreign airlines into Israel are screened.

The case has also exposed a dispute over who should have vetted the crew. Transport Minister Miri Regev said her ministry never received the passenger and crew lists. She said foreign airlines are the responsibility of the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, and the Mossad, its foreign intelligence agency.

The Shin Bet says that job belongs to Regev’s ministry. Regional officials told The Associated Press that the UAE sent Israel the lists before takeoff. Israeli rules also bar pilots from countries with no formal diplomatic ties to Israel, such as Oman, from flying there at all.

There were earlier warning signs, according to regional officials. Oman Air had pulled him from the cockpit and given him office work after flagging his extremist views. Flydubai’s routine background checks, which the officials said don’t look for radicalization, did not catch it.

The rally added $65 billion to Musk’s net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. SpaceX rose another 0.49% Tuesday to $171.92, its highest close since mid-June and about 27% above its $135 initial public offering price.

Why does Morgan Stanley think SpaceX stock could climb another 75%?

Analyst Adam Jonas reaffirmed his $300 price target, the level he expects the stock to reach, in a note to clients Sunday. He pointed to upcoming AI product releases, Starship progress and new deals to rent out AI computing capacity.

“Adjusted for growth, SpaceX is one of the cheaper ways to play the strong optionality of the Space and Intelligence Economy,” Jonas wrote.

On Oct. 1, a Falcon 9 rocket also carried four astronauts to the International Space Station in 7 hours and 55 minutes. That was the fastest trip there by a U.S. spacecraft.

What makes up Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar net worth?

Almost all of it is stock. Musk’s stakes in SpaceX and Tesla account for more than 98% of his fortune, according to Bloomberg, so his net worth rises and falls with both share prices.

SpaceX is the bigger piece. Musk owns about 4.76 billion SpaceX shares, including 1.3 billion shares of unvested restricted stock, which he can’t sell until they vest.

The SpaceX listing capped a steep climb. Musk was worth about $28 billion in January 2020, when he ranked as the world’s 35th richest person, according to Bloomberg. By the company’s June 12 debut, his fortune had reached $1.11 trillion.

That concentration also explains the swings. Musk’s fortune peaked at $1.32 trillion June 16, according to Bloomberg, then fell below $1 trillion a week later. By Aug. 1, it had dropped to $684 billion as SpaceX shares lost more than half their value.

What is a Real ID

The Real ID is a driver’s license or state identification card that meets a federal security standard. At first glance, it is recognized by a star marked at the top of the card (in some states, with variations: California, for example, uses a golden bear with the star).

It is not a new, separate document: it is the “enhanced” version of the license or ID issued by each state through its DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).

Since when has it been in effect, and what is it for

The requirement for Real ID took effect on May 7, 2025. From that date, it is necessary to:

• Board flights within the United States (domestic flights).
• Enter certain federal facilities, such as military bases or some government buildings.

For international flights and other procedures outside the country, the passport still applies, not the Real ID.

Which documents does the DMV absolutely require

Requirements may vary by state, but in general, the DMV requests original or certified documents that prove:

• Identity and date of birth: for example, a U.S. birth certificate or a valid passport.
• Social Security number: this can be verified with the Social Security card, a W-2, a pay stub, or a 1099 form.
• Two proofs of address, such as utility bills or a lease agreement.
• Proof of legal status in the country.

It is advisable to check the specific list from the state DMV before going, because each jurisdiction defines the accepted documents.

The MUSVs are part of the Navy’s strategy to expand the use of robotic and autonomous systems as they are platforms that can operate without crew on board and were designed to incorporate different sensors, weapons and other mission payloads according to the needs of each operation.

The decision to move toward production came after a testing phase in which the Navy evaluated the prototypes’ ability to understand the maritime environment, navigate autonomously and carry out extended missions. After obtaining the results, the program moved from the demonstration stage to production.

What are the 30 MUSV autonomous ships?

MUSVs are Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels, that is, medium unmanned surface ships designed to carry out operations without sailors on board and to function as modular platforms.

Among their main characteristics and functions are:

• Autonomous operation: they can navigate without a crew on board and be supervised from control stations.
• Modular design: they can incorporate sensors, weapons and different payloads.
• Different missions: the program includes applications such as anti-submarine warfare, strike operations and intelligence tasks.
• Long endurance at sea: the tests evaluated their ability to carry out extended deployments.
• Autonomous navigation: the prototypes were evaluated to determine whether they could understand the maritime environment and comply with international collision prevention rules.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identifies MUSV as a Navy program aimed at developing a family of autonomous systems for various missions.

How much will each MUSV ship cost and who will build them?

The average cost will be US$40 million per unit and production will be divided among three companies:

• Galliano Marine Services: 10 ships
• Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII): 10 ships
• Saronic Technologies: 10 ships

The three companies were selected after taking part in the first phase of testing. Likewise, the contract was carried out through Production Other Transaction Authority (OTA), a mechanism used by the Department of Defense for certain procurement and production agreements.

The Navy also reported that Leidos, PAC MAR and Sea Machines completed their prototype projects, so these companies will receive awards of US$15 million and will be able to participate in future production opportunities within the unmanned systems market in the U.S. Navy.

When will the first MUSV autonomous ships arrive?

The U.S. Navy expects the first units to arrive before the end of fiscal year 2027, since the deadline corresponds to the U.S. fiscal year.

The schedule comes after completing Phase I testing at sea, which made it possible to evaluate the capabilities of the prototypes before moving toward production. In addition, the Navy is already working on a Phase II of integration and testing, aimed at expanding the available operations and evaluating new alternatives for future acquisitions of autonomous systems.

To ensure that this procedure was completed, authorities issue an inspection sticker that is placed on the vehicle and indicates the month through which it is valid.

Driving with an expired sticker can result in fines of up to $100, to which the corresponding surcharges will be added.

New York requires vehicles to renew the safety inspection sticker at least once a year

During safety checks, authorities indicate that the following will be inspected:

• The proper functioning of seat belts, as well as the airbag light, although if it does not come on it is not a reason for rejection.
• The brakes: pads, drum linings, condition of the drum, possible leaks, lines and hoses, parking brake, balance.
• Condition of the steering, front end, suspension, chassis, frame and wheel fasteners.
• Tires: tread depth, overall condition and pressure.
• That the lights are suitable
• Condition of the windshield and the windows
• Operation and presence of windshield wipers
• Operation of the horn
• Location of the mirrors
• Any fuel leak

When the inspection is passed, an inspection sticker is issued for the vehicle that expires on the last day of the month written on it.

“Keep the emissions inspection sticker receipt to prove that your vehicle was inspected,” authorities say.

Fines that apply for not renewing this sticker on time

When the procedure is not completed on time and properly, the following financial penalties may apply:

• Fine of $25 to $50: if the sticker has expired.
• Fine of between $50 and $100: if the sticker has been expired for more than 60 days.
• Fine of between $50 and $100: if there is no inspection sticker.

“A mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in city and village courts) is added to the fine,” the DMV says. In addition, a parked vehicle without the corresponding sticker may receive a parking ticket.

In many cases it will also be necessary to complete an emissions inspection. Details about this check can be found by clicking here.

SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to adults and children who have little or no income, few resources and who also meet the requirements related to disability, blindness or age. The amount each beneficiary receives depends on their financial and housing situation.

On what days is SSI paid in October 2026?

The SSA calendar includes two SSI deposits in October 2026:

• Thursday, October 1: payment for October.
• Friday, October 30: payment for November.

Who can receive the SSI payment?

The Supplemental Security Income is intended for people who meet three main conditions. The SSA says that both adults and children may be eligible if they have:

• Little or no income.
• Little or no resources.
• A disability, blindness, or are 65 years old or older.

Eligibility depends on how much money each person earns, their resources, their housing situation, and other circumstances.

In the case of people under 65, a disability must meet certain conditions. According to SSA, it must affect the ability to work for a year or more, cause death or, in the case of children, severely limit daily activities.

How much money does SSI pay in 2026?

The maximum monthly SSI payment in 2026 is USD994 for an individual and USD1,491 for a couple. However, not everyone receives that amount. The amount depends on the factors mentioned previously.

“Your monthly payment depends on your income, your living situation, the things you own and other factors”, the agency explains.

What should be reported if I receive SSI?

The SSA states that beneficiaries must regularly report their wages, other income, resources and changes in their living situation.

The recommendation is to keep the information up to date in order to avoid receiving an incorrect amount. A change that is not reported can affect both the monthly payment and continued eligibility.

The adjustment is not uniform across the country: there is one state and several territories where the time does not change.

The time changes across the country: the day and time when clocks must be adjusted

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00 a.m., local time. At that moment, the clocks are set back one hour and return to 1:00.

In practice, you “gain” one hour of sleep that night. The change is designed to take place in the early morning, when most people are asleep, so as to alter daily life as little as possible.

Most phones, computers and smartwatches automatically adjust the time if the automatic date and time setting is enabled; wall clocks, oven clocks or car clocks usually require manual adjustment.

Which states do not change their clocks?

Not all of the United States changes the time. They remain on standard time year-round, without making the change:

• Hawaii, which keeps Hawaii-Aleutian standard time throughout the year.
• Arizona, with one internal exception: the Navajo Nation, in the northeast of the state, does observe Daylight Saving Time.

This is possible because, although the time change is regulated at the federal level by the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (Uniform Time Act), each state has the authority to be exempt through its own legislation and remain on standard time at all times.

Until when standard time applies

Standard time will remain in effect during the fall and winter. The next change will be in spring 2027: on Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 2:00, the clocks will move forward one hour again (they will jump directly to 3:00), and Daylight Saving Time will begin once more.

The goal is to offer free recreational activities for the whole family and create gathering spaces for neighbors, with decorations, music, games, and other community activities.

Mamdani announces the return of Trick-or-Streets: what is it?

Trick-or-Streets is a program organized by the Department of Transportation of New York City (DOT). During October, it turns open streets, plazas, and other public spaces into pedestrian zones dedicated to Halloween- and fall-related activities.

This will be the fifth consecutive year that the initiative is being held. The proposal seeks to expand pedestrian spaces during the Halloween season and offer free activities in different parts of the city. The activities vary by borough.

The activities proposed by borough: when and where will they be?

“We are bringing free fun for the whole family to every corner of New York City, and there is something for everyone,” Mamdani announced.

Manhattan

Two activities are scheduled in this borough:

• Hallowscream Fright Walk: Friday, October 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fall Festival and Fright Walk: Saturday, October 17, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Both events will take place at the J. Hood Wright Recreation Center and Park. Pre-registration is required to participate.

In case of rain, the Fright Walk will be held indoors, while the Fall Festival may be rescheduled.

Bronx

In this borough, the Williamsbridge Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center.

The event is designed for families and will include pumpkin decorating, fall-themed crafts, fair games, themed face painting, contests, and a costumed dog parade.

Registration is not required. In case of rain, the activity will be rescheduled for October 24.

Staten Island

On Staten Island, the Ocean Breeze Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex.

Families will be able to enjoy crafts, games, decorating activities, music with a live DJ, and other attractions.

The Ocean Breeze Youth Cross Country Spooktacular will also be held, a seasonal competition for young athletes between 7 and 17 years old.

Registration is not required. In case of rain, the activities will be moved indoors.

Brooklyn

In Brooklyn, the Haunted House and Halloween Gala will take place on Friday, October 30, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center.

The day will include crafts, games, pumpkin decorating, costume contests, and dancing.

The activity is part of HalloWeek, a weeklong celebration that includes other offerings, such as karaoke, poolside movies, silent disco, and additional programming.

Registration is not required. In case of rain, the Halloween Gala will be moved indoors.

Queens

In Queens, the Mad Monster Lab Haunted House and the Fall Festival will take place, both on Friday, October 30, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bowne Park sports pavilion.

There will be games, art activities, food and snacks, Halloween-themed music, and a haunted maze.

Registration is not required. In case of rain, the haunted house will go on as usual, while the Fall Festival will be rescheduled for November 1.

The update added 14 new conditions to the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. With these additions, the list now totals 314 medical conditions.

Social Security: Who can access the accelerated process?

Compassionate Allowances make it possible to quickly identify applications from people who suffer from serious diseases and medical conditions that meet the standards established to receive disability benefits.

When a person files an application, the SSA reviews their medical records to determine whether they meet the requirements.

If their condition is on the CAL list, the system can identify the case and speed up its processing.

In some cases, the agency can also obtain medical records electronically, which allows the evaluation to move forward more quickly.

According to the SSA, since this initiative began, more than 1.2 million people with severe disabilities have been approved through this accelerated process.

What are the new conditions included by Social Security?

The SSA added 14 new medical conditions to the Compassionate Allowances list:

• Adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency, neonatal form and type 1.
• Aicardi syndrome.
• Baraitser-Winter syndrome.
• Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome.
• Bohring-Opitz syndrome.
• Genetic disorders related to the CASK gene.
• Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma.
• Lafora disease.
• Malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy (MMPSI).
• OPHN1 syndrome.
• Primary cardiac sarcoma.
• Primary intracranial malignant melanoma.
• Uveal melanoma with metastasis.
• Warburg microcephaly syndrome.

These additions took effect on August 10, 2026, and were officially announced by the Social Security Administration the following day.

With the update, the program has 314 conditions that can be identified for expedited processing.

How do you apply for disability benefits?

People who want to access the benefits must file an application for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration.

During the process, the agency reviews medical records to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements. When it detects that the condition is part of the CAL list, the application receives an expedited procedure.

This does not mean there is a different financial benefit for these diseases, but rather that the mechanism seeks to speed up the review of the application for people who suffer from certain serious medical conditions.

In these cases, renewal cannot be done through the remote mechanisms available to other drivers. The person must appear at an office and once again prove their identity with one of the documents accepted by Florida law.

Florida driver’s license: Who must renew it in person?

Section 322.18 of the 2026 Florida Statutes establishes that drivers who have proved their identity using the documents contemplated in subsections 7 or 8 of section 322.08 may only renew their driver’s license in person.

• The first category corresponds to those who used a valid Employment Authorization Document issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• The second includes those who proved a nonimmigrant classification through documentation accepted by the DHS and specified in state law.

The rule differentiates these cases from those who proved their identity using a valid Green Card.

After initially presenting that documentation, the law provides an exemption from the obligation to renew or request a duplicate in person, except in certain cases.

What documents must be presented to renew the license?

Those within the covered categories must appear in person and provide again an identification document authorized by section 322.08.

Among the documentation covered by the law is the valid Employment Authorization Document issued by DHS.

To prove a nonimmigrant classification, the regulations list different documents that may be used, depending on each applicant’s situation. Among them are:

• Hearing notice issued by an immigration court.
• Notice from the Board of Immigration Appeals recognizing a pending appeal.
• Notice of approval of an adjustment of status application issued by USCIS.
• Official documentation confirming the filing of an application for asylum, refugee status, or another type of protection.
• Order from an immigration judge or officer granting protection that authorizes the person to live and work in the country.
• Certain evidence of a pending adjustment of status application.
• Or a valid foreign passport accompanied by the corresponding federal documentation proving lawful presence.

The law also allows the department to request DHS documentation to verify that the person maintains, or is trying to maintain, continuous lawful presence.

How long does the license last in these cases?

The duration is also different from the general rule for other Florida driver’s licenses.

When identity was proved using an employment authorization card or the nonimmigrant classification documentation covered by law, the license expires one year after issuance or on the expiration date indicated in the DHS documents, whichever comes first.

It is also established that a license or temporary permit issued on the basis of these documentary categories may not remain valid beyond the expiration date of the document presented or one year.

It is an Insignia F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV, which appears in the store with a savings of US$140, compared with a comparable price of US$299.99.

Best Buy sells a 50-inch 4K Smart TV for US$159

The TV model on promotion is NS-50F501NA26. According to the information published on Best Buy’s official page, it has an LED screen and a 4K Ultra HD 2160p resolution.

The system also includes HDR10, a technology that improves the level of detail in colors and image contrast.

In addition, it works with Fire TV, so it allows access to different streaming applications on the television.

Another of its features is integration with Amazon Alexa, which allows voice control functions to be used.

The main features of the Smart TV include:

• 50-inch LED screen.
• 4K Ultra HD (2160p) resolution.
• Compatibility with HDR10.
• Fire TV system.
• Integrated Amazon Alexa.
• Access to streaming applications and platforms.

How long does the Best Buy deal last?

The store identifies the promotion as a “Techtober Deal”. However, the posting for the 50-inch model does not specify an exact end date for the discount.

Therefore, those who want to take advantage of the price will need to check availability and the updated price directly at Best Buy, since the terms of the promotion may change.

The payment is not a new Social Security benefit, even though many recipients will see the money deposited through the Social Security Administration. Eligible beneficiaries who receive their Medicare premiums through Social Security may therefore notice an unexpected $90 payment in their accounts this month.

The payment is funded through the Medicare Improvement Fund, which Congress established in 2008. The administration says eligible beneficiaries will receive the $90 automatically, either through direct deposit or by check.

Trump announced a one-time $90 payment for Medicare beneficiaries

The White House announced a one-time $90 payment for more than 20 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries to help offset their Medicare Part B premiums. The payment comes from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which was created by Congress in 2008.

Eligible beneficiaries will receive the payment automatically in October 2026. Most will receive the $90 through direct deposit, while those without direct deposit will receive a check mailed to the address registered with Medicare.

Who is eligible for the $90 Medicare payment?

The one-time payment is available to 20.8 million people enrolled in Original Medicare Part B who live in the United States. Beneficiaries whose Medicare premiums are already covered by Medicaid are not eligible, nor are those who pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).

People enrolled in Medicare Advantage will also not receive the payment. The $90 rebate is specifically tied to Medicare Part B under Original Medicare, which covers services such as doctor visits, outpatient care, and other medically necessary services.

There is no application or additional registration required for eligible beneficiaries. The payment is being issued automatically based on the beneficiary’s Medicare and payment information.

How will Medicare beneficiaries receive the $90 payment?

Most eligible beneficiaries will receive the $90 payment by direct deposit. CMS says the majority of payments are scheduled to arrive on or around October 8, 2026, while people without direct deposit will receive a paper check from the U.S. Department of the Treasury later in October.

The payment will generally appear through the same financial channels used for other federal benefits. Because most eligible beneficiaries receive the rebate through a direct deposit from the Social Security Administration, some recipients may see the $90 in an account they normally associate with their Social Security payments.

This procedure is done additionally, since Original Medicare , made up of Parts A and B, generally does not include prescription drug coverage. To access this benefit, enrollees can sign up for a Part D plan or choose certain Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage.

These are the documents needed to apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help

According to the SSA, people who have Medicare can apply for Extra Help, a program aimed at reducing the costs of prescription drug coverage.

To apply, the agency recommends gathering financial information from both the applicant and their spouse, if applicable. Among the documents mentioned are

• Bank statements and tax returns.
• Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 401(k) account balances.
• Statements or proof corresponding to:
• • Pensions
  • Veteran benefits
  • Annuities
  • Railroad Retirement Board benefits

These documents make it possible to prove the income and financial resources that may be considered when determining whether a person meets the requirements to receive Extra Help.

How does Medicare work and what is Part D?

Original Medicare is made up of Part A, which corresponds to hospital insurance, and Part B, which covers medical services and outpatient care.

Among other services, these parts may cover hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and certain preventive services.

Medicare also clarifies that beneficiaries pay certain costs as they receive services and that they must be lawfully present in the United States for the program to cover the services corresponding to Parts A and B.

However, Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs that a person buys to take at home. For this type of expense there is Part D, specifically intended to help pay for brand-name and generic prescription drugs.

Part D is obtained through private companies approved by Medicare. The program recommends considering enrollment even if the person is not currently taking prescription drugs, since signing up outside the corresponding period may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Another option is Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, which allows people to receive Medicare benefits through private plans approved by the program. These plans include coverage for Parts A and B and, in many cases, also include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits.

Final costs vary depending on factors such as the applicant’s age, class of license, place of residence, and type of document. The DMV details everything through its official website.

How is the cost of a driver’s license calculated?

When the first driver’s license is processed in New York, the DMV calculates the amount taking into account the following points:

• The person’s age at the time of applying.
• The class of license: D or DJ, E, M or MJ.
• The county of residence, because those who live within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) pay an additional fee.
• The type of document chosen: Standard, REAL ID or Enhanced.

The MCTD charges $1 for every six months of validity of the permit or license, and it applies to those who live in Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.

Choosing an Enhanced driver’s license adds $30 to the base cost.

How much does it cost to process a driver’s license in New York?

For a common Class D or DJ license, the value depends on age:

In other classes, the price is different. For those over 21, Class E costs between $91.25 and $97.50 without MCTD, while a Class M or MJ motorcycle license costs between $68.75 and $72.50.

These are the amounts corresponding to the regular fees.

What is the difference between document types?

All three versions allow driving but do not have the same scope as identification, according to the DMV:

• Standard: works as a driver’s license and state ID, but not for federal purposes, commercial flights, or entry into national government buildings.
• REAL ID: meets federal identification standards, so it can be used for domestic flights and to enter federal facilities. It has no additional cost over the base fees.
• Enhanced: also meets REAL ID requirements and additionally allows U.S. citizens to re-enter the country by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries, although it does not replace a passport for international travel. It adds an additional fee of $30.

What requirements must be met to apply for a driver’s license, depending on the type?

Required documents depend on the document being processed:

Standard License

The applicant must present:

• Proof of date of birth.
• Proof of residence in New York.
• Documents totaling six points as proof of name and identity.

This version does not require proof of citizenship or legal immigration status.

REAL ID

Those applying for a license that meets the REAL ID requirement must present:

• Proof of Social Security Number or ineligibility to have one.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal status.
• Two proofs of residence in New York.
• Documents totaling six points to prove name and identity.
• Visit to the DMV to take a new photograph.

Enhanced License

To apply for this document, the requirements are similar:

• Proof of Social Security.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Two proofs of residence in New York.
• Documents totaling six points to prove name and identity.

Value assigned to each document, according to the DMV

Each one has an assigned value, and none by itself reaches the six points needed:

• 4-point documents:
• • Valid foreign passport.
  • Consular ID card.
  • Driver’s license from another country or state.
• 2-point documents:
• • School or university photo ID.
  • Employment or government agency records and ID cards.
• 1-point documents:
• • Municipal ID card.
  • Utility bills in the applicant’s name.
  • Tax documents or pay stubs.

Although it may seem like a simple whim, this behavior has an explanation. Veterinarians and feline behavior specialists maintain that cats usually feel more comfortable with people who allow them to keep control of the interaction and respect their timing.

The reason cats seek out the person who ignores them

Unlike other domestic animals, cats do not usually respond well when they feel that someone is invading their space. That is why they often prefer to approach on their own initiative rather than receive constant attention.

In a room full of people, the feline analyzes different signals before deciding whom to interact with. Body posture, the way of moving, and even the direction of the gaze can influence that decision.

One of the most important factors is eye contact. A fixed and persistent stare can be interpreted by the cat as a signal of pressure or even of challenge. In contrast, a person who looks away and remains relaxed conveys a greater sense of safety.

Movements also play a key role. Specialists explain that slow and predictable movements build trust, while abrupt or insistent gestures can lead the animal to prefer to keep its distance.

The “allergic person effect” that surprises owners

Experts even describe a phenomenon known as the “allergic person effect”. It is that situation in which the person who avoids touching the cat, does not try to call it, or simply ignores it, ends up becoming, almost unintentionally, the center of its attention.

The explanation is simple: by not feeling pressured, the feline can approach when it wants and explore the interaction under its own rules. That freedom is much more attractive than forced contact.

This does not mean that cats prefer people who do not want them, but rather that they especially value people who respect their space and allow them to decide when to begin the bond.

That is why, if a cat seems to always choose the one who shows the least interest, it is probably not being indifferent to the rest. It is simply responding to its nature, which prioritizes calm, predictability, and the ability to control every approach.

Specialists agree that, to earn a cat’s trust, the best thing is usually to do exactly the opposite of what many people imagine: give it time, avoid invading its space, and allow it to be the one to take the first step. Often, that patience ends up being the best way to win its trust.

This is the story of Shay Taylor-Allen, a 32-year-old woman that was born in Yale New Haven Hospital in 1993 and worked as a janitor there for about a decade, starting at age 18 in 2011. More than a decade later, she is returning as a doctor at the same hospital that saw her birth and growth.

In March of this year, she announced on her social media that she would complete her anesthesiology residency at Yale. The video of the moment, where she screams “I’m going to Yale” while jumping up and down, went viral on her TikTok account. “I still can’t believe it,” she added.

From janitor to medical student

Taylor-Allen said she had little guidance at school, and since no one in her family had gone to college, she wasn’t sure how to approach applying. So she applied for a few positions at Yale New Haven Hospital and landed the job as a janitor.

Her path changed when her mother developed serious breathing problems after a fire at the family home. Doctors struggled to find the cause, until Taylor-Allen emailed the hospital’s then-CEO, whose office she used to clean. The executive arranged new appointments, and her mother was finally diagnosed.

“Let me become that doctor that I felt like should have helped my mom,” she recalled thinking in an interview with CNBC Make It.

@shaytaylorallen #1 match and so happy to come back not as a janitor this time but as a doctor! #matchday #medstudent #doctorsoftiktok ♬ 7 years latch - favsoundds

The student debt of more than $590.000 that she owes

With the help of a mentor, Yale assistant professor Gena Foster, she reworked her application and was admitted to Howard in 2021. The effort came at a cost: between her undergraduate, master’s, and medical degrees, she has accumulated more than $590,000 in student debt.

She and her husband are betting that the financial strain of living on a combined $7,500 a month will have been worth getting Taylor-Allen to this new chapter, one in which she plans to grow into her new career, repay her debts and begin saving for her family’s future.

Her $88,000 starting salary as an anesthesiology resident at Yale combined with her husband’s VA benefits puts their household income at roughly $150,000 per year now.

The moment she went viral for getting into Yale New Haven Hospital

The full-circle moment has felt nothing short of “surreal.” The most important moment came when she received her new employee ID that says “doctor.”

“I was in these same hallways on break, studying as much as I [could], getting ready for exams, stressing out that I might not even make it to medical school,” she says. “I’m coming back as a different person.”

She hopes her experience will help her build a bridge between doctors and service workers, and inspire others. “If you work hard, you can get to where you want to be. I think I’m proof of that,” she told The Washington Post.

The discovery was made by researchers from the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the University of Oregon, using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. The work was published on arXiv and is a preliminary study, pending peer review.

How long the observation lasted and what the experts detected

During four sessions carried out between 2025 and 2026, the team recorded a persistent emission and brief radio bursts at frequencies between 0.85 and 3.5 gigahertz. The waves showed strong circular polarization, a characteristic associated with auroral emissions and strong magnetic fields.

The authors noted that, although these bursts are observed on planets in the Solar System and in some ultracool dwarfs, no radio detection had previously been located unambiguously on an extrasolar planet and not on its host star.

How they confirmed the origin: what was the biggest challenge

The challenge was to rule out that the emissions came from the star Beta Pictoris. To do this, the astronomers used distant quasars as references in the sky, which made it possible to locate the source next to the planet and separate it from the star.

The data point to a natural emission generated in the planet’s magnetosphere. They are not related to extraterrestrial life or artificial communications.

A magnetic field stronger than Earth’s

The proposed explanation is electron cyclotron maser instability (ECMI), a mechanism by which charged particles release radio waves as they move within a magnetic field. It is related to the auroras of Earth and Jupiter.

Based on the signal frequency, the study estimates a field of at least 1.25 kilogauss (more than 1,000 gauss) in the origin area of one of the bursts. Earth’s field is around half a gauss at the surface. The researchers argue that this would be the first direct measurement of the magnetic field of an exoplanet.

Beta Pictoris b data

• Discovery: 2008.
• Mass: close to ten times that of Jupiter.
• Estimated radius: 1.65 times that of Jupiter.
• Age of the system: just a few tens of millions of years.
• Rotation: one turn on its axis every eight or nine hours.

The team identified another seven giant exoplanets, in five nearby systems, as possible candidates for this technique. According to their estimates, radio telescopes would need between five and seven times more sensitivity to capture similar signals.

Trump made the remark at a campaign rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, while discussing the ongoing war the United States and Israel launched against Iran on Feb. 28. “Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego,” he said. Both cities host major military installations, including Naval Base San Diego and Los Angeles Air Force Base.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the remark “deranged and dangerous.” He ordered the State Threat Assessment Center, the state agency that tracks security risks, to watch for foreign actors who might take it as an invitation.

White House communications director Steven Cheung said Trump meant U.S. cities would have been at risk had a nuclear-armed Iran not been stopped.

Can Iran’s missiles strike California?

Iran’s ballistic missiles, rockets that arc high above the atmosphere before falling on a target, can reach U.S. bases in the Middle East, Israel and parts of Europe. After the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran voluntarily set itself a range limit of about 1,240 miles, far short of the U.S. West Coast.

Reaching California would take an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, a long-range weapon built to cross oceans. A 2025 report by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon’s military intelligence arm, found Iran had none. It estimated Iran could field up to 60 ICBMs by 2035, but only if it made a deliberate push to build them.

Iran has said it wants more reach. On Sunday, army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia told Iran’s Fars News Agency, “During the war, we concluded that we definitely have to increase the range of our missiles, and we are currently carrying out this task.”

He tied the decision to U.S. forces operating farther from Iran’s coast, up to about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) away.

Classified U.S. intelligence assessments from early May 2026 found Iran kept about 70% of its prewar missile stockpile and most of its mobile launchers, the trucks that carry and fire missiles, according to multiple news reports. Those weapons are built for regional targets, and the White House has disputed the portrayal.

On the nuclear side, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said March 2, in the war’s first days, that the U.N. nuclear watchdog saw no structured program to build nuclear weapons in Iran.

What was the FBI warning about an Iran drone attack on California?

An FBI alert to police, made public in March, warned of an unverified tip. It said Iran allegedly wanted to launch drones, unmanned aircraft that can carry explosives, from a ship off the U.S. coast at unspecified California targets if the United States attacked Iran. The bureau said it had no details on timing, targets or perpetrators.

Then White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said then that no such threat existed. Newsom said the state saw no imminent danger but kept drones a priority in its emergency planning.

Could Iran target California with cyberattacks?

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the federal office that protects U.S. computer networks, says hackers linked to Iran’s government routinely target poorly secured U.S. systems. Its warnings cover the whole country, not California specifically.

CISA says groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the country’s armed forces, have targeted industrial control devices, the small computers that run machinery.

In that sense, some traditional practices incorporate everyday elements such as salt and vinegar, which are attributed the ability to help renew and balance energies.

One of them consists of bathing with these two ingredients, a custom to which different benefits are attributed and that can be incorporated as part of a relaxation routine.

As Gustavo Antunez, a Feng Shui master with more than 30 years of experience, explains, negative energies that accumulate in the body can generate tiredness and feelings of sadness. He also maintains that these dense energies can manifest as a feeling of exhaustion or heaviness without an apparent cause.

That is why the expert recommends paying attention to these signs and shares different techniques that, within Feng Shui, are used to carry out an energetic cleansing. Among them is the bath with salt and vinegar, one of the simplest alternatives to put into practice at home.

What bathing with vinegar and salt is for, according to Feng Shui

According to Feng Shui, purifying baths help eliminate accumulated negative energies and promote a sense of relaxation and well-being. The idea is to create a moment of calm that allows the mind to be cleared and balance to be regained.

To do it, orange or lemon essences can be used, to which a relaxing and cleansing effect is attributed. There is also a simpler alternative that consists of preparing a bath with two easy-to-find ingredients: vinegar and salt.

Other techniques the expert recommends for cleansing negative energies

In addition to the bath with salt and vinegar, Gustavo Antunez shares other practices that, within this tradition, are used to renew energies and generate a greater sense of balance.

1- Incense

Incense is one of the traditional practices used to purify environments. According to the expert, lighting it and focusing on its aroma can help create a moment of relaxation and clear the mind.

2- Rue

Rue is also used in some energy-cleansing practices. You can take a branch and pass it over different areas of the body, such as the head, stomach, and the area between the navel and the heart. Once the ritual is finished, the branch is discarded.

3- Crystals

Within these practices, crystals are also considered elements that can contribute to energy cleansing.

Antunez mentions different types of quartz and assigns them different meanings: rose quartz is associated with calm and inner peace; green quartz, with health and healing energy; crystal quartz, with purity and calm; amethyst, with the transformation of energy; and tourmaline, with cleansing and connection to the earth.

4- Walking barefoot

Another recommendation is to take off your shoes when you get home and walk barefoot. According to this belief, contact between the feet and the ground allows the energies accumulated during the day to be released and creates a sense of connection with the space.

5- Using a pentacle

The pentacle is presented as a talisman of protection and energy cleansing. Within this tradition, it is considered a symbol capable of keeping negative influences away and promoting well-being.

Within Feng Shui, these practices are part of different ways of seeking balance and renewing personal and home energy. Although each has a particular meaning, they all aim to generate a moment of calm and well-being in the daily routine.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) organizes these categories according to the different available paths to apply for the Green Card, since each one sets specific requirements and conditions.

Eligibility categories for the Green Card

Because not all people can apply under the same conditions or submit the same form, USCIS groups 8 general categories that encompass more specific subcategories:

• Permanent resident card through family.
• Permanent resident card through employment.
• Permanent resident card as a “special immigrant”.
• Permanent resident card through refugee or asylee status.
• Permanent resident card for victims of human trafficking and crimes.
• Permanent resident card for victims of abuse.
• Permanent resident card through other categories.
• Permanent resident card through the Registry

To consult the complete list with categories and subcategories, click here.

Who can access the Green Card through Work?

Those who qualify to apply for permanent residence through work must be able to fit within one of the employment categories established by USCIS.

Among the main paths are the preference categories, EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, intended for different workers and professionals, and the EB-5 category, which is aimed at foreign investors.

“Preference” immigrants: the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories

USCIS divides immigrant workers into different preference categories according to their training, experience, and professional characteristics.

Those who fit into the EB-1 category are considered first-preference immigrant workers and may include:

• People with extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business, or sports.
• Outstanding professors and researchers.
• Certain managers or executives of multinational companies.

Those who fit into the EB-2 category, considered second-preference workers, are:

• Professionals who have an advanced academic degree or its equivalent.
• People who demonstrate exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business.

Within this category, there is also the possibility of applying for a National Interest Waiver (NIW). This removes the usual requirement of having a job offer and labor certification if it is shown that your activity meets the required conditions to benefit the United States.

The EB-3 category, or third preference, includes:

• Skilled workers: whose positions require at least two years of training or experience.
• Professionals: whose jobs require, at minimum, a university degree.
• Other workers: for positions that require less than two years of training or experience.

Foreign investors: everything about the EB-5 category

The EB-5 category is intended for foreign investors who invest capital of legal origin in a new commercial enterprise in the United States.

To qualify, the minimum required investment for the corresponding project must be made, and it must be demonstrated that the company will create or preserve at least 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

According to the official IRS website, “you can claim the credits and deductions when you file your tax return to reduce your taxes”.

How do IRS tax deductions work?

While tax credits reduce the amount of taxes a taxpayer must pay, and some can even be refundable, deductions reduce the portion of income that is subject to tax. In this way, they can lower the final amount of taxes owed.

The difference lies in what is reduced: while credits directly affect the tax amount, deductions reduce the amount of income on which taxes are calculated.

How and why calculate the tax deduction?

Choosing correctly between these types of deductions can change the amount of income that remains subject to tax. For this reason, it is generally advisable to compare the standard deduction with the total of itemized deductions to determine which allows for a greater reduction.

To find out how much standard deduction applies, the IRS offers the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA), a tool that answers questions and guides the taxpayer according to their particular situation.

To use it, these steps must be followed:

1. Go to the assistant “How much is my standard deduction?”.
2. Select the “Begin” button.
3. Provide information such as filing status and the taxpayer’s date of birth and, if applicable, their spouse’s.
4. Complete the requested information on income and other tax data.
5. Answer the questions presented by the tool according to the personal situation.
6. At the end, the system indicates the amount of the standard deduction that could apply based on the information provided.

What types of deductions does the IRS have and who is eligible?

The IRS distinguishes between the standard deduction and itemized deductions. Although both allow taxable income to be reduced, they work differently.

The standard deduction is a specific dollar amount that is subtracted from taxable income. This amount is adjusted periodically for inflation and may vary depending on factors such as filing status, age, and other circumstances.

There is also an additional standard deduction for people who are 65 or older at the end of the tax year and for those who are blind.

Itemized deductions, for their part, allow certain expenses that meet the IRS requirements to be added, such as:

• Eligible medical and dental expenses.
• Certain mortgage interest.
• Certain state and local taxes.
• Qualified charitable contributions.

In addition, for tax year 2025, the IRS added an enhanced additional deduction for certain people age 65 or older, subject to specific requirements and limits.

Requirements to qualify for a standard deduction

In general, to claim the standard deduction, the following conditions must be taken into account:

• File as an individual under an allowed filing status
• Do not claim itemized deductions.
• If another taxpayer can claim the person as a dependent, a standard deduction may still apply, although the amount is subject to special limits.

Who should itemize their deductions?

Itemizing deductions may be convenient when the sum of all deductible expenses exceeds the amount of the standard deduction to which the taxpayer is entitled.

In cases where a person cannot use the standard deduction, it may also be necessary to resort to itemized deductions, provided they have expenses that meet IRS requirements.

Conversely, if the standard deduction is higher than the total of expenses that could be itemized, using it usually allows a greater reduction in taxable income and simplifies filing the return.

The Balancing Face Wash also contains other ingredients such as citric acid, aloe vera, witch hazel, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, according to the package description. The formula is presented as a cleanser that gently exfoliates the surface of the skin and helps cleanse clogged pores.

The product is available in Dollar Tree stores for only US$1.25. Availability and selection may vary by location and shopping season.

What is the facial cleanser sold by Dollar Tree like?

The product is called Skin Nutrition Botanicals Tea Oil and Salicylic Acid Face Wash and comes in a 4oz size. According to the package description, the cleanser is formulated with:

• Tea tree oil (Tea Tree)
• Salicylic acid
• Citric acid
• Aloe vera
• Witch hazel
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin

The skincare product states that the formula is designed to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin, soften small irregularities, and help cleanse clogged pores.

What is the price of the facial cleanser sold by Dollar Tree?

The Skin Nutrition Botanicals Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid Balancing Face Wash is sold for only US$1.25 at Dollar Tree.

What are Dollar Tree’s inquiry channels?

Customers who have questions about products, stores, or purchases can contact Dollar Tree through the customer service channels available on its official website, where the company has an online contact form to send questions and comments.

In addition, store and product information can be consulted through the official Dollar Tree app, which allows you to select a store, browse products, and use a barcode scanner to access information and prices.

For general inquiries to the company, Dollar Tree lists the phone number on its corporate contact page: 757-321-5000.

The number is the credit score, and for someone just arriving in the country, understanding it and starting to build it as soon as possible makes a big difference.

What is the credit score?

The credit score is a number that summarizes a person’s financial behavior and tells banks and lenders how “risky” it is to lend them money. The most widely used model is the FICO Score, which ranges from 300 to 850: the higher, the better.

That score influences very concrete day-to-day decisions: approval for credit cards, car loans, renting a home, mortgages, and even the interest rate you are charged.

How the score is interpreted

As a general reference, the FICO Score ranges are usually read as follows:

• 300 to 579: poor (difficult to access credit or with very high rates).
• 580 to 669: fair (limited options).
• 670 to 739: good (acceptable for most products).
• 740 to 799: very good (better rates and conditions).
• 800 to 850: exceptional (the lowest perceived risk).

What factors make up the FICO Score

The score does not come from a single piece of data. According to FICO, the model weighs five factors with different weights:

• Payment history (35%): whether you paid your bills on time. It is the most influential factor.
• Amounts owed / credit utilization (30%): how much of the available limit you are using; it is advisable to keep it low.
• Length of credit history (15%): how long your accounts have been open.
• New credit (10%): how many new accounts you opened or applied for in a short time.
• Credit mix (10%): the variety of products you manage (cards, loans, etc.).

How to build credit from scratch

For someone starting without a history, the usual path is:

1. Open a bank account as the basis for the rest of the procedures.
2. Get a secured credit card, which works with a security deposit and is designed precisely for those who do not have a history.
3. Use it sparingly and keep usage low relative to the limit.
4. Always pay on time and, if possible, the full statement balance.
5. Review the credit report regularly to spot errors.

Another common route is to become an authorized user on a family member’s card with a good history, which can help start building a score.

Is a Social Security number needed to build credit?

Not necessarily. You can start building credit with an ITIN (the tax identification number for those without Social Security), although not all institutions accept it for all their products. The key is to look for banks or credit unions that work with ITINs and that report activity to credit bureaus.

The site is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and preserves the vestiges of a community that once had hundreds of inhabitants before being abandoned. Today it has become a unique attraction for those who want to learn about a part of the history of the western United States.

St. Thomas, the ghost town in Nevada that was underwater

This is St. Thomas, a settlement founded in 1865 by Mormon settlers near the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin rivers, as documented by the United States National Park Service (NPS).

Over the years, the town grew to reach a maximum population of around 500 residents. It came to have a school, a post office, food stores, a church and several automobile garages, although it had no electricity or running water in the homes.

The history of St. Thomas changed after then-President Calvin Coolidge authorized the construction of Boulder Dam in 1928, later known as Hoover Dam.

The project would give rise to Lake Mead, and residents were informed that they would have to leave their properties as the water advanced.

How did St. Thomas end up underwater?

Filling of Lake Mead began in 1935, and the water gradually advanced over St. Thomas. By 1938, the town had been abandoned.

One of the last residents to leave was Hugh Lord, who left his home in 1938 when the water had already reached his front door.

When the lake reached its maximum level, the remains of St. Thomas were approximately 60 feet underwater.

However, the story took an unexpected turn. Fluctuations in the lake level caused the old settlement to emerge on several occasions since 1938. The drop in the water eventually left its ruins exposed again.

Can the ghost town of St. Thomas be visited today?

Today, St, Thomas remains exposed and can be visited. The NPS notes that those who arrive at the site can walk along the old roads and observe the remains of the structures that once formed part of the town.

The site has the St. Thomas Trail, a round-trip route of about 2.5 miles that crosses the ruins. The NPS classifies it as moderate difficulty and estimates a duration of between one and four hours.

During the tour, foundations of old structures and small objects related to the settlement can still be found. Since it is a protected archaeological site, it is forbidden to remove or move artifacts, climb on the structures or damage them.

The trail is available year-round and does not require a reservation. However, it does not have services or drinking water at the trailhead, so NPS recommends bringing enough water and taking extra precautions against high temperatures.

Where is St. Thomas located and how do you get there?

The town is located in the northern sector of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near Overton Arm and the Muddy River, in Nevada.

To get to the trailhead, you must travel along Old St. Thomas Access Road, a dirt road that can have uneven sections. The National Park Service recommends special caution for those driving low-clearance vehicles.

The visit is part of the Lake Mead recreation area, where admission is currently charged. The standard pass costs between $15 and $25, depending on the type of entry, while the annual park pass costs $45.

The case came to light after the FBI searched Rush’s home on May 19, 2026, and recovered 298 gold bars, cash and numerous luxury watches. According to the Department of Justice, the gold bars had been acquired at an approximate cost of $46 million to the government.

Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, used his government position to create fictitious government authorities and programs in order to obtain federal funds for his personal benefit. Court documents state that one of the schemes involved creating a fabricated Special Access Program that did not actually exist.

How he used the government funds

Rush fraudulently obtained approximately $193.59 million in U.S. government funds. After receiving the money, he acquired the gold bars and directed approximately $145 million in wire transfers.

The funds were also used to purchase luxury real estate in Florida, watches and high-end vehicles.

During the search of his residence, federal agents recovered approximately $2.1 million in cash, €104,795 and numerous luxury watches. As part of his plea agreement, Rush agreed to forfeit the gold bars and currency found at his home, the properties obtained through the fraud, 30 watches — many of them Rolexes — and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles.

Investigators also determined that Rush had reached his senior position, in part, by providing false information about his education and military experience.

The investigation that led to the gold discovery

The case began with an internal investigation that identified potential criminal activity. The CIA referred the matter to the FBI, which then worked with the Justice Department and other law enforcement agencies.

The Justice Department said Rush’s conduct went beyond the financial loss to the government. His actions also raised concerns within the intelligence community because of the sensitive position he held and the security clearance he possessed.

As part of his guilty plea, Rush agreed to forfeit the gold bars, cash found at his residence, fraudulently acquired properties, luxury watches and vehicles.

Rush is scheduled to be sentenced on January 28, 2027. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with supervised release, forfeiture, restitution and a fine. The investigation remains ongoing, and the Director of National Intelligence has requested an investigation by the Inspector General for the Intelligence Community.

Known by his nom de guerre ‘Pancerz’ (‘armor’), Lutak had turned 109 on August 29. Born in 1917 in Żarnowa, in southeastern Poland, he witnessed some of the main events in the country’s contemporary history, from World War II to the democratic transformation.

Tadeusz Lutak, the World War II veteran who lived to 109

During World War II, Lutak was part of a tank crew during the September 1939 campaign, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. He later joined the Polish resistance and led a sabotage group in the Home Army (Armia Krajowa), the main Polish armed underground organization during the German occupation.

It was during that period that he adopted the pseudonym ‘Pancerz’. Lutak later reached the rank of captain and remained actively present in veterans’ circles in his later years, as well as taking part in commemorative events and meetings with young people.

The Territorial Defence Forces’ tribute to Tadeusz Lutak

The Territorial Defence Forces highlighted Lutak’s career and his connection to the country’s history. “The soldier for whom service to the homeland was the value of a lifetime” has “ended his eternal watch,” the WOT said in its statement.

The institution also recalled that Lutak “witnessed the most important events in our history.” His testimony was considered especially valuable because he had lived through different stages of Poland: the interwar period, the German occupation, the period under the communist regime, and the subsequent democratic transformation.

For his participation in armed conflicts and his commitment to historical memory, he received multiple decorations and honors throughout his life, including the Territorial Army Cross, an institution considered the historical heir to the Polish resistance during World War II.

When he became Poland’s oldest man

According to records cited by Polish media, Lutak became Poland’s oldest man in July 2024, after the death of Władysław Fidos, who was 108.

After Lutak’s death, the record of the oldest men again turns attention to other centenarian survivors in Europe. According to the European Supercentenarians Organization, the continent’s oldest man is currently Portuguese Joaquim Varela, born in 1915 and 111 years old.

In the European Union, prices already include a value-added tax (VAT), a national tax charged at every stage of production and sale. Standard rates range from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary.

Travelers who live outside the EU can get part of that money back on goods they take home. The process, however, has several conditions.

What is European VAT, and how does it work?

The value-added tax (VAT) is similar to the traditional sales tax in a sense that the consumer pays it at the point of purchase.

But unlike the United States, where tax is tacked on top of an item’s retail price, in Europe, VAT is already factored into the price tag.

When can you get a VAT refund on your purchases?

Anyone who is a non-EU resident can claim a VAT refund on purchases made in Europe. When you are departing, you will need to present

• Stamped VAT refund documents.
• Physical goods in your personal luggage
• Prove that you are a non-EU resident with the passport or residence permit

Also, for getting the refund, the presentation of all these items needs to be within three months of the purchase. For the items to be eligible, they must be new and unused or unworn. The idea is that the goods are for “export,” not for use on your trip.

Each country sets a minimum purchase per store, which under EU rules cannot exceed €175. The threshold varies widely: €100 in France, €70 in Italy and €50 in Germany, while Spain has no minimum at all. The United Kingdom no longer offers tax-free shopping after Brexit.

The step-by-step for getting the VAT refund

VAT refund rules vary from country to country in the EU, but here’s a general breakdown of how the VAT refund process works.

Request the VAT refund form

Most luxury retailers and department stores will automatically offer a VAT refund document, but you can also ask the cashier for the paperwork.

Fill out the refund form

Retailer fills out and signs or stamps the refund form before attaching the receipt. You will need to keep receipts, as they need to be presented at a VAT refund counter when leaving the EU.

Get your tax-refund form stamped

When you are at the airport, go to the customs office and get a stamp from customs or electronic validation at a kiosk. You will still have to validate your forms by scanning or stamping them at the airport to proof you have taken the items out of the EU.

Claim your refund

Depending on the airport, you may have to go to a separate VAT refund counter and show every receipt and refund form to customs agents.

You can pick between an instant cash refund, which may come with a higher commision fee, or a refund to your credit card, which may take a couple of days.

Keep your forms together in case you haven’t been refunded within six weeks and need to follow up.

According to the official schedule, schools will have no classes on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2026, because of Thanksgiving and the following day of break.

The Miami-Dade school calendar also distinguishes these dates from the break days that apply exclusively to certain employees of the education system.

The days November 23, 24, and 25 are marked as “Recess Days”, but they apply only to 10- and 11.5-month workers.

When is Thanksgiving break in Miami schools in 2026?

For students in Miami-Dade public schools, the 2026 Thanksgiving break will begin on Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving, a holiday approved by the Board for students and employees), and will continue on Friday, November 27 (a break day also for students and employees).

When does the 2026-2027 school year end in Miami?

The Miami-Dade calendar states that the last day of classes will be Thursday, June 3, 2027. The day also includes the end of the fourth grading period and the second semester.

2026-2027 school calendar in Miami-Dade: other key dates to keep in mind

• December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027: winter break.
• March 22 to 26, 2027: spring break.
• June 3, 2027: last day of classes.

The calendar also includes a special feature for elementary schools: every Wednesday, students in second through fifth grade leave one hour early, as do students in second through eighth grade at K-8 centers.

For this reason, the dates are already known for those born between the 1st and the 10th of each month to receive their payments during the last three months of 2026.

When do those born from the 1st to the 10th receive the remaining 2026 payments?

The payment dates confirmed by the SSA for beneficiaries born between the 1st and the 10th are:

• October 14.
• November 10.
• December 9.

Each year, the SSA publishes its official calendar, in which it establishes the scheduled dates for the deposit of the various Social Security benefits.

What should you do if payments aren’t received on time?

The SSA advises through its official website that if the payment is not received on the scheduled date, you should first contact your bank or financial institution, as it may be a delay in payment processing.

If the bank does not respond, you can call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact the nearest Social Security office.

Keeping information up to date: why can incorrect data affect payment regularity?

From the SSA blog, they advise informing the agency about any changes in aspects of your life that may affect eligibility and the amount of your benefits.

SSA requests that the following be reported:

• Changes in marital status.
• Death of a spouse or ex-spouse.
• Arrival of a child in the family.
• Changes in children’s marital status.
• Children leaving the family home.

Although this is not an automatic process, there are different situations in which a person, a company, or the DMV itself may proceed with the sale of a vehicle to recover an outstanding debt associated with the car.

What happens in California when a driver has outstanding debts with the DMV?

Certain unpaid debts associated with the vehicle constitute a lien in favor of the DMV. This means that the amount owed is linked to the vehicle and can be used by the agency to demand payment.

If the debt remains unpaid, the DMV may seize and sell the vehicle to recover the amounts owed, as established by the California Vehicle Code. This measure may be used only in certain cases provided for by the regulations.

What type of debts can have this consequence, according to the Vehicle Code?

According to the DMV, there are five types of unpaid obligations that can result in a lien on the vehicle:

• Registration debts.
• Vehicle license debts.
• Transfer debts.
• Unpaid parking fines.
• Use tax.

In these situations, the DMV may use the vehicle to try to recover the amounts owed.

The DMV may seize and sell a vehicle to collect debts: what is the process like?

If the DMV decides to proceed with this measure, the process is not automatic and requires a series of documents and formal notices.

One of them is the Notice of Seizure and Sale (INV 57), which must include proof of certified mail sent to the registered owner and, if applicable, to the legal owner or creditor listed in the vehicle records.

To later complete the sale and registration in the buyer’s name, documentation such as the following is also required:

• Application for title or registration, Form REG 343.
• Vehicle verification, REG 31.
• Form REG 262 with the bill of sale.
• Odometer statement.
• Emission certificate, if applicable.
• Payment of the fees owed.
• The applicant’s credit receipt number for the amount offered in the purchase.

What happens to the money raised from the sale of the vehicle?

The money obtained is distributed following an order established by Section 9802 of the Vehicle Code.

First, the expenses the DMV incurred to carry out the sale are covered. Then, the money is used to pay:

• Registration and transfer fees, along with their penalties.
• Vehicle license fees, along with their penalties.
• Use tax, including interest and penalties.
• Perfected mechanic’s liens.
• Other perfected security interests.
• Parking fines, their administrative charges, and other court obligations that may be collected by the DMV.
• Any other fees that remained outstanding with the department.

If, after covering all these obligations, money remains, the remainder must be delivered to the person whose right to the vehicle is recognized by the DMV.

Deadlines may vary depending on the type of procedure selected. If you must travel within the next 14 days and the new passport has not yet arrived, the DOS recommends different alternatives to speed up the process.

Processing times: How long does it take to get a passport after you apply?

The government distinguishes between processing time and the total time until the passport arrives at home. In 2026, the timeframes are:

• Regular processing: between 4 and 6 weeks.
• Expedited processing: between 2 and 3 weeks, with an additional fee of $60.
• Urgent travel: requires an appointment at a passport agency or center and proof of the urgency of the trip.

These timeframes do not include shipping. The application can take two weeks to reach the Department of State, and once the document is issued, it may take another two weeks before it is finally received.

What should be done if the passport has still not been received and travel is required within the next 14 days?

If the international trip is within the next 14 days and the passport has not yet arrived, the Department of State allows you to request an urgent appointment at a passport agency or center.

The following steps must be followed:

1- Verify the travel date: there must be 14 calendar days or less until departure.

2- Gather proof of travel: this can be a flight reservation or ticket.

3- Request an urgent appointment: this must be done through the Department of State system.

4- Attend the appointment with the necessary documentation: in addition to proof of travel, the documents corresponding to the passport application.

Keep in mind appointment availability, since they are not guaranteed and available slots may not be found.

Exceptions for requesting expedited processing: what are they?

The Department of State considers different alternatives depending on how soon the trip is:

• Trip in less than 6 weeks: you can request expedited service, which takes between 2 and 3 weeks and costs an additional US$60. The timeframe does not include shipping.
• International trip within the next 14 days: you can request an urgent travel appointment at a passport agency or center.
• Life-or-death emergency: you can request an emergency appointment when travel abroad must take place within the next 14 days because an immediate family member outside the United States has died, is about to die, is receiving palliative care, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.

The IRS also offers the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which is the refundable portion of the benefit. Eligible taxpayers may receive up to $1,700 per qualifying child through the ACTC, depending on their income and other requirements. Taxpayers must have at least $2,500 in earned income to qualify for the ACTC.

Who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit

To claim the credit, the taxpayer — or their spouse if filing jointly — and each qualifying child must have a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States. The number must be issued before the due date of the tax return, including extensions.

For tax year 2025, a qualifying child generally must:

• Be under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Be the taxpayer’s son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, sibling or another qualifying relative listed by the IRS.
• Not have provided more than half of their own financial support during the year.
• Have lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the tax year.
• Be claimed as a dependent on the taxpayer’s return.
• Not file a joint return, except in certain circumstances involving a refund.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien.

How much can families receive

The maximum Child Tax Credit is $2,200 for each qualifying child. Families can receive the full amount if they meet all eligibility requirements and their annual income does not exceed $200,000, or $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Taxpayers with higher incomes may still qualify for a partial credit because the benefit gradually decreases as income rises above the applicable thresholds.

The CTC is a nonrefundable tax credit, meaning it can reduce a family’s federal income tax liability to zero but generally cannot create a refund beyond the amount of tax owed.

The Additional Child Tax Credit is different because it is refundable. Eligible taxpayers with little or no federal income tax liability may receive a refund through the ACTC, subject to the program’s requirements.

How to claim the Child Tax Credit

Eligible families must report their children and other dependents on Form 1040, the standard U.S. individual income tax return.

Taxpayers also generally need to complete Schedule 8812, which is used to calculate the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit and certain benefits for other dependents.

The IRS recommends using its Interactive Tax Assistant to determine whether a taxpayer qualifies for the CTC, ACTC or Credit for Other Dependents before filing.

Not every dependent qualifies for the Child Tax Credit. When a child or other dependent does not meet the CTC or ACTC requirements, a family may instead qualify for the Credit for Other Dependents, which provides a credit of up to $500 per qualifying dependent, subject to the applicable income limits and rules.

Among so many, the “Data Science: Data Wrangling” stands out, which is part of its Professional Certificate Program. The course is taught online and over eight weeks, during which the student will learn to process and convert raw data into the formats needed for analysis.

The training is vital in a context in which there are more and more data and a growing number of companies that require analysis to drive progress.

How long does Harvard’s course last and what topics does it cover?

Harvard’s Data Science course lasts eight weeks. The expected time commitment is around one to two hours per week. However, the University clarifies that each student can take it “at their own pace”.

The course topics are:

• Importing data into R from different file formats.
• Web data extraction.
• How to sort data using tidyverse to make analysis easier.
• Text string processing with regular expressions (regex).
• Data processing with dplyr.
• How to work with dates and times as file formats and text mining.

What is the language, difficulty level, and course format?

Harvard teaches Data Science online, through the edX platform. The language is English and the difficulty is categorized as “Introductory”.

One of the instructors is Rafael Irizarry, Professor of Biostatistics, from the TH Chan School of Public Health.

How much does Harvard’s course cost?

The course offers two options:

• Auditor: it is free, includes participation from world-class institutions and edX support. It has limited access.
• HarvardX Certificate: costing $ 149, the course has unlimited access and includes graded assessments. Like Auditor, it includes participation from world-class institutions and edX support.

How do you sign up for Harvard Data Science?

Those interested in the course should go to https://www.edx.org/learn/data-science/harvard-university-data-science-wrangling

There they will have the option to choose between “Get a HarvardX Certificate” and “Auditor course”.

Is Data Science an increasingly sought-after job?

An analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics produced a complete list of the fastest-growing occupations in 2025 and projected for 2035. The data are:

• Employment in 2025: 275,600 data scientists.
• Projected employment for 2035: 371,000.
• New jobs: 95,400.
• Projected growth: 34.6%.
• Median annual salary in 2025: US$120,230.
• Average job openings per year: 24,800.

The table places data scientists among the fastest-growing occupations in the United States over the next decade. It is worth noting that total employment across all occupations would grow by just 3.5% over the same period.

Along the same lines, Microsoft confirms that “the need for data science is growing rapidly as the amount of data increases exponentially and companies increasingly rely on analysis to drive revenue and innovation”.

A clear example is seen in business interactions, which are becoming more digital and data-rich. This, together with an analysis of the Data sector, makes it possible to obtain information on how to better personalize experiences, customer service and satisfaction; as well as develop new products and increase sales.

The United States government considers different reasons to renew or replace the Green Card. The usual process for lawful permanent residents is Form I-90, although the procedure may vary depending on the person’s immigration situation.

In addition to completing the form, the applicant must submit the documentation corresponding to their case and pay the applicable fee, unless they fall under one of the exceptions provided by USCIS.

When does the green card have to be replaced?

USAGov indicates that the most common situations for requesting a new card range from an expired or soon-to-expire green card to a lost, damaged, or stolen one. In addition to a name change or a correction of information that appears on the document.

For a lawful permanent resident whose card was lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, and has already expired or will expire within the next six months, USCIS considers Form I-90 as the way to request a replacement.

How to replace the green card?

The process can be carried out online or by mail and is done using Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, filed with USCIS.

After completing the form, the applicant must select the reason explaining why they need a new card. That is, the form covers specific cases in which the card has already expired or will expire within six months, as well as situations of loss, theft, or destruction.

The agency states that the application must be completely presented in English and certified by the translator. They also recommend sending legible copies and keeping the original documents, unless USCIS specifically requests an original.

How much does it cost to replace the green card?

The price depends on how Form I-90 is filed and on the reason for the process since, according to the USCIS fee table to date, the general price is $415 for online filings and $465 for paper filings.

However, there are situations in which the fee is $0, including certain cases in which USCIS issued the card with incorrect information due to an error by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or when the agency issued the card but it was never received and was returned to USCIS because it could not be delivered.

However, before filing the I-90, it is advisable to verify the fee that applies to the applicant’s specific case in USCIS’s official fee tool.

What happens while the new Green Card arrives?

Filing the I-90 does not mean the person is left without a way to prove permanent residence while waiting for the new card. USCIS indicates that, for certain I-90 renewal processes, the application receipt notice, accompanied by the expired Green Card, serves as evidence of lawful permanent resident status during the extension period indicated by the agency.

Currently, USCIS extends the validity of the expired Green Card by 36 months for those who file a new I-90 that remains pending. It should be noted that the receipt notice is a document that should be kept after filing the application, and that processing wait times may vary, but as a reference, the historical USCIS data show a national median of 7-9 months for I-90s during fiscal year 2026 (data corresponds to the period between October 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026).

Since last August 24, the multinational retail corporation began to roll out the contactless payment option in Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.

The national rollout plan in stores and clubs had a completion date toward the end of 2026; however, the company posted a few days ago on its Instagram account that the option was already available in all stores.

What is Tap to Pay?

Tap to Pay offers customers a practical and simple way to pay at checkout through contactless payment methods: ranging from a contactless card to a smartphone or smartwatch (Apple Pay, Google Pay).

Those interested can add their Walmart, Sam’s Club and OnePay cards, as long as they meet the requirements.

Will Walmart continue accepting cash?

Yes, Walmart will continue accepting cash, credit card and Walmart Pay. Tap to Pay is one more payment option added to the lineup.

The same goes for Sam’s Club. In addition, members can use Scan & Go to scan and pay while shopping.

Will there be Tap to Pay at gas stations?

Walmart says that there are implementation plans at gas stations for mid-2027. For now, the company did not provide further information on the matter.

Social Security beneficiaries, according to their date of birth, will have three payment days during October and, according to the official SSA schedule, the next payment will be next Wednesday, the 14th.

However, not all beneficiaries receive the money on those dates, since those who began receiving benefits before May 1, 1997 have a different schedule; that is why, to know which day applies, it is necessary to take into account both the type of benefit and the date of birth or the time when payments began to be received.

Who receives the next Social Security payment and what are the October dates?

Beneficiaries who receive their payments according to their date of birth will have their next deposit on October 14, 2026, corresponding to the second Wednesday of the month. It should be noted that this payment belongs to people whose date of birth falls between specific days of the month, according to the SSA, and the following payment dates are:

• October 14: beneficiaries born between the 1st and the 10th.
• October 21: beneficiaries born between the 11th and the 20th.
• October 28: beneficiaries born between the 21st and the 31st.

Who receives Social Security payments on other dates?

In addition to payments distributed according to date of birth, there are beneficiaries who follow a different schedule. People who applied for or began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1, 1997 usually receive their payments on the third day of the month following the one to which the benefit corresponds, although if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the payment is moved up to the corresponding business day, according to the SSA.

For October 2026, the official schedule included last Friday the 2nd for this group, because the third day of the month was a Saturday.

How to check the exact date of the next payment?

Beneficiaries can check their upcoming payments through their my Social Security account, the Social Security Administration’s online service. In this regard, the official U.S. government portal, USAGov, also gathers information on Social Security benefits and directs users to SSA services to check and manage payments.

If the user has questions about their payment, the SSA offers telephone assistance in English and Spanish, and to communicate in that language, beneficiaries can call 1-800-772-1213 and press option 7, if available at the time of the call.

Through this agreement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States can send information to the Customs and Tax Control Agency (ARCA) about certain financial accounts held in that country by Argentine tax residents.

What information should the IRS send to ARCA?

FATCA is a U.S. law that requires financial institutions to report on accounts of people from other countries.

Article 2 establishes which data must be exchanged automatically regarding the so-called “Argentine reportable accounts”.

The information the United States automatically sends to ARCA:

• Name and address of the account holder.
• Argentine tax identification number (CUIT, CUIL or other applicable TIN).
• Account number or functional equivalent.
• Name and identifying number of the U.S. financial institution maintaining the account.
• Interest paid on a deposit account, when it is an account covered by the agreement.
• U.S.-source dividends paid or credited to the account.
• Other U.S.-source income paid or credited to the account, to the extent that it is subject to the reporting obligations provided for by U.S. tax law.

In the case of deposit accounts of individuals residing in Argentina, the agreement considers the account reportable when more than USD 10 in interest has been paid during the calendar year.

What information does the IRS not automatically send?

One of the points of the agreement is that the United States must not automatically send ARCA the account balance or value nor the detail of bank transactions.

If ARCA requires additional information, it must make a specific request to the U.S. authorities through the available tax cooperation channels.

It is worth noting that, when Argentina informs the United States about a reportable account of a U.S. person, it must communicate, among other data, the account balance or value at year-end and certain income and transactions.

By contrast, for Argentine reportable accounts held in the United States, the information the agreement requires the U.S. to exchange includes identification, account number, financial institution and certain income, but does not include the account balance.

When the exchange takes place

The agreement establishes that the information must be exchanged annually and automatically. The first exchange was scheduled for September 2024, after the IRS confirmed that Argentina had the security measures and infrastructure needed to begin operating the system.

ARCA also officially states that the FATCA agreement has been in force since January 1, 2023.

What ARCA can do with the information

The data received through the international exchange are part of the tax enforcement tools available to the agency.

The information can be used to compare the data obtained from the United States with taxpayers’ returns and other tax information.

What is “unlawful presence”

In terms of U.S. immigration law, unlawful presence is the time a person remains in the United States without authorization: for example, by overstaying the time allowed by a visa or entry record (the I-94), or by having entered without inspection.

That accumulated time is precisely what can trigger the penalty: the more unlawful presence that accumulates, the more severe the sanction upon leaving the country. In other words, unlawful presence is the cause, and the 3- and 10-year bars are the consequence. The rule that governs them is section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

These bars are grounds of inadmissibility, that is, obstacles preventing the person from obtaining a visa, a green card, or being admitted again to the United States for the corresponding period. They are not a “fine” that is paid, but a temporary prohibition on reentry

3- and 10-year penalty: how it is triggered

The key is how much unlawful presence was accumulated and the moment of leaving the country. In general:

• 3-year bar: applies to anyone who accumulated more than 180 days, but less than 1 year of unlawful presence and then leaves the United States. They will not be able to reenter for 3 years.
• 10-year bar: applies to anyone who accumulated 1 year or more of unlawful presence and then leaves the country. In that case, the reentry ban is 10 years.

The ban is triggered upon leaving the United States. In other words, it is the departure itself that “triggers” the penalty. That is why a person who stayed unlawfully but never left the country does not trigger, through this route, the bar.

The problem arises when crossing the border outward, for example, to handle the visa application or green card at a consulate in their home country.

Who is NOT counted for unlawful presence

The law provides for cases in which unlawful presence is not accumulated. Among the main ones:

• Minors under 18: time before reaching that age does not count.
• Asylum applicants with a pending good-faith case (as long as they have not worked without authorization).
• Beneficiaries of certain family unity programs and special protections (such as VAWA and victims of trafficking).

There is a waiver, but with conditions

The rule provides the possibility of applying for a waiver in some cases. The best known is the I-601A (provisional waiver for unlawful presence), which generally requires:

• That unlawful presence be the main ground of inadmissibility.
• Having a qualifying relative (a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent).
• Showing that that relative would suffer “extreme hardship” if the waiver is not granted.

Why it is advisable to get advice before leaving the country

Since the bar is triggered by departure, many people with a case in progress face a difficult decision when it is time to travel. Therefore, if there is any doubt about one’s immigration situation, the recommendation is to consult an immigration lawyer before leaving the United States, not after.