On World Children’s Day, Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Cécile Aptel, Author and Deputy Director of UNICEF’s Global Office of Research and Forecasting. UNICEF is offering a sobering reminder: national and global policies too often leave the world’s most vulnerable in the shadows. In a world of progress and innovation, 417 million children in low- and middle-income countries are still denied the most basic necessities: clean water, healthcare, education, nutrition. And even in a high-income country like France, official figures show that 2.76 million children live in poverty: one tenth of France’s child population. Putting an end to child poverty requires political will and social commitment and to decide, collectively, that children’s well-being is non-negotiable.
This story originally appeared on France24
UNICEF: One in five children in low and middle-income countries lack most basic services
Woman decapitated by a garbage truck near elementary school in Orange County
A woman was decapitated by a garbage truck when she was crossing the street Wednesday in Orange County, according to authorities.
Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga, 69, of Santa Ana, was crossing the street around 7:56 a.m. near Shelton and Bishop streets when she was hit by a garbage truck making a right turn on Shelton, according to a Santa Ana Police Department news release.
Officers from the police department got multiple calls about the traffic collision and along with the Orange County Fire Authority, responded to the scene, according to the release.
The truck had been going east on Bishop Street and making a turn on the roundabout when it hit the woman as she was crossing the street, authorities said.
ABC7 reported that the woman had been decapitated in the collision.
Children and families from the nearby Pio Pico Dual Language Academy were also nearby during the incident, according to the outlet.
The Santa Ana Unified School District has will be providing support for witnesses of the crash.
The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit will be investigating the crash, according to the release. Anyone with more information has been asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
If you invested £500 a month in S&P 500 income stocks, here’s what it could be worth in a decade
Image source: Getty Images
Many UK investors are interested in generating passive income from the stock market. Typically, this is focused on UK stocks, which I get. However, with growing interest in diversifying portfolios and putting money to work in the S&P 500, it’s worth remembering that this can be useful for income and not just high-flying tech stocks. Here’s what the numbers could look like for a US dividend portfolio.
Why the US has income potential
In contrast to building a portfolio using FTSE 100 companies, the S&P 500 offers a much more comprehensive choice given the large number of constituents. However, it means an investor needs to be disciplined. For example, the average dividend yield in the S&P 500 is 1.18%, well below the FTSE 100’s 3.2%. So active stock picking becomes more critical with a broader pool of companies.
Fortunately, there are still some great dividend shares in the index. From looking at different options, I think it’s possible to build a diversified portfolio of six-to-10 stocks with an average yield of 6%. We’re not talking about small firms here in this bucket. Some of the companies that could be included are the United Parcel Service (current yield of 7.1%), Pfizer (6.91%) and Verizon Communications (6.61%).
If an investor put £500 a month in a portfolio averaging 6%, the money could quickly compound. If we assume the dividends get reinvested straight away, after a decade the pot could be worth £82.8k. The following year, £5.3k could be generated solely from income payments.
Of course, dividends aren’t guaranteed. Over the coming years, yields could fluctuate, making the average 6% harder or easier to achieve in practice. But it goes a long way to show that the US has clear dividend potential.
Sweet potential
One stock that could be included is Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC). It’s one of the world’s largest food companies, serving up everything from ketchup to chocolate. Even though America is a big market, it’s truly global in size. This means it can generate diversified revenue from having the branded food products in grocery stores in various markets.
Over the past year, the stock is down 19%. This is due to a variety of factors impacting the business. For example, it has cited weak consumer demand in recent updates, along with rising input costs and even currency headaches from the global operations. Even though all of these are risks going forward, I don’t see them as long-term problems.
With the US Federal Reserve likely to cut interest rates again next month, demand in the US could increase. Inflation is easing, and cost pressures may become less of a problem in 2026. Against this backdrop, I think the dividend is sustainable. Over the past six years, it has kept up a consistent quarterly dividend payment. The current dividend is fully covered by the latest earnings per share, giving me further confidence in future dividends.
Finally, let’s not forget that many of the brands sold by the company are staples that have been popular with customers for decades in some cases. I think this is a strong point when looking for ideas that can stand the test of time, making it a stock worth considering for investors looking at this stategy.
This story originally appeared on Motley Fool
Men spend £2 billion on social media wellness trends for performance boost
New research has revealed that middle-aged men are increasingly turning to unproven online wellness trends in a bid to enhance their sexual potency.
The study discovered that British men over the age of 35 spend more than £2 billion annually on wellness products, services, and advice influenced by social media.
Almost half (42%) view wellness content more than once a day, with the most visited topics being fitness workouts (53%), supplements (41%), mental health practices (39%), and weight loss or fat burning products (36%).
The research, conducted by healthcare company Voy, also unveiled the top five wellness trends, with vitamins (59%) leading the pack, followed by performance and muscle-strength supplement creatine (26%) and cold plunges (22%).
Nearly half of men have tried trends after spotting them on social media.
A significant portion of the interest in wellness advice is driven by men seeking tips on improving sexual wellbeing (45%), surpassing those looking to improve sleep quality (38%), increase energy levels (31%), or reduce stress (30%).
However, medical professionals have issued warnings about the unregulated and unproven nature of online wellness content, stating that many men are receiving poor advice that exploits their insecurities.
Dr Jeff Foster, NHS GP and Director of Men’s Health at Voy, said: “Men are bombarded with wellness advice on social media every day, from the nutritional supplement shilajit to cold plunges to testosterone-boosting foods. The problem is, much of it is anecdotal, unregulated, or simply overhyped.”
The research found that 40% of men struggle to determine whether information is scientifically sound, whilst a further 40% think they have been exposed to false information.
Despite concerns about misleading claims, almost half (49%) were unlikely to seek advice from a medical or scientific professional before trying a wellness trend.
The GP cautioned that men looking for health improvements or a bedroom boost should obtain professional guidance before embracing a wellness trend, to prevent being deceived or consuming potentially dangerous unregulated supplements.
“It’s important to know which treatments are evidence-based – such as clinically supervised testosterone replacement therapy – and which are just trending fads without solid research, often promoted through unverified supplements,” he said.
Dr Foster added: “It’s particularly striking to see that almost half of UK men above 35 have tried wellness trends after seeing them on social media, showcasing just how powerful these platforms are at shaping choices, even when the results aren’t guaranteed.”
Men seeking reliable advice on which wellness trends are effective and which are likely to fail can explore Voy’s personalised wellness plans and schedule their first clinical appointment here.
Top 5 wellness trends for men on social media.
1. Vitamins – Nutrients for overall health, immunity, and energy support (59%).
2. Creatine – Performance & muscle-strength supplement (26%).
3. Cold plunges / ice baths – Cold exposure therapy for recovery & alertness (22%).
4. Testosterone-boosting foods – Diet-based hormone support (18%).
5. Hot therapy – Heat treatments for circulation & relaxation (17%).
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
House Of The Dragon Renewed For Season 4
Saddle up, Syrax: “House of the Dragon” is officially renewed for Season 4.
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max Content, announced the renewal during a presentation to press in New York City on Thursday.
HBO’s official go-ahead confirms what showrunner Ryan Condal told reporters at the end of Season 2 in 2024: that the “Game of Thrones” prequel series would have more episodes past the already-ordered Season 3. However, Condal also said at the time that “House of the Dragon” would end with Season 4.
Bloys added that Season 3 will premiere in Summer 2026, and Season 4 is slated to air in 2028. The extensive Season 3 cast includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.
In related news, HBO also announced that it had renewed another “Thrones” spin-off, the forthcoming “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” for Season 2 ahead of its Season 1 debut.
“We are thrilled to be able to deliver new seasons of these two series for the next three years, for the legion of fans of the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe, Francesa Orsi, EVP, HBO programming, head of HBO drama series and films, said via statement. “Together, ‘House of the Drago’ and ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ reveal just how expansive and richly imagined George R. R. Martin’s universe continues to be. In January, I think audiences will be delighted by the inspiring underdog tale of Dunk and Egg that George and Ira Parker have captured so beautifully. And this summer, ‘House of the Dragon’ is set to ignite once again with some of its most epic battles yet.”
Are you excited about this “House of the Dragon” update? Hit the comments with all of your thoughts!
This story originally appeared on TVLine
RHOC Alum Meghan King Loses Custody of Kids to Ex-Husband Jim Edmonds After CPS Call
Real Housewives of Orange County alum, Meghan King, let viewers in on what she was dealing with in Seasons 10-12 . She talked through her fertility struggles, tried to figure out new motherhood, and worked through a marriage to Jim Edmonds – that looked strained even then.
She hasn’t come back to the show since, but her life keeps making news anyway. After she and Jim divorced, the tension between them never really eased. Instead, it turned into years of messy arguments, police reports, and co-parenting problems that never settled into anything calm.
Now, their custody arrangement took a turn after authorities looked into concerns raised with CPS.
Meghan King recently lost custody of her three kids to ex-husband Jim Edmonds
Us Weekly reported that Meghan recently lost physical custody of her three children. Multiple sources said a school employee called Child Protective Services, setting off the investigation. The decision to remove custody happened within the past couple of months.
Jim now has sole physical custody, while Meghan has supervised visitation. Sources said the ruling remains temporary until a December hearing decides whether the setup becomes permanent.
Meghan and Jim share three children together: Aspen, 8, and twins Hart and Hayes, 7. They finalized their divorce in 2021 and agreed to joint custody at the time. Neither Jim nor Meghan have commented.
In addition to the custody dispute, some of the recent tension goes back to a May 1 incident at Jim and his wife Kortnie Edmonds’ home. Police documents listed Kortnie as the “victim” and Meghan as the “subject.” The report said Kortnie initially wanted charges filed.
According to the report, the conflict began when Meghan stopped by to drop off a dress for Aspen. Kortnie told her to just leave the clothes. Meghan said she needed to speak to her daughter, but Kortnie told her Aspen was out with Jim. The report stated, “Meghan refused to hand Kortnie the dress and ‘pulled away and asked to speak to’ [her daughter].”
From there, an officer wrote that Meghan stepped inside the home and called for Aspen. Kortnie said she told her to leave. She claimed Meghan “slowly walked back” outside but briefly blocked the door from closing with her foot.
Meghan was not arrested. A source shared, “[King] is over this back and forth. She thinks it’s ridiculous.”
Later, Meghan told police Jim was “emotionally abusive.” She said, “He uses his name to push me around and his money.” Jim’s rep denied it, saying, “As usual, Meghan is telling tales,” and insisted he remained focused on coparenting.
A hearing later this year will determine what happens next for Aspen, Hart, and Hayes.
Season 19 of Real Housewives of Orange County concludes with Part 3 of the reunion tonight, November 20, at 8/7c. Old episodes stream on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK MEGHAN AND JIM CAN FIND A HEALTHIER PATH FORWARD?
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
Katie Couric warns CBS under Bari Weiss is ‘compromising independent journalism’
Katie Couric criticized CBS News’ corporate owner Paramount Skydance last week — opining that its move to put the division under the editorial control of Bari Weiss is “compromising independent journalism.”
Couric, the former anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” warned during a gala in New York last week that “the whole setup with the Ellisons bringing her in and buying the Free Press is compromising independent journalism.”
Her remarks, first reported by the Status newsletter, were a reaction to a question from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd about the deal engineered by Paramount CEO David Ellison, who folded Weiss’ Free Press newsletter into the company and installed her atop CBS News’ editorial operation.
Last month, The Post was the first to reveal that Weiss would be reporting directly to Ellison — bypassing the decades-old management structure that had been in place at CBS News.
Couric said she wants Weiss to succeed in the new role but fears the corporate setup places too much power in the hands of ownership, according to Status.
The former “Today” co-host did not weigh in on Weiss’ specific editorial choices but focused instead on the role owners play in shaping news operations.
Paramount is restructuring after Skydance’s takeover, and the reshuffle has fueled fears among staff that Ellison envisions a standardized editorial direction spanning CBS News and the Free Press.
The broader uncertainty is compounded by Ellison’s ongoing pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery, which could ultimately give him influence over CNN as well.
“These are really perilous times,” Couric said, pointing to what she described as eroding boundaries that once shielded newsrooms from business-side interference.
She recalled her early career at NBC News, where she said executives honored “an unwritten rule that there was a separation of church and state.”
Couric argued that the line has blurred as media companies face political threats, regulatory pressure and aggressive ownership changes.
“This idea that these corporations are putting pressure on their journalists is so repugnant,” she said.
The Post has sought comment from CBS News and Paramount Skydance.
Weiss, 41, has wasted little time putting her stamp on the Tiffany Network under Ellison’s mandate to make CBS News “more balanced” and “fact-based.”
Within weeks of taking the job, she quietly recruited former Wall Street Journal deputy editor in chief Charles Forelle as one of her top lieutenants — a move that reportedly blindsided CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski, who had expected to be looped in on senior hires.
Insiders told The Post that Weiss had already claimed her “first scalp” with last month’s exit of longtime standards chief Claudia Milne.
Weiss has also pushed to reassert control over the network’s editorial tone, questioning “60 Minutes” staffers about perceived political bias and leaning on producers to book more conservative guests.
At the same time, she is eyeing a major shakeup at “60 Minutes” itself, where veteran correspondents Scott Pelley and Bill Whitaker are said to be in the crosshairs amid internal chatter that the show has drifted too far to the left and gone soft.
“Bari isn’t wrong to try to bring in new people,” a CBS source told The Post, adding that “most of the show’s correspondents and its viewers are geriatric.”
This story originally appeared on NYPost
Stop the madness of medical intervention for gender-confused kids
Sensible people already know that medicalizing children in the name of so-called “gender affirming care” is not only experimental, it’s barbaric.
Now, a peer-reviewed study, commissioned by the Department of Health And Human Services, reports that the evidence used to back such practices as hormone therapy for kids is flimsy at best.
There just isn’t enough known to justify such drastic medical interventions for young people.
Back in January, President Trump slammed the brakes on the medicalization of minors with his Executive Order 14187, restricting the “maiming and sterilization” of patients under 19,and ordered a study to look at the standards of care.
First released in May, the report has now been affirmed by 10 researchers and groups who found no fault with the findings — and advised that doctors treating minors with gender dysphoria should focus on psychotherapy until more is known about medical interventions.
“They were given the chance to show mistakes, show errors,” said Dr. Leor Sapir, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and one of the researchers. “And they were not able to identify any.”
Sapir stressed that the initiative was “bipartisan” and an “ideologically diverse group. Most of the authors are liberals, Democrats. They wouldn’t vote for Trump if he forced them to.”
These logical findings are a major pivot away from the last decade when our medical industry was captured by trans ideology and activists who rule like mob enforcers — canceling anyone who might even suggest gender-affirming care isn’t appropriate for minors.
Debate and dissent were squashed on social media.
Hospitals opened gender clinics for minors, and parents were manipulated into putting their children on puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, or even getting surgery, by clinicians who warned: Would you rather have a dead daughter or a living son?
Doctors — under the threat of losing their licenses — were afraid to not affirm children’s gender whims.
In March of 2024, New York Magazine published a cover story by trans writer Andrea Long Chu, who made “the moral case for letting trans kids change their bodies.”
Finally, brave whistleblowers came forward. We’ve heard from far too many detransitioners who live with the crippling pain and regret from mutilating their perfectly healthy bodies.
Now in 2025, that illiberal period almost feels like a fever dream and the once very contentious culture war over youth gender transition has largely floated into the dustbins of history.
But it isn’t totally in the rearview mirror: Gender affirming care was a central part of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.
New York City’s incoming mayor has promised to budget $65 million (that the city can’t spare) to turn the Big Apple into a hub for medical transitions — including for minors.
And Mamdani has vowed to “coordinate with the NYS Attorney General and District Attorneys to investigate and hold public hearings on hospitals that deny trans youth their rightful healthcare and hold them accountable to the law.”
Most of his supporters were probably too spellbound by promises of free everything to realize Mamdani was promising gratis child sterilizations too!
So much for following the science.
Level-headed people must not stop calling it out. This week, makeup influencer Jeffree Star called progressive parents who influence their kids to change genders “f–king weirdos.”
On the “Skinny Confidential” podcast, Star — who wears heavy makeup and long hair and presents as extremely feminine — asked why both parents and society are “encouraging our kids to be a different gender and feed them false information when they’re so young.
“It’s like when you’re a tomboy. Did your mom … did she cut your tits off at 13?” Star asked. “Nowadays, it’s all these f–king weirdos telling their kids, ‘OMG you like Barbie? You’re a woman!’ No, that’s just a little boy experimenting and not knowing what the f–k he’s doing.”
As writer Andrew Sullivan has long argued, transing children is erasing gay children.
The gender conversation went so far left, it became radical.
We need to tell children the truth: They cannot change their sex. And their problems won’t be magically fixed by a pill or a scalpel.
Now, we have a scientific consensus to back that up.
This story originally appeared on NYPost
Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland find out World Cup play-off opponents | World News
Northern Ireland have been drawn to play Italy in the semi-finals of the World Cup play-offs, while Wales face Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Ireland take on the Czech Republic.
Should Wales and Northern Ireland both win, they will play each other for a place at the finals in North America next summer after the draw was made by FIFA on Thursday
Wales would be at home for the final, but with two home nations potentially facing each other, one of the teams from the British Isles definitely will not be there.
World Cup tickets – all you need to know
Wales manager Craig Bellamy celebrates after their win over North Macedonia. Pic: Reuters
Northern Ireland’s Italian challenge
If the Republic of Ireland, who booked their spot in dramatic fashion thanks to a last-gasp victory over Hungary, get past the Czechs, they will take on either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Northern Ireland, who qualified through the Nations League, have the toughest task of the three – at least on paper – against the Azzurri, who have won the World Cup four times, but last qualified in 2014.
They have only beaten Italy once in 11 meetings – in 1958.
Everything you need to know about World Cup 2026
Northern Ireland have appeared in world football’s biggest tournament three times, the last in 1986.
Wales, who ended their qualifying campaign with a thumping 7-1 victory over North Macedonia, will be trying to reach their second finals in a row and their third overall.
The Republic of Ireland’s players celebrate the winning goal against Hungary that put them into the play-offs. Pic: Reuters
The Republic’s footballers last qualified in 2002, their third appearance in the finals.
England and Scotland already through
Ecstatic Scotland fans celebrate qualifying for the World Cup
England and Scotland have qualified for the tournament, the Scots for the first time since 1998.
They scored two late goals in a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark in Glasgow on Tuesday to secure a place.
England reached the finals for the eighth consecutive time by winning all their qualifiers and without conceding a single goal.
If you are planning to go to the tournament, you may need deep pockets, as Sky News discovered tickets already being sold for eye-watering prices by the platform Vivid Seats.
The play-off semi-finals will take place on 26 March and the finals five days later.
Read more from Sky News:
28 years later, Scotland are back
England qualify for 2026 World Cup
Warning to UK fans travelling to World Cup
In the other semi-finals, Turkey take on Romania, Slovakia face Kosovo, Sweden meet Ukraine and Poland play Albania.
Scotland players reflect on World Cup win
In all, 16 teams are bidding for one of the four remaining European places.
The draw was also made for the inter-confederation play-offs, from which the final two teams will come.
Jamaica, who missed out on automatic qualifying to Curacao, will take on New Caledonia, with the winner facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the final.
Bolivia and Suriname, meanwhile, will meet for the right to face Iraq.
The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July and will be played at 11 sites in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
A total of 48 countries will be involved and 104 games will be played overall.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
Comey prosecution issues; Names in Epstein files : NPR
Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
Today’s top stories
The Justice Department yesterday informed the judge overseeing the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey that the full grand jury never reviewed the final indictment against him. The government described this as little more than a paperwork error. But Comey’s attorney disagreed, saying this is grounds to have the case dismissed. Comey faces false statement and obstruction charges tied to congressional testimony he gave in 2020.
The statue titled “Justice Delayed, Justice Denied” stands on the front of the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse on Nov. 13, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia. The court is hearing oral argument challenging the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Lindsey Halligan, who signed the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, was illegitimate.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images
- 🎧 Former federal prosecutors expressed to NPR’s Ryan Lucus that the fact that the full jury didn’t see the final indictment is a self-inflicted wound by the government. Lucus says the judge overseeing the case sounded concerned, and the DOJ’s action raises questions about the validity of the indictment itself. A magistrate judge who ordered the government to hand over all grand jury materials to the defense a few days ago says there has been a pattern of “profound investigative missteps” in the case.
President Trump has signed the bill that directs the Justice Department to make public its case files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ahead of the new documents’ release, there is renewed focus on what the thousands of pages that are already public divulge about the president. The documents also reveal other powerful people who kept close ties with Epstein, even after he became a registered sex offender.
- 🎧 Rich and powerful academics, lawyers, politicians and more sought counsel from Epstein, NPR’s Stephen Fowler tells Up First. Epstein gave former Trump strategist Steve Bannon advice on how to build a far-right political movement in Europe. There were also several high-profile Democrats in Epstein’s orbit, and the president is directing the DOJ to investigate links among the prominent names, including former President Bill Clinton. But some of Epstein’s accusers are urging Trump to avoid partisanship and focus on the powerful people that they say have not faced scrutiny, regardless of political affiliation.
Tech company Nvidia announced yesterday that it generated $32 billion in profit over the last three months. In recent weeks, it reached a valuation of $5 trillion. The company is fueling much of Wall Street’s optimism surrounding artificial intelligence.
- 🎧 Tech, and AI in particular, makes up a huge portion of the stock market, says NPR’s Maria Aspan. AI-related stocks make up almost half of the value of the S&P 500. While Wall Street is pinning its hopes on the AI boom, the companies investing in the technology are not yet seeing significant tangible results. Aspan notes that it is essential to remember that the stock market is not the economy; it is often an indicator of the economy’s performance. Much of the AI boom is driving the market to record highs, which means investors may overlook questions about what is actually happening in the economy.
Today’s listen
Lewis Capaldi performs during the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Friday, June 27, 2025. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
Scott A Garfitt/Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP/Invision
hide caption
toggle caption
Scott A Garfitt/Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP/Invision
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi realized he needed to change his life when he was performing at Glastonbury Festival in 2023. His voice cracked. Then, one shoulder twitched uncontrollably — a symptom of his Tourette syndrome. He found himself unable to finish the chorus of his hit “Someone You Loved.” During an interview with Morning Edition host Leila Fadel, Capaldi said that looking back, he needed that moment, and it ultimately saved him. The singer was absent from the spotlight for almost two years, but he has now returned with a new EP, Survive. It’s only four tracks long — a decision Capaldi says was intentional and made to sidestep perfectionism and the pressure of his second album. Listen to Capaldi discuss his journey back to the stage and hear snippets of his new music.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Life advice
Photograph by Reet Talreja/Unsplash; Collage by Kaz Fantone/NPR
Photograph by Reet Talreja/Unsplash; Collage by Kaz Fantone/NPR
Crowded airports, high ticket prices, the risk of bad weather and flight delays can make flying for the holidays stressful. To help you make informed travel decisions, Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going.com, offered his insights to Life Kit.
- ✈️ If you travel on the actual holiday, you will encounter fewer crowds, reduced fares, and fewer flight disruptions.
- ✈️ Avoid peak travel days. For Thanksgiving, the busiest days are Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday and Saturday and Sunday after.
- ✈️ Direct flights have the advantage of not having layovers, which can get delayed and cause you to miss your connecting flight.
For more tips on how to avoid flight delays this holiday season, listen to this episode of NPR’s Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
3 things to know before you go
Author Rabih Alameddine won the Fiction prize for his novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother).
Andy Kropa/Invision
hide caption
toggle caption
Andy Kropa/Invision
- Author Rabih Alameddine won the 2025 National Book Award for Fiction with his novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother). Here’s who else took home awards last night.
- The small Caribbean nation of Curaçao has set a historic record by becoming the least populous country ever to reach the FIFA World Cup.
- This week, NPR’s Far-Flung Postcard series takes you to a carving shop in Yimianpo, China, where artisans sculpt Russian nesting dolls.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
This story originally appeared on NPR