Jeff Bezos challenges rival Elon Musk by unveiling a $27,000 electric truck
Jeff Bezos’ mystical EV maker, Slate, has unveiled its first model, a peel-off back pickup truck that will be sold for $27,000 ($20,000 after federal incentives).
Cover media – Shareable
The Slate EV pickup will be built in Indiana.
The truck doesn’t include built-in infotainment, but you’ll notice that the price is low.
Lauren Gregory’s 7-year-old son James is the first question to speak volumes about what an electric truck is about slate pickups parked in the Moto gathering space in Ferndale, Michigan.
“When he came in, he said, ‘Where is the TV?'” Gregory said. “It’s very easy inside.”
Truck, the creation of a Jeff Bezos-backed electric vehicle startup with offices in Troy, Michigan, is not a typical pickup.
The version shown on June 29 was a prototype and is not ready for production, but potential customers of the model want to see it next year. Slate people said these additions are what the cost of the new car, the important complaints of many consumers, what the vehicle is designed to address, and what the price tag is expected to be at $20,000.
Unlike other people who spoke to the free press reporter who is part of the USA Today network, Gregory, 41, of Beverly Hills, has not had a $50 refundable reservation for the truck, but she is showing interest as she is charged for being highly customizable. In fact, the vehicle starts as a two-seater truck, but offers kits and sits in five seats. Options include square or fastback SUVs, outdoor or cargo.
Gregory said her son “loves the idea that it’s Mr. Potato Head.”
She noted that some consumers may think that handmade windows are “non-negotiable” but not Gregory.
“It feels like everything has done for us recently,” she said.
In case you miss it: Is the slate electric pickup truck a Tesla killer? What does Bezos-backed track mean for EV racing?
It was a review from many people, and I remembered some nostalgia of cars from past eras before electronics took over. One guy sounded really surprised that Crank was actually working on this model.
Craigwoods, 65, of Arendale, near Grand Rapids, ran specially from western Michigan, seeing and touching the two-seater truck. Woods reminded him of his old Ford Ranger, a smaller truck than today’s version of the road.
“I was always looking for a little pickup,” and I was looking for a “beast” rather than a “beast” like other available models,” Woods said. “Overall, the vehicle looks like it’s going to be a good, solid entry-level EV.”
Booked for $50 a few months ago, Woods is currently driving a rolling soul in a trailer to handle towing needs. If he could buy the slate, it would be his first EV and hit the price range that would make electricity attractive.
Woods said he wanted to do his part for the environment, but beyond that, he said he believes the EV represents a future direction of transport.
The rear-wheel-drive slate offers two battery options ranging from up to 150 or 240 miles. The vehicle will be built in Warsaw, Indiana, and the slate said it intends to sell directly to consumers.
The truck has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds and is expected to have a cargo floor of 35.1 cubic feet and 5 feet long. According to the company, Frank (where the engine is normally located on non-electric vehicles) is 7 cubic feet.
The vehicle is basic grey with color customization through wrapping. The company said it has wrap kits starting from around $500.
The model on display on Sunday had blue wrap with orange yellow stripes, with several palm tree silhouettes.
Derek Okodnicki, 38, of Berkeley, is probably fine with stock colours (he loves grey). Michigan winter had been wondering about the longevity of rap.
He took his daughter, 2-year-old mites, and saw the slate. She loves cars, he pointed out. Ochodnicky, who likes “Mod Cars,” has shown that he’s looking at the SUV options as a future sibling who is expected to “probably not cut it.”
If the price ranges from $20,000 to $25,000, it will appeal to him.
However, the Ochodnicky was not sold in exposed bolts on the side of the vehicle. He said, “I’m interested in seeing what the fit and finish are when we reach production.”
Kylee Flake, a slate agent on the field, showed that the bolts would become visible.
Ochodnicky noted the challenges that some buyers could face.
“Part of me” wants a sophisticated vehicle, but Ochodnicky said he also likes the comfort of his creatures.
Eric D. Lawrence: Please contact elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Send a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
Why some federal workers made deals offered by Trump
“I was hoping to retire with federal workers,” Until recently, 27-year-old Jourdain Solis was employed by the Internal Revenue Service. When he heard that the program he was working for would be eliminated, he decided to bow.
WASHINGTON – On July 8, the Supreme Court lifted a federal judge’s order to suspend massive reductions in Trump administration’s administration’s staffing cuts and institutional restructuring, boosting the president’s campaign to scale back and restructure the federal government.
In a brief opinion signed, the judge said he had not ruled the legality of certain reorganization plans.
However, the court said it was wrong to stop the administration from moving forward with changes to the institution.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson objected, saying, “It’s called a wrong decision at the wrong moment.
“But for some reason, the court considers it appropriate to release the president’s destruction ball at the beginning of this case,” Jackson wrote.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor said he agreed with Jackson but agreed that the changes must comply with previous Congressional orders, but that Trump’s executive order directed the agency to follow the law.
“At this stage, the plan itself is not in front of this court, and therefore there is no opportunity to consider whether it can be implemented consistently with the limitations of the law,” she writes.
Sotomayor said the district judge could consider whether that was happening or not.
more: How Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Justice stands out from her liberal colleagues
The group says government services are at “grave danger.”
The massive federal layoffs are being challenged by unions, nonprofits and local government groups that the administration argued that it would not be able to make such drastic changes without Congress.
In a joint statement, the coalition said the court’s decision “has taken a serious blow to our democracy and dedicated services that the American people rely on the dangers of graves.” The group vowed to continue fighting.
If the administration is allowed to move forward while the courts are under pressure, they argued, even if their agenda is ultimately successful, it would not be possible to restore the institution.
“There’s no way to unleash that egg,” lawyers for the union and other challengers told the Supreme Court.
Trump says he doesn’t need Congressional permission
Attorney General Pam Bondy said the Supreme Court “stops the outlaw lower courts from limiting President Trump’s authority over federal officials.”
“Now, federal agencies could be more efficient than ever,” Bondi said on social media.
The administration argues that President Donald Trump does not need “special permission” from Congress to fire thousands of federal employees. And, according to Justice Department lawyers, it’s not the interests of government or taxpayers that they have to wait for lawsuits to unfold before cutting the workforce.
San Francisco US District Judge Susan Ilston suspended the layoffs and determined on May 22 that around 20 affected agencies were unable to function as intended by Congress.
For example, Congress has established the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, but the administration wants to eliminate almost all of its 222 employees.
The Social Security Agency, also established by Congress, has struggled to accommodate Social Security recipients since staff cuts began, writes Ilston, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton.
The Court of Appeals divides 2-1 into judge’s orders
A three-separated judge panel of judges at the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals supported Ilston’s decision.
Two of the three judges — both appointed by the Democratic president — said the administration’s “unprecedented” attempt to restructure the federal government was very broad and it would be difficult to get the scale fully on court orders.
Writing for the majority, Judge William Fletcher also said the administration could not provide “single evidence” as to why Trump would suffer irreparable injuries if he couldn’t fire workers immediately.
Judge Consuelo Callahan, appointed by the Republican president, disagreed. She wrote that the court was interfering with Trump’s “legal conduct.”
more: Thousands of federal employees are on a roller coaster where they’ve been fired and re-employed
The administration has actively challenged a moratorium on thwarting the president’s policies when federal judges filed lawsuits.
A new report by a group of Israeli researchers known as the Dyna Project found that 13 women and two men who survived Hamas prisoners of war, said they experienced or witnessed sexual violence while being held hostages in Gaza.
Dyna’s Project Experts – All Women – collected direct testimonies from one hostage from 15 hostages attempted rape during the 27 first responders who participated in the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, 17 eye and ear witnesses and the attack scene.
These testimonies, coupled with forensic reports and photographs and videos from the attack, concluded that Hamas used sexual violence in a broad and systematic “tactical” way as a “weapon of war.”
The report, published Tuesday, describes some of the survivors’ experiences.
Reports revealed that one woman was beaten and sexually assaulted at gunpoint. She said she was chained to the chain of her iron ankle for three weeks and was repeatedly asked about the timing of her menstrual cycle. The report details that many of the 15 former hostages have been threatened with rape in the form of forced marriages. Almost all of them said they reported some physical sexual harassment, including oral sexual harassment and unwanted emotionality in the private parts.
Israel accused the United Nations and international organisations, including its institutions, of ignoring the widespread sexual violence committed by Hamas and other extremist groups during the October 7 attack.
The Dyna Project is an Israeli group established following the attacks to seek justice for victims of sexual violence. It is made up of legal and gender experts, led by legal scholar Ruth Halperin Kadali and former chief prosecutor of the Israeli Defense Forces Sharon Zagagi Pinhas, and is operated under the auspices of the Ruth and Emmanuel Lachman Centre for the advancement of the University of Bar Iran at the University of Bar Iran.
The first official UN approval of the use of sexual violence during attack came about five months after October 7th. Subsequently, following the mission to Israel, a special representative of the United Nations on conflict sexual violence published a report that concluded there was reasonable basis for concluding conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations.
Hamas denied that extremists committed sexual violence in the past, and in a December statement said these were “bassed lies and allegations.”
The scale of the atrocities committed on the day of the attack meant the initial responders and investigators were overwhelmed. Jewish customs say that bodies must be buried as soon as possible after death, so the focus of the first responders, many of whom were Orthodox Jewish volunteers, was on restoring the remains, not researching.
In many cases, authorities were not able to gather enough forensic evidence as they were taking part in the scene while the attack was still ongoing. This often meant that there were no detailed records or photographs of the crime scene immediately afterwards. The report says that many of the victims of sexual violence were killed by the attackers, which resulted in the murder of the attackers.
Once some of the hostages were released, more time had passed and the victims were able to process their experiences, researchers were able to gather more comprehensive, direct evidence.
Researchers from the DINAH Project called for the crime to be recognized as a crime during the attack, saying that perpetrators must be held liable and internationally condemned.
You don’t need a mechanic for everything. Here are 10 simple car repairs you can handle yourself.
Following Autozone, there are several reasons why your car’s AC may not be blowing cold air. Leaks and compressor issues are two of the most common issues.
Some issues can be easily fixed, while others may require a trip to the mechanic.
Summer vehicles can be incredibly dangerous and incredibly fast.
Inside the car, the temperature can rise by 20 degrees in 10 seconds. At 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior can skyrocket to about 140 degrees in an hour. Even at just 60 degrees, the temperature inside can reach up to 110 degrees.
That being said, the last thing you want during a few hot summer months is a car with no air conditioning. So, if you previously flipped over with AC and warm air comes out of the vent, head straight to the internet to find a solution.
According to AutoZone, there are various reasons why AC may not be working. Leaks and compressor issues are two of the most common issues. Fixing these issues ranges from cheap and fast DIY solutions to heavy bills from mechanics.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my car blowing hot?”, here’s everything you need to know.
How does AC in my car work?
Before trying to determine an air conditioning problem in your vehicle, it is a good idea to briefly understand how it works in the first place. Contrary to what you might believe, the air conditioning system does not create cold air, Autozone says. Instead, they cool the air by removing hot air and moisture.
Essentially, when you turn on AC, refrigerant flows through the system, absorbing heat from the vehicle’s cabin, and is removed through a series of parts and processes. The heat is then released into the atmosphere and the process repeats itself.
Why is my car blowing the heat away?
There are several reasons why AC blows warm air instead of cold air. Some possibilities include:
Insufficient airflow in the cabin: This can be a bad problem with blower motors, but more commonly it is a clogged cabin air filter.
Enough refrigerant: Gas circulating through the system can leak.
The compressor may not be cycling: A clutch problem or a compressor failure will prevent the air conditioning system from dispersing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant.
The expansion valve is packed: A clogged expansion valve means that the cooled refrigerant cannot return to the cabin.
The radiator is blocked: Debris that blocks capacitors mounted behind the radiator can make it impossible for heated refrigerant to cool effectively.
Electricity issues: It may be that the electrical connections are loose, damaged, or some parts such as HVAC controls are not working well.
Diagnose and fix the problem
Depending on the problem, you may be able to diagnose and fix it yourself. Below are some possible steps you can take to achieve a simple fix:
Check the condition of the cabin air filter and replace it if it is dirty or clogged.
Make sure the heater fan is blowing. If it is blown away only at high speeds, it could be that the blower motor resolver star is broken or the fuse could be blown.
Clean the radiator. If there are any debris clogged, flush it out to pass through the air and the condenser.
Check all wiring connections for the AC system you can access. Please check along the wire for friction or cutting.
If necessary, use a DIY refrigerant kit to check and refill refrigerant levels.
If a DIY diagnosis does not reveal the root of the problem, or you can’t understand it, Autozone recommends involving experts to avoid spending a lot of time or small scale just to end up on a mechanic anyway.
Additionally, it is important to maintain routine maintenance, such as checking and replacing your cabin air filters, especially during the warm summer months. It is recommended that you specialize in your air conditioning system at least once a year to identify potential issues before leading to serious issues.
Finally, running the air conditioner regularly can help keep the seals dry and not cracked, even in cooler months, leading to leaks.
President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package collects large taxes on universities with the largest donations. The school warns that financial aid may be at risk.
Judges suspend Trump’s plans and block foreign students from attending Harvard
The judge ruled that the Trump administration could not block international students from attending Harvard University.
Scripps News
WASHINGTON – Harvard University has become President Donald Trump’s favorite punch bag, and the massive tax and spending bill he signed on July 4th is about to hit Ivy League schools once again.
The law has raised the tax on donations from the richest universities in the United States from 1.4% to 8%. Harvard has already been cut off from billions of federal funds since Trump took office and is one of a handful of schools struggling with new tax burdens.
“If this donation income is taxed, there are billions of dollars that could enter the government,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon told CNBC in May. “I think the public will look at it and say that it might be a rational approach.”
As a result of the policy shift, campuses in Cambridge, Massachusetts could lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year. A Harvard spokesman declined to comment specifically on the new tax hike.
read more: Can Harvard alumni save it from Trump?
As the bill worked through Congress, university affordability advocates and some students expressed concern that taxation on fund funds, often used to support financial aid, would ultimately harm low-income students. (A university donation is the aggregation of donated assets invested by the university to support its mission, according to the U.S. Council of Education.)
Some people called this measure the “scholarship tax.” A 2024 survey by the National Association of Colleges and College Business Officers showed nearly half of the $30 billion that schools spent on financial aid that year.
read more: Why these university students are wary of GOP Mega Building
By some estimates, Harvard is one of about half a dozen universities affected by the more sudden donation tax. Some of those piercing schools have already spoken about budget cuts.
Yale University President Morley McInnis said on July 3 that her Ivy League campus will be forced to pay an estimated $280 million a year for taxes. That number will likely increase in the next few years, she said.
She warned that the university will face “difficult choices” in the coming months.
“The impact of this tax will be felt far beyond our campus and homeland,” she said in an official statement. “Taxing universities undermine life-saving medical breakthroughs, life-changing innovations, and education and research that drive economic growth in communities across the country and around the world.”
How will the new donation tax work?
In 2017, Congress passed a law that created a 1.4% tax on net return on investment from certain university contributions.
However, excise tax did not apply to all universities. It only affected schools where per student contributions exceed $500,000. Qualified schools also had to register more than 500 students paying tuition fees.
Then, in May, the House GOP committee lifted the ante as part of an effort to file a request for President Trump to pass groundbreaking laws.
The committee passed measures that created the new structure and levied a tax of up to 21% on schools like Harvard. Harvard’s total contribution is valued at over $50 billion.
Senate Republicans were nearly medium in size than their House counterparts, and eventually became silenced by the law. Specifically, we reduced the highest tax rate to 8%. After transfers from religious and conservative universities, they also exempted dozens of schools with fewer than 3,000 students.
read more: Religious universities will receive major tax cuts in the Trump spending bill in the war with Harvard University
The new 8% donation tax rate affects only some of the most selective universities in the country, including Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Meanwhile, the 4% rate applies to other universities with a donation value per student between $750,000 and $2 million. (Forbes estimates it is lower than the 12 schools in that bracket.) The current 1.4% tax remains the same in schools with students between $500,000 and $750,000 adjusted.
The so-called “one big, beautiful bill,” Including loan cuts for graduate students and Medicaid could also lead to more belt strengthening and budget cuts on university campuses.
Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA Today. You can contact him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @Zachschermele and follow Bluesky at @Zachschermele.bsky.social.
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt is a urologist and robotic surgeon with Orlando Health and an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine.
You feel unusually tired and sad, and your interest in sex has fallen.
That’s not interesting. If you’re a man, you might think you have low testosterone.
wait a minute. Have we all experienced some or all of these symptoms at once? It is common to feel tired, irritated or unmotivated after a late night out, stressful work, or just a bad night’s sleep.
However, my patients want to eliminate low testosterone as a source, so I often start with a survey called androgen deficiency in the aging men, or Adam’s survey. It will take a little time to see the number of “yes” responses to be collected.
Are your sexual desires diminished or do you have sex drives?
Are you lacking energy?
Has your strength or endurance decreased?
Have you lost your height?
Have you noticed that your life’s enjoyment is diminishing?
Are you sad or in a bad mood?
Isn’t your erection that strong?
Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
Are you falling asleep after dinner?
Have you seen your work performance deteriorate recently?
According to this survey, if you answer “Yes” and “Yes” to Questions 1 or 7, or three or more questions overall may have low testosterone.
Or maybe you won’t. These questions and answers are the beginning and not the end of this journey. These questions may be helpful, but are spacious enough to explain the general living experiences we all face.
As a urologist specializing in male health, patients are often convinced that testosterone is low based solely on these symptoms, but they find that their testosterone levels are completely within range (details at the levels below).
As a field expert, I run to check for testosterone. I just realize that my symptoms are not due to true hormone deficiency, but because of poor sleep habits.
A quick note before diving deeper: I understand that this can be a delicate topic. The information provided here is not true for everyone. Many patients are irritated with my clinic and are looking for a clear answer.
Even in the medical community there is important debate about how to diagnose and manage “low T.” My intention is not to downplay or underestimate concerns, but to provide perspective and education and to help make informed decisions with healthcare providers.
Even for urologists like me, it can be difficult to diagnose low testosterone. That said, according to the latest American Urology Association guidelines, a total testosterone level below 300 ng/dL (nanograms per decilitor) is recommended as a cut-off for the diagnosis of testosterone deficiency.
But here’s a tricky part. Labs don’t always agree with what they consider normal, leading to confusion among patients and healthcare professionals. Take two of the most popular labs in the US (Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp) as an example. The quest lists the normal testosterone range from 250 to 1100 ng/dl, while LabCorp uses 264 to 916 ng/dL. This means that a level of 260 ng/dL could be flagged as “low” in one lab, while another could be flagged as “normal.” Therefore, most American urologists rely on AUA guidelines and keep in mind that all patients are different.
To ensure accuracy, the guidelines recommend checking your testosterone levels twice. This is two separate mornings, ideally from 7am to 10am. That’s because your fluctuating testosterone peaks and is the perfect time to measure your true levels. The first peak occurs in the morning, the second peak (not as high as morning) occurs in the afternoon, with testosterone levels gradually dropping by the end of the day. Lab companies are based on the “normal” reference range, based on the assumption that testosterone testing will be performed at these specific morning hours.
Furthermore, clinical diagnosis of testosterone deficiency relies not only on the number of labs, but also on the presentation of symptoms such as low energy, reduced libido, loss of muscle mass, and changes in mood.
Once you start testosterone therapy, your goal is to raise your testosterone levels to the range of about 450-600 ng/dL. This is considered a “central target” of most laboratory reference ranges. The middle third is a “sweet spot” where most men experience symptom relief or resolution without exceeding levels that can cause unwanted risks or side effects. It can take several months to find an appropriate and safe dose for your patient.
Levels and symptoms are not always sufficient
Adding to our dilemma as a physician, testosterone sensitivity varies from person to person. This variation may be related to genetic factors, according to studies involving testosterone receptor sensitivity. So it is possible that a man with testosterone levels of 400 ng/dL will feel better, while another man with the same level may experience countless symptoms.
Testosterone sensitivity testing is not readily available at present. But the hope is to one day take routine tests that will help you better personalize your testosterone replacement therapy.
Diagnosis and treatment of low testosterone is still a very ongoing work with continuing discussion among experts. However, other medical issues that mimic low testosterone symptoms are easier and supported by powerful research.
Many men whose testosterone lab results are completely normal still experience persistent symptoms. In many cases, these issues are related to lifestyle and other medical factors, not testosterone itself.
In 2025, many health professionals, including myself, became more open to testosterone replacement therapy as new research disproves some of the important risks they previously feared, including concerns about prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Still, testosterone exchanges are not the right choice for anyone, and there may be other medical conditions that mimic the same symptoms that are the main focus of your (and your doctor’s) investigation.
In my own experience, lack of sleep is often the reason behind how tired and frustrating you feel. Sleep is essential for hormone regulation, mood stability and overall health. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue, mood swings, low libido and difficulty in focus, according to the National Institutes of Health. These are all symptoms that mimic what is found with low testosterone.
A common cause of sleep deprivation is obstructive sleep apnea. This is a state in which breathing begins to stop repeatedly as you are about to get good night, good night rest. Sleep apnea can reduce hormone balance dysregulation and lower testosterone levels. Continuous positive airway pressure, or the use of CPAP, has been shown to improve sleep quality, improve testosterone, and alleviate symptoms.
I started using the Activity Tracker 24/7. This quickly identified my own sleep problems. Eliminating late afternoon caffeine and changing the evening screen time for reading before bed significantly improved sleep quality, energy levels and overall mood without hormone therapy. My own small changes have led to major improvements.
Stress, lifestyle, hormones
Chronic stress may feel like you’re low in testosterone. Elevated cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, can temporarily suppress testosterone production and cause the same symptoms as testosterone deficiency, particularly reduced sexual desire and fatigue.
Diet and exercise also play an important role. Studies have shown that testosterone levels in men have been significantly reduced over the last few decades. Experts believe this decrease is closely related to increased obesity rates, chronic stress and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Many of my own patients report dramatic improvements in energy, mood and libido simply by losing weight, eating healthier diets, and maintaining physical activity.
Some medical conditions can mimic symptoms caused by low testosterone. Low thyroid or vitamin deficiency (vitamin D or vitamin B12) can cause fatigue, changes in mood, and low libido. Diabetes or heart disease generally causes fatigue and sexual dysfunction. Many patients initially thought they had testosterone deficiency, which has improved significantly after dealing with these (and other) conditions without the need for hormonal treatment.
Another common scenario involves erectile dysfunction. Many patients mistakenly attribute a reduced libido or lack of sexual interest to low testosterone. In most cases, frustration and anxiety about sexual performance led to psychological withdrawal, resulting in reduced sexual desire and confidence.
There are only a few men who have low erectile dysfunction, which is derived from testosterone levels. In these cases, testosterone replacement therapy may be helpful. However, in my personal experience, replacing testosterone alone often leads to more frustration. Men may experience higher sexual desires, but they still have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
Therefore, it is usually better to treat ED directly, using affordable generic drugs like tadalafil and sildenafil to restore sexual confidence and performance. These drugs often cost nearly $40 per pill, and are as affordable as $40 for a three-month supply, providing practical and reliable solutions for most men.
Trouble trends in testosterone testing and treatment
According to 2024 American Urology Association guidelines, the number of men who received testosterone tests and prescriptions has almost tripled in recent years.
The AUA says up to 25% of men who start testosterone therapy have never been tested before they began treatment. Testosterone will not be reconfirmed after treatment is started. Up to a third of men receiving testosterone therapy do not meet the official clinical criteria for testosterone deficiency.
Meanwhile, many men who benefit from testosterone replacement therapy remain untreated due to prolonged concerns among healthcare providers regarding potential prostate cancer or cardiovascular risk. Additionally, men who skip regular screenings or simply feel openly discussing their symptoms are missing out on the treatment and relief they can experience.
Get out of the trap and take control of your health
All this feels like a “chicken or egg” scenario. Will starting testosterone therapy motivate men to exercise more and manage their health better, or should lifestyle and health issues be addressed before considering hormone therapy first? These complexities underscore the importance of personalized conversations between you and your healthcare provider.
In my practice, I always focus on lifestyle first: Are you getting quality sleep? How high is your stress level? Are you physically active? How healthy is your personal relationship? By working on these areas first, many of my patients see significant improvements without falling into testosterone traps.
Inspired by the weekly roundups on living well, which have become simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, but a better newsletter about information and tools designed to improve your happiness.
President Donald Trump said drug imports will face “a very high rate, like 200%,” and will impose tariffs at a later date.
US tariffs will come into effect on August 1st
The president said most tariff transactions should take place by July 9th, but not valid until August 1st.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump plans to continue the pressure campaign to overturn global trade policy by announcing a 50% tariff on copper imports, and plan to impose tariffs on drugs that soon enter the US
Copper is the core component of electrical equipment. Many home appliances also have copper in their wiring.
“I believe in copper tariffs, we’re going to make 50%,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting on July 8, where he indicated that he would formalize the new tariffs later that day. Trump did not say when it would take effect.
Trump added that drugs will face “very high rates, like 200%,” which he will be introduced at a later date. Tariffs on these imports will not be enforced for at least a year to give drugmakers time to prepare, he said.
Customs Hiking: Trump announces tariff hikes in 14 countries, including Indonesia and South Africa
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that copper tariffs are expected to begin collecting at Trump’s mutual tariffs at the end of the month or on August 1st. Research into semiconductors and drugs was also expected to be completed at the end of July, Lutnick said.
On July 7, the president told 14 countries that exports would face tariffs of more than 25% in letters published on social media. He was expected to issue up to 100 letters before August 1 to countries notifying countries that did not have another arrangement for their new tariff rate with the United States. He has had a baseline tariff of 10% in most countries since April.
Everything you need to know before the WNBA All-Star Game
Mackenzie Salmon from Sports Tilegians breaks down some of the big storylines coming out of the WNBA All-Star Game as they get closer soon.
Seriously sports
Kate Linklark has the opportunity to calm the toxic behavior of the worst fans.
Clark and fellow WNBA All-Star captain Nafeesa Collier will select teams for the 2025 All-Star Game scheduled for July 19th, with Indiana Feverstar sending a message highlighted by drafting Angel Reese. The team will be selected live on ESPN on Tuesday, July 8th at 7pm.
The Chicago Sky Forward was cast as the villain of Clark’s hero, dating back to his college junior year, when Reese waving her ring finger at Clark after LSU defeated Iowa in the NCAA Championship Game. It wasn’t important whether Reese was imitating Clark’s own “You can’t see me” or that. A rivalry has been created.
Sports thrive with rivals. Brady vs. Manning. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Warriors vs. Cavaliers. And with the closest comparison between Clark and Reese, Magic vs. Bird.
WNBA: As growth surges and CBAs get hot, players call wage scales
But the rivalry between Clark and Reese is ugly, a problem for everyone in the WNBA. There’s far too many fans segments, not the majority of Clark fans, not the majority of fans.
Again, not all her fans. But it’s enough to do real damage. Players who offer Clark a hard foul can expect to see their social media accounts flooded with hateful messages. Reese spoke about being a target of deepfakes in porn. Some of it was sent to her family.
And it’s a disaster to anyone who says a bit of a critical thing about Clark and her game. (Or God votes her for the ninth best guard during a season when she misses half of the Indiana game and isn’t filming well.)
“In my 11-year career, I have never experienced any racial comments (as is) from the Indiana Fever fan base,” Alyssa Thomas said in the playoffs last year after eliminating Fever following a controversial series accused of trying to make Clark a mime Clark.
“To be honest, it’s unacceptable and there’s no place for it,” Thomas continued. “We’ve been professional throughout, but we’ve never been called something called on social media. There’s no place for that. Basketball is heading in a great direction, but we don’t want fans who will degrade us and call us racial.”
Clark directly and indirectly denied this segment of his fanbase. Her most severe accusations came last year on Time’s Athlete of the Year profile.
“Stop it,” she told the magazine. “That’s because it’s not me.”
But the trolls and bias continue, and no one is abused more than Reese.
When the WNBA said it was investigating racist abuse during the first game of Sky and Fever in Indianapolis this season, she was lightly paraded and ocked when the league said it couldn’t demonstrate any comment. Fans coined the term “Memons” to reduce her game. Reese is the WNBA’s major rebounder (12.8 per game) simply because she’s grabbing her mistake.
But if Clark chooses a lease for her All-Star team, it can silence some of the horrifying howling chorus. People who say Reese sucks and kills her social accounts on vitriol may pipe down if they see her having Clark’s support. When Clark himself gives the public seal of approval, those who think they support Clark for their troubles may think twice.
Some people are terrible because they are just terrible. (If your criticism of a player becomes personal or if racist or homophobic is thinly disguised, you are a bad person. Sorry, sorry.) But Clark and Reese are on the same All-Star team.
The All-Star Game is stupid by its very nature. Even though they are at risk, players tend to treat it as a glorious exhibition. All of these are fine! But if this All-Star game was the catalyst for dedating the WNBA’s worst fans and creating a league, wouldn’t it be a good thing?
No matter who Clark chooses, she will have a good team for the All-Star Game. Drafting the lease allowed her to have a good team for the entire game and everyone in it.
Follow USA Today sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrammour.
good morning! It’s Daniel de Vis with your daily money.
One S&P 500 please. Keep diversity, equity and inclusion.
This is the proposed selling point for today’s new index funds. Funds trading on exchanges reflect the S&P 500, but exclude 37 companies engaged in DEI.
More car buyers make four-digit payments
Automotive buyers set records in the second quarter. This is because I chose more about long-term loans and monthly car payments, which look like mortgage checks.
Where do you get the price of the car from here?
Will customs taxes affect Amazon Prime Day?
Tariffs and economic uncertainty lie in shoppers’ minds in preparation for the sale of Amazon’s Summer Prime Day, officially launched today.
However, at least one company predicts that sales at online sales events will break records as budget-conscious shoppers are looking to trade.
Details about Prime Day are as follows: (Or day.)
📰 More Stories You Shouldn’t Overlook 📰
About daily money
Every day, Daily Money will provide you with the best consumer and financial news from USA Today, breaking complex events, providing you with the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from the Fed rate to bankruptcy will affect you.
Daniel de Vice covers USA Today’s personal finances.
Camp Mystic Video shows the devastation left behind by floods in Texas
Video mystics inside the camp show the devastation left behind by the floods in Texas.
Emergency responders in Texas are warning them to ground their private drones during an ongoing search and recovery mission after colliding with a helicopter during rescue operations.
The drone, which operates illegally in restricted airspace, hit a helicopter involved in an emergency business on July 7, Carr County officials said. The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing and, according to the county, it has not completed service “until further notice.” No injuries have been reported.
“This was completely preventable,” the city of Kerrville said in a statement. “When you fly a drone in a restricted area, you don’t just break the law. You take serious risks and put your first responders, emergency crews and the public.”
more: More than 100 deaths enter Texas flood day 5: Live Update
After the helicopter landed, Kellville police said several other private drones were found flying overhead, exacerbating the “dangerous situation.” Some of the things that were found to be flying illegally were “media manipulation.” The device was disrupting official search and rescue drones, the department said in a Facebook post that it urged people to “have their first responders do their job.”
“We know people want to volunteer, but what we’re starting to see is that individual drones are flying,” Carville city manager Dalton Rice said at a July 7 press conference. “The flying of these personal drones is dangerous to the aircraft, which puts further operations at risk.”
Federal Airlines hospitalization issued temporary flight restrictions for areas that affected flooding in Texas Hill Country until July 13, closing airspace to illicit aircraft from Hunt, Texas to Lake Canyon, Texas, with first responders working.
In some areas, emergency officials are using drones to flush the Guadalupe River and seeking signs of life. The Texas Airlines National Guard deployed a massive MQ-9 drone on June 6, collecting high-resolution images and assessing the impact of flooding in Texas’ Hill Country.
Williamson County, Texas, said it uses drones as part of its search and rescue operation.
Rescue and recovery efforts for victims of the devastating Texas floods extended on their fifth day on July 8th.
The flood began early in the morning on July 4th. Texas Lt. Colonel Dan Patrick said as heavy rains skyrocketed the Guadalupe River over 25 feet in an hour. Survivors were found to be standing on the roof, clinging to a tree.
“It won’t stop until all the missing people are found,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
On Tuesday, he arrived outside of Marseille, France’s second largest city, and a fast-traveling wildfire arrived on Tuesday, closing the airport, and residents were told to stay indoors and close to ensure all openings are safe from smoke.
The flames covered in winds at 70km/h can smell in the heart of Marseille, residents said as clouds of smoke floated over the city.
“It’s very impressive – it’s apocalyptic,” said Monique Byrade, a resident of Lepens Mirabeau, a town north of Marseille, where the fire that is currently burning at around 350 hectares.
Wildfires, which have become more destructive in Mediterranean countries in recent years due to climate change, have also been raging in northeastern Spain.
Last week there were fires in Crete and Athens, Greece.
As the fire spread, residents of the 16th arrondissement of Marseille, adjacent to Lens Mirabeau, were also instructed by the province to maintain close doors and shutters and place damp cloth in the openings, with the province in place.
“The fire that began at Penne Mirabeau is now located at the gates of Marseille,” Mayor Benoit Payan said in X.
One bank worker who reached the phone said, “The sky is gray with ash and the smell of fire is very strong in the heart of Marseille.”
Residents were told to keep the roads free for rescue services so they would not evacuate unless ordered.
“At this stage, the population must remain trapped,” the province of Provence Alpes Alpes da Azur posted on X.
Local firefighters said at X that 168 firefighters were deployed to fight the flames. Fire engines and helicopters were also used.
A spokesman for France’s fourth busiest airport, Marseille, said the plane had not taken off or landed since around noon, and some flights had been decoupled to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen.
According to SNCF train operators, the train lines north and west from Marseille were stopped due to a fire near the tracks.
Meanwhile, the wildfire that began near Narbonne in southwestern France was still active on Monday, when it was fanned by winds of 60 km/h.
According to the local prefecture, approximately 2,000 hectares are on fire.
Libian is once again proving that EVs could beat the gas model when it comes to acceleration and off-road capabilities.
22 Cost Cost A currently offers EV charging.
The electric vehicle market has grown rapidly in recent years, and Costco appears to be hoping to keep up with that trend. EV charging stations are beginning to pop up at Costco locations.
Money tells the news
The 2026 Libian R1 and R1 quad models sport supercar acceleration and off-road chops.
USA Today has tested the latest R1T quad models to experience dynamics and software driving.
The R1 Quad model differs from everything on the American road thanks to its unique design and functionality.
Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) currently produces two electric vehicles: a full-size pickup truck and a full-size family SUV. Both electrical models received first-rate reviews for their capabilities thanks to ground clearance, design and powerful electric motors. Currently, American electric car makers and automotive technology companies are unleashing the 2026 Quad, the most powerful version of their R1 trucks and SUVs.
The Rivian R1 Quad model uses four electric motors to transfer power to move the wheels of the vehicle. Quad motor’s all-wheel drive system means more horsepower and acceleration time is incredibly fast.
USA Today has come closer to the R1T Quad Electric Pickup truck and is personal. This makes it seem astounding on the road, just like it’s on paper.
The 2026 Libian R1 Quad is very fast
The 2026 Libian R1 Quad model uses rockets from 0-60 mph in about 2.5 seconds, making these EVs some of the fastest production vehicles ever made. For context, the 2025 Lamborghini Urus accelerates from 0-60 mph in about 3.1 seconds, according to the car and driver. The Libian R1 quad truck and SUV are faster, more affordable than many supercars, more practical in terms of wide range and capabilities.
The R1T Quad and R1S Quad can run a quarter mile in 10.5 seconds. The EV generates massive 1,025 horsepower and 1,198 pound-feet of torque. Each of the four motors is oil-cooled and individually controlled. The R1 Quad model boasts a driving range (saving mode) of up to 400 miles.
How much does the 2026 Libian R1 Quad cost?
Rivian’s R1S Quad Launch Edition Electric SUV starts at $125,990. The regular version of the 2026 Libian R1S Quad starts at $121,990.
The new 2026 Rivian R1T release will start at $119,990. The regular version of the R1T Quad starts at $115,990. Libian also charges $1,895 for US destinations and cargo.
What sets the 2026 Libian R1 Quad apart from its competitors?
USA Today interviewed Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer of Rivian, to find out why the Rivian R1 quad electric trucks and SUVs are different from the competition.
“The spirit of our brand. In terms of being able to provide a still engaging premium experience,” Hammoud said.
When asked about the design challenges the team faced when developing the latest Libian Quad models, Libian’s Chief Design Officer replied, “We asked ourselves: How do you make the R1 feel like a 6-figure car off-road and unafraid?”
After testing the Libian R1T quad, I decided it was just as capable as it was advertised. Libian’s latest electric vehicles drive like sports cars, but offer ground clearance (nearly 15.0 inches) and true off-road vehicle designs without sacrificing technology due to their luxurious materials and capabilities.
Hammoud noted that EVS “continues to improve over time” thanks to an update to Over-the-Air Software. Additionally, there are many ways to customize the R1 to suit your personal needs and needs, such as creating an entire vehicle driver profile or a specific drive mode. The new Libian R1 Quad is “software-defined” and incorporates many futuristic technologies that improve the driving experience. Rivian’s latest EV pushes the envelope from an engineering and design perspective.
Bill Passed creates a $6,000 federal income tax credit for Americans over the age of 65. However, breaks are not universal for all beneficiaries.
Social Security Trust Fund is expected to dry out within 10 years
The main trust funds used to pay Social Security benefits are projected to run out by 2033 if lawmakers do not make changes to the system.
Straight Arrow News
President Donald Trump has signed a bill that includes tax credits for seniors, but it was not abolishing taxes on social security benefits.
The deduction is temporary and lasts only until 2028 and is subject to income-based restrictions.
President Donald Trump signed a Republican megaville called the “Big Beautiful Building” at a White House signing ceremony with overpasses from military planes on July 4th.
The bill is based on several campaign promises, including increased spending on immigrant enforcement and increased spending on tips and overtime tax credits.
He has also long vowed to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, and the White House says the bill is fulfilling its promise. The Social Security Administration also sent an unusually political email on July 3, celebrating the passage of the House bill.
But what does the nearly 900-page bill actually say about the Social Security Benefits Tax?
What is BRICS? Trump is threatening more tariffs with countries with “anti-American” policies
Is Bill Trump’s “Social Security Tax” signed?
No, the bill does not rule out taxes on social security benefits.
According to CBS Moneywatch, it reported that it would have been impossible to do so due to Congressional restrictions on what types of budget adjustments such as the bill could be included.
However, the bill includes tax credits for seniors who have been promoted along with other campaign promises, such as no tax on tips or overtime.
“Big Beautiful Bill” includes tax credits for seniors over the age of 65
The passed bill would create a $6,000 federal income tax credit for Americans over the age of 65. (That amount increased from the version of the bill that was passed previously, which was planned to have a $4,000 deduction.)
Social Security can be a large part of the income of seniors, so that deduction could be part of the tax exemption from these benefits. However, breaks are not universal for all beneficiaries. For example, some beneficiaries are under the age of 65 or are already too little to pay income tax. The deduction also reduces the number of individuals earning more than $75,000 ($150,000 if submitted jointly).
A June analysis of the bill by Trump’s Council of Economic Advisors estimates that 88% of seniors will not pay taxes on benefits under the new law.
“It’s sold as a tax credit for seniors, but when it turns out that many seniors don’t fit them, many seniors will be surprised,” Garrett Watson, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, a central right think tank, previously told USA Today. “I’ve been asked by people all the time what this really means for their tax situation.”
When will the deduction be enforced for elderly people?
The deduction is valid for the 2025 tax year. But that’s a limited profit that will only be effective by the end of 2028, just before Trump is scheduled to quit his job.
Contributor: Ben Adler and Zack Anderson, USA Today
Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA Today Network. Contact her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and Tiktok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
Camp Mystic Video shows the devastation left behind by floods in Texas
Video mystics inside the camp show the devastation left behind by the floods in Texas.
Senator Ted Cruz of R-Texas was a few days of a pre-planned holiday to Athens, Greece, when flash floods to be scrapped over Independence Day weekend hit Texas Hill Country.
The senator said he spoke to state officials, including President Donald Trump, on July 4th.
He left Athens on Sunday morning and landed in Texas that night, Cruz spokesman Macarena Martinez said without specifying the exact time of the flight.
By Monday, Cruz was in Kerr County, a site of many destruction, for an official briefing.
“Texas is sad right now,” Cruz said. “The pain, the shock of what has happened over these past few days has broken the hearts of our nation.”
As of July 8, more than 100 people have been confirmed to have died, including 27 children and counselors from the area’s women’s summer camp. Ten campers and one counselor remain missing as search efforts are underway.
At the Carville meeting on July 7th, Cruise criticized the “partisan game” in the wake of weather-related disasters.
“Of course, it’s natural to look back and say, ‘OK, what exactly happened, what the timeline is, what’s different to prevent this loss of life’,” Cruz said. “It’s a natural process. I don’t think it should happen in a bitter, partisan sense, but it should happen in the sense that it’s rational.
News of Cruz’s overseas trips were first reported on July 7, comparing it to the 2021 incident in which the senator fled the state of Cancun, Mexico, during the midst of an ongoing winter storm. Cruz said the trip was “obviously a mistake.”
His pre-planned trip to Athens until July 4th followed days after Trump’s sweeping tax, spending and policy laws and voted in the Senate.
Israeli media reports say the Israeli defense minister told the military to proceed with plans for what is called a “humanitarian city” built on top of the ruins of Rafa in southern Gaza.
In a briefing to reporters Monday, Israel Katz said the zone would initially house around 600,000 displaced people. Palestinians who enter the zone will be screened to ensure they are not members of Hamas.
They would not be allowed to leave, Katz said, according to Israeli media. Ultimately, the Defense Minister said that the entire population of Gaza (more than 2 million Palestinians) will be held in the zone. Katz then vowed to implement the plan that Israel first floated by US President Donald Trump to allow Palestinians to migrate from Gaza to other countries.
Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been enthusiastically supporters of immigration programs despite not publicly expressing their willingness to participate publicly. During Trump’s White House dinner with Monday, Netanyahu said: “We’re working very closely on finding countries that want to give Palestinians a better future, about finding countries that want to give Palestinians a better future, and I think we’re approaching finding some countries.”
Katz said the zone for evacuated Palestinians would be run by international organisations rather than by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli media reported. The IDF will protect the zone from afar with plans that appear to mimic the aid distribution mechanism of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF); Katz said. GHF operates distribution sites, while IDFs surround them militarily.
It is unclear what the organization will agree to join Katz’s plan, especially as most international organizations have refused to join the GHF distribution site due to serious concerns about the safety and safety of Palestinians. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to approach distribution sites since they began operations a month ago.
A Katz spokesman has not responded to repeated requests for comments.
IDF spokesman Brig was asked about his plans at a Tuesday evening press conference. General Effy Defflin said the military “shows several options to the political class.”
“All options have that meaning. We act according to the commands of political Echelon,” added Deflin.
On Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lamy said he was opposed to the new plan, just as Britain opposed the GHF.
“I am amazed at the statements that Katz saw over the past 24 hours,” Ramy told the Congressional Committee. “They contradict the proximity to the ceasefire we thought were heading,” Ramie added that she is not aware of the plan “as a serious context in which the people of Gaza can get the assistance and support they need at this time.”
In a statement Tuesday, Hamas said Israel’s “continuous efforts to force out our people and imposing ethnic cleansing have been filled with legendary resilience.
Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sphard said Katz’s plan amounts to forced demobilization in preparation for deportation. Both of these are war crimes, Sfard told CNN.
“If they were committed across a large community, they could become a war crime,” Sphard said.
“There is no consensus departure, there is no voluntary departure. People will flee Gaza as Israel has forced measures that make life impossible in Gaza,” he said. “Under international law, there is no need to load people into trucks at gunpoint to commit the crime of deportation.”
A senior UAE diplomat said it is considered one of the key countries in the postwar Gaza programmes and that it is unacceptable to take Palestinians from its enclave. “The United Arab Emirates has publicly and decisively refused to displace Palestinians. Our official position and my position is to refuse forced dislocation of Palestinians from their current territory in order to rebuild Gaza,” Rana Nusseybe told CNN.
Qatar, which now hosts proximity talks between Israel and Hamas, has also refused to deport Gaza’s population. “We have said very clearly that we are opposed to forced relocation of Palestinians, or the relocation of Palestinians outside their land,” said Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday.
With rising college costs, Americans are currently owing nearly $1.8 trillion in student loan debt. What kind of majors are worth the money?
President Donald Trump’s mega-tax bill expands the use of the 529 education savings plan, but could result in a pause for some investors, some experts say.
The law, dubbed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” by Trump, who signed the law over the weekend, greatly expands options for how to use the 529 plan after being largely limited to eligible higher education costs and contributions up to $10,000 a year for K-12 tuition fees. It can now be used for a variety of costs, from standardized test fees to educational therapy and workforce training and qualifications.
The state-run tax-benefit 529 allows for increased tax-free and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses. Unused money can be caught up in a Ross IRA, transferred to related beneficiaries, or used to repay student loans under certain conditions.
However, the restrictions still in place may not always be worth the 529 for big savers, some experts say.
Since she was a baby, Richard Pont has the regrets of the buyer after contributing annually to his nearly seven-year-old nie’s 529 educational savings plan.
“The income from the 529 plan is tax deferred and tax-free if used for qualifying educational purposes, but (at the time) I am not limited to a small pool of investment options, so if I invest my gift in the tax account, my nie would be better.”
The limited investment options are nothing more than negative investments in the 529 plan, he said. Others include various state rules, strict restrictions remaining on how money costs are spent, and the possibility that someone may not know when they open a 529 for you.
How will one big beautiful bill act affect 529?
OBBB allows tax-free withdrawals of up to $20,000 a year for K-12 curriculum, books, online resources, personalized tuition and educational therapy for students with disabilities. Dual registration fees for university courses and withdrawal of materials from standardized test fees, tuition fees, certificate programs, trade schools, and other qualification programs recognized under federal law are also tax-exempt.
This means that K-12 tuition fees alone, $10,000 a year, a lifetime student loan limit of $10,000, and a significantly higher cost of qualifying at a trade school or vocational school or registered apprentice program.
Under either situation, up to $35,000 of unused funds can be involved in a Roth IRA under certain conditions. Alternatively, the beneficiary can be changed to another relative.
How does the 529 plan increase your savings?
After tax money will be added to the state 529 plan. Money can be placed in one of a variety of portfolios that hold combinations of mutual funds that can potentially help your money grow faster.
Money increases tax-free, while eligible withdrawals are tax-free. Additionally, some states offer tax deductions or credits on savings.
However, most portfolios are limited to mutual funds and consist of age-based target funds.
“Most 529 plans do not offer sector-specific mutual funds, such as the high-tech sector. I don’t think the plans allow individual share purchases,” Pong said.
Is 529 worth it?
If this is not the only savings vehicle you use, it’s a good way to save money on education, according to Lori Gross, a financial and investment advisor at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio.
“We don’t discourage other families like uncles from opening a 529 for their children. Or, you’re in high school and want to throw away some money for yourself, but don’t put in a lot of money,” Gross said. One reason is that 529 counts as assets as a free federal student aid (FAFSA) application, reducing student aid, she said.
Federal tax laws do not allow tax deductions on 529 contributions, but in some states. They are all different and can be confusing, and require a lot of research to determine the best choice. Some states only allow tax deductions or credits for residents, while others suppress annual or lifetime deductions. Tax credits reduce your taxes in dollars, but tax credits reduce your taxable income.
“For many taxpayers, I’m sure the state tax incentives are the reason they are (contributed to 529),” Pong said.
Still, some say the expansion under the OBB makes the 529 attractive to a wider range of people.
“One big beautiful bill” officially transformed 529 from a college savings account to K-Career-Retirement Powerhouse,” said Jamie Dunn, a certified financial planner at Prudential Advisors, on a social media post, focusing on the benefits of rolling unused funds from kindergarten to Roth Ira.
According to the nonprofit Independent Women’s Forum, not only tuition fees but K-12 course materials also benefit homeschool families.
“The 529 expansion retains the potential for change and provides financial and educational flexibility for homeschool families,” the organization said in a statement. “The bill will allow one tax-free withdrawal at a time to make their education dreams even more accomplished.”
According to Saving for College, the University of Maryland’s top-ranked investment plan showed an average 10-year return rate of 7.04% as of March 31. This is below the average for the broad S&P 500 index from 10% to 12%.
Pon invested $10,000 invested in the 529 plan with a traditional securities trading account and 10% annual returns with a 15% return, with no profits in California until its 18th year.
Even after paying the federal long-term capital gains tax, a 3.8% net investment income tax and a 9.3% California tax, he said “we can make more than 10% a year, which would be better.” He estimated the brokerage had earned nearly $36,200 over its tax-free 529 plan.
Strict rules. The 529 plan is becoming more flexible, but some rules are limited, Pong said.
For example, beneficiaries can tap on non-university 529 plans, such as K-12 tuition fees, but the annual cap is currently $10,000, up from $20,000 in OBBB per beneficiary, rather than per 529 plans. Moreover, not all states consider these qualifying costs and do not tax them on withdrawals.
There is also a $10,000 lifetime cap that can be used to pay off student loans, Pon pointed out.
529 beneficiaries may not know that they are eligible. When Pong’s mother got sick, he opened her email and was shocked to see that she had begun a plan for 529 for her son she had never known. Furthermore, she had opened a 529 plan for his three cousins, so no funds were spent. Now they’re all graduating. “I think there are tens of thousands of planned accounts of 529 that people open and forget about, and are not used for college or other eligible expenses,” Pong said.
What is the alternative to the 529 plan?
Traditional securities accounts It has unlimited investment options and can be used to harvest tax losses to reduce tax burdens. Money usage is not restricted. However, they count as assets and can reduce the financial aid package.
Cash Value Life Insurance Contract Gross said more money could be donated because it remains in the parent’s name and not counted in financial aid. Plus, money is invested, guaranteed growth and can be used not only for schools but for anything. However, these are complex and can be high premium depending on the structure.
Roth Iras It is not counted as an asset when calculating financial aid and contributions. However, distributions are considered non-access income for taxes, which can be counted in financial aid calculations. Annual contributions are kept at the upper limit, and contributions have income limits. Americans also need to make sure they have not reduced their retirement funds for themselves from Los Ira.
Not everyone is a savings plan and not all investors can beat the performance of stock indexes or target dates, Pong said. But “for experienced investors, it may be better not to plan for the 529.”
Medora Lee is a money, market and personal finance reporter for USA Today. mjlee@usatoday.com and Subscribe to our free daily money newsletter Personal finance tips and business news every Monday to Friday.
Trump told the cabinet meeting that he was “not happy” with Putin, whom he had been strong criticising for the second day in a row.
After Putin’s disappointment, Trump will send more weapons to Ukraine
The president has pledged to send more arms to Ukraine after a “disappointing” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has stepped up his criticism of Vladimir Putin as calls with Russian leaders have not made progress in ending the war with Ukraine.
Trump told the cabinet meeting that he was “not happy” with Putin, whom he had been strong criticising for the second day in a row.
Trump said on July 8th. “We throw the**t that was thrown at us by Putin from Putin,” Trump said.
more: “We must do”: Trump sends weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment to Putin
The leader spoke on the phone in June and early July. Trump has since said the phone call did not produce any results.
During a July 7 dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said Putin was also “disappointed” by him, turning the Pentagon’s decision to withhold some weapons from Ukraine.
Russian drone attacks on Ukraine increased after the Pentagon maintained shipments of weapons, including weapons from patriot interceptors, in what the Pentagon said was a review of weapons supplies that were later overturned.
“We’re not happy with Putin. I’m not happy with Putin. I can tell you so much now, because he kills a lot of people, and many of them are his soldiers,” Trump told the cabinet meeting.
If you’ve ever picked up a tennis racket and tried to serve your opponent, you’ll see how difficult it is. Getting the ball on the net is a whole other thing, even starting to think about speed and accuracy.
This is a technique to quickly separate experts from amateurs and skills that are becoming increasingly important in modern games.
Today, both men and women are serving faster than ever, and players regularly reach service speeds that were once considered almost impossible.
For example, at Wimbledon this year, fans witnessed the fastest serve in the tournament’s 148-year history.
Pericards are part of a new kind of player who will weaponize their powerful weaponsassetsImportant effects. The 21-year-old is currently the 36th place in the world, but he clearly has the power to take on the best challenge one day.
“I don’t do any special techniques to have big serves or fast serves. I’m serving as I should do. We honestly don’t train this part of my game. But it came naturally,” he said.
But while Perishield is casual about his excellent delivery, there is science behind what makes his technique so successful.
Former tennis player and sports scientist, Mark Covacs has devoted years to studying the biomechanics behind tennis serves.
Speaking to CNN Sports, he breaks down the technique into eight components. The opening stance, vault toss, load, coiling, acceleration, contact, deceleration, and finally the finishing touches the player to land.
“We need synchronous movement. All these stages need to hit optimally to get this total of forces. It’s really called the motion chain. We’re trying to optimize the motion chain.
The job of Kovacs is to use research and data to provide players with that small edge to improve performance.
He has worked with some of the sport’s biggest servers, including John Isner, a former US player who set the ATP recognition record for the fastest serve in 2016.
All eight components of motion are important to make the most of the service’s potential, but Kovacs says that research points to the specific elements needed to generate fast serves.
First, there is Stage 3 (load) and you need to check the player’s body position before it comes into contact with you. Kovacs says the key here is the player’s back hip, how fast the serving moves.
Next, there are seven (acceleration, contact, deceleration) in Stage 5. This explains how quickly the serving arm moves through the action.
“You hear people talk about players who have live arms. In a scientific sense, you can actually put numbers in it,” he says.
“A lot of coaches will say, ‘That guy just got a live arm, so he can serve hard, but probably doesn’t have the best technique.’ ”
“But in reality he has pretty good techniques in that position. He may not have great techniques anywhere else, but his ability to move his arm in the right position is the second most important correlation of serve speed.”
Albano Olivetti is another current player who uses his huge serve to bring him profits. The 33-year-old is currently focused primarily on doubles, reaching the second round at Wimbledon this year.
Although he has never had a major impact on singles games in his professional career, one particular moment remains etched in the folklore of the sport.
At the 2012 Challenger Tour event, Olivetti unleashed the fastest, second-fastest serve ever, sending a 160 mph rocket to his opponent.
The mark is not officially recognized by the ATP (Governmental Body for Men’s Tennis). This wasn’t done at the official ATP event, but it remains something Olivetti is proud of.
At Wimbledon this year, Olivetti’s fastest serve was 140 mph, which remains the best in the men’s game.
When asked what makes his technique so powerful, the 6-foot-8 Frenchman initially points out his height as a major factor.
Kovacs agrees that there is a clear correlation between height and large serves, noting that the best players in the male and female games are on average taller. This is a trend seen in several other professional sports, such as basketball.
“So force is equal to acceleration of mass,” Kovacs tells CNN Sports, explaining why height makes a difference.
“Power is what you talk about when you’re talking about serve speed, and because mass is a person’s weight, it usually means you’re gaining weight.
“And acceleration is your lever. If you have long arms and legs, you actually have it over a slightly longer period of time, so you actually get a greater acceleration.
“It is also important to note that if you are above 6 feet, 6 feet, you can play serves on contact, and when it is shorter than that, you are actually hitting a slight ball, even if most people don’t notice.
But both Kovacs and Olivetti say height is not a huge profit as much as you would consider it.
Olivetti says that as always taller than most of his opponents, his technique always outweighs pure physical attributes, which is why he has been working on his serving skills since he was a young child.
He also says that using the right equipment is important when it comes to finding a big serve, but explains that searching for fast serves can cost.
For example, the racket he used previously helped create force in his serve with his preferred string tension, but it returned from the bass line.
He says it’s sometimes difficult to find a balance.
“I was winning with my serve and not in the return part,” he told CNN Sports.
“So you have to find the right balance in your game again. You might prefer to lose the speed of your serve, for example, and feel comfortable from the baseline.
“I think every player is different and you really have to find out what works for you. I’d say that equipment is important for that.”
As they move forward, Olivetti says serve speeds continue to increase as players are looking for new ways to improve this important aspect of the game.
Kovacs agrees, saying that the current player’s harvest is not close to the limits of how quickly humans can serve tennis balls.
He says that when it comes to their serving techniques, they can still see untapped possibilities in several top players, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Serve’s biomechanics can allow players to control improvements in techniques, but Kovacs says many external situations can affect the speed of a particular day.
“There are obvious limitations, but that’s under the assumption that everything remains the same in terms of technology, balls, strings, rackets, and temperature and environment,” he says.
“The reason I saw these fast serves at Wimbledon this year is that the temperature was much hotter and dry for the first few days, so the ball goes through the air a little faster.
With serves increasingly influential in the current game, records that are broken today could be surpassed again in the next decade.
And perhaps more importantly, it is still a source of pride and competition for all the big hitters on tour.
“Yes,” Olivetti says with a smile when asked if professional players are interested in even breaking new speed records.
“Every time ever since I started playing, I have always tried to serve as great as possible.”
The ancient Peruvian city, which was a prosperous hub of trade over three thousand years ago, was revealed by archaeologists.
According to the Ministry of Culture in a press release sent to CNN, Penico is located in the province of Huaura, north of the capital, Lima.
In the official official opening, details of the site were announced last week after eight years of excavation and conservation.
Experts believe that Penico, founded around 1800 BC, serves as a strategic urban centre, connecting the coastal community of Soup Valley with the High Andes and Amazon settlements. It was built 600 meters above sea level, the ministry said at its release.
“The urban center developed according to the cultural traditions of Caral,” said Ruth Shady, the lead researcher and director of the Caral Archaeological Belt (ZAC), which accompany Peru’s Ministry of Culture, in the release.
“The strategic location brought together the Supere and Huaura coastal and mountain towns, as well as those living in the Andean Amazon and Andean areas,” added Shady.
About 18 structures have been identified in Penico, according to a release that includes public buildings and residential units.
One important structure is a monumental public building known as B1-B3, where archaeologists discovered clay sculptures, ceremonial tools, and a conch shell trumpet called “patutos.”
Researchers believe that Penico gained influence following the decline of Caral, one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. According to the release, its fame may be tied to its role in the hematite trade.
The site, currently open for tourism, includes a modern interpretation centre, reception area and a line walking through preserved ruins.
The opening will be in front of the first-ever Peñico Raymi, the open festival to be held on Saturday.
The event celebrates the site’s cultural heritage, with traditional rituals, art and rituals to honor Goddess Pachamama.
Look at Daters: There are new, toxic relationship trends that are engaging the romantic world in the storm.
It is called “banking,” and its name is derived from Banksy, an elusive street artist known for his art that appears to be appearing out of nowhere.
Like a nasty Banksy art piece, relationship “backing” involves emotionally slow withdrawal from your partner. When it was time to finally break up, “Banksy” often feels good and was mentally checked out from the relationship quite a while ago, but the other partners are blind and confused.
When someone “banks” the “banks”, they start to destroy the relationship before others see it coming. Some of Banksy’s art is famously self-destructed, like one picture that made headlines to shred itself after selling it for $1.4 million at auction.
“Banskying” has been happening for a while, says Amy Chan, a dating coach and author of “Breakup Bootcamp: The Science of Your Heart.” The solution, she says, is to practice open and honest communication, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
“The “banks” are happening more now, especially with the surge in dating apps where people developed poor dating etiquette,” says Chan. “A person who withdraws will gain the ability to handle breakups on their own terms before handing over the notes to others who are completely shocked. It is selfish. It shows how to deal with lack of emotional maturity and conflict rooted in avoidance.”
Where did the “bank” come from?
Emma Hathorn, a relationship expert at Seeking.com, says it’s “banked.” Many times, the receiver can feel something is wrong, but their partners continue to assure them that everything is fine.
“Banks are something we all experienced at some point,” says Hasson. “Previously, there was no way to express that subtle sense of fear when our partners started to separate us. It essentially kicks us out. Emotionally manipulative, emotionally distant – there are a lot of ways people tried to define it.”
Chang says that what makes “banks” so painful is its ambiguity. It’s clear that at least when someone ghosted it, they abandoned the relationship. But in “banks,” people often remain in the darkness, wondering if the relationship is actually solid or if concerns about it are justified.
“They may not use your words to tell you, but their actions are like that,” says Chan. “They may lie and say everything is ‘great’, but you have to mention that you’re not ‘great’ because they can pick up clues of emotional distance. They say everything will be fine, but don’t think it’s okay to wipe out cold behavior under the rug just because they’re acting in the entirely opposite way.”
In case you missed: People are paying for sex experts and “boot camps” and thousands. I’ve signed up.
What does “bank” say about us?
Ultimately, the “bank” valence extension further shows how dating and breakdown skills have deteriorated in recent years.
“It underscores how conflict-away people have turned out,” says Chan. “They seem less capable of tolerating uncomfortable feelings and difficult conversations, so instead of dealing with relationship challenges or feeling guilty about breaking up, people are causing more harm by dragging things out.”
Have you heard of “relationship shopping”? That may be why you are still single.
Solution? Instead of parking, tell someone who’s telling you how you really feel. It’s not easy, but it’s the right thing to do.
“Modern dating really needs dull integrity,” Hatone says. “Being solid but polite in advance indicates that you know what you want and don’t want to waste your time and potential partner’s time.”
