Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers this month.
New research reveals that boosting physical activity between ages 45 and 65 can significantly reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk in older adulthood. A large-scale, multi-country study followed thousands of participants over 20 years, finding that those who regularly exercised—whether brisk walking, cycling, or gardening—had notably lower rates of cognitive decline. Even people who became active later in midlife saw benefits, suggesting it’s never too late to start. Scientists believe increased blood flow to the brain and protective growth factors may slow the buildup of harmful proteins linked to dementia. While family history and genetics remain factors, experts estimate that lifestyle measures could help prevent or delay one-third of Alzheimer’s cases. Health officials see these findings as a catalyst to promote exercise among middle-aged adults, who often feel pressed for time.
Travel + Leisure’s freshly released “Best New Hotels in the World” lineup crowned a just‑opened Florida Gulf‑Coast resort that features its own white‑sand beach and a 500,000‑gallon salt‑water lagoon pool teeming with tropical fish. The splashy pick lands alongside the magazine’s new lists of 2025’s best retirement towns and lake getaways, signalling that U.S. leisure travel is gearing up for another blockbuster summer. Early‑bird room rates and loyalty‑program perks are already generating buzz ahead of the resort’s official
With the US Department of Justice having won its antitrust case against Google’s search dominance, a second trial now focuses on remedies—potentially forcing Google to sell Chrome or restrict major device deals. But the legal fight coincides with a paradigm shift: AI chatbots are rapidly emerging as alternative go-tos for online queries. Google’s lawyers argue this underscores healthy competition. Federal prosecutors see it differently, claiming Google can still leverage exclusive pacts to dominate AI-based search too. The question: Is Google’s existing market power so entrenched that new challengers, like ChatGPT or Perplexity, can’t truly uproot it? The outcome will shape how search evolves and whether browser or device deals remain permissible.
Kenyan runner Sharon Lokedi shattered the women’s course record by 2‑plus minutes, earning $150,000 in prize money and a $50,000 bonus. John Korir won the men’s race in the second‑fastest Boston time ever.
A recent study suggests that regular brisk walks can greatly lower stress and anxiety. Researchers followed participants who consistently walked at least 20 minutes per day and found they reported calmer moods compared to those living more sedentary lifestyles. Experts say this underscores walking’s benefits as an accessible, cost-free activity suitable for all fitness levels. Beyond physical health, daily walks can also improve mental well-being through fresh air, exposure to sunlight, and social interaction if done with friends. While more vigorous workouts also help, many see daily walks as a sustainable way to weave exercise into a busy routine.
The UK unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in March, its highest level since late 2021, according to data released today by the Office for National Statistics. Hiring slowed significantly, particularly in finance and tech, while job vacancies fell for the 22nd straight month. Economists say this is a clear sign that economic growth is softening, though inflation pressures are also easing slightly.
Tesla quietly launched an internal ride-hail beta for staff in Austin and the Bay Area, using “FSD Supervised” software and Model 3s fitted with passenger screens. Trips include a human safety driver for now, mirroring Waymo’s phased rollout. Elon Musk still touts a driverless robotaxi debut, but regulators and tech challenges cloud the timeline.
Zara is set to open a new flagship store in San Francisco's Union Square, signaling a potential retail revival in the area. The new location will replace Zara's current store and nearly double its square footage. This move is seen as a vote of confidence in the city's future, as San Francisco has faced challenges with business closures and reduced foot traffic since the pandemic. Mayor Daniel Lurie has been working to revitalize the downtown area, and Zara's commitment is a positive step in this direction.
Three-time Olympic champ Faith Kipyegon will attempt the first sub-4-minute women’s mile on June 26 in Paris under Nike’s “Breaking4” campaign. She needs to shave eight seconds off her current 4:07.64 record; Nike hints at advanced gear and full performance science support.
The IRS is conducting fewer audits than ever before, with rates falling to a record low of 0.36% in 2023. This decline is attributed to significant workforce cuts, reducing the agency's capacity to conduct thorough audits. The IRS has collected only $4.5 billion from 2019 personal audits, a sharp decrease from previous years. Further cuts are planned, potentially exacerbating the issue and leading to billions in lost tax revenue.
The Federal Reserve signaled a possible increase to interest rates in an effort to address persistent inflation concerns. Officials released a statement emphasizing the importance of stabilizing consumer prices, citing wage growth and continued consumer spending as factors that could lead to further tightening. Financial analysts say this move suggests the Fed wants to balance economic expansion with caution over inflation. If approved, a rate hike would likely make borrowing more expensive, affecting mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. Consumer confidence, however, has stayed relatively stable so far. Observers note this stance aligns with global central banks also aiming to cool down rising prices. Still, it remains unclear whether the Fed will enact more changes this year.
Spring marks the traditional start of homebuying season, yet elevated mortgage rates and tight inventory cast a complicated picture. Home prices, while no longer surging like in 2021 and 2022, remain stubbornly high in many regions. Sellers locked into ultra-low rates are often hesitant to list, limiting new supply hitting the market. Buyers who can handle higher borrowing costs may find slightly reduced competition, plus opportunities for seller concessions. Economic uncertainty—fueled by tariff disputes and cautious consumer sentiment—further cools the once-frenzied pace. Though conditions are less cutthroat than during peak bidding wars, financing a purchase still stretches many budgets.
