Southwest Airlines is preparing to introduce significant modifications to its seating policy for plus-size passengers, changes that will take effect on January 27, 2026. The revisions coincide with the airline’s broader shift to assigned seating, replacing its long-standing open-seating model. Under the new rules, passengers who cannot sit comfortably between the armrests of a single seat must purchase an additional seat at the time of booking. Refunds for the second seat will only be possible under restricted conditions. Travelers must have purchased both seats in the same fare class, the flight must not be completely full, and a refund request…
Author: Emily Harper
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A Veteran Wideout Returns to Minnesota The Carolina Panthers have completed a trade that sends veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen back to his original team, the Minnesota Vikings. The deal involves an exchange of future draft picks, marking a strategic move for both franchises as they balance experience with long-term roster building. Thielen, now 35, spent nine seasons in Minnesota before joining Carolina as a free agent. His career with the Vikings included 534 receptions for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns, along with two Pro Bowl appearances. After a productive first season with the Panthers in 2023, where he caught…
E3’s Response to Iran’s Non-Compliance France, Britain, and Germany—known as the E3—have taken steps to invoke the “snapback” clause of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This would restore pre-2015 United Nations sanctions against Iran, citing serious breaches of the nuclear deal. The move comes after years of rising tensions, with Tehran advancing its nuclear program far beyond the agreed limits. If enacted, sanctions would automatically reapply across a broad range of areas. These include a conventional arms embargo, restrictions on missile development, and measures targeting financial assets and international travel. The snapback system is designed to bypass…
President’s Move Strikes at Fed Independence On August 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing alleged mortgage fraud. According to Trump, Cook had claimed two separate properties as primary residences in 2021 to obtain better mortgage terms. The president said this constituted misconduct sufficient for dismissal. Cook, however, swiftly rejected the action. She emphasized in a written statement that the president lacked authority to fire a governor before the expiration of her legally fixed term. Cook was first appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022 and confirmed by the Senate, then reappointed…
Discovery of Ancient Grains Scientists analyzing material from the asteroid Bennu have identified particles known as “stardust.” These grains are remnants from other stars, predating the formation of our solar system. Researchers say their presence indicates that Bennu likely formed after colliding with a larger asteroid during the solar system’s earliest stages. The unique appearance of the grains, unlike anything native to our solar system, makes them distinguishable under specialized instruments. OSIRIS-REx Mission’s Contribution The samples were delivered to Earth by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, a mission led in part by the University of Arizona. Bennu, believed to be about 4.6…
Swedish fintech company Klarna is preparing to resume its plans for an initial public offering in the United States next month, aiming for a valuation of between $13 billion and $14 billion, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The move signals a renewed attempt by the payments provider to access U.S. capital markets after months of delay. The company had postponed its IPO in April 2025, citing financial market turbulence triggered by new U.S. tariffs and uncertainty over global trade conditions. Klarna also weighed a U.S. listing in 2021, at the height of the fintech boom, but pulled back…
Unprecedented Case Rejected A federal judge has thrown out an unusual lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against all 15 judges of Maryland’s federal district court. The administration had challenged an order that temporarily delayed deportations of undocumented immigrants who filed detention appeals, but Judge Thomas Cullen ruled that the judiciary was immune from such legal action. He stressed that the executive branch should have pursued appeals or other procedural challenges rather than directly suing judges. Ruling Highlights Constitutional Balance Judge Cullen, himself appointed by Trump during his first presidency, underscored that suing the judiciary over its judicial actions would…
Storm Impact on Coastal Communities Typhoon Kajiki battered Vietnam’s north central coast with torrential rains and flooding, even as its wind speeds weakened after landfall. The storm struck Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, toppling trees, cutting power in several areas, and damaging fishing farms. Local reports described waves up to two meters high crashing onto the shore and roads submerged under water. Mass Evacuations and Safety Measures Authorities evacuated about 30,000 residents from vulnerable coastal zones before the storm’s arrival. More than 16,500 soldiers and over 100,000 paramilitary personnel were mobilized for rescue operations and emergency response. Airports in…
International postal operators across Europe have begun pausing shipments of low-value packages to the United States following the scheduled expiry of the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed parcels valued at less than $800 to enter duty-free. The exemption, which had long facilitated a smooth flow of low-cost imports, ended over the weekend, and its absence is already causing disruption for cross-border commerce. In 2024, the provision enabled the import of more than 1.36 billion packages valued collectively at $64.6 billion, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The exemption had applied to goods from China as well as from Europe…
The Conservative Party in the UK has unveiled new proposals to strengthen enforcement of bylaws banning loud music on trains and buses. Existing railway bylaws already prohibit passengers from producing noise through instruments or electronic devices if it causes disturbance, but enforcement has been inconsistent. The Conservatives want to empower transport operators to issue on-the-spot fines not only on trains but also on buses, using amendments to the Bus Services Bill. Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden said the changes are designed to ensure “swift justice” for disruptive behaviour. “No passenger should have to endure somebody else’s choice of crap music…
