Current Events in July 2025

• Life insurance may not automatically cover you while traveling abroad, potentially leaving families vulnerable

• Policies can contain exclusions for certain countries, high-risk activities, or lengthy stays overseas

• A simple check-in with your insurer could prevent denied claims and financial hardship for loved ones

As Americans pack their bags for international adventures in record numbers, an overlooked detail could transform their dream trips into financial nightmares: life insurance that stops at the border.

According to Mariah Bliss, a life insurance expert with Everly Life, far too many travelers assume their life insurance offers blanket protection no matter where they roam. In reality, that’s not always true — and failing to check could leave families exposed to devastating consequences.

“Most people assume their life insurance follows them wherever they go, but that’s not always the case,” Bliss warns. “Your policy may contain territorial restrictions or exclusions that many travelers never even consider.”

In recent years, remote work, digital nomad lifestyles, and long-term overseas assignments have fueled a surge in international travel. However, this trend also increases the likelihood that Americans might find themselves in places or situations where their life insurance doesn’t apply.

Geographic gaps, high-risk zones

The idea that life insurance could leave you stranded might seem far-fetched, but Bliss explains that many standard policies were written without globe-trotting policyholders in mind. Territorial limitations are often buried in the fine print, restricting coverage to specific countries or regions—or excluding entire areas considered high-risk due to political instability, conflict, or crime.

“A death that occurs in a country not covered by your policy could result in a denied claim, leaving your beneficiaries without the financial protection you thought you’d provided,” Bliss says.

This isn’t merely theoretical. Many insurers maintain lists of high-risk countries flagged due to government travel advisories. Travel to these destinations can mean coverage exclusions or may require riders—special add-ons to maintain full benefits. For travelers heading to regions with ongoing conflict or political unrest, this scrutiny becomes even more critical.

Hazardous activities could be troublesome

Geography isn’t the only concern. Bliss points out that what you do while traveling also matters. Adventure sports, volunteer work in conflict zones, journalism assignments in dangerous areas, or even certain types of business travel can be classified as hazardous activities. Such pursuits might trigger policy exclusions or significantly higher premiums.

“It’s not just where you’re going, but what you plan to do while you’re there,” says Bliss.

Proactive Steps for Travel-Savvy Coverage

Fortunately, avoiding these pitfalls is relatively simple. Bliss urges travelers to take proactive steps:

• Notify Your Insurer: Don’t assume your insurance company knows about your travel plans. A quick call or email documenting your destinations and activities can help prevent future claim disputes.

• Consider Global Riders or Expat Policies: If your policy has territorial limits, ask your insurer about worldwide coverage riders or specialized expat insurance.

• Review Beneficiaries and Claims Process: International claims can be more complicated than domestic ones. Make sure beneficiaries understand the process and have necessary documents.

• Keep Records: Detailed documentation of travel plans, destinations, and activities can prove invaluable if questions arise.

“The more transparent you are with your insurer about your lifestyle and travel habits, the better they can tailor your coverage to protect you,” Bliss emphasizes.

As global travel continues to boom, Bliss’s message is clear: a few minutes reviewing your life insurance before you fly could mean the difference between peace of mind—and financial heartbreak for the family you leave behind.

• Average monthly new vehicle sales jumped to 1.17 million in Q2 2025, driven by pull-ahead purchases
• Vehicle inventory fell below 3 million units as consumers rushed to buy ahead of tariff-related price hikes
• Rising prices and depleted supply could stall automotive momentum in Q3, Cloud Theory warns

Lots of consumers purchased new cars in the second quarter of 2025, just ahead of tariffs that affect nearly all makes and models sold in the U.S. While these savvy consumers avoided paying higher prices, they significantly drew down inventories, so that there are now fewer new cars on dealers’ lots, and those cars are more expensive.

An analysis by automotive data analytics firm Cloud Theory shows the U.S. automotive industry posted a robust second quarter in 2025, buoyed by a surge in new vehicle sales that averaged 1.17 million units per month, up from 1.08 million in Q1.

However, the analysis suggests this second quarter boost may come at a cost, with signs pointing toward a challenging third quarter as inventory tightens and prices edge upward.

The second quarter figures are detailed in Cloud Theory's newly released "On the Horizon" report, which attributes the sales lift to "pull-ahead" demand. This phenomenon, triggered by tariff-related pricing concerns, began in March and continued throughout the quarter, prompting consumers to expedite purchases in anticipation of costlier vehicles.

“The pull-ahead effect of tariff-related pricing increases that began in March extended into Q2, but the aftereffects of those accelerated purchases are looming,” said Rick Wainschel, vice president of Data Science and Analytics at Cloud Theory. “This summer poses significant risks to the industry’s current momentum.”

Inventory levels fall below 3 million units

This fast pace of sales has outstripped replenishment efforts, with inventory dropping steadily over the past two quarters. After averaging 3.27 million units in Q4 2024, the analysis shows inventory fell to 3.07 million in Q1 and 2.84 million in Q2 2025, marking two consecutive quarters where more vehicles left lots than were replaced.

Cloud Theory estimates that 500,000 vehicles sold over the last four months were pull-ahead purchases, significantly impacting current supply levels.

As inventory shrinks, prices are rising. The average new vehicle price climbed from $49,236 in Q1 2025 to $49,713 in Q2, a $477 increase. However, the report notes this modest gain obscures a sharper underlying rise. 

To mitigate sticker shock, manufacturers have shifted production toward lower-priced segments, including midsize and small SUVs, and away from costlier full size trucks and XL SUVs.

This strategic realignment has produced a short-term dip in the Average Marketed Price by $202 in late June. Without the shift in segment mix, prices would have risen by $223, signaling broader inflationary trends.

Consumer incentives 

Additional insights from the Q2 report reveal shifting market dynamics:

• Turn rates—the percentage of inventory sold in a given period—exceeded 40%, up from the low-to-mid 30s in previous quarters.
  

• Days-to-move, a measure of how long vehicles stay on lots, dropped from 80 days in Q1 to 71 days in Q2, reflecting faster sell-through.
  

• Market adjustments, or consumer-visible discounts and incentives, averaged over $2,000 in Q2—up nearly $600 year-over-year.

• Researchers from a recent study found that when participants ate small portions of foods they were craving, while also eating balanced meals, they lost nearly 8% of their body weight.

• Regularly eating preferred treats lowered both the frequency and intensity of cravings over a full year.

• As long as weight loss was maintained, cravings stayed low, challenging the idea that fat cells drive hunger.
  

Struggling to resist sweets and snacks is a major roadblock for many people trying to lose weight. 

However, a recent study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign flips that script. 

Instead of cutting out all treats, researchers explored what would happen if people included small amounts of the foods they crave in their daily meals. The result? Less constant hunger pangs, more weight loss, and easier long-term maintenance.

“If you are eating and snacking randomly, it’s very hard to control,” researcher Manabu T. Nakamura said in a news release. 

“Some dietary programs exclude certain foods. Our plan used an ‘inclusion strategy,’ in which people incorporated small portions of craved foods within a well-balanced meal.”

The study

This clinical trial followed 30 adults aged 18 to 75 who were obese and had health concerns like hypertension or diabetes. Over two years, participants went through a 12-month weight-loss phase and a 12-month maintenance phase using an online program called EMPOWER, adapted from a well‑established in‑person plan.

They received 22 nutrition education sessions that taught them to balance protein, fiber, and calories using a visual tool. Crucially, the plan encouraged an “inclusion strategy” — adding small portions of beloved foods, like desserts or fries, into otherwise nutritious meals.

Details of the study setup included:

• Craving surveys every six months covering sweets, high-fat foods, fast food, and carbs. Researchers rated frequency and intensity using a 1–6 scale across 15 statements.

• Daily Wi‑Fi scale weigh-ins to track every bit of progress.
  

About 24 participants completed the first year and 20 finished the full two years.

The Results

In year one, the 24 participants who stayed in the program lost an average of 7.9% of their body weight. During year two, 20 of them maintained most of that loss, winning a total average reduction of 6.7%.

Participants who lost more than 5% of their body weight saw big drops in both how often and how strongly they craved foods like sweets and carbs. These reduced cravings continued throughout the maintenance year — so long as weight didn't bounce back.

This shows that cravings are more tied to having less body fat — not just limiting calories — undermining the idea that “hungry fat cells” drive constant cravings.

More than half of the participants used the inclusion approach — some even one to three times daily. Those who did, tended to lose more weight and saw sharper drops in cravings for sweets and high-fat items.

What This Means for You

If you’re tired of feeling deprived, this study suggests there’s another way: enjoy the foods you love, but in tiny portions and within overall healthy meals. The consistent routine — not sheer willpower — helped participants curb cravings and stay on track.

While this study was relatively small and involved online coaching, its findings are promising. Including treats, rather than banning them, could offer a more sustainable — and satisfaction-filled — route to lasting weight loss.

So next time you're craving dessert, maybe go ahead and have a bite — with the right balance, you might just be one step closer to your goals!

“The popular myth is you have to have a very strong will to fend off temptation, but that is not the case,” Nakamura said. “Fluctuations in eating patterns, meal times, and amounts trigger cravings, too. You have to be consistent.”

• Buyer options expand as inventory climbs 28.9%, hitting post-pandemic high

• Delistings surge 47% as sellers pull bak amid market uncertainty

• Price reductions reach the highest level in nearly a decade 

There can be little argument that the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath distorted the housing market. The median home price surged nearly 50% in that five-year period, according to the National Association of Realtors. Home prices rose because of increased demand and historically-low mortgage rates.

Now that mortgage rates have normalized to around 6.5%, an increasing number of buyers can’t afford those prices and have continued to rent. Normally, sellers would respond by cutting their asking prices, but according to an industry report, that isn’t happening.

While active listings are surging and giving buyers more choice than at any point since the pandemic began,  Realtor.com’s June Housing Trends Report found an increasing number of sellers are withdrawing their homes from the market, unwilling to settle for less than peak-era prices.

In June, the number of active listings nationwide reached 1,085,520, a 28.9% increase year-over-year and a 4.8% rise month-over-month, marking the 20th consecutive month of inventory growth. Despite being about 11% below June 2019 levels, the surge has significantly narrowed the pre-pandemic inventory gap.

However, that isn’t bringing down prices, at least not yet. One reason may be sellers unwilling – or perhaps unable – to compromise on price. According to the report, delistings rose 47% year-over-year in May and are up 35% year-to-date. 

That means many sellers are testing the waters but quickly pulling back if they don’t get their desired price. In fact, delistings have grown faster than active inventory, signaling growing seller impatience.

Testing the market

“The market is a study in contrasts,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “Buyers are seeing more choices than they’ve had in years, but many sellers, anchored by peak price expectations and strong equity positions, are stepping back if they don’t get their number.”

In some markets like Phoenix, Miami, and Riverside, this trend is even more pronounced, suggesting a reserve of latent supply that could return later, possibly at unchanged price points. Nationally, the delistings-to-new listings ratio hit 13% this spring, a substantial rise from 10% in both 2023 and 2024 and 6% in 2022.

This indicates that for every 100 new homes listed, 13 were delisted, homes likely withdrawn due to slow activity or buyer pushback.

After decades of attempts to level the housing playing field, Black Americans still face a harder path to home ownership than whites, with Black applicants being 1.7 times more likely to be turned down.

Detroit and Grand Rapids, Mich., had the highest denial rates in the nationwide survey conducted for LendingTree.

High mortgage denial rates — along with limited generational wealth, income disparities and discriminatory practices — are among the persistent challenges that keep the Black home ownership rate lower than that of other racial groups.

But these disparities aren’t uniform. Denial rates — and the gaps between Black and overall applicants — vary widely across the country.

LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz says a higher denial rate for Black consumers means limited access to the benefits of owning a home.

“For generations, homeownership has been one of the most powerful tools for building wealth that Americans have. Home ownership isn’t cheap, and there are ongoing costs; however, the equity that you can build over the years can be incredibly helpful. Not only can it provide you funding when you’re in a financial pinch, but it can also be used in working toward other financial goals,” Schulz says.

Key findings

Black homebuyer denial rate is 19.00% nationally

Black mortgage applicants are 1.7 times more likely to be denied a home loan than all homebuyers. In 2024, the mortgage denial rate for Black Americans was 19.00%, 7.73 percentage points higher than the denial rate for all applicants, 11.27%.

In what is perhaps a sign of progress, the denial rate disparity between Black and all mortgage applicants in the 50 largest metros decreased from 5.30 percentage points in 2022 to 4.80 percentage points in 2024.

Mortgage denial rates across 50 largest metros: All buyers vs. Black buyers

Source: LendingTree analysis of 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data.

While the difference in denial rates between Black homebuyers and all buyers has narrowed slightly, the home ownership gap remains wide. The national home ownership rate in 2023 was 65.2%, yet it was 44.7% among Black consumers — significantly lower than the rate among white (72.4%), Asian (63.4%) and Hispanic (51.0%) households.

• Matching workouts to your personality can boost both enjoyment and results.

• Extroverts tend to enjoy high-intensity or group sessions, while those high in neuroticism prefer shorter, private workouts and get more stress relief. 

• Personality traits like conscientiousness link to baseline fitness and activity levels, and neuroticism predicts greater drops in stress after training.
  

A new study from University College London asked a simple question: Do our personalities influence what workouts we enjoy — and how well they work? 

The research focused on the "Big Five" traits — extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness — and tested whether those traits related to fitness levels, session enjoyment, and stress reduction. 

“We found that our personality can influence how we engage with exercise, and particularly which forms of exercise we enjoy the most,” researcher Dr. Flaminia Ronca said in a news release.

The study

For the study, the researchers had 86 volunteers complete the full program. All participants completed surveys measuring stress and Big Five traits before the intervention.

Researchers measured peak oxygen uptake, which is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise, as well as heart‑rate measures and general fitness.

An intervention group did home-based cycling and strength training for the duration of the eight-week trial, while a control group maintained their usual routines. Enjoyment of each session was logged via questionnaire. 

The results

Ultimately, the researchers identified a link between the Big Five traits and overall fitness. 

• Conscientiousness: Participants high in this trait tended to start with better general fitness and logged more weekly activity.
  

• Extroversion: This trait was linked to higher peak oxygen uptake and peak power output, as well as greater enjoyment of high‑intensity sessions.
  

• Neuroticism: This trait was correlated with poorer heart-rate recovery and less enjoyment of sustained, intense workouts.
  

The study also revealed links between the Big Five personality traits and exercise enjoyment. 

Extroverts preferred explosive, high-energy sessions like high intensity interval training (HIIT). On the other hand, highly neurotic individuals felt less enjoyment from longer lab-based or sustained efforts, but they experienced the greatest stress reduction from aerobic training.

Participants who ranked highest in openness actually reported lower enjoyment for very intense workouts — an unexpected finding that challenges earlier assumptions.

Those with the most agreeableness aligned with more enjoyment for easy, longer sessions. 

What It Means for You

This study shows that recognizing your personality traits can help you pick workouts you’ll actually enjoy — and, in turn, stick with.

• If you thrive in high-energy, social environments, try high-intensity or group sessions.
  

• If you're sensitive to stress or self-conscious, start with short, private workouts — your mental health might thank you.
  

• Do you prefer structure? A regular routine might feel right.
  

• Rather than pushing through discomfort, pay attention to what feels energizing (or not) — it might just lead to better results and well-being.
  

“We hope that if people can find physical activities that they enjoy they will more readily choose to do them,” senior author Prof. Paul Burgess said in the news release. 

“After all, we don’t have to nag dogs to go for a walk: being so physically inactive that we start to feel miserable might be a peculiarly human thing to do. In effect, our body punishes us by making us miserable. But for some reason, many of us humans seem poor at picking up on these messages it is sending to our brain.”

A baby in California died last week after his mother left him and his 2-year-old sibling inside a car while she was getting lip filler at a Bakersfield medical spa on a 101-degree day, authorities said.

Bakersfield Police criticized Maya Hernandez for “placing the value of her appearance over the safety and well-being of her children” in a report filed in Kern County Superior Court.

It was the latest in a series of similar deaths. In Belcamp, Maryland, a 6-month-old baby died on Sunday after it was left inside a vehicle. In Silver Spring, Maryland, a baby died under similar circumstances on May 7.

There have been at least 14 such deaths so far this year. 

Nationwide, at least 1,139 children have died in hot cars since 1990 and at least another 7,500 survived with varying injuries, according to data collected by the non-profit Kids and Car Safety.

Approximately 88% of children who die in hot cars are age 3 or younger and the majority (55%) were unknowingly left by an otherwise loving, responsible parent or caregiver.

90 minutes in a hot car

It is estimated that Hernandez’s children were in the vehicle without air-conditioning for 90 minutes, wrote Det. Kyle McNabb, noting that the internal temperature of a car can rise to a blistering 143 degrees in just one hour of 100-degree weather.

• Federal appeals court strikes down FTC’s “click to cancel” rule, citing regulatory overreach
• Consumer advocates warn the decision could make canceling subscriptions harder for millions
• Legal uncertainty looms for subscription-based businesses as industry braces for next steps

Companies that provide services long ago learned that if they could persuade customers to subscribe and pay a monthly fee, they would be assured of a constant revenue flow. Many that took that step did not make it easy to unsubscribe.

Enter the Federal Trade Commission, which last year finalized the “click to cancel” rule, requiring companies that sold subscriptions to make it easy for customers to cancel. But what seemed like a victory for consumers has now been overturned by the courts.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Tuesday struck down the FTC’s “click to cancel” rule, finding the FTC had exceeded its authority under Section 18 of the FTC Act.

The rule and the ruling

The now-defunct rule, finalized in March 2024, required businesses to provide a straightforward online mechanism—often a single click or clearly labeled button—for customers to cancel subscriptions and recurring charges. It also prohibited companies from obstructing the cancellation process with unwanted prompts, retention offers, or long call center wait times.

But in a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the rule constituted “a significant expansion of the Commission’s rulemaking powers without explicit congressional authorization.”

“The Commission cannot create sweeping mandates that transform how businesses operate without a clear legislative directive,” the justices wrote.

Industry cheers, advocates warn

Business groups and subscription-based platforms welcomed the ruling as a check on what they characterized as “heavy-handed regulation.” The National Retail Federation and Chamber of Digital Commerce, which had both filed amicus briefs in support of the challenge, praised the decision as a victory for regulatory balance and innovation.

However, consumer protection groups reacted with alarm, pointing out that companies have deployed a well-documented practice of using “dark patterns and deceptive practices” to keep consumers paying for a service they no longer want or need.

• U.S. EV buyers face a market dominated by costly SUVs and trucks, with few affordable options under $30,000.

• China churns out low-cost electric cars, some under $10,000, fueling exports to Southeast Asia, Europe, and beyond.

• Regulatory hurdles and consumer preferences keep most of these bargain EVs out of American showrooms—for now.

As electric vehicles gain ground globally, a stark divide is emerging: American roads are filling up with large, expensive electric SUVs and trucks, while China and other overseas markets enjoy a flood of low-cost EVs aimed at budget-conscious drivers.

In the United States, automakers have focused on high-margin models like the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Tesla’s SUV lineup, often priced well above $40,000. Smaller, inexpensive EVs remain scarce, leaving many American consumers unable to find truly affordable electric alternatives.

Meanwhile, China has become a powerhouse of cheap electric mobility, producing dozens of models that cost less than $15,000—or even under $5,000 in some cases, like the wildly popular Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. These vehicles are increasingly finding buyers outside China, particularly in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America, where city-friendly size and low prices make them attractive.

European streets, for example, now host models like the MG4 and BYD Dolphin, offering affordable electric options far below typical U.S. price points.

Nissan's N7

Nissan has successfully developed and introduced the N7 mid-sized electric sedan. It's selling well in China and Nissan now plans to export it to other global markets, except for the U.S.

Some reviewers have said the N7 resembles a newer Nissan Altima. "It's a clean, if nondescript sedan with headlights clearly inspired by the Ariya," the car site CarBuzz said. 

Despite this growing output inexpensive Chinese EVs abroad, most are unlikely to reach American shores soon, hampered by steep tariffs, safety regulations, and geopolitical tensions.

However, industry watchers say the tide could slowly shift, with companies like GM teasing sub-$35,000 EVs for the U.S. market in coming years. For now, the gap between America’s pricey EV landscape and the bargain-filled markets overseas remains as wide as ever.

• FTC targets deceptive "Made in USA" claims with warning letters to four companies.

• Amazon and Walmart notified over suspect product listings by third-party sellers.

• Agency reaffirms strict compliance with "Made in USA" labeling standards.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has taken steps to encourage U.S. manufacturing, even placing tariffs on products made elsewhere. The Federal Trade Commission sent out a wave of warning letters this week to companies it says are stretching the truth in that regard.

The agency cautioned four manufacturers and sent notices to retail giants Amazon and Walmart regarding potentially deceptive labeling practices by third-party sellers on their platforms.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson underscored the significance of accurate labeling in a statement accompanying the announcement.

“’Made in the USA’ is not just a slogan – it’s a sign that a product connects us to the workers and businesses that make America great,” Ferguson said. “Consumers want to have confidence that when they buy something labelled ‘Made in the USA’ they are actually supporting American workers and the American economy. Companies that falsely claim their products are ‘Made in the USA’ can expect to hear from the FTC.”

Companies named in the warning

The warning letters target four businesses whose products are allegedly mislabeled or insufficiently substantiated as U.S.-made:

• Americana Liberty, a flagpole retailer

• Oak Street Manufacturing, LLC, a footwear manufacturer

• Pro Sports Group LLC, a football equipment company

• USA Big Mountain Paper Inc., a personal care product maker

The companies were reminded that under the FTC Act and the Made in USA Labeling Rule, any product marketed as “Made in USA” must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States. The FTC instructed them to either halt such marketing or provide clear substantiation.

Failure to comply can result in legal consequences, including subpoenas, federal lawsuits, injunctive actions, and civil penalties.

Amazon and Walmart are also under scrutiny

In addition to targeting individual manufacturers, the FTC sent letters to Amazon and Walmart, emphasizing that their platforms host third-party sellers making questionable “Made in USA” assertions. The agency warned that such representations may violate both the FTC Act and the platforms’ own seller policies.

The letters serve not only as a warning but also as a guide, reminding online marketplaces of 

The FTC said the regulatory action is part of the FTC’s broader July campaign to reinforce the importance of accurate origin labeling. The agency said it is promoting consumer trust in American-made products while ensuring companies adhere to federal standards.

• A new study found that more than one in five U.S. children now have multiple chronic health conditions.
  

• The study also found that developmental, behavioral, and mental health issues are all rising.
  

• Overall child health improved from 2016 to 2020, then reversed during the pandemic.
  

A new study led by researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has uncovered a troubling trend: children's overall health in the United States is getting worse. 

Published in JAMA in July 2025, the study shows that more American children are facing a combination of physical, mental, and developmental health issues than in years past.

While there was a period of progress between 2016 and 2020 — where rates of chronic conditions and disability went down — researchers found that this progress stalled and then reversed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings raise concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on children’s health and well-being, especially among those from lower-income households.

“In the course of conducting this study, there wasn’t a single statistic that was startling, but instead comprehensive data over several years including millions of children all pointed to the same trends, which was an overall decline in the health of children and youth,” senior study author Christopher B. Forrest, M.D., Ph.D., said in a news release. 

The study

The research team analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, which includes parent-reported health information on over 200,000 children aged 0 to 17.

They focused on three main categories of child health:

1. Chronic physical conditions (like asthma or allergies)

2. Developmental or behavioral conditions (like ADHD or learning disabilities)

3. Mental health conditions (like anxiety or depression)
   

Researchers then grouped children by how many types of conditions they had: none, one, or two or more. They tracked these trends from 2016 through 2021 to see how things changed over time.

Importantly, the study didn’t just look at medical diagnoses — it also considered broader impacts like disability, access to care, and how many children were affected across multiple areas of health.

The results

The results were concerning. In 2021:

• Nearly one in four children (23.6%) had two or more health conditions, up from 20.4% in 2016.

• Children with no health conditions dropped from 45.3% to 39.4%.

• Mental health conditions, especially among teens, were on the rise.

• Children in lower-income households were more likely to have multiple chronic health issues.
  

The study also highlighted how progress in children's health from 2016 to 2020 was essentially erased during the pandemic. In fact, some health indicators have now worsened beyond pre-pandemic levels.

Researchers say these findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers and health care providers. The growing number of children dealing with complex, overlapping health issues means that the current pediatric health system may need to evolve to better support families.

“Children are naturally resilient and adaptive,” Forrest said. “If we can improve the ecosystems that surround them and meet the challenges we identified in this study, we can lay the foundation for a healthier future for our nation’s youth.”

• The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index climbed to 208.5, up 6.3% year over year and 1.6% month over month, reflecting seasonal strength despite tariff-driven volatility.

• Retail demand remains solid as off-lease supply continues to tighten, supporting higher used-vehicle values.

• The used-vehicle market is showing signs of normalization and resilience, outperforming the new-vehicle segment in terms of stability.

The wholesale used-vehicle market posted a notable uptick in June, defying the typical seasonal downtrend and signaling continued strength in a sector buoyed by resilient demand and tightening supply. That suggests prices on used car lots may continue to rise.

According to the latest data from Cox Automotive, the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index, which tracks vehicle prices at the wholesale level, rose to 208.5,  a 6.3% increase from a year ago and up 1.6% from May after seasonal adjustments.

Tariffs, which are making new cars more expensive, were likely a factor. However, despite the seasonally adjusted index showing a monthly rise, non-adjusted wholesale prices actually fell by 1.1% in June, a sharper-than-usual decline. This disconnect was largely attributed to price volatility following recent tariff announcements that disrupted new-vehicle supply chains and trickled down to affect used-vehicle dynamics.

“Wholesale appreciation trends have been more volatile over Q2 as tariffs really impacted new sales and supply,” said Jeremy Robb, senior director of Economic and Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “Even so, retail sales continue to run a bit hotter than prior years.”

Signs of market stabilization

Industry experts see encouraging signs that the used market is returning to a more stable rhythm after years of pandemic-induced turbulence. 

“Historically, the used market has been incredibly consistent; but the pandemic disrupted much of that consistency,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive. “What we are seeing suggests we could finally be out of that pattern.”

Improved supply — bolstered by trade-ins linked to new-vehicle sales earlier this year — is contributing to a more normalized market. This balance between supply and demand is expected to support continued price strength in the second half of 2025.

Elevated depreciation trends

While June saw stronger index readings overall, weekly data from the Manheim Market Report (MMR) indicated elevated depreciation, especially in the latter half of the month. MMR values fell each week, culminating in a 0.6% drop in the final week. 

Over four weeks, three-year-old vehicles depreciated by 1.3%, a much steeper decline than the 0.6% historical average for the same period.

Still, the average daily sales conversion rate rose to 57.8%, up over 1 percentage point from May and well above the three-year June average of 53.1%, signaling continued retail demand.

The luxury vehicle segment once again led price appreciation, climbing 8.8% year over year, followed by SUVs at 6.0%. In contrast, compact cars declined by 0.1% — the only segment to register a drop — while mid-size sedans and trucks posted modest gains of 2.8%.

Retail used-vehicle sales slipped 1.5% from May but remained 2% higher than June 2024. Listing prices edged up 0.3%, and days’ supply remained unchanged month-over-month at 45 days — still slightly tighter than last year’s 46-day supply.

In contrast, new-vehicle sales slumped. June saw a 14.2% drop from May and a 4.2% year-over-year decline, dragged down by cooling demand and tariff pressures. Retail new sales were estimated to be 3.0% lower than a year ago, with the fleet share dipping to 17.6%.

• Nearly two decades after the “shoe bomber,” passengers may soon keep footwear on at security checkpoints

• TSA quietly tests changes amid ongoing complaints about travel hassles

• Move could ease long lines and boost traveler satisfaction at U.S. airports

Travelers weary of peeling off their shoes at airport security may finally get some relief. The Transportation Security Administration is preparing to roll out new procedures that would allow passengers to keep their shoes on while passing through standard screening checkpoints, according to people familiar with the plans.

The shift, first reported by Gate Access, a travel newsletter, hasn’t been formally announced, but signals a significant change for an agency that has kept the footwear rule in place for nearly 20 years. The TSA confirmed in a statement that it is “always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture,” but added that any official updates would come through established channels.

A rule rooted in terror threats

The practice of removing shoes at airport security took hold after Richard Reid, infamously dubbed the “shoe bomber,” tried to ignite explosives hidden in his footwear during a 2001 flight from Paris to Miami. The attempt, though unsuccessful, sparked fears of similar plots in the tense aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Initially, shoe-screening policies varied from airport to airport. It wasn’t until 2006 that the TSA formally mandated shoe removal for all passengers, citing intelligence about “a continuing threat.” The rule became one of the most unpopular travel measures, blamed for slowing down lines and subjecting millions of passengers to the indignity of walking barefoot or in socks through security checkpoints.

Complaints and exemptions

Frustration over the shoe rule has fueled interest in TSA PreCheck, the trusted-traveler program that lets members keep their shoes on during screening. Children 12 and under and passengers 75 and older have also been exempt from the requirement.

In April, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to social media to crowdsource ideas on improving family travel. He later posted that “it’s very clear that TSA is the #1 travel complaint.”

If the planned change takes effect, it could dramatically improve the security experience for millions of travelers—ending one of the most visible legacies of post-9/11 aviation security.

• New law exempts up to $25,000 in tips from federal taxes, delivering on Trump’s campaign pledge

• Unclear rules leave workers and employers guessing which tips—and jobs—qualify

• IRS braces for administrative chaos amid staffing shortages and technological demands

A hallmark promise from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is now law, granting tipped workers a significant tax break. But even before the ink has dried, the new measure is sowing confusion across the service industry and posing major logistical challenges for the Internal Revenue Service.

Under the legislation, workers in jobs that “customarily and regularly receive tips” can exclude up to $25,000 in annual tip income from federal taxes.

The intent is to boost take-home pay for millions of restaurant servers, bartenders, hotel staff, and others who rely on customer gratuities. Yet critical details remain unresolved — particularly around which tips count under the law and which workers are truly eligible.

Electronic tips in limbo

One of the thorniest questions is whether tips made via digital apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App fall under the exemption. The statute refers specifically to “cash tips,” leaving ambiguity over electronic payments, which have become the norm in many businesses.

Historically, the IRS has treated electronic tips as taxable income, making the law’s narrow language a potential flashpoint in future tax filings.

Businesses eye classification changes

Employers, meanwhile, are grappling with how the new tax rules might reshape hiring and compensation practices. Some labor experts warn that businesses could attempt to classify more positions as “tipped” to capitalize on the tax savings, potentially blurring legal lines under labor laws that strictly define which roles are tip-eligible.

Federal wage laws permit employers to pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 an hour if they receive at least $30 a month in tips and ultimately earn the full federal minimum wage once gratuities are counted.

Businesses can also establish tip pools, but those pools face limits on which workers can participate without requiring employers to pay higher base wages.

IRS faces hurdles

For the IRS, the new law comes at a time of significant internal strain. Agency officials are warning that implementing the tax break will demand major updates to systems and processes, even as the IRS contends with an aging workforce and a potential exodus of experienced employees. Roughly 22% of the IRS’s customer service staff and 27% of its technology workforce are expected to leave by year’s end.

“If there’s any significant tax law change—and I’m not talking just about extenders but certain types of income not being taxable—that is going to introduce a tremendous amount of challenge that people need to be thinking about in terms of systems that we need to update,” said Doug O’Donnell, former acting IRS Commissioner, in a Bloomberg News report.

Until clear IRS guidance arrives, the burden of properly tracking and reporting tips will fall on workers and businesses alike — an arrangement that risks costly mistakes, audits, and lost tax savings.

While Trump’s no-tax-on-tips pledge sailed through Congress on a wave of political enthusiasm, the real-world path to delivering relief to workers is proving far more complex — and could leave many service industry employees in limbo as the next tax season approaches.

• Delta Flight 1334 diverted after a passenger's backpack battery ignited mid-flight.

• No injuries reported; crew swiftly contained the fire.

• Incident underscores rising concerns over lithium-ion battery safety on aircraft.

Delta Air Lines Flight 1334, in route from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale, was forced to make an emergency landing in Fort Myers on Monday after a lithium-ion battery in a passenger's backpack ignited mid-flight. The incident prompted immediate action from the flight crew.

Delta issued a statement to the media, saying that flight attendants extinguished the fire quickly but declared an emergency “out of an abundance of caution.”

According to communications between the cockpit and air traffic control, the device was inside a backpack when it began to smoke.

“Ok, so the backpack has been contained. We think it was a lithium battery that caused the smoke and the fire. It’s in a containment bag. No smoke in the cabin at this point. No active fire. It’s in the lavatory. We’re planning on taxiing clear of the runway,” the pilot told the Air Traffic Control Tower.

Troubling trend

Since 2015, lithium-ion battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat have become increasingly common on commercial aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has documented over 500 such events, with a notable rise in recent years. Below is a selection of significant incidents:

Notable Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents on Commercial Aircraft (2015–2025)

Strict rules

In response to the increasing frequency of these incidents, airlines and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter measures. For instance, Southwest Airlines recently announced a policy requiring passengers to keep portable chargers visible during flights to allow for quick intervention in case of overheating.

The FAA continues to advise passengers to carry lithium-ion batteries in their carry-on luggage and to avoid placing them in checked baggage. They also recommend that passengers inform flight crews immediately if they notice any signs of battery malfunction, such as overheating or smoke.