No matter which web browser you use, you can rely on autofill to simplify filling out forms online.
Autofill can remember your personal information — whether it be your name, address, passwords, or even credit card number — and type it in for you when you need it.
Every major internet browser available in Windows 10 lets you use autofill, although the process behind setting it up differs between all of them.
Here's how to set up autofill for the most popular Windows browsers: Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
How to set up autofill on Windows using Google Chrome
1. Start Google Chrome and click the three-dot icon at the top-right of the window. If you have an update waiting, it may look like an arrow pointing upwards instead.
2. In the drop-down menu, click "Settings."
You can control autofill in Settings.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
3. In the navigation pane on the left, click "Autofill."
4. At the top of the screen, you should now see sections for passwords, payment methods, and addresses. Here you can add, edit, and remove autofill information.
For example, click "Addresses and more." To turn autofill on (if it's not already enabled) swipe the button for "Save and fill addresses" to the right. If you later want to disable autofill, return here and turn this button off.
To add a new address, click "Add" and complete the form. To edit or delete an address, click the three dots to the right of an address entry and then in the dropdown menu, choose "Edit" or "Remove."
You can add, edit and remove addresses from the Autofill section in Settings.
William Antonelli/Business Insider
Similarly, you can edit payment methods by turning the feature on and saving credit card information. Both this and saving passwords comes with some enhanced security features — before you can see a password or card number, you'll have to enter your PC's password.
If you use biometrics to unlock your computer, like a facial scan or fingerprint reader, you'll need to use that instead.
If you don't have any security on your PC, Chrome will have you set up a PIN you can enter instead.
How to set up autofill on Windows using Firefox
1. Start Firefox and click the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window.
2. In the drop-down menu, click "Options."
Open the Options pages in Firefox.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
3. In the navigation pane on the left, click "Privacy & Security."
4. Scroll down to the History section and in the dropdown, choose "Remember history."
5. In the Forms and Autofill section, check "Autofill addresses." You can later disable autofill by returning here and clearing the checkbox.
6. To save passwords, scroll up to "Logins and Passwords" and check "Ask to save logins and passwords for websites," and then "Autofill logins and passwords."
Make sure that your history is enabled and the "Forms and Autofill" option is turned on.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
To add or edit addresses, click "Saved Addresses…" and then enter new addresses using the "Add" button, or select an address and click "Edit" or "Remove."
To edit passwords, scroll back up and click "Saved Logins..."
How to set up autofill on Windows using Microsoft Edge
1. Start Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot icon at the top-right of the window.
2. In the drop-down menu, click "Settings."
Start by opening the Settings page in Edge.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
3. In the navigation pane on the left, click "Profiles."
You can find the autofill settings in Profiles.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
4. Click "Addresses and more."
5. Turn on autofill by swiping the button to the right. If you want to disable autofill later, return here and swipe the button to the left.
6. To add a new address, click "Add Address," then fill out the form and click "Save."
7. To edit or remove an address, click the three dots to the right of an entry and then choose "edit" or "Delete."
You can add, edit, and delete personal information in the Profiles section.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
8. You can go back to the "Profiles" page to edit and save passwords and card information.
Your Apple Watch includes a complication called AQI, which reports on the Air Quality Index for your location.
It's easy to add this complication to many watch faces, so you can keep tabs on the local air quality with just a glance.
What AQI is on an Apple Watch, and how it's measured
The Air Quality Index is a standard way of reporting air quality used by many government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency in the US. It's a numeric scale that goes from 0 to 500, in which the lower the number, the better the air quality.
The EPA calculates the AQI based on five major air pollutants: ozone, particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
0 to 50. Air quality is considered "good," and air pollution posts "little or no risk." This is color coded green.
The AQI complication on an Apple Watch shows that it is 39, and color coded green.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
51 to 100. Air quality is "moderate," and "there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people." This is color coded yellow.
101 to 150. This range is "unhealthy for sensitive groups." The EPA says that individuals with lung disease, older adults, and children may be at a greater risk from exposure to ozone. Persons with heart and lung disease may be at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. This is color coded orange.
151 to 200. This is "unhealthy," and everyone may experience adverse health effects. This is color coded red.
201 to 300. "Very unhealthy." This level would trigger a health alert. This is color coded purple.
301 to 500. The EPA calls this "hazardous," and considers this level an emergency. It is color coded maroon.
How to use the AQI complication on your Apple Watch
If you choose a watch face with the AQI complication, you can see the AQI number at a glance.
To get more information, tap the complication, and you'll see the AQI, the description (such as "Good" or "Moderate") and where your AQI falls on a color scale from green to maroon.
Tap the AQI complication to see the air quality description and color spectrum.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
For information on how to add an AQI complication to your watch, read our article here.
Exact Sciences soared as much as 33% on Tuesday to record highs after the diagnostics company said it would acquire Thrive Earlier Detection for up to $2.15 billion in a stock and cash deal.
Thrive Earlier Detection is a diagnostics company developing CancerSEEK, a liquid biopsy test that is designed to detect many cancers at earlier stages of disease. Thrive utilizes machine learning technologies in its cancer detection platform, which is designed to detect cancer before symptoms occur.
In a 10,000-patient study, CancerSEEK detected 10 different types of cancer, including seven with no recommended screening guidelines and with very few false positives, according to Exact Sciences.
"The acquisition of Thrive is a giant leap toward ensuring blood-based, multi-cancer screening becomes a reality and eventually, the standard of care," Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy said.
The deal would expand Exact Sciences product offerings, which currently include Cologuard and Biomatrica.
Exact Sciences will make an upfront payment of stock and cash worth $1.7 billion, and will make an additional $450 million in future payments if certain milestones are achieved. The $1.7 billion payment consists of 65% in Exact Sciences stock and 35% in cash. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021.
In relation to the acquisition, Exact Sciences said on Tuesday it sold 8.6 million shares at $101 per share to raise $869 million. Part of the proceeds will be used to fund the Thrive acquisition.
In addition to the announced acquisition of Thrive, Exact Sciences said it acquired Base Genomics for $410 million to expand its diagnostics technology.
The US is seeing its biggest surge of coronavirus cases. On Friday, the country recorded 83,128 new cases, breaking the record for the most in a single day. The surge came just days before voters will decide whether to reelect President Donald Trump.
Since the US confirmed its first coronavirus case in January, Trump has repeatedly given misleading, unprovable, or incorrect statements about the pandemic.
The chart below highlights some of the claims and statements Trump has made over the past 10 months, juxtaposed with rates of new daily COVID-19 cases nationwide.
On January 22, when the US reported its first case of COVID-19, Trump said the situation was "totally under control." As the virus spread through the country in January and February amid a testing shortage, he said it would disappear "like a miracle."
Trump told the journalist Bob Woodward in early February that the coronavirus was "deadly stuff," but he said publicly a month later that the risk for most Americans was "very, very low."
In March, as daily cases ticked up, he repeatedly said the pandemic would soon be over.
He's still painting a rosy picture that contradicts the data. "We're rounding the turn," Trump said at a rally in New Hampshire on Sunday. "It's going to be over."
Trump takes off his face mask on a White House balcony to speak to supporters on October 10.
Trump's rhetoric and his administration's overall handling of the pandemic appear to be hurting his chance of being elected for a second term. A recent AP-NORC poll found that 66% of Americans disapproved of how Trump had handled the US's outbreak.
The US has recorded more COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other country. It ranks ninth in both total cases per capita and deaths per capita.
As of Tuesday, one week before Election Day, more than 226,000 Americans had died from COVID-19, and more than 8.7 million had gotten sick.
The top in the stock market is in, on September 2, according to the hedge-fund investor David Einhorn.
In Greenlight Capital's third-quarter letter, Einhorn offered 10 reasons technology stocks are in a bubble that "has already popped."
"Bubbles tend to topple under their own weight," Einhorn said, adding that market psychology is what matters in a bubble, not valuation. "Valuation is irrelevant; that's what makes it a bubble," Einhorn said.
Einhorn acknowledged that his 2016 bubble call was wrong and that this one could be disproved. But he contended that investor sentiment was moving from greed to complacency, something that happens just before it moves to worry and then panic.
Here are 10 reasons technology stocks are in a bubble, according to Einhorn.
2020 has seen a surge in initial public offerings despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and "blank check" special-purpose acquisition companies have been the preferred route for companies to go public. Just this week Jack Ma's Ant Financial Group said it planned to raise $35 billion in a record-breaking IPO.
2. "Extraordinary valuations and new metrics for valuation."
Einhorn pointed to his recent favorite: price-sales growth divided by sales growth. "This ratio is the PEG ratio on steroids and amounts to nonsense," he said.
3. "A huge market concentration in a single sector and a few stocks."
The top five stocks in the S&P 500 make up 20% of the entire index, according to Ned Davis Research, while the technology sector represents more than 28% of the index.
4. "A second tier of stocks that most people haven't heard of at S&P 500 type market capitalizations."
Einhorn was likely referring to a slew of cloud and software stocks that have seen a meteoric rise during the COVID-19 pandemic and now sport valuations of more than $20 billion. Some examples include ZScaler, Okta, and RingCentral.
5. "The more fanciful and distant the narrative, it seems the better the stock performs."
Einhorn could be referring to story stocks that have a business plan but little to no revenue and yet still see a surge in valuation. One example is Nikola, which went public via an SPAC earlier this year and saw its market value surge ahead of Ford's even though it said it didn't expect to sell cars and recognize revenue until late 2021.
6. "Outperformance of companies suspected of fraud based on the consensus belief that there is no enforcement risk, without which crime pays."
7. "Outsized reaction to economically irrelevant stock splits."
Einhorn was likely referring to the August stock splits of Apple and Tesla. Both experienced a surge in their share prices, and Tesla added more than $200 billion in market value in the two weeks after its stock-split announcement.
8. "Increased participation of retail investors, who appear focused on the best-performing names."
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a surge in trading activity among retail investors, as stay-at-home orders drove more people to pass the time with the ups and downs of the stock market.
9. "Incredible trading volumes in speculative instruments like weekly call options and worthless common stock."
Einhorn pointed to Hertz common stock as an example, noting that 1 billion shares traded in a single day earlier this month after the car-rental company said it had obtained potential debtor-in-possession financing. "Historically, in a bankruptcy like this, the shares would be promptly delisted by the exchange to protect retail investors," Einhorn said.
10. "A parabolic ascent toward a top."
Stocks have surged to all-time highs during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the technology sector in particular.
Einhorn included an anecdote about the "toppy behavior" he had seen in the markets: He said he received a job application from a 13-year old with the subject line "I am young, but good at investments."
If you're like me, the shipping boxes have been piling up in the lobby as I do more shopping online, whether out of necessity or lockdown boredom.
So it's no wonder that advertisers are trying to get more attention of people like me and figure out exactly what it'll take to get me to drop their product in my basket.
We've been writing a lot about the rise of e-commerce and associated advertising lately. Here's a recap:
Online sales are booming, but they're less profitable than in-store sales, so retailers are renting space on their sites to advertisers, giving rise to the term retail media. It's a $17.4 billion market, or 12% of digital advertising, and it's expected to soar 39% this year, per eMarketer.
Lauren Johnson spotlighted 8 key execs who are leading the charge at retailers from Walmart to CVS in building retail media businesses.
The rise of e-commerce is driving deal-making, too. E-commerce is one of the areas that the ad holding company giant WPP is eyeing as it looks to start acquiring again. Its clients are putting more of their budgets on e-commerce platforms, and agencies like WPP stand to lose out if they don't have a strong offering to help them get the most out of their dollars.
Speaking of e-commerce, there's more than one way agencies are hanging out shingles. Sean Czarnecki wrote about how WPP's PR giant BCW is branching out to e-commerce services as well as consulting.
As BCW's Donna Imperato told Sean: "We knew we needed e-commerce because with the internet, you want to be able to promote the client product or brand and make it easy for the reader to go straight to purchasing that product."
Rival holding company IPG is also looking for consulting gigs; its pitch revolves helping chief marketing officers who are increasingly using data to make decisions, especially as the pandemic requires up-to-the-minute information about where and what people are buying.
As gaming soars in the pandemic, video game companies are heavily using social media influencers to make sure they stay top of mind.
Dan Whateley ran down the companies that are the most active in using influencers to promote themselves, based on influencer-marketing company CreatorIQ data.
Twitch led the list, with 426 sponsored posts from 131 creators in September.
It's another example of how marketing dollars are going to creators at the expense of traditional media — and it also means big business for companies like TalentX Entertainment that match brands and creators.
It probably comes as no surprise that there are fewer women working in STEM than men. According to the Women in STEM Workforce Index 2020 published by the UC San Diego Extension, only 1 in 4 STEM jobs are held by women, and they earn about $20,000 less a year than men in STEM roles.
One way for women to break into STEM is education, but you don't necessarily need to go back to school or invest in an expensive degree. Online learning sites are an affordable and flexible way to teach yourself the foundations and get a feel for the industry, whether you're interested in STEM or other traditionally underrepresented fields like gaming.
Of course, since men hold more positions in these fields, there tend to be more male teachers as well. For women taking STEM courses, the impact of seeing instructors who look like them cannot be understated.
Just like representation in media affects how groups of people perceive themselves and are perceived by the world, representation in STEM and gaming plays an important role in motivating women to overcome gender-related barriers in their own career journeys.
With that in mind, we found some popular online courses that teach skills in development, game design, math, and more — all taught by female leaders who have achieved success in their fields.
You can learn more about each course and its instructor below.
iOS 13 & Swift 5 - The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp
Udemy
The course: A bestseller on Udemy, this iOS app development class has everything you need to know to create beautiful apps, even if you have no prior programming experience. It's packed with over 50 hours of video content, 146 articles, and other resources to help you ultimately finish an app portfolio you can use to apply to junior developer jobs.
The instructor: Angela Yu is an iOS and WatchOS developer fluent in Swift and Objective-C. She's also the founder, managing director, and lead iOS instructor at the London App Brewery, a bootcamp where she's taught over 900 students. Yu's first got into programming at 12 years old, when she wanted to figure out how to build her own video games. Since then, she's made over 70 apps and games.
Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development and Coding Specialization
Coursera
The course: If you've never designed a website before, you'll start this six-month University of Michigan course covering the basics of HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript, with a full unit devoted to each one. By the end, you'll have a complete portfolio with websites built on at least three different platforms. Along the way, you'll be provided with feedback from peers and teaching assistants so that you end up with a final project you're proud of.
The instructor: Lead lecturer Colleen van Lent, PhD teaches various technology-focused courses at the University of Michigan's School of Information. She's passionate about making technology accessible to everyone, and she wrote "Web Design for HTML" specifically for children to learn problem-solving, coding, and design skills. She was also a National Physical Sciences Consortium Fellow and NASA Faculty Fellow.
Game Design Foundations: Ideas, Core Loops, and Goals
Lynda
The course: This course explains practical strategies for starting a career in game design, drafting game ideas, and turning concepts into designs that a team can implement. You'll also learn more about the role of a game designer, how to define the core loop of your game, create features of a core, and more. The next course in the series teaches game systems, chance, and strategy.
The instructor: Brenda Romero is a game designer, artist, writer, and creative director who entered the video game industry in 1981 at the age of 15 and has worked at Atari, Sir-Tech Software, and Electronic Arts. She received the 2013 Women in Games Lifetime Achievement Award from by Microsoft and the 2015 Game Developers Choice Ambassador Award. Romero is now the game designer in residence at the UC Santa Cruz and the cofounder and COO of Loot Drop, a social and mobile game company.
Introduction to Complex Analysis
Coursera
The course: Aimed at anyone interested in exploring "a beautiful and important corner of mathematics," this eight-week Wesleyan University math course provides an introduction to complex analysis, which is the theory of complex functions of a complex variable. Topics include the algebra and geometry of complex numbers, differentiation, integration, complex dynamics, power series representation, and the Laurent series.
The instructor: Dr. Petra Bonfert-Taylor was a mathematics professor at Wesleyan University until 2015 and is now an engineering professor at Dartmouth College. Though she originally intended to study computer science, she was drawn to mathematics after taking a course on complex analysis. Her other research interests lie in geometric function theory, hyperbolic geometry and the mathematics of medical imaging.
CSS Animation: Bringing Your Sites to Life
Skillshare
The course: This short, 45-minute course is designed for students with basic HTML and CSS skills and teaches you how to use CSS hover effects, transitions, and transforms to add motion and interactivity that can bring your website to life. The final project in the course is to create an interactive image gallery.
The instructor: Sarah Holden is a web developer and designer who taught her first web development course for General Assembly in 2015. The former lead front-end developer at KinHR, she currently runs her own development practice and is passionate about building quality-crafted web apps driven by Javascript, Backbone, and Angular.
Clustering and Classification With Machine Learning in Python
Udemy
The course: This course is a complete guide to both supervised and unsupervised learning using Python, created after the instructor realized that current Python data science courses and books do not account for the multidimensional nature of the topic. This course will give you a robust grounding in the main aspects of machine learning, clustering, and classification. It's helpful, but not required, to have some prior exposure to Python programming.
The instructor: Minerva Singh received a PhD in Forest Ecology and Conservation from Cambridge. In her PhD research, she used extensive statistical and machine learning as well as image processing techniques to quantify the impact of forest cover change on carbon stocks and biodiversity in tropical Asia. Singh is the founder of Minerva's Data Lab, which provides information, resources and training relating to machine learning, data science, spatial data analysis, and more.
The course: Learn how to use Amazon Web Services (AWS) design patterns, tools, and best practices for the managing the entire application architecture life cycle. This intermediate-level course covers how to identify requirements, plan for implementation, and configure services including EC2, S3, Elastic Beanstalk, CloudFormation, VPC, and IAM. It also covers topics in the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam.
The instructor: Lynn Langit is a cloud architect and developer who specializes in big data projects and works with Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. She delivers technical keynotes world-wide and is also the cofounder and director of Teaching Kids Programming, where she creates open source courseware for kids ages 10 and older to learn to code.
SQL for Data Science
Coursera
The course: This introductory four-week course created by UC Davis is a primer in the fundamentals of SQL and working with data so that you can begin analyzing it for data science purposes. You'll learn common operators, how to combine the data, and how to use case statements and concepts like data governance and profiling.
The instructor: Sadie St. Lawrence is a Data Scientist at VSP Global, where she designs analytics solutions, provides training to help the organization move through the five stages of analytics maturity, and researches new analytics technologies. St. Lawrence is also the founder and executive director of Women in Data, a nonprofit organization focused on creating job opportunities for women in data-centric fields.
Statistics With Python Specialization
Coursera
The course: Designed for beginner and intermediate learners, this course shows you how to analyze statistics and create data visualizations using the Python programming language. On top of learning the foundations of data design, you'll also be able to use data for more advanced statistical modeling procedures and connect research questions to statistical and data analysis methods.
The instructor: Brenda Gunderson, PhD, teaches the largest undergraduate statistics course at the University of Michigan and also serves as an advisor to students majoring and minoring in Statistics. Her research particularly focuses on using technology to enhance teaching and learning, and she is the co-investigator of the UM grant Enhancing Undergraduate Education through the Deployment of Quality Learning Objects.
Innovating Instruction: Learning Design in the STEM Classroom
EDX; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
The course: This class is specifically designed for teachers and educators to learn how to incorporate STEM and STEAM learning in K-12 classrooms. You'll learn how to add a more design-based approach to your curriculum, tie in learning sciences to your classroom instruction, and feel more comfortable merging technology with your teaching.
The instructor: Ellen B. Meier is the Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Technology and School Change and a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Columbia University. She started her teaching career in a federal experimental school program in Minnesota and was interested in school reform and equity, which informs some of her research now — she is focused on technology's growing role in forming more engaging learning environments, particularly for urban students.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plan to warn lawmakers that stripping back Section 230 would hurt how we communicate on the internet.
The remarks are part of the CEOs' prepared testimonies for a virtual Senate hearing on Wednesday, which will focus on Section 230 protections.
Democrats and Republicans have largely agreed that Section 230 should be updated, but conservatives have brought greater urgency to the revisions after Facebook and Twitter began fact-checking President Donald Trump's posts in May.
Dorsey and Zuckerberg will appear in front of lawmakers again on November 17 for a hearing regarding their companies' handling of a dubious New York Post article about Joe Biden's son.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plan to warn the Senate that stripping back Section 230 could harm free expression on the internet, according to testimonies they prepared for a Senate hearing on Wednesday, which will focus on the protections.
Dorsey said stripping back Section 230 — an internet law that protects tech companies from being liable for content posted on their sites — could "collapse how we communicate on the Internet" and leave "only a small number of giant and well-funded" tech firms, according to his remarks, which Twitter shared with Business Insider.
Zuckerberg's testimony, viewed by Business Insider, similarly said that "without Section 230, platforms could potentially be held liable for everything people say" and could "face liability for doing even basic moderation, such as removing hate speech and harassment that impacts the safety and security of their communities."
Wednesday's virtual hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee was scheduled in part to open a dialogue around Section 230 protections and potential revisions, and comes just days before the 2020 presidential election. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also set to testify.
Democrats and Republicans have largely agreed that Section 230 needs to be revised, but President Donald Trump has amplified the fight to do so after Twitter and Facebook began fact-checking his posts in May. And now multiple branches of the US government are zeroing in on changing the law, as Business Insider's Aaron Holmes explains.
Section 230 is part of an internet law created in the 1990s that prevents tech platforms from being treated as publishers, like newspapers. It means the likes of Facebook and Twitter aren't liable for content that people post on their sites, including hate speech and misinformation. Tech firms maintain that Section 230 is what protects free speech on the open internet.
A separate hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee is slated for November 17 in which both Dorsey and Zuckerberg will appear again to discuss, in part, their companies' handling of a dubious New York Post article about Joe Biden's son. Republicans subpoenaed Dorsey in mid-October following his company's ban of the story, and he willingly agreed to testify on November 17.
Twitter initially failed to offer an explanation when it banned the story's URL in early October before saying the article violated its policies against how hacked materials are shared. Dorsey later issued an apology and said Twitter was "wrong" to have banned the story. Facebook's response to the New York Post article was similar: The company said it would restrict the reach of the article on its platform until a third-party fact-checked its contents. But Republicans latched onto the debacle from the get-go as proof that big tech is biased against conservatives, an often-disproven theory they have long pedaled.
You can read Dorsey's and Zuckerberg's testimonies in full below:
Lt. Col. Brian Burger, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot and the 188th Fighter Wing operations group commander, Fort Smith Air National Guard fires off a flare while banking into a high angle firing position during a training exercise on Razorback Range located at Fort Chaffee maneuver training center.
Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Benjamin Bloker
A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt accidentally dropped an apparent training munition during a flight over South Korea earlier this month, Stars and Stripes first reported Tuesday.
US and South Korean military personnel searched for three days but came up empty handed. They assessed that the inert munition probably did not pose a threat to anyone given the likely point of impact.
On two separate occasions last year, A-10s accidentally released munitions over the US, first in Florida and again in Arizona.
A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II accidentally dropped a training weapon during a flight over South Korea, and no one knows exactly where it went, Stars and Stripes first reported Tuesday.
The A-10 "inadvertently" released an "unguided non-explosive projectile" during an Oct. 13 flight over a "remote off-range area," a spokesman for the 51st Fighter Wing told Task & Purpose. The aircraft was assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base.
It is unclear what type of training munition was released.
US and South Korean military personnel searched for the inert training munition for three days before calling off the search. They assessed that "there was not a significant threat to anyone" given the terrain in the area where the weapon is believed to have landed, a fighter wing spokesman told Stars and Stripes.
The incident is reportedly under investigation and additional safety measures were put in place to prevent a repeat.
The US Air Force has had several problems with its A-10s accidentally releasing munitions during training. Last year, there were two such incidents in the US.
Fortunately, in each of the three incidents, there were no reported injuries or damages.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed "Warthog," was built for close air support and has been in service since the early 1970s.
While the A-10 carries a variety of munitions on its 11 hardpoints, it is most famous for its forward 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon that can fire at a rate of just under 4,000 rounds per minute. The weapon makes a loud "BRRRRT" sound when fired.
Narrator: Adidas makes over 400 million pairs of shoes every year. Manufacturing that many shoes requires a lot of resources. But constantly creating new materials isn't great for the environment. So Adidas is turning to a different source.
Experts predict that in 30 years, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. And one study estimates that 90% of seabirds have consumed some form of plastic waste. All that pollution on beaches and in the ocean is harmful to both marine life and humans. So Adidas is trying to stop some of that plastic before it reaches the ocean. In 2015, Adidas partnered with the environmental organization Parley for the Oceans. Their goal? To turn marine pollution into sportswear. And they've made huge progress.
In 2019, Adidas expects to make 11 million pairs of shoes with recycled ocean plastic. That's more than double what it made in 2018. Adidas says the partnership has prevented 2,810 tons of plastic from reaching the oceans. But how are these shoes made?
It all starts at the beach. Parley and its partners collect trash from coastal areas like the Maldives. The waste is then sorted, and the recovered plastic is sent to an Adidas processing plant. Adidas uses plastic bottles that contain polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. And if it's something Adidas can't use, like caps and rings? Those get sent to normal recycling facilities.
The processing plant crushes, washes, and dehydrates the waste, leaving nothing but small plastic flakes. The flakes are heated, dried, and cooled, then cut into small resin pellets. Normally, polyester is made from petroleum. But Adidas melts these pellets to create a filament, which is spun into what they call Ocean Plastic, a form of polyester yarn. Adidas uses Ocean Plastic to form the upper parts of shoes and clothing like jerseys. Each item in the Parley collection is made from at least 75% intercepted marine trash. And they still meet the same performance and comfort standards of Adidas' other shoes. Recycled polyester uses less water and fewer chemicals and helps prevent plastic pollution.
Adidas' goal is to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024. Currently, more than 40% of Adidas' apparel uses recycled polyester. You may have seen Adidas' recycled sportswear without even noticing it. Clothing made with Ocean Plastic has been used in college football, baseball, the NHL, the Australian Open, and more. But this doesn't eliminate plastic pollution entirely. Washing polyester clothing can create microfibers, which may end up in the ocean. Adidas suggests that customers wash their clothes less often, use cold water, and fully fill the machine each time.
But this is just the first step. Adidas is also developing a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop. This shoe is made to be remade. Because it can be returned and broken down to create a brand-new pair. Futurecraft Loop is expected to be available in 2021.
With the help of Parley for the Oceans, Adidas is using readily available material to manufacture new products. Which is a big step towards a sustainable future.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in September 2019.
Disney Plus is one of the most popular streaming services to come out recently — and it's available to download on your Xbox One.
In addition to offering all of Disney's animated classics, TV shows, and more, the service also features original shows like "The Mandalorian," similar to Netflix Originals.
If you use your Xbox One for streaming, chances are you've already downloaded Netflix or another app. Disney Plus is downloaded in the same way.
Here are the details, and how to download it onto your Xbox One.
How to get Disney Plus on your Xbox One
1. From your Xbox One home screen, use the right back trigger on your controller to scroll over to "Store."
You can also launch the Store by pressing the Home button on your controller. Select "Store" from the pop-up menu that opens, which will appear as the Microsoft logo in a shopping bag.
2. Scroll down until you find the "Search" tab. Select it by pressing the "A" button on your controller.
Search in the Microsoft Store.
Marissa Perino/Business Insider
3. Begin typing "Disney Plus." The search feature should automatically generate results.
4. Once it appears, scroll down and select the Disney Plus app using the "A" button on your controller.
Pick Disney Plus from the list of results.
Marissa Perino/Business Insider
5. This will open the app's details page. If the app is already installed on your console, the page will give you the option to launch the app. Otherwise, scroll to and select the green "Get" button to install the app. Since it's free to download, you shouldn't be prompted for any payment information.
Once you've downloaded the app, you can launch Disney Plus from this screen as well.
Marissa Perino/Business Insider
6. Once Disney Plus is installed, you can access it from the "My games & apps" tab on the home screen. After selecting "My games & apps," followed by "See all," you can view a complete list of your apps, including your streaming platforms.
You'll find Disney Plus among all of your other apps.
Marissa Perino/Business Insider
7. Open Disney Plus and log in with your account information to begin watching.
Jon Stewart will host and executive produce a new current affairs show on Apple TV Plus, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The show, which is untitled, will feature hour-long episodes that delve into a single topic in the news or related to Stewart's political advocacy.
The new show will begin sometime next year, but will not air daily or weekly, THR reports.
Stewart served as the anchor for "The Daily Show" from 1999 to 2015. More recently, he has focused on his advocacy work for 9/11 first responders, though at one point he was working on an animated series with HBO that was ultimately scrapped.
Jon Stewart is returning to TV with a new current affairs show streaming on Apple TV Plus.
Stewart has signed a multi-year deal with Apple for a series that will run multiple seasons. Stewart will executive produce and host the series, which will feature hour-long episodes dedicated to exploring a single subject on topics related to national affairs or Stewart's own political advocacy, according to The Hollywood Reporter's Lacey Rose.
The show, which is currently untitled, will begin sometime next year, but will not air daily or weekly. Apple is also planning to run a podcast related to the show, THR reports.
Stewart's manager, James Dixon, and former HBO CEO Richard Plepler will also serve as executive producers on the series. In January, Plepler signed his own five-year deal with Apple to create documentaries, films, and TV series through his company, Eden Productions.
A spokesperson for Apple did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
Stewart served as anchor of "The Daily Show" from 1999 until 2015, when he left the series and was replaced by current host Trevor Noah. Since then, he's been focused on advocacy work on behalf of 9/11 first responders and their families, though at one point he was working on an animated series with HBO that was ultimately scrapped.
Stewart's deal with Apple is the latest in a string of big names tied to the streaming service, which was announced in March 2019 and launched last November. In July, Oprah Winfrey debuted her new show, "The Oprah Conversation," in which Winfrey interviews authors, newsmakers, and celebrities about timely topics.
The service is also home to series like "The Morning Show," which stars Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carell; "Servant," produced by M. Night Shyamalan; and "See" starring Jason Momoa.
But after a year of upended travel plans, many Airbnb hosts are relaxing cancellation policies to attract guests.
We rounded up some of Airbnb's most popular, unique listings you can lock in now for next year when things will hopefully feel safer, with the assurance of a full refund if you need one.
When Airbnb first rose to prominence, it suddenly became easy to elevate your vacation by booking a night in a luxury treehouse, a kitted-out airstream, or even in a converted school bus. However, many travelers took notice, and these properties became the most coveted on the platform. Finding open dates became a matter of luck.
In a normal year, booking several months or even a year in advance isn't a big deal, but 2020 has been far from normal. As such, many of these highly popular listings are now available to book with less notice and more flexibility than is typical, along with relaxed cancellation policies.
That's because 2020 has also taught travelers to be more apprehensive when it comes to making plans. If you spent any time on the phone this year trying to negotiate a refund for your pandemic-foiled vacation, it's understandable to be a little wary when considering to lock something down for 2021.
And if the uncertainty of what travel will look like next year seems like a disadvantage, consider that it also means everyone else just as uncertain. As a result, 2021 might be your best shot at securing dates for one-of-a-kind Airbnb listings, and if it has a flexible cancellation policy, there's little financial risk so long as you cancel within the required time frame.
Just note that this won't apply to all listings. Many high demand homes still enforce a strict policy that will only refund you if you cancel within 48 hours of booking. Instead, look for homes that offer flexible and moderate policies, which provide full refunds for those who cancel up to one or five days in advance.
And if you're wondering if travel is safe, experts say Airbnb is one of the safer places to stay, because you are often booking an entire home protected from interaction with others. However, without a vaccine, there is no firm guarantee with regard to safety. It's crucial to follow guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practice safety measures including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, consider your own level of risk, and whether you're traveling from or to a hotspot, so as not to increase the rate of infection.
Airbnb also announced rigorous new procedures including an Enhanced Cleaning Protocol with strict policies on personal protective equipment, approved disinfectants, and waiting periods, as well as requiring all hosts and guests to agree to a new safety mandate.
If you want to plan travel to look forward to in 2021, we selected some of the most popular, unique listings in the US on Airbnb based on the following criteria:
Every property has available dates in 2021 and flexible cancellation policies that provide the option to cancel within five days of your check-in date.
Each vacation rental is for the entire listing or is fit to maintain proper social distancing.
All homes either participate in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean or maintain Superhost status with excellent reviews for cleanliness.
Since many borders around the world remain closed to American travelers, every listing is in the United States.
Each property is well-reviewed with a rating of at least 4.8 and priced between $115 and $389 per night to start.
Each listing is unique and special in a standout way related to scenery, location, or design. This could mean it feels like you've stepped into a painting, is housed in a non-traditional building, or boasts impeccable design and aesthetics.
These are some of Airbnb's most popular, unique listings you can book now for next year with flexible cancellation policies.
This dome-shaped home is a cozy hideaway with a stone patio overlooking a picture-perfect mountain vista located in between three of Utah's ski resorts. Housed on the property of a larger dome, which is where the hosts live, it's built like a proper cabin but has a dome-shaped roof.
Inside, distressed furniture ties together a vintage look with a curved ceiling that lends itself to geometric wood paneling adorned with decorative embroidery and hanging oil lanterns. With two beds, the dome is large enough to sleep three people. While a gas stove keeps the place heated in the winter, it also is air-conditioned in the summer.
There is also a small kitchenette with a coffee maker, microwave, and mini-fridge. From the stone patio (which is outfitted with chairs, a grill, and a fireplace) past guests have seen moon rises, rainbows, and glorious sunsets.
At the time of writing, this listing has some availability in January and February of next year but opens up completely from March onwards.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can get a full refund on this booking up to 24 hours before check-in.
With its storybook window looking out towards the distant mountains, this tiny home in Montana is the picture of seclusion.
Not as small as other tiny homes out there, it's still quite compact while housing impressive amenities like a flat screen TV, a fireplace, a washer, dryer, and a full kitchen. The top deck is perfect for enjoying hillside views, while the rustic interior design is cozy and bright thanks to the large windows, light-colored wooden finishes, and white tile. There are also stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and a rain shower in the bathroom for added comfort.
Forty minutes south of Missoula and at the end of a dirt road in the Bitterroot Valley, this is a prime spot for anyone looking to get away from it all and maybe do a little bit of hiking or fly fishing.
At the time of writing, this listing does not have any available dates until February 2021, but the calendar opens up after that.
Rating: 5.0
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This listing does not specify COVID-related policies, however, recent guests reviewed the home as sparkling clean, and the host is a Superhost, a title reserved for experienced, highly rated Airbnb hosts who are committed to providing great stays.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking for a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.
Farm stay with a private pond in Fairfield, Vermont, $200
For a getaway into a pastoral scene of meadows, cows, and mountains, consider this farm stay in Vermont. Large enough to sleep seven, this house sits on 300-acres of a working dairy farm.
In addition to its epic view of Mount Mansfield, it is also conveniently located between two major Vermont ski resorts. The house has all the charm of a cozy cottage without sacrificing on space and guests staying here will have access to the whole yard and can go fishing or swimming in the pond. Skiing, leaf-peeping, or hiking are also easily accessible for a year-round escape.
In the living room, a wood stove is the centerpiece of the neutral-toned interior, but it's the grandfather clock in the corner and rocking chairs that really pull the comfy vibes together. Past guests particularly loved how they were able to enjoy the view from any angle and interact with the animals on the farm. Plus, not many Airbnbs have their own private and swimmable ponds exclusively for their guests' use and you can also buy organic grass-fed beef and milk straight from the farm during your stay.
At the time of writing, this listing is completely available after the first week of January.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking for up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
Secluded desert home in Palm Springs, California, $389
If you need a lot of space, this three-bedroom home in the Palm Springs area can sleep up to six people and sits on five private acres with sunrise views of Joshua Tree National Park and is just 15 minutes away from Palm Springs. With over 500 reviews, this is one of the hottest homes in the area that you can book on Airbnb. Palm Springs is also expected to be one of the most popular places to visit on Airbnb in 2021.
The centerpiece is the dome-shaped living room where the 26-foot high ceiling and 360-degree windows mean you never have to take your eyes off the view. The spacious interior is decorated with pop-art furniture pieces like the modular bookshelf and multi-colored string chairs, and the kitchen is perfect for cooking large meals with a wraparound countertop and stainless steel island. All three bedrooms are flushed in natural light and added amenities include a workspace, indoor fireplace, hot tub, and patio dining area, which sits next to a cactus garden.
At the time of writing, this listing still has a few dates available in January, February, March of 2021, but the calendar completely opens up after April.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this reservation for up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
BI
The old Spanish consulate in Pensacola, Florida, $131
If you want to stay in a place with some history, try this old Spanish consulate in Pensacola, Florida.
Sometimes referred to as "the castle," this historic building is surrounded by tall palm trees, and includes a tower room that is decked out with wood paneling and an iron spiral staircase that leads into a small loft with views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The decor is classical but eccentric with art pieces that invoke tropical elegance such as hanging tapestries, still-life paintings, and cultural masks.
On the property, you can also take advantage of the pool and garden, which is a shared amenity among guests.
At the time of writing, 2021 is completely open.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking for up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
Located in a prime location for stargazing (sometimes clear enough to see the Milky Way) and not far from Big Bend National Park, this clay-dwelling offers an unconventional lodging experience.
Isolated, off-the-grid, and completely solar-powered, this is the place to unplug. Inside, you'll find enough space for a small kitchen with a stove and fridge, a double bed, and a small desk area. There is a composting toilet outside but unfortunately, no shower or air-conditioning. So, this listing is most suitable for travelers who are willing to rough-it in exchange for spending a night or two in stunning seclusion in a wholly unique home located under a dark sky ordinance.
At the time of writing, it is only possible to book dates in January although it is usually available in the summer, so keep checking back for when the host opens up the calendar.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: During the off-peak season you can cancel this booking up to five days in advance for a full refund.
A barn silo in a past life, this newly-renovated Airbnb now is a gorgeous home that resembles something of a fairy tale tower.
Although it seems narrow, you'll have the top two floors to yourself, which come with panoramic views of the countryside from a King-sized bed surrounded by a circular wall of windows. There's also a private deck and a smaller silo, where you'll find the bathroom. Warm wood lines the living space, flanked by a staircase that was handmade from fox grapevine.
Although you will have the entire silo to yourself, the kitchen is shared with other guests but is outdoors, which is beneficial for social distancing.
At the time of writing, there are still many open days from January to May 2021 and the calendar completely opens up starting in June.
Rating: 5.0
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
Giant cedar tree-house in Ferndale, Washington, $175
With a four-foot-wide Western Red Cedar at its center, this unique tree-house is a majestic place to rest your head, just two hours north of Seattle. This handcrafted home is an impressive feat with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom big enough for two people. There's also a small stovetop and mini-fridge in the kitchenette, decorated with rustic details like woodland-inspired artwork and even an intimate window seat perfect for sipping a hot drink on a cozy morning among the treetops.
Recent reviews rave about the special thought and care taken by the host to make them feel welcome, as well as the seclusion and peacefulness of the forest location.
At the time of writing, most weekends are still available in January and February and May and all other months are completely open.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This listing does not specify COVID-related policies, however, recent guests reviewed the home as sparkling clean, and the host is a Superhost, a title reserved for experienced, highly rated Airbnb hosts who are committed to providing great stays.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
Although this lofted apartment is a small space, the clean lines draw your eye in, and contrasting light and dark neutral colors give it depth, while the artistic metal handrail keeps things interesting. As a result, the overall feel is contemporary, clean, and super sleek.
The custom-built home has an open layout with tall ceilings and a lofted bedroom. There's also a living area, kitchen, and shared outdoor patio and grill.
Located in the Mississippi District of North Portland, this is a great neighborhood for exploring local shops, restaurants, bars, and the downtown area. This listing is also an Airbnb Plus property, which means the amenities are well-curated, the design is thoughtful, and the hosts come highly recommended.
At the time of writing, this listing has mostly full availability apart from a few weeks that have been claimed in March, June, August, and October.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You may cancel for a full refund for up to five days before check-in.
Formerly a horse stable for the Victorian mansion next door, this colorful apartment is a meal for the eyes, exuding rustic and masculine energy with a lot of distressed wood, exposed brick, and industrial Americana-inspired decor on the walls.
It also offers enticing amenities like a private hot tub and heated floors in the bathroom. The kitchen is well-equipped with stainless steel appliances and lots of counter space, and the bathroom is compact but exceptionally good-looking with custom tile work and concrete counters designed by the owner. As an Airbnb Plus listing, amenities are guaranteed to be fully-stocked and the hosts are well-reviewed.
At the time of writing, this listing has a few free weeks in January and February but opens up more in March. Some days in summer 2021 have already been claimed but there are still plenty of weekends and open spots left.
Rating: 5.0
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking up to five days before your trip for a full refund.
Converted synagogue in New Orleans, Louisiana, $195
When you visit a city with as much swagger as New Orleans, consider staying in this stylish penthouse located in a former synagogue.
The 200-year old building was transformed into a Madonna-inspired penthouse and has two bedrooms with two King-sized beds and two private bathrooms. With tall exposed-brick walls, lush touches of velvet, bold color splashes, and funky pattern combinations, the design feels purposeful and well planned. There are also plenty of well-preserved details such a large archway that leads you into the loft, and original brick walls that offset the pop-art design aesthetic.
However, you'll probably want to spend all your time in the courtyard, which delivers more color with a campy, fun sculpture garden.
At the time of writing, the calendar is only open up until January, but will likely open up more as the end of the year grows closer.
Rating: 4.8
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel up to 24 hours before check-in for a full refund.
Tree-house nest at Emu Ranch in Atlanta, Georgia, $275
This airy home is a botanical paradise perched among the trees on Emu Ranch in East Atlanta.
An open floor plan features natural textures, repurposed woods, a subway-tiled full kitchen, and modern furnishings framed by large windows and a fireplace. A dramatic spiral staircase leads up to the lofted bedroom and reading nook area for a romantic retreat that seems worlds away, even if it's still technically within the city limits.
On property, you'll also have access to tranquil gardens, which are home to the host's collection of exotic birds such as toucans, peacocks, and, of course, emus.
At the time of writing, this listing is mostly available in 2021 apart from a few claimed days in the spring.
Rating: 4.9
COVID-19 cleaning procedures: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.
Cancellation policy: You can cancel this booking up to five days before check-in for a full refund.
In the last week, Russia reported an average of 16,300 new cases per day, its highest seven-day average yet. Cases there topped 17,000 for the first time ever Friday. The US, meanwhile, tallied more than 83,000 new cases on Friday — the country's highest ever.
Russia's rising cases prompted Rospotrebnadzor, the government's health and consumer rights agency, to issue a national mask mandate on Tuesday.
The new restrictions stipulate that citizens must wear masks on public transportation, including in taxis, as well as in parking garages, elevators, and any place where more than 50 people can gather, the New York Times reported. They also call for restaurants and entertainment values to close between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m..
Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popovaza said additional lockdowns aren't on the table for now. Russia locked down for six weeks at the start of the pandemic — movements of citizens in Moscow were even monitored using a digital tracking system. President Vladimir Putin reopened manufacturing and construction businesses on May 11, and Russia's non-essential retail and restaurants returned in June.
A change from Putin's previous handling of the pandemic
Russia's order is a reversal from Putin's previous approach to controlling the virus's spread; for the most part, he has left Russia's response in the hands of its 85 regional governors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on June 30, 2020.
According to Reuters, Putin said this summer that Russia's strategy was superior to the US's, despite their similarities, since Russia's federal and regional authorities worked together.
"I can't imagine someone in the government or regions saying we are not going to do what the government or president say," Putin told state TV stations in June.
He also rebuked the politicization of the pandemic in the US, saying, "It seems to me that the problem is that group — in this case party — interests, are put above those of society's as a whole, above the interests of the people."
Russia currently has the fourth-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide: over 1.5 million. The US has nearly six times that: 8.7 million cases.
A majority of US states, including Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania, have a statewide mask rule, but the US as a whole does not have a mandate in place. (Seventeen states have mask requirements in only parts of the state, while South Dakota has no rule in place at all.)
The US has faced an uphill battle in increasing the adoption of masks. Face coverings have come to be seen by some, including President Trump, as a political statement. Protesters have rallied against mask mandates, saying they violate personal freedom.
President Donald Trump takes off his face mask on a White House balcony in Washington, October 10, 2020.
But Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently said that the looming winter months may require mask mandates, since experts expect the virus to spread more readily as people gather indoors.
"If people are not wearing masks, then maybe we should be mandating it," Fauci said in an interview with CNN on Friday.
Universal mask wearing is a measure the US needs to "double down" on, he added, along with hand washing and social distancing.
"They sound very simple. But we're not uniformly doing that and that's one of the reasons we're seeing these surges," Fauci said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci watches as Vice President Mike Pence speaks after leading a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing on June 26, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
Fauci didn't specify whether he was suggesting mask mandates at a national or state level, however.
If 95% of Americans wore masks, it could save 63,000 lives by March
A model from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted that the US's total death count could surpass 511,000 by the end of February — more than double the number of COVID-19 deaths the nation has seen so far.
But if 95% of the country wore masks, 63,000 of those lives might be saved, the model found.
A mostly mask-less crowd waiting to get into a Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20, 2020.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
"Expanding mask use can be one of the 'easy wins' in the United States," Christopher Murray, director of the institute, said in a recent briefing. "It can both delay the reimposition of social-distancing mandates and can save many, many lives."
Aria Bendix contributed reporting to this story.
Editor's Note: A change in the underlying data between the acceptance and publication of an October 23 study from IHME researchers detailing their latest model suggests 63,000, not 130,000, lives would be saved if 95% of Americans wore masks. The headline and text of this article have been changed to reflect that more up-to-date projection.
It's a simple but effective dog bowl that compartmentalizes food with sturdy BPA-free plastic ridges to prevent a dog from scarfing it down too quickly.
It comes in five different patterns and colors and stays looking new for years.
The first time I was over at Buster's dinnertime, I watched wide-eyed and horrified as my boyfriend's dog scarfed down a bowl of kibble in 10 seconds flat. There were no other dogs around, and we humans were a good 20 feet away from his meal. "He's always eaten like this," my boyfriend shrugged.
A couple days later I showed up with a solution, an Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl. In my day job as a certified professional dog trainer, one of my most universal recommendations is to feed dogs out of mentally stimulating puzzle toys, but Buster already got a couple of those a day filled with tasty snacks. I knew my boyfriend preferred to keep mealtimes simple.
When dinner rolled around, we poured Buster's dinner into the labyrinth of ridges contained within the teal dog dish. When it was time, Buster descended on his meal, ready to hoover it up the way he had done for years. All those ridges, though, prevented the big Great Dane-pit mix from accessing more than a couple of pieces at once. The meal was a two-minute-long success.
The bowl is simple but effective. Made of heavy BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free plastic, the flat dish comes in either a spiral or criss-cross pattern of high ridges. There are several designs to choose from — Buster's teal bowl was a spiral design — but in each case, those ridges are close enough together that the dog can't get their snout all the way to the bowl's basin. Compartmentalizing the meal forces the dog to slow down as they eat.
The Fun Feeder Bowl comes in a "mini" size that holds 2 cups of food and a "regular" size that holds 4 cups. Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, the nonslip bowl works like a charm for any kind of diet, from store-bought kibble to homemade.
While I have only tried the teal, purple, and orange versions of Outward Hound's five different Fun Feeder designs, some are better than others. The unbroken spiral in the orange bowl, for example, is so narrow in places that it's nearly impossible for a dog to get enough traction to pick up their food.
When I gave Ripley, a long-legged Chihuahua mix, the chance to test it out, I noticed she had to push some of the pieces of food all the way around the spiral before she could get it in her mouth. For some dogs that might be good additional mental gymnastics, but for others, it is likely to cause frustration and discontent.
There are some cognitive benefits to slowing a dog down at mealtime. While the Fun Feeder may not be as effective at providing mental stimulation as puzzle toys, these bowls help to tap into a dog's scavenging instincts. By working for their food, a dog gets more out of the meal than nutrition alone.
Equally as important are the potential health benefits a Fun Feeder bowl can provide. The faster a dog eats, the more thoughtless the activity becomes, making it easier for them to choke, vomit, or experience gastrointestinal distress.
And then there's bloat. When a dog eats too fast, they swallow air along with their food, a potentially deadly condition called aerophagia. As the stomach fills with air, its blood vessels compress, leading to hypovolemic shock or even twisting of the stomach. By slowing down a dog's consumption, these bowls can decrease the likelihood of bloat.
What this dog bowl can't do
What the bowl doesn't tell you is why your dog is eating is so fast. While hunger could be what's driving some dogs to hoover their meals, Dr. Carlo Siracusa, DVM, associate professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, says that it's important to look at the whole picture.
"There might be many reasons. One might be that you have more dogs in the house and they are not fed separately, and even if they are, there's not a physical barrier and they are afraid the other dog might come," Dr. Siracusa says. If you do select a slow feeder like the Outward Hound, he recommends watching your dog's body language to be sure they are enjoying the challenge the bowl presents.
The bottom line
For Buster, the teal Outward Hound Fun Feeder was a hit. The dish held every meal he ate for the next two years, and when he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 10, it still looked brand new — not one chip or ding or stain. If you've ruled out other possible behavioral triggers, these bowls are a great way to slow down a dog who eats too quickly.
Pros: Slows down a dog that eats too fast, decreases likelihood of bloat, choking and GI distress, free of BPA and other chemicals, sturdy and well-made, comes in five designs and colors
Cons: May be too frustrating for some dogs, won't solve behavioral problems associated with eating too fast, the ridges on the orange bowl are very narrow
Ginni Thomas and her husband, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, at the Federalist Society in Washington, DC, in 2007.
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of alleged corruption involving Joe Biden.
Thomas asked her 10,000 followers to share a link to a site discussing a now-disputed news story purporting to show evidence of corruption by the Democratic nominee.
Thomas, a longtime conservative activist, regularly shares conspiracy theories on her social media.
Justice Thomas has never recused himself from cases as a result of his wife's activism.
The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is using her Facebook page to amplify unsubstantiated claims of corruption by Joe Biden.
Ginni Thomas, a longtime conservative activist, asked her more than 10,000 followers Monday to consider sharing a link focused on alleged corruption by the Democratic nominee for president and his son, Hunter, as well as claims that social media companies are censoring reports about the Bidens.
Other spouses of justices also have their own professional identities, but Thomas is the only one whose work involves partisan politics that sometimes butts up against her husband's job. Clarence Thomas is the longest-serving current justice, having joined the court in 1991, and he administered the oath at the swearing in of new Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Monday evening. Barrett's confirmation following a rushed process to install her on the court before the election gives conservatives a 6-3 court majority.
Justice Thomas has never considered his wife's political activism disqualifying. He has not stepped aside from any case involving Trump or current disputes over absentee-ballot extensions and other voting issues. A court spokeswoman did not respond to requests for Thomas to comment on this story.
Both Thomases were at the White House Monday for the ceremony. During the ceremony, Ginni Thomas sat, unmasked, next to Jesse Barrett, the new justice's husband.
She wrote on Facebook Tuesday that she was "so excited" to be at Barrett's swearing in. "Clarence said as we left, I wish your Mom was still alive, which drew my tears, as she would be living each minute and emotion of this historic day...a day President Trump made possible!" Thomas wrote.
The couple also attended a private ceremony at the court Tuesday, where all the attendees wore masks, according to court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.
Longtime conservative activist, conspiracy theory spreader
Ginni Thomas is an avid backer of President Donald Trump and an influential conservative activist who posts pictures of Trump supporters campaigning in Virginia. She also was a delegate to the Republican convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, this summer.
In a photo she posted in February, Thomas is seated next to Trump at a White House meeting in 2019. Other conservative leaders have called her "crucially important" and "an indispensable leader of the conservative movement. More than a dozen photos she posted online show her husband with Trump or Vice President Mike Pence.
Ginni Thomas regularly shares conspiracy-minded memes.
Last week, she reposted a video that features Trump personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and the headline, "The Biden Crime Family: How They Made Millions."
Again asking people to share the link, Thomas wrote, "The mainstream media does not want people to know the facts of what this video reveal."
On October 14, she pointed followers to an attack on philanthropist George Soros. "Who is really running the Democrat Party? The Soros family," the shared link says, featuring photos of Soros' relations with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton.
On October 12, she linked to a video by conservative commentator Dan Bongino asserting that Biden is suffering from dementia.
Three times in October, she wrote about what Trump and his supporters call Obamagate, an that former President Barack Obama broke the law by spying on Trump and his associates during the transition between their administrations.
On October 10, she wrote, "More citizens should KNOW about the biggest scandal and the evidence now piling up! #ObamaGate."
Two of her favorites targets are "the left" and "the media." On October 17, she posted a photo of a Black man identified as a conservative who was protesting outside Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. The photo shows the man with a bloodied mouth and teeth missing. She wrote, "Why is the left violent and why don't Democrat's condemn this?"
A few hours earlier, Thomas complained about apparent collusion between the media and the Biden campaign to shield the candidate from tough questions. "Media + Biden/Harris team = PROPAGANDA and Corruption. #WalkAwayFromDemocrats and the Mainstream Media! Find new news sources!" she wrote.
Yet the leaping tech sector failed to pull the S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average into positive territory. A resurgence of coronavirus hospitalizations weighed heavily on financial and industrial stocks.
The mixed session follows the S&P 500's worst day in a month. Monday saw major indexes tumble on the confluence of waning stimulus hopes and record new COVID-19 cases.
US stocks closed mixed on Tuesday as renewed concerns around surging coronavirus cases squared off with rallying tech stocks.
Advanced Micro Devices boosted the tech sector after announcing it will buy chipmaker Xilinx in a $35 billion all-stock deal. The purchase is set to close by the end of 2021 and will give AMD a significant leg up in competing with rivals such as Intel. Xilinx leaped on the news, while AMD sank throughout the day.
Microsoft also lifted the group as investors scooped up shares ahead of its third-quarter report's afternoon release. Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Facebook are all slated to report on Thursday, setting the tech sector up for a make-or-break trading day.
Here's where US indexes stood at the 4 p.m. ET market close on Tuesday:
Though the Nasdaq composite rode tech stocks into a one-day gain, other sectors dragged on peer indexes. Financial and industrial stocks slammed the S&P 500 amid a worsening economic backdrop. The Conference Board's index of consumer confidence posted a surprise decline, and surging COVID-19 hospitalization counts across the US revived fears of a prolonged downturn.
Tuesday's price action came after the S&P 500 fell by the most in a month on Monday. Investors faced a double whammy of exhausted stimulus hopes and record-high new COVID-19 cases in the US. Industrials tumbled after China announced sanctions against Boeing, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin over arms sales to Taiwan.
Markets are poised to face increased volatility with one week left before the US presidential election. While Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, has enjoyed a healthy lead in polls, some analysts fear that a closer race could lead to a contested election and market chaos.
Not all economic data published Tuesday pointed to fresh weakness. US durable-goods orders grew 1.9% in September, the Census Bureau said in a preliminary report. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected orders to climb by just 0.5%. The reading joins other reports suggesting the economic recovery is stable and may not require more stimulus to continue.
Bitcoin climbed as high as $13,756.33 as the cryptocurrency rally continued into its second week. The jump places bitcoin within striking distance of the $14,000 resistance level. The token has garnered fresh interest in recent weeks as investors look for more novel hedges against rising inflation.
Spot gold gained, rising as much as 0.5%, to $1,911.46 per ounce. The US dollar fell against a basket of major peers, and Treasury yields slid for the third straight day.
Oil prices rebounded after tanking on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped as much as 3.3%, to $39.83 per barrel. Brent crude, oil's international standard, rose 2.5%, to $41.47 per barrel, at intraday highs.
Now read more markets coverage from Markets Insider and Business Insider:
Workers prepare for a memorial service for late US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the US Supreme Court on September 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. - Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the Supreme Court on September 23 and September 24, 2020, before lying in state Friday at the US Capitol, both institutions announced. The late justice, whose death at age 87 has given President Donald Trump a rare chance to cement a conservative majority on the court, will be buried next week in a private ceremony in Arlington, near the US capital.
Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
The US Supreme Court ruled 5-3 to uphold an appeals court decision requiring mail ballots in the key battleground state of Wisconsin to be received by the time the polls close on Election Day.
Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence drew concern because he embraced the notion that state courts should have limited authority to change state laws, and because he argued that states shouldn't allow ballots to arrive after Election Day.
While Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch agreed that a lower federal court overstepped in changing Wisconsin's deadline, they didn't go as far as Kavanaugh.
Now, the wild card is how brand-new Justice Amy Coney Barrett will rule on the interpretation of election laws.
On Monday night, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-3 to uphold an appeals court decision requiring mail ballots in the key battleground state of Wisconsin to be received by the time the polls close on Election Day. It's a decision that hints at how the now nine-justice court may approach similar cases in the near future.
The current case began when Wisconsin District Court Judge William Conley ruled in September to require Wisconsin officials to accept mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and arrive six days later because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisconsin officials appealed the case to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which overturned the lower court decision and restored the deadline set by the state legislature for mail ballots to be received by November 3. The Democratic National Committee then appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which ruled to affirm the 7th Circuit's decision.
In this case, the Justices who wrote concurring opinions -- Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justice Neil Gorsuch -- agreed that the federal court decision improperly infringed on the right of the Wisconsin state legislature to set the rules surrounding the November election as set in Article II of the Constitution.
"A federal court's alteration of state election laws such as Wisconsin's differs in some respects from a state court's (or state agency's) alteration of state election laws," Kavanaugh wrote. "That said, under the U. S. Constitution, the state courts do not have a blank check to rewrite state election laws for federal elections. Article II expressly provides that the rules for Presidential elections are established by the States 'in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct.'"
There was also concern over how Kavanaugh took aim at the entire concept of counting mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive after, which 18 states and the District of Columbia allow. He wrote that states that require ballots to be received by Election Day "avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue if thousands of absentee ballots flow in after election day and potentially flip the results of an election."
"Justice Kavanaugh alleges that 'suspicions of impropriety' will result if 'absentee ballots flow in after election day and potentially flip the results of an election,' Kagan wrote. "But there are no results to "flip" until all valid votes are counted. And nothing could be more 'suspicio[us]' or 'improp[er]' than refusing to tally votes once the clock strikes 12 on election night. To suggest otherwise, especially in these fractious times, is to disserve the electoral process."
"I get that there will be a lot of freaking out about Justice Kavanaugh's WI opinion today. And to be clear, I think it's bad (and also shoddy). But among the most meaningful aspects of his opinion is that he's the only one who signed it," Justin Levitt, an election law expert, and professor at Loyola Marymount University wrote on Twitter.
The unknown factor is how the newly-confirmed Justice Barrett would side on these issues and if she would share Kavanaugh's views that not only are state courts limited in what changes they can make to election procedure but that in principle, states should require ballots to arrive by Election Day.
It's highly unlikely for this election to be contested enough to end up in the Supreme Court, there is no official role for the Court to play in resolving an election, and we don't know much about how Barrett would approach election-related cases — a topic she largely declined to comment on in her confirmation hearings.
But Barrett and the originalist legal approach she espouses could play a decisive role in the high court's upcoming election-related decisions. Indeed, President Donald Trump has explicitly said multiple times that he wants Barrett on the court for that reason.
"The Supreme Court, in dealing the first time with that Pennsylvania case deadlocked 4-4, with the four conservative justices appearing to embrace this idea that state courts, applying state constitutions, are really limited in what kinds of remedies they can give," Rick Hasen, an election law expert and professor at University of California-Irvine, told NPR's Morning Edition on Tuesday.
"Now we have a fifth Justice, Justice Barrett, who is quite conservative. We don't know exactly how she'd rule on this issue, but if she's with the other conservatives, she could be part of a majority that, in the case of a close election, could look at more restrictive rules that could affect things like recounts," he added.
The iPhone 12 charging using Apple's new MagSafe charger.
Apple
Apple has issued new guidance about its MagSafe chargers for the iPhone 12.
In a page on Apple's support site, it provides instructions for getting the best charge, including clearing the charging pad of debris and using a 20 W or greater power adapter for the fastest charging.
But it also warns of three potential issues: that your iPhone or the charger could get too hot; that placing credit cards or items with RFID chips in between your phone and the charger could damage them; and that the charger could leave circular marks on leather iPhone cases.
The charger may also damage Apple's silicone cases: a photo shared with MacRumors shows faint but clearly visible circular marks on the case.
Apple has issued new guidance about its MagSafe chargers for the iPhone 12.
The new chargers, which Apple unveiled earlier this month at its annual iPhone event, magnetically snap to the back of the new iPhone 12 models. The goal is to make wireless charging a more seamless process — in the past, devices needed to be placed on a wireless charging pad or stand in exactly the right position in order for them to charge. With MagSafe, the magnets will ensure your device is always in the correct spot.
Apple recently published a page on its support site about how best to use the new charger, which includes clearing the charging pad of objects or debris and using a 20 W or greater power adapter for the fastest charging.
But Apple also warned of a few issues users may face with the MagSafe charger:
1. The charger or your phone may get too warm
The iPhone 12 charging with Apple's MagSafe charger.
Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider
On the support page, Apple warned that the MagSafe charger may get too warm while you're charging your phone, which could cause the phone's software to halt charging above 80%. Charging would resume after the phone or the charger cools down — Apple recommends moving your phone and charger to a cooler spot.
Heat during charging is common with wireless chargers and is likely nothing to worry about. As ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes pointed out, even when your phone gets warm during charging, it's still within normal temperatures for a smartphone and is unlikely to damage the device — especially considering that Apple's software will pause charging to preserve the health of the battery.
If you're concerned about the heat, make sure the charging pad is on a hard surface and not in direct sunlight, according to ZDNet.
2. Credit cards could be damaged if they get in between your phone and the charger
The leather MagSafe wallet for the iPhone 12.
Apple
MagSafe chargers rely on magnets to snap the charger to the back of your device. While that's helpful for wireless charging, it could cause harm to other objects and devices.
Apple warns not to place credit cards, security badges, passports, or key fobs in between your phone and the charger, as that might damage magnetic strips in cards or RFID chips. Magnets have the ability to erase the information stored on your credit card and Apple says the magnets may also reduce the performance of items with RFID chips.
Wireless chargers rely on something called magnetic induction, so the same is true for any wireless charger, not just Apple's new MagSafe version. But the reason it's particularly important to be aware of now is because of Apple's new MagSafe accessories — particularly the leather wallet that snaps to the back of the new iPhone 12. If you do choose to use the new wallet, make sure you remove it before wirelessly charging your device.
3. The charger may damage your iPhone case
Apple
The new MagSafe charger will charge your phone if you keep your case on, unless you use a metal case or a particularly thick one.
But if you use a leather case, you may also want to remove it before charging: At the bottom of its support page, Apple warns that the charger may leave circular imprints on your case after you remove it from the charger.
And while Apple doesn't mention silicone iPhone cases, the same may be true for those cases as well. According to a photo shared with MacRumors, the charger appears to leave faint but clearly visible marks on the case.
While other kids grew up playing soccer or riding bikes in their backyard, Arron Kallenberg was raised on his family's commercial fishing boat in Bristol Bay, Alaska, home to the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world.
After spending 15 years working at internet startups, Kallenberg returned to these fishing roots, incorporating his knowledge of technology to create the subscription-based Wild Alaskan Company.
Its mission is simple: the service delivers wild-caught seafood from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to everywhere in the US except Hawaii.
And the seafood from these regions of the country isn't just delicious, it's also more environmentally friendly than your typical supermarket fish selection. That's because Alaska mandates directly in its constitution that seafood must be maintained on the sustained yield principle, which prevents the long-term depletion of natural resources.
How it works and what to expect
All year long, the company offers sockeye salmon, coho salmon, Alaskan halibut, and Pacific cod. Depending on availability, it also stocks rockfish, wild Alaska pollock, sablefish, and weathervane scallops.
You can't get this seafood a la carte. Instead, items are bundled together into various plans: the Wild Salmon Box (6-ounce portions of salmon), Wild White Fish Box (6-ounce portions of white fish), and Wild Combo Box (6-ounce portions of both types).
You have the choice between 12 single portions ($10.99 each) or 24 single portions ($9.99 each), to be delivered every month or two months. The 12-portion plan has an additional $9.95 shipping charge, while shipping is free for the 24-portion plan.
The fish arrives frozen in a dry ice-packed, insulated cooler, ready to be stashed in your freezer or cooked immediately.
Review of Wild Alaskan Company
I love eating fish but don't buy it often when I go grocery shopping due to either lack of availability at my local market or confusion about the fish's background and sourcing.
All in all, I felt like I could spend more time and energy simply enjoying the fish.
Wild Alaskan Company sent me its Wild Combo Box to test out. The monthly assortments can vary, but at the time, my box contained sockeye salmon, coho salmon, Pacific cod, halibut, and pollock.
The fish isn't "fresh" in the traditional sense — it isn't sent to you shortly after being caught. Rather, it's "fresh-frozen," (otherwise known as flash-freezing), which means it's frozen shortly after it's caught and handled.
This method, used by indigenous Inuit communities, actually helps retain the taste and texture of your fish, plus it lets you enjoy all types of seasonal fish year-round.
By comparison, some of the seafood you see at grocery store counters may be older than you think, and it's not unlikely that it was previously frozen. Some seafood departments, such as the one at Wegman's, even throw out their fresh fish after two days.
In the end, eating fish that's frozen properly is less wasteful, and you don't have to sacrifice taste and texture. My box of fish tasted great: flavorful, tender, and flaky.
The monthly membership design is meant to ensure you'll always have a flaky piece of salmon or halibut ready to cook for dinner. However, if at any point you want to pause, skip, or cancel your membership, you can do so in your account settings.
The bottom line
As we've already seen with the online meat boom, there's a greater urgency to think more consciously and carefully about where your food comes from and its effects on the planet.
Wild Alaskan Company is the direct-to-consumer equivalent in the fish and seafood industry, so whether you already love eating seafood or wish you had more guidance picking out the right types, it's a service you should consider trying.
