Medicare Open Enrollment Ends December 7: What to Check Before You Renew
Medicare open enrollment runs until December 7, and changes take effect January 1. Here is what is different for 2027 and a step-by-step checklist for reviewing your plan.
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Holiday Travel 2026: Real ID, TSA Rules and How to Get Through the Airport Faster
Since May 2025, a standard driver's license is no longer enough to board a domestic flight unless it is REAL ID-compliant. Here is what to bring, what to pack and what to do when plans fall apart.
Meteor Showers This Season: How to See the Leonids and the Geminids in 2026
The Leonids peak around November 17 and the Geminids around December 13 and 14. In 2026 the Moon is a thin crescent during the Geminids, making it a strong year to watch. Here is when and how.
Thanksgiving Turkey Safety: When to Start Thawing, How Hot to Cook It and How Long Leftovers Last
A 20-pound frozen turkey needs about five days in the refrigerator to thaw. Here is a thawing calendar for Thanksgiving 2026, the safe cooking temperature and the rules for leftovers.
The Winter Solstice Is December 21: Why It's the Shortest Day, but Not the Coldest or Darkest Evening
The 2026 winter solstice falls on Monday, December 21, giving the Northern Hemisphere its shortest day. But the earliest sunset comes weeks before, and the coldest weather weeks after. Here is why.
How Box Office Numbers Work: Why a $300 Million Movie Can Still Be a Flop
Box office headlines report ticket sales, not what studios earn. Theaters keep a large share, marketing costs are often left out and the rules differ abroad. Here is how to read the numbers.
How Oscar Voting Really Works, and Why Best Picture Uses a Ranked Ballot
About 10,000 Academy members choose the Oscars, but not all of them vote in every category. Here is how nominations and final voting work, and why Best Picture is counted differently.
NATO's Article 5 Explained: What 'An Attack on One Is an Attack on All' Really Means
NATO now has 32 members after Finland and Sweden joined. Its Article 5 promise has been invoked only once, after the September 11 attacks. Here is what it requires and what it doesn't.
Only 1 in 7 Teens Gets Enough Exercise, Global Study Finds, and Girls Are Falling Further Behind
A new study in The Lancet Global Health finds only about 14% of adolescents worldwide get an hour of activity every day, with girls well behind boys. Here's what the guideline asks and what helps.
