Today is Monday, May 18, the 138th day of 2026. There are 227 days left in the year.
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The collapse of Spirit Airlines isn't the only curveball confronting people planning summer trips. Rising jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war have pushed up airfares and associated fees across the industry. Two of the remaining U.S. budget carriers just finalized a merger. The developments illustrate how difficult it's gotten for low-cost airlines to operate while squeezed by jet fuel prices, changing consumer preferences and competition. For decades, budget carriers thrived by targeting price-conscious passengers. But big airlines like American, Delta and United have gotten better at tailoring prices to different travelers and matching low fares. Major carriers also can more easily generate revenue to offset higher fuel costs.
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What to Stream: John Krasinski, 'Ladies First,' Rod Stewart, Brooke Shields and a 'Lego Batman' game
John Krasinski returning as Jack Ryan in “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” for Prime Video and “Stranger Things” masterminds the Duffer Brothers producing a Netflix show in which a retirement community teams up to battle monsters are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device…
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Hundreds of cheering fans waving Bulgarian flags have welcomed Eurovision Song Contest winner Dara upon her return home. The 27-year-old singer was visibly tired but smiling when she arrived on Sunday at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport holding up the Eurovision trophy. Bulgaria’s major television stations made changes to their regular programs to air live coverage from the airport. Dara said that “this award marks the beginning of my future international career.” She won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday in Vienna with her infectious party anthem “Bangaranga.” It gave the southeast European country its first-ever victory in the competition.
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Recent outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on cruise ships are making headlines, but they’re unlikely to dim the growing popularity of vacation cruises, according to industry representatives and travel experts.
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TORONTO (AP) — Toronto, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, will host six World Cup games, including the first-ever such match in Canada on June 12.
On May 17, 1954, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision, which held that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal and therefore unconstitutional.
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Deciding when to get a routine mammogram is confusing. Guidelines disagree on whether to begin at age 40, 45 or 50, and whether a yearly or every-other-year scan is best. New research aims to one day help tailor advice by using genetics and other factors to determine whether a woman's risk of breast cancer is low, high or somewhere in between. For now, experts say talk with your doctor about factors such as cancer in the family and your own health history to decide when to start screening — and then stick with it.
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Walmart and Amazon are racing to speed up order deliveries in rural areas of the U.S. Small cities and towns are a rich source of untapped sales for whichever retailer builds a loyal base of online shoppers. Analysts at investment bank Morgan Stanley estimate the underserved market could be worth up to $1 trillion in annual sales. The turf battle between the nation's two biggest retailers has intensified as remote workers swell the populations of communities on the far fringes of metropolitan areas. It's also taking place as FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service are scaling back or slowing deliveries to some rural areas.
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HOUSTON (AP) — Houston will host the FIFA World Cup for the first time this summer. If you’re heading to the Space City to take in the tournament, here are some things to know about this sprawling metropolis that is the nation’s fourth largest city.
On May 16, 1966, the Chinese Communist Party issued the May 16 Notification, a document that criticized "counterrevolutionary revisionists" within the party and marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution.
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NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) — A neat stack of 79-cent bananas and rows of colorful fruit flanked the bilingual alternative pop band Luna Luna as they performed for a small audience at a Latino grocery store in northern Delaware.
A $25 million grant to support struggling hospitals in California has become law just days after its introduction. The rapid approval surprised many hospitals and lawmakers. Assembly Bill 108, signed last week, provides grants to public and nonprofit hospitals meeting specific criteria, like having less than 10 days of cash on hand. The goal is to help these hospitals until the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The Department of Health Care Access and Information will announce recipients on May 26. Some lawmakers and hospital leaders expressed concerns about the narrow criteria and whether the funding is sufficient to prevent closures.
Africa's top public health body confirms a new Ebola outbreak in Congo's Ituri province. There are 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths so far. Uganda also reports one death from a case it says was imported from neighboring Congo. Most cases are in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. The Africa CDC says preliminary tests suggest a non-Ebola Zaire strain. Uganda's Health Ministry confirms the imported case and has quarantined contacts. The WHO is sending aid and funds to help Congo's response. The outbreak is the 17th in Congo since 1976 and raises concerns due to its proximity to Uganda and South Sudan.
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NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The paint-splattered wood ladder had to be decades old, yet for a cheap seat at the PGA Championship, the top cap would have to do.
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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pick one up. Be seduced by its glossy cover. Gaze upon the impossibly muscular body clad in a skin-tight suit. Our hero or heroine will surely be soaring, shouting, blasting a villain into next week.
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Military identification tags — popularly known as dog tags — became standard issue for U.S. troops at the request of an Army chaplain concerned about identifying fallen soldiers at the beginning of the 20th century. From the World Wars to Vietnam and more recent conflicts in the Middle East, they’ve been a symbol of Americans’ sacrifice in warzones across the world. Today, they remain one of the most powerful ways for grieving military families and companions-in-arms to tangibly connect with their lost ones.
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PHOENIX (AP) — Beginning in the 1970s, just about every Filipino household in America was either hauling balikbayan boxes in person or mailing them to relatives back in the Philippines.
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SEATTLE (AP) — This story has legs. Very long ones.
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CANNES, France (AP) — Though many actors are appearing at the Cannes Film Festival this week, the best role in town might be a little further down the Croisette.
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BEIJING (AP) — Jensen Huang is trying some of Beijing’s delicacies — the good, and others which may be more of an acquired taste.
On May 15, 1970, less than two weeks after the National Guard shooting at Kent State University, two Black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi were killed and 12 were injured when police opened fire during student demonstrations.
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A teenage Buddhist lama recently blessed thousands at a monastery in the Himalayan foothills. Just six months earlier and thousands of miles away, he was pulling all-nighters to play Madden NFL on his Xbox at his home in a Minneapolis suburb. Both world's are Jalue Dorje's. He grew up a typical American teen, loving rap music, video games and football. But he's also an aspiring spiritual leader — recognized from an early age by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnated lama. He graduated from high school last year and is now studying at monasteries in India and Nepal. His goal: become “a leader of peace,” like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.
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A teenage Buddhist lama recently blessed thousands of people at a monastery in the Himalayan foothills. Just six months earlier and half a world away, he was pulling all-nighters to play Madden NFL on his Xbox at his home in a Minneapolis suburb. Both are home to Jalue Dorje. He grew up a typical American teen, loving rap music, video games and football. But he’s also an aspiring spiritual leader — recognized from an early age by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnated lama. He graduated from high school last year and is now studying at monasteries in India and Nepal. His goal is to become “a leader of peace,” like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.
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HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Have-A-Look. Handsome. Thanks. Trust. Privilege. Doubt. Problem. Shame. In Zimbabwe, these aren’t just random words. They are names chosen with intention in a culture where naming a child goes beyond identity and can offer a snapshot of family history, emotion and cir…
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Blitzen is a 5-year-old male German shorthaired pointer. Just like Santa’s working reindeer Blitzen, Blitzen the dog is a working breed dog. His smart mind and high energy level mean he needs to have jobs to keep him busy. Even a simple game of fetch makes him happy — he will bark at you aga…
The value of the global outdoor kitchen appliances market hit $8.42 billion in 2026, and is expected to more than double over the next 10 years. Once dominated by fire pits and charcoal grills, today’s outdoor kitchen market is multifunctional, super stylish, and Wi-Fi connected.
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Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, and The Go-Go’s are joining America’s audio canon. The National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress on Thursday announced the induction of Swift’s 2014 album “1989,” Beyoncé’s 2008 anthem “Single Ladies,” Khan’s hit “I Feel for You,” and The Go-Go’s debut album “Beauty and the Beat.” Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced the 25 recordings. They were chosen for their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance. Other inductees include Ray Charles’ album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” and the soundtrack to the 1993 video game “Doom.”
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NEW YORK (AP) — Many companies ended remote work arrangements that began during the coronavirus pandemic despite resistance from employees who grew accustomed to working from home.
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The coronavirus pandemic's impact lingers, influencing our lives in both obvious and subtle ways. Work-from-home jobs, mask-wearing and hand sanitizers are now common. Some effects are less visible, like grief, chronic health conditions and interrupted lives. Recently, a rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship sparked fears of another pandemic. Despite reassurances of low risk, the fear highlights a deeper issue: There's been an erosion of trust. It raises questions about who people now rely on for guidance and understanding. Arizona State University research professor and sociologist Elisa Jayne Bienenstock says COVID-19 undermined confidence in science for people who don’t understand how science works.
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A group of Black divers recently visited the site where the British slave ship Henrietta Marie sank 326 years ago. The ship, which had transported enslaved people from West Africa to Jamaica, sank near Key West, Florida. Divers said they felt a deep connection to their ancestors during the pilgrimage. It included a dive at the wreck site, a visit to the museum housing artifacts from the slave ship, and a cemetery containing the remains of African refugees who arrived at Key West on slave ships. Pilgrims said the journey was a quest to connect with their history, roots and an effort to tell historically accurate stories that will nourish future generations.
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PARIS (AP) — World-famous as the resting place of Napoleon, the gilded dome of the Invalides in Paris draws millions of visitors. But behind the landmark’s grand façade lies a lesser-known mission: serving as a home and hospital for wounded soldiers and victims of war for more than 350 years.
On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition, organized to explore the Louisiana Territory as well as the Pacific Northwest, began its journey near present-day Hartford, Illinois.
Officials say $1.3 billion in Medicaid money to California will be deferred over suspicions of fraud
The Trump administration is expanding its fraud-busting initiative in federal health programs. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced a $1.3 billion deferral in Medicaid reimbursements to California, and that's said to be largest-ever deferral. The press office of California's governor is disputing the administration's suspicions of fraud. The administration is also imposing a six-month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding. The new efforts are part of Vance's anti-fraud task force. Several alleged fraud schemes have been prosecuted in federal health programs, and states have acknowledged it's a legitimate concern. But some have pushed back on the administration's aggressive tactics.
American women in their 30s rethink the nearly $10,000 they spend each year on beauty. Instead of giving up self-care, they look for simpler ways to feel good. With everyday expenses on the rise, more turn to DIY beauty, using natural ingredients and at-home rituals that keep things personal…
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Americans paid more for their groceries in April, but high gas prices were only one of the reasons why. Government figures released on Tuesday showed prices for food eaten at home rose 2.9% last month compared to a year earlier. That was the highest year-over-year inflation for the category since August 2023. Rising fuel prices were a factor. But tariffs and extreme weather also have weighed on U.S. food prices. Two Purdue University economists say the costs to produce, process, store and transport food can take up to six months to show up on supermarket shelves. That means the full impact of rising energy costs on food likely hasn't hit retail grocery prices yet.
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Researchers are warning that the U.S. is experiencing a reading recession, a slide that predates the COVID-19 pandemic. A new analysis of state test scores from third to eighth grade for over 5,000 school districts in 38 states found that only five states, plus the District of Columbia, had meaningful growth in reading test scores from 2022 to 2025. The analysis by scholars at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth also found students remain nearly half a grade level behind pre-pandemic levels in reading and only slightly better in math. Still, some states and school districts are making progress — largely by shifting toward phonics-based instruction and providing extra support for struggling readers.
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Does the high price of gas have you considering a hybrid for your next vehicle? We don’t blame you, especially if you drive a lot. Fortunately, there are lots of hybrids to choose from, and many don’t cost much more than their non-hybrid counterparts. But to recoup the extra cost of a hybrid…
On May 13, 1846, the United States Congress formally declared war against Mexico, following battles along the disputed U.S.-Mexico border in the preceding weeks; the Mexican-American War would continue for nearly two years until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848.
Inviting friends and family members over for a celebration, holiday or routine dinner provides an opportunity for connection, but pressure to serve good-tasting food in a clean and welcoming environment can deter many people from hosting or prevent them from being fully present with their gu…
The American obsession with the iPhone is complicated, as most love-hate relationships are. It sometimes seems like a talisman so magically powerful that we can't fathom living without it. The iPhone, and its smartphone brethren, enable pictures that can almost instantly be posted on social media, play a video game, watch a video, listen to music, send a text, check email, surf the internet, catch up on on the news, get directions, tap to pay at the checkout stand. Oh — and, every once in a while, it can even make or answer a phone call. At other times, it seems like a drug-dealing pusher preying on our weaknesses and worst impulses while deepening our addiction.
Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump's Food and Drug Administration head. The surgeon and health researcher's tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Trump said Tuesday that Makary "was having some difficulty" but "he's going to go on and he's going to do well." Makary came to the attention of Republicans as an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, when he appeared frequently on Fox News Channel. But at the FDA, Makary failed to win the staff's confidence after mass layoffs, leadership changes and a series of controversies in which the agency's scientific principles appeared to be overridden by political interests.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, is resigning after a rocky tenure that drew months of complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists, vaping lobbyists and other allies of President Donald Trump.
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The condition PCOS is now called PMOS. What to know about the name change and what it means for care
A hormonal condition affecting 1 in 8 women around the world just got a new name in hopes of improving care. It Is now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome instead of polycystic ovary syndrome.
This May marks the 34th anniversary of National Salad Month, a yearly reminder that salads deserve more credit. With the right balance of ingredients, they can be crisp, flavorful and well balanced. Here’s how to build one you’ll actually crave.
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The American obsession with the iPhone is complicated, as most love-hate relationships are.
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“No dogs, no Negros, no Mexicans.” “Colored served in rear.” “For whites only.”
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The pill helped give birth to modern America.
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What if unanticipated expenses exceed your emergency reserves? You have options, and I’ve ranked them from most palatable to least.
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Short on space? Consider microgardening.
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