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Have you ever seen a fantastic deal on an airplane ticket but as you are checking out you realize there are fees for just about everything? Your $99 airfare balloons up to $250 after you add baggage fees, carry-on charges, seat selection and insurance. Some airlines even charge an additional fee for unaccompanied minors.

Pretty soon, what seemed like a good deal on a cheap carrier costs more than if you bought a ticket on a full-service airline.

The Biden administration is announcing new rules that will make airline ticket fees more transparent to consumers. Under the proposed new rule, the first time your fee is displayed, travel websites will have to disclose any fees for baggage, cancellations or to sit with your child.

u201cWhite House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese: “Healthy competition is a hallmark of healthy capitalism because when there’s more competition, consumers end with lower prices and more options and workers get higher wages.”u201d

— The Hill (@The Hill)
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“Airline passengers deserve to know the full, true cost of their flights before they buy a ticket,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “This new proposed rule would require airlines to be transparent with customers about the fees they charge, which will help travelers make informed decisions and save money.”

After the changes take effect, it’ll be much easier for travelers to find the best deal without being suckered into paying more in hidden fees.

The new proposal is an initiative from the White House Competition Council, which the Biden administration established to find cost-saving measures to help consumers as well as boost competition across the economy.

The administration says that in over 75% of industries a smaller number of large companies now control more of the business than they did 20 years ago. The administration believes that this lack of competition drives up prices for consumers and drives down wages for workers.

“Healthy competition is a hallmark of healthy capitalism because when there’s more competition, consumers end with lower prices and more options and workers get higher wages,” White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese said according to The Hill.

Some economists also argue that when only a small number of companies are in an industry it also works to kill innovation.

u201cNo one likes surprise fees. That’s why today we’re proposing a new rule to ensure that airlines and travel companies provide you with more info up front, before you purchase your ticket. https://t.co/JXeDugscpZu201d

— TransportationGov (@TransportationGov)
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The new rule should make it easier for people to figure out the best deal for airfare. But it also encourages healthy, transparent business practices in which consumers aren’t getting duped into paying extra for a flight. Airlines whose business models are based around tricky, misleading tactics to get people to overpay for a flight, are essentially profiting off being dishonest.

We’d all rather live in a world where we choose who we fly with based on price, customer service and comfort rather than falling for a bait and switch. In this new business model, airlines that provide excellent service and value will do a lot better than those whose business models are all about deception. This will reward the airlines that treat customers best instead of putting them in a position to lose out to those that don’t play fair.

In July, Christine and The Queens announced his first new album in four years, Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles. After having to push back the record release date as well as a tour due to injuries, the new single “Rien Dire” is out today after premiering on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music 1.

“Rien Dire” is an atmospheric track that pulsates and broods with mysterious energy. It sounds like the soft, immersive feeling of spacing out or daydreaming. When it ends, you look around to remember where you are.

Just a couple of months ago, Chris, the mastermind of Christine and The Queens, came out as a transgender man. “I’ve been a man for a year now — a little more officially in my family and in my relationship. It is a long process,” he noted. “My journey with gender has always been tumultuous. It’s raging right now, as I’m just exploring what is beyond this. A way to express it could be switching between ‘they’ and ‘she.’ I kind of want to tear down that system that made us label genders in such a strict way.”

Listen to “Rien Dire” above.

Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles will arrive on 11/11 via Because Music. Pre-save it here.

Myles Garrett has quickly emerged as one of the best players in the NFL in his sixth season with the Cleveland Browns, as the former No. 1 overall pick has earned first team All-Pro status in each of his last two seasons.

Garrett is the leader of the Browns defense and is a significant reason for their 2-1 start to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, Garrett’s status for this coming week against the Falcons is unknown after the star defensive end was involved in a one-car crash that left him with “non-life threatening injuries,” per the Browns, and he was taken to the hospital for evaluations along with the female passenger in the car.

Per News 5 Cleveland, Garrett’s car went off the side of the road and flipped “several times” before coming to a rest around 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon following Browns practice. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers said Garrett’s injuries were “minor,” that both he and the passenger were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and alcohol and drugs were not involved as factors in the crash.

Hopefully Garrett and the passenger involved in the crash can make a full recovery quickly, and we will provide any further update when one is made officially by the Browns on his status.

Billy Eichner has a new movie coming out: Bros, a very rare case of a gay rom-com being treated like a wide release blockbuster. As such, the performer has been advertising the only way he knows how: by recording special Billy on the Street videos, where he runs about city streets yelling at people, with celebrity guests in tow. He’s already done one with Paul Rudd. Now it’s Jack Black’s turn.

The video finds Eichner and Black in Hollywood, offering free tickets to Bros, but with a catch: They have to answer an incredibly easy question. Sometimes strangers are asked to name two Jack Black movies. Other times they only have to name one. Even that’s weirdly tough. Some people think Jack Black was in The Hangover. Others can’t figure out when Black gives a strong hint about one of his biggest hits, School of Rock. Kung Fu Panda is a popular answer, but no one names High Fidelity, the 2005 King Kong, or even The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia.

Other times Eichner switches it up. He asks one person, “Which should we have more of: openly gay leading men or pandas that know kung fu?” (This person goes with the latter.) At one point he simply asks if someone is an ally, much like good old long-bearded Jack Black, who’s also wearing a rainbow cape. At another, Eichner simply chit-chats with a guy carrying a guitar about musicals, during which he confesses his favorite musical is Cats.

Bros hits theaters on Friday, Sept. 30.

(Via The Wrap)

When a dog howls along to music, are they complaining because the music hurts their ears, or are they actually trying to sing along?

Most likely, it’s the latter—or something like it. According to the American Kennel Club, research shows that canines do actually have a sense of pitch and can differentiate between different tones. That ability stems from their wolf ancestors, who each howl at a different pitch as more and more wolves join in on a group howl.

So when Blake the rescue Rottweiler joins his owner in a viral TikTok video duet, perhaps he’s really trying to “sing” along with her.

Whether he’s singing or howling or a mixture of both, it’s as impressive as it is entertaining.

Blake’s owner starts her video singing, “I’m about to go lay down,” as Blake looks around and moves his mouth like he’s getting ready to chime in. When she hits a particularly forceful note, he joins her with a gruff howl.

The two sing along together for a bit, but it’s the moment when he actually matches her pitch and then appears to harmonize with her that has people rolling. Watch:

@chopfromgta

Reply to @mc.lex please watch until the end 😭🥺🤍 #dogsoftiktok #rottweiler #rottweilersoftiktok #petsoftiktok #animals

Then that punctuating howl at the end. Well done, Blake.

Blake has made a name for himself on TikTok not only with his musical stylings, but with his adorable personality. Watch him get super excited when he thinks Papa is coming and taking him for a walk.

@chopfromgta

Replying to @Jesse Okonek I think it’s clear who he loves more 😭😂 #rottweiler #rottweilersoftiktok #petsoftiktok #WorldPrincessWeek #AEJeansSoundOn #rottiesoftiktok #rottiepurr #rottiemom #rottweilerpuppy #rottweilerlife #rottweilerfamily #rottweilerlove #rottierumble

People also love his self-control and patience.

@chopfromgta

Reply to @prettygirl.tataaa he has a seat at the dinner table 😂💀 #TheHarderTheyFall #rottweiler #dogsofttiktok #youredone #bestfriend

Rottweilers are often feared and have a reputation for being aggressive. However, according to U.S. Service Animals, Rottweilers are highly intelligent and more easily trained than many other dog breeds, making them obedient dogs when they are well-trained. They do have some latent aggression and are prone to biting in play, and they make excellent guard dogs due to their naturally suspicious nature, but if they respect their owner and are well disciplined, they can be a loyal and protective companion.

If you want to see more of Blake, follow @chopfromgta on TikTok.

In life, there are some things that just leave you speechless and Sir Elton John had that moment September 23 at the White House. After a performance on the South Lawn, Sir Elton was left with his mouth agape as President Biden took to the mic to explain that he would be receiving the National Humanities Medal for his work with the nonprofit Elton John AIDS Foundation, which supports HIV prevention, stigma reduction, education and help for people living with HIV and AIDS. The singer looked totally dumbstruck at the announcement as the reality began to sink in.

John has been open with his struggles around drugs and other risky behaviors that put him at risk of contracting AIDS, and at a conference in 2012 he pondered why he hadn’t died as many others did. Thankfully, John didn’t die in the ’90s from the still incurable disease and he went on to be one of its most fierce fighters for understanding and a cure. John has remained sober for well over two decades now and, in 1992, he started his foundation in an effort to end AIDS around the world. In 2021, John’s foundation joined forces with Walmart to keep access to testing, treatment and prevention accessible to everyone, including those in greatest need.

The “Tiny Dancer” singer has been in the trenches of HIV/AIDS work for decades and has been recognized for his efforts in the past, including receiving Harvard’s Humanitarian Award in 2017. But it’s clear from his reaction to President Biden announcing the medal that Sir Elton John was not prepared to receive such an honor. He quickly became overcome with emotions before saying, “I just said to the First Lady, I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted. I’m humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America.” He went on to say that it will make him double his efforts to end the disease.

It’s such a moving moment and a wonderful surprise. Watch the video below.

Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a “partial mobilization” of Russia’s reservists has been met with such forceful resistance that even his most prominent supporters are worried he might have a mutiny on his hands.

After several humiliating defeats and the loss of tens of thousands of soldiers, Putin’s military is in dire need of more bodies to be sacrificed in his badly failing invasion of Ukraine. He first tried recruiting convicts to fight his war but it seems that strategy didn’t play out because now, everyday citizens are being drafted to the front lines. And the people are pissed (and breaking their arms).

Unconfirmed reports claim that a quarter of a million Russians have fled the country following the mobilization announcement while nationwide protests against the draft led to over 1,200 arrests.

Now, as the Daily Beast’s Julia Davis reports, two of Putin’s biggest cheerleaders, pro-Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov and head of Russia Today Margarita Simonyan, are openly criticizing the regime’s handling of the mobilization, warning it may lead to even more rioting in the streets.

“There are panicked calls on my phone, on Margarita’s phone, which shows that a number of people involved have forgotten how to do their jobs,” Solovyov said on his Sunday night show. Simonyan, who guested on the program, complained about conflicting reports as to whom the draft would affect. She initially believed only those with prior military experience would be mobilized. Still, after learning that recruits included “students, those outside the age limit, people with serious illnesses, barbers, teachers, musicians, and a single mother of two young children” not to mention citizens aged 60 and over, she became worried, questioning whether those in power knew what they were doing. To make matters worse, both TV pundits relayed stories of rusty weapons being handed to new recruits.

“All of them have phones and they won’t stay silent. If they’re being handed rotten things, if they have no helmets, no body armor, no one is going to hide it… I will tell you very politely: don’t play games with people… This isn’t some liberal riff-raff, these are our people and I refuse to be silent about it,” Simonyan said. “Comrades, Commanders, this is not the time for this… don’t anger the people!”

The news anchor then relayed the story of a mutiny that occurred on the Russian battleship Potemkin after sailors were fed maggot-infested meat.

“Let me remind you that in 1905, small things like these led to the first mutiny of an entire military unit in the history of our country. Is that what you want?” She asked. “You’re toying with armed people.”

(Via The Daily Beast)

Nicki Minaj isn’t happy about her new video for “Likkle Miss (Remix)” featuring Skeng being age-restricted on YouTube. In fact, she’s so unhappy that she’s convinced it’s a conspiracy against her to keep her from getting views on it (and receiving coveted ad revenue), masterminded by execs at another label. Despite the “Likkle Miss” video featuring copious close-ups of gyrating posteriors, she insists that there are videos “a million f*cking times worse” on YouTube, positing that YouTube’s executives are in cahoots with a rival record label to stop her bag.

She laid out her case in a pair of Instagram posts showing a screenshot of the notice of age restriction on YouTube.

Imagine this. They restricted my fucking video but have things a million fucking times worse on their BOGUS FKNG PLATFORM. this is what they do to keep you from winning while doing ads for other ppl and posting FAKE FKNG STATS. because the same ppl who run YouTube are in bed with a certain record label and mngmnt company. GO SUCK OUT YA MUDDA BIG PUM PUM. LYOR IT BETTER NOT BE YOU.

This was done to stop us from getting a lot of views in the first 24 hours. The DUDS at my label allow ppl to use my videos all the time to promote weak shit but said we can’t buy promo for my videos. @youtube @youtubemusic it’s time y’all tell ppl that you’re in bed with a whole RECORD LABEL & MNGMNT COMPANY!!!!! HOW LONG HAVE YALL BEEN PLAYING THE NUMBERS GAME TO LIE & PRETEND PPL R DOING “GOOD” WHEN THEY R NOT?!?!! HOW MUCH AD SPACE DID THESE DUDS PURCHASE TO BE PROMOTED ON MY CHANNEL IN THE LAST 5 YEARS?!??!!!

This isn’t the first time that Ms. Minaj has made a case about industry malfeasance. In 2018, after she was disappointed by the success of her album Queen, she launched a multimedia tirade against partners such as Spotify, accusing them of blackballing her. In any event, the video for “Likkle Miss” is out now and you can watch it here.

Now that Kendrick Lamar finally released his long-awaited new album in Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, the internet hive mind can turn its full attention to whenever Frank Ocean finally decides to put out the follow-up to Blonde. It’s been six years since Ocean released an album and something happened today that indicated that we might finally be headed towards the promised land.

As of today, September 26th, Frank Ocean took the liberty of clearing all of the posts from his Instagram page (@blonded). Take that with a grain of salt, but if there was ever a sign that a Frank Ocean album is coming soon, this is it. But there have been some other indicators as of late that Frank Ocean SZN is approaching.

Back in July, Ocean released two new episodes of his Blonded Radio show on Apple Music out of the blue. The episodes were unconventional, to say the least, including a 35-minute original score that Ocean wrote atop a conversation about psychedelics and micro-dosing and another score set to a talk on Qi Gong. A year ago, a rumor was floating around that Ocean was taking meetings with label execs as he shopped around a completed new album. But that could very well be rendered baseless, because what the heck does Frank Ocean need to “shop a record” for? In the meantime, Ocean released a luxury sex toy last month.

As with all good TV shows, it’s natural to want to create some sort of spinoff or sequel that takes place in the same universe but with a new cast of fun characters. It worked for Better Call Saul, it worked for Frasier and it might be working for House of the Dragon, though the jury is still out. So why shouldn’t it work for a reality trivia show?!

The folks behind Jeopardy are looking to expand the universe with a new “masters league.” Michael Davies, Jeopardy’s newest executive producer, is already bringing back the fan-favorite Celebrity Jeopardy competition this year, but he is also looking out for other possible spinoff ideas. In a new interview with The New York Times, Davies said that there has been talk of a new Jeopardy game featuring the best of the best.

“What we really need to develop is the pro-level version of the game,” Davies explained, implying that the trivia competition should be as notable as, say, Sunday Night Football or that one week in October when everyone is really excited about baseball. Of course, Jeopardy already brings back its top competitors throughout the season, but fans have been begging for a dedicated series.

“It seemed ridiculous to me that we have this sport where every single year we take all of our best players — we take our LeBrons and our Dwyanes — and we switch them all out,” Davies added.

This new prospect could also open up the Jeopardy universe into tongue-in-cheek, sports-adjacent brand deals. Maybe there will be some Jeopardy-blue electrolyte drink on the way, or Ken Jennings will team up for some standing-focused sneakers. Who knows!

(Via The New York Times)