Weekly News Quiz

In the span of two weeks, five major U.S. airlines have raised checked bag fees. All of the airlines cited rising jet fuel prices in the wake of the Iran war. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines recently joined United Airlines, which raised fees earlier this month, and JetBlue Airways, the first airline to do so because of the effects of the war, at the end of March.

Fluctuating estrogen levels during menopause can affect memory, focus and mental clarity. Lisa Mosconi, director of the Weill Cornell Women’s Brain Initiative in New York City, says that people often think of estrogen primarily as a reproductive hormone. “But it’s actually the ‘master regulator’ of the female brain,” she says. “It literally pushes neurons to burn glucose to make energy.”

People who eat more whole, minimally processed plant foods — like leafy greens, fruit, whole grains and nuts — face a lower risk of dementia over time. People who consume more refined grains, sugary drinks and juices face a higher risk, according to a large new study published in the journal Neurology. It found that the types of plant-based foods participants chose to eat shaped their long-term brain health.​

As you age, consider how you’re going to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. A healthy 65-year-old man who retired in 2025 and has a Medicare Advantage plan will spend an estimated $128,000 on health care expenses during retirement, on average, while a healthy woman in the same situation will spend approximately $148,000, according to one research company.

On April 13, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 during a special episode of American Idol hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Lionel Richie. The inductees in the performer category are Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross. The ceremony will be taped on Nov. 14 in Los Angeles. It will air on ABC and stream on Disney+ in December.