i travel simple

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• Simple Minds

Lyrics submitted by ruben , edited by TopTonyChick

I Travel Lyrics as written by James Kerr Brian Mcgee

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

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Never heard anything like I Travel before or after either, totally unique sound. Krautrock on speed.

Touring with a rock and roll band, you see a lot of things, good and bad. Here in a frantic pace change is coming fast, buildings falling down, men are marching and language is a problem. Communication is the problem. How to understand each other.

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Its about the people & places of Europe. Their lyrics did not go downhill after this song!

The second verse lyric is 'Airport playing Brian Eno', a reference to Eno's ambient album 'Music For Airports'.

Artistically, with regards to lyrics, it was all downhill for this band after this. Musically, they were superb until Mick MacNeil's departure.

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How To Travel Like A Minimalist: Packing List And More

Traveling like a minimalist means striking the balance of finding comfort while away from home, but not being weighed down by excess stuff either. Choosing minimalist travel has changed my packing process entirely and made everything easier for me.

Hi, I’m Ryan

Having a minimalist mindset while traveling has taken all the hassle and headache out of my traveling experience. Packing light allows me to have what I need without being weighed down, and focus on the experience of the trip itself.

What Is Minimalist Travel?

Minimalist Travel Packing List: Essentials Only

When I’m packing for any trip, I divide my needs into smaller categories to make the packing process more manageable and keep track of what I actually need. I start with my travel capsule wardrobe, then pack my toiletries. I prefer to organize things into packing cubes to keep the chaos at bay while on the move.

Minimalist Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Traveling with a well-planned capsule wardrobe is the move for any vacation, especially if you’re trying to travel like a minimalist. Clothes are a major culprit that take up a lot of space in a suitcase or bag. Create your own capsule wardrobe to minimize your luggage.

To do this, you’ll want to think through several things. Check the weather for the entirety of your trip, and choose items that will work with the climate you’ll be in. It’s also important to pack high-quality, staple pieces that can be worn more than once, especially for longer trips where you’ll have access to a washer and dryer.

Similar to personal uniforms , capsule wardrobes work best when you have a few base pieces like neutral shirts and pants, and then accentuate with only a few pieces that can give the outfit an entirely new look.

A Basic Travel Capsule Might Include

• Two T-shirts
• Two long sleeves or tank tops
• Two pairs of shorts or jeans
• One dress or suit
• Sweater or swimwear
• Four pairs of underwear
• Four pairs of socks

My own capsule wardrobe is pretty simple, but you can make it as decorative or basic as you prefer. Of course, this basic list will need to be adjusted based on the weather on your trip, if you have plans to go out somewhere fancy, or any other trip-specific clothing needs that might come up.

Minimalist Travel Toiletries

Toiletries are probably the second biggest category of travel items that can suck the space from your suitcase. Of course, it’s different for women and men, and it also depends on how basic your daily routine is.

If I’m going to a place that doesn’t provide basics, I tend to pack a two-in-one bar that can I use as my shampoo, bodywash and facewash — my favorite is the Duke Cannon’s Midnight Swim Bars or their Shampoo Pucks in Gold Rush Scent .

For the larger bar, I cut a chunk off to suit the length of my trip put in a Matador flat pack soap bar bag . The pucks come in a small tin which is super convenient. I’m not one to overcomplicate things with multiple products, but I also don’t have temperamental skin or hair.

Basic Toiletries To Pack As A Minimalist

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Conditioner
• Facial cleanser or wipes
• Razor and shaving cream
• Basic makeup
• Daily medications
• Feminine products

When it comes to packing my toiletries as space-consciously as possible, I use Gotoobs to hold my liquid toiletries , which have never leaked on me, and I put that in a bag inside my larger toiletry bag where I keep everything else. This saves me space and keeps my liquid toiletries separate to help prevent leaks or spills in transport.

Toiletries You Can Travel Without

• Extra lotions or skin creams
• Entire makeup bag
• Multiple hair styling tools
• Hair accessories
• Nail polish
• Essential oils or perfumes

Ryan’s Minimalist Toiletries

My personal toiletry kit has a two-in-one soap puck, deodorant, razor, comb, tooth brush, toothpaste tablets, and a nail clipper. I use the shampoo puck as body and face wash, then also use it for shaving.

The two white tablets in the photo are mini hand towels that expand — those along with the face wipes are a godsend when you’ve been traveling for a long time and need to wash up when you don’t have access to a shower. The Purell packets are also good because their size won’t bring much attention as a single use packet going through airport security.

For longer trips, I’ll often add shaving cream, a mini sewing kit, and lotion.

Minimalist Daily Travel Essentials

One of the best things to do when it comes to packing the rest of your miscellaneous daily items is to have a central location in your home where these items live regularly. This could look like a catchall tray, a storage bin, or a backpack or travel bag.

Keep daily essentials like chargers, electronics, a water bottle, and more in this spot. Then, when you’re preparing for a trip, you can move all of your essentials to your luggage quickly. You’ll save yourself the mental space of having to fish through your closet or under your bed for your lesser-used items that are still essentials.

Daily Essentials For Minimalist Packing

• Charging cords
• Keys and wallet
• Cash and credit cards
• Identification (license/passport)
• Refillable water bottle
• Book/notebook
• First-aid kit

Ryan’s Daily Minimalist Essentials

When I’m packing my minimalist travel bag, I usually put all of these daily essentials in a separate travel bag than my clothes and toiletries. If I’m flying, this is what I fill my carry-on with for easy access. Even if I’m road-tripping in a car or travel van , I usually put these items in a carry-all pouch that goes in my backpack.

Ryan’s Daily Items Packing List

• Modern Coup Admin Pouch
• Benchmade Bugout Pocket Knife
• Smooth Precision Pens – Bolt Action Pen V2.2
• Anker Compact737 Charger
• Herschel Slim Men’s Wallet
• Field Notes Notebook
• Griffin Mini-Cable Kit
• Human Gear Go Bites Duo Utensil Set

Trip-Specific Items For Minimalist Travel

Once I’ve covered all my daily essentials and basic needs, I usually have about half a suitcase of room left to focus on items specific to my trip. This could be anything from ski gear to a surfboard to your bridesmaid dress to a nylon tent and off-grid camping cookware .

I don’t know about you, but the process of packing always feels super tedious and mentally draining to me. Covering all of your basics first is one of the best ways to pack like a minimalist and make the packing process way less daunting. You knock out all the more thought-intensive categories first, then just focus on the fun stuff.

How To Pack Like A Minimalist: Best Travel Gear

In addition to having a packing strategy and following a packing list, using savvy packing gadgets can help you travel light. Investing in these simple products can make your minimalist packing life a whole lot easier.

Four Piece Packing Cube Set

GoToobs And GoTubbs By Humangear

Packism Clear Toiletry Bag

Like I mentioned in my advice above, when I pack my toiletries, I like to separate my wet toiletries from my dry toiletries. These small, clear toiletry bags by Packism are an ideal size to store all my liquid toiletries and then nestle into my larger suitcase or carry on.

Matador Toiletry Bag And Soap Bar Case

General Medi Store First Aid Kit

Nomader Collapsible Leak-Proof Water Bottle

Build A Minimalist Travel Backpack For Solo Travel

For me, traveling solo has been something that has set me free and given me experiences that I could never have had by just staying home. In the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of traveling 23 countries including Canada , Australia , and several European and Latin American countries .

Best Minimalist Travel Backpacks For Solo Travel

Fitting all of the belongings I need into a simple travel backpack always provides me with a deeply freeing feeling. Choosing a minimalist travel backpack that will support you fully, last for years without tearing, and have room for all your travel gadgets and gizmos is a must.

I have a couple of personal favorite travel backpacks that I would recommend for regular use. The first one is the GoRuck GR1 . The GR1 is ridiculously sturdy and ideal for strenuous hikes or camping trips. I also love the Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack . It has an extremely strong hip belt and sturdy shoulder straps, and multiple compartments for storing all the gear you might need.

Other Popular Minimalist Travel Backpacks

• Minaal Carry-on 3.0
• Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L
• Matador SEG42
• Zpacks Nero 38L ROBIC
• AER Travel Pack 2

How To Pack Your Minimalist Travel Backpack

Figuring out how to pack your travel backpack is a whole other can of worms. Of course, this will also heavily depend on where you’re going on your trip, how long you’ll be gone, and what your essential needs will be.

There are a few things I make sure to always have with me when I pack my minimalist travel bag for camping, off-griding, or any kind of basic travel.

Travel Backpacking List

• Basic hygiene supplies
• Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
• Water treatment supplies
• Snacks/food
• Map/compass/GPS
• Small tools/repair kit

Does Minimalist Travel Make Life Better?

• How will you pack like a minimalist on your next vacation?
• What items will you pack verses go without?

Thanks for this article. I’m planning to visit some family living in Mexico and bought a overhead suitcase to use for traveling..made a stateside trip and and stuff it with what I thought I’d need for a 3week trip..with your list ideas, I’ll make smarter packing & weight decisions..looking forward to hassle freely out of country trip more now..

Great post. Very helpful. Thank you.

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"I Travel" lyrics

• Simple Minds Lyrics

Meaning of I Travel by Simple Minds

The song "I Travel" by Simple Minds addresses various social and political issues through the lens of travel. The lyrics explore the impact of urban decay, political leaders, and the struggles faced by people in different parts of the world.

In the first verse, the mention of cities and buildings falling down represents a crumbling society or infrastructure. The line "Ideal homes falling down" suggests the disappointment and disillusionment with the idea of a perfect life or the failure of societal expectations. The pictures on the wall could symbolize the memories and reminders of a bygone era.

The reference to "timeless leaders standing tall" alludes to the enduring influence of authoritative figures. However, the next line, "Assassins in a hit and run," highlights the presence of violence and instability.

The mention of Asia having a newborn son suggests a sense of hope and rebirth in that region, perhaps indicating the potential for change and progress.

The chorus emphasizes the idea of traveling and experiencing various aspects of life. From "decadence and pleasure towns" to "tragedies, luxuries, statues, parks, galleries," it showcases a wide range of contrasting experiences one might encounter while traveling.

The second verse focuses on Europe, where a "language problem" is mentioned. This could refer to the challenges of communication and understanding among different European countries due to language barriers. The repetition of "talk" suggests the endless debates and conversations without significant action being taken.

The mention of men marching in central Europe could allude to political tensions or unrest in that region. It implies a sense of activism or movements demanding change.

The line "Love songs playing in the restaurants, Airport playing Brian Eno" juxtaposes the idea of romance and leisure against the backdrop of an impersonal and commercialized environment. This contrast may highlight the degree of detachment and disconnection prevalent in society.

The repetition of the chorus reinforces the theme of traveling and experiencing different aspects of life. The song serves as a commentary on societal issues, political landscapes, and the search for meaning and authenticity in an ever-changing world.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

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These Simple Online Travel Tools Helped Me Save $911 on My Vacation

W hen it comes to vacation, I'm a "listen to your heart" kind of gal who eschews travel listicles and rarely even uses a guidebook, relying on word of mouth and intuition. So when I saw an AI travel planner and other tools making headlines this year for helping people save money and plan trips, my first instinct was to write them off as hype. I've found the whole idea of artificial intelligence more than a little scary, and the last thing I wanted to do was hand over control of one of my favorite activities to what I thought was just a fancy calculator that reads the internet.

The way I saw it, I didn't need an AI assistant to tell me how to travel. And the prospect of ChatGPT advice was about as appealing as letting ChatGPT create my grocery list. In other words: unappealing.

But when I heard that an AI travel planner or other travel tool could save me money? I'll admit that my ears pricked up. You could say that travel has been a lifelong obsession of mine, and since my pocketbook has never matched my ambitions, traveling on a budget has become an equally big obsession. When I was studying abroad in Europe in my early 20s, budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair were emerging, so I was one of those people who would sleep in a random European airport to take dirt-cheap flights if it meant saving a bit of cash.

It just so happens that I have a very expensive trip looming in my near future: a transatlantic voyage to New York City for a 10-day stay. So I decided to see whether the latest online travel tools could scratch my cheapskate's itch for deals, and—a big step for me—I even put my fears aside and took an AI travel planner (or seven) for a test drive.

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How to save on flights

I decided to take the plunge right away and try out Microsoft's Bing, an AI chatbot that runs on ChatGPT-4 technology. It's free as part of the Microsoft Edge browser, whereas ChatGPT-4 requires payment. (Google Bard is another free option, though it runs on different technology.) And unlike the free version of ChatGPT, Bing has access to the internet.

I asked it to find me the cheapest flights between my country (all major airports are within a few hours of me) and New York City for a range of departure and arrival dates. And I was stunned: Bing claimed it had found a round-trip flight for just $380.

Maybe I had been wrong about AI all along?

Unfortunately, while Bing gave me a link to the aforementioned flight, when I clicked, it showed up as $947. I even asked Bing for the flight numbers and airlines so I could try the airline websites directly, but to no avail—the actual price was still $947.

While the smart bot had let me down, I knew that the dumb ones had my back. I'm talking about flight search engines: Instead of opening 70 browser windows and manually searching for my flights on different airlines, I relied on tech to do that for me—fast. These sites' bots query zillions of airlines and display the results in a way that's easy to navigate.

After testing out Kiwi, Expedia, Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights and much-hyped Hopper, I went back to my old standby: ITA Matrix , which you may not have heard of. Developed by an MIT AI researcher in the early 2000s, it was the original flight search engine.

It's not as user-friendly as the newer engines, but in my experience, it finds hidden deals. This time, while the other flight search engines threw me flights of $700 or more and encouraged me to buy now, as flights weren't likely to go down, ITA Matrix found a real cheapskate's flight: $570 round trip, departing from a nearby city (a $5 train ride from me). Searching on my own through major carrier websites turned up flights of $1,100 or $1,300.

Total saved

I saved a whopping $530, paying $570 instead of $1,100 for my flight.

How to save on hotels

Even breathing can feel expensive in New York City, so I was extremely skeptical about AI's ability to find me cheap places to stay for a week in the Big Apple. A quick check on Booking.com turned up $672 for a room with a shared bathroom in a hotel with a 3.8 rating, or $851 for 10 nights in a hostel rated 8.3—that's $85 a night for a bed in a room with 10 other people, folks.

I asked Bing to find 10 hotels that cost less than $100 a night. It helpfully provided a list, but it also turned up several articles from niche blogs that answered the same question. I went down the rabbit hole, but much like my experience with the flights, the information turned out to be wrong, perhaps because it's outdated—some decent-looking hotels that were promised to cost less than $100 a night ended up costing $250 or even $400 when I checked their websites. Google's Bard gave me different options, but they were just as inaccurate ($300 a night instead of the promised $100).

Back to my old friends the bots and some hotel search engines. WayAway (more on that below) somehow found me the same hostel bed for $65 a night—a total of $250 in savings. I'll take it.

I saved $250 using WayAway, paying $65 a night instead of $85 a night for 10 nights.

How to save on sightseeing

To plan a cheapskate's getaway in New York City, I turned to Expedia's ChatGPT-powered AI assistant to come up with some free activities to do during my trip. AI trip planners ride on ChatGPT's technology; trained on large pools of text, ChatGPT has learned how to parse natural-sounding sentences for what the user wants to know. Then it gathers and summarizes information accordingly.

I was impressed by Expedia's ability to plan a seven-day itinerary, and as someone who has lived in New York City, I can vouch for the quality of its suggestions. It suggested some NYC hidden gems and even came up with free museums I wouldn't have thought of.

It wasn't 100% accurate, however; while it correctly stated that the Brooklyn Museum allows you to pay what you wish (including nothing, if you want), it erroneously claimed the Whitney Museum and Metropolitan Museum of the Art offered the same option. (The Met changed its policy in 2018.) I liked the fact that when it suggested the Tenement Museum, an attraction I haven't visited, it was easy to ask how much the tours cost and then ask for a different suggestion. When prodded for more free museums, it gave me information on specific days and times when the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum are free.

Bing's AI chatbot didn't create as detailed an itinerary (it presented a bullet-point list rather than a narrative) and erroneously said the Bronx Zoo is a pay-what-you-wish facility (it's free on Wednesdays, according to the website). But I liked that it also pulled up a few real, researched itineraries from niche blogs across the web that I probably wouldn't have found on my own.

Switching back over to Expedia's AI assistant, I was impressed by how easily it generated a list of 14 budget restaurants in New York City that covered a variety of ethnic foods—it also gave me five cheap Japanese restaurants when I prodded it for more. And it gave me several options for finding Broadway tickets and flagged some free street festivals during my trip.

While it's hard to calculate exactly how much I would have spent without AI's help, let's assume the intel might have saved me 50% on a Broadway ticket ($60), along with the $16 I would've spent on a Brooklyn Museum ticket, $30 on a Whitney Museum ticket and $25 on a Museum of Modern Art ticket. Overall, I'm spending $60 instead of $191—so my AI travel planner trio of sites saved me $131.

In this case, the savings are really in time: I could have probably gotten all this information myself if I'd set aside a few hours, but it took me only a few minutes to compile all the information, thanks to AI.

My grand-total savings

Using AI and other platforms to plan my New York City vacation, I saved a grand total of $911. But I'm less impressed by AI than I wanted to be—true AI contributed only $131 in savings. The remaining $780 in savings came from booking sites.

The future of AI may be bright, but for now, AI chatbots are less helpful when it comes to landing deals than their less-intelligent counterparts.

Travel-planning tools

Eager to try out AI and other online travel tools for yourself? Use the tips below as you approach each part of the trip.

Tools for finding flights

AI chatbots are good for general research about flights, while flight search engines should be your go-to when it's time to buy. Read on for more.

Bing Chat and Bard

Find them: Bing Chat is free with Microsoft Edge , and Bard is free with a Google sign-in.

• You can ask them to research cheap days of the week to fly .
• You can ask them to research cheap times of the year to fly.
• They don't seem to give accurate real-time information.

Flight search engines

The sites below are some of my go-to's, but Skyscanner, Kayak, Orbitz, Expedia, Momondo and Hopper—which additionally uses past data to predict future fares—are all similar tools. (Bonus: Many of them offer a useful flight price tracker feature as well.) My advice is to take your time and try all of them to find the best deal.

Find it: I TA Matrix is free online.

• It allows for extreme flexibility with departure and arrival cities, and some flexibility with travel dates.
• It seems to find hidden deals .
• You can't book the flight directly from the website. When you find the itinerary you want, plug those dates and cities into Google Flights or visit the airline's website.
• It's more labor-intensive to change the window of travel dates.

Google Flights

Find it: Google Flights is free online.

• You can pick your departure city and a time range, then look at how much it will cost to fly to different destinations on a map.
• If you're looking to fly to a specific destination, after your search you can easily scan through more dates around your desired departure date.
• It may not find a lower fare that would show up on ITA Matrix.

Find it: Kiwi is free online.

• It offers extreme flexibility on dates.
• The tool can shuffle two destinations to find which order gives you the cheapest itinerary.
• It can show you deals from your city in a given month.
• It may not find deals that turn up on ITA Matrix.

Tools for booking hotels

In general, use AI chatbots to research the cheapest season for your chosen destination, then use the following hotel search engines to find the best hotel deals for specific dates.

Find it: Expedia is free online.

• It looks across platforms, including Vrbo, a site similar to Airbnb that allows people to rent out their homes.
• The mobile app version has an AI assistant that can recommend hotels to suit your specifications.
• It may not give the cheapest options, and the hotels recommended by the chatbot may not be as cheap as suggested.

Find it: WayAway is free online.

• WayAway searches multiple reservation sites—in my case, it turned up a lower price than Booking.com for the same hotel on the same dates.
• It doesn't search for other types of stays, like homestays.

Find it: Bing Chat is free with Microsoft Edge .

• It allows you to do general research on the cheapest months to visit a given destination. For instance, you can ask it for the cheapest time to visit Hawaii if you don't have set dates in mind.
• Price information for specific hotels seems to be inaccurate.

Find it: Bard is free with a Google sign-in.

• Bard gives different answers than Bing, so you can get a second opinion by using two AI travel planners.
• As was the case with Bing, the price information wasn't accurate at all.

Tools for planning activities

There are many AI tools out there for creating travel itineraries; if you search your phone's store for travel apps , you'll find both professional and homegrown models. It's still early days, but here are the ones I've tried so far.

Expedia's AI assistant

Find it: The Expedia app is available for free.

• It easily whips up suggestions for budget restaurants and activities of different types.
• You can easily tweak the itinerary according to your tastes.
• It's not 100% accurate.
• Bing provides answers, as well as sources and articles for additional information.
• It offers less-detailed responses.

Trip Planner AI

Find it: Trip Planner AI offers a limited free version or a pro paid version for $7.99 a month.

• It shows the cost of attractions.
• You don't have to bother with writing prompts.
• The free version doesn't let you specify your tastes or budget.
• It didn't catch the fact that some museums are pay-what-you-wish places.

Find it: Wanderbot is free online.

• It allows you to make changes to the itinerary via the chat.
• You can book activities directly.
• It provides a map with the activities already marked.
• It appeared to be buggy—the activity descriptions didn't always match the titles.

Find it: Iplan.ai is free online.

• There's no need to write prompts.
• You can select your interests and budget.
• The itineraries are organized by day and come with photos, maps and suggested times.
• You can decide which hours you're available each day.
• The itinerary doesn't make sense geographically, sending you from one side of the city to the other.
• It sent me to the same restaurant for every meal (I chose the budget option).

How to use online travel tools to save money

What did I learn from my high-tech travel plunge? That technology has changed—and improved!—since I was a college student hopping around Europe and spending more than the occasional night on the cold, hard floor of an airport.

As hesitant as I was to use AI to plan my trip, the tech really shone when it came to asking for recommendations about cheap and free activities. I liked the ability to probe options, reject them and explore additional possibilities as I began to collect information.

For example, asking about cheap Broadway tickets got me onto the topic of free staged readings, which is a terrific way to experience the New York theater scene. It was also easy to ask for prices or more detailed information about specific attractions, although, as is the case with everything ChatGPT does, I had to check its work manually. While the experience with the Expedia app's AI assistant seemed to be more seamless—and it saves the information about activities in one convenient place—I liked that Bing pulled up relevant articles from niche publications that I could check out later if I felt like learning more.

Also, I tested these tools on a trip for which the destination and dates weren't flexible. It seems to me that I would have saved more if I'd used AI to research the cheapest destinations and dates and then dreamed up my trip from there. Of course, when buying flights or booking hotels for specific dates, I would still switch over to more traditional (but still powerful) flight and hotel search engines.

And cheapskate that I am, I'll admit that I'm tempted to begin my next vacation by firing up an AI chat assistant and typing, "Where's the cheapest place to visit right now?"

The post These Simple Online Travel Tools Helped Me Save $911 on My Vacation appeared first on Reader's Digest .

Updated Biden administration rules will soon affect students across US: What to know

Students and school employees across America will be impacted in the fall by new changes to a rule that affects all federally-funded schools.

Practically, it's a sweeping update to how schools will have to handle sex discrimination and abuse cases. Politically, it's a part of a power struggle between the Trump and Biden administrations.

What's new? The Biden administration released a new set of rules this week overhauling the Trump administration's Title IX rules – which gave more rights to alleged perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment. The new rules also stipulate further protections for LGBTQ+ students as well as parenting and pregnant students.

What is Title IX? Title IX is a civil rights law that bans sex discrimination against students, employees and others at public schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funding.

What were some of the old rules? For cases of sexual assault, they stipulated that schools only had to investigate claims that met a certain threshold of sex discrimination and were made through a formal reporting process. It also raised the bar of proof for sexual misconduct on college campuses. They prohibited investigations of cases that occurred off campus.

Why does the change matter? Critics argued the Trump-era rules prevented people accused of sexual harassment, assault or discrimination from facing repercussions. Supporters contended the rules rightly strengthened due-process protections for accused students or faculty members.

Biden's new Title IX rules will affect people on the nation's school campuses starting in August.

What happened this week?

The Biden administration's new set of guidance overhauls Trump-era rules that in part narrowed which and how schools could investigate sex discrimination cases. President Joe Biden in his 2020 presidential campaign vowed to overturn the changes made under Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

The new rules expand the definition of sexual assault and harassment. That means schools could investigate more cases of discrimination, abuse or harassment filed by people on school campuses under the scope of the law.

College student survivors will no longer be required to attend live hearings or go through cross examinations. And people will be given the right to "prompt and equitable grievance procedures," the rule reads.

LGBTQ+ students will be guaranteed protection under the law if they are discriminated against for their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Pregnant and parenting students who might receive unwanted sexual attention, shame or punishment at schools will also be granted more protections from sex discrimination in the admissions process and on campus.

“These final regulations build on the legacy of Title IX by clarifying that all our nation’s students can access schools that are safe, welcoming, and respect their rights," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Who is impacted by the changes to Title IX?

The rule changes have a wide range of effects on students, among the most notable examples:

• Sexual assault survivors : The new rules will have sweeping effects on survivors of sexual misconduct and those accused of crimes. Among the changes: The definition of sexual assault will be expanded in K-12 schools and colleges.
• LGBTQ+ students : Biden's Title IX update stipulates protections from sex discrimination based gender identity for the first time.
• Pregnant and parenting students : The new regulations extend the definition of "sex-based harassment" to include pregnant people on campuses.

Ruling on transgender student participation in sports remains unsettled

The Biden administration did not rule on whether transgender and nonbinary students can participate on the sports teams that align with their gender.

The administration released a proposed rule in April 2023 that said schools and colleges largely could not ban nonbinary and transgender students from sports teams in the new Title IX rules.

Contact Kayla Jimenez at [email protected] .  Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.

What's faster: train or car? Worcester to Boston commuters say it's not that simple a choice

It was 5:30 a.m. when we arrived at the starting line: the middle of an empty Union Station in Worcester.

One team — a reporter and commuter — was about to board the train to Boston. The other reporter-commuter duo was ready to carpool. The race was set, and the stakes were high: Last one to South Station would buy breakfast.

The race, albeit silly, was our way of witnessing firsthand the daily experience of workers who travel between Boston and Worcester. Although the cities are the two largest in New England and just about 47 miles apart, commuters say the trip in no way reflects their proximity.

“It’s not as simple as it was described to me,” said Onica Washington-Moore, who drives to her job as a fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital because she said the train takes too long.

The first leg

Neither of our journeys began particularly smoothly.

The commuter rail platform at Union Station is under construction — which meant a rather unpleasant walk for the roughly two dozen people who boarded the train on this bitterly cold, windy March morning.

Tracy O’Connell Novick was our commuter that took the train. After she boarded and found a seat at a table, she pulled out her laptop to check the news of the day.

“Once I step onto the train, I realize my shoulders relax because it’s no longer my problem, and I’m able to work. So I can just do my stuff here,” Tracy said. “It’s actually somebody else’s job to get us there.”

As the horn blared and the train rolled away through the darkness, Onica, who said yes to our carpool plan, began the drive to Boston in her Subaru Crosstrek.

Her trip usually takes her about an hour, as long as she leaves Worcester by 6 a.m. If she doesn’t, she’ll end up stuck in gridlock traffic that can take more than two hours to move through.

As Onica jumped on the Mass Pike this morning, everything seemed fine until it became clear there was an accident. Police cars and ambulances drove past her, traffic built up.

“I’m just thinking about, like I can hop off [the pike],” she said, noting sometimes she takes Route 9 if there are accidents.

The break of dawn

As the sun rose, the commuter rail train steadily meandered through forests in between stops around MetroWest where more passengers boarded. Meanwhile, Onica — who likes to listen to news programming, J-pop and hits from the ’80s and ’90s — decided to stay on the pike, clearing the traffic after passing the accident.

Driving hasn’t always been Onica’s preferred method of traveling to Boston. In fact, when she decided to move from South Carolina to Massachusetts a few years ago, the commuter rail was a big reason why. Worcester was about halfway from her job in Boston and her husband’s in Amherst. She had read online that the commuter rail would be an easy way for her to travel to and from Boston.

For a while, Onica relied on an express train to Boston in the morning and another back to Worcester in the afternoon. Both trains made limited stops between Worcester and West Natick, keeping the entire trip each way to just one hour.

But last fall, the MBTA and its commuter rail operator Keolis phased out the express service, adding more stops to meet demand around MetroWest. Suddenly, the roundtrip between Worcester and Boston took an extra hour. Onica said she had no choice but to start driving more often, which isn’t an ideal option either.

She has to leave her house in the morning by 6 a.m. to avoid rush hour traffic on the Mass Pike. And she’s concerned about the additional wear and tear on her car and the extra carbon emissions involved with driving to Boston.

“But also I have to do what I need to do to survive,” she said. “It was very premature for them to scrap the express train.”

Tracy has continued to rely on the commuter rail because her family shares one car. But the end of the express service has also significantly impacted her schedule. She used to take a 6:30 a.m. express train that ensured she’d arrive at her office by 8 a.m. Now, she needs to wake up an hour earlier to catch the 5:45 a.m. train.

“There are worse ways of spending three hours of your life. Like sitting on the pike would be worse,” she said. “But we are also the second largest city in New England. So I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable to say once a day it should take an hour to get from Worcester to Boston.”

The MBTA and Keolis announced Thursday that this spring, they will bring back the Worcester express train to Boston in the morning. However, there will not be an express service back to Worcester in the afternoon.

The final stretch

The Downtown Boston skyline gradually became more visible as Onica hit the 50-minute mark of her drive, passing the Boston Landing commuter rail station.

The train had finished making the stops up to West Natick but was struggling to keep up.

Onica said she would consider taking the commuter rail again if the trip didn’t take so long and better accommodated her work schedule. It’d also help if the train was more affordable, she said.

Each roundtrip drive, including tolls and parking near MGH, costs her about $22. The commuter rail, by comparison, is about $24.50.

Worcester to Boston travelers note that the commuter rail will only become more important as the state begins its Allston Multimodal Project in the next few years. The nearly $2 billion plan will involve replacing a section of the pike that’s currently elevated above Allston. Although the project is supposed to increase transit connectivity and access to the Charles River, traffic is expected to worsen during construction.

“What is that mitigation plan gonna be?” asked Jarred Johnson, executive director of the advocacy group Transit Matters. “How are we going to ensure that the Worcester [commuter rail] line is open virtually the entire time through construction.”

The MBTA and Keolis have an opportunity to start answering those questions and satisfying people in Worcester that take the commuter rail to Boston.

In a recent release, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty argued the locality is an alternative for people who can’t afford to live in Boston and “efficient and multiple express trains to Boston is a must if the City of Worcester will continue to grow and prosper.”

During their board meeting Thursday, MBTA officials said the express service this spring will begin May 20. The train will leave Worcester’s Union Station at 7:40 a.m. and arrive at Boston’s South Station at 8:45 a.m.

Tracy said that timing will not accommodate her schedule, so she’ll have to continue waking up in the wee hours of the morning to take the 5:45 a.m. train — the same 5:45 a.m. train that can’t keep up with a car.

Our carpool duo arrived in Onica’s Subaru at a bustling South Station in just under an hour.

It was nearly another 30 minutes before our train team rolled in.

So if you can convince a friend or colleague to race you there, pick the car if you want a complimentary croissant and coffee.

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My Carry-On Fits Over a Week's Worth of Outfits Thanks to These Best-Selling Packing Cubes

They're on sale for just $2 apiece.

Real Simple / Tyler Roeland

No matter where I'm heading, I'm known to be a notorious overpacker . I often find that I have a few clothes and accessories I never even touched by the end of my trips. I'd rather be over prepared for the unexpected than under prepared, but that approach doesn't usually bode well for my luggage. My husband is also an overpacker, but after traveling the world for months at a time with just a backpack he shared his secret: packing cubes.

I finally tested his strategy out with the Bagail Eight-Piece Packing Cube Set , which is currently on sale for just $17 at Amazon—that's just $2 apiece. These best-selling packing cubes have gotten me through a honeymoon, several work trips, and long weekend getaways, but more importantly, I could fit eight day's worth of outfits in my 22-inch carry-on suitcase. The set includes a drawstring bag, a shoe bag, a cosmetic case, a sock bag, an underwear bag, and three mesh-front bags in various sizes made of matching, water-resistant, yet lightweight nylon.

Bagail Eight-Piece Packing Cube Set

The eight-piece set is perfectly sized, so I don't feel like I'm playing a complicated game of Tetris to get them all to fit neatly in my suitcases. The mesh bags are where I store my bottoms, tops, and dresses, and each cube features two nifty buckles to securely store your clothing while also saving as much space as possible. Ideally, the shoe bag is large enough to fit my sporty sneakers and a slim pair of sandals, but on a recent short trip, I managed to squeeze in two pairs of mules and water shoes.

Other Amazon shoppers were similarly surprised at how much room they had in their luggage, thanks to the Bagail Packing Cube Set . One shopper who also considers themselves an overpacker boasted that they were "shocked" that they could fit enough winter clothes in their 28-inch suitcase for eight days, including "two jackets (one heavy snow and one medium weight rain), 10 sweaters (eight heavy, two medium weight), eight pants/jeans, three pairs of winter pajamas, two pairs of sweats (tops and bottoms), three pairs of shoes (one pair low boots, one pair sneakers, one pair slippers), underwear/bras, eight tanks/camis, 10 pairs [of] thick socks, and one heavy hoodie." They also noted they still had room for bulky snow boots! They added that this was just for "a practice run to see if [they] needed a larger suitcase" and were pleased to see that they "definitely [did] not."

Do yourself a favor and grab the Bagail Packing Cube Set for $2 apiece before your next vacation without having to check a bag. Below are a few other travel essentials on sale that I swear by.

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Rihanna confirms she’s going to Met Gala 2024 — and teases her red carpet look

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Say so long to dramatic trains, over-the-top embellishments and jewel-encrusted hats.

For the 2024 Met Gala, Rihanna, 36, is apparently toning things down when it comes to her look.

“I’m actually keeping it real simple this year,” she told to Extra during an interview on Saturday, which took place at a launch event for Fenty’s Beauty Soft’lit Foundation.

The “Diamonds” singer revealed that, while she’s still choosing between two different outfits, they’re “very simple-ish” compared to what she’s worn to the event in the past .

Instead, the focus for the first Monday in May will be on her glam.

“It’s gonna come to what my makeup and what my hair is going to do,” the mom of two continued. “We wanna play with that, but I have no idea what I’m gonna do with that.”

However, just because the exact plan is unknown doesn’t mean the singer won’t arrive on the red carpet ready to impress as she always does.

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“I’m showing up for dinner!” she joked. “Shout out to Anna Wintour.”

With the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” theme celebrating delicate vintage designs and co-chairs that include the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Zendaya, the ball, which is taking place on May 6, is sure to be another stylish, star-studded event.

It also seems like Rihanna is undergoing a bit of a style change as of late, reconsidering her sometimes-risqué wardrobe. Speaking with British Vogue, the Fenty beauty founder said that some of her more revealing outfits are now her new “fashion ick.”

“I did so much s—t in my life. I had my nipples out, I had my panties out,” she told the publication while walking the Fenty x Puma red carpet. “But now those are the things, I guess, as a mom, as an evolved young lady … it’s just things that I just feel like I would never do. I’m just like, ‘Oh my god, I really did that? Nips out?’”

Still, the singer isn’t completely against making bold fashion moves.

She recently channeled a nun for an Interview magazine shoot , and earlier in the month, embraced the Mob Wives trend, attending a birthday celebration in a tiny leopard mini dress and fur coat.

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"i’m compensated the most": american airlines ceo reveals salary of nearly $32 million.

The executive says his pay was less than CEOs at the carrier’s competitors, but is “consistent.”

• American Airlines CEO Robert Isom openly explained his salary at a staff meeting.
• Isom claims his salary is in line with industry standards, despite flight attendants preparing to strike.
• The executive emphasizes that his pay depends on the airline's success and that flight attendants are a priority.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom recently became transparent about his compensation package of nearly $32 million last year at a companywide meeting. The executive’s salary was reportedly unveiled just days before American’s 2023 earnings call, which took place on Thursday.

While Isom explained that he is “compensated the most,” he also asserted that his salary is “consistent with what other CEOs make.” It comes as American’s flight attendants are preparing to strike after fighting for pay raises and retro pay, as they have been without a new collective bargaining agreement for years.

“It’s probably not a surprise”

According to an exclusive View From The Wing report, Isom made $31.4 million in 2023.

At the carrier’s earnings call, referred to internally as the “State of the Airline,” the CEO explained his salary and said he is paid less than the executives at both of its US legacy competitors, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

“As the CEO it’s probably not a surprise, but I’m compensated the most… I just want to cover this real quick… [our] proxy this year basically says that I am paid a significant amount of money, but compensation that is consistent with what my peers are. I’m paid on a go-forward basis, I’m paid less than Ed Bastian at Delta by a considerable amount, and I’m paid less than Scott Kirby at United.”

Two years as CEO

Isom succeeded Doug Parker as CEO in 2022. Before taking on as head of American, he served as the airline’s president for six years. Isom went on to explain that he has not received additional compensation since becoming CEO. Additionally, he said that most of his salary, which is “ paid out into the future,” “is 90% at risk” because it depends on the carrier’s performance.

“If I do not do what I have set up to do and what the board and the company has asked me to, I don’t receive that compensation,” the executive stated.

According to View From The Wing, Isom’s base pay doubled when he was appointed CEO two years ago. Contrary to his statement, it is alleged that he did receive a pay increase since then, although it was delayed due to restrictions implemented in exchange for taxpayer cash of $10 billion given to American during the pandemic.

American Airlines' Record Breaking $12.6 Billion First Quarter Results

Isom concluded by maintaining that his pay is similar to the salary of other CEOs.

“So I’m not doing anything other than telling you up front that’s what it’s about. And I just want to make clear with folks that’s not something I shy away from. It’s compensation that’s consistent with what other CEOs make.”

Flight attendants preparing to take action

Amid Isom's spotlight on compensation, he was also put in the hot seat regarding American’s lengthy negotiation process with its flight attendants’ union – the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) – for a new contract. During a question-and-answer session at the earnings call, APFA’s President Julie Hedrick said the flight attendants “are ready to strike.”

Isom fought back, saying he wants flight attendants to receive the best pay in the industry.

“I want to pay them at the best in the industry. And right now every offer that we put on the table for our pilots, for our dispatchers, for our agents, has been consistent with that philosophy. [...] We are using that absolute same philosophy with our flight attendants. And we have to – we have to be fair across the entire company, we have to be consistent with what we do.”

Last week, the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline reported a loss of $312 million in the first quarter of this year. United also lost money due to the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9, but Delta posted strong earnings despite Q1 typically being the most challenging quarter across the industry. The Atlanta-based carrier announced on April 22nd that it would increase pay by 5% for non-union workers and a new minimum wage of $19 per hour.

Delta Air Lines Marks 14% Corporate Travel Growth Amid Strong Q1 Results

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A guide to drinking sherry in jerez in style.

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Jerez de la Frontera. Cadiz. Old city and Cathedral. (Photo by JMN/Cover/Getty Images)

The Andalusian city of Jerez de la Fronera in Southern Spain is steeped in gastronomic culture. Known for its lively tabanco scene, rebellious flamenco, thoroughbred horses, and of course, its fortified sherry wines, the city’s faded grandeur and strong culinary heritage make for the perfect accompaniment to a weekend getaway. Here’s a little guide to exploring Jerez while indulging in the local wine scene.

JEREZ, SPAIN: Workers picks grapes at a vineyard in Jerez, to make sherry a fortified wine. AFP ... [+] PHOTO/ JOSE LUIS ROCA (via Getty Images)

First, a very quick guide to Sherry

Sherry is a fortified wine produced primarily from the Palomino Fino variety in what is known as the Sherry triangle - the three key towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María in the south of Andalusia. In and out of fashion over the last few hundred years, it can be made in a number of different styles, ranging from dry to sweet, and young to extensively aged in cask. It is typically bottled from a Solera system, meaning that the wines have aged in barrel and received the benefit of continual top ups from younger vintages. The result of such fractional blending is a more balanced wine that contains the freshness of youth and the complexity of age.

The most memorable characteristics of Sherry are the flavours of dried fruit, brine and nuts that can be found in the Fino and Manzanilla categories. This additional flavor comes from a deliberate maturation under a layer of flor, while in the case of Manzanilla, proximity to the ocean during cellaring gives additional salinity. Amontillado and Oloroso Sherries are much richer, and heavier but are increasingly important assets in the world of gastronomy. There is also Palo Cortado, which stylistically floats, somewhat ambiguously, in between. Although much rarer, the best sweet sherries are produced from the Pedro Ximénez grape and its hedonistic, treacle like flavours are a brilliant partner to deserts.

Where to drink

Sherry can be found in almost all of the city’s bars and cafes. In Jerez, the concept of a tabanco dominates the social scene. The word itself, fairly unique to this part of Andalusia, is thought to have originated around the mid 17th century as an amalgamation of ‘estanco’ and ‘tobacco’, meaning a small shop dealing in state controlled produce such as wine and tobacco. Its casual informality provides a brilliant method for following the ambience as it meanders from street to street. Simple, authentic tapas can be impromptu and shift the focus to hanging out and going with the flow. These days you’ll find a lively atmosphere mixed with a relaxed approach to serving bite sized snacks and sherry. If you’re looking to soak up the local vibe, these are the places to check out.

Tabanco San Pablo

Tabanco San Pablo is a rustic tabanco with a traditional look and feel. Historic pictures and adverts capture the agricultural trappings of the surrounding area. Large casks provide a great backdrop and make it clear you’re there to celebrate and enjoy Sherry. It is best known for its Palo Cortados, which are served alongside simple tapas. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat, with live flamenco performances. Essentially, whether you’re passing through or there for the night, it’s a great place to chill out and have a few drinks.

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New ios 18 ai security move changes the game for all iphone users, world war i tactics make a comeback as a ukrainian gunner in the back of a propeller plane shoots down a russian drone, tabanco el pasaje.

El Pasaje has been open since 1925 and offers a rustic window into simple Andalusian gastronomy. It closed its doors briefly in 2010, but was then taken over by a lawyer from Jerez, Antonio Ramírez, who restored it in line with the typical identity of a tabanco. The wooden counter sits central to everything that happens here, providing a focal point for chatting over a glass or two of sherry from the cask. The walls are painted in vibrant greens and reds, and punctuated by large flamenco adverts to create an atmospheric decor. Looking around the tobacco you get a strong sense of local culture.

Where to dine

Andalusian tapas has long been the staple food here. Dropping in at any of the city’s many casual eateries provides an excuse for a light snack. When it comes to dining though, there are two key destinations that are unmissable. Both were conceived by entrepreneurial chefs and both have attained notoriety through the award of Michelin stars. They are rooted in a deep connection to Jerez while managing to remain unique. The recommendation is to experience both gastronomic interpretations.

Mantua is more than just a dining destination, it is a symphony of flavors and a celebration of tradition. Under the guidance of entrenurial chef Israel Ramos, Mantua’s simple but effective approach to theatre and quality has earned him a Michelin star. Named after an ancient wine grape that was once prevalent in the vineyards of Jerez, the ethos of Mantua is to partner exceptional ingredients with both still and fortified local wines. Utilising a range of small wineries, it is the passion and thought behind the wine list that helps elevate this intimate 16 seater tasting experience to memorable levels.

Israel Ramos working at Mantua restaurant in Jerez, Spain.

Lú Cocina y Alma

Juanlu Fernández, or Lu for short, frequently describes his approach to cooking as ‘rearguard vanguard’, a playful dichotomy that captures the essence of his first business venture, LÚ Cocina y Alma, an intimate restaurant space in the historical centre. A self proclaimed Francophile, but born in Jerez, he mastered the foundational techniques of the classic French repertoire before unleashing them on the local ingredients of his homeland. Here’s a more in depth article on how the restaurant integrates Andalusian cuisine with the local fortified wines .

Juanlu Fernández in the vineyards near Jerez.

Where to stay

Tio pepe hotel.

The Tio Pepe Hotel is the world’s first Sherry hotel. Given its boutique, high end offering, it hopefully won’t be the last. A contemporary, but stylish look and feel is backed up by a brilliant location in the historic centre of the town. Located next to the iconic Gonzalez Byass winery, this is the best spot to unwind through the afternoon heat and drink a few Sherries - or perhaps sleep them off. The rooftop pool overlooks the impressive gothic Cathedral and provides a sense quiet exclusivity. Situated within a short walk of all the key bars and restaurants, it is also next to one of the most beautiful streets in all of Spain, the cobblestoned Calle Ciegos. The hotel boasts an impressive restaurant, offering both inside and al fresco dining, and more importantly, has one of the most extensive lists of aged Sherry anywhere. This is the place to indulge in Gonzalez Byass’s archives of back vintages and rare releases.

Historic cobbled street Calle Ciegos in Gonzalez Byass bodega, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo ... [+] by: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Wineries to visit and wines to try

The great thing about Jerez is that most bodegas (wineries) are very close to the city. Many are walkable from the centre, or at least only a short taxi ride away. The bigger challenge is that not many are visitable without some form of prior contact. A tour of the González Byass cellars is imperative and given how well they are geared up for tourism, it’s likely to be enough for all but the fanatics. Not only does it boast a wealth of history, its large collections of mature wines offer the most comprehensive look at the Sherry’s potential evolution. Beyond this, it’s worth an advance email to Bodegas Lustau. A final recommendation for something to try while out and about? Jan Petersen’s brilliant Sherries at Bodega Fernando de Castilla.

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Willie Nelson Turns 91 Today—Here’s the 1-Ingredient Breakfast He Swears By

Sometimes, simple is best.

Country legend Willie Nelson likes his meals like he likes his music: simple and sincere.

And, although 91 years (as of today!) of playing heartfelt tunes have taken Nelson to all corners of the world, there are certain parts of his routine he’s kept the same throughout, starting with his breakfast of choice .

The Breakfast Willie Nelson Eats Every Day 

So, what’s kept the 10-time Grammy winner fueled through an accomplished career and all those years of running around with “Waylon and the boys“? Surprisingly, it's mainly his breakfast .

In an interview with Southern Living , the Red-Headed Stranger shared how he tries to eat “sensibly” and how that all starts with his morning meal: oatmeal. “Actually, if you want to know the truth,” he said, “about all I eat is oatmeal in the morning, and bacon and eggs in the evening.”

If you think about it, oatmeal is a perfectly sensible breakfast for a cowboy who lives life on a tour bus (and has no plans of retiring any time soon). A warm bowl of oatmeal can be a consistent comfort in an ever-busy life on the road. Plus, it’s available just about anywhere you go. 

Nelson isn't alone in his fondness for oatmeal. Ina Garten has stuck to her oatmeal and coffee routine religiously for the past 10 years, while Olivia Rodrigo claimed it’s her go-to order from—believe it or not— McDonald’s . 

It sounds like there’s something in the oatmeal out here. 

Although Nelson hasn’t shared how he takes his oatmeal, we doubt he dresses it up with much. Maybe some berries or a drizzle of maple syrup, but we’d assume the less fussy, the better for this hippie cowboy’s breakfast. 

However, Nelson's appreciation for breakfast extends way beyond the morning. He's a big fan of breakfast-for-dinner concept, much like fellow country icon Garth Brooks . Bacon, eggs, or even a loaded sausage and gravy biscuit (as shared by his sister Bobbie Nelson with Edible Austin ) will hit the spot for Nelson any hour of the day.

As for how he likes his eggs, the singer isn’t too picky. “I don't think you could fix 'em any way I wouldn't like 'em. I eat them raw,” he joked. “Soft scrambled, scrambled's good.” We wonder whose scrambled eggs recipe we’d like better—Nelson’s or that of his good friend Dolly Parton .

Now, that’s not to say Nelson doesn’t have a soft spot for the heartier Texas fare he grew up on. He’s still a sucker for chicken fried steak , fried chicken —“all that good stuff,” he shared. But when it comes down to it, Shotgun Willie will take a simple menu of oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and bacon any day.

As we wish the father of country music a very happy birthday, let's toast to all he’s gifted us: soul-stirring songs, nuggets of wisdom, and a solid case for making oatmeal the breakfast routine of legends.

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