Today’s Big Story

The Era of Free In-Flight WiFi

With new satellite providers, the airline industry’s internet is exponentially better, too

This is, admittedly, one of those good news/bad news situations. Because as someone who tends to have work to do when traveling, having in-flight WiFi means being able to check-in and file stories while at cruising altitude. In the age of remote work, staying connected has become essential, whether you’re on the ground or in the air. But … when the WiFi failed or I was informed while boarding that the “WiFi would be out during this flight,” it was the adult equivalent of a snow day. No work, just sit back, order a drink and watch a bad movie.

But now, travelers will be able to connect no matter which major U.S. carrier they are flying with—and likely for free. Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines became the latest U.S. carrier to announce that it will bring free, high-speed WiFi to the skies starting October 24. Southwest had been the last holdout among the major U.S. airlines on the complimentary connectivity front. (The airline has partnered with network provider T-Mobile to offer in-flight WiFi to all Southwest Rapid Rewards members for no additional charge.)

The news follows a similar announcement from American Airlines, which in April revealed that it would begin offering complimentary WiFi starting in 2026. American has partnered with AT&T and will be making the service available on planes equipped with high-speed satellite connectivity, which constitutes about 90% of the carrier’s fleet. (Some of American’s older wide-body planes aren’t suited to the new tech.)

Meanwhile, JetBlue will be the first airline to implement Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite technology, enhancing its free Fly-Fi service starting in 2027. According to Afar, a large-scale free WiFi offering has become table stakes in the airline industry with passengers valuing staying connected more than ever.

“Every airline has a little bit of a different timeline, but I think we’re really at an inflection point where this is quickly becoming the industry norm to have decent or good WiFi on board and to offer it for free,” Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter at the Points Guy, told the Washington Post. It’s not only going to be free, but it’ll be faster. That means no more waiting for the plane to reach cruising altitude to book dinner reservations in your vacation destination or binge watch that streaming show you’ve been holding out on. You should also experience fewer delays and disruptions online. And I guess that’s a good thing.

NATO Jets Intercept Russian Military Plane

The German Air Force says its ‘quick reaction alert force’ was investigating the jet in neutral airspace

German and Swedish fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian reconnaissance plane that entered neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea on Sunday morning, officials said. In a statement, the German air force said its “quick reaction alert force” was ordered by NATO to investigate an unidentified aircraft flying without a plan or radio contact.

The operation was conducted as NATO prepares to convene its North Atlantic Council on Tuesday to discuss a separate incident involving Russian jets over Estonia. On Friday, Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes. The United Nations Security Council will also convene an emergency session on Monday morning to address “Russia’s brazen violation of Estonian airspace,” Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

And then there’s Russia’s growing drone threat. CNN questioned why Moscow deliberately sent nearly two dozen drones into NATO airspace, and then points out that the military response revealed further concerns about the alliance’s long-term ability to deal with this growing threat.

A Growing Push for a 2-State Solution

But this solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could backfire

The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia on Sunday announced the recognition of the Palestinian state, in the hope that a two-state solution will bring peace with Israel despite protests from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision by the three nations has put President Donald Trump—and the Israeli Prime Minister—at odds with close U.S. allies, as several other countries, including France, are expected to recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly.

Axios reports that former UN ambassador Nikki Haley joined a group of voices on the right in condemning the decision, accusing the three countries of “caving to Hamas by pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state.” Meanwhile, France and Saudi Arabia hope to use this year’s gathering of world leaders and the increasingly horrific war to inject new urgency into the quest for a two-state solution.

Those efforts include a new road map for eventual Palestinian statehood in territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war, and moves by several Western countries to join a global majority in recognizing such a state before it has been established. But, the Associated Press points out, the efforts to push a two-state solution face major obstacles, beginning with vehement opposition from the United States and Israel. The U.S. has blocked Palestinian officials from even attending the General Assembly. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is opposed to Palestinian statehood, has threatened to take unilateral action in response—possibly including the annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Rising High Blood Pressure

Under new guidelines, more Americans meet the criteria for concern

The statistics are already startlingly: Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure—a condition called hypertension. What’s more, hypertension is the leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition, hypertension increases risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Heart disease, stroke and dementia are the first-, fourth- and sixth-leading causes of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, only 25% people with a history of high blood pressure have this condition under control.

Last month, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new guidelines on prevention and management of hypertension, based on a comprehensive analysis of literature published over the past 10 years. (The most recent guidelines prior to this new statement were in 2017.) Most interestingly, the definition of hypertension has changed. The criteria are more strict, and the target blood pressures are lower than in the past.

PBS News reports that the new guidelines have also removed the category of “prehypertension”, which was defined by a systolic pressure of 120-139 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or a diastolic pressure of 80-99 mm Hg. Now, patients are categorized as having “elevated blood pressure” if their blood pressure is 120-129 over less than 80 mm Hg, or stage 1 hypertension if they are 130-139/80-89. The new guidelines also encourage people to limit alcohol intake because alcohol increases blood pressure.

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