DOJ is now bringing Google’s artificial intelligence tools into the argument about its search engine monopoly.

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday.Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.The Trump administration’s announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by courts.“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds government payments—including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits—from people with past-due debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.The decision to send debt to collections drew criticism from advocates, who said borrowers had experienced whiplash and confusion with the changing student loan policies between the Biden and Trump administrations.“This is cruel, unnecessary and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country,” said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center.Already, many borrowers have been bracing for obligations coming due.In 2020, President Donald Trump paused federal student loan payments and interest accrual as a temporary relief measure for student borrowers. The pause in payments was extended multiple times by the Biden administration through 2023, and a final grace period for loan repayments ended in October 2024. That meant tens of millions of Americans had to start making payments again.Borrowers who don’t make payments for nine months go into default, which is reported on their credit scores and can go to collections.Along with the borrowers already in default, around another four million are 91 to 180 days late on their loan payments. Less than 40% of all borrowers are current on their student loans, department officials said.Layoffs at the Federal Student Aid office at the Education Department have made it harder for students to get their questions answered, even if they wanted to pay their loans, said Kristin McGuire, executive director for Young Invincibles, a group that focuses on economic security for younger adults.And questions are swirling about certain income-driven repayment programs after a February court ruling blocked some of the payment plans. Borrowers in the more lenient, Biden-era SAVE Plan were placed in forbearance, in which borrowers receive relief from payments but still accrue interest. The Education Department in February took down applications for income-driven repayment programs—which tie a monthly payment to a person’s income level—only to bring them back online a month later.“Things are really difficult to understand right now. Things are changing every day,” McGuire said. “We can’t assume that people are in default because they don’t want to pay their loans. People are in default because they can’t pay their loans and because they don’t know how to pay their loans.”For borrowers in default, one step to avoid wage garnishment is to get into loan rehabilitation, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute for Student Loan Advisors.Borrowers must ask their loan servicer to be placed into such a program. Typically, servicers ask for proof of income and expenses to calculate a payment amount. Once a borrower has paid on time for nine months in a row, they are taken out of default, Mayotte said. A loan rehabilitation can only be done once.Biden oversaw the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. Despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of his signature proposal for broad relief, he waived more than $183.6 billion in student loans through expanded forgiveness programs.In her statement Monday, McMahon said Biden had gone too far.“Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment—both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook,” she said. Associated Press writer Adriana Morga in New York contributed to this report. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Annie Ma AP, Education Writer

Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday after lying in state for three days in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff.The cardinals met Tuesday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’s successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10.The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. U.S. President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei is also expected.The Argentine pope died Monday at age 88 after a stroke put him in a coma and led his heart to fail. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia. He made his last public appearance Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and greeting followers from his popemobile, looping around St. Peter’s Square.His Easter appearance from the same loggia where he was introduced to the world as the first pope from the Americas on March 13, 2013, was a fitting bookend to a 12-year papacy that sought to shake up the church and return it to its Gospel-mandated mission of caring for the poorest. Vatican officials remember Francis “He truly gave everything he had, up to the end,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, one of the highest-ranking women at the Vatican.While the ordinary faithful will have an opportunity to pay their respects beginning Wednesday, Vatican officials were allowed to say their goodbyes starting Monday evening. Speaking to reporters after she paid her respects, Becquart marveled at Francis’s final Easter salute to his flock. “He really walked with his people,” she said.Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said it was specifically Francis’s effort to promote the role of women in the church that will be one of his greatest legacies. Ravasi noted that Francis chose to be buried near his favorite icon of the Madonna, in a basilica across town, and not in the grottoes underneath St. Peter’s, as is typical for popes.“He wanted to be buried under the shadow of a woman, in this case Maria,” said Ravasi, the Vatican’s former culture minister as he arrived for Tuesday’s first meeting of cardinals. “That is significant, his desire for the church to do more for women.”The first images of Francis’s body were released Tuesday, showing him in red vestments and his bishop’s miter in a wooden casket, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived and died.In his final will, Francis said he wanted to be buried at St. Mary Major Basilica, which is home to the Salus Populi Romani icon of Mary. Before and after every foreign trip, Francis would go to the basilica to pray before the Byzantine-style painting that features an image of Mary, draped in a blue robe, holding the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a jeweled golden book.Francis stopped by the basilica on his way home from the Gemelli hospital on March 23, after his 38-day stay, to deliver flowers to be placed before the icon. He returned April 12 to pray before it one last time. The world reacts Bells tolled in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world and flags flew at half-staff in Italy, India, Taiwan and the U.S. after Francis’s death was announced by the camerlengo, who takes charge of the Vatican after a pope’s death. Soccer matches in Italy and Argentina were suspended in honor of the pope who was a lifelong fan of the San Lorenzo soccer club.World leaders praised Francis for his moral leadership and compassion, while ordinary faithful remembered his simplicity and humanity.“Like every Argentine, I think he was a rebel,” said 23-year-old Catalina Favaro, who had come to pay her respects in the Buenos Aires church where Francis discovered his priestly vocation. “He may have been contradictory, but that was nice, too.”In East Timor, where Francis’s final outdoor Mass drew nearly half of the population last September, President Jose Ramos-Horta praised Francis’s courage. “Pope Francis was a brave man who was not afraid to speak out against the rulers of the world who seek war, but do not want to seek peace,” Ramos-Horta said.“He challenged the powerful to act with justice, called nations to welcome the stranger, and reminded us that our common home—this Earth—is a gift we must protect for future generations,” said Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is Muslim. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and has around 30 million Catholics, representing about 14% of the population. Viewing the pope’s coffin The pope’s formal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and in the Santa Marta hotel were sealed Monday evening, following a centuries-old ritual. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as camerlengo had the task of announcing the death and confirming it once the cause was determined, presided over the rituals.Francis chose not to live in the palace, but in a two-room suite in Santa Marta on the other side of Vatican City. He died there and his body was transferred to the hotel chapel in the lobby, where the private viewing was underway Tuesday for Vatican officials and members of the pontifical household.In changes made by Francis last year, his body was not placed in three wooden coffins, as it had been for previous popes. Rather, Francis was placed in a simplified wooden coffin with a zinc coffin inside.Once in St. Peter’s, his casket will not be put on an elevated bier—as was the case with past popes—but will just be be placed simply facing the pews, with the Paschal candle nearby.“He was a pope who didn’t change his path when it came to getting (his hands) dirty,” Francis’s vicar for Rome, Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, said in a Mass in his honor. “For him, poor people and migrants were the sacrament of Jesus.” Choosing the next pope After the funeral, there are nine days of official mourning, known as the “novendiali.” During this period, cardinals arrive in Rome and meet privately before the conclave.To give everyone time to assemble, the conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the “sede vacante”—the “vacant See”—is declared, although it can start sooner if the cardinals agree.Once the conclave begins, cardinals vote in secret sessions in the Sistine Chapel. After voting sessions, the ballots are burned in a special stove. Black smoke indicates that no pope has been elected, while white smoke indicates that the cardinals have chosen the next head of the Catholic Church.The one who has secured two-thirds of the votes wins. If he accepts, his election is announced by a cardinal from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica who tells the world: “Habemus Papam”—Latin for “We have a pope.” Associated Press reporters Paolo Santalucia and Silvia Stellacci contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. —Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry, Associated Press

Earlier this year, we watched in fascination as Dutch designer Stijn van Aardenne developed a new production method. His prototype for a 4-axis rotary printer employed 3D printing on a revolving print bed:That was in February, and the industrious van Aardenne has already developed market-ready product using the new technique. Here's his bee-inspired HIVE lamp: The shell is printed in recycled PET-G, and it's mounted to a stainless steel fixture. The light source is a dimmable 24V LED. The lamp can be ordered with the power cord you see in the photo, or without, if you prefer to hardwire it into a wall. The HIVE lamp runs €720 (USD $819).

When it comes time for new construction, enlightened organizations may choose to move a tree rather than cut it down. Here we see shots of a Camphor tree in Minato-ku, Tokyo, being relocated a distance of ten meters. The process isn't quick. Workers dig out around the roots by hand before wrapping and binding the root system. A wide trench leading to the new location is dug, and a wooden dolly track is laid. The tree is lifted onto beams that ride on small logs on the dolly track and guided to its new location. This shot below is not the tree in the shots above (you can spot the differences in the branches, trunk and the size of the battens) but it shows the same process, with the tree in its new resting place. This method can reportedly take more than a year, with the bundled roots being given time to grow within their temporary enclosure for stability's sake. For organizations with less time—and smaller trees to be moved—mechanical systems greatly speed the task. Here we see Australian company Arbor Co. using a mechanized tree spade to do the work:As an interesting side note, the Japanese term for carefully digging out the roots, nemawashi, has become shorthand in the Japanese business world. The phrase roughly translates to "laying the groundwork" in English; within the Japanese context, it means speaking to all of the stakeholders involved to prepare them for an upcoming change, shift or new operation. The people in this case are the roots, and the belief is that great care must be taken with them in order for the organization to thrive in its new disposition.

Every time I try to fix my stuff, I see all the tote bags and cute paper bags that I have accumulated over the years and I think to myself, “I have too many”. But then I’ll come across a nice-looking bag and I can’t help myself. These aren’t luxury or designer bags, but those that speak to me (and speak to my wallet if I can afford it) and the design plays a huge part in it. So when I came across this new special Muji bag, I knew I had to have this (or I’ll have to wait if and when it gets to my shores). Designer: Muji Labo Muji is one of those no-frills brands that I go to when I want a minimalist look, whether it’s stationery, houseware, and yes, their cute tote bags. Their newest product is reinventing the common paper bag. Their Paper-Like Tote Bag is as its name says, a tote bag that actually looks like a paper bag. But the material used is what makes it stand out: high density non woven polyethelene mixed with the very famous Japanese washi paper. This type of paper is traditionally made from the fibers of the gampi tree, mistumata shrub, or mulberry. This choice of material elevates the simple paper bag to a new level of tactile and visual appeal. Since it’s made to look like a paper bag, it seems delicate but in fact, it’s deceptively simple and sturdy. Washi has long been a favorite because of its strength, unique texture and durability and it brings those qualities to the tote bag. It makes it water-resistant, lightweight, and tear-resistant. The natural irregularities of the material will also eventually make the bag unique as it will soften and crease over use, bringing its own character to your “things carrier” aka bag. It’s available in white, gray, and black colors. It is of course highly functional but is also refined enough that you can use it as an accent to your outfit. Muji is not simply using washi for its inherent qualities. They are also tapping into the rich cultural heritage associated with this traditional craft. Washi has been used in Japan for centuries for a variety of purposes, from writing and painting to creating delicate screens and lanterns. By utilizing this material for their paper bags, MUJI is subtly connecting the everyday act of shopping with Japan’s artistic traditions. The promise of a bag that is both sturdy and refined, practical yet imbued with the delicate beauty of washi, is exactly the kind of object that speaks to that collector’s instinct. And collect it, I will, indeed. The post Muji elevates common paper bag by adding washi paper into the mix first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mars on Earth, designed by Oli Moskalets, is a design concept inspired by space. In this small apartment (available for renting) in Spain, we see cosmic inspiration meeting grounded minimalism. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a sensory experience rooted in rich terracotta tones, sculptural silhouettes, and deep wood finishes. The interior feels like a warm embrace from another planet—inviting, bold, and impossibly calming. Mars on Earth was born from the idea of translating the raw Martian landscapes into a sanctuary that’s livable. As such, we see the line between architecture and atmosphere blurring. A special mention for the red marble accents, which reflect planetary terrain. The end result is a space that feels timeless, elemental, and just a little bit otherworldly. The living area of Mars on Earth is anchored by a curvaceous rust-toned sectional. The space invites deep lounging while making a sculptural statement. Floor-to-ceiling drapes in a matching hue partition the space. Simultaneously, dark wood paneling and soft lighting add warmth and depth. A spherical-legged side table and abstract vases add an artistic touch. Tucked beside the living area, the workspace in Mars on Earth blends focus with mood. A streamlined dark wood desk anchors the nook. This is paired with a minimalist chair. A bold, textural lamp adds rhythm, while a black vase with delicate branches softens the geometry. It’s a space designed for slow mornings, vinyl afternoons, and intentional pauses. At the heart of Mars on Earth lies a striking open-plan kitchen and dining space. This is grounded by a monumental red marble island that commands attention. The natural veining of the stone evokes Martian landscapes, while minimalist black stools add contrast and clarity. Flanked by warm wooden cabinetry and backed by more red marble, the space is equal parts gallery and gathering place. A special mention for the stainless steel sink diversifying textures. A low-profile platform bed, anchored by a warm upholstered headboard, invites rest without distraction in the bedroom. We see a terracotta bench continuing the theme seen in the living area. Flanking the bed, twin sculptural lamps with textured terracotta bases stay true to the room’s palette—soft browns, dusty neutrals, and earthy reds. The palette is monochromatic but never monotonous. Textural play—from the grain of the wall panels to the matte plaster finish—adds quiet richness. Facing the bed, a floor-to-ceiling window frames the natural landscape, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. It’s a room made for silence, softness, and stargazing.

Apple’s latest chipset is a bigger leap than you might think.

But involvement doesn’t equal action.