Never learned to play chess and don’t know where to start? Duolingo, the gamified education app most famous for its language learning lessons, is adding chess lessons to the iPhone application later this month. You can learn how each piece moves before eventually moving on to tactics, all in the familiar Duolingo user interface.

A “limited number of learners” on iOS will get the chess feature on Tuesday, April 22; it will roll out to other English-speaking iPhone users “in weeks following.” Other operating systems, along with versions for non-English speakers, are “planned in the months ahead,” according to Duolingo.

This isn’t the first offering outside of language learning offered by the application—the application currently has offered math and music lessons since 2023. The math lessons, which I’ve tried, are a great way to refresh your multiplication tables, while the music lessons go over the basics of music theory while also featuring rhythm-game-link sequences built around actual pop songs.

The chess lessons are a departure, though, by teaching you to play a game instead of a language or academic subject. “Chess is an ideal fit for Duolingo,” Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, said in a press release. “It sharpens your brain, it’s packed with strategy, and like language learning, it’s a skill that gets better with practice.”

The app is intended to make chess more accessible, so it should be no surprise that the lessons themselves are intended for beginners, starting from the mechanics about how each piece moves before moving on to tactics and strategy. The average lesson is built around short puzzles—you may, for example, be asked to checkmate the opposition in a single move. There are also mini-matches, and even full chess games, all played against Oscar (the cartoon mustachioed man with a memorable deep voice, long featured in Duolingo’s language learning courses).

The Trump administration’s tariffs are having swift and serious consequences on global markets. Companies are pausing sales to the United States, while others are thinking about price increases to compensate for the added tariff fees. Combine that instability with inflation and other financial insecurities, and it’s a tough time for economies everywhere.

Unfortunately, these increased costs of doing business don’t usually end up benefitting the consumer. In fact, quite the opposite: We end up eating the extra cost. Such is the case with the PlayStation 5. Depending on where you live, it’s now more expensive than ever—despite being more than four years old.

PS5 prices are going up

In a Sunday post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony announced that SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) made the decision to bump the MSRP for the PS5 in “select markets.” That includes Europe, Middle East and Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. (However, Sony did not specify price increases for its Middle East and Africa markets.) The company did not mention tariffs as part of its reasoning, and, to that point, spared the U.S. from a price increase—as well as the rest of North America.

These are not incremental price increases, either. Australia, for example, gets a AUD $100 increase on the Digital Edition PS5, while its standard PS5 is now above AUD $800. I suppose the small silver lining is Sony reduced the price of the Disc Drive accessory in these markets, but I doubt that will come as too much comfort for affected consumers here:

Here’s what the PS5 now costs in these regions:

Europe

• PS5 Digital Edition: €499.99 (€50 increase)

• Disc Drive: €79.99 (€40 decrease)

UK

• PS5 Digital Edition: £429.99 (£40 increase)

• Disc Drive: £69.99 (£30 decrease)

Australia

• PS5 Digital Edition: AUD $749.95 (AUD $100 increase)

• PS5 with disc drive: AUD $829.95 (AUD $30 increase)

• Disc Drive: AUD $124.95 (AUD $30 decrease)

New Zealand

• PS5 Digital Edition: NZD $859.95 (NZD $90 increase)

• PS5 with disc drive: NZD $949.95 (NZD $50 increase)

• Disc Drive: NZD $135.95 (NZD $30 decrease)

Could the U.S. be next?

It’s definitely possible. The U.S. under the Trump administration is roiling global markets with inconsistent and severe tariffs. If Sony finds they’re on the hook for importing PS5 units into the U.S., they very well may pass the increased costs onto American consumers.

Experts believe the situation could go either way. Christopher Dring of The Game Business thinks Sony won’t increase PS5 prices in the U.S. even if they’re affected by tariffs. Dring believes Sony wants to “protect” the U.S. market, and, as such, is willing to increase global prices instead. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games thinks the opposite, that Sony will likely raise prices and soon, as the timing is “right.”

(Washington, D.C., April 14, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC). Following a thorough line by line review of each of these Biden era partnerships, it became clear that the majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers. Select projects may continue if it is demonstrated that a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers.

With Tax Day 2025 finally here, many of us are pressed for time to file our returns. You might be wondering, “Hey, what if I just… don’t pay my taxes at all?” And you’re not alone in this line of thinking. But even if you can’t pay right now, you absolutely want to file before the deadline.

Fortunately, the IRS offers taxpayers an easy way to get more time: by filing for an extension. Let’s take a look at how to properly request an extension, what it means for your tax obligations, and important considerations to avoid penalties.

What a tax extension actually gives you

Let’s start with a critical point: A tax extension grants you additional time to file your tax return, not additional time to pay any taxes you owe. More specifically:

• You get six more months to complete and submit your tax forms (until Oct. 15, 2025).

• You still must estimate and pay any taxes due by April 15, 2025.

• An extension helps you avoid the failure-to-file penalty, which is much more severe than the failure-to-pay penalty.

Anyone can request an extension for any reason—whether you’re missing documentation, traveling, or simply need more time to organize your finances. You don’t need a “good reason” or to submit any explanation. Plus, filing an extension does not increase your chances of being audited. The IRS treats extended returns the same as timely filed returns.

How to file for an extension

You have a few options to secure that six-month extension.

Option 1: File Form 4868

The official way to request an extension is by submitting IRS Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.”

1. Download Form 4868 from the IRS website.

2. Complete the form with your personal information.

3. Estimate your total tax liability for 2024.

4. Determine if you owe any remaining tax.

5. Submit the form by April 15, 2025, along with payment for any estimated taxes due.

The form is relatively straightforward and requires basic information like your name, address, Social Security number, and estimated tax figures.

Option 2: Electronic filing

You can also file for an extension electronically. The IRS Free File program offers an extension here. Commercial tax softwares, like TurboTax and H&R Block, should also have “File an extension” options on their sites. Electronic filing offers confirmation that your extension request was received and processed.

Option 3: Payment method as extension request

If you’ll be making a payment, you can get an extension without filing Form 4868. Let’s say you make a payment through the IRS Direct Pay system, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or using your credit/debit card through an approved payment processor. When using these methods, indicate the payment is for an extension, and the IRS will automatically process an extension for your filing.

Estimating your tax liability

The challenging part of filing an extension is estimating your tax liability when you don’t have all your documentation ready. To tackle this, some strategies include:

1. Use last year’s return as a baseline, adjusting for major changes in income or deductions.

2. Gather whatever documents you do have (W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest statements) and make a best-effort calculation.

3. When in doubt, overestimate rather than underestimate (you’ll get any overpayment back as a refund).

And going forward, I recommend you start using a spreadsheet to track all your tax-related information throughout the year. I’ve created a basic template to get you started here. The purpose is to create a handy archive of all your tax records in one spot, making it much easier to file on time next year.

State tax extensions

Most states grant automatic extensions if you’ve received a federal extension, but rules vary widely. Key points:

• Some states require their own extension forms

• Many states have different deadlines than the federal extension

• Some states require payment of estimated taxes with the extension request

Check with your state’s tax agency for specific requirements.

Special situations

Filing for an extension typically means an automatic Oct. 15 deadline, except in some specific circumstances.

Americans living abroad

U.S. citizens living abroad automatically receive a two-month extension until June 15 without filing a formal request. (Filing Form 4868 extends this deadline to Oct. 15.)

Military personnel in combat zones

If you’re serving in a combat zone, you receive an automatic extension for both filing and paying for the duration of your service plus 180 days.

Disaster victims

The IRS often provides special extensions for taxpayers affected by federally declared disasters. Check the IRS website for announcements if you’ve been impacted.

What happens if you still miss the extended deadline

If you obtain an extension but still fail to file by Oct. 15, you’re in a tough spot. From here, the failure-to-file penalty starts accruing. That means 5% of unpaid taxes per month, up to 25%. You may lose the ability to make certain elections on your tax return, and you risk losing any unclaimed refund if you wait more than three years to file.

The bottom line

Filing an extension is a straightforward process that can save you from significant penalties if you need more time. Remember these key points:

1. File Form 4868 or make an extension-related payment by April 15.

2. Pay your estimated tax liability by April 15 to avoid failure-to-pay penalties.

3. Complete your actual tax return by Oct. 15.

An extension gives you breathing room to file an accurate tax return rather than rushing and potentially making costly errors. If you’re not ready to file by Tax Day, taking a few minutes now to request an extension is a smart financial move that can save you from much larger penalties down the road.

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It’s amazing how many problems can be solved with good sleep hygiene. If you often feel low on energy, one of the first things you should ask yourself is how much sleep you’re getting. Good sleep also helps our overall health, our recovery from exercise, our ability to focus, and more. And while there are plenty of gadgets and biohacks that claim to help, the fundamentals of sleep hygiene are basic and simple.

How to know if you need more sleep

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep, on average, each night. This varies: Uou might be a seven-hour person or a nine-hour person. (Young people usually need even more; older adults may be okay with less.) So if you’re feeling tired all the time, an easy gut check is to note how much time you spend in bed, on average. If it’s fewer than seven hours, it’s probably not enough. And even if it’s within that seven- to nine-hour window, try getting an extra hour or two of sleep for a few days in a row. If you feel a lot better, you have your answer.

If you have trouble waking up on time but easily fall asleep when you’re sitting quietly (like watching a movie), that’s another sign you’re probably not getting enough sleep. If you sleep in when you get the chance, your wake-up time is another hint. If you sleep in two hours or more past your normal time, that’s your body applying a short-term fix (getting enough sleep now) to a long-term problem (chronically getting too little sleep).

If you know you should sleep more, but you can’t seem to figure out how, below are the basics of sleep hygiene you need to master.

Stick to a sleep schedule

Set a wake-up time that you can stick to every day. Consistency is important here: don’t set the alarm for 6 a.m. on weekdays and sleep until noon on weekends. If you can’t be perfectly consistent—for example, if you work different shifts—adjust as needed, but try to do your best.

Next comes setting a bedtime. Figure out what time you need to hit the hay to get enough sleep before your alarm goes off. Then work backward from that to figure out when to start changing into jammies and whatever else your nighttime routine involves. (More on that routine below.)

Crucial to both steps is prioritizing sleep so you can actually get yourself on schedule. If you’ve been having trouble getting enough sleep lately, give yourself a week or two to make your bedtime and wake-up time (and nine or so hours in between) the highest priority appointments in your calendar. Don’t go out too late, and don’t stay up revenge procrastinating. There will be time for occasional indulgences once your everyday schedule is more consistent.

Include these four things in your bedtime routine

Okay, so what goes into that routine? Feel free to personalize the specific, but sleep experts recommend that you include the following as basic building blocks:

• At least 30 minutes dedicated to winding down. Don’t expect to switch off the lights and instantly be able to zonk out.

• No screens right before bedtime. No, not even with blue-blocking glasses. Those glasses don’t actually block very much blue light anyway. Videos and social media keep your brain awake and unrelaxed, so they don’t really have a place in your wind-down time anyway.

• Dim the lights. A cool, dark bedroom makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Do something relaxing. Read a chill book. Take a luxurious bath. Do some breathing exercises. Whatever works for you.

Sticking to this routine not only helps you get into a relaxed mood for sleeping, it also helps you stick to that sleep schedule you set in the first step. After all, you can’t be halfway through a movie at 10 p.m. if you refrained from starting it at 9 p.m.

Set your body clock during the day

Sleep and darkness aren’t the only things that set your body’s circadian rhythms. Daytime activities help to keep your internal clock on track, and these can help your overall health as well.

• Get plenty of sunlight in the morning. (In the winter, a light box may help.)

• Exercise during the day. You can combine this with sunlight by going for a morning or lunchtime walk. But any type of exercise will help you to sleep better.

• Eat meals during the day. We sleep best when we eat during the daytime; if a nice early breakfast fits your schedule, consider making it a regular thing. But at the very least, don’t eat right before bed.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evenings

Caffeine keeps you up, and its effects linger longer than you may realize. Caffeine has a half-life of five hours, with some of us processing it a little faster or a little slower. To put this another way, If the average person has a 250-milligram cup of coffee at noon (such as a Starbucks Tall sized brewed coffee), they’ll still have about 125 milligrams in their system at 5 p.m. and 63 milligrams at 10 p.m.

The speed with which we break down caffeine varies from person to person, but in general: It’s affecting you more than you realize. If you think of yourself as a person who “can have an energy drink and then fall right to sleep” you are probably (a) in denial—hey, you’re the one who clicked on an article about getting better sleep—and/or (b) you have built up a massive caffeine tolerance because you drink so much of the stuff to stay awake, which in turn is because you don’t get enough sleep so you’re tired all the time. Do yourself a favor and break the cycle.

An easy way to back off is to give yourself a cutoff time. No caffeine after 5 p.m., let’s say. Once that’s part of your routine, walk it back to 2 p.m. or noon.

Alcohol is another chemical that affects our sleep. A nightcap before bed may make you feel sleepy, but it tends to disrupt the quality of your sleep. If you aren’t convinced, just start keeping a sleep diary—on paper is fine if you don’t have a sleep-tracking gadget—and see if you don’t get more and better sleep on the nights you don’t drink.

Make your bedroom a dark little cave

A welcoming, cozy bed will help you get to sleep faster. Make it dark, with blackout curtains or an eye mask, if needed. Make it quiet, with a white noise machine or earplugs if you can’t completely silence your surroundings. And make it a comfortable temperature. Most people prefer a cool environment—usually around 66 degrees—but again, this varies from person to person.

Comfortable sheets and pillows can help. If you’re always tossing and turning, try to figure out if there’s something that physically bothers you. A new mattress might not be in the budget, but a mattress topper or a different pillow is an easy fix.

Experiment

While the tips here are the basic things you should at least try, you may not need every single aspect to be textbook. I freeze if my room is set to 66 degrees, for example, so I keep the thermostat a tick warmer and I make sure I always have a warm duvet, even in summertime.

You may find that you can bend certain rules but not others. I always have a crappy night’s sleep if I’ve been drinking, but late meals don’t bother me much. Once you’re getting a solid night’s sleep on the regular, you can start playing with the routine.

And if you’re doing everything you can for good sleep hygiene and you still feel tired all the time, consider seeking medical help in case you have sleep apnea or another condition that could be affecting your sleep or energy levels.

2024 was the hottest summer ever recorded, and there’s a good chance that future summers will be even warmer. For most people, planning for those future summers involves upgrading their air-conditioning systems and taking other steps to turn the interior of their homes into cool, dark caves. But what happens if you want to get outside for some fresh air? If your yard is too hot to enjoy during the summer, you might as well not have a yard at all.

You can’t air condition the outdoors—but you can lower the temperature with some thoughtful landscaping decisions. If you hesitate to throw a cookout in your outdoor space because you feel like you’re on a grill when you’re out there, consider implementing some of these simple suggestions for how your landscaping is designed.

Plant shade trees

Step one for making your outdoor areas cooler is to remove all that pesky solar energy that makes every moment in your yard feel like a trip to Mercury. Trees are the most attractive, natural, and effective way to shade your yard. Shade can lower the air temperature of your outdoor space by 15 to 20 degrees, which is a significant drop.

Concentrate on deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves annually), as these will shade your yard and house in the summer but let the warming sun through in the winter. Fast-growing choices include sycamores, which have varieties that thrive in a wide range of climates, as well as maple, oak, and honey locust trees.

Ditch hardscapes

If you’ve ever walked out onto your patio in bare feet in the summer, you know that pavement and hardscaping absorb the sun’s heat. While a grass yard has an average temperature of about 78° in full sun, concrete can reach temperatures as high as 135°. Eliminating as much hardscaping as possible in your outdoor areas will not only spare your feet, it will help tamp down the ambient temperature because less heat will be radiating from the ground.

For the hardscaping you want or need to keep, consider using a lighter color scheme, as lighter colors reflect more heat. When installing pavers or other hardscape materials, check the light reflectance value (LRV), which is a measurement of how much light the color reflects. The higher the number, the cooler the surface will be—an LRV above 50 percent is a good starting point.

Finally, consider using permeable pavers or pavements. These materials allow water to pass through, soaking the ground, which can help cool off your outdoor space.

Grow ground cover

You can lower the temperature of the ground or hard surfaces by planting ground cover plants like creeping thyme or vinca. These low-growing plants will spread out and block the sun, lowering the overall temperature of the area and avoiding surfaces that are like skillets against your feet. You can also use a reflective mulch in your plant beds; these include aluminum or other reflective materials to bounce the sun’s light away from the ground, resulting in a small but appreciable decrease in temperature.

Use layers

One strategy for cooling down your outdoor area is to trap and hold onto cool, shaded air. You can accomplish this by creating a layered effect, with plants of different heights helping to hold cooler air in and warmer air out. Trees would obviously be your tallest layer, but planting shrubs and other medium-height plants along with a robust ground cover can insulate your outdoor space naturally, moderating the temperature (and enhancing privacy).

Encourage vines

While tree canopies can keep the sun off your outdoor space when it’s high in the sky, when it starts to sink those punishing rays can still bake your space. Vines and other climbing plants can provide shade horizontally, creeping up fences, trellises, or other vertical surfaces and blocking the sunlight while allowing air movement. Just don’t let them grow on your house—that can lead to serious damage.

Channel the air

Even on hot summer days, a cool breeze can make an incredible difference in your comfort levels. Designing your landscaping to guide those breezes to the areas where you utilize your outdoor space can help tremendously. Planting a line of tall shrubs or evergreen trees on the opposite side of a fence or wall can create a “wind tunnel” effect that drives refreshing breezes toward you, and pruning your shade trees low will facilitate air movement.

On the other hand, if your outdoor space is baked by hot winds, you can plant shrubs or trees to block those winds. Even tall grasses can be effective windbreaks, absorbing and breaking up oven-like breezes before they invade your patio area.

Install a rain garden

Rain gardens are typically used to control water runoff, but they can also be effective in lowering the surrounding temperature of an outdoor space. Rain gardens are located in depressions where deep-rooted native plants are planted, allowing rainwater to drain into the garden instead of pooling elsewhere (on hardscapes, for example). The cooling effect of the rainwater on the ground can impact what’s known as the Urban Heat Island Effect, lowering the overall temperature of the space.

Add water features

You can also add water features like fountains or ponds to help with the temperature of an outdoor space—especially when used in conjunction with layered plantings of trees, shrubs, and grasses. The impact of a small water feature might not be huge, but every little bit will help, and water features also bring beauty and a sense of tranquility to any space—which might make the heat more tolerable.

(Washington, D.C., April 14, 2025) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments, bringing new leadership to key roles within the Department. These appointees have been selected to implement President Trump’s America First agenda at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.