U.S.
The agency alleges GovAssist and Entry bought Google ads for searches like "passport renewal" and charged travelers for help they could get from the State Department.
By News Unc
The Federal Trade Commission has sued GovAssist LLC, Entry LLC and Scott Zuckerman, alleging that since at least October 2023 their websites, including GovAssist.com, Entry.com and IVS.us, impersonated the U.S. State Department or claimed to be affiliated with it to sell passport and visa services, the agency said October 22. The defendants have not had their day in court; the allegations are the FTC's.
According to the complaint, the companies paid for Google search ads that appeared as top sponsored results for phrases such as "apply for a new passport," "how can I renew my passport" and "passport renewal online," leading travelers to believe they were dealing with the government or an authorized provider. The FTC also alleges false promises about the service to obtain people's financial and personal information.
The official source for U.S. passports is the State Department at travel.state.gov, where many adults can renew online. Look for a .gov address before entering any information, and be wary of the ads above search results, which can be bought by anyone. If you paid a site you thought was the government, the FTC takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Health
The outbreak of Bundibugyo virus, one of the Ebola viruses, has killed more than 4,600 people since May. WHO calls the risk very high in Congo but low globally, and a vaccine trial has begun.
By News Unc
An outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus has reached 9,704 confirmed cases, including 4,687 deaths, across 66 health zones in eight provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as of October 20, the World Health Organization said in its October 23 Disease Outbreak News. Nearly half of confirmed patients have died. Of the 482 deaths since WHO's previous update on October 8, 307 occurred in communities rather than treatment centers, which WHO said shows continuing problems detecting cases early and getting people to care.
The outbreak, declared May 15, has now reached five countries. Kenya reported its first imported case on October 6, in a person who traveled from Congo through Uganda; it had nine cases, including one death, by October 20, all among known contacts of the first patient, with no evidence of wider spread. Nigeria confirmed an imported case in Abuja on October 20, in a patient who had traveled from Uganda. Uganda and France have also had cases.
WHO assesses the risk as very high in Congo, high for neighboring countries and low for the rest of Africa and the world, and is updating that assessment. It advises against restrictions on travel or trade with affected countries. On October 23, a Phase 2/3 trial of vaccine candidates against Bundibugyo virus, called TUMAINI, enrolled its first participants in Bunia. There is no licensed vaccine for this species of Ebola. The disease spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of sick people or contaminated materials, and people are not contagious before symptoms start.
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Economy & business
Freddie Mac's 30-year average fell from 7.40 percent. A day later, a rush into Treasurys pushed the 10-year yield to its lowest close in more than a month.
By News Unc
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.32 percent in Freddie Mac's weekly survey released October 22, down from 7.40 percent the week before. The 15-year fixed averaged 6.68 percent.
Rates could ease further. Mortgage rates track the 10-year Treasury yield, and that yield fell sharply on Thursday as investors moved into government bonds during a stock market sell-off led by technology shares, after a report that the U.S. and Israel might resume strikes on Iran pushed oil higher. Treasury's own daily figures put the 10-year at 4.96 percent on October 22, down 0.17 point in a day, its first close below 5 percent in about a month. The 2-year fell to 4.65 percent and the 30-year to 5.29 percent.
The Federal Reserve announces its next rate decision Wednesday, October 28; markets broadly expect it to hold its target range at 3.75 to 4 percent. Freddie Mac's survey reflects rates for borrowers with strong credit and a 20 percent down payment, so quotes vary. If you are shopping, compare the annual percentage rate and fees on the Loan Estimate each lender must give you within three business days of applying.
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U.S.
Saturday, October 31, is the last day to drive most of the park this year. Only the North-to-Northeast road through Lamar Valley stays open all winter.
By News Unc
Yellowstone National Park closes its West, South and East entrances and nearly all park roads to regular vehicle traffic on November 1, the park said October 21. Saturday, October 31, is the last day visitors can drive most of Yellowstone's roads in 2026. The road from Tower Fall to Canyon Junction over Dunraven Pass stays open through October 31, weather permitting.
Through the winter, the only route open to cars is the road between the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley. It stays open year-round, weather permitting. Snowmobile and snowcoach travel season starts December 15.
If you are going before the closure, expect limited services and changing weather, and closures that can happen without notice. Keep the gas tank full and pack blankets and cold-weather gear. Road conditions are on the park's Park Roads page, by text alert (text 82190 to 888-777) or by phone at 307-344-2117.
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