We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Memorial Day, widely regarded as the unofficial kickoff to summer, is set to take place this year on Monday, May 25.
As you plan for Memorial Day activities, it’s essential to know which stores and businesses will be open. While many retail outlets and grocery stores will operate as usual, often featuring special holiday promotions, most corporate offices, government agencies, and banks will remain closed due to the federal holiday.
What’s open and closed on Memorial Day 2026:
Banks
Being a holiday within the Federal Reserve System, Memorial Day means that most bank branches will not open their doors.
Despite this, you can still access online banking services and ATMs. However, the stock market will pause operations for the day.
FILE – The sun shines through the flags in the Memorial Day Flag Garden on Boston Common, May 27, 2023, in Boston.AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File
Post offices and shipping services
The United States Postal Service will also take a break in observance of Memorial Day. This means there will be no mail or package deliveries on May 25, and USPS locations will remain closed.
If you’re looking to ship a package via UPS on Memorial Day, take note that the service will not offer any pickups or deliveries and many UPS Store locations will also be closed.
For FedEx, only FedEx Custom Critical delivery will be available on Memorial Day. FedEx Office stores will have modified hours.
MORE: Memorial Day weekend travel: The busiest times to fly and drive
Government agencies and schools
All nonessential government offices, such as the DMV, libraries, courthouses and city hall, will be closed Monday. Federal and state courts will also be closed. Most public school districts will be closed for the holiday, as well.
Retail
Many stores and restaurants will be open Monday, including big box retailers such as Walmart and Target. One notable exception is Costco, which will be closed on May 25.
Grocery stores like Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Publix and Whole Foods will be open this Memorial Day, although it’s a good idea to call and check your local store’s hours of operation.
This story was previously published and has been updated.
On Monday, President Donald Trump observed Memorial Day with a solemn visit to Arlington National Cemetery, honoring the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives in the conflict with Iran.
This year’s Memorial Day marks the first since President Trump initiated military actions in both Venezuela and Iran, following a significant escalation last June with the bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities.
In a statement on Saturday, Trump revealed that the United States is nearing an agreement with Iran, which could potentially bring an end to the ongoing war.
The conflict in Iran began in late February with coordinated strikes by the U.S. and Israel. At the outset, President Trump had assured the public that the military operation would be brief, lasting only a few weeks.
“In two recent wars, we have lost a total of 13 service members,” President Trump remarked to those gathered at the ceremony.
‘In Venezuela, which was a complete and total victory. We’re working very closely with the Venezuelan government right now. We took that over in one day. Lost no one,’ the President said.
‘In Operation Epic Fury, we lost 13 wonderful souls,’ he noted. ‘These incredible men and women gave their lives to ensure that the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror will never have a nuclear weapon.’
‘Oh, and they won’t,’ Trump added. ‘I assure you.’
President Donald Trump paid tribute to the 13 servicemembers who have been killed during Operation Epic Fury as he marked Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday
President Donald Trump participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to mark Memorial Day
The family of one of the war dead, Major Ariana Savino, was in the crowd.
Trump called her death a ‘selfless gift’ that will ‘not be in vain.’
‘Our debt to you is everlasting, and it’s always going to end in victory,’ Trump pledged.
‘We’re having victories all over the place, more than we’ve had in many, many decades,’ the President added.
Trump also linked Memorial Day, a somber occasion, to the upcoming July 4 holiday.
‘Less than six weeks from now, our nation will reach a historic milestone, 250 years of majestic independence,’ Trump said.
‘Before we hail the founding, we honor the fallen. Before we celebrate the triumph, we pay the tribute,’ he said.
Trump was introduced by both Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance.
Cabinet members, including outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (third from right), attend Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery. Also attending (from left) Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and FBI Director Kash Patel
President Donald Trump (left) gives a fist bump alongside Vice President JD Vance (right) during Monday’s Memorial Day programming at Arlington National Cemetery
It likely marked one of Trump’s final official appearances alongside departing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who informed the President on Friday that she would leave the job at the end of June.
Gabbard said she was exiting the administration due to her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
A former Democratic congresswoman who backed progressive Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 race, Gabbard was welcomed into Trump’s MAGA fold during the 2024 race.
She helped the President build a bipartisan coalition that also included former Democrat, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, now Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary.
Gabbard’s a US Army reservist who served in the Iraq war.
She stood alongside other Cabinet members, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Trump first participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery alongside Vance and Hegseth, before delivering remarks.
En route to Arlington, Trump’s motorcade passed the site where the President wants to build his triumphal arch, to mark the country’s 250th birthday.
Protesters set up a demonstration against President Donald Trump’s proposed arch, which he passed by in his motorcade en route to Arlington National Cemetery Monday
On Monday, a group of anti-arch protesters had gathered at the site, heckling the President as he drove by with large signs that read ‘arch insanity’ and one that labeled Trump a ‘rapist.’
A group of Vietnam War veterans is suing the administration over the ‘Arc de Trump,’ arguing it blocks the view of Arlington National Cemetery from the Lincoln Memorial.
The project could also be derailed by a Federal Aviation Administration review that will determine whether the arch poses a flight hazard.
In Saratoga Springs, Utah, a troubling situation has unfolded involving the alleged abduction of two young children by their father, Dane Richman. The Utah Department of Public Safety issued an AMBER Alert on Sunday morning, sparking widespread concern for the safety of the two boys, aged 22 months and 10 months. Law enforcement officials have expressed a grave belief that the children could be in imminent danger.
The urgency of this case was highlighted in a conversation with the boys’ aunt, Katie Walters, who provided insights into the events leading up to the alert. According to Walters, alarm bells were first raised when her sister, Dane’s wife, attended a deposition only to discover that Dane had unexpectedly dismissed his attorney, claiming he no longer required legal representation.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Authorities in Champaign are currently probing reports of gunfire that emerged on Sunday evening, with evidence indicating shots were discharged at two separate sites.
Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Grove Street around 7:50 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered signs of gunfire near the crossroads of East Grove Street and North 5th Street. Further evidence was also found on Tremont Street, stretching between 4th and 5th Streets. Fortunately, no injuries had been reported by 8:50 p.m.
A Canadian teenager has found herself in hot water, facing arson charges after allegedly setting ablaze a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team. The incident unfolded during a road trip to Winnipeg, Canada, marking an unexpected twist in the team’s travel itinerary.
The Kane County Cougars, an independent professional baseball team hailing from the United States, were on Canadian soil for a series of games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. This scheduled visit took an alarming turn when their mode of transportation became the center of a fire emergency.
On May 21, the Winnipeg Police Service responded swiftly to reports of the team’s bus consumed by flames outside Blue Cross Park. This startling scene greeted both the team and law enforcement as they arrived, igniting a criminal investigation that quickly pointed to a teenage suspect.
In an unrelated case, federal authorities have also been dealing with a separate incident involving an Arizona suspect accused of vandalizing an ICE facility and attempting to set fire to its lobby, highlighting a troubling pattern of arson-related activities.
The charges against the Canadian teenager for the bus fire have captured attention, with the case underscoring issues of safety and security during international sports tours. The Kane County Cougars, undeterred by the incident, continue their season with an eye on ensuring the safety of their players and staff during future travels.
Authorities determined that the fire was intentionally set. Two teenagers were initially taken into custody. A 15-year-old girl has since been charged with arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM EVACUATES BUS BEFORE IT GOES UP IN FLAMES ON HIGHWAY
The teen was later released into the custody of a responsible adult, police said.
“The entire bus and contents were destroyed,” the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.
AUSTIN POLICE ARREST 2 JUVENILES ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO 12 RANDOM SHOOTINGS INJURING 4 PEOPLE
A New York Yankees photo shows a bag of baseballs on a field.(New York Yankees/Getty Images)
“We are very disappointed that this could happen to our family-owned company, and the loss of this vehicle will impact our business and operations,” Windstar operations manager Jackson Greteman told a CBC Lite.
“We are happy that no one was hurt in this reckless act of vandalism and are co-operating with local authorities,” he added.
VIDEO SHOWS TEENS CARVING UP GOLF COURSE GREENS IN RECKLESS STUNT, POLICE SAY
Police in Winnipeg arrested a Canadian teen after a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team was destroyed in a fire.(Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Greteman said damage to the 56-seat bus and destroyed equipment is estimated at roughly $425,000.
Authorities have not publicly discussed a possible motive as the investigation continues.
Mitch Picasso is a Fox News digital production assistant. You can reach him at @mitch_picasso on Twitter.
The latest installment in the Star Wars saga, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” premiered in cinemas on Friday, but its debut weekend box office figures have set an unfortunate record.
Starring Pedro Pascal, the film brought in $82 million during its initial weekend. This marks the lowest opening for a Star Wars film since Disney’s acquisition of the franchise in 2012, as reported by Variety.
Despite this underwhelming start, projections suggest that the film could reach $102 million by the close of Memorial Day.
Furthermore, according to The Wrap, the movie is expected to gross approximately $165 million globally.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” arrives after 2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” which debuted with $84 million in its first weekend—a figure that inflates to $112 million when adjusted for current economic conditions, as noted by Fox News.
By that calculation, The Mandalorian came in $30 million under its predecessor in its opening weekend.
The Mandalorian And Grogu, the latest film in the Star Wars franchise, hit theaters on Friday, and the opening weekend box office numbers marked a new low
With the Pedro Pascal-led feature earning $82 million in its opening weekend, it’s the worst Star Wars opening since Disney acquired it in 2012
Solo’s Memorial Day gross was $103 million, or $139 after adjusting for inflation, setting the Mandalorian $37 million behind it.
The latest Star Wars production cost about $165 million and currently has a 62% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 89% audience score.
The Jon Favreau-directed film stars Pascal, 51, as the enigmatic Din Djarin, aka The Mandalorian.
It sees Djarin reunite with loyal ward Grogu, an infant member of the same alien race as Yoda.
Ahead of its theatrical release last week, the movie received terrible reviews.
The Times gave it one star, dismissing Favreau’s offering as the final nail in the Star Wars coffin.
‘You wouldn’t leave a dying dog like this,’ wrote Kevin Maher. ‘But that’s what Star Wars has become. Putting it down would be a mercy killing.’
Meanwhile, The Telegraph awarded two stars, while delivering a proportionately scathing review.
The latest Star Wards production cost about $165 million and currently has a 62% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 89% audience score
‘Disney has been trying to turn Star Wars into another Marvel-like franchise for some time,’ wrote Robbie Collin. ‘And in that respect The Mandalorian and Grogu is a roaring success, insofar as it feels like a skippable new episode in a soap opera you lost interest in years ago…’
In another two star review, The Independent criticized Favreau for an over-reliance on CGI effects: ‘As much as little Grogu, with his fuzzy, twitchy ears and chubby-cheeked smile, remains a slam dunk on the cuteness scale, Favreau has reduced him here more to strategy than character – something to cut to when the characters have run out of things to say.
‘What ingenuity there is in the practical puppet work is undercut by how often, and jarringly so, they force him to interact with fully CGI characters. With The Mandalorian And Grogu, Star Wars has lost all sense of wonder.’
The Hollywood Reporter offered a more enthusiastic response, describing the film as an ‘exciting and entertaining fast-paced space adventure’ that ‘looks and feels like a Star Wars movie.’
But the publication criticized its shaky plot, adding: ‘It still feels stubbornly small in its relatively inconsequential storyline and themes.
‘It’s hard to imagine anyone experiencing this as their first Star Wars film and getting hooked for life as those who saw the original trilogy in theaters did.’
Despite some official banking indicators hinting at economic stability, many Americans are still grappling with significant financial stress, according to a newly released forecast.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling reports that the average financial stress level for Americans was 6.6 on a scale of one to ten during the first quarter of this year. The organization predicts that this number could rise slightly to 6.7 by the end of the current quarter, highlighting a continued period of heightened financial strain for consumers.
The nonprofit credit counseling group points out that these figures indicate ongoing debt issues are straining household budgets, reducing savings, and curbing financial flexibility.
“The persistence of the FSF within the 6.4–6.8 range suggests that high consumer financial stress has become entrenched,” stated the organization on its website, emphasizing the enduring nature of financial challenges faced by many.
Historical data from the forecast reveals a gradual increase in financial stress over the past two years. The index rose from 4.7 in late 2022 to a peak of 6.8 by late 2025, with only a slight decrease observed this year. With the current reading standing at 6.6, it remains significantly higher than pre-crisis levels, indicating that consumers continue to struggle with persistent debt pressures.
The latest reading is nearly double a post-pandemic low near 3.5 in 2021, according to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, or NFCC.
The forecast is based on a proprietary model that combines counseling-intake data from NFCC members with Federal Reserve indicators tied to consumer loans, delinquencies and charge-offs.
NFCC claims the model predicts future delinquency and charge-off rates with “95% accuracy,” though the organization has not publicly released its methodology or independent validation data.
The broader economic picture paints a mixed portrait of the American consumer.
Official data cited in the report show total US household debt ticked up to $18.8 trillion in the first quarter of 2026 — an increase of $18 billion, or 0.1% — while credit-card balances stood at $1.25 trillion.
Debt-service burdens have also risen sharply since the pandemic, leaving households with less breathing room for emergencies and discretionary spending.
At the same time, Federal Reserve data show bank credit-card delinquency and charge-off rates eased somewhat compared with last year, suggesting financial conditions may have plateaued at a painfully high level rather than spiraling further downward.
The NFCC report also cited Federal Reserve survey data showing only 63% of Americans said they could cover a $400 emergency expense using cash or its equivalent — unchanged from recent years but down from a post-pandemic high of 68% in 2021.
The forecast’s author said the index should be viewed less as an official economic gauge and more as an “early-warning signal” generated from distressed-household behavior.
Americans have plenty of reason to be stressed financially.
While inflation may have cooled from its 2022 peak, they are still paying sharply higher prices for everyday essentials. Consumer prices rose 3.8% in April from a year earlier, while grocery prices climbed 3.2% and restaurant prices rose 3.6%.
Gas prices have surged 28.4% over the past year, while broader energy costs jumped nearly 18%, adding fresh pressure to household budgets.
Many staple foods continue to get more expensive.
Ground beef prices have soared nearly 19% over the past year to a record $6.90 per pound, steak prices jumped 17.1% and coffee prices climbed 29%, according to federal inflation data.
Even prices that have cooled remain far above pre-pandemic levels. Egg prices have fallen from last year’s avian-flu spike, but a dozen eggs still costs about 54% more than they did in early 2020.
Rents, airline fares, utilities and household goods also posted fresh increases in April, underscoring how higher costs continue to spread across the economy.
In a recently leaked phone call, Donald Trump informed leaders from the Arab world that he would only facilitate a peace agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if they agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
During a conference call on Saturday, prominent Middle Eastern leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, joined Trump to discuss steps towards resolving the US-Iran conflict and restoring access to the crucial oil route.
Trump used the opportunity to push these leaders to recognize and establish ties with Israel, a request directed at countries that have historically opposed Israel since it was established in 1948.
The Arab leaders were reportedly taken aback by Trump’s condition, choosing not to respond and remaining silent throughout the call, as reported by Axios.
Following the unexpected quiet, Trump, feeling uneasy, inquired, “Are they still there?”
With the silence unbroken, Trump ended the call by announcing that his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would follow up on Israel normalization in the weeks ahead.
Following the dramatic weekend call, peace talks between the US and Iran have stalled on Monday, with both sides at an impasse over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and the unfreezing of Iranian assets, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Trump issued an extraordinary new threat on Truth Social, posting a meme that depicts him forcing a cartoon terrorist representing Iran to negotiate or he ‘will blow s*** up.’
President Donald Trump and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia stand for a photo with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and other participants at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center on November 19, 2025 in Washington, DC
Trump issued an extraordinary new threat on Truth Social, posting a meme that depicts him forcing a cartoon terrorist representing Iran to negotiate or he ‘will blow s*** up’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on March 19
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman looks on during a meeting with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on November 18
The President vowed that the US and Iran will either reach ‘a great and meaningful’ agreement to end the war ‘or there will be no deal.’
The post appeared to be another attempt to push back at critics who warn that a pact without restrictions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions risked a resurrection of the Obama deal struck in 2015.
Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, during his first term, trashing it as ‘the worst deal in history.’
‘It will be the exact opposite of the JCPOA disaster negotiated by the failed Obama Administration, which was a direct and open path to a Nuclear Weapon for Iran,’ Trump posted on Monday.
Iran said the deal under negotiation doesn’t include any immediate concessions to its nuclear program, only a commitment to discuss the issue during a 60-day period, with the current talks centered around reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil fell to its lowest price in more than a month on hopes of a deal, with global benchmark Brent crude dropping to $97 per barrel.
The President rump has long sought to expand the Abraham Accords, his 2020 deal that normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
However, Israel’s standing among Arab nations has plummeted in the wake of the Gaza war, which has reportedly killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, late Wednesday, March 11
A fire burns after a missile strike on February 28, 2026 in central Tel Aviv, Israel
Kushner and Witkoff have led negotiations for the US in the most significant global conflicts during Trump’s second administration, including Iran, Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza.
The Abraham Accords were a key milestone of the first Trump administration.
Nations that have signed on so far include Bahrain, Morocco, the UAE and Sudan, as well as Israel.
On Sunday, Trump addressed his desire for more Middle Eastern states to sign peace agreements with Israel.
‘I would like to thank, thus far, all of the countries of the Middle East for their support and cooperation, which will be further enhanced and strengthened by their joining the Nations of the historic Abraham Accords,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He added: ‘Who knows, perhaps the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to join, as well!’
Trump also said the US relationship with Iran was ‘becoming a much more professional and productive one.’
However, he urged Iran to ‘understand’ that it could not develop a nuclear weapon or bomb.
Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran
Trump announced yesterday afternoon that the Iranian peace agreement was ‘largely negotiated’ but still ‘subject to finalization.’
‘In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,’ he said on Truth Social.
Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the UAE, was among the Muslim leaders who told Trump they supported the deal to end the war, according to Axios.
Addressing the common concern of a ‘muffin top’ requires a comprehensive approach, especially for those over 60. While excess fat around the waist is often targeted, it’s crucial to consider the overall decline in muscle mass and activity level that typically accompanies aging. Traditional crunches may intensify the burn in your abdominal muscles, but they fall short in terms of energy expenditure and muscle development, which are vital for reshaping your waistline.
The concept of spot reduction is tempting but misleading; fat loss doesn’t occur from exercising specific muscles but rather from maintaining a caloric deficit over time. Engaging in strength training, staying active daily, and doing regular cardio can accelerate fat loss. These activities, combined with muscle-building exercises, help you achieve a firmer appearance as your body fat percentage decreases.
When coaching individuals with these goals, incorporating exercises that engage multiple muscle groups is key. Involving the legs, hips, core, and shoulders, while also raising the heart rate, offers a more effective calorie burn and training impact than repetitive crunches. The following six bodyweight exercises are straightforward to set up and provide a beneficial mix of conditioning, core stability, and lower-body strength. These moves can be integrated into your routine multiple times a week for optimal results.
Spot reduction sounds appealing, but your body doesn’t pull fat from one area just because you’re training nearby muscles. Fat loss comes from burning more calories than you take in over time. Strength work, daily movement, and consistent cardio all help move that process along while muscle-building exercises help your body look firmer as your overall body fat comes down.
When I coach this type of goal, I’m looking for exercises that bring more of the body into the work. You want your legs, hips, core, shoulders, and heart rate involved, because that gives you a better calorie burn and a stronger training effect than lying down for another round of crunches. The six moves below keep the setup simple while giving you a practical mix of conditioning, core control, and lower-body strength you can repeat throughout the week.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks raise your heart rate quickly while training your calves, shoulders, hips, and core to move together. The steady rhythm makes them useful for increasing calorie burn without equipment, which helps when the goal is to shrink a muffin top through overall fat loss. Your abs and obliques also help keep your torso tall as your arms and legs move. Keep the pace smooth and use a low-impact version if the jumping feels rough on your joints.
Muscles Trained: Calves, glutes, shoulders, core
How to Do It:
Stand tall with your feet together and your arms at your sides.
Brace your core and keep your chest lifted.
Jump your feet out while raising your arms overhead.
Jump your feet back together while lowering your arms.
Continue at a steady pace.
Use step-out jacks if jumping feels uncomfortable.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 30 to 45 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Step-out jumping jacks, half jacks, slower tempo jumping jacks
Form Tip: Land softly and keep your torso tall.
Incline Mountain Climbers
Incline mountain climbers train your core, shoulders, hip flexors, and legs while keeping the movement more approachable than floor mountain climbers. Elevating your hands helps you control your plank position, but your midsection still has to brace as your knees drive forward. That combination gives you core work and calorie burn in a single exercise, which beats crunches when the goal is to trim the waist. Keep your hips steady and move with control instead of bouncing through the set.
Muscles Trained: Core, shoulders, hip flexors, quadriceps
How to Do It:
Place your hands on a bench, counter, or sturdy elevated surface.
Step your feet back into an incline plank position.
Brace your core and keep your hips level.
Drive one knee toward your chest.
Return your foot to the starting position.
Alternate legs with steady control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 30 to 45 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds between each set.
Form Tip: Keep your hips quiet and avoid letting your lower back sag.
Walking
Walking helps shrink a muffin top by burning calories. It’s low impact, easy to recover from, and simple enough to repeat most days, which makes it one of the most underrated fat-loss tools after 60. A brisk walk also keeps your hips, glutes, calves, and core active without beating up your joints. Add a little pace, hills, or longer routes, and walking becomes a steady way to support the fat loss that crunches can’t deliver on their own.
Muscles Trained: Glutes, hamstrings, calves, core
How to Do It:
Stand tall with your shoulders relaxed.
Start at an easy pace for a few minutes.
Increase your speed until your breathing gets slightly heavier.
Swing your arms naturally as you walk.
Keep your stride smooth and comfortable.
Finish with a few slower minutes to cool down.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Walk for 20 to 40 minutes most days of the week. Rest as needed.
Best Variations: Incline walking, brisk walking intervals, longer steady walks
Form Tip: Walk with purpose and keep your chest lifted.
Jogging
Jogging adds more intensity than walking while still keeping the movement simple and equipment-free. The higher effort raises calorie burn, trains your legs, and challenges your core to keep your posture steady as you move. For shrinking a muffin top, jogging works best when it fits your joints and recovery, so short intervals often beat forcing long runs. Even a few controlled bursts mixed into a walk can give your routine a stronger conditioning effect.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 8 to 12 rounds of 20 to 60 seconds jogging with 60 to 90 seconds walking. Rest as needed.
Best Variations: Walk-jog intervals, incline walking instead of jogging, shorter jogging bursts
Form Tip: Keep your stride short and land softly.
Alternating Lunges
Alternating lunges train your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core while making your body stabilize through each rep. Your legs create the main force, and your midsection keeps your torso steady as your weight shifts from side to side. That makes lunges more effective than crunches for body composition because larger muscles do meaningful work. Lowering your lower-body strength also helps you stay more active throughout the day, which supports the calorie deficit needed to reduce fat around the waist.
Lower your back knee toward the floor with control.
Push through your front foot to return to standing.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Continue alternating with steady control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per leg. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Reverse lunges, assisted lunges, shorter-step lunges
Form Tip: Keep your torso tall and drive through your front foot.
Alternating Bodyweight Step-Ups
Alternating bodyweight step-ups train your glutes, quads, calves, and core while building strength in a movement you use daily. Every step asks one leg to drive your body upward while your hips and midsection keep you balanced. That makes step-ups a strong choice for shrinking a muffin top because they involve more muscle and more energy than isolated ab work. They also carry over to stairs, curbs, trail walks, and staying confident on your feet.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per leg. Rest for 45 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Lower step-ups, assisted step-ups, slow step-downs
Form Tip: Use your lead leg to lift your body rather than pushing off the floor hard.
What Actually Helps Shrink a Muffin Top After 60
Shutterstock
6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
A muffin top changes when your overall body fat starts trending down, and your muscles get regular strength-building work. Crunches can still have a place, but they shouldn’t be the whole plan. These bodyweight moves work your legs, hips, core, and conditioning, which gives your body a better reason to burn energy and build firmer muscle.
Build your routine around movements you can repeat: Walking, step-ups, lunges, and incline climbers work well because they’re simple enough to come back to often. Consistency drives more change than one exhausting workout followed by several missed days.
Use cardio and strength together: Walking, jogging, and jumping jacks help increase calorie burn. Lunges and step-ups help build the muscle that supports better body composition.
Keep your calorie intake aligned with your goal: Fat loss still comes from burning more calories than you consume. Prioritize protein, keep portions consistent, and avoid turning exercise into permission to overeat.
Choose joint-friendly versions when needed: Step-out jacks, incline climbers, walking intervals, and assisted lunges still count. The right variation lets you train harder with better form.
Move outside your workouts: Short walks, stairs, housework, and extra standing time all add to daily energy burn. Those small pieces matter when repeated over the course of weeks.
The best plan doesn’t need to crush you. It needs to keep you moving, challenge the right muscles, and fit into enough days each week to build momentum.
Courtney Andelman, an American, first experienced the allure of New Zealand during a visit in the 1990s. It was a trip that left a lasting impression on her, igniting a deep affection for the country.
“There are certain places in the world where your heart simply sings, and your soul feels completely full. For me, that place is New Zealand,” she expressed with heartfelt emotion.
Recalling her initial arrival, she said, “You step off the plane and immediately sense that this is a truly special place.”
Fast forward three decades to 2025, and Courtney, alongside her husband Jim, decided to solidify their connection to New Zealand. They achieved this by securing an ‘investor visa,’ commonly referred to as a “golden visa.”
This type of visa provides a pathway to permanent residency for affluent individuals who choose to invest in the local economy, thereby making their stay more permanent.
Courtney and her husband are part of New Zealand’s investor visa surge. Credit: Supplied
California-based venture capitalists for more than 25 years, the Andelmans and their university-aged twin daughters jumped at the opportunity and recently became the 100th family to be given the visa.
“I just felt just some sort of real connection to the country, loved the people,” she told SBS Dateline.
“This is one of those things that fell into the value bucket for us of ‘what are the life experiences that do we want to have and do our kids want to have?’ And so it’s a worthy investment from our perspective.”
How New Zealand’s golden visa became so popular
Increasing numbers of New Zealanders have left their home country in recent years, with many moving to Australia. In the 12 months to September 2025, nearly 73,000 Kiwis left the country, an increase of 8 per cent from the previous year. Many have cited the economy and lack of employment opportunities.
But one group is showing a surge of interest in New Zealand: wealthy Americans.
In a time of geopolitical instability, New Zealand regularly ranks as one of the safest countries in the world.
New Zealand’s system, the ‘Active Investor Plus Visa’, was first introduced in 2022 by then prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s government — specifically by Stuart Nash, who was minister of economic development at the time. He now runs a consultancy specialising in golden visa applicants.
Nash told SBS Dateline his clients are primarily European and American. Many of his US clients are chiefly concerned with safety, in particular, gun safety — regardless of their political affiliation.
After Donald Trump won the US presidential elections in 2024, there was a spike in searches for New Zealand property from US users. Realestate.com.nz reported a 180 per cent increase in searches in the days after the election. A similar surge was reported after his January inauguration.
But Nash says his clients are not “political refugees” looking to leave the country because of the Trump administration. Instead, they’re people who view New Zealand as being more secure and safe in general.
“The majority of clients we have are those who are seeking a sort of ‘plan b’,” he said.
“Once you’ve got permanent residency, you’ve got it for life. And it’s not just the prime investor, it’s his or her partner or spouse, and their children under the age of 24.”
New Zealand’s golden visa changes
New Zealand’s government changed the visa requirements in early 2025, reducing how much someone needs to invest — which used to be NZ$15 million — and how long they must spend in the country.
You can apply for two types of visas, the growth category, which requires an investment of NZ$5 million ($4.1 million) and the balanced category, which requires NZ$10 million ($8.2 million).
The growth category allows for direct business investments and managed funds, while those on the balanced category can invest in things like philanthropy, equities, government bonds and property development.
Since the changes, hundreds of applications have been received and around NZ$4 billion ($3.2 billion) is set to be invested into the local economy
Data from March 2026 shows most visa applications have come from the US, followed by China and Hong Kong. Germany also has a high proportion of investor visa applicants.
Why Courtney’s family pursued a golden visa
Unlike some of Stuart Nash’s clients, Courtney said her family’s concern isn’t safety — their decision to pursue the visa comes out of a love for New Zealand, and the chance to be “global residents”.
They consider their home base of California a “pretty darn good place” to live.
Courtney said New Zealand is “just an absolutely heartwarming place to spend time and energy and frankly, to be involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she said.
While it’s not her chief concern, she has met families considering the move because they value New Zealand’s perceived safety.
“There are certainly people who are concerned and for all the right reasons. Everyone’s lived experience is their own.”
Other Americans looking to New Zealand
Outside of investor visa applications, US interest in New Zealand has generally increased in recent years. Provisional data from Statistics NZ shows that as of March 2026, there were around 4,400 US migrants to New Zealand, up from 1,400 in 2021.
The 2026 data is provisional because to be considered a migrant, someone must spend 12 of the next 16 months in the country – the numbers can’t be confirmed until that period has ended.
Interest in New Zealand also spiked in 2023, when there were 4,400 migrant arrivals.
Among that group are David Burnett and his family, who came to New Zealand on a skilled migrant pathway two years ago.
He launched a venture capital company in Auckland and says the country has a “world class … depth of talent”.
He credits his wife with the decision to move, which he calls “the best decision our family’s made”.
“She’s the one who really saw New Zealand as an opportunity. She saw what’s available for us as a family,” he said.
Initially, David had pushed to keep their house in San Diego.
“My wife looked at me and said, we’re not doing plan B. And she was right,” he said.
Various things drew the family to New Zealand, including its culture, education system and safety. Political tension and gun issues in the US played into the decision too.
“But really, the draw was much more of a pull into New Zealand, and all that New Zealand has to offer as opposed to getting away from the US,” he said.
Citizenship controversies
Beyond investors and migrants, New Zealand has also been seen as a potential option for billionaires, most notably Peter Thiel, the German American tech entrepreneur, who co-founded PayPal and heads up data firm Palantir. He was embroiled in a long-running dispute over his plans to build a lodge in Wānaka near Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island, which were rejected.
Thiel was granted citizenship in 2011 after spending only 12 days New Zealand.
This wasn’t revealed until 2017, when New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs published information around Thiel’s citizenship.
Peter Thiel’s plans to build a 330m-long luxury lodge in Lake Wanaka were rejected by the local council and New Zealand’s Environment Court. Credit: AAP / AP / Carolyn Kaster
The documents showed Thiel was granted citizenship despite not meeting the usual requirements, including spending a certain number of days in the country — something that sparked widespread controversy in New Zealand.
The application argued citizenship would allow him to “represent the country on the international stage”.
Nathan Guy, who was internal affairs minister when Thiel was granted citizenship, said in 2017 that he “is a great ambassador for New Zealand.”
“New Zealand is seen as sort of a global bunker compared to what’s happening around the world,” said former NZ MP now consultant Stuart Nash.
“So people aren’t literally digging huge big storage areas underground for them to live in five years and cases of nuclear war, but they are seeing New Zealand as a safe haven in these troubled times.”
In general, New Zealand is perceived as being safe because of its distance from points of global conflict. That isolation, “which was once a barrier to people coming to New Zealand is now one of our core strengths”, he told SBS Dateline.
Golden visa complications
While Thiel’s citizenship sparked debate across New Zealand, investor visas haven’t received the same backlash.
Dr Jesse Whitehead, a senior research fellow at the University of Waikato’s Te Ngira Institute for Population Research, said these visas aren’t likely to have a significant impact on the country’s population in general because the number of applicants are “just too small”.
However, there has been some controversy over the 2025 reforms, where an English language requirement for golden visa applicants — which is standard across other visa types — was removed.
Whitehead also highlights that those on investor and golden visas only have to spend a certain number of days in New Zealand.
“I think that’s what the government are really aiming for, is to bring people into New Zealand to help local businesses to leverage off those skills,” he said.
“The risk is that if you only have to spend three weeks in the country over a three-year period, when does that actually happen?”
Why some aren’t making a permanent move to NZ
For the golden visa holders themselves, there can be complications too.
In 2018, Ardern banned foreigners from owning property in the country after concerns about house prices.
As of March 2026, that rule has now been relaxed for golden visa applicants — but they can only buy or build a property valued at $5 million or more.
It’s a caveat designed to prevent valuable housing stock being bought up from locals.
Whitehead said because of the $5 million cap, golden visa migrants are unlikely to impact housing affordability generally in New Zealand.
But golden visa migrants buying property could lead to “localised and nuanced issues”, for example in Queenstown, a popular tourist destination, already grappling with high house prices and rates of unoccupancy.
He said an influx of investor visa migrants could possibly add to that.
“Maybe they’re buying up more property that sits vacant, or they’re using that short-term accommodation that then can’t go to meeting local demand,” he said.
“Those challenges could be exacerbated. But I guess at the moment it’s a kind of wait and see.”
Queenstown is very popular among tourists who are drawn to its adventure activities and ski fields. But it also has extremely high rates of housing insecurity. Credit: Hannah Peters / Getty Images
Courtney says that New Zealand’s tax laws have made it difficult for her and her family.
“The way the tax laws [and] policies are currently in effect, we will never be able to move to New Zealand full time”.
In New Zealand, you can be taxed on shares you hold overseas, depending on the cost of those investments. You are also taxed based on your global income, not just that earned in New Zealand.
This has meant the family hasn’t spent as much time in New Zealand as they initially expected to. You are considered a resident for tax purposes if you stay in the country for more than 183 days in a year, or if you have a ‘permanent place of abode’.
Courtney said their decision to choose New Zealand as their investor visa location was not done “with a lens towards tax efficiency”. Taxation laws in countries that offer golden visas differ.
“I might have made a different choice had I understood the tax implications really truthfully.”
