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Senate Democrats blocked a House-passed stopgap funding bill Wednesday, 55-45, short of the 60-vote threshold needed. The measure would reopen federal government until November 21. Three Democrats supported the Republican resolution.

This marked the third vote in two weeks, first during an active shutdown. Critical federal employees including military personnel and Border Patrol agents work without pay. Disputes center on health insurance subsidies and budget director authority.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune plans weekend votes. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says Republicans must negotiate on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican opposing, citing Biden-era funding levels.

Walmart announced Wednesday it will remove synthetic dyes and 30 artificial ingredients from store brands by January 2027. Changes affect Great Value and other brands, including sports drinks, frosting, and cheese dip.

The move aligns with the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called on food companies to eliminate synthetic dyes. Over 50% of Walmart shoppers now check ingredient labels.

Walmart will reformulate over 1,000 products while maintaining stable prices. Major food companies including Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Tyson have pledged similar changes.

Related: Amazon launched a new private-label grocery brand.

Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and conservationist, died Wednesday in Los Angeles at 91 (NYT). The British scientist gained recognition for groundbreaking chimpanzee research in Tanzania's Gombe Stream Reserve beginning in the 1960s.

Her discoveries revealed wild chimpanzees make and use tools, eat meat, and engage in complex social behaviors. National Geographic published her first article in 1963. Evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould called her work a great scientific achievement (read annual reports here).

Dr. Goodall became one of the century's most famous scientists through media coverage. She opened doors for women in primatology and inspired generations of researchers. She died on a speaking tour.

Dr. Jane Goodall on MasterClass | Tim Ferriss interview

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Most people quit languages thinking they need years of study. Entrepreneur Tim Ferriss proved otherwise after "failing" Spanish for years.

The Reality:

The Secret: Your brain remembers images, not repetition. Link "vaca" (cow) to "vacuum" (imagine a cow with a vacuum head).

Ferriss's take (YouTube): "Learning one additional language gives you a brand new lens to view everything in life."

The outcome: He's now conversational in 7+ languages using techniques that take minutes, not semesters.

Get Lifetime Access to Babbel here.

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings uses the "keeper test": if managers wouldn't fight to keep someone, they're let go with generous severance, often nine months' pay. Like elite sports teams, it's about fit, not failure. Direct feedback plus fair exits preserve respect while keeping Netflix agile. High performance meets humanity.

See this clip.

▲ Holiday spending drops 5.3% as tariffs and inflation create weakest retail season since 2020 pandemic

▲ Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion to push right-wing agenda, new book "Gilded Rage" claims

▲ Taylor Swift drops 12th album "The Life of a Showgirl" October 3 with exclusive Target vinyl edition

▲ Hunter S. Thompson death reviewed by Colorado officials 20 years after suicide ruling at his widow's request

▲ Shein stores open in France this November despite Galeries Lafayette opposition to "ultra fast fashion" model

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