Thursday, 6 July 2023

Texas teen was never really missing, a neighbor says.

July 6, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

Learn all about Threads, Meta's new app that's set to challenge Twitter. Plus, Houston police are investigating the alleged disappearance – and discovery – of a man who reportedly went missing as a teenager nearly a decade ago. And sports medicine experts warn about five risky exercises that often lead to injuries.

The Latest

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta launched Threads, its Twitter competitor, a day early. Here's what to know.

Threads, the text-based social media platform from Facebook and Instagram's parent company, Meta, is now the latest app to challenge Twitter. Threads is now available in more than 100 countries after it was released Wednesday evening, a day ahead of its scheduled debut on the App and Google Play stores. Within seven hours of launching, the app had at least 10 million sign-ups, a Meta spokesperson told NBC News. Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Gordon Ramsay, Tom Brady and Coldplay were among the first celebs to sign up for the app, according to the spokesperson. Read more about Threads here.

Questions emerge about alleged disappearance Rudy Farias, who was reported missing for 8 years.

Houston police have launched an investigation into the alleged disappearance, and later discovery, of Rudy Farias, a man who reportedly went missing when he was teenager eight years ago. It was reported Farias was "located safe" over the weekend in Houston after a yearslong search, but at least one neighbor and a community activist said Farias was never missing and had been living with his mother. Houston police spokesperson Victor Senties told NBC News that investigators were meeting with Farias' family to determine "what actually transpired," and that authorities planned to discuss the case further on Thursday. "We're trying to get to the bottom of what occurred," Senties said. Here's the latest.

Need a new passport? Start your application soon, the State Department says — because it could take 6 months.

As more and more Americans take part in "revenge travel" following a yearslong pandemic, demand for passports, vacations and air travel is surging – leading the State Department to advise travelers to submit passport applications at least six months before their scheduled departure. Current processing times for passports are about 10 to 13 weeks for routine processing, and about seven to nine weeks for expedited processing, which costs $60 more. During some weeks in 2023, the department received twice as many applications compared to the same point in the fiscal year 2022, though an official said the department hopes to return to pre-pandemic processing times by the end of this year. Here's what to know.

💰 A pediatrician shares the 1 key thing parents should do to raise successful kids.

Every parent knows that raising a child is hard, filled with trials and challenges. So, what can moms and dads do to help them grow into successful adults? Dr. Williams, a father of five and a pediatrician based in Utah who goes by @tiktokkiddoc on TikTok, says there's one thing parents need to do to help their children: Make them do chores. "The idea is that when children feel involved in shared responsibilities, they realize they're contributing to part of a larger ecosystem, and there's a real sense of self-worth that comes from that," he tells TODAY.com. Read more.

Start TODAY

Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips.

We all know the importance of exercise, but it's also just as vital to do the right workouts to avoid injuries that may stem from overuse, improper form or too much weight being used. Sports medicine experts we spoke to shared 5 risky exercises that can often lead to injuries, ranging from kettlebell swings that can strain muscles to rigorous bootcamp drills that can be too tough on some people. Running, too, can lead to injuries if you have poor form or improper footwear. See the list, plus tips on how to avoid getting hurt.

What's for dessert?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Looking for a tasty dessert this summer? Look no further than a fresh blueberry crumb pie, courtesy of Kareem "Mr. Bake" Queeman, the owner of Mr. Bake Sweets outside of Washington, D.C. The delicious recipe features a buttermilk crust, blueberry filling and a mouthwatering crumble on top, made for six to eight people. While the pie is tasty year-round, now is especially the perfect time, since blueberry season is in full swing. And here's a hint to make it extra special: Serve it warm, with a side of vanilla ice cream. Get the recipe.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

High school biology teacher Devon Bowker is brewing plenty of laughs on TikTok. Bowker has gone viral for his spot-on impression of a Keurig coffee maker that he shared on the social media site recently. He groans, puffs and hisses, hilariously mimicking the sound of the water heating and the coffee being dispensed. It's so good that if you close your eyes, you'll think you're sitting in your kitchen waiting for a morning cup of joe. Check out his funny impression here.