An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: How to maximize your time off in 2026; sinking dams; a longevity expert’s meal plan; and more

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By Jamie Ross and Izin Akhabau

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Good morning. It's Friday, Jan. 2, and we had no idea that a napkin collection could be so fascinating until we read this article. Now let's get to the news.

A quick note: The 7 podcast is taking a short break. It'll be back Monday.

Authorities are searching for answers after a deadly bar fire in Switzerland.

People lay candles and flowers near the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. (Antonio Calanni/AP)

The latest: The fire killed about 40 people and injured 115, officials said yesterday. Authorities are working to determine how it started and became so deadly.
Who were the victims? Many were young people celebrating the new year, according to police. The task of identifying them could take days or even weeks.

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Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the mayor of New York City.

What to know: Mamdani, 34, is a democratic socialist and the city's first Muslim mayor. His campaign focused on affordability — an increasingly important issue for voters.
His plans: Mamdani's promises include free buses and universal child care. He aims to fund his ideas by raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy, who spent big trying to defeat him.

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One of President Donald Trump's key claims about the economy isn't backed up by data.

What Trump has said: That Americans are winning as a result of his immigration crackdown, claiming last month that job creation is booming for U.S.-born workers.
What the data shows: U.S.-born workers are actually doing moderately worse under Trump than they were under President Joe Biden, with the unemployment rate on the rise.
Behind the scenes: Meet the quiet influencer always by Trump's side.

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Satellites show dozens of U.S. dams appear to be sinking.

This photo shows a dam that was breached on the Tittabawassee River in Sanford, Michigan, in May 2020. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The details: Using radar from satellites to survey hydropower dams in 13 states and Puerto Rico, a recent study detected subtle shifts in the height of all 41 dams examined.
What it means: The findings don't necessarily indicate that downstream communities are in immediate danger. But the research could be used to identify potential problems.

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A hidden risk to your heart has no treatment, but that could soon change.

What to know: A fatty particle can clog your arteries, but it often goes undetected and strikes down seemingly healthy people. Now, experimental drugs are in development.
Look after your heart: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country, even though most cases are preventable. Follow these 10 science-based tips to reduce your risk.

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This longevity expert revealed what to eat to become a "super ager."

Eric Topol is a cardiologist and author of the best-selling book "Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity." (Sandy Huffaker/For The Washington Post)

Meet Eric Topol: He has spent years studying how to be a "super ager." He shared his daily breakfast, lunch and dinner plans here — as well as some of his guilty pleasures.
Want to get fitter in 2026? Exercise is important as well as your diet. To get fit fast, try this science‑backed 7‑minute workout. No gym is required and it can be customized to you.

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We worked out how to get the most days off with your vacation time in 2026.

Click this graphic to see how to get the most time off with the fewest vacation days. (Washington Post illustration; iStock)

Already dreaming of your next break? Follow this guide. It shows how to "hack" paid time off to take long weekends that feel long and four-day breaks that cost one vacation day.
For example: For Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, take off the preceding Thursday and Friday for a five-day break. In summer, you can get a 17-day block with nine PTO days.

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Before you go … one way to use that vacation time: Travel to see this year's eclipse — here's where to go. For a long January weekend: Six noteworthy new books to enjoy.

One more good read: How student loans and financial aid are changing in 2026.

We want to hear from you: Do you have questions about stories you've seen in The 7? Send them here. We'll find the right person to answer them and share responses in our weekend edition.

And finally … take a game break: