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Why the Pitch Black Set Is Causing a Stir

The Pokémon Center’s latest presale event for “Mega Evolution: Pitch Black”
is officially live, and for many collectors, it’s proving to be an absolute headache. If you’ve spent the morning staring at a digital queue that refuses to budge, you aren’t alone. Attempting to score these cards directly from The Pokémon Center
is infamous for being a total “dumpster fire,” but if you know the rules of the road, you can actually improve your chances of walking away with the goods.

Releasing on July 17, 2026, the Mega Evolution: Pitch Black expansion features over 115 cards, including stunning special illustrations from artists like Mina Nakai and Yuka Morii. Collectors are particularly hyped for the Mega Darkrai gold card and the unique texture of the new Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs). Because these TPC-exclusive boxes aren’t reprinted, they often appreciate in value significantly compared to standard retail versions.

How to Beat the Website Queue

When you first load the site, that estimated wait time might look terrifying. Do not panic. Here is the golden rule: Do not refresh your page. Refreshing resets your position in the queue and, in some cases, can flag your IP address as a potential bot, leading to a frustrating “Error 17: Access Denied” message.

If you are determined to snag these preorders, follow these manual tactics to stay in the game:

1. Use a Wired Connection: If possible, bypass shaky Wi-Fi and use a desktop with an Ethernet cable. Mobile devices that auto-refresh when you switch apps are a recipe for disaster.

1. Clean Slate: Before loading the site, clear your browser cookies. Do not use Incognito mode, as it can sometimes trigger security filters.
2. Slow and Steady: Once you are in, resist the urge to rush. Treat the website like a museum—move slowly, and wait 3–5 seconds between each click.
3. Manual Input Only: Avoid autofill. Type your credit card and shipping information in manually. The site’s security measures are hyper-sensitive to “bot-like” speeds.
4. Single Transaction: Don’t try to double-dip. Get everything you want in one cart and check out in a single transaction to minimize the risk of hitting an error.

What if You Get Blocked?

If you hit an error code, don’t throw in the towel just yet:

• Error 15: This is a common traffic error. Clear your cookies/cache, try a different browser, or restart your router.
• Error 17: This means you’ve been flagged. Try logging out, clearing your browser history, and using a different payment method.

Plan B: The Local Alternative

If the website remains a fortress, remember that you aren’t “cooked.” Reach out to your local card shop (LCS) to see if they are holding pre-release events. These events are a great way to guarantee yourself product—often at a better per-pack price—without the 5:00 AM stress of fighting bots online.

A Note on Diana Shnaider

While the world of Pokémon cards keeps us busy, sports fans have also been buzzing about Diana Shnaider. Though she has no official ties to the Pokémon TCG, her rise in professional tennis has made her a collector’s item in the sports card world, with her own rookie cards becoming hot commodities. Just like a rare Pokémon pull, finding the right card—whether it’s a Mega Darkrai or a high-ranking tennis star—is all about the thrill of the hunt.

The Pokémon Center queue is officially a nightmare, but I’m NOT giving up on those Pitch Black ETBs! 😤📉

Successfully navigated the site without a bot flag. If you’re struggling with Error 15 or 17, slow down your clicks and stay off the refresh button!

Who else is grinding for these pulls today? 🃏🔥

#PokemonTCG #PitchBlack #PokemonCenter #TradingCards #TCGCommunity

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https://www.aa.com.do/i18n/index.jsp?locale=en_IS✈️American Airlines Temporarily Suspends Select Summer Routes

Airline has announced a temporary suspension of select summer routes during August and September, citing soaring jet fuel costs linked to the ongoing Iran war–driven energy crisis. The decision reflects broader pressures across the global airline industry, even as the carrier emphasizes that no routes are being permanently cut.

According to it, affected passengers will be rebooked on alternative flights or offered full refunds, aiming to reduce disruption during the busy summer travel season.

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⛽ Why Jet Fuel Prices Are Forcing Route Cuts

Jet fuel prices have surged dramatically in recent months. Industry data shows that fuel can account for nearly 30% of its total operating costs, making airlines highly vulnerable to energy shocks.

• Jet fuel recently averaged nearly $142 per barrel
• Prices were around $99 per barrel before late February
• The spike follows escalating conflict involving Iran and regional instability

Much of the pressure stems from stalled shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil corridor. With traffic effectively halted for months, energy markets remain volatile.

For more background on how fuel prices are impacting airlines, read this AP News explainer:

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🌍 Which Routes Are Impacted? What Travelers Should Know

American has not officially released a full list of affected routes. However, multiple reports suggest six routes, many originating from Los Angeles, may be suspended.

A detailed breakdown of the reported route cuts is available here:

It stresses that these adjustments are temporary and aligned with industry-wide capacity trimming, not a sign of long-term contraction.

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📉 Negative Impact: Fewer Flights, Higher Travel Costs

For travelers, the timing is far from ideal. Summer flyers are already facing:

• Fewer flight options
• Higher airfare and added fees
• Reduced perks and rewards across major carriers

As it worldwide cuts schedules and raise prices to offset fuel costs, consumers are also feeling inflationary pressure on gas, groceries, and everyday essentials.

Related context on shrinking summer flight options:

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📈 Positive Outlook: Network Strength and Temporary Measures

Despite the short-term pain, American Air highlights several positives:

• No permanent route eliminations
• Commitment to maintaining the largest flight network among U.S. airlines
• Flexibility for passengers via rebooking and refunds

It says these moves are designed to protect long-term stability while navigating unprecedented fuel volatility.

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🧭 What Happens Next for Energy Markets

Markets have cooled slightly amid hopes of reopening oil transit routes, but no concrete agreement has yet been reached between the U.S. and Iran. Prolonged disruption could further strain it heading into fall and winter.

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Rates Just Took a Nasty Turn – Here’s What You Need to Know (May 13, 2026)

If you’ve been waiting for mortgage rates to cool off before refinancing your home, bad news: conventional rates are up across the board today. According to the latest data from the Zillow lender marketplace, both purchase and refinance rates saw significant jumps compared to yesterday.

Let’s cut to the chase. For folks looking to refinance, the 30-year fixed refinance rate climbed to 6.23% – that’s a noticeable hike. And it’s not just the 30-year. Nearly every loan type got more expensive overnight.

So, what’s going on? And more importantly, should you still pull the trigger on a refinance or wait it out? We’ll break it all down in plain English.

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Today’s Mortgage Rates (For Home Buyers):Mortgage Refinance Rates

Before we dive into refinance numbers, here’s where purchase rates stand on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, according to Zillow data. Remember, these are national averages:

Loan Type	Interest Rate
30-year fixed	6.26%
20-year fixed	6.22%
15-year fixed	5.76%
5/1 ARM	6.47%
7/1 ARM	6.30%
30-year VA	5.65%
15-year VA	5.23%
5/1 VA	5.15%

The biggest movers? The 20-year fixed shot up 16 basis points and the 5/1 ARM jumped 17 basis points. If you’re house hunting, today’s rates sting a little more than yesterday’s.

👉 Learn more about how mortgage rates are determined

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Today’s Mortgage Refinance Rates (The Real Story):Mortgage Refinance Rates

Now for the main event – refinance rates. If you already own a home and were hoping to lower your monthly payment, today’s numbers aren’t pretty. Here’s the latest from Zillow for May 13, 2026:

Loan Type	Refinance Rate
30-year fixed	6.23%
20-year fixed	6.24%
15-year fixed	5.66%
5/1 ARM	6.12%
7/1 ARM	5.94%
30-year VA	5.60%
15-year VA	5.21%
5/1 VA	5.26%

A few things to notice:

• Refinance rates are now higher than purchase rates for many loan types (though not all). That’s unusual – typically, refis cost a bit more, but the gap has widened.
• The 20-year fixed refi rate (6.24%) is actually higher than the 30-year refi rate (6.23%). That’s a head-scratcher, but it happens when markets move fast.
• VA loans still offer the lowest refi rates, with the 5/1 VA at just 5.15%. If you’re a veteran, that’s your best bet.

Pro tip: These are national averages. Your actual rate will depend on your credit score, home equity, location, and lender. Shop around!

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Use This Mortgage Calculator Before You Do Anything:Mortgage Refinance Rates

Don’t guess your monthly payment – crunch the numbers first. Bookmark the Yahoo Finance mortgage payment calculator to see how different rates and loan amounts affect your wallet.

The calculator lets you factor in:

• Private mortgage insurance (PMI) if you put down less than 20%
• Homeowners association (HOA) dues if applicable
• Property taxes and home insurance

A $300,000loanat6.23$300,000loanat6.231,845**. At 5.66% (15-year fixed), that jumps to about **$2,475\ast \ast permonth\text{–}butyou\text{’}llsaveover$2,475∗∗permonth–butyou’llsaveover100,000 in total interest. Trade-offs, people.

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30-Year vs. 15-Year Refinance: Which One Makes Sense Now?

Let’s talk real talk. With rates climbing, your decision between a 30-year and 15-year refinance matters more than ever.

30-Year Fixed Refinance – The Safe Bet

• Pros: Lower monthly payments, predictable rate for three decades.
• Cons: Higher interest rate (6.23% today) and you’ll pay way more interest over time.
• Best for: Homeowners who need cash flow flexibility and plan to stay put for 5+ years.

15-Year Fixed Refinance – The Wealth Builder

• Pros: Lower rate (5.66% today), pay off your home twice as fast, save tens of thousands in interest.
• Cons: Monthly payments are significantly higher.
• Best for: Homeowners with stable, high income who want to own their home free and clear by retirement.

Example: On a $250,000loan,the30-yearrefiat6.23$250,000loan,the30−yearrefiat6.231,537/month. The 15-year at 5.66% costs ~$2,062\mathrm{/}month\mathrm{.}Thatextra$2,062/month.Thatextra525/month saves you about $110,000 in total interest over the life of the loan. Not chump change.

👉 Should you get a 15-year or a 30-year mortgage? Compare side-by-side here

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) – A Risky Gamble Right Now?

ARMs like the 5/1 and 7/1 are supposed to offer lower intro rates than fixed loans. But today? That’s flipped. According to Zillow, the 5/1 ARM refinance rate is 6.12% – higher than the 30-year fixed refi rate (6.23%? Wait, no – 6.23% fixed vs 6.12% ARM, actually ARM is slightly lower. Let me correct: 6.12% ARM is lower than 6.23% fixed. So ARMs still have a tiny edge.)

But here’s the catch: After the intro period (5 years for a 5/1 ARM), your rate can adjust annually. With rates trending up, you could get hammered later. Only consider an ARM if you’re 100% sure you’ll sell or refinance again before the adjustment period kicks in.

👉 Learn more: Adjustable-rate vs. fixed-rate mortgages

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Frequently Asked Questions (Because We Know You’re Sweating)

What’s the 30-year refinance rate right now?

As of today, May 13, 2026, the national average 30-year refinance rate is 6.23% according to Zillow’s lender marketplace. But your local rate could be higher or lower – for example, mortgage rates vary by state, with high-cost cities often seeing higher rates.

Are mortgage rates dropping?

Not today. Rates are on the rise after a brief dip. Remember, at the end of March, the 30-year fixed touched nearly 6.50%. Then rates dropped almost half a point. But compared to yesterday? Everything’s up. The 20-year fixed jumped 16 basis points – that’s a big one-day move.

How do I get the lowest refinance rate?

Same playbook as when you bought your home:

1. Boost your credit score – even 20 points can shave 0.25% off your rate.
2. Lower your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) – pay down credit cards and avoid new loans.
3. Consider a shorter term – 15-year refi rates are lower than 30-year (5.66% vs 6.23%).
4. Shop at least three lenders – rates vary wildly.

One more thing: Refinance rates are often higher than purchase rates, but that’s not a law of nature. If you have strong equity (20%+) and excellent credit, you might snag a deal.

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The Bottom Line for American Homeowners:Mortgage Refinance Rates

Look, nobody likes seeing rates jump. Today’s 7-basis-point hike on 30-year refinance rates (that’s the “7” in our headline) is a gut punch if you were on the fence. But don’t panic. Rates are still far below the 7-8% range we saw in late 2023. If you can lock a 30-year refi at 6.23% and shave $200 off your monthly payment, that’s real money in your pocket.

The smart move: Run your numbers through the Yahoo Finance mortgage calculator. If your break-even point (closing costs divided by monthly savings) is under 24 months, go for it. If not, wait for the next dip – but don’t hold your breath. Rates are volatile.

Data source: Zillow lender marketplace, May 13, 2026. National averages rounded to nearest hundredth.