2025-03-07T00:04:35Z Read in app Starship roars through the sky atop its Super Heavy booster. SpaceX on X This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? SpaceX's Starship spun out of control and fell out of contact just as it reached space Thursday.Starship was supposed to deploy mock Starlink satellites and test its structural limits during reentry.It's not yet clear where debris might fall or how much this incident will set back Elon Musk's plans.SpaceX's Starship lost control and started spinning wildly just as it reached space on Thursday, taking Elon Musk's biggest ambitions one step back."Unfortunately it seems we lost the attitude control on the ship," Kate Tice, a webcast host and the senior manager of quality systems engineering at SpaceX, said after the ship began to visibly roll on SpaceX's X livestream.Starship was only about 20 seconds away from cutting off its engines, which is a major milestone it has passed on multiple flights and is basically the last step of getting itself into space."We did lose contact with the ship," Dan Huot, the other SpaceX webcast host, said.Some of the ship's engines went out early before it started to spin, Huot said."We have some more to learn about this vehicle," Huot said.It's not yet clear what happened, whether the ship exploded, or where its debris might fall."We've got some practice at this now," Huot said. "We've got a lot of measures in place like debris-response areas where we coordinate very closely with air-traffic control. We have a lot of measures put before we ever launch a rocket to make sure that we're keeping the public safe. Those worked last time and they're actively in work right now."The incident comes just a month after a Starship exploded and rained down huge chunks of debris in the Caribbean, causing the Federal Aviation Administration to divert aircraft in the area and triggering an investigation.SpaceX made upgrades to avoid the fuel leaks and fire in the ship's "attic area" which it pinpointed as the cause of the explosion. The company got reapproval from the FAA and flew again Thursday, only to lose Starship again.The future of SpaceX and the space industry at large is on the line.The Starship-Super Heavy launch system consisting of the lower-stage Super Heavy booster and upper-stage Starship rocket promises to be the largest, most powerful, and first-ever fully reusable orbital A screengrab from a SpaceX livestream shows Starship sitting atop its Super Heavy booster on the launchpad. SpaceX via X Its prowess could help cut the cost of spaceflight by an order of magnitude, but not anytime soon if SpaceX can't keep Starship in one piece.Starship has previously flown to space successfully, landed in the ocean with its engines firing, and seen its Super Heavy booster return to Earth and lower itself into a pair of chopstick-like arms on a landing tower.Those demonstrations were all promising for SpaceX's plans to recover and reuse both Starship and the Super Heavy booster. SpaceX had hoped Thursday's flight would take things a step further.The flight had two primary goals: to deploy its first payload of mock Starlink satellites in space and to run experiments in Starship's reentry and descent to Earth. It never got the chance.The flight was intended to test the limits of Starship's structure on its return to Earth, with some of its protective tiles removed from vulnerable areas for stress testing. By contrast, for the ascent to space, SpaceX had made upgrades to fortify Starship.Musk founded the company in 2002 with the goal of bringing humans to Mars. Starship is the vehicle that's supposed to make that happen.Musk has said that, in addition to hauling astronauts and materials to the moon and conducting rapid point-to-point transport on Earth, Starship

2025-03-07T00:20:39Z Read in app A "Tiangong" humanoid robot running at the Beijing World of Robots in Beijing, capital of China. Ju Huanzong/Xinhua via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Humanoid robots will compete against humans in a half-marathon in Beijing.The event aims to showcase advancements in humanoid robotics and AI.Robots must be humanoid without wheels; both remote-controlled and autonomous entries are allowed.Experienced runners will tell you it takes months to train for a half-marathon, but what if what you're racing against is literally made of steel?On April 13, humanoid robots are set to compete in the first-ever half-marathon featuring both humans and humanoid robots racing against each other in Beijing. The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, which is hosting the race, announced details for the event on Tuesday.Robots participating in the race will have a roughly three-and-a-half-hour cutoff time to complete the track, Li Quan, deputy head of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, said at a press conference. The humanoid robots will race against 12,000 human runners, with the top three finishers human or robot receiving prizes.Li said participating robots can receive awards in three categories: race completion, best endurance, and most popular robot. The robots running in the race will run in a separate lane."We hope that this event will not only showcase achievements in the humanoid robotics industry but also spark discussions and deepen the public's understanding of robot capabilities, which will help accelerate industry development," Li said.Humanoid robots are evolving rapidly and becoming a common topic of discussion in the tech world. Some companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW have partnered with humanoid robot companies to test their robots on factory lines. Last month, Texas-based humanoid robot make Apptronik announced a partnership with a supply chain company to have its humanoid robots eventually build themselves.Robots entering the competition must be humanoid robots that do not use wheels, China's International Center for Science and Technology Innovation said in a release. Both remote-controlled and fully autonomous robots are eligible for entry.Li said at the press conference that participating robot teams can change out their robot's batteries or change their robots out in a relay system. Each time a team changes out a robot, they will receive a ten-minute penalty for the race.Registration for the event opens on March 11, and it is open to companies, research institutions, robot clubs, and universities around the world, the release said.

2025-03-06T22:18:53Z Read in app President Donald Trump has worked closed with Elon Musk to pursue his agenda of cutting government spending and reducing the federal workforce. Alex Brandon This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Trump says he wants his Cabinet to lead his federal overhaul, not Elon Musk.Musk has had broad authority to reshape the government, but Trump now appears to be tightening his leash.Lawmakers and judges express concern over DOGE's rapid cuts and unclear leadership.President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he wants his Cabinet to lead the overhaul of the federal government, not DOGE's de facto leader, Elon Musk."I had a meeting, I said I want the Cabinet members to go first, keep all the people you want, everybody you need," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "It would be better if they were there for two years instead of two weeks, because in two years they'll know the people better. I want them to do the best job they can."Trump appears to be trimming Musk's mandate after essentially allowing the White House DOGE office unrestrained authority to reshape the federal government. Musk has frequently bragged about all the things he's done as the unofficial leader of DOGE to gut the federal workforce, like offering millions of staffers a buyout, and to reduce government spending, like "feeding USAID into the "wood chipper."It doesn't mean Trump is upset with Musk. Trump told reporters the billionaire is doing "an amazing job" and rejected the idea that the DOGE office was moving too quickly. At the same time, Trump still wanted his Cabinet to assert more power when it comes to cutting staff.Although DOGE was originally Musk's idea, now that the task force has an official administrator, Trump is distancing the billionaire from it, at least in some public channels."We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level."Lawyers suing the DOGE office noted Trump's comments during his address to Congress on Tuesday when he twice called Musk the "head" of DOGE. A White House official had previously declared in court that Musk is not leading the DOGE office.Members of Congress, including some Republicans, have expressed unease with the extent and speed of DOGE's cuts. Some of those lawmakers had received an earful from their constituents when they returned home. Federal judges have also taken issue with some of the DOGE-linked cuts.Multiple times Justice Department lawyers haven't been able to answer who leads the DOGE office or whether that command structure had changed. These questions still remained after the White House named Amy Gleason as acting administrator of the DOGE office. Trump has blurred that line repeatedly by saying Musk leads DOGE, even though the world's richest man isn't a DOGE office employee.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

2025-03-06T22:38:58Z Read in app A seating area at 200 West Street Emmalyse Brownstein This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Goldman Sachs has a grand plan to thin its ranks and cuts costs.The plan is codenamed "Project Voyage," Business Insider has learned.See what Project Voyage entails and who stands to be impacted.Goldman Sachs has a grand plan to thin its ranks and cut costs and it's codenamed "Project Voyage." CEO David Solomon has tasked staff with providing the bank with lists of executives who could help save the company money through layoffs or relocations, Business Insider has learned. The plan, which has been nicknamed "Project Voyage," kicked off in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is expected to be rolled out over a number of years, according to a former Goldman employee, who was not authorized to speak to the press and asked to remain anonymous. The initiative will be rolled out firmwide, affecting divisions including global banking and markets, asset and wealth management, engineering, operations, communications, marketing, and back-office functions, this person said.A Goldman spokeswoman pointed BI to comments Solomon made in January about "a three-year program" to better manage the bank's expenses. "As discussed at length on our fourth-quarter earnings call, we're focused on operating the firm effectively and prudently over the long term, managing our business to meet the needs of our clients and re-investing for growth," a Goldman spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. Who could be impactedEvery year, Goldman Sachs cuts as many as 5% of its bottom performers through a process known internally as the Strategic Resource Assessment, or SRA. Employees who routinely fail to comply with Goldman's five-day-per-week office attendance policy, for example, could be vulnerable to a cut through the SRA particularly if they're found to be underperforming in their job.This year's SRA, however, will be informed to some degree by "Project Voyage," the ex-Goldman insider said. The bank's vice presidents a title that sits between associate and managing directors will be eyed for cuts in good part because of Project Voyage, which has pinned this group as too large. As BI reported on Wednesday, Goldman's VP ranks have become so bloated that its VPs have been increasingly reporting to other VPs rather than managing directors. Compensation for client-facing VPs can reach $1 million, including base salary and bonuses, the former employee estimated.In addition to thinning out bloated parts of the organizational chart, Project Voyage will pinpoint employees to relocate from Goldman's New York City headquarters, located in lower Manhattan, to lower-cost locations such as Dallas, Texas; and Salt Lake City, Utah, according to people familiar with the program.The plan also calls for jobs lost through the SRA to be backfilled in lower-cost locations rather than New York, this person said. Goldman divisional heads are compiling their lists of cuts and relocations through their chief operating teams. On Wall Street, divisional COOs tend to oversee the administrative functions for their teams. Goldman's office in Dallas is on track to increase from its current headcount of about 4,600 employees to 5,000 by the time it opens a $500 million state-of-the-art campus in 2028. The city's mayor previously authorized $18 million in tax incentives for the firm if it meets that target. The incentives are valid through the end of 2028.Reed Alexander is a correspondent at Business Insider covering Goldman Sachs and Wall Street banks. He can be reached via email at ralexander@businessinsider.com, or SMS/the encrypted app Signal at (561) 247-5758.

2025-03-06T20:34:15Z Read in app A foldable iPhone would compete with offerings from Samsung, Huawei, and more. VCG/VCG via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Notable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple's foldable iPhone could launch in late 2026 and cost over $2000.The first foldable iPhone would likely be a luxury offering, balancing Apple's lower-priced models.CEO Tim Cook has said "there's a lot of innovation left on the smartphone."Chatter around the long-rumored foldable iPhone is picking up.If it turns out to be true, the device sounds expensive and impressively high-end.To be clear, Apple hasn't confirmed plans to build a foldable iPhone. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities published a note on Wednesday with more details on a foldable iPhone design that he had previously heard about.Kuo, known for his Apple predictions and supply-chain sourcing, described the mysterious project as a "top-tier iPhone" with a "crease-free inner display" and an expected retail price of over $2000. The device could begin mass production in the last quarter of 2026, Kuo said.Such a price tag would make it more expensive than any of its predecessors and many MacBook models, but Kuo said the iPhone's "must-have" status would attract a strong demand for a premium device if the quality is up to par. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is currently the priciest smartphone Apple offers starting at $1199."A phone with such a high price point affords Apple a true higher-end luxury offering to balance out the push on lower-priced alternatives like the iPhone 16e," Dipanjan Chatterjee, a Forrester analyst, told Business Insider.Apple is currently facing fierce competition in the smartphone market as Chinese competitors offer lower-cost phones and high-end models with novel form factors. Huawei's tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT. CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images However, it's important to note that Apple could always change course and not release such a device. It's not unusual for Apple to put significant resources behind big projects and ultimately scrap them. The tech industry buzzed with talks of an Apple Car for years until the tech giant reportedly scrapped the project."I definitely believe it's under development. I'm less sure it'll ever see the light of day," Morningstar analyst William Kerwin told BI of the foldable iPhone.Kuo said the foldable iPhone would bring back Touch ID to potentially replace Face ID, but this time the button would be on the side of the device. It'd have a "book-style design" and a 7.8-inch inner display, he added. Apple is also pursuing a "crease-free" display, according to Kuo something other phone makers like Samsung are also chasing.Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.While both Bloomberg and The Information have reported that Apple is planning foldable screen devices, Kuo's predicted timeline should be taken with a grain of salt. A Kuo note in 2023 said that foldable iPads would hit shelves in 2024, for example, which has yet to materialize.A bet like a foldable iPhone, in an area where competitors like Samsung and Huawei have already ventured, is a "significant gamble" that could result in a device with low demand, similar to the $3500 Vision Pro, said Jacob Bourne, an analyst at BI sister company EMARKETER."Apple's better bet might be to focus on other emerging technologies rather than chasing a form factor that may not maintain its appeal long-term," Bourne told BI.Rumors of smart glasses, AI-powered home devices, and robotics swirled around Apple in 2024. Apple was late to the artificial intelligence race last year with Apple Intelligence launching months, or years, after competitors' similar software.CEO Tim Cook told investors that he felt "optimistic" about Apple's product pipeline during its fiscal first-quarter 2025 earnings call.When asked about the future of the iPhone's form factor and where Apple sees opportunities to innovate, Cook didn't go into detail but hinted that there's more to come."I think there's a lot of innovation left on the smartphone," Cook said.

2025-03-06T20:37:04Z Read in app Militaries around the world are increasingly looking to AI and autonomous systems for future warfare, but there are ethical considerations that industry figures say can't be overlooked. US Army This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Military leaders argue AI has an important role in future warfare.There's been a shift in industry collaboration with the Department of Defense on AI and autonomy.AI in military tech must adhere to ethical frameworks, Snowpoint Ventures' Doug Philippone said.Nobody wants "killer robots," so making sure artificial intelligence systems don't go rogue is the "cost of doing business" in military tech, the founder of a venture capital firm said during a Wednesday discussion of AI technology on the battlefield."You have to be able to make AI that can work within an ethical framework, period," Doug Philippone, co-founder of Snowpoint Ventures, a venture capital firm that merges tech talent with defense issues, said during the Reagan Institute's National Security Innovation Base Summit."I don't think anybody is, you know, trying to have killer robots that are just running around by themselves," he said.Philippone explained that companies working in the military technology space that are worth making an investment in must have "thought through those problems and work in that ethical environment." He said these aren't limitations on development. Instead, they're requirements.Autonomous machines tend to cause a certain degree of apprehension, especially when such tech is applied to the DoD's "kill chain." While military leaders maintain that the systems are critical for future warfare, they also pose ethical concerns about what machine autonomy might ultimately mean.Times are changingThe defense-technology space appears to be experiencing a major shift in perspective. Last month, Google reversed course on a previous pledge against developing AI weapons, prompting criticism from some employees. The move seemed to reflect a greater willingness among more tech companies to work with the Defense Department on these technologies.Throughout Silicon Valley, "there's been a massive cultural shift from 'no way we're thinking about defending America' to 'let's get in the fight,'" said Thomas Robinson, the Chief Operating Officer of Domino Data Lab, a London-based AI solutions company.He said at Wednesday's event that "it is just a palpable difference between even a few years ago."There has been a sharp rise in smaller, more agile defense technology firms, such as Anduril, breaking into areas like uncrewed systems and autonomy, spurring a view among some defense tech leaders that the new Trump administration could create new DoD contract opportunities potentially worth hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars.Part of that cultural shift has spurred concerns around "revolving doors" of military officials heading to the venture capital tech realm after retirement, creating possible conflicts of interest. Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has emphasized AI and, during his tenure, flew in the X-62 VISTA piloted by artificial intelligence. Air Force photo by Richard Gonzales US military leaders have increasingly prioritized the development of AI capabilities in recent years, with some arguing that whichever side dominates this tech space will be the winner in future conflicts.Last year, then-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the US is locked in a technological arms race with China. AI is crucial, he said, and "China is moving forward aggressively."The Air Force has been experimenting with AI-piloted fighter aircraft, among other AI-enabled tools, as have other elements of the US military and American allies. "We're going to be in a world where decisions will not be made at human speed," Kendall said in January. "They're going to be made at machine speed."Certain areas of armed conflict, including cyber warfare and electronic warfare, are likely to be dominated by AI technologies that assess events happening at unimaginably fast speeds and unimaginably small dimensions.AI with guardrailsThat makes AI a top investment. During Wednesday's discussion, US congressional representative Ro Khanna of California expressed support for a proposal from 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, which called for shifting 15% of the massive Pentagon budget to advanced and emerging tech.As the nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth committed to prioritizing new technology, writing that "the Department of Defense budget must focus on lethality and innovation." He said that "technology is changing the battlefield."But ethical considerations remain key. Last year, senior Pentagon officials, for instance, discussed guardrails put in place to calm fears that it was "building killer robots in the basement."Understanding exactly how an AI tool's algorithms work will be important for ethical battlefield implementation, Philippone noted, and so will understanding the quality of data being absorbed otherwise, it's "garbage in, garbage out.""Whether it's Tyson's Chicken or it's the Department of the Navy, you want to be able to say 'this problem is important," he explained. "What is the data going in?""You understand how it flows through the algorithms, and then you understand the output in a way that is auditable, so you can understand how we got there," he said. "And then you codify those rules."Philippone said the opacity of some AI companies' proprietary knowledge is "BS" and a "black box approach" to technology. He said that companies should instead aim for a more transparent approach to artificial intelligence."I call it the glass box," he said. Understanding how the inner workings of a system work can help avoid hacks, he said, "this is really important from an ethics perspective and really understanding the process of your decision in your organization.""If you can't audit it," he said, "that leaves you susceptible."

2025-03-06T18:04:53Z Read in app Doji, a virtual try-on app, launched out of stealth in January. Doji This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? A new virtual try-on startup powered by AI is stirring up buzz in the tech world.Doji raised capital late last year in a round led by Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six fund.Its fundraising comes as some in tech are betting AI can reinvigorate the consumer startup space.The tech industry is drooling over a new AI startup. This time, it's in the fashion space.Doji, a new app that allows users to create AI avatars with their own likeness and virtually try on clothing, launched from stealth in January and has been rolling out access to its private beta.Techies are loving it.Early beta testers, including some who work for other hot AI companies like Anthropic, Cursor, and Humane, have been taking to X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn to share screenshots of the AI-generated model versions of themselves wearing designer clothes.One of Doji's biggest fans: Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian."Consumer is fun again thanks to AI," Ohanian said in January about Doji in a post to X, where he's been posting AI-generated fit pics from the beta.Ohanian is also putting money behind it.His venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, invested in Doji, Business Insider has learned. Doji confirmed to BI that it raised an early-stage investment in 2024 from Seven Seven Six and Origins Fund. Doji did not disclose the size of the fundraise."Over the years, a lot of folks have tried to nail virtual try-on the ultimate holy grail for recreating the dressing room experience online," Chris Vanzetta, a partner at Seven Seven Six who led the deal, told BI in a statement. "Powered by their cutting-edge AI technology and incredible taste, Doji has finally brought that experience to consumers with its lifelike virtual avatars."Building AI for everyday consumersDoji was cofounded by Dorian Dargan (previously at Meta and Apple) and Jim Winkens (previously at Google DeepMind) in 2024 after the two first met on Twitter in 2022.The pair are self-professed fashion lovers who, in building Doji, are bringing together their AI and consumer expertise."We started it with ourselves as users in mind," Dargan said. "And I think that's one of the reasons why it's being well received, because it's actually designed for people versus just to be technology."Here's how it works: Users upload several selfies from different angles and two full-body images, then wait about 20 minutes for the app's AI to generate a virtual model.In the app, users can try on products that the Doji team has curated, as well as import products with shoppable links, Dargan said. Then, if someone wants to buy a product they were virtually trying on, there is a button that brings the user to wherever that product is hosted online.Consumer has been a sleepy segment of the startup market for years, but AI is pumping energy into the industry and getting some investors excited about opportunities."I think the smarter investors are seeing now that most of the value in AI is getting accrued at the application layer," Winkens said. "We are seeing, also outside of us, money flowing into the application layer more and more."Doji isn't the only virtual try-on startup to raise venture capital recently. Vybe, a browser extension for Safari that lets people virtually try on clothing while online shopping, announced a $4.75 million seed funding round led by Stellation Capital last summer.Tech workers are driving hype for the appJane Manchun Wong, an engineer and tech blogger with access to Doji's beta, told BI that she first learned about the app after seeing people she knew post about it on X.One feature that made an impression on Wong was the option for Doji to generate potential outfits."I don't really like to try out different choices of clothes, so having it be able to pick the clothes for me is really inspiring," Wong told BI. Jane Manchun Wong used Doji to try on several outfits virtually. Jane Manchun Wong; Doji Karine Hsu, founder and CEO of startup creative agency Slope, who also uses Doji's beta, said she was impressed by the tool's accuracy. There have been a few instances where an item was transposed, or the fit was off, but it has been minor, she said.Right now, Doji's app includes a curated selection of designer items from brands like Maison Margiela, Diesel, and Rick Owens. Even though Hsu doesn't purchase luxury goods, she said it's been fun to try on things she wouldn't buy herself and explore her personal style with shoes and accessories. She's also used the feature where Doji users can input their own products from across the internet to try on."I did find myself inputting athleisure from Alo Yoga and more everyday items so I could see myself in them before purchasing," she said. "I actually ended up going to the store to try on the product again, but it was cool that I had a reference photo that I could compare to."

2025-03-06T18:16:15Z Read in app Bodybuilder Samsom Dauda (shown here at a 2022 competition) won the Mr. Olympia, and said he builds muscle by eating lots of home-cooked meals and high-rep workouts. Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? 2024 Mr. Olympia winner Samson Dauda said he once struggled to gain weight and build muscle.Eating more home-cooked meals and whole foods helped him gain size and strength to compete.His workouts aim to maximize muscle with a mix of high reps and heavy weight in time-saving supersets.Looking at Samson Dauda, you'd never guess he used to be a skinny kid.But the winner of the 2024 Mr. Olympia the most prestigious award in bodybuilding said he once had a hard time gaining muscle."When I was young, I struggled to put on weight. I was one of those guys that could get away with eating everything and I didn't put on a pound," he told Business Insider in an interview on his partnership with energy drink brand Celsius.Now Dauda weighs in at as much as 330 pounds in the off season as he packs on muscle for competition.Born in Nigeria, Dauda moved to the UK as a teenager, and started his athletic career in rugby, where a teammate introduced him to bodybuilding. He started competing in 2014.In 2020, at age 34, he quit his job as a construction worker to focus on bodybuilding full time.He said two changes to his diet and workout routine have helped him break through muscle-building plateaus: eating heaps of nutritious food, and hitting high-rep, time-saving workouts.High-rep supersets can boost muscle growthDauda said that, as someone who struggled to make gains, his workouts involve as much time under tension as possible to prompt muscle growth.To do that, his typical routine involves back-to-back sets of exercise that start with a high number of reps at light weight, and then decrease the reps while increasing the weight over time.The strategy allows him to get the benefits of lifting heavier weights, while also maximizing the time his muscles are working."You're putting a lot of strain in the muscle over a long period," Dauda said.Supersets performing two exercises one after another without rest can also be useful for muscle building because it saves time. Switching up the exercise allows you to let one muscle group rest while the other is working, so you don't have to wait between sets.You need extra calories and nutrients to build muscleAll that work in the gym needs fuel, and Dauda said eating nutrient-dense whole foods instead of processed food improved his gains."You have to give your body the building blocks for you to be able to use to build muscle," he said.For a pro bodybuilder, eating becomes a full-time job.Dauda said his off-season diet, when he's trying to build muscle, involves 7,500 calories a day, the vast majority of which is whole foods."We cook all my meals at home, so we control everything. We know that the quality of food is there and are able to put on quality size with it," he said.Typical meals include protein sources like eggs, chicken breast, steak, ground beef research suggests the ideal amount of protein for muscle gains is about 0.7 grams of protein per pound of your body weight daily. Dauda also eats plenty of carbs for energy from foods like oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and pasta.He supplements with whey protein shakes to make sure he's getting enough protein to build muscle. He also relies on caffeine, including Celsius, to keep his energy up in the weeks before a competition, when intense prep can be exhausting and makes it difficult to sleep.Dauda still gives himself a break, especially right after competition. His favorite post-show meal is pizza, ideally washed down with a big bottle of Coke. But after a few days of indulgence, Dauda is typically happy to go back to his routine of home-cooked healthy meals."You are so deprived for weeks and months on end that you have all these things you want to eat," he said. "And after one week you're kind of like, I've had enough, I want to go back to diet food."

2025-03-06T16:30:01Z Read in app I've enjoyed staying in treehouses on vacation, but I probably wouldn't do it again. Courtenay Rudzinski This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? I stayed in 2 different treehouses during my Washington trip, and the stays reminded me of camping.Most treehouse accommodations can be difficult to get in and out of with luggage.Treehouses often have less-than-ideal bathroom situations, and stays come with nature-related risks.When I decided to road trip through Washington state, staying in a treehouse was high on my list of priorities.The Pacific Northwest is known for its lush scenery and treetop rentals, and I planned to take full advantage of the stellar views.I booked two very different treehouse Airbnbs: one in Mukilteo that looked out over Puget Sound and a remote two-story house in the woods near Olympia.Both stays felt oddly similar to camping. Although I was technically indoors, way up high in a tree, I felt immersed in nature and had limited modern conveniences.My first treehouse was in the backyard of a stunning, million-dollar house in a beautiful neighborhood that looked out over the water.I booked one night at a bargain price of around $100 and slept with the shades wide open to take in the amazing water views. It was small the bed was pushed against a wall with barely any room to walk, but worth the drive (it was an hour off my route).The other treetop villa was a splurge that had been featured in travel blogs. It required a two-night booking (which was a bit more time in a tree than I wanted) and didn't have WiFi, but it had multiple decks and was surrounded by forest.After having stayed in two different treehouse rentals, though, I feel that they're better in theory than reality for three reasons.It can be difficult to lug belongings up and down the stairs Many treehouses have stairs or ladders. Courtenay Rudzinski Although some extra-fancy treehouses have elevators, I'd argue most will require a bit of a workout to enjoy.My waterside cabin had very steep stairs, and I was traveling alone with a heavy suitcase, a small cooler, and a backpack. I didn't want to leave my belongings or devices in the car, so everything came up with me, requiring multiple trips.At the other treehouse, there were three staircases up to the bedroom loft. It was quite a workout for a short stay.Bathroom options in a treehouse are often less than idealUsing the bathroom in a treehouse can require thought and planning. However, I don't want to think so hard on vacation when I just need to pee.In many cases, treehouse accommodations have toilets designed for campers or bathrooms that must be accessed by leaving the treehouse.In Mukilteo, the bathroom was downstairs, attached to the main house, and it required a key. To me, this felt like a lot to remember when I woke up in the middle of the night after drinking too much water.At the larger treehouse, the facility was in the tree but had an RV toilet with a flush pedal. It didn't feel very luxurious, and, to be honest, I struggled to fully understand how to operate it.Given how tricky it can be to install plumbing up a tree, I'd suggest checking the listing before you book and making sure you're OK with whatever the bathroom situation may be. You're at the mercy of weather and wildlife I've experienced some incredible views from treehouses. Courtenay Rudzinski Treehouses often come with unmatched views, but the wildlife immersion may have drawbacks.Although it might feel nice and cozy in a treehouse during a rain or snowstorm, it can become treacherous if you need to leave and the steps are icy or slippery.Plus, in a treehouse, you're more exposed to the elements, drafts, rain leaks, and wind than you would be at a hotel.During my stay at the treetop villa, the owner told me that if the wind started blowing, the house would creak and sway. If it got really bad, he warned, I'd need to evacuate, possibly in the middle of the night.This was a bit more than I'd bargained for, and I ended up leaving a night early.A treehouse stay also means keeping an eye out for nearby wildlife owls and bears are prevalent in Washington state and possums, raccoons, and mice can climb.Overall, I'm glad I stayed in treehouses but I wouldn't do it againMy trip to Washington was great, and I have no regrets.Thankfully, I had no animal run-ins, and the weather was beautiful during both of my stays. Sleeping in the air was kind of fun and peaceful, and I was as close to nature as I'll possibly ever get.Treehouse stays are cool to try at least once, but I can't say I'd want to regularly incorporate them into my travels. The cons don't quite outweigh the pros for me.

2025-03-06T16:37:28Z Read in app Adidas is officially out of Yeezy stock two years after ending its partnership with Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for adidas This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Adidas sells out of Yeezy stock, closing the book on one of its most successful partnerships.The partnership ended in 2022 after Ye's antisemitic comments.Adidas saw a 12% sales increase in 2024, despite a 2% drop in North America.The lengthy saga of Adidas and Yeezy is coming to a close.The sports giant reported its 2024 earnings on Wednesday, where Adidas CEO Bjrn GuldenYeezy inventory in February 2024.The company reached its goal in the fourth quarter of 2024, generating around 650 million euros in revenue from Yeezy sales, it reported. The Yeezy brand began in 2015 as a collaboration with Kanye West, known as Ye, but the partnership turned sour and ended in 2022 after a series of antisemitic rants by Ye.Although Adidas saw a 12% increase in currency-adjusted sales for 2024, its North America region was hit with a 2% decrease in revenue "entirely due to significantly lower sales of Yeezy products," the company reported.Last year, Ye blasted the German brand in a string of Instagram posts accusing it of selling "fake" Yeezys and not paying him for its sales.Adidas condemned Ye's "unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous" comments in 2022. A legal battle ensued, and Adidas said in October that it reached an out-of-court settlement with the rapper.In the aftermath of severing a lucrative relationship, Adidas expected a short-term negative impact on its sales. Gulden took over as CEO in 2023, and Adidas regained its momentum, reporting a 10% increase in currency-neutral revenues across the group in Q3 2024."Although we are not yet where we want to be long-term, it was a very successful year that confirmed the strength of the adidas brand," Gulden said in a Wednesday press release.Meanwhile, Ye remains at the center of controversy. Earlier this year, described himself as a Nazi in a series of posts to X. In February, he appeared in an ad during Super Bowl LIX directing viewers to a website selling only a shirt with a Swastika.

2025-03-06T14:32:17Z Read in app Mustafa Suleyman will report directly to Satya Nadella Ethan Miller This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.Happy almost Friday! If you're indulging in a Thirsty Thursday Do people still call it that? don't be surprised if happy hour looks a bit gray. While millennials and Gen Zers are cutting back on booze, the number of boomers tipping one (or a few) back is rising.In today's big story, Microsoft is rethinking how it evaluates employees and handles underperformers.What's on deck:Markets: The jobs report is tomorrow, but don't expect a DOGE-sized drop in numbers. Here's why.Tech: Meta's got a list of ex-employees it won't rehire.Business: Lulu Cheng Meservey's brash PR tactics annoy some of her peers, but her big-name clients can't get enough of it.But first, HR is going to join us for this one.If this was forwarded to you, The big storyUnder review Microsoft; Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI Microsoft's performance review is on a PIP.The tech giant is rethinking how it evaluates employees, according to Business Insider's Ashley Stewart, who spoke to several people with knowledge of the plans.The result could be Microsoft taking a tougher stance on employees deemed low performers. Evidence of that came earlier this year when Microsoft made hundreds of performance-based cuts in January and February.In many ways, it's a blast from the past for Microsoft, which once had a reputation for conducting tough reviews. The arrival of Satya Nadella as CEO more than a decade ago changed that, with the company taking a softer stance. Some even called Microsoft a "country club."Microsoft's current process for managing out low performers can take months of documentation. One high-level manager told Ashley the average time to exit a low performer after a manager notified HR was about seven months. That process can be further delayed if an employee takes a leave of absence, which can reset the clock.But with the AI race heating up, Microsoft wants to move faster and more efficiently. Like its peers Meta, Amazon, and Google, that's meant taking a deeper look at its performance review and management process. Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI Microsoft's potential pivot also shows where AI's had the most impact thus far.Since ChatGPT's arrival a few years ago, there's been plenty of speculation about all the jobs that were at risk of being automated away by AI.The reality, though, is the tech isn't advanced enough to replace most roles completely. Efficiencies can be achieved that allow a company to cut some headcount, but AI hasn't completely wiped out jobs in most cases.In fact, the industry AI is disrupting the most is the one building it: tech.It's not just a matter of AI automating people's jobs. (Although those are looking dicey for software engineers.) The massive bets tech giants are making on AI are forcing them to recalibrate their entire operations to be as streamlined as possible, and those changes don't come easy.Perhaps the shift was always coming. The rise of interest rates and the maturation of these companies might have naturally led to a stage of buckling down.But spending billions on tech that hasn't fully panned out from a business perspective certainly didn't slow things down.News briefAlito says he's 'stunned' the Supreme Court ruled against Trump over USAID's funding.Outgoing Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen lost $11 million in bonus and stock payments when he resigned from the grocery chain.Trump told Congress that Musk runs DOGE and the lawyers noticed.Instagram says it's 'doubling down' on DMs. This chart shows just how much.Add the teachers' union to the list of investors worried about Tesla's sliding stock.Media leaders tell BI how they're tackling a crisis that's bigger than Trump.Tripledot Studios in a $900 million deal, sources say.3 things in markets ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images 1. Federal workers' layoff pains will be mostly invisible in Friday's jobs report. DOGE's February firings won't be reflected in the Bureau of Labor Statistics report because of the cuts' timing. And even though the job losses will appear in a more distant report, they probably won't make a big dent overall.2. Are we on the verge of a "Trumpcession"? Wall Street exec Jeffrey Solomon is part of a small but growing group of forecasters using the dreaded R-word: recession. In an interview with CNBC, Solomon said a trade war could impact supply chains and prompt business leaders to pump the brakes on dealmaking. Some signs already point to an economic slowdown, and Solomon isn't alone in waving the red flag.3. Brevan Howard is telling investors the "true risk" is not getting in on crypto. For years, institutions have kept their distance from digital assets. Brevan Howard's CEO told BI the tipping point for institutional investors is on the horizon, thanks to the boost provided by President Trump and crypto czar David Sacks. The firm, whose digital assets unit was up more than 52% in 2024, wants to be the go-to place for crypto-curious institutions.3 things in tech Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI 1. Meta keeps "block" lists of ex-employees. Hiring managers at Meta sometimes pursue laid-off workers for rehire. They express interest, set up a screening call and then ghost. That's because some ex-employees are on lists that deem them "ineligible for rehire," even if they have a written track record of exceeding managers' expectations. BI's story elicited a reaction from former Google HR chief Laszlo Bock.2. Google Search is going AI Mode. The tech giant said it plans to test a new "AI Mode" feature for Search that aims to answer users' queries with "a wider and more diverse" set of AI-powered results. Instead of AI Overviews, which respond to queries with a direct answer at the top of the results page, the new AI Mode takes things a step further by generating an entire page.3. Big events for big ratings. TV networks have been struggling with maintaining their audiences for years. But BI's Peter Kafka picked up on a pattern to get more eyes: streaming must-watch live sports and awards shows. The most recent Oscars, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics got bumps in viewers, and streaming was part of their equation.3 things in business Michelle Rohn for BI 1. Meet the PR pitbull adored by Sam Altman and Bari Weiss. Lulu Cheng Meservey is one of Silicon Valley's most sought-after communications gurus, known for her unusually aggressive "going direct" strategy. Less enchanted are her PR peers, who aren't sold on her style of bucking convention, tweeting madly, and playing offense with the press. Still, Cheng Meservey won the admiration of startup founders by showing them how she thinks.2. A new DOGE staffer was connected to a fertility clinic and has ties to the pronatalist movement. Miles Collins, whose association with DOGE was first reported by BI, is a startup founder who employees say has been working at the Department of Labor. Collins was connected to a California fertility clinic that's now facing lawsuits accusing it of mistreating employees, although the company has denied wrongdoing. Collins is also the brother of a prominent pronatalist, a movement that Elon Musk has also spoken in favor of.3. A tariff breather for car companies. President Donald Trump is giving the Big Three automakers Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors a one-month pause on his recent tariffs to avoid an "economic disadvantage." But there won't be another break when Trump's second round of trade-related tariffs takes effect on April 2, and additional tariffs on steel and aluminum are coming this month.In other newsA once-hot startup got a $1.5 billion loan. More than $500 million went to a high school dropout's 'sham' hedge fund, judge rules.Instagram cofounder explains how the work of a software engineer will change in the next three years.Are you worth $10 million? $100 million? Chances are you live in the US.Elon Musk says the Post Office and Amtrak should be privatized.Where you can cash in on Florida's cooling housing market.RFK Jr. says vitamin A could help treat measles. Here's what doctors think.Millennial moms want more kids they just can't afford it.Where to hide right now as tariffs hit markets.While the US and China compete for AI dominance, Russia's leading model lags behind.Crypto insiders say Trump's love for bitcoin is more than a fling even though he may be making an 'unforced error.'What's happening todayMacy's, Costco, and Kroger report earnings.The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

America is one of the world's biggest food importers. It depends on other countries for over half of its fruit and seafood. Now, President Donald Trump is implementing tariffs on many of these countries, which could drive prices up. Let's take a look at where America imports food from and what's at stake as tariffs go into effect.Show more

2025-03-06T12:48:42Z Read in app Salesforce has become the latest tech firm to row back diversity goals. Eric Risberg /AP This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Salesforce has dropped diversity hiring targets from it's most recent annual financial disclosures. The company also removed references to diversity and inclusion as core company values.Salesforce joins the likes of Amazon, Google, Meta, and Walmart in rolling back DEI programs.Salesforce is the latest tech giant to abandon explicit diversity hiring targets. This comes in the wake of executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in January aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government and its contractors.The San Francisco-based software giant filed its annual financial disclosures on Wednesday. The company removed language that outlined how some executive compensation was tied to employee diversity measures. The latest disclosures also omit explicit language describing diversity and inclusion as core company values, focusing solely on equality. "While we are not specifying representation goals, we remain committed to our core value of equality," a Salesforce spokesperson told Bloomberg when asked about the company's hiring process.Salesforce emphasized in the filing that its commitment to equality is "firmly rooted in compliance with federal law and other applicable laws and regulations in the regions in which we operate."In its filings, the company states: "We value the equality of every individual at our company and in our communities and are dedicated to fostering a workplace that complies with these protections, creating an inclusive culture where every individual feels seen, heard and valued."Salesforce's CEO Marc Benioff has previously set a high standard for supporting LGBTQ+ employees. In an interview with Axios last month, Benioff said, "If someone is going to come after our employees and discriminate against them in any way, we will do everything we can to help them."The rollback places Salesforce among several other major companies, including Amazon, Google, Walmart, Meta, Deloitte, and KPMG, who have recently scaled back or entirely discontinued diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In a memo to staff in December, Amazon said it was "winding down outdated programs and materials" related to diversity and inclusion. The company also scrubbed prior references to diversity and inclusion from it's 2024 annual report released in February. Google removed hiring goals explicitly linked to diversity representation and Meta shuttered its DEI team and training programs. The leaked internal memo from Meta specifically references the shifting political and legal landscape around DEI policies. Business Insider has reported previously that since mid-2024 more than 20 major companies have rolled back DEI initiatives in the US.Salesforce representatives did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

2025-03-06T12:52:56Z Read in app Maria Sten as Frances Neagley in "Reacher" season three. Sophie Giraud/Prime Video This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Jack Reacher's close friend in "Reacher," Frances Neagley, is getting her own eponymous spinoff. Maria Sten told Business Insider "Neagley" shows the character has a life outside of helping Reacher.Lee Child, the author of the "Jack Reacher" books, told BI the show might premiere at the end of 2025After the success of "Reacher" season three, the world of Jack Reacher is about to get bigger. The hero's close friend Frances Neagley (Maria Sten) is getting her own spinoff called (you guessed it) "Neagley."Like Reacher, Neagley is based on the books by British author Lee Child. She was a member of the Military Police's 110th Special Investigations unit, which Reacher led before he left the armed forces.Amazon announced the "Neagley" spinoff in October 2024 and confirmed that Maria Sten will lead the series."When she learns that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident, she becomes hell-bent on justice. "Using everything she's learned from Jack Reacher and her time as a member of the 110 Special Investigators, Neagley puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil," the show's synopsis reads.Speaking to Forbes last month, Ritchson joked that he couldn't confirm if he'd appear in "Neagley." "That would make sense, but we cannot confirm that it would make sense. It just makes sense in a world of hypotheticals."Like if he popped in for a couple of episodes. But it could happen."Sten spoke to Business Insider about "Neagley" ahead of the release of the latest season of "Reacher." Here's what to know.Maria Sten said 'Neagley' shows her character has a life outside of her relationship with Reacher Recalling how Neagley has developed in "Reacher" since 2022, Sten said: "When we first meet her, I think she's still sort of a stray dog, out of the military and finding her way in the world. Then, coming into season two, she definitely found her way in the world, at least in her professional life."I think season three is more of that, where we really see her established in her life in Chicago before she, of course, goes off to help Reacher."Sten continued: "I think that is a nice way to hand off the character from, 'Yes, I am living in this Reacher universe and I'm connected to him.' She has been showing up for him but also showing the world that yes, there's also a life outside of Reacher and she is actually running her own cases and doing her own thing and has her own problems as well, outside of helping the big guy!"So I think they did a lovely thing to honor the book and honor what Reacher is, but also honor Neagley's contribution so far and send her off on her own."'Neagley' does not have a release date yet, but Lee Child said it might arrive by the end of 2025 Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher and Maria Sten as Frances Neagley in "Reacher" season two. Brooke Palmer/Prime Video Amazon is still developing the spinoff, which doesn't have a release date. Neagley doesn't have dedicated books like Reacher, so that may explain why it is taking some time to develop.But co-showrunners Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton could adapt storylines from the five "Jack Reacher" books by Lee Child that Neagley appears in. In an interview with BI before the premiere of "Reacher" season three, Child suggested the show might debut at the end of 2025."They start shooting very soon, as a matter of fact! And I think I've seen the screenplays, I think it's going to be excellent, just as good as 'Reacher,' really," he said. "So you know, with a bit of luck, the 'Reacher'-verse will dominate the year on Amazon Prime both ends of it."'Riverdale' and 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'stars have been cast in 'Neagley'On February 25, Sten confirmed on Instagram that "Neagley" had started filming its first season. That day, Amazon named a handful of cast members who had joined the series, although little is known about their characters."Riverdale" star Greyston Holt will play Detective Hudson Riley alongside Adeline Rudolph, who appeared in "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and will play Renee."Mayor of Kingstown" actor Matthew Del Negro will play Pierce Woodrow, while "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood" actor Damon Herriman will play Lawrence Cole. Newcomer Jasper Jones has also been cast as Keno.

Katie Fawn and Chase Estep went to high school together, but they didn't fall in love until a few years later.The couple grew up in the same town. Channing Price Fawn, 26, and Estep, 25, grew up in Corbin, Kentucky, and they ran in the same circles, attending the same high school and church."Our families always went to the same church," she said. "His family literally sat behind mine, but I never thought a thing about it. And I don't think he did either."Estep is a professional baseball player. When he was drafted in 2022, Fawn, a content creator and owner of both a beauty brand and fashion label, reached out to congratulate him, not thinking much would come from the interaction."I was so not looking for a relationship, not even a little bit, and I don't think he was either," she said. "Then we just hit it off.""After about a week, we were like, 'Yeah, I think we actually might be getting married,'" Fawn told Business Insider.They've been an item since, and Estep proposed in December 2023. Fawn and Estep are still based in Corbin.Fawn wanted to keep her wedding simple.Katie Fawn and Chase Estep got married on her family's farm. Channing Price Fawn wasn't a bride who grew up dreaming of her perfect wedding."Growing up, I didn't care if I ever had a wedding," she said. "My parents never had a wedding. They got married at the courthouse. My brother did the same thing."When they got engaged, Estep and Fawn decided they actually did want to celebrate their union with a wedding. Still, they kept it small, partly because Fawn had also heard stories of couples regretting their big, expensive events.They invited just 32 people to watch them say their vows at Fawn's family farm on October 24, 2024.However, Fawn had big ideas for one part of the wedding: her dress.She wanted a standout wedding look. Channing Price Fawn didn't start shopping for her wedding dress until July 2024, despite knowing she wanted a unique bridal look."I'm very into fashion. It's what a lot of my content is based around," she told BI. "When I turned 24, I really stepped into the person I wanted to be and the person I wanted to dress like."She wanted her wedding dress to reflect that vibe, and she soon had her heart set on a dress that had yet to be released. Fawn reached out to the brand, and they agreed to send the dress to a store in Nashville so she could try it on.However, during her trip to Nashville, Fawn stopped into Dress Theory with her best friend, and with the help of stylist Ali Gray, she fell head over heels for a look made of bridal separates.Three separates formed a one-of-a-kind bridal look for Fawn.Katie Fawn used bridal separates to create her wedding look. Channing Price Fawn said her stylist suggested combining three separate bridal pieces to create her wedding look."She pulled a bunch of different things for me to try on, and I kept putting things on, and I was like, 'Yes, this is a beautiful dress, but it wasn't the one that I saw myself in or saw myself feeling great in,'" Fawn said.When Gray suggested a two-piece ensemble instead of a dress, Fawn was intrigued. Gray then created a bridal look for her made of pieces from three separate collections and Fawn loved it.Fawn swooned over the detached corset.The corset was covered in lace. Channing Price The top of Fawn's wedding look was made up of a corset from Sept by Sarah Seven."She showed me the corset first, and at that point, I think all the common sense I had about cost went out the window," Fawn said. "I was like, 'I don't know what I'll do, but I will get that corset.'"The semi-sheer corset had a pointed, strapless neckline, and the fabric was covered in floral detailing. Thanks to the transparent fabric, its boning was delicately exposed. It hugged tightly to Fawn's figure and ended in points on either side.Fawn thought the corset would be beautiful for her wedding, but she also loved that she could rewear it with more casual pieces for future anniversaries or special trips with Estep.She paired the corset with a form-fitting mermaid skirt.Each part of the outfit came from different collections. Channing Price Sarah Seven designed Fawn's skirt, which had a mermaid silhouette and flared into a train. It sat in the middle of Fawn's torso, overlapping with the corset.Fawn loved that the sleek skirt created a clean look, contrasting with the more intricate top. She also said it was comfortable, as the train gave her more room to walk.A statement scarf completed the look.She added a scarf to the outfit. Channing Price "I wanted people to look at my wedding gown and not know if it was from the '20s, the '50s, if it was from now," Fawn said of her vision for her bridal look. "I wanted it to be a timeless, elegant, and very chic look."The skirt and corset were beautiful on their own, but Fawn said adding a statement scarf from Danielle Frankel transformed the outfit."It changed the entire look," she said. "It brought it together. It enhanced the little pieces of the corset and the lace. It brought out the different textures."The scarf doubled as a stand-in for a train and veil.The scarf functioned like a train and veil. Channing Price The floor-length scarf flowed out behind Fawn like a cathedral veil for much of the day.Fawn said she knew she didn't want a veil and loved how "unexpected" the scarf was in its place.Fawn played with different scarf looks throughout the day as well.The scarf looked like a cape at times, too. Channing Price Fawn also posed with the scarf flowing over her shoulder, pulling the semi-sheer fabric wide.The effect created a cape-like look in some of her wedding photos, which Channing Price took."It just felt like it completed the look," Fawn said of the scarf.Fawn kept her other accessories simple because she wanted the scarf and corset to shine. She wore $12 earrings from Amazon, a tennis bracelet, and a ring that belonged to her mom.Fawn already had the perfect shoes to wear with her gown.Katie Fawn's shoes matched the corset. Channing Price When Fawn saw the corset, she knew she already had the perfect shoes for her bridal ensemble: a pair of $1,350 Dior kitten heels she had waiting in her closet.She bought the shoes as a gift to herself when she was invited to her first brand event as a content creator."The lace on my shoes matched my corset perfectly," Fawn said.The shoes were meaningful to her, so it felt extra sweet for Fawn to rewear them for the wedding. Not having to buy a new pair of shoes was a bonus.Fawn's complete bridal look cost around $10,000.She went over budget on the dress. Channing Price Fawn initially hoped to spend under $5,000 on her wedding gown."As soon as I saw the set, I thought, 'Well, that's gone out the window, unfortunately,'" Fawn said.She spent around $10,000 on the look, but it was worth it to Fawn, especially because so much of the wedding was affordable, and she could rewear the top."I felt like it was made for me," Fawn said of her bridal look.Katie Fawn loved her look. Channing Price "I felt like the most confident version of myself," Fawn said of how she felt when she wore the ensemble on her wedding day.She also loved that the separate pieces were light, so she was comfortable throughout the wedding day.A video of Fawn trying on the look for the first time went viral on TikTok, spotlighting how taken she was with the ensemble."It was bringing high fashion to the farm," she told BI of the outfit.Estep was emotional when he saw Fawn walk down the aisle.The groom cried when he saw the bride. Channing Price Estep and Fawn didn't do a first look, so he didn't see her bridal ensemble until she walked down the aisle. He cried as soon as he saw his bride walking toward him."I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere, actually," Fawn said of her guests' reaction to her arriving at the ceremony.Estep thought the outfit suited his bride perfectly."As soon as we kissed and said our vows and everything, I said, 'What do you think of my dress?' And he was like, 'It's the most you thing I have ever seen, and I love it,'" Fawn said of Estep's reaction to her outfit.Estep wore a black Giorgio Armani suit to the nuptials.Fawn and Estep got married outside.They said their vows on the farm. Channing Price Fawn took her bridal and family portraits on the farm before the wedding, and she said spending time with her loved ones before the ceremony was one of her favorite parts of the day."We were all just outside. We had music playing," Estep said. "It was just a very calm atmosphere on what I feel like is a nerve-racking day.""To just see everybody before and calm the nerves and get to hang out with one another was wonderful," she added.Fawn described her whole wedding as "very relaxed."The wedding was relaxed, according to the bride. Channing Price "I did my own hair and makeup," Fawn said. "Neither of us had bridal parties."Fawn spent the morning of her wedding with a friend, having breakfast and prepping."We sat on my living room floor and got ready together, and we just drove over to my parents' house afterward," Fawn said. "It was very low-key, very relaxed, and not some sort of big, stressful, awful thing.""It was so lovely," she said of her wedding. "There wasn't a part of the day that I was like, 'Oh, I wish I would have done this differently.'"Fawn and Estep's reception took place on the farm as well.Their loved ones gathered at long tables during the reception. Channing Price The couple's loved ones gathered around estate-style tables featuring florals from Betty's Flowers."When my family built their house, they positioned it so that the sun would set in the backyard," Fawn said. "In the evening, you can see the cows graze and the sunset, so that's why we put the tables over there."The sun set throughout the reception, making it feel even more romantic. Fawn's mother, who has done some interior design work, handled the decor for the day, which Fawn described as "beautiful.""She and my sister-in-law, literally right before the wedding, set everything up," Fawn said.Taking photos with Estep after the reception was also a highlight of the day for Fawn.They loved taking photos together. Channing Price Fawn said she and Estep's first real moment alone together on their wedding day was when they took sunset photos after dinner during their reception."We actually got to speak to one another and take our pictures together," she said. "It was just the best."Fawn and Estep had fun with their wedding portraits, posing with a cowboy hat and a convertible.Fawn thinks people rush the process of finding the perfect wedding dress.Katie Fawn advises brides not to buy their wedding gowns too early. Channing Price "I think a lot of brides that I've spoken to buy a dress really early and then end up disliking it or wishing they would have gotten something different," Fawn said. "They bought it, you know, a year to two years or however long it is before their wedding, and sometimes their style might change, or they feel less pressured later on."She thinks more brides should take their time searching for their dress to ensure it's what they want."They can kind of loosen the reins and say, 'What do I want to wear to my wedding? What do I want to show up as? What is gonna make me feel like the best version of myself?'""He is the most genuine person I've ever met," Fawn said of her husband.The newlyweds. Channing Price "He just brings out a side of me I didn't know I had, and I love that about him," Fawn said. "I love that he is who he is and he's first and foremost kind, but also that he challenges me to be a better version of myself and makes me a better person.""I know relationships are hard, marriage is hard, life is hard, and doing it with somebody else is not always the easiest thing," Fawn said. "But there's no other person I would ever want to do it with or even consider doing it with."

2025-03-06T10:43:22Z Read in app Daniel Meursing and his employees at Premier Staff. Daniel Meursing This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Daniel Meursing is the CEO of Premier Staff, a luxury event staffing company in LA.He worked as server and started his own company living frugally at his mom's house in the suburbs.Meursing had to learn to be honest with himself as a CEO to grow his revenue and scale the business.This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Daniel Meursing, CEO of Premier Staff. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I moved to New York and signed with New York Model Management in 2015. I was 19 and worked for a catering company as a "model server." The pay was $27 an hour, and it was a good side gig. I was also a brand ambassador for a friend's staffing company working at pop-up events.In 2019, I moved back to LA, to live with my mom in the suburbs. I had obtained my license as a mortgage lender and was working at a loan company.Times were lean, so I also took gigs working for an event staff company in LA.A guest at a party I was working at in LA approached me and asked if I could staff a couple of his art parties every month. He'd been impressed by my work managing high-profile guests at the party. I had some experience managing events, so agreed.Within a few weeks of meeting this client, I had staffed my first party. I was nervous and had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn how to file invoices and pick a business name, Premier Staff.Finding staff for these early events was hard, and I'd often ask friends to help out last minute. I was never confident staff would show up on time or in the right uniform. In the beginning, I led every event on-site.The parties went smoothly because I would walk around the space like a madman, making sure everything was perfect.I made about $22,000 in 2019 from managing my events and working for other staffing companies, reinvesting those wages back into my business.I was also fired from my mortgage lending job that year. My heart wasn't really in mortgage lending, and I was excited about my new opportunity. It felt like a sign.I was eating McDonalds every day to keep costs lowI was living off credit cards and cobbled together $4,000 to purchase the website domain "premierstaff.com." I spent six months building the website and creating the brand. I ate $5 meals at McDonalds and invested everything back into the business.I launched Premier Staff in October 2019. I was young enough to afford the risk of starting a business and was fortunate to live with my mom.One of the main things that helped me get a second client was optimizing my website to rank on Google and creating a Google Business listing. This is how my second client, L'Amour Events, reached out the following month. They produced weddings in Beverly Hills and hired me as one of their on-site coordinators.People began calling to book events from my Google listing. When I started booking several events per day, I knew I needed to hire trustworthy people to lead them. I built an internal leadership training program to teach my leaders how to keep clients happy.We provided luxury staff and helped coordinate event spaces, schedules, and timings. From October 2019 to February 2020, I was gathering solid momentum, and my revenue was growing. COVID shut our revenue to zeroThere was no work during 2020. It was disheartening. I got a job as a mortgage lender again. Interest rates had cratered, and the lending business was booming.In 2021, My business was still shut down. But I got a call from a client asking to hire 50 people in a week's time for a wedding. They must have found my website or Google listing.I said yes, hoping I could figure it out. Other staffing agencies had closed down or were scared of COVID.I contacted the managers at other agencies and asked them to help me. I figured that if I had good leadership, I could pad the rest out with less experienced staff. After that event, I was back in business.This client ended up being a big wedding producer and loved our service. She gave us referrals and repeat business. In 2021, I expanded very quickly because I said yes to everyone and captured a lot of business quickly.We made about $250,000 in revenue in 2021, even though it was half a year of trading. We worked on The Kid LAROI's 18th birthday party, the week his song with Justin Bieber became No. 1 on the charts. They did a performance with pyrotechnics at the event.Hiring my first full-time employee was a huge factor in our ability to scale. I hired a young, quick-texting micro influencer. She was naturally good at finding people to help me last minute and handling back-and-forth communications. I think the scariest part for entrepreneurs is hiring the first employee, but it has a big impact on the business.In 2022 and 2023, we brought in around $950,000 in revenue. We focused on building infrastructure and internal systems and brought in just over $1 million in revenue last year.You have to be honest with yourself as a CEOIf you want to be a CEO and lead, you have to reinvent yourself and be willing to learn. You have to have uncomfortable conversations with yourself about anything that may be holding you back. I'm a sole owner. I don't have partners, investors, or formal business education. My business is just trial and error.There was a point where I hit a cap in my growth. The company was doing well, but I wasn't hitting the projections I'd envisioned. I could've blamed the economy and my team or made excuses. But, being honest with myself, I was taking on things I enjoyed within the business that weren't helping move the business forward.As CEO, I need to ensure the company's growth. So, I realigned my focus to where I was needed most. Since I've done that, we've closed much bigger deals. In 2025, I hired a sales and marketing team and we've brought in $250,000 in revenue by mid February.

2025-03-06T08:32:03Z Read in app Dmitry Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of Russia's security council, said Moscow's primary objective now is "inflicting maximum damage" to Ukraine. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow's primary objective now is "inflicting maximum damage" on Ukraine.The Trump administration paused US military aid to Kyiv this week.There are Western fears that the suspension could hinder Ukraine's vital fighting capabilities.Russia's former president, Dmitry Medvedev, said the Kremlin should press the attack on the battlefield as the US suspends arms supplies to Ukraine."Inflicting maximum damage to the enemy on the ground remains our primary objective today," Medvedev wrote in a social media post on Wednesday.Medvedev noted that President Donald Trump had on Monday paused American aid.However, he said Ukraine's disadvantage from the US aid pause would exist only for a limited time window."As soon as the deal is concluded, American arms supplies will likely resume (especially since Europe has already increased them)," Medvedev wrote."Russia is advancing," he added. "The enemy resists and is not yet defeated."Medvedev, who was Russia's president from 2008 to 2012 and then its prime minister for eight years after, still holds a key position in the Kremlin's top military decision-making body.He's now the deputy chairman of the Security Council, ranking behind only Russian leader Vladimir Putin.The former president is no stranger to hawkish rhetoric toward Ukraine and the US, previously threatening nuclear attacks on Western cities if NATO deployed soldiers in Ukraine. He's also called for a "maximum reward" bounty on such troops.His new post comes asRussia's ballistic missile attacks are rarer than its drone assaults and typically come every few weeks. This time, it launched a salvo on the same evening as Trump's address to Congress.In a report on the military's Tuesday operations, the Russian Defense Ministry posted on Telegram that it had attacked Ukrainian airfields, an oil depot, drone production workshops, and other military assets in 150 districts.It's still unclear how Ukraine's warfighting capabilities might be affected by a loss of continued US support. But there are fears in Kyiv that the move will scupper the effective use of critical American weapons, such as Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS long-range artillery."My guess is if US aid does not restart, then Ukrainians could hold out two to four months," Mark Cancian, a senior advisor on defense and security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, previously told Business Insider.The CIA's director, John Ratcliffe, and Trump's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, both said that the US had also rolled back the amount of intelligence it shares with Ukraine.Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War wrote on Wednesday that losing US intel would hurt Kyiv's ability to find and hit Russian ammo depots and air defense systems, giving Moscow more options to strike Ukraine and allowing its pilots to get closer to drop bombs.The move would also hurt Ukraine's chances of detecting incoming drone attacks so it can warn civilians and troops, they added."Russian forces exploited the previous suspension of US military aid in early 2024, including by trying to seize Kharkiv City in May 2024 before US military aid resumed flowing to Ukrainian forces on the frontline," the analysts wrote.US military aid to Ukraine was paused for several months last year amid resistance from congressional Republicans.

2025-03-06T08:36:07Z Read in app Two KF-16s, South Korea's version of the American Fighting Falcon, dropped MK-82 bombs on Pocheon on Thursday, the military said. Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? South Korea's military said its KF-16s accidentally discharged eight bombs on a village on Thursday.The 500-pound MK-82 bombs injured 15 people in Pocheon, the military said.Initial military findings indicate that a pilot put in the wrong coordinates for the bombing run.South Korea's fighter jets accidentally bombed its own civilians during a live-fire drill on Thursday, Seoul's military said.At around 10 a.m. Thursday local time, two KF-16 fighters dropped eight 500-pound MK-82 bombs on the village of Pocheon, South Korea's air force said at a briefing.At least 15 people were injured, and several houses were damaged, per reports from local South Korean media outlets.A South Korean air force spokesperson said the bombs were "abnormally discharged" and fell outside the live-firing area."We are sorry for the damage caused by this accident, and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the spokesperson said.The spokesperson added that initial findings indicated that one of the pilots had used the wrong coordinates for a bombing run.Pocheon, which hasPhotos published by South Korean media outlets showed rural houses with shattered windows, damaged roofing, and debris littered on the street. Most of the hit buildings remained structurally intact.The MK-82 is an unguided general-purpose bomb, meaning it can be used for a wide variety of attack missions. The jet that dropped the bombs, the KF-16, is a South Korean version of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon.CNN, citing the South Korean air force, reported that the live-fire drill was linked to Freedom Shield, a yearly joint military exercise with the US.It's scheduled to begin this year on March 10 and end on March 20.

2025-03-06T06:39:44Z Read in app "And she said, 'If they give you an offer, you should take it.' And it dumbfounded me," Melinda French Gates said in an interview with LinkedIn News on Tuesday. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Melinda French Gates joined Microsoft in 1987 after graduating from business school.French Gates said she had a job offer from IBM before interviewing at Microsoft.She took the job at Microsoft after her hiring manager at IBM encouraged her to.Melinda French Gates' life may have been very different if not for a conversation she had with an IBM hiring manager in the '80s.During an interview with LinkedIn News on Tuesday, French Gates said she got a job offer from IBM after completing two summer internships there.She then had a conversation with a hiring manager that made her decide to go to Microsoft a choice that defined her career and personal life."My hiring manager at IBM, a female, said to me, 'Okay, are you ready to accept the job offer?' I was in person with her and I said, 'Well, I have one more company to go interview. This little company, Microsoft. It was tiny,'" French Gates said."And she said, 'If they give you an offer, you should take it.' And it dumbfounded me. Here's this woman who's supposed to be my manager, giving me a piece of career advice, and so when I did get that offer from Microsoft, I really took that to heart," she added.French Gates joined Microsoft as a product manager after graduating from Duke University's business school in 1987."This is gonna be a bit scary. I didn't know anybody in Seattle. It was moving to the West Coast, but I was so excited about what they were doing. I was like, 'I want to be part of that,'" French Gates told LinkedIn News.French Gates worked at Microsoft for nearly a decade, where sheMicrosoft was also where she met her ex-husband, Bill Gates. The couple married in 1994, and French Gates left Microsoft in 1996. They divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.In May, French Gates announced her departure from the Gates Foundation, a philanthropic foundation she cofounded with Gates in 2000. Her giving efforts are now mainly handled by Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company she founded in 2015."Many years ago, I received this piece of advice: 'Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you.' I've carried those words with me ever since," French Gates wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times explaining her decision to leave the Gates Foundation.Representatives for French Gates did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

2025-03-06T01:04:01Z Read in app The author (not pictured) talks to her mom regularly. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? My mom lived five hours away from me when I had my kids. While she visited when she could, our conversations over the phone helped me. I've been a mom for a decade, and I still call her as soon as I drop off my kids. When I became a new mom, I didn't have daily help with childcare or plan weekly get-togethers with my mom or in-laws. Instead, I had my mother's voice on the phone. My mom lived five hours away near Syracuse, New York. Although she visited me in Manhattan when my son was born and after my daughter's birth a couple of years later, our conversations on the phone have carried me through motherhood.I knew I could ask her all the questionsAs I eased into motherhood, it didn't bother me that my mom wasn't with me nonstop as I was learning how to breastfeed, change a million diapers, and burp my baby. Everything was new, stressful, and exciting at the same time. I knew if I had a question about caring for my little one, I could call and count on her without any criticism or judgment. She was always my safe place.I would call her to share parenting moments, big and small.I remember once I called laughing about how my son's bottle rolled across the sidewalk into the gutter. I told her about the mommy and me music classes I discovered and story time at the library on Fifth Avenue. While I strolled to these activities, we talked about the baby carrier she used to carry me in. We talked about storing milk and all the savvy equipment that existed now that didn't when I was a child in the 80s. She sent me packages in the mail, blankets, hats, and mittens she crocheted for my son, and I'd send her photos in a text message showing off her grandson wearing his cozy new gear.Soon, I was pushing a double stroller, bringing my toddler son and newborn daughter to the Central Park Zoo, and snapping photos for Grandma. With our calls, photos, video chats, and gifts in the mail, it was like my mom never missed a beat.Our conversations gave me courageOur conversations helped me have the courage to stay active with my kids and gain patience when they were cranky or teething or I was exhausted and needed to vent a little. She always said to think positively and told me I was doing a great job. I appreciate that my mom listened. I was thankful for her cheerfulness, tips and encouragement based on my ups and downs of new motherhood.I called her teary-eyed when my son was wailing when I dropped him off at preschool. I called when my kids had a diaper blowout in public or a meltdown before naptime. I called during so many enjoyable moments, too, like when the tulips were blooming, and my kids and I had a picnic in the grass at the park. Her ear and words of care were all I needed.While other new moms had their mothers join them at the playground or school events, sometimes I wished that we lived closer, but I knew I was OK because my mom was just a call away.Despite the distance, she's been there during important times in our livesI'll never forget the night I called her and told her my marriage was ending, and I needed help and some extra money for furniture for a new place to live and a lawyer. She was there on the phone with me, figuring out my next steps. Through the darkness, her voice was reassuring and uplifting and helped me feel brave while starting my life over. I remember the first year I lived alone with my kids, our couch, the table and chairs, their bunk beds were a constant reminder of my mom's love.As time passes, I'll give my kids a little more freedom while wishing for them to be this little forever, and my mom and I will reminisce.Somehow, I feel like she has been there with us through everything special and meaningful, even though we don't live near each other.With a phone and some effort, I've learned it's possible to give a parent the grandparent experience despite not living down the street from each other, in the same ZIP code, or even the same state. Also, I've learned that just because you don't have family nearby doesn't mean you can't truly enjoy your own parenting journey.I've been a mom for over a decade, and when my kids are at school, I still call, and nostalgia comes quickly. We talk about how big my kids are now and how soon this phase of parenting will become the next. I tell her how much I want time to slow down. I can hear her smiling when she reminds me that the time I invest in my kids now will keep us close later. I know she is right because we have always been close, no matter the distance.

2025-03-06T02:01:01Z Read in app Dr. Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is fasting from Target. Courtesy of Jamal Bryant. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Some Americans have promised to boycott companies that dropped their DEI policies.A pastor in the Atlanta area is encouraging his congregation to "fast" from Target for 40 days.The timing of the boycott aligns with Lent, which started on Wednesday.Thousands of people have committed to boycotting corporations in the name of now-defunct diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that companies have dismissed since President Donald Trump's rise.Now, some are boycotting in the name of the Lord.Jamal Bryant, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside Atlanta, is calling on his congregation to "fast" from Target this Lenten season, which began Wednesday. Christians who observe Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, typically do so by fasting or giving something up."Lent is a holy season of prayer and is about sacrifice," Bryant told Business Insider. "So not only are we picketing with our pocketbooks, but partitioning with our prayers." Bryant said Target has "put consumerism over decency."Target did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Target announced in January that it would be rolling back several DEI initiatives. Some Target shoppers were outraged that the company followed the lead of several others that have dismantled their DEI policies, many of which were bolstered in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement.During his first week back in office, President Donald Trump promised the end of DEI programs in the federal government and reversed a 1965 order that barred government contractors from engaging in employment discrimination. Many major companies were quick to pull back on their diversity programs to remain in the good graces at the White House.About 1 in 8 Target shoppers is Black, according to a data analysis from Numerator, which assesses retail consumers."The way that the Black community has had brand loyalty to Target, but them to not express that same loyalty to our community," Bryant said, "we felt was a slap in the face."Bryant started a pledge to encourage people to fast from Target, and he said 110,000 people have signed on thus far. Those who commited to the fast received a digital directory of Black businesses they can support instead, Bryant said."People are still spending," he said. "They're just being more mindful about where they spend and how they do it."

2025-03-06T02:05:26Z Read in app The National Park Service has leases being targeted for termination on top of the recent staff cuts, advocacy group says. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Over 30 National Park Service leases could be canceled, advocacy group NPCA said.The NPCA said the canceling the leases could impact visitor experiences and safety.The potential lease terminations are part of the Trump administration's push for spending cuts.More than 30 leases that house National Park Service operations from visitor centers to law enforcement and search and rescue facilities are on the chopping block, according to an analysis by the National Park Conservation Association, or NPCA.The NPCA, a nonprofit that advocates for the national parks, compiled a list of leases that have been targeted for termination by the Trump administration. If approved, the terminations would take effect at various times this year or next depending on the locations, according to the list."Whoever's making these decisions is not making them in the best interest of the park service or park visitors,"Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs at NPCA, told Business Insider. "Sure, you could be saving some money, but at the expense of public safety."The potential cancelations are part of the Trump administration's push for efficiency and spending cuts across the federal government, which has included mass firings as well as lease terminations by various agencies.Park advocates and employees have already expressed concern about staffing cuts around 1,000 NPS employees were believed to have been fired last month while an additional 700-plus opted into the deferred resignation program, according to an internal NPS memo viewed by BI. They said the staff cuts would make the parks less safe and less enjoyable for visitors. NPCA said canceling these leases would have a similar effect."The Department of the Interior and its bureaus are committed to upholding federal responsibilities to communities and tribes," a spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, which includes NPS, told BI, adding that the department is working with the General Services Administration, or GSA, "to ensure facilities or alternative options will be available for the continued delivery of Interior services as we embrace new opportunities for optimization and innovation in workforce management."The GSA, whichSo what could that mean for travelers headed to National Parks for their vacations?The facilities being targeted include at least eight visitor centers, including some that have no apparent alternative location, Brengel said. The visitors centers on the list include the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center, the visitor center for Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama, the visitor center for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota, and the visitor center for the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle.Brengel said visitor centers are the first stop for many park-goers, who rely on park rangers at those centers to get information on what to do or see, park history, and how to stay safe while exploring, as well as any trail closures or potentially dangerous weather conditions.Other facilities that NPCA found could have their leases terminated include those used for law enforcement or search and rescue, or SAR. One facility in Utah is located centrally to several national parks and houses staff and equipment, including some used to address wildfires and for SAR. NPCA said it's currently unclear where these resources would be relocated if the lease was terminated.The list also includes facilities focused on science, like water quality testing, and that house delicate artifacts that require specific conditions to be safely stored, like theSoutheast Archeological Center in in Tallahassee, Florida. The potential impacts are compounded by the staffing cuts, which advocates and park service employees said could lead to overflowing trash cans and poorly maintained bathrooms and other facilities, as well as long entrance lines to enter parks or closed off areas.Some park service employees are making the case that the leases are necessary and are appealing to the GSA for exceptions, Brengel said. It's unclear when the appeals would be granted or when the final termination orders would be issued.Brengel said it seems like these only reason these particular leases were targeted was because they were considered "soft-term," meaning they were in a period of their contract in which they could more easily be terminated.If the superintendents of the parks had been consulted in advance of proposing cuts, she said, they would have found NPS has been "underfunded and understaffed for 15 years."Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at kvlamis@businessinsider.com or Signal at @kelseyv.21. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

2025-03-05T23:06:34Z Read in app Steve Wozniak said that mass firings are "not good for a business" in a recent interview. Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Steve Wozniak said DOGE's mass firings are a bad business tactic.Wozniak said DOGE should approach cost-cutting "more surgically, with a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer."Thousands of federal workers have been fired in recent weeks as DOGE has ramped up cost-cutting efforts. Steve Wozniak, the cofounder of Apple, isn't a fan of how DOGE is tackling cost-cutting in the federal government. Wozniak said that while he supports looking for inefficiencies, he does not think Elon Musk and DOGE's efforts to slash the federal workforce are the right approach. "Mass firings not good for a business to run that way," he said in a conversation with CNBC on Wednesday. The Apple co-founder advised the group to be more strategic, saying that DOGE should act "more surgically, with a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer." Federal agencies have fired thousands of employees in recent weeks and offered conflicting guidance on the terminations.The Apple cofounder isn't outwardly political he told CNBC that he decided not to vote when he was 18 but did sign his name to a list of business leaders supporting former Vice President Kamala Harris during the election.Voting record aside, Wozniak said he's "on the wrong side of Elon" after criticizing Tesla in the past. The White House has repeatedly said that Musk isn't officially running DOGE, though Trump said in a speech on Tuesday night that the group "is headed by Elon Musk," and many see him as the functional leader. Trump's comment was flagged as part of an existing lawsuit against DOGE shortly after the speech ended.Wozniak isn't the only business personality who has criticized DOGE billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban has written about the group on Bluesky, a social media site that rivals Musk's X. Cuban said that DOGE will "inevitably" create a mess in one post and called its efforts "not so brilliant" in another. Some management experts have had choice words for DOGE's early tactics, previously telling BI that the group has been "clumsy" and "wrongheaded" so far.Representatives for the White House, DOGE, and Wozniak did not respond to BI's request for comment.

2025-03-06T00:16:02Z Read in app Cyprus and the US have grown closer in recent years, with the former looking to replace its Russian weapons. Maj. Robert Fellingham/12th Combat Aviation Brigade This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Cyprus has been realigning its interests away from Russia toward the US.It has been replacing its Russian arms, and it can now acquire US weapons more easily.It's replaced helicopters and air defenses. A security studies expert said armor could be next.A former Russian partner and so-called "unsinkable aircraft carrier" strategically located in the Mediterranean has drawn much closer to the US in recent years and can now more easily get its hands on American weapons.Under a directive signed at the end of the last US administration, Cyprus is now included in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programs. Additionally, the Cypriot National Guard, the country's military force, will now be able to participate in more training initiatives with US troops.Cyprus' inclusion in these two programs is significant especially as the country is continuing its Western reorientation and slowly phasing out its Russian arms.Come and buyThe Foreign Military Sales program enables the Department of Defense to purchase weapons directly from US arms manufacturers on behalf of partner countries, simplifying the process for the buyer. And the Excess Defense Articles program allows partner countries to acquire excess US defense equipment for free or at significantly discounted prices to modernize their forces.A 1987 US arms embargo previously led the Cypriot government to turn to Russia for many of its weapons while pursuing a close relationship with Moscow.However, in recent years, especially after the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2022, Cyprus has been distancing itself from Moscow and has been steadily replacing its Russian weapons. The US partially lifted the arms embargo in 2020 and two years later fully lifted it subject to a yearly evaluation.In 2023, Cyprus replaced its Russian Mil Mi-35P attack helicopters with French Airbus ones, and last December, it bought Israeli Barak 8 surface-to-air missile systems to replace its Russian TOR M-1 and Buk SAMs. Beyond vehicles and air defenses, vehicles could be next."As the policy of divesting itself from Russian equipment is proceeding, two major purchases represent next logical projects: main battle tanks and armored fighting vehicles," Andrew Novo, a strategic studies professor at the National Defense University, told Business Insider. The M2 Bradley, an armored fighting vehicle, has proved itself in Ukraine. REUTERS/Stringer The Cypriot National Guard uses Russian T-80 main battle tanks and BMP-3 armored fighting vehicles, so "American M1 tanks and Bradley M2 (or other) armored vehicles would be logical candidates to replace existing stocks," Novo said. Patrol boats up to Corvette-size units, assault rifles, and communications equipment could also be a priority, he added.Both M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley armored fighting vehicles are highly regarded, and the Bradleys have famously proven their worth in the battlefields of Ukraine, even squaring off against tanks.Some of Cyprus's current weapons could end up there, too.Although it hadinitiallyrejected the idea of sending its old Russian weapons to Ukraine, citing concerns for its own security since a Turkish invasion in 1974, the island's northern third has been occupied by Turkish forces and de-facto seceded acquiring US systems could allow it to do so."Such a possibility could be considered provided that this equipment is replaced with equivalent or better equipment," then-Cypriot president Nicos Anastasiades had said in 2022.Looking aheadIt's unclear what direction the new Trump administration may take things, but Cyprus's inclusion in these programs could pave the way for a full lifting of the weapons embargo, removing the yearly evaluation, as well as solidify relations with the US.Changing the evaluations could mean big changes. "In general, adopting a new weapons system is a multiyear process sometimes more than a decade," Novo said. "The Cypriot government cannot order an American weapons system and risk maintenance or procurement based on a year-by-year waiver."The two countries are strengthening their military collaboration in other ways, too. In September, they signed a defense cooperation framework agreement to better respond to humanitarian crises and security concerns and enhance interoperability between US and Cypriot forces.Cypriot special operations units have been frequently training with their US counterparts, and in 2023, a US nuclear-powered submarine docked in the Cypriot port of Limassol for the first time. There has been increased military cooperation between the US and Cyprus, including in the special operations space. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bill Carlisle US Marines and aircraft deployed to Cyprus last year in preparation for a potential evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon, and now, the US Air Force is considering upgrading Cyprus's main air base to use it for humanitarian operations in the region.The island sits at a strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean, only about 100 miles from the Levant, and provides access to North Africa and Asia Minor. It has often been described as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier."The Cypriot president has expressed his commitment to expand his country's defense and security cooperation with the US."It is to the best interest of both the US and Cyprus to maintain and develop this relationship, and the US is proving that by investing in defense and security infrastructure in Cyprus," Novo said.

2025-03-05T21:39:56Z Read in app Adam Mosseri is Instagram's top exec and says the platform is doubling down on DMs. Courtesy of Meta This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Instagram has been beefing up DMs with over 20 updates in recent months, with many focused on AI.Top exec Adam Mosseri said Instagram is "doubling down" on DMs in 2025.We made a chart breaking down all the recent changes at the Meta-owned platform.Instagram has been very busy building new tools for its direct messaging products.In the past year, the Meta-owned platform has rolled out more than 20 updates to DMs, ranging from AI chatbots to new ways to share music with friends.Why is Instagram so busy in the DMs? It's become the primary social interaction on the app."When you think of Instagram, you probably think of a feed of square photos, but how Instagram works has changed a lot over the years," Adam Mosseri, Instagram's top executive, said last year. "And if you look at what people share, how people express their creativity, the primary way they do so is actually DMs on Instagram."In March 2024, Instagram announced a handful of new messaging features, including the ability to edit messages after they'd been sent and turn on or off read receipts.The following months were filled with various updates to Instagram DMs. Several months saw new AI feature rollouts, like a suite of user-made AI characters in July and AI-generated DM themes in September.Instagram also confirmed via a Threads post from Mosseri that it was testing moving its DM button, typically seen at the top right of the app, to the main navigation bar in November.To top it all off, at the start of 2025, Mosseri said it would be "doubling down" on messaging as it focused on two core priorities for the new year creativity and connection.Business Insider compiled all of the updates Instagram has made to messaging since last March to help you keep track.Here's a chart breaking down each feature and when it launched:Editing messagesAbility to pin chats to inboxTurning on/off read receiptsNew chat themesMeta launches AI Studio for Instagram DMsAbility to ask Meta AI questions in DMs and to imagine and animate photosCustom AI chat themesCutout sticker in DMsDraw doodles, add text, and edit gallery sends in DMs"Imagine" self-portraits with AI in DMsLonger voice messages in DMs (up to five minutes)New sticker packs (more than 300 additions)NicknamesLocation sharingInstagram confirms it is testing moving the DM button to the main navigation barInstagram Broadcast Channels get more social features (replies, prompts, insights, and best practices)High-definition images in DMsAbility to @mention a group chat in Reels/Feed commentsScheduling messagesMusic stickers in DMsTranslating messagesAbility to pin messages in chatsAIs in group chatsQR codes for group chats and Instagram Broadcast Channels

"Food Wars" hosts Harry Kersh and Joe Avella travel across Los Angeles to find the best pizza in the city. They'll be visiting four locations in just one day to see what the city has to offer. This is "Food Tours."Read the original article on Business Insider

2025-03-05T20:15:52Z Read in app Andrew Harnik/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said vitamin A may help in the measles outbreak.Vitamin A is used worldwide to treat children with measles, but doesn't prevent infection.Researchers have raised concerns that touting vitamin A mirrors anti-vaccine talking points.In Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s response to the US measles outbreak, he raised eyebrows by touting an idea: vitamin A.At least 146 people have been sickened and one child has died from the disease, which is spreading in West Texas and New Mexico.The US Health Secretary addressed the outbreak in an op-ed for Fox News. Kennedy, who has previously opposed vaccine mandates, acknowledged evidence that shows the MMR vaccine protects against disease. He did not urge Americans to get vaccinated,Kennedy then pointed to vitamin AIt didn't go down well with public health workers.Vitamin A is often touted by vaccine skeptics, including Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization Kennedy formerly chaired.While vitamin A is"It's not nearly a firm enough statement," immunologist Andrea Love told Business Insider. "Good nutrition and vitamin A are not going to stop a measles outbreak."So, does vitamin A protect against measles?Vitamin A is used to treat patients with measles in some cases. Both the World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend giving vitamin A to measles patients with vitamin deficiency from malnutrition.That's because measles can deplete the body's supply of vitamin A, and kids deficient in vitamin A are at risk of more severe infection or complications like high fever, blindness, and even death.Therapeutic doses of vitamin A for measles range between 15,000 to 60,000 micrograms RAE per dose much higher than the recommended daily amount for vitamin A in your diet, which is between 700 to 900 micrograms RAE. Cod liver oil is not a standard treatment for measles.Vitamin A is less commonly administered for measles in the US where people tend to get too much vitamin A rather than too little.Crucially, dosing up on vitamin A supplements will not protect against a measles infection.Christopher Sudfeld, a professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public and the author of a study that Kennedy cited in his Fox News op-ed said research supports using vitamin A to reduce risk of complications from measles, but he wants people to know"The best intervention we have prevent measles is vaccination. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective for the prevention of measles," he told BI.Vitamin A can be toxicVitamin A is a major talking point for anti-vaccine advocates, who champion supplements as a protective measure, despite evidence to the contrary.That's why Love, the immunologist, was frustrated with Kennedy's op-ed. She felt the resulting message could confuse readers who are already skeptical of vaccines."People who see this are going to pick up on the things that resonate with their beliefs," Love told BI. "The entire wellness industry and pseudoscience landscape plays into the idea of taking control of your health."The problem is: it is possible to overdose on vitamin A, Love said. The nutrient is fat-soluble, which means it can build up in the tissues over time. Too much can cause problems like headaches, fatigue, joint pain, liver damage, and reduced bone density."My concern is people are going to start megadosing vitamin A and we're going to see an increase in toxicity," Love said.The gold standard of protection against measles is widespread MMR vaccination to curtail the spread of the virus, which is incredibly infectious. A vaccinated person can be infectious for days before they show symptoms, and their breath particles can linger in the air for hours after they leave a room."The most effective preventive measure is vaccination, that cannot be overemphasized," Dr. Eduardo Villamor, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, told Business Insider.

I recently had the chance to spend a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe.The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The base four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4Matic starts at $58,000, while the six-cylinder CLE450 4Matic starts at $67,450.The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 starts at $74,300. More than $13,000 of luxury, performance, and styling options, including $3,250 for the stunning matte Starling Blue Magno paints, pushed the as-tested price on my test car to $87,640.The car features a modified version of the aerodynamic 'shark nose' front end shared with other CLE models and the current C-Class.The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Instead of the CLE450's three-dimensional chrome grille, the 53 comes with an AMG grille featuring black vertical slats. It's a look that evokes the brand's vintage Silver Arrows race cars.Out back, the CLE450s's faux exhaust tips have been replaced by a set of working quad exhausts.The coupe features prominent front and rear wheel arches to accommodate its sticky 20-inch Michelin performance tires.The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider As a result, the CLE 53, 2.3 inches wider up front and three inches wider at the rear wheels compared to the standard CLE, looks more like a brawny muscle car than a svelt grand tourer.Under the hood is an AMG-tuned mild-hybrid turbocharged six-cylinder engine.The CLE 53's AMG-enhanced turbocharged, inline-six-cylinder engine. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine is similar to the one found in the CLE 450 but tuned or, as Mercedes calls it, "enhanced" by AMG.Redesigned intake and exhaust channels, new piston rings, optimized injection, and a new electric supercharger and exhaust gas turbocharger result in 443 horsepower and up to 443 lb-ft of torque. (That's up from the CLE 450's 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.)Like all CLEs, the 53 is helped by Mercedes' 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which uses an integrated starter generator to contribute an additional 23 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. It's designed to mitigate the effects of turbo lag and quicken the response of its auto start/stop system.My test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, which is about 3 mpg less than the last CLE450 I drove.AMG has transformed the CLE's driving experience from a laid-back luxury coupe to a performance monster.The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The CLE450 drives with the smoothness and refined power of a true grand tourer. The CLE 53 feels very different. It's aggressive and athletic. The AMG tuning eliminates some of the CLE's niceties, as the cabin is noticeably louder and the ride more harsh.But that's the trade-off you make for the gains in handling and performance you get.With a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds, according to Mercedes, the CLE 53 is just 0.2 seconds quicker than the CLE450.That isn't much and makes me miss the brute horsepower and noise of the handbuilt AMG V8s that once powered the old C63 coupe.But AMG's work on the CLE's adaptive suspension, all-wheel-drive system, and rear axle steering really shines.Despite its hefty curb weight of 4,400 lbs, the 53 felt remarkably nimble and confident through the winding mountain roads of North Georgia.The Mercedes' stylish interior elegantly integrates modern tech with classic design.The CLE's cabin borrows heavily from the current C-Class and GLC SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Its interior is an elegant blend of modern design and callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz of days gone by, like the giant 11.9-inch touchscreen sitting below the trio of vintage turbine-design air vents.Material and build quality are excellent. My test car came with elegant metal weave design trim pieces that not only look great but are also less susceptible to the unsightly smudges and scratches that plagued the shiny piano black lacquer trim found on the other CLEs I've driven.Despite having years of experience using them, I still find the capacitive touch controls found throughout the cabin to be a bit clumsy and less precise than physical controls.The 11.9-inch touchscreen features the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system.The infotainment screen also houses the surround-view camera system and a host of additional capabilities, such as web browsing and video streaming. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The system is pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.The car comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The CLE 53's special AMG steering wheel comes with a pair of round drive mode and performance setting controllers.The CLE 53's AMG steering wheel and digital instrument display. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, the CLE has a 12.3-inch digital display. It's highly configurable, with layouts ranging from a traditional dual analog gauge look to a full-page navigation map.My test car's black nappa leather seat looked great and offered good support, especially when cornering.The CLE 53's massaging front seats are embossed with the AMG crested on the headrest. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The CLE is a true 2+2 with a pair of bucket seats in the back, suitable for quick trips around town.The CLE comes standard with some safety and driver-assistance tech, but adaptive cruise control costs extra.The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider That's a shame because the Mercedes-Benz Distronic system is excellent. It's about as close as you can get to a legitimate hands-free system without being one.My verdict: The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is an outstanding high-performance luxury coupe that makes me miss the company's old V8.The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The CLE 53 is objectively a great luxury sport coupe. Its suspension and steering are beautifully tuned, and its cabin is a wonderful place to be.Despite all the joy I derived from driving it, I couldn't help but think how the true excellence of AMG's tuning work might shine even brighter with the brute force of a V8.Do it, Mercedes. Give us a CLE 63.

There are a record number of properties for sale in Florida, with 168,717 homes listed in February.Some cities have doubled the amount of listings on the market since last year.The biggest increase in listings from last year occurred in areas with more affordable homes.Florida's housing market is cooling as a record-setting number of homes were listed for sale in February.According to Realtor.com, 168,717 properties went on the market in February,the highest number the site has recorded since it started keeping track in 2016.The total number of properties for sale in Florida jumped by 40% since February 2024, Realtor.com found. In some cities, there are more than double the number of listings compared to last year. Only seven cities out of the 252 Realtor.com tracked had fewer listings this year than last.Economists and other housing-market experts use increases in inventory to identify areas where demand and competition for houses might be waning. There, homebuyers might start to have an edge over home sellers. Increased inventory is also an indicator that home prices could fall.Even though Palm Beach real estate is experiencing what some brokers call a "Trump bump," with expensive properties changing hands, other parts of the state are getting cheaper."Home shoppers in Bradenton and Sarasota are in for a treat with climbing inventory, falling prices, and longer time on market," Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones said in the report. "Buyers are likely to find more seller flexibility as homeowners aim to attract buyer attention."Because the pandemic housing boom led to record-low levels of inventory nationwide, more homes for sale can sometimes signal a return to normal rather than a housing-market decline. In some parts of Florida, however, the influx of homes on the market and other forces are already having an effect on property values.Take Greenacres, Florida, an enclave 10 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. In January 2025, the median listing price was $259,950, 13% less than in January 2024.Other factors are weighing on the Florida housing market, including relatively higher mortgage rates that stifle homebuyer demand, intensifying property damage from natural disasters, and rising homeowners' association, or HOA, fees.Here are 17 Florida cities with the biggest increases in homes for sale year-over-year, according to data from Realtor.com. Homebuyers and investors may want to eye these spots for better deals and more negotiating power.The Realtor.com data about homes on the market is from February 2025, while the median listing prices are from January, the most recent month available.17. The VillagesThe Villages, Florida. Michael Warren/Getty Images Properties on the market: 594Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 76.5%Median listing price: $389,25016. OldsmarOldsmar, Florida. Anita Denunzio/Getty Images Properties on the market: 144Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 76.7%Median listing price: $379,45015. TequestaTequesta, Florida. Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 111Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 76.8%Median listing price: $749,00014. GreenacresGreenacres, Florida. Courtesy of Hana R. Alberts Properties on the market: 331Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 78.9%Median listing price: $259,95013. Fort Myers BeachFort Myers Beach, Florida. Philippe TURPIN/Getty Images Properties on the market: 508Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 83.1%Median listing price: $799,99912. St. AugustineSt. Augustine, Florida. Shutterstock/ Sean Pavone Properties on the market: 1,596Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 84.2%Median listing price: $612,00011. TavaresTavares, Florida. Jillian Cain Photography/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 152Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 92.40%Median listing price: $359,00010. HarmonyHarmony, Florida. JennLShoots/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 121Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 100.00%Median listing price: $364,5009. Royal Palm BeachRoyal Palm Beach, Florida. Andre Delisser/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 218Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 100.00%Median listing price: $479,9508. Ave MariaAve Maria, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Properties on the market: 218Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 106.60%Median listing price: $474,9007. St. JohnsSt. Johns, Florida. Charles Brown Photo/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 269Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 115.70%Median listing price: $575,0006. St. James CitySt. James, Florida. John Apte/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 123Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 115.80%Median listing price: $599,9005. Dania BeachDania Beach, Florida. Photo by Elena Tarassova/Getty Images Properties on the market: 168Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 118.20%Median listing price: $409,9004. Miami GardensMiami Gardens, Florida. felix Mizioznikov/Getty Images Properties on the market: 309Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 120.70%Median listing price: $499,9993. PaceProperties on the market: 178Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 128.20%Median listing price: $349,0002. Citrus SpringsCitrus Springs, Florida. Kevin O'Neill/Getty Images Properties on the market: 298Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 136.50%Median listing price: $284,9901. St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, Florida. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock Properties on the market: 2,141Increase in homes for sale year-over-year: 164.1%Median listing price: $440,000

2025-03-05T18:46:27Z Read in app Seth Jones, seen here with his wife, is a former mortgage broker in Florida who sold his investment properties. Courtesy of Seth Jones This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Seth Jones had a real-estate-investing rule: only rent out homes for 1% or less of their value.He sold his 10 properties and put the money into an exchange-traded fund portfolio, or ETFs.Jones says life is easier without the headaches that come with property management.This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with software engineer Seth Jones, 36, who lives in Port Orange, Florida, about 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach. Jones started buying investment properties in 2015, then began selling them off in 2020 to put his money elsewhere. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.When I was younger, I read books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," and "The Millionaire Real Estate Investor." That's all I wanted to do. When I left the military at 22, the first thing I did was get a job as a real-estate agent because I thought it would help me become an investor.My wife and I moved to Port Orange, Florida, in 2013 to be closer to her parents. I quickly realized Florida was saturated with agents. Even back then, there were only a small number of really good mortgage brokers. So I pivoted.It took some time because I had to develop the right credentials. I became a personal banker with a regional bank and worked there for about a year and a half. Eventually, I became the branch manager. The entire time, I was working on my licensing to become a mortgage broker.For years, my wife and I were hyper-focused on saving money. My wife is a teacher and we lived only off her salary. All of my income went into saving to buy properties. We hardly ever ate out and never went to bars. My faith is really important to me, so I spent a lot of time around people in the church, which made it easier. A lot of the people in the church live pretty simply, so we didn't do a lot of things socially or travel-wise, either.The goal was to get to 100 doors. That was my entire focus. I just wanted to build a real-estate business that would eventually support me and my family, and I wanted to do it as fast as possible.I didn't purchase my first property until 2014. They were actually two, each with three bedrooms under $60,000. I was able to pay 15% down.I created a rule to guide my real-estate investing strategyI'm very conservative by nature. Fundamentals have always mattered to me.It's been frustrating to me that in the aftermath of 2008, a lot of people developed a mindset that real estate just doesn't go down in value.I developed a rule as a mortgage broker that I often call the 1% rule. It's very simple, back-of-the-napkin math. When I look at a property, the first thing I look for is whether the monthly rent I can charge for it is greater than 1% of the home's value. So on a $100,000 property, am I able to rent it out for $1,000 per month? On a $200,000 property, am I able to rent it out for $2,000 per month?It's not ironclad and doesn't always make or break a purchase. But I use it as a guidepost and for quick analysis of a deal.After the first two properties, I was able to grow rather quickly. In 2018, I opened my first mortgage brokerage, which increased my income and gave us more resources to invest with. By 2019, I was able to target higher-quality properties in top school districts.My tenth and last purchase was a property in Lexington, South Carolina that I bought for $138,000 in February 2020. By that point, I had realized I had been concentrating all my risk in Florida. I started to get worried about the impacts of a big hurricane and wanted to diversify my portfolio out of state.Doing my research, western South Carolina seemed fairly insulated from national disasters and I found a good school district in Lexington.I ended up with a 10-property portfolio.The COVID real-estate boom worried me and I got outIn the real-estate investing world, everyone used to talk about cash flow.Sometime around 2019, I noticed a shift in focus. I listen to a lot of financial podcasts and I heard everyone's focus change from cash flow-oriented to appreciation-oriented. That's just never how I've looked at underwriting deals.At the beginning of COVID, I anticipated property values were going to be stressed and would potentially go down. Obviously, the opposite happened.I watched things take off. I wasn't sure what was going to happen moving forward, but the fundamentals started to change. I used Reventure, a data aggregator for real estate, pretty extensively. It pulls in data from a lot of different sources, and I would track price-to-rent ratios for the local market.For property values, I've used every website, but I prefer Redfin. I find it to be the most accurate, and I like the feature where you can see comparable sales.I sold two properties in 2019, three in 2020, three in 2021, one in 2022, and one in 2023. The biggest appreciation was a home I purchased for $190,000 that I was able to sell for $500,000.I put all our resources into liquid assets a diversified, multi-asset ETF portfolio of fundamentally sound stocks (SCHD), gold (IAU), long-term treasuries (SCHQ), and short-term treasuries (SCHO).I have no regrets, and I think that I'll be vindicated once we have some type of correction.I have people who tell me I'm an idiot for selling off my properties. They think they could've made 10 times what I did in real estate.I do think real estate is a great tool to build wealth, but it's also true that fundamentals matter. There's a significant difference in my headspace coming from not owning real estate. From a liability perspective, I have no external worries. No one's going to get hurt. I'm not dealing with late-night phone calls.There is still stress in trading stocks and equities. You don't see a ticker on a house going up and down all the time, but life is way simpler.