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  • They left their corporate jobs and built a hotel in the surfing capital of the Philippines. Island life is busy, too.
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    Heidi Ganaden and her husband left their big-city corporate jobs to open a hotel on an island.The couple moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao, also known as the country's surfing capital.One pandemic and a category 5 typhoon later, they've finally settled into their new lives.Heidi Ganaden and her husband never thought they'd run a hotel by the beach in Siargao, an island known as the surfing capital of the Philippines.The two of them were working corporate jobs and living in Manila, the capital city. She was in the telecommunications industry, while he was a landscape architect.As avid surfers, the couple enjoyed hanging out by the beach but weren't too familiar with Siargao; Ganaden had visited once before in 2005, while her husband had never been there before. The island is one of more than 7,000 that make up the Philippines. Heidi Ganaden and her husband moved from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, to Siargao to open a hotel. Lubihan Siargao. But a quick weekend trip in 2018 it's only a to visit some friends who were trying to set up a business there left them with a favorable impression of the island.Not long after they got back to Manila, they received a call from their friends in Siargao about a plot of land by the beach that was available for lease."We thought, OK, maybe we can try and look at it. Maybe we can just put up a small shack so that we can go to Siargao, and we'll have a place where we can stay," Ganaden, 46, told Business Insider. They initially wanted to build a home they could live in whenever they visited the island to surf. Lubihan Siargao. When they went to view the plot of land, they realized it was in a central location that was popular with tourists. New establishments, like restaurants, were also popping up all around the area.They also noticed that more and more people were visiting Siargao, and they decided it might be a better idea to build accommodations instead."We actually didn't have the idea for a hotel initially. It was really an accident," she said. "We were in a central spot, and we thought it would be a waste to just offer it for a long-term lease, so we ended up with a small hotel."Trading city life for island livingBy the end of the year, the couple had signed a 15-year lease and started clearing out the land. They preferred to keep the amount they spent on the lease private.They broke ground in 2019. That same year, Ganaden and her husband decided to quit their jobs to focus on the project."We thought it was now or never," Ganaden said. "We had no idea what we were doing, but we did it anyway because we were invested in it. We wanted to make it work." It was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers on the developing island. Lubihan Siargao. The construction of their hotel took place in phases, and they hired some 15 contractors to help out. Ganaden estimates that they spent about 20 million Philippine pesos, or about $340,000, on the construction of the hotel.The building process was fraught with challenges. Even though the island was developing, it was difficult to find raw materials and skilled construction workers, Ganaden said."Imagine a whole island where everybody was building with just two hardware stores," she said.To meet their project timelines, the couple decided to use prefabricated materials. Everything was brought over to Siargao from Manila even the contractors they hired. The couple brought in construction materials and even their contractors from Manila. Lubihan Siargao. "We had to bring them in and house them because for prefabricated material, there's a required skillset for it," Ganaden said.They named the hotel "Lubihan," a term in the local dialect that refers to the coconut grove that once grew over the land. The entire property spans just over 4,000 square feet and has 13 guest rooms and one staff room."Since my husband is a landscape architect, he was able to make everything work. Even with the 14 rooms, we have a very nice common garden and a lounge area at the back," Ganaden said. Different room types have different nightly rates. Lubihan Siargao. Nightly rates vary across the different room types."We can go as low as about 3,000 pesos all the way to as high as 5,000 pesos," she added.One challenge after anotherThe couple's hotel journey hasn't been easy.When early 2020 rolled around, they faced a major setback: the pandemic. Like much of the world, Siargao and the Philippines went into lockdown. The pandemic and even a typhoon were among the obstacles the couple faced while trying to get their hotel off the ground. Lubihan Siargao. The couple was able to rent out a few of their completed rooms to travelers who were stuck on the island, and they dedicated their time to finishing the rest of the hotel.But just as tourism in Siargao started to recover from the effects of the pandemic, a natural disaster struck.In December 2021, Super Typhoon Rai a category 5 storm swept through parts of the Philippines, including Siargao, uprooting trees, wrecking buildings, and leaving destruction in its wake.Lubihan was no exception. Strong winds and torrential rain devastated the whole island, including the hotel. Lubihan Siargao. "Our entire roof was peeled off like a sardine can, the majority of our glass doors broke and were dislodged by the strong wind. It was a disaster," Ganaden said.All their staff members lost their homes."We had no power for months, no phone signal for months too," she said, adding that the island was almost cut off entirely from the rest of the world due to the damage sustained by the island's transport infrastructure.But with grit and determination, and help from their community, the couple was able to rebuild the damaged parts of the hotel and their lives."It was months of recovery emotionally, mentally and physically," Ganaden said.They were new to the businessThat aside, running a hotel with no hospitality background came with its own set of challenges."We are learning as we go, in terms of how to operate and what's needed by the hotel," Ganaden said. "For example, the kind of fittings that would last longer, or the kind of linens that would make laundry easier, things like that.""I think if you have a background in hospitality, you'd know these kinds of things. But since this is our first time, we're doing trial and error on a whole lot of things," she added.They have six full-time staff members, including an operations officer who lives on-site. Ganaden and her husband often spend their afternoons surfing. Mary Dizon. Ganaden's daily routine starts with dropping off her seven-year-old daughter at school. Then, she scans through the hotel's reservations for the day and stops by the hotel to check in on things."Then, it's island life after that. In our neighborhood, we have a CrossFit gym right next to us. And of course, if the tides are OK, we go out to surf," Ganaden said, adding that she pops back into the hotel after to keep an eye on things.Island life is busy, tooIn 2019, Siargao was voted as the best island in the world by Cond Nast Travelers.Since then, tourism on the island has been on the rise. In 2024, Siargao was also included among Lonely Planet's top seven tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.The island saw a total of 529,822 foreign tourist and domestic traveler arrivals in 2023, per the latest data available from the Philippines Department of Tourism. This is an increase from 181,188 foreign and domestic traveler arrivals five years earlier2018.Siargao may be developing, but the island still retains its untouched feel that many similar beach destinations like Bali and Hawaii have lost due to over-tourism.It's a far cry from the corporate life that Ganaden was used to back in Manila, but her days are still busy."We do also have meetings, especially with other business owners that we collaborate with, but they're very informal. All in flip-flops or barefoot by the beach, drinking a cocktail so that's how our meetings are now," she said. It's very different from the corporate life that she was used to. Lubihan Siargao. She says that her background working in an office taught her to be disciplined, which, in turn, helped her greatly in managing the hotel business.One thing she really appreciates about life in Siargao is the tight community on the island."Even if you live in a village in Manila, you probably will not know your neighbor. In Siargao, everybody just talks to each other, which is very, very nice," she said. She loves the tight community on the island. Lubihan Siargao. That said, she does occasionally miss city-living and the convenience that comes with it."We don't have a fast food chain on the island. It's both good and bad, because sometimes you have cravings for a burger," Ganaden said.The infrastructure on Siargao has also improved tremendously in recent years, she said, adding that fiber internet was only properly rolled out on the island the year before.Prior to that, businesses like hers relied on Starlink for connectivity."A lot of remote workers want to live here, but they can't because of the internet," she said. "When we started having Starlink all over the island, a lot of them started coming in and working from here."These days, Ganaden goes back to Manila with her family at least once every quarter."On the island, we all have this unwritten rule that you need an island break," she said. "We go back to Manila to decompress because our hustle is on the island and then we come back again."Looking back on their journey, Ganaden says that it was a big leap for them to go from working in the city to running a business on an island with no experience."We were scared, but we knew that because of the discipline we had in corporate jobs, we'd be able to survive and find a way to make it work," she said. "I told my husband I know that if I'm pushed to the wall, I will find a way to climb over that wall or break that wall.""That's how I am, so I was pretty confident about going into the entire thing scared," she said.Have you recently relocated to a new country and found or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at agoh@businessinsider.com.
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  • Sam Altman scoffs at Elon Musk's claims of an OpenAI antitrust 'conspiracy' in new lawsuit filing
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    The latest volley was fired Wednesday in Musk's lawsuit against Sam Altman, OpenAI, and Microsoft.Musk wants a judge to halt what he alleges are OpenAI's unlawful anti-competitive practices.Musk has provided "no facts" to show OpenAI is unlawfully quashing competition, Altman's side wrote.The latest volley was fired Wednesday in the ongoing legal battle between the world's biggest tech titans with Sam Altman complaining in court papers that Elon Musk has "no facts" to back his claim that OpenAI is unlawfully quashing the competition."No facts support the existence of this conspiracy," a lawyer for Altman wrote in a 33-page court filing to a federal judge in Oakland, California.Musk also hasn't shown he has been harmed in any way by what he alleges are OpenAI's anti-competitive actions, Altman's lawyer argued.Musk's 107-page lawsuit accuses Altman of fraud, self-dealing, and "unfair competition.""He claims he will suffer irreparable harm absent judicial intervention, but provides no plausible account of how or why," Altman's lawyer, Jordan Eth, wrote in Wednesday's filing.The filing is Altman's response to Musk's request that US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers order an immediate halt to what Musk alleges is OpenAI's unfair and illegal restraint on its competitors.Musk wants Gonzalez Rogers to immediately block OpenAI's ongoing transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity. Musk also wants the judge to bar OpenAI from mandating that its investors not invest in competing tech companies, including Grok, the chatbot developed by Musk's own AI company, xAI.Lawyers for Musk and Altman last sparred in the lawsuit a week ago, at a virtual hearing before Gonzalez Rogers. The judge voiced skepticism at the hearing over Musk's "irreparable harm" claims, at one point summing up the warring factions this way: "I have billionaires versus billionaires.""How can I say as a matter of law there is a likely restraint on trade when your client has raised $11 billion?" for xAI, she asked Musk attorney Marc Toberoff.Wednesday's filing by Altman's side echoed the judge's skepticism."Leveraging Musk's influence, and the 'web of companies' under his control, xAI has become a major player in a highly competitive industry, raising capital at unprecedented speed and scale," Altman's filing said.Musk's startup "increased its valuation to $50 billion in a new funding round last month, making it the second most valuable private AI developer behind OpenAI," the filing said.Musk has used that investment infusion to quickly build "what is believed to be the world's largest supercomputer, dubbed 'Colossus,'" Altman's filing said.Granting the "sweeping" relief sought by Musk "would debilitate OpenAI's business, board deliberations, and mission to create safe and beneficial AI all to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company," the filing added.The judge has not said when she will be ruling on Musk's request. A lawyer for Musk did not immediately return a request for comment.Altman and his codefendants have also asked the judge to dismiss Musk's now nearly year-old lawsuit in its entirety a separate paperwork battle that is scheduled to continue into late May.The judge said last week that the parties should be prepared for trial at the end of next year at the earliest.
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  • Thomson Reuters had the first big win in an AI copyright case. It doesn't mean a cakewalk for other publishers: experts
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    Thomson Reuters scored an early victory in an AI-related copyright case against Ross Intelligence.The ruling highlights fair use limits. Fair use is at the center of ongoing AI copyright lawsuits.Legal experts say the case differs from other litigation involving generative AI firms.Content and technology conglomerate Thomson Reuters this week scored the first big win in a USartificial intelligence-related copyright case.A federal judge's Delaware ruling in favor of Thomson Reuters on the legal doctrine of "fair use," however, does not mean that the slew of authors and publishers who have sued generative AI companies like OpenAI for copyright infringement can expect to have the same kind of success, tech law experts told Business Insider.The ruling, though, could have an influence on the outcome of those cases that are currently winding through the courts, one of the tech law experts said.Thomson Reuters sued the now-shuttered legal AI startup Ross Intelligence in 2020, arguing that Ross infringed its copyrights when the startup used content from Thomson Reuters' Westlaw legal research database to create a competing platform that uses artificial intelligence.In his revised ruling Tuesday, US District Court Judge Stephanos Bibas shot down Ross' fair use defense and instead granted a summary judgment for Thomas Reuters on fair use."None of Ross's possible defenses holds water. I reject them all," Bibas wrote in the ruling, in which he explained that in his 2023 opinion in the case, he denied summary judgment on fair use.The question of fair use is at the heart of major ongoing copyright lawsuits against generative AI firms. Companies like OpenAI have pointed to the fair use exemption to copyright laws in order to justify their use of copyrighted material to train AI models.Legal experts told BI that there are key nuances in Thomson Reuters' case against Ross and the blockbuster litigation involving generative AI firms one being that the Thomson Reuters case doesn't have to do with generative AI technology.Bibas made that distinction in his ruling, writing, "Ross was using Thomson Reuters's headnotes as AI data to create a legal research tool to compete with Westlaw. It is undisputed that Ross's AI is not generative AI (AI that writes new content itself). Rather, when a user enters a legal question, Ross spits back relevant judicial opinions that have already been written." Ross's AI was not generative AI, the judge said. Qi Yang/Getty Images Mark Bartholomew, a University at Buffalo law professor, told BI that he does not think the ruling will have a dramatic effect on the other major AI-related copyright cases since it's just one opinion of a lower court and "neglects some of the most important fair use case law.""Still, the plaintiffs in those upcoming cases, like The New York Times, have to be happy with the outcome here," Bartholomew said, adding that those plaintiffs will likely "trumpet this decision in their legal briefs."The New York Times sued OpenAI for copyright infringement in 2023. The New York Times declined to comment for this story. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.One of the other ways that the Thomson Reuters case is different from other ongoing AI-related copyright infringement litigation is that Ross Intelligence was a direct competitor of Thomson Reuters, Bartholomew pointed out."In many of the other copyright AI cases to be decided, the defendant is accused of copying to train the AI for an arguably new purpose that does not directly compete with the original," Bartholomew said. "That may allow this case to be distinguished, allowing the AI platforms to argue they still satisfy the fair use defense regardless of the holding in Thomson."Harry Surden, a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, said that he fears judges overseeing other AI copyright lawsuits may not take into account the differences between the cases.The ruling is "likely to confuse judges and others on the issue of generative AI, but there are significant differences that are very subtle and most people will miss," Surden said, explaining, "It's both a different technology and the company was acting kind of duplicitously here."For those reasons, Surden said the ruling should not have much influence on the ongoing AI copyright cases. He thinks it will anyway."Judges tend not to be experts in copyright law or generative AI, so I think they're likely to miss a lot of these nuances, and I think it will, unfortunately, have an effect on other cases," said Surden.James Gatto, a partner at the law firm Sheppard Mullin who co-leads the firm's AI industry team, told BI it remains to be seen what kind of ripple effect, if any, the ruling in favor of Thomson Reuters will have."Fair use is a fact-specific inquiry unique to each case," said Gatto.Though the judge's decision does not address generative AI, Gatto said it "reinforces the limits of fair use, particularly in cases where copyrighted material is used for non-transformative purposes to develop a competing product.""The court easily determined that Ross's use was commercial, as Ross sought to profit from the copyrighted material without paying the customary price," said Gatto.Meanwhile, Thomson Reuters hailed the legal win, saying in a statement to BI: "We are pleased that the court granted summary judgment in our favor and concluded that Westlaw's editorial content created and maintained by our attorney editors, is protected by copyright and cannot be used without our consent. The copying of our content was not 'fair use.'"Representatives for Ross did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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  • Does your cereal even lift, bro?
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    General Mills and other brands are launching high-protein versions of their products.This trend mirrors past health fads like low-carb and low-fat diets, with new influences.Social media and health influencers are amplifying the protein craze and other diet trends.Protein is having a moment, and big packaged food brands like General Mills are keeping up.An article I read that fascinated me on New York Magazine's Grub Street looks at how big brands synonymous with carbs Wheaties and Cheerios, for example are trying to muscle their way into the latest craze for more protein.(Wheaties Protein Maple Almond offers 22 grams of protein, up from 3 grams in the classic Wheaties flavor. That's some swole flakes.)Big supermarket brands launching high-protein versions of their stapes (I await protein Oreos, personally) feels like the absolute peak of a food/health trend cycle. As Grub Street points out, this isn't so far off from the Atkins low-carb craze of the 2000s or the low-fat fad of the 1990s. (I will forever remember the taste and texture of the SnackWell low-fat brownie.)Underlining the trend, General Mills said in December, when it launched a high-protein version of Cheerios, that its research showed 71% of consumers were trying to get more protein in their diets, and their new products were looking to "meet people where they are."Of course, there are new factors at plan now, too, like patients on Ozempic whose doctors encourage them to eat diets high in protein to aim to prevent muscle loss, which can be a side effect of GLP-1 inhibitors.Health food fads come and go for example, gut health drinks seem to be the latest version of antioxidant-rich beverages. (Remember Pom Wonderful?) Olipop, a line of canned beverages marketed as a healthy version of soda, just raised $50 million in a funding round that valued it at $1.85 billion, Bloomberg reported.MAHA movement and others help push health trends on socialI have a theory that social media of this moment has supercharged protein mania.There seems to have been a vibe shift that exhibits itself in more nontraditional health crazes lately: Think the MAHA movement, raw milk influencer moms, the Liver King, and other carnivore diet enthusiasts. Then there's the popularity of pop science gurus like Andrew Huberman espousing diet and exercise ideas.This kind of stuff has always existed and I'm not a health expert, so some of these things might or might not be for you but I do know a lot about the culture of the moment, and it feels like these ideas about optimization and macros and an obsession with protein have gone forgive the obvious metaphor on steroids.There's real science behind how getting more protein in your diet is (probably) a good idea. I have even found myself influenced to try eating more protein (although with these egg prices, I'm not sure I can afford to).Still, maybe don't take things as far as Grub Street writer Chris Gayomali did, when he did this:I came across a category of people who drink chicken-breast smoothies. Rather than subjecting themselves to supplements or powders, they'll throw some shredded chicken breast into a blender with other smoothie ingredients.I was curious. Maybe this concoction could offer a perfect marriage of the unprocessed simplicity of chicken breast with the convenient efficiency of a protein bar. So after picking up a pack of chicken tenderloins at the store and boiling three (150 grams uncooked, about 48 grams of protein), I tore the chunks of flesh into the blender and added a splash of water plus everything I could find in my freezer: the crumbly end of a bag of raspberries, two bananas, some blueberries, a forgotten package of aai. The result looked like a normal berry smoothie and, on first sip, tasted like one. Then the back end arrived, coating my tongue in what I can only describe as a slick film with the viscosity and taste of a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.I don't think I'll ever recover from visualizing that, Chris!Read more: Big Food gets jacked how protein mania took over the American grocery store. (New York Magazine's Grub Street)
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  • Everything we know about 'The Wheel of Time' season 3, including the potential death of a major character
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    "The Wheel of Time" returns for season 3 on March 13.Prime Video released the first trailer for the new season.The season will adapt the fourth book of the novel series, "The Shadow Rising."Warning: Major spoilers ahead for season two of "The Wheel of Time."The first trailer for"The Wheel of Time"season three teases explosive battles and the death of a major character ahead of the premiere on March 13."The Wheel of Time," a fantasy show based on the 15-book series of the same name, was renewed by Prime Video for a third season back in 2022, months ahead of the season two premiere.In the season two finale, the Emond's Field five Rand al'Thor (Josha Stradowski), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Mat Cauthon (Dnal Finn), Egwene Al'Vere (Madeleine Madden), and Nynaeve al'Meara (Zo Robins) defeat the villainous Dark One's lead minion, Ishamael (Fares Fares). He seemingly dies and fades into dust.But the fight isn't over.Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), the heroes' ally, reveals that Rand is the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied hero sent to save the world from the Dark One, which means the heroes will face more threats.In the new trailer, Moiraine appears again, saying that she saw a series of possible futures. However, she learns that her and Rand's fates are linked. In order for Rand to live to complete the prophecy, she might have to die.In the fifth book of the series, "Fires of the Heaven," Moiraine sacrifices herself to defend Rand from Lanfear (Natasha O'Keeffe), a former lover of the Dragon Reborn.Though this season is not meant to adapt the fifth book, it could shuffle around sections of the story, as the show has done with other storylines.Here's what to know about the third season.
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  • All 49 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV series, ranked by critics
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    49. "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" (2023)Paul Rudd and Kathryn Newton in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:The best part of "Quantumania," the third installment in the Paul Rudd-led "Ant-Man" series, was Jonathan Majors' introduction as the MCU's next big bad, Kang, audiences and critics agreed although, Majors' time in the MCU was short-lived as a result of his recent legal troubles.While critics had a tougher time with the miniature film, the audience score of 81% shows that fans had a good time with Scott, Hope, Hank, Janet, and Cassie down in the Quantum Realm."The general color-drenched too-muchness of it all might be tolerable if the plot wasn't such a by-the-numbers slog, alternating hyperkinetic action sequences with draggy recitations of exposition," wrote Decider's John Serba.48. "Eternals" (2021)Angelina Jolie in "Eternals." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:"Eternals," directed by Oscar winner Chlo Zhao, attempted to introduce an entirely new team of superheroes, an alien race called the Eternals, to the MCU, and followed them from prehistoric times all the way through present day. Your mileage may vary on how successful she was but "Eternals"didintroduce Harry Styles to the MCU, so there's that."Zhao ultimately robs the artist's comic of its sweep by constantly turning a space opera into a repetitive character drama,"wrote Ed Gonzalez for Slant Magazine.47. "Captain America: Brave New World" (2025)Anthony Mackie in "Captain America: Brave New World." Eli Ad/Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:"Brave New World" sees Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) officially take over for Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as Captain America on the big screen, while his old friend Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) is the new Falcon.Sam must go up against President Thunderbolt Ross with Harrison Ford taking over for William Hurt, who died in 2022 who has somehow turned into, you guessed it, Red Hulk."Though it ties together threads from the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole, 'Brave New World' is neither particularly good or bad. It's just another Marvel movie," wrote Dylan Roth for the Observer.46. "Secret Invasion" (2023)Emilia Clarke in "Secret Invasion." Gareth Gatrell/Marvel Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%"Secret Invasion" continues the story of the Skrulls, a few decades after we last saw them in "Captain Marvel," as they search for a new planet with the help of Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson.But not even the all-star cast of Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Don Cheadle, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, and more could save this show from getting torn apart by critics."If a series about Nick Fury doesn't feel urgent or crucial, then the MCU is losing the battle for our attention," wrote Melanie McFarland for Salon.45. "The Marvels" (2023)Brie Larson in "The Marvels." Laura Radford/Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:"The Marvels," the long-awaited follow-up to 2019's "Captain Marvel," sees Brie Larson's Carol Danvers team up with Monica Rambeau, aka Photon (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel (Imani Vellani) to take down a new threat."It might not have the overwhelming impact of an 'Endgame' or even a 'Guardians 3,' but this is the MCU back on fast, funny form," wrote Empire Magazine's Helen O'Hara.44. "Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022)Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:The follow-up to smash hit "Thor: Ragnarok" and the first-ever fourth solo film for an MCU hero didn't live up to expectations, at least according to critics. But we did get to see Natalie Portman return to the MCU as her version of the Mighty Thor, a couple of screaming goats, and a jaw-dropping post-credits cameo."Though Chris Hemsworth, as usual, has a lot of fun in the title role, the film around him too often strains to provide excitement and laughs," wrote Wall Street Journal's Kyle Smith.43. "Thor: The Dark World" (2013)Chris Hemsworth in "Thor: The Dark World." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:"Thor: The Dark World" the 2013 sequel to the 2011 film stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his mischievous brother Loki, and Natalie Portman as Thor's Earth-bound love interest Jane Foster. It wasn't as well-received as its predecessor, but it has its defenders. And now, it's been ranked better than "Love and Thunder.""This feels like a really, really, expensive episode of 'Doctor Who.' In a good way,"wrote Larushka Ivan-Zadeh for Metro.42. "The Incredible Hulk" (2008)Edward Norton in "The Incredible Hulk." Universal Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:Edward Norton took over from Eric Bana for "The Incredible Hulk," which was plagued with rumors of behind-the-scenes drama, reported by Collider, including that Norton rewrote much of the movie while it was shooting, and that there were many clashes between Norton, director Louis Leterrier, and Marvel Studios.Those dueling visions led to a moderately received comic-book film."The climax is a bit of a yawn, but most of what precedes it is vigorous and sharp,"wrote Tom Charity of CNN.41. "Echo" (2024)Alaqua Cox in "Echo." Disney+ Rotten Tomatoes score:"Echo" is a five-episode series following Maya Lopez, aka Echo, a character first introduced in "Hawkeye." After the events of "Hawkeye," when she learned that her adoptive father, Wilson Fisk, was responsible for the death of her real father, Maya returns home to her small town in Oklahoma to reckon with her mysterious past."'Echo' resists pandering in its celebration of female, Indigenous, and disabled identities, keeping it all rooted in character moments that are organic and well earned," wrote Jen Chaney for Vulture.40. "Iron Man 2" (2010)"Iron Man 2." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:In retrospect, "Iron Man 2" had an impossible job: to build upon what is still regarded as one of the finest superhero films of all time. Perhaps that's why critics weren't too kind to "Iron Man 2," which focused on Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, being rude to everyone around him while covering up his own impending death. Oh, and Mickey Rourke is there playing Whiplash, a Russian villain who loves his bird."Casting the likes of Downey and Rourke and then imprisoning them in jointed refrigerators is resource-squandering of the highest order,"wrote Dana Stevens for Slate.39. "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022)Benedict Cumberbatch in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:Afterthe events of the Disney+ miniseries "WandaVision,"Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff has been taken over by the dark forces of the Scarlet Witch, putting her on a collision course with Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Stephen Strange as he works to protect a new teenaged friend, America Chavez (played by Xochitl Gomez), from Wanda's plans."It might be Marvel's multiverse, but 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' is [director Sam] Raimi's plaything. And we wouldn't want it any other way,"wrote Kristy Puchko for Mashable.38. "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015)"Avengers: Age of Ultron." Disney The Avengers team up once again in "Age of Ultron" to take down the nihilistic AI known as Ultron, designed as a "suit of armor around the world" by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, aka Iron Man and the Hulk, who is hell-bent on destroying the planet at all costs."The sharp, interpersonal dramedy that made the first movie such a delight is again present in flashes, but not infrequently it is drowned out by the noisy, inevitable need to Save the World," wrote Christopher Orr for The Atlantic.37. "Thor" (2011)Chris Hemsworth in "Thor." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:77%Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were both nearly unknowns when they were cast as Norse gods Thor and Loki and this movie catapulted them both to the A-list almost immediately.Both Hemsworth and Hiddleston were still involved with the MCU through 2023, with Hemsworth's Thor getting a fourth solo film (a first for the MCU) and Hiddleston's Loki getting a second season of his Disney+ series (also a first for the MCU). Seeing their chemistry as brothers in this first film explains why. But in 2025, their future remains to be seen."The new Marvel Comics movie 'Thor,' directed by Kenneth Branagh, is equal parts trippy, tacky, and monumental, the blend surprisingly agreeable, a happy change from all those aggressively down-to-earth superhero flicks like 'Iron Man,'"wrote David Edelstein for Vulture.36. "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024)Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Jay Maidment/20th Century/Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:After the 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, the X-Men are now finally able to become part of the MCU and the very first X-Men story brought into the universe brings Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine back to the big screen. This time, he teams up with Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, also known as the Merc with a Mouth.The two go on a rambunctious cameo-filled ride throughout the multiverse to try and save Deadpool's friends from total destruction."'Deadpool & Wolverine' is the ultimate love letter to Marvel fans: The cameos and references are aplenty and brilliant, the source material is treated with respect and, best of all, it's pure, unadulterated fun," wrote The Seattle Times' Dominic Baez.32 (tie). "Iron Man 3" (2013)Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 3." Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:"Iron Man 3" focuses on Tony Stark dealing with his PTSD after the events of "Avengers" aka his near-death experience flying a nuclear bomb through a wormhole in space. But the big twist of this movie, the bait-and-switch identity of the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley, remains this movie's biggest legacy."A thrilling film and a somewhat satisfying conclusion to the 'Iron Man' trilogy,"wrote Nicols Delgadillo for Discussing Film.32 (tie). "Captain Marvel" (2019)Brie Larson, Ben Mendelsohn, Samuel L. Jackson, and Lashana Lynch in "Captain Marvel." Disney/Marvel Rotten Tomatoes score:79%Brie Larson stars as Carol Danvers, a former US Air Force pilot who is exposed to a blast of cosmic energy in the '90s, experiences memory loss, and is taken in by an alien race called the Kree. As Carol tries to remember her past, she's introduced to a young(er) S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, a digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury."The main strength is a core of female friendship: Carol Danvers is the only Marvel hero you could imagine getting hammered and belting out songs by No Doubt,"wrote The Observer's Wendy Ide.32 (tie). "Black Widow" (2021)Florence Pugh and Scarlett Johansson in "Black Widow." Marvel/Disney Rotten Tomatoes score:Set between the events of "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War," and exactly a decade after her introduction as Natasha Romanoff in "Iron Man 2," Scarlett Johansson finally starred in her own solo film with "Black Widow."The film also introduced actors Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz to the MCU, all three of whom we'd love to see again in the future and, in the case of Pugh and Harbour, we'll see them in "Thunderbolts.""In all the ways that matter to an MCU fan, 'Black Widow' the film meets or exceeds all expectations. It is a killer action flick, and a unique viewing experience... in that I loved it, and the fact that I loved it also makes me livid,"wrote Salon's Melanie McFarland.32 (tie). "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" (2022)Tatiana Maslany in "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:Uncanny valley visual effects aside, "She-Hulk" was simply a lot of fun, led by the talented Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters, cousin of Bruce Banner (aka the Hulk), gifted lawyer, and reluctant superhero.Plus, fans got to see the official reintroduction of Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock, or Daredevil, into the MCU. Can't wait for "Born Again" this year."'She-Hulk: Attorney At Law' was a massive success. It had a little bit of a bobble on the dismount, but it stuck the landing all the same. Here's hoping we see way more of Jennifer Walters in the MCU to come," wrote IGN's Amelia Emberwing.31. "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011)Chris Evans in "Captain America: The First Avenger." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:Simply put, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is the role that Chris Evans was born to play. Audiences see Evans first as a digitally altered scrawny kid from 1940s Brooklyn who, against all odds, is chosen to receive a "super soldier serum" and become Captain America due to his pure heart. With anyone else, it'd be unbearably cheesy, but Evans sells it."No clever messages here, just bang-on romance and action, with another fresh twist on 20th-century history woven in for the kids to dive into after the credits have rolled,"wrote Ed Gibbs for The Sydney Morning Herald.30. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" (2023)Chris Pratt in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:"Vol. 3's" 82% score makes it the lowest-rated "Guardians" movie, though it has a high 94% audience score.The film serves as a swan song for this version of the Guardians, comprised of Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot (Vin Diesel), Gamora (Zoe Saldaa), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Kraglin (Sean Gunn), as well as director James Gunn in the MCU.He's now co-running DC Studios and will direct a Superman movie this year.Richard Roeper called the film "a funny, big-hearted adventure" in the Chicago-Sun Times.29. "Ant-Man" (2015)Paul Rudd in "Ant-Man." Marvel Rotten Tomatoes score:Rudd plays Scott Lang, a white-collar criminal who is enlisted to take on the mantle of Ant-Man, a shrinking superhero who used to be Michael Douglas' Hank Pym. But, as Pym is too old to suit up, he and his daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) teach Lang how to control ants, shrink and grow at will, and how to break into Pym's lab to take down Darren Cross (Corey Stoll)."Paul Rudd stars in a formulaic but consistently entertaining and likable Marvel summer blockbuster,"wrote NME's Nick Levine.27 (tie). "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022)Letitia Wright in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Marvel Studios Rotten Tomatoes score:After the tragic (and unexpected) death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, the highly anticipated "Black Panther" sequel was rewritten to be a story of grief and mourning, while also setting up the future of Wakanda in the MCU for years to come.Lupita Nyong'o, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett all put in stellar performances, with the latter receiving an Oscar nomination, while Tenoch Huerta introduced viewers to the underwater king Namor with a bang."A thoughtful and mature exploration of communal grief in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman," wrote Chicago Reader's Sheri Flanders.27 (tie). "Agatha All Along" (2024)Kathryn Hahn in "Agatha All Along." Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios/Disney+ Rotten Tomatoes score:"Agatha All Along" is a spin-off of one of the most successful Marvel Disney+ shows, "WandaVision." Now, the spotlight is on Agatha Harkness, a formerly powerful witch whose powers were stripped and memories stolen by Wanda.But you can't keep a good witch down in this show, she teams up with an all-star cast (Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata) to get her magic back at any cost."A charming concoction of snappy humor, strong performances, and enchanting nostalgia that makes for perfect pre-Halloween viewing. Kathryn Hahn's sheer magnetism alone will have you spellbound," wroteEmpire Magazine'sSophie Butcher.
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  • Diddy files $100 million lawsuit against NBCUniversal over 'Making of a Bad Boy' doc
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    Sean "Diddy" Combs has sued NBCUniversal for $100 million.The lawsuit accuses NBCUniversal of defamation by airing falsehoods in a documentary about him.The "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy" documentary is streaming on Peacock.Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal over the media company's recent documentary "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy."The lawsuit, filed in New York state court on Wednesday, accuses NBC of "shamelessly" airing "falsehoods," including that Combs sexually assaulted minors an allegation in the documentary that Combs says was "based entirely on a false claim by an anonymous interviewee."Combs also says in the lawsuit that the documentary "maliciously" accuses him of murdering a series of rivals and close friends, including longtime partner Kimberly Porter, rappers Christopher "Biggie" Wallace, and Heavy D, given name Dwight Arrington Myers."In the Documentary, Defendants accuse Mr. Combs of horrible crimes, including serial murder and sexual assault of minors knowing that there is not a shred of evidence to support them," the lawsuit says.The lawsuit also names Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment as defendants. Peacock, an NBC subsidiary, streamed the documentary, and Ample was the production company responsible for producing it.Representatives for NBCUniversal didn't immediately return a request for comment by Business Insider. Ample couldn't immediately be reached.The defendants worked together to "line their own pockets at the expense of truth, decency, and basic standards of professional journalism," the lawsuit says of the documentary, which first aired in January."As described in today's lawsuit, NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Peacock TV, LLC, and Ample LLC made a conscious decision to line their own pockets at the expense of truth, decency, and basic standards of professional journalism," Combs' attorney, Erica Wolff, said in a statement. "Grossly exploiting the trust of their audience and racing to outdo their competition for the most salacious Diddy expos."Combs is awaiting trial in Manhattan on federal charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse in his criminal case and in multiple lawsuits accusing him of drugging and assaulting men and women over the past two decades.The lawsuit Combs filed on Wednesday takes aim at portions of the documentary he says make false allegations against him, addressing each in strong language and lengthy detail.Combs accuses the documentary of implying he had sex with minors an allegation he says is based on a single interviewee who falsely claimed he saw two girls follow him into a room. The documentary includes the interviewee's "groundless speculation that 'for sure they were underage.'," the lawsuit says.The allegation was likely "rehashed from a baseless lawsuit seeking $30 million," Combs' lawsuit says, in a reference to a February, 2024, lawsuit filed against the rapper by music producer Rodney Jones, Jr.That lawsuit "has already been discredited by those adult women in their 30s referenced in that lawsuit who have come forward to say that they were adults at the time," Combs argues.The rap entrepreneur takes special issue in his lawsuit with a suggestion in the documentary that Combs was responsible for Porter's death.He calls Porter the mother to four of his children, his romantic partner for more than a decade, and "the love of his life." Porter died in 2018 at the age of 47 from lobar pneumonia."The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has confirmed that her death was from natural causes and that there has never been any evidence of foul play," Combs' lawsuit says."The Documentary advances the false narrative that it cannot be a 'coincidence' that Ms. Porter and others in Mr. Combs's orbit have died, in a malicious attempt to insinuate that Mr. Combs murdered them."Of Biggie who died in a drive-by shooting in 1997 Combs says in his lawsuit, "There has never been a hint of evidence to suggest that Mr. Combs was involved in the tragic murder of his friend." Two other friends' deaths were addressed in the documentary those of music executive Andre Harrell, who suffered heart failure in 2020, and Dwight Arrington Myers, a rapper and producer who had a fatal pulmonary embolism in 2011, Combs' lawsuit says.People interviewed in the documentary, including Porter's ex Al B. Sure, speculate without evidence that Combs must have been involved with the deaths of Porter, Biggie, Harrell, and Myers, the lawsuit says."Defendants Ample and NBCU knew those statements were false or published them in reckless disregard for the truth," the suit says.This story is breaking and will be updated.
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  • The DOGE committee's first hearing was all about Elon Musk
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    The House's DOGE committee held a hearing on Wednesday about improper payments and fraud.In reality, it was all about Elon Musk.Democrats used the hearing to spotlight Musk and DOGE's recent antics in the executive branch.The official reason for Wednesday's hearing, convened in a cramped, pastel-walled room in the second floor of a labyrinthine House office building, was to examine improper payments and fraud.In practice, it was mostly about Elon Musk.Over the course of two hours, the House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency met for the first time against the backdrop of a DOGE-led blitz across the federal government that's spurred numerous lawsuits and ignited Democratic resistance."We can't just sit here today and pretend like everything is normal, and that this is just another hearing on government efficiency," said Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, the top Democrat on the committee. "While we're sitting here, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are recklessly and illegally dismantling the federal government."The House's DOGE subcommittee was established to support the Musk-led "Department of Government Efficiency" in the executive branch. While some Democrats have expressed an eagerness to work with Musk, those lawmakers didn't end up on this committee. Instead, the party selected some of its most ostentatious brawlers to prosecute the case against Musk.For Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the committee's chairwoman, it was a high-stakes moment. Four years ago, a bipartisan majority of the House voted to bar the Georgia Republican from serving on any committee for the entirety of her first term, owing to her history of violent and conspiratorial rhetoric. Now, she's chairing one of the most high-profile committees in the House.As she led the hearing, Greene largely eschewed the theatrics for which she's known, using her opening remarks to offer a relatively boilerplate disquisition on the national debt."This is not a Democrat problem. This is not a Republican problem. This is an American problem," Greene said. "We, as Republicans and Democrats, can still hold tightly to our beliefs, but we are going to have to let go of funding them in order to save our sinking ship."Democrats on the committee took a decidedly different approach, using the forum to attack Musk, DOGE, the machinations of the billionaire businessman's young lieutenants, his potential conflicts of interests, and President Donald Trump's recent firing of inspectors general across the federal government. Stansbury even invited Musk to testify before the committee, alluding to his eagerness to "engage with members of Congress on social media."The most dramatic moment of the hearing came when Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California, referring to Greene's display of nude photos of Hunter Biden during a 2023 hearing, unveiled what he called a "dick pick" a posterboard plastered with Musk's face."This is not about working with the richest man on the planet," Garcia said. "This committee wants to empower the richest person in the world to hurt people."Democratic Rep. Greg Casar of Texas grilled witnesses on Trump's recent firing of inspectors general, the independent officials at agencies throughout the government whose jobs include investigating waste and fraud."If this committee were serious about rooting out waste from our federal government, then today's whole hearing would be about how Musk and Donald Trump are firing the independent watchdogs who've done this work for decades," Casar said.Both sides of the dais largely agreed on the substance of the hearing: that improper payments and fraud in the federal government are worth addressing. But as with most congressional hearings, the testimony and questioning were largely for the cameras, and Greene found herself in the unusual position of bemoaning that Democrats had decided to "make a political theater of the whole thing.""If they want to make this a place to create partisan attacks and future campaign ads, they're really going to be on the losing side of the issue," Greene told reporters.Toward the end of the hearing, Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas bemoaned the direction that the proceedings had taken."All we've heard about for most of this hearing on the other side of the aisle is Elon Musk, Elon Musk, Elon Musk," Gill said.
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  • I felt guilty every time I left my kid to work out. I reminded myself that, as an older mom, staying healthy is most important.
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    Leaving my daughter behind whenever I wanted to work out made me feel guilty.I changed my thinking and started focusing on the positives for my daughter and me.This new mindset has helped my daughter become more independent, and I'm stronger.It became a habit. I had to leave for my run club at about the same time my daughter would wake up in the morning. She was only 6 months old, and I couldn't resist the desire to hold her. That would lead to me being late or missing the run altogether. Once she was in my arms, she was not going to let me put her down. And frankly, I didn't want to put her down.It was getting unhealthy. At six months, I was still recovering from childbirth and needed that time to get myself stronger again. Because I worked from home, I spent all my time with my daughter. Adult time was scarce. That much Ms. Rachel would drive anyone batty.Even as I hugged my daughter tighter, I knew something had to change. I had to let go of all that mom guilt, even if I didn't want to.I made exercise dates with friendsI decided to pile guilt on top of guilt. I asked friends to meet me for runs or other exercise dates. For whatever reason, possibly disappointing a friend was a bigger sin to me than leaving my daughter behind.I even told my running club exactly when to expect me. Let me tell you, run club members will let you hear it if you don't show up when you say you will.Making promises to people in my life helped me get into a routine that I could stick with while my daughter stayed warm and cozy at home with her dad.I tied the exercise to being there for my daughter for longerI'm an older mom, but I'm also a very involved mom. I want to be there for all of my daughter's highlights, from graduating from high school to finding her life's path. The idea of cheering her on through everything delights me to no end.That's not going to happen if I sit on my butt every day.So when the guilt feels extra rough, I remind myself that I'm doing this so I can be there for her later on. No, there's no guarantee, but at least it's more likely.There are serious benefits for my daughterWhen my daughter was 18 months old, and I felt like she was in a good place with her potty training, I took her to Child Watch at my gym. It made me want to throw up, but I did it anyway. When I came back, the person in charge gave me a good talking to about potty training an 18-month-old, and I looked down to see my daughter had peed herself. I swore I'd never leave her at Child Watch again.I left her at home with my partner, but as his work schedule became more unwieldy, that was no longer an option. If I wanted to work out, I needed to try Child Watch again.So I walked into the room with her. Immediately, a little girl came and grabbed her hand to play with her. Although there were some tears (from me), I got my workout in and came back to pick up a seriously happy little girl.And it's been the same ever since. She's made friends who are excited to see her, and she's excited to see them. Sometimes, I will walk in after my workout, and she's enthusiastically leading a pack of 8-year-olds in a fight against zombies. Sometimes, I will walk in to see her reading quietly in the corner. I never know what I'm going to get, but I know she's being perfectly herself without me. That's going to come in handy when she starts preschool in August.I'm getting back to who I amWhile she's being perfectly herself, I'm trying to be a better version of myself, too. I'm lifting heavier. I'm running more consistently.But most importantly, I'm proud of myself. I'm now stronger physically and emotionally. I'm a much better mom to my daughter now.It's strange but the more I embrace being who I am outside being a mom, the better I am at being a mom.
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  • It's official: Egg prices are at new all-time highs after the biggest spike in 10 years
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    Americans haven't seen this big of a monthly increase in egg prices in 10 years.The 15.2% jump brings egg prices to a record high in January.Gas and housing were two other pain points in January's 3% year-over-year increase in inflation.The last time egg prices spiked this much in one month, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar's "Bad Blood" dominated the airwaves.Egg prices rose 15.2% between December and January, the biggest month-over-month increase since June 2015. A dozen Grade A large eggs hit an all-time high average price of $4.95.Egg prices contributed to overall inflation rising to 3% year over year in January and were a major driver of a jump in grocery prices. Eggs weren't the only category showing price spikes rising housing costs, for example, were responsible for almost a third of total inflation last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said, and gas and energy prices crept up as well.Still, a worsening bird flu crisis continues to hit shoppers in the egg aisle."The H5N1 bird flu sweeping through the U.S. agriculture industry is forcing farmers to cull infected birds and sending egg prices soaring, a big supply-side shock to food prices," Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank, said in a statement.To avoid egg hoarding, some grocery stores are cracking down on how many can be purchased at once. A Trader Joe's spokesperson recently told Business Insider that customers can buy one carton per customer per day."We hope these limits will help to ensure that as many of our customers who need eggs are able to purchase them when they visit Trader Joe's," the spokesperson said.Restaurants are also struggling with high prices. CNN reported that Waffle House added a temporary surcharge for egg orders."The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (bird flu) has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices," Waffle House said. "Customers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions."Fresh, whole milk and white bread are also expensive compared to before the pandemic. The average price of coffee remains higher than just a few years ago, too.Mark Hamrick, Bankrate's senior economic analyst, said in a statement to BI that coffee and eggs are outliers that "can aggravate many consumers who sometimes mistakenly see the anecdotal cases of inflation as an indication of general inflation." He added that's not always true."There are specific reasons why eggs and coffee have been moving up on their own, issues that are not easily resolved," Hamrick said.
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  • Every movie based on a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch, ranked by critics
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    11. "It's Pat" (1994)"It's Pat." Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Rotten Tomatoes score:"It's Pat" is based on a series of sketches starring Julia Sweeney as Pat, one of the most annoying people on the planet, but the whole joke is that nobody can figure out what gender Pat is.In the film, Pat falls in love with Chris, another androgynous person (played by Dave Foley). The two deal with a stalker, Kyle (fellow "SNL" star Charles Rocket), who becomes obsessed with figuring out their genders. That's the whole film."Ever hear the one about the pic that was too bad to be released, so it escaped? Well, that old joke now has a new punchline: 'It's Pat,' a shockingly unfunny 'Saturday Night Live' spinoff," wrote Joe Leydon for Variety.10 (tie). "A Night at the Roxbury" (1998)"A Night at the Roxbury." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:"A Night at the Roxbury" is based on "The Roxbury Guys" sketches, which starred Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell as two oblivious club rats with a talent for jerking their necks to the beat of "What Is Love" by Haddaway.The film stretches out this premise across 82 minutes. Kattan and Ferrell star as the Butabi brothers, two aspiring womanizers who dream of getting into the famed Roxbury nightclub one day."Let's look at the bright side. America is still the land of opportunity if Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan can make a movie," wrote Mick LaSalle for the San Francisco Chronicle.10 (tie). "The Ladies Man" (2000)"The Ladies Man." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:Tim Meadows appeared in multiple sketches as Leon Phelps, a sex therapist and radio host. In "The Ladies Man," Leon is fired from his job but hope is not lost since a former flame has offered to support him financially. He just has to figure out who she is."When Meadows's three-minute sketch persona is stretched out to cover a whole movie, the cracks soon start to show," wrote The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw.8. "Stuart Saves His Family" (1995)"Stuart Saves His Family." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:Al Franken created the character of Stuart Smalley during his tenure on the show in the '90s. He's a spoof of self-help gurus, and in his various appearances, he led meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and other support groups.In the film, Stuart is dedicated to saving his troubled family while dealing with losing his public access TV show.Peter Rainer wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "It was much funnier when we didn't see Stuart's family. And, if we have to see them, it would have been much funnier if they were strait-laced '50s sitcom types."7. "Superstar" (1999)"Superstar." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%One of Molly Shannon's most famous "SNL" characters is Mary Katherine Gallagher, a Catholic school student with a talent for pratfalls, accidentally exposing her underwear, sniffing her armpits, and saying her catchphrase: "Superstar!"In the film, Mary Katherine is determined to become a star and win the affection of her crush, Sky (Will Ferrell), against all odds."Contrasting the erotic with the disgusting is usually provocative and can be funny, but not in this underdog comedy," wrote Lisa Alspector for Chicago Reader.6. "Coneheads" (1993)"Coneheads." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:The Conehead family a family of aliens with cone-shaped heads first appeared on "SNL" in 1977, in the show's second season.Sixteen years later, original actors Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin united with '90s "SNL" stars Chris Farley, Michael McKean, David Spade, Adam Sandler, and Phil Hartman; stars from other "SNL" eras like Jon Lovitz and Jan Hooks; and more to bring the Coneheads to the big screen."'Coneheads' falls flat about as often as it turns funny, and displays more amiability than style," wrote The New York Times' Janet Maslin.5. "Blues Brothers 2000" (1998)"Blues Brothers 2000." Universal Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%After the death of original Blues Brother John Belushi in 1982, it seemed unlikely that viewers would ever see the suit-wearing, sunglasses-rocking, blues-loving brothers again.Instead, in 1998, the Blues Brothers returned, replacing Belushi with John Goodman as Mack McTeer, another vocalist."The sequel offers more of the same, only less," wrote Joe Leydon for Variety.4. "MacGruber" (2010)"MacGruber." Universal Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%"MacGruber" is a pretty direct spoof of the '80s TV show "MacGyver," in which Richard Dean Anderson played Angus MacGyver, a secret agent who can build anything with even the sparsest of tools.On the flip side, Will Forte plays MacGruber, a secret agent who always attempts to disarm a bomb but gets distracted and lets the bomb go off every time. The film is much of the same, but it didn't get great reviews at the time of its release.However, Forte brought the character back in 2021 for a Peacock miniseries of the same name and while critics may not have gotten MacGruber's appeal in 2010, the 2021 series has an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, which would make it the best-reviewed project on this list."Any fans of satire who haven't checked out 'MacGruber' yet, prepare to be converted into believers like the man himself when he finally uses a gun for the first time," wrote Joe Berkowitz for Vulture.3. "Wayne's World 2" (1993)"Wayne's World 2." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:This sequel to "Wayne's World" was seen by some as a disappointment, but it's never a bad time to hang out with best friends Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) as they try to create their own music festival, aptly titled "Waynestock.""The sequel to last year's breakaway hit offers more of the same, but it's somehow fresher, funnier, and more endearing than the airheaded original," wrote The Washington Post's Joe Brown.2. "The Blues Brothers" (1980)"The Blues Brothers." Universal Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:"The Blues Brothers" wasn't your typical "SNL" sketch in fact, it wasn't really a sketch at all. It was just an excuse for friends and blues lovers Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi to get onstage and play the blues together. They didn't even have character names or backgrounds until the first Blues Brothers album was released in 1978.The film expands upon the backstory created for the 1978 album and stars Aykroyd and Belushi as Elwood Blues and Jake Blues, respectively. The two are "blood brothers" united by their love of blues and the orphanage where they grew up.Victoria Luxford of theBBCcalled the film "one of the great American comedy films" and said, "It's just a joy to watch even 43 years on. John Belushi was never better as the lead. He's funny just standing there."1. "Wayne's World" (1992)"Wayne's World." Paramount Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score:According to critics, the best movie based on an "SNL" sketch is "Wayne's World. " The film is based on the sketches of the same name, starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as Wayne and Garth, two rock 'n' roll lovers who host a public access TV show from their basement in Aurora, Illinois.In the film, Wayne and Garth's show catches the eye of a ruthless producer, Benjamin (Rob Lowe), who forces the two to sell out and go corporate. Of course, this doesn't go well."Amazingly, the patched-together and padded screen version manages to amuse, if only through the sheer brazenness of its stupidity," wrote Jim Farber for the New York Daily News.
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  • A chef who grew up on the Mediterranean diet has 4 easy tricks for eating more fiber
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    Fiber is crucial for gut health, but most Americans don't eat enough.Those who follow the Mediterranean Diet, packed with veggies and beans, eat twice as much fiber.Christina Soteriou's tips for adding fiber to dishes include using blended beans.Eating a diet packed with fiber is second nature to Christina Soteriou, a plant-based chef who spent most of her childhood in Cyprus.Fiber, found in plants such as vegetables, beans, and nuts, is crucial for our digestive health. It feeds "good" bacteria in the gut microbiome, or the microbes that line the colon. A diverse gut microbiome is associated with better overall health and a lower risk of chronic diseases, including colon cancer.In the US, where the Western diet is common, over 90% of women and 97% of men don't eat the recommended 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories each day, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans state. People who follow a Mediterranean-style diet, however, eat double the amount of fiber each day, according to a 2021 literature review published in the journal Nutrients.Soteriou, the author of "Big Veg Energy," told Business Insider it's easy to add fiber to meals without compromising flavor, using the whole foods that are a staple of the Mediterranean diet.Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a dietitian and the author of "How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed," said Soteriou's tips are an excellent way to consume more fiber to support digestion, gut health, and energy levels.1) Add blended beans to sauce to make it creamierSoteriou likes to think about what she can add to a meal versus what to restrict.One of her favorite high-fiber additions is blended beans, as they also add a creamy flavor to a dish. "Instead of somewhere you might put cream in, you can blend beans," she told Business Insider.She often mixes blended lima beans into pasta sauces."The flavors could be something like harissa and roasted red peppers, or you could just literally throw some pesto into the blender with some beans, and that makes a creamy sauce," she said.Another favorite is fresh herbs, spinach, half a can of beans, lemon juice, and a tablespoon of tahini."If you love pasta, you're eating pasta, but also getting all of these yummy nutrients and protein and fiber," she said.2) Sprinkle mixed seeds on meals Sprinkling mixed seeds over a dish is a quick way to add some fiber, Soteriou said. fcafotodigital/Getty Images Seeds are high in both fiber and healthy fats and contain plant-based protein. They're also easy to add to any meal or snack, Soteriou said.She buys packs of mixed seeds to help her reach her goal of eating 30 plants a week, a number experts believe helps promote gut microbiome diversity."If you have a seed mix that has 10 different seeds in it, that's 10 points already," she said.She sprinkles them over oats, salads, and roasted vegetables.3) Try different whole grainsWhole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and bulgar wheat are an essential part of the Mediterranean diet, and they tend to be high in fiber.To eat more fiber, Soteriou changes the whole grains she uses and tries new ones."If you think, 'Okay, I've had rice, what other grain can I eat with this thing?' There's so many different grains," she said. "Experiment with different grains where you can."You could try using pearl barely instead of Arborio rice in a risotto, for example, or millet instead of couscous, she said.4) Top dishes with fermented foodsDashing some fermented vegetables, such as pickles, kimchi, and sauerkraut, into a grain bowl or on top of a salad is quick and easy and will up the fiber content and flavor profile, Soteriou said.These foods also introduce live bacteria into the gut, which research suggests boosts gut health.Fermented foods tend to last for ages, so you don't have to worry about them going bad like fresh vegetables, she said.
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  • Say goodbye to Stanley cups and Owala. People are obsessing over a new water bottle in 2025.
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    Water bottles from Bink are trending in 2025, potentially replacing Stanley and Owala.The brand's most popular option is made from glass, holds 27 ounces, and is covered with silicone.Bink's popularity is being fueled by TikTok, and its products largely appeal to women.It's the start of a new year and the latest water bottle craze.You might remember when Stanley cups became popular in 2023, causing chaos in middle schools, Target stores, and online communities.Then, Owala water bottles took over last year, attracting cool-girl customers everywhere.Now, glass bottles with pastel-colored cases might just replace both.Say hello to the Bink bottle.What are Bink water bottles?Bink is a family-owned drinkware company that focuses on making reliable, high-quality bottles, according to the brand's website. It was founded in 2017 then selling baby-proofing products and later transitioned to drinkware.Bink products are designed in Seattle, and its founders couple Ben Parfitt and Leslie Parfitt are "directly involved in every step of the process," its website says.It sells an assortment of tumblers, glass water bottles, and drinking accessories between $10 and $42 each, with its most popular product being the $38 Day Bottle.The latter item is made from glass, holds 27 ounces, has hydration trackers down its side, and, most distinctly, is covered with a silicone case that comes in 17 colors. Bink water bottles feature hydration trackers on their silicone cases. Amanda Krause/Business Insider Bink's Day Bottle is slightly more expensive than similar products from Stanley and Owala. For example, Stanley's 30-ounce stainless steel tumblers are available in more than 45 colors for $35 each, while Owala's 32-ounce FreeSip bottle costs $34.99 and comes in 20 colors.However, Bink's bottles are more customizable. The brand sells individual caps, straws, and silicone sleeves on its website, meaning you can adjust the color scheme of your bottle to your liking.Cute, convenient, and coolBink is seeing success this year in two places: TikTok and Target.The brand launched bottles in new, exclusive colorways at the brick-and-mortar retailer and on Target's website in December 2024.Around that time, TikTok videos about the bottles began popping up regularly and they haven't stopped.Fans on the social-media platform say they love the Day Bottle's convenient size, aesthetically pleasing design, and wide shape, which allows for ice. @gabbybeauvais Listen to me rant for 2 minutes about my favorite water bottle if youre interested! @Bink Made #bink #waterbottle #water #hydration original sound - Gabby According to some TikTok users, the bottles are especially popular with women and people in exercise communities."I don't make this up. Bink really is the status water bottle of the moment in the reformer Pilates sect," writer Erika Veurink wrote in the caption of a TikTok she posted about the brand. @erikaveurink #greenscreen I dont make this up #bink really is the status water bottle of the moment in the reformer Pilates sect. #coolgirl #pilates #fashionspy #waterbottle original sound - Erika Veurink Of course, Bink bottles are meant to be reusable, as are most cups from trendy brands on the market.So, some have called out fans of Bink and other companies who have posted about their newest water bottles online."The cool girls are drinking out of the same bottle they've had for like 10 years, not the latest one ," one TikToker said in response to a fan's Bink video.But 2025 is already proving to be different in so many ways. Maybe this will be the year one water bottle finally sticks, and maybe it'll be from Bink.
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  • Deloitte, the largest of the Big Four firms, is split over DEI
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    Deloitte US has made a series of changes to its DEI practices, according to internal memos seen by BI.The changes follow a review of "pertinent government directives," Deloitte said.But a boss told UK staff in a memo on Tuesday that the company's UK division would not follow suit.The world's largest professional services firm, Deloitte, is pulling back its diversity programs in the US, joining the growing number of companies altering their policies in the first weeks of the Trump administration."We will sunset our workforce and business aspirational diversity goals, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transparency report, and our DEI programming," Doug Beaudoin, Deloitte's chief people officer, told employees in an email sent on Monday, which Business Insider has seen.Beaudoin wrote that the changes were taking place after the firm had undertaken "a detailed review of all pertinent government directives to ensure we comply with their requirements, both as a private enterprise and as a government contractor." That review was in line with "others in the marketplace," he said."Everyone is welcome at Deloitte," Beaudoin emphasized in bold text in the email.The memo comes a week after Deloitte asked workers in its Government & Public Services (GPS) division, which serves the public sector, to remove pronouns from their email signatures.In a memo sent on February 5, which BI has also seen, GPS workers were told to update their email signature template in order "to align with emerging government client practices and requirements.""Please note that the template is limited to name, role information, and business contact information. Any other personal information, including quotes, taglines or pronouns, should not be included," the directive said.GPS workers have a "longstanding commitment to compliance with US government requirements," the memo noted.While the changes to DEI programs apply to Deloitte's 173,000 US employees, the firm's UK branch has signaled a split with its US counterpart.In a memo sent on Tuesday to UK workers and seen by BI, Deloitte UK said it remained "committed" to diversity goals and would continue to report annually on its progress on inclusion."Events in the external landscape do not change our commitment to building an inclusive culture and helping all our people to reach their full potential," Richard Houston, senior partner and chief executive of Deloitte UK, wrote in the internal memo.Addressing Deloitte US's changes on DEI, Houston told the UK workforce that leaders had "been clear that this reflects the need to remain fully compliant with federal laws."On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end diversity programs across the federal government and ordered all federal DEI staffers to be placed on leave while their departments are disbanded.Last week, Trump's newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed the Department of Justice to "investigate, eliminate, and penalize" any "illegal" DEI programs at private sector companies and universities that receive federal funds.Deloitte receives $3.2 billion annually through its contracts with federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services.Two Deloitte GPS employees who spoke to BI said they were not surprised by the firm's decision to alter DEI practices in line with the administration's policies.Both asked to remain anonymous as they are not permitted to speak to the media.One staffer told BI they believed the move had been made to "minimize potential risk exposure" and "maintain goodwill" with the administration. "Deloitte is taking the 'better to be safe, than sorry' approach here," the person added. Deloitte drew criticism from Trump supporters after an employee was accused of leaking JD Vance's old messages in which he was critical of the president. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Deloitte has already clashed with the MAGA movement after one of its employees was revealed to have leaked messages sent by now-Vice President JD Vance in 2020 that were highly critical of Trump to The Washington Post.In September 2024, Donald Trump Jr. posted the name of the Deloitte executive accused of leaking messages on X."Deloitte also gets $2B in govt contracts. Maybe it's time for the GOP to end Deloitte's taxpayer funded gravy train?" the president's son said.The Big Four firm joins a growing list of companies, including Meta, Walmart, and Target, that have rolled back their DEI policies in recent months.Last week, fellow consulting giant Accenture told staff it was revising its DEI policies. The consultancy chose similar phrasing to Deloitte, telling staff in an internal memo that it was "sunsetting" existing goals and programs.Deloitte did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Do you work at Deloitte? Contact this reporter in confidence atpthompson@businessinsider.com or on Signal at Polly_Thompson.89 to share your thoughts on these changes. You can remain anonymous.
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  • Ukrainian drone operators say fiber-optic and AI drones are rare but could radically change the fight because of how hard it is to defeat them
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    Fiber-optic and AI drones have come to prominence as countermeasures to jamming and electronic warfare.Ukraine's special drone unit Typhoon said it hasn't seen systematic application of these technologies.But once they become widespread, they'll change drone warfare because they're hard to beat.Constant intense electronic warfare in Russia's war against Ukraine has led to the rise of drones that are resistant to signal jamming. It's still early days, but these things could be game changers, drone operators say.These fiber-optic and artificial intelligence-driven drones are not yet being widely used, a special Ukrainian drone unit told Business Insider, but once they become as prolific as some other technologies, they'll completely change how drone warfare is fought.The war in Ukraine has been defined by the use of uncrewed vehicles, the majority of which rely on radio frequencies to maintain a connection with their operators. In response, both sides have employed electronic warfare capabilities able to jam drones and seize control from the operators or cut video feeds, leaving pilots flying blind.Operators needed a way around electronic warfare.Ukraine first documented the Russians using fiber-optic drones last spring. They became more prominent in the fall. These systems are guided by a hardwire cable similar to a US-made anti-tank TOW missile. The cable maintains a connection between the operator and drone, ensuring the system can't be jammed.At the time, it was unclear if fiber-optic drones would be widely adopted as the next evolution in drone warfare, but it was clear they had promise. Drone experts and top war watchers assessed that they'd have useful applications in some environments and situations but probably weren't a catch-all solution. The cables could get caught or cut, for example, and the systems would have shorter ranges.The development indicated that both Ukraine and Russia would continue coming up with new solutions.As of now, Ukraine's special drone unit Typhoon doesn't see a systematic application of fiber-optic drones or systems controlled by AI, another adaptation to electronic warfare that is highly sought after but still experimental."However," Typhoon told Business Insider, "if widely adopted, these technologies would fundamentally change drone warfare." Fiber-optic drones are hard to beat, requiring interception and destruction. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky Typhoon is a newer National Guard of Ukraine drone unit. Unveiled last fall, Typhoon consists of engineers and operators specialized in uncrewed systems. Right now, Typhoon operates a diverse range of uncrewed aerial systems, mostly supplied by the National Guard and domestic innovation outfits.The unit's short-range reconnaissance drones, such as the first-person view DJI Mavic, are used for gathering intelligence, assessing targets, and guiding strikes. Its short-range strike drones are deployed for precision hits on enemy personnel, positions, and equipment, as well as against aerial targets.Typhoon also operates bomber drones like HeavyShot and Vampire, which are mostly used at night because they're larger in size and easier to spot. Fixed-wing reconnaissance drones and strike drones are also often used for longer-range missions.But the unit is also actively integrating emerging technologies, such as fiber-optic drones and"machine vision tracking with homing capabilities," which would help improve targeting. Each drone serves a specific purpose in missions, and partof Typhoon's mission is the training of operators for those specific skill sets. Fiber-optic wires ensure a stable connection between the drone and its operator. Global Images Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images With fiber-optic and AI-driven drones, the challenges for front-line forces will be even greater.Both of these systems are harder to take down than the regular radio frequency drones because they are invulnerable to electronic warfare. A drone flown by an autonomous terminal guidance system, once locked onto its target, would still maintain its flight path even if it's jammed, effectively making it a fire-and-forget weapon.Fiber-optic drones are aless-expensive, lower-tech solution, keeping a hard connection so that operators can ignore any electronic warfare and continue to fly the drone towards its target.Typhoon said the options for destroying fiber-optic drones are relatively limited right now. Because they don't "rely on radio signals that can be detected by conventional electronic warfare systems," the unit said,"the only way to counter them is through timely visual detection and physical destruction."Simply put, that means they have to see it and shoot it. The Ukrainians have deployed shotguns as a counter-drone tool. But they aren't always easy to detect, which means warfighters may have limited time to react for a kinetic kill.These systems aren't seeing constant or consistentuse just yet, but the Ukrainian forces have praisedthem for their accuracy and ease of use. Ukrainian and Western drone companiesare now racing to churn them out.
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  • I tried to juggle my 6-figure tech job with my side hustle. It took being hospitalized to realize something needed to change.
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    Michael Albertshauser co-founded an erotic audio book startup with his wife, Hannah.Albertshauser worked his six-figure tech job by day and spent nights working on his new business.After ending up in hospital, he re-evaluated his work-life balance and went all-in on the startup.This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Michael Albertshauser, the COO of Bloom Stories, an erotic audiobook startup. Business Insider has verified Albertshauser's employment and financials with documents. The following has been edited for length and clarity.For the past five years, I've been living an exhausting double life.I worked my 9-to-5 at a tech company. I'd then go home and work late into the night on the startup I co-founded in 2019 with my wife, Hannah.Working those long hours wasn't sustainable especially with two young kids, but it took being hospitalized in October 2023 to realize I needed to quit my day job and go all in on our startup.We decided to build an audio book businessHannah and I first came up with the idea for Bloom Stories, our erotic audiobook startup, while searching for audio content for couples. Towards the end of 2019, we were looking for something we could enjoy together. Everything addressed a male or a female, and it felt like one of us was being ignored.We thought, "What if we do this ourselves?" I'm not a good voice actor, so we started looking into narrators that could share some recorded fantasies. Once we found some good people, we realized we could publish this content on a website. We considered using Patreon, but weren't sure if our adult content would fit with their community guidelines.I had previously exited a startup, so I thought we could go beyond creating content and build a business. I knew we needed to have control over the process. I didn't want to rely on third party platforms that might change the rules at any given time.A founder friend recommended our now-CTO. Things were pretty straightforward at Bloom Stories at the beginning. We found some trusted freelancers who could write, voice, and mix the content. We would order it from them, then update the website when it was ready. I would speak to the CTO every couple of weeks to discuss what else we needed to build. We uploaded three or four 'episodes' for free, as we hadn't added a payment function. 17 people instantly downloaded them. A few days later in April 2020, we added a payment mechanism for a $2.99 monthly subscription. By the end of that month, we made $700 in revenue.I had started a new full-time job in February 2020, but this seemed manageable as a side project. Initially, Hannah and I juggled Bloom Stories alongside our day jobs, me at the tech company, and Hannah running her design business.Things grew more quickly than we anticipatedBy the end of 2020, we had a few thousand user sign-ups per week. We worked with freelancers from Fiverr and Upwork. The best of those freelancers eventually joined our core team from 2022 and today, we have around 15 people. Hannah wound down her design business in 2021 to fully commit to her role as CEO of Bloom Stories, and she has been taking a salary since 2023.In parallel, things were also going well in my day job. I was promoted three times, and by the end of 2022, I was making six figures. A higher salary was great for financial stability, with two kids and a mortgage. But it came with more responsibility and late-night calls with the San Francisco team.My day would be wake up, get the kids ready, go on Slack to check in on Bloom Stories at breakfast, do a full day at my tech job, collect the children, have dinner and put them to bed. Then do a night shift for Bloom Stories. Sometimes I'd work until 2 a.m., depending on how much needed to be done.I thought I could manage both until I crashed and burnedIn October 2023, I got a cold I couldn't shake. I worked through it until I woke up and my neck was completely swollen. I saw my doctor, who sent me straight to the hospital. I had an infected lymph node, which didn't go down with antibiotics, so I had to have an operation. I was in the hospital for a week and had to take all of that November off work to recover.I gained a new perspective on life, work, and family. Hannah and I initially reinvested any revenue from Bloom Stories back into the business. I realized I was cheating myself by giving my labor to Bloom Stories for free. You need to invest in yourself at some point.We decided things had to change and made a plan for me to come to Bloom Stories full-time.I chose Bloom because I love building companies and find it more fulfilling than my corporate job. I also love working with my wife Hannah. We complement each other perfectly. She's the creative force, and I bring the data-driven business perspective.I took a pay cut to do a job I lovedWe made a list of financial goals Bloom had to hit by the end of 2024 to be able to invest in my salary as COO. I wasn't willing to take more than a 50% pay cut compared to my tech job. I also wanted to ensure that the launch of our Pride & Prejudice 13-hour erotic audiobookTo begin the transition, I asked for a demotion to my previous role at the tech company, which had a smaller scope and fewer direct reports. There was a pay cut, too. In October 2024, I officially resigned.January 7, 2025, was my first full day at Bloom Stories, and I got my first paycheck at the end of the month. I am making a bit less than my tech job, but not drastically so. The plan is to claim the evenings back. I haven't had a hobby for the past five years.I'm looking forward to getting back into video games and going to gigs again. I'm also looking forward to spending more time with Hannah, that's not work-related. Next is to work out how we tell our kids about what we do. But hopefully, it's a few years before we have to have that conversation.
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  • Kering's CEO says Gucci and other brands will absolutely not shift production to the US to counter Trump's tariffs
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    Kering's CEO said he has no plans to shift production out of Europe to counter Trump's tariffs.He said that most of the group's production is in Italy and France, which is part of its heritage.Kering reported a 12% decline in annual sales in 2024, with its biggest brand, Gucci, sliding 21%.Kering, owner of brands like Gucci, YSL, and Bottega Veneta, said that it has "no plan" to shift luxury goods production to the US to counter President Donald Trump's tariffs.The group's CEO, Franois-Henri Pinault, said in a Tuesday earnings call that it "makes no sense" to move production out of Europe."Most of our brands we are producing in Italy and in France, and this is part of the promise that we bring through our products, through our heritage, to the consumer," he told investors."We are selling part of our culture, being an Italian culture or a French culture," he added. "So we have no plan of producing to counter the tariff. It makes no sense."He said the group already operates in "big markets where we have import duties," such as China.He added that the group might have to review its pricing strategy in light of the tariffs.In January, Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, floated the idea of relocating the group from France to the US to counter France's proposed tax hikes.However, he backpedaled on his statement after receiving backlash, including from the leader of the French trade union.Trump has announced a slew of tariffs, including a 10% tariff on all goods from China and a 25% levy on all steel and aluminum imports.He has also threatened 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico. And on February 2, he told reporters that tariffs will "definitely happen with the European Union," and that the trade actions of the EU were an "atrocity."Kering reported weak annual financial results. Revenue was 17.2 billion, or $17.82 billion, in 2024, down 12% from the year before. Its recurring operating income decreased by 46% to 2.554 billion.Its biggest brand by revenue, Gucci, saw its comparable sales slide 21% in 2024 compared to 2023. YSL, its second-largest brand, reported a 9% decrease in comparable sales.The company's stock price has been down more than 40% in the past year. It remained largely flat after the company reported its annual results on Tuesday.Representatives for Kering did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside regular business hours.
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  • Ford's CEO says Trump's tariffs are causing chaos and could be devastating to the auto industry
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    Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, said the Trump administration's tariffs will hurt the auto industry.Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada "would be devastating" for Ford, said Farley.Farley said South Korean, Japanese, and European automakers would benefit from Trump's tariffs.Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford, said President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on Mexico and Canada could deal a serious blow to his company and the auto industry.Farley, who was speaking at a conference organized by Wolfe Research in New York on Tuesday, said that while Trump has talked about making the "US auto industry stronger," the president's trade policies would hit Ford hard."So far, what we are seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos," Farley told conference attendees.Trump announced on February 1 that he would impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. The tariffs, which were meant to take effect on February 4, were delayed by a month after both countries agreed to tougher border control measures."If you look at the tariffs, let's be real honest, long term, a 25% tariff across the Mexico and Canadian border would blow a hole in the US industry that we have never seen," Farley said on Tuesday."And it frankly gives free rein to South Korean and Japanese and European companies that are bringing 1.5 million to 2 million vehicles into the US that wouldn't be subject to those Mexican and Canadian tariffs," Farley added. "It would be one of the biggest windfalls for those companies ever."Farley added that Ford has made sure its finished vehicles and components comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. But "to have that kind of size of the tariff would be devastating," Farley said.Representatives for Ford and the White House did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.This isn't the first time Farley has commented on Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Ford,along with other automakers like General Motors and Toyota, donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund.Farley told investors during an earnings call on February 5 that "there is no question" the tariffs would have a "huge impact" on the auto industry and result in higher prices for customers."What doesn't make sense to me is why are we having this conversation while Hyundai Kia is importing 600,000 units into the US with no incremental tariff, and why is Toyota able to import 0.5 million vehicles in the US with no incremental tariffs," Farley said during the earnings call."So, if we're going to have a tariff policy that lasts for a month or whatever it's going to be years, it better be comprehensive for our industry," Farley continued. "We can't just cherry-pick one place or the other because this is a bonanza for our import competitors."On Monday, Trump announced 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. The US is the world's largest importer of steel and gets its supply mainly from Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
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  • Federal agencies can only hire one new employee for every 4 that leave under Trump's latest executive order
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    President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that will limit federal hiring.The order says that federal agencies can only hire one employee for every four employees that leave.Agency heads will have to work with Elon Musk's DOGE to reduce their staff, the order added.President Donald Trump moved ahead with his goal of reducing the size of the government on Tuesday when he signed a new executive order to limit federal hiring.The order said that each federal agency can "hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart."The restriction will not apply to positions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement. It will take effect upon the expiration of the 90-day hiring freeze that Trump imposed on the federal workforce when he took office on January 20.The order also said that agency heads will have to work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to reduce the size of the federal workforce."There are too many federal employees. Excluding active-duty military and Postal Service employees, the federal workforce exceeds 2.4 million," the White House said in a fact sheet about the order that was published on Tuesday.Speaking alongside Trump at the Oval Office, Musk said DOGE's cuts were "just common sense.""The people voted for major government reform and that's what people are going to get," Musk said on Tuesday.Representatives for the White House and DOGE did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.Trump has been stepping up on his efforts to shrink the federal workforce since the start of his second term.Last month, the Trump administration gave federal employees from January 28 to February 6 to accept a buyout offer. The offer was given to all federal employees except those working in military, postal, immigration, and national security roles.Last week, US District Judge George O'Toole Jr. extended the buyout deadline till Monday. O'Toole Jr. said during a court hearing on Monday that he will continue to pause Trump's buyout plan until he rules on its legality.A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management said on Monday that over 65,000 employees have accepted the offer. The OPM oversees the federal workforce.
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  • Palmer Luckey says his entire career has led to this moment — scoring a $22 billion US Army contract for high-tech goggles
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    Palmer Luckey's Anduril is set to take over Microsoft's US Army contract for mixed-reality goggles.The 10-year contract, worth $22 billion, has been plagued by development issues.Anduril now has a shot a moment that Luckey said was part of Anduril's original vision.Palmer Luckey just clinched a big personal win his defense startup, Anduril, is set to take over Microsoft's $22 billion contract to make high-tech goggles for the US Army.Both firms announced the transition on Tuesday, saying Anduril would spearhead "oversight of production, future development of hardware and software, and delivery timelines" for the Integrated Visual Augmentation System program.The IVAS is meant to give soldiers a headset that uses augmented and visual reality to feed them information on the battlefield in real time. One of its most important functions is to help the wearer identify drones quickly and clearly.For Luckey, the contract transition is his own watershed moment. In hisblogon Tuesday, he wrote that the announcement is "deeply personal.""Everything I've done in my career building Oculus out of a camper trailer, shipping VR to millions of consumers, getting run out of Silicon Valley by backstabbing snakes, betting that Anduril could tear people out of the bigtech megacorp matrix and put them to work on our nation's most important problems has led to this moment," he wrote.The move calls back to Luckey's original foray into the tech industry, when he founded Oculus VR and sold it to Facebook in 2014 for $2 billion. After being ousted from Facebook, he started Anduril in 2017, and his defense startup has since delved into drones, AI, and counter-electronic warfare systems for the US military.In September, Microsoft and Anduril said they were collaborating on the IVAS program, with Luckey's firm providing its Lattice software for the headsets.Now, the entire program is set to be under Anduril's control.Luckey wrote in his blog that he'd recognized the combat potential for high-tech goggles since he was a teenager, and that providing them to the US military was part of Anduril's original pitch deck eight years ago.Yet Anduril's size at the time, which he estimated was a team of about a dozen people, hurt its chances at scoring the contract."I do believe our crazy pitch could have won this from the start as things stand, though, there is no time like the present," Luckey wrote.The US Army is having a rough time with IVASThe handover still needs to be approved by the US government. The US Army awarded Microsoft the 10-year contract in 2021, when the deal was valued at up to $22 billion.The IVAS program has since faced a tough road in development and testing. Microsoft converted its HoloLens 2 headsets for military use, but soldiers criticized the devices, complaining of software glitches and side effects like headaches, nausea, and neck strain. A US Army soldier wearing a prototype IVAS headset. US Army The feedback prompted the US Army to delay the IVAS program in October 2021, and the systems have been repeatedly retweaked for the battlefield in the years after.Within Microsoft, the entire HoloLens project appeared to be ailing. Business Insider's Ashely Stewart reported in 2022 that plans for a third version of the headset were scrapped, and that the company had lost billions on its mixed-reality program.In October 2024, Microsoft confirmed plans to halt production of the HoloLens 2 and cut support for the device, throwing the IVAS program into question. Microsoft's move tracked with a shift in the entire industry, as tech giants stepped back from developing mixed-reality headsets to instead focus on the AI race.After Microsoft's decision, the US Army hinted in late January that it was surveying the market for a new contender for its 10-year contract, releasing a request for information related to the IVAS program.With Anduril now in the driver's seat, it's not immediately clear what hardware it will use for the IVAS. There was no mention of the discontinued HoloLens 2 in its joint statement with Microsoft.Instead, the joint statement said that part of Anduril's deal is to make Microsoft's Azure cloud service its "preferred hyperscale cloud" for the IVAS.As Anduril takes over IVAS, Luckey projected confidence in his blog, writing that he wanted to "turn warfighters into technomancers" through his heads-up displays."We have a shot to prove that this long-standing dream is no windmill," he wrote.Anduril and Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.
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  • Usher and his wife are both in the music industry. He says working together could 'damage' their relationship.
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    Usher says he avoids working with his wife, a music executive, in order to protect their relationship."Your things are your things. My things are mine," Usher said during a podcast appearance.Therapists previously told BI that partners should set boundaries with each other for a healthy relationship.Usher prefers to keep business and pleasure separate, especially when it comes to his relationship.During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of the "Baby, This is Keke Palmer" podcast, Usher spoke about how he would rather not work with his wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, a music executive, even though they're in the same industry."I definitely rely on her opinion about things. She's an incredible sounding board and brings calm to some of my madness sometimes," Usher told podcast host Keke Palmer. "But if we had to work together, oh my God, it wouldn't work. It would damage our relationship. I would never do that."The "Yeah!" singer started dating Goicoechea in 2019 and married her during the 2024 Super Bowl weekend after his halftime performance.Although Goicoechea is established in the music industry she is a senior vice president of A&R at Epic Records Usher says he doesn't think they should expect to be involved in each other's work unless they want to."Like, matter of fact, we have a policy, you know. If this is a business that you're in, I'm going to help establish and work on it. But it's your business, you know, and then we have the things that we do together, but it's not a mandate. It's a choice in relationship," Usher said.At the end of the day, he feels that setting boundaries is healthy."Your things are your things. My things are mine. I have something I'm passionate about, I need your support, I need your help, I want to get counsel. But those kinds of boundaries established, I think, are hopefully going to make this a more sustainable relationship," Usher said."This is my third one," he said, referring to the marriage, "and I'm trying to make sure I don't take this ring off."Usher shares two children, Sovereign Bo and Sire Castrello, with Goicoechea. He has two other children, Usher "Cinco" Raymond V and Naviyd Ely, with his ex-wife Tameka Foster, whom he was married to from 2007 to 2009. He was also previously married to Grace Miguel from 2015 to 2018.Having boundaries is crucial for a healthy relationship, Janet Park, a therapist at Healing Phoenix Therapy, told Business Insider previously."Boundaries establish what we feel OK with and don't feel OK with in a relationship. In that vein, boundaries are important because they serve a critical role in establishing safety and trust in a relationship," she said.Additionally, if a person fails to honor their own needs and limitations, they may be setting themselves up for feeling uncomfortable or unfulfilled in the relationship down the line, she said.One of the most important things about establishing boundaries is that it should sound more like a request, and not a demand, Adrienne Clements, a therapist in private practice, told BI previously."This can look like saying, 'Would you be willing to give me solo time in the house today?' as opposed to 'I need some solo time in the house today,'" she said.A representative for Usher did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
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  • Gulf of Mexico, or Gulf of America? Trump makes a call, but who follows?
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    President Donald Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America.Google has agreed to honor the name change, while Mexico is pushing back.Experts say the name change reflects much deeper issues and could have larger implications.President Donald Trump's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico is more than just geographical nitpicking it's a political move that shows how he wants to be perceived by the world, experts in international law and geography say.The move could cause a headache for Google, which has since changed its map to go along with Trump's renaming, and it has the potential to worsen US-Mexico relations, the experts said.It also led to trouble for the Associated Press, which was barred from Trump's executive order signing on Tuesday after it refused to use the new name.As for whether Trump can unilaterally change the name of the body of water, the answer is yes but only for the US.Can the US rename a body of water?In one sense, countries can call geographic features whatever they want within their own jurisdiction, said Ian Hurd, a political science professor at Northwestern University who researches international law."Countries name and rename features in their countries as they wish, and renaming is pretty common, especially when a new government wants to differentiate itself from past practices," Hurd told Business Insider.For example, he said, the Indian government has renamed many of the country's cities to emphasize decolonization or Hindu nationalism, and many Russian place names changed throughout the 20th century. When a place's name is disputed, Google Maps often shows both names to users outside the countries involved. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Google Maps And outside each country, "there is no formal body to decide on what things are called," Hurd said.There is a consultive body within the United Nations called the Group of Experts on Geographical Names that encourages international coordination and standardization of cartographic names. But countries do not have to follow its recommendations.While individual states can make their own decisions about what to call a place, that doesn't mean they have the authority to rename an international body of water, said Matthew Zierler, a political science professor at Michigan State University who studies foreign policy and international law."So renaming Denali to McKinley is within the United States' purview, but the Gulf of Mexico is a different issue," Zierler told BI. "Internationally, there have always been differences among countries about what to name specific bodies of water, islands, etc.""Names reflect culture, history, and identity, so the disagreements between countries on what to refer to a place are real," but the core of the issue, he said, "is political rather than legal."What the name change means for GoogleFollowing Trump's executive order to rename the gulf, Google agreed to implement the change. In a post on X, Google said it would begin changing the name for US users of its maps once it had been officially entered into the US Geographic Names Information"We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," Google wrote in its X post.The tech giant said in a follow-up comment that "when official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name" and the rest of the world sees both names.On Monday, it officially updated Google Maps with the change.While the name change was handed down by executive order from the president, Google has no legal requirement to adopt this naming convention, nor does any other private entity, Mark Lemley, a Stanford law professor, told BI. The Gulf of Mexico as it appears on Google Maps. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images "And indeed," Lemley said, "if they were required to do so, they would be in a difficult position because other countries officially call it different things."Because Google is not required to follow Trump's name-change order, its decision to do so anyway is, in essence, a political one, experts said."Google and other mapmakers are not focused on the law. They want to remain in business and will tend to follow the direction of the countries they are operating in," Zierler said, adding that while this may be confusing to some, "I think it is quite clear to most that names are symbolic."Historically speaking, Google's decision to abide by Trump's name change is not unprecedented."Throughout history, cartographers have often served the interests of the powerful, so it is not surprising to see a company like Google follow suit with these name changes," Reuben Rose-Redwood, a professor of geography and the director of the Critical Geographies Research Lab at the University of Victoria, told BI.Google did not respond to a request for comment.Implications for the US and its relations with MexicoSome legal experts said Trump's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico says a lot about how he wants himself, and the US, to be perceived by the world."Most name changes arise from culture-war politics," Hurd told BI. "Nationalist governments often project an image of power by giving ideologically laden names to places. This appears to be the motivation in Trump's claim to the 'Gulf of America.'"And that can send an unintended message to the world, Hurd added."Changing names is often a sign of weakness by a leader rather than strength," Hurd said. "It reveals their insecurities about their place in the world."And Trump's order does not reflect well on the state of US-Mexico relations, nor on the countries' future rapport, Zierler said."The potential for this to be a major dispute between the US and Mexico is real," Zierler told BI.But the name change itself, he said, "is secondary to other issues the US president has with Mexico over immigration and trade."Mexico is concerned, as are other countries, about "United States unilateralism and being pushed around," Zierler said, adding: "The naming dispute is emblematic of that."Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum isn't thrilled about Trump's order to change the Gulf of Mexico's name or Google's decision to honor it. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wants the Gulf of Mexico to retain its centuries-old name. ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images In a letter to Google presented on Thursday, Sheinbaum urged Google to reconsider changing the 400-year-old name of the body of water on its maps, Reuters reported.The name change "could only correspond to the 12 nautical miles away from the coastlines of the United States of America," Sheinbaum said in Spanish as she read the letter in a morning press conference, according to Reuters.Mexico says the US has no legal right to change the name of the body of water which borders the US, Mexico, and Cuba because the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea mandates that a country's territory stretches only up to 12 nautical miles out from its coast, Reuters reported.When Trump floated the name change before taking office last month, Sheinbaum responded by saying that parts of North America should be renamed Mexican America because a world map from 1607 named it as such."Why don't we call it Amrica Mexicana? That sounds nice, no?" she said at a press briefing at the time.As for what Google's top competitor will call the gulf, Apple has not indicated whether it will change the gulf's name on its own maps. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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  • Macy's calls Diddy 'an equal opportunity sexual predator' in bid to be dropped from sexual assault lawsuit
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    Macy's wants a judge to remove it from a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs.The suit says Macy's violated a gender-violence law by ignoring an attack at the Herald Square store.The plaintiff himself describes Diddy as "an equal opportunity sexual predator," Macy's argues.Macy's wants to be removed as a defendant in a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs and their arguments for dismissal include calling the rap entrepreneur "an equal opportunity sexual predator."The October lawsuit accuses Macy's of violating a New York City gender-violence law by covering up an alleged attack by Combs on a male employee at the Herald Square flagship store in 2008.The worldwide department chain argues the plaintiff, only identified as John Doe, cannot accuse Macy's of gender bias because, in the very same lawsuit, Doe himself describes Combs as willing to attack both men and women."Plaintiff's own allegations establish not only that this was a same-sex assault, but that Mr. Combs sexually assaulted both men and women, without regard to gender," the Macy's lawyers argued in court papers last week."Plaintiff does not address the fact that his own allegations establish that Mr. Combs was an equal opportunity sexual predator."A spokesperson for Combs declined to comment on Macy's argument, instead referring BI to his own motion to dismiss the case against himself and his companies, filed Tuesday.His motion also challenges the applicability of New York's gender-violence law. Combs has repeatedly denied any sexual assaults."Mr. Combs denies the entirely false and salacious claims against him in the Complaint and is confident that he and the Company Defendants (against whom no misconduct or participation is even alleged) would be fully vindicated if this case were to proceed to trial," his dismissal motion said.District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken's decision on whether to dismiss Macy's could come at any time. A decision on Combs' dismissal bid is not due until sometime after the plaintiff responds.Macy's is the deepest-pocket defendant by far in any of a blizzard of more than 30 sex-assault lawsuits filed against the rapper in the past year.The plaintiff says in his lawsuit that at the time of the alleged attack, he was working at Macy's flagship Manhattan store for Ecko, a rival hip-hop fashion brand to Combs' Sean John Clothing.His 19-page lawsuit alleges that he was working in a stockroom when Combs entered with three armed bodyguards who struck him and threatened to kill him.Combs then orally raped him in the stockroom, while calling him "Ecko" and taunting, "You like that, white boy?" the lawsuit alleges. After what was alleged to be a two-minute attack, Combs then grabbed armfuls of Sean Jean clothing, left the stockroom with his bodyguards, and proceeded to hand out clothes to shoppers "as if nothing had happened," the lawsuit claims.The plaintiff alleges that the chain did nothing to support him when he came forward with his allegations against Combs, and instead fired him to protect a multimillion-dollar deal with Sean Jean.In fighting to be dropped as a defendant, lawyers for Macy's argued that the lawsuit does not allege store employees were in any way involved in the attack.Macy's lawyers also pointed to the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law. The lawyers for the man had argued in their lawsuit that the gender violence law entitled their client to seek damages from Macy's.Macy's countered that the law does not permit claims against corporations for assaults prior to 2022, and that the lawsuit failed to offer any evidence that the alleged violence was motivated by gender bias.Combs' alleged "white boy" taunt does not refer to gender bias, Macy's lawyers argued in papers signed by attorney Daniel Kotler.The word "boy" in that scenario "functions primarily as a term of status and belittlement (boy versus man) rather than as a gendered comment (boy versus girl) it is in effect an inversion of the classically racist use of the term 'boy' to degrade or belittle African Americans," Macy's side argued.Kotler did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.Buzbee, the lead attorney for the plaintiff, counters in court papers that the New York gender-violence law does cover corporations involved in attacks prior to 2022. He also argues that "the fact that Combs violently assaulted people of both genders does not somehow exempt"A pretty novel argument that should fail," Buzbee told Business Insider on Tuesday of Macy's dismissal arguments.
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  • My family is forgoing big vacations, and instead, we splurged on a big couch. It has brought us together like never before.
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    I bought an insanely big couch that fits our family of six.I know I'm supposed to prioritize experiences over possessions, but I love this couch.It has brought my children closer to me both physically and emotionally.On New Year's Eve, 11 people sprawled across our ridiculously oversize couch, counting down to midnight. It was raucous and beautiful; it was exactly why my husband and I chose this massive piece of furniture.But I'm sometimes conflicted about the purchase because I'm repeatedly told that we should give our kids experiences instead of things. That advice instinctively seems true to me.My memories growing up are, for the most part, not of things I owned. They're of trips to New York to see my grandparents and hiking the Grand Canyon with my dad. They're of getting ready for school dances with my friends. I couldn't tell you what any of us wore, but I can tell you exactly what everyone's laugh sounded like.I want my four kids to have similar, noteworthy experiences. But there have been a few possessions that I treasure as much as our experiences. One of them is my new couch. Yep. Couch.When we needed a new couch, we went ridiculously bigWhen we replaced the sad lump that was our old couch, we tried out so many in the showroom. Most of them just wouldn't fit six people, like my large family.When we finally found the right couch for us, it was obscenely huge. It was a sectional, with a back and two long sides so everyone could stretch their lanky legs. I immediately worried about the size and scale of our furniture. I knew it would throw off the whole scale of our room, but I also knew it could comfortably sit all of us at once.Since the couch was so big, its price was big, too. We could have spent that money on traveling as a family. That's when I went back to the debate: What's more important experiences or things?But when I pictured all of us lounging on the couch together, I knew it was the right thing for our family. So we bought the couch.Now, you can't do anything in our family room except sit on our couch. There's no space for anything else. The couch has swallowed up the entire living room, leaving a tiny, single-file pathway into and out of the room. It's perfect.My teenagers are connecting with me on a whole new level thanks to the couchI knew the couch would bring my family together physically, but I didn't imagine the emotional bond it would create for us.My teens often flop dramatically on the couch. They throw their bodies down and sprawl out and make pillow nests. They burrow under piles of blankets. They toss their legs across other people, lay on their siblings or friends, and generally take up all the room. And sometimes, they'll even get cozy with me.These teens bristle when I'm affectionate in public. Hugging is not approved. But when we're having a movie night, someone will slowly lean against me until they're propped against my shoulder or sprawled on my lap. It's like meeting a strange animal: If I don't make sudden movements, they start warming up to me.They'll also talk to me when we're all hanging out on the couch. I don't know if their defenses go down as it gets later or if we're just all relaxed and comfy. But when I ask them how their day was after school, I get a grunt or a sigh. It's not until we're all chilling out at night on the couch that I hear about worries over classes, friend troubles, or what they're thinking as college decisions loom.If we buy things that align with our values, they can be just as important as experiencesI'm still mostly an experience-loving person. But really, that's what the couch is about. Our TV-watching experiences might not be as exciting as trips or concerts, but warm memories of evenings together are just as good. I want to be the place where all my kids' friends hang out, and this couch helped get us there.We still take vacations, although, with six of us, they're cheaper road trips instead of big resort trips.But I'll spend good money on things for our home that reinforce our values any day: instruments, board games, and pizza for a rowdy group of teens hanging out on my new couch. I'd buy anything that encourages people to be together in my house.They may just be things, but they're giving us some great memories.
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  • The cultural wars have arrived at your Google Calendar
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    Google's changes to its Calendar to remove the beginning of Pride and Black History Month sparked debate online.Google said "maintaining hundreds of moments" became unsustainable, and changes began in mid-2024.Since Trump's victory, Google has updated Google Maps in the US to say "Gulf of America" and ended diversity hiring targets.Some quiet changes to Google Calendar have elicited a loud response as the culture wars play out in real time online.Google has removed cultural observances including Pride Day, Women's History Month, Black History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jewish Heritage Month, and Indigenous People Month, among other celebratory events, from Google Calendar.As people heard about the change, which Google says began in mid-2024, some took to social media and internet forums to weigh in, with some criticizing and others praising the move.Some users on X referred to the change as "anti-DEI." Anothersaid that Pride and Black History Month would continue to be celebrated regardless of any product changes."Just because the calendars are being changed doesn't mean we have to," the X user wrote.Others applauded Google's move. Conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who led campaigns against what he described as "woke policies" at companies like Walmart, reacted to the change with a fire emoji. Others took the moment tothank Google.The removals from Google Calendar was first reported by The Verge on Friday after users online started highlighting the change.A Google spokesperson told Business Insider that "some years ago," its Calendar team began manually adding "a broader set of cultural moments in a wide number of countries around the world.""We got feedback that some other events and countries were missing and maintaining hundreds of moments manually and consistently globally wasn't scalable or sustainable," the Google spokesperson said.The spokesperson said that sometime in mid-2024, Google Calendar began showing only public holidays and national observances from outside company timeanddate.com. Google said that users can still manually add "important moments" to their personal calendars by customizing which holidays they show or subscribe to.Timeanddate.com did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.While the removal of Pride and Black History Month by default on Google Calendar appeared to generate some of the strongest reactions from users across the political spectrum, Google also removed other celebratory events, including Teacher's Day.The online discourse over Google Calendar follows some other changes Google has made more recently since Trump's inauguration. Google Maps renamed the Gulf of Mexico to The Gulf of America for US users on Monday, following an executive order Trump issued in January.The company also recently ended diversity-related hiring goals. In a memo sent last week, Google said it would no longer pursue hiring targets tied to representation. The company also said it would review its DEI programs and initiatives."As a federal contractor, our teams are also evaluating changes required following recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic," a Google spokesperson previously said in a statement to BI about the search giant's DEI policies.Other companies, like Meta, have made similar policy changes since Trump's reelection. In January, Meta announced it would roll back its diversity programs and no longer have a team focused on DEI. The social media company also changed its content moderation guidelines and replaced fact-checkers with community notes.
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  • Is Chanelle from 'Apple Cider Vinegar' a real person? She's similar to a woman who helped expose Belle Gibson
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    Netflix's "Apple Cider Vinegar" explores Belle Gibson's fake cancer claims and wellness empire.The show fictionalizes real events, focusing on Gibson's business and fraudulent health claims.Chanelle, a character in the show, is inspired by real-life figures linked to Gibson's story.Netflix's "Apple Cider Vinegar" is a fictionalized take on the story of influencer Belle Gibson, an Australian woman who built a wellness empire in the 2010s on claims that healthy living was helping her treat her terminal brain cancer. But it all fell apart when it was revealed that Gibson never had the disease at all.In the Netflix series, Kaitlyn Dever's Belle is ultimately taken down by a pair of reporters thanks to a tip from Belle's former manager Chanelle (Aisha Dee). Things are complicated by the fact that before managing Belle, Chanelle also managed Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey) a childhood friend who also built her brand around attempting to treat her cancer via alternative methods. Like Milla, the Chanelle character isn't exactly the same in real life. But she shares a lot including a first name with the woman who is likely her real-life counterpart. Alycia Debnam-Carey and Dee as Milla and Chanelle in "Apple Cider Vinegar." Netflix Chanelle works with both Milla and Belle in 'Apple Cider Vinegar'In the Netflix series, Chanelle joins Milla's team after her business starts to take off to help her to secure brand deals. She meets Belle at a Cosmopolitan awards ceremony she's attending with Milla, who's up for an award in the same category as Belle (Belle wins). The three women meet at the after-party, where Chanelle and Belle bond after Milla leaves.As Milla works on launching her juice line, Chanelle works with Belle to support the launch of her app, The Whole Pantry, on the Apple Watch. But as Chanelle is exposed to the more glamorous aspects of Belle's lifestyle, she starts to have doubts about her story. Eventually, she confronts Belle and explicitly asks if she has brain cancer. Belle deflects, but the two seemingly come to an agreement to cancel her deal with Apple and the publishing of her cookbook. Instead, however, Belle doubles down on the lie and claims on social media that she's been diagnosed with multiple additional cancers.After The Whole Pantry cookbook launch, Chanelle tells two reporters at The Age that Belle is a fraud. While they're unable to report any information about Belle's health, they publish a story with evidence that she hadn't followed through on multiple promised charitable donations.Chanelle stops working with Belle, but later runs into her at Milla's funeral. (Milla, unlike Belle, actually had cancer.) Later, Chanelle is seen planting trees with Milla's father and fianc. Dee and Debnam-Carey as Chanelle and Milla in "Apple Cider Vinegar." Netflix Chanelle is based on one of Belle's former friends but there are a few differencesChanelle is likely based on Chanelle McAuliffe, though there are a few key differences between the character and the real-life woman, who told The Sunday Times she was not consulted for the Netflix series.McAuliffe told The Sunday Times that she met Gibson at the 2013 launch party for her app, The Whole Pantry. Though she never explicitly worked with Gibson, as Chanelle does in the show, she started to suspect Gibson's claims were fraudulent after befriending her."She was doing this strict protocol of healing herself from cancer with nautral wellness remedies and clean eating," McAuliffe told the publication. "But she would go to the solarium, which obviously increases the risk of skin cancer, and she would get drunk at times. She was not sharing any of this with her community."After Gibson collapsed at her son's birthday party but refused an ambulance, McAuliffe said she confronted Gibson and asked her to produce documentation that she had cancer. When Gibson dodged the question and refused, McAuliffe went to the press, giving reporter Beau Donnelly a tip about Gibson. He and his colleague Nick Toscana then reported in the Sydney Morning Herald that Gibson had failed to follow through on multiple promised charitable donations. The pair went on to write the 2017 book "The Woman Who Fooled The World," which serves as the basis for "Apple Cider Vinegar."In "Apple Cider Vinegar," Chanelle also works as Milla's manager, and is one of her childhood friends. In reality, McAuliffe did not work with Jess Ainscough, the real Australian influencer whose story resembles Milla's. Ainscough's manager was Yvette Luciano; Ainscough died of epithelioid sarcoma in 2015.In real life, Gibson had little more than a tenuous connection to Aincough, too: Donnelly and Toscana report in their book that Luciano was confused to see Gibson make an appearance at Ainscough's funeral. After Ainscough's death, Yvette wrote on social media that Gibson and Ainscough were not friends, and did not have a relationship "beyond an Instagram or two.""Apple Cider Vinegar" is streaming in full on Netflix.
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  • 3 credit cards rich people carry that almost anyone can apply for
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    Wealthy people use premium cards to fast-track their way to luxurious experiences and top benefits.Many of the best credit cards are available to people like you and me if you meet the requirements.You'll typically need excellent credit and a steady income to qualify.American Express cards have long been favored by the wealthy. Amex historically charges merchants higher transaction fees compared to other card issuers, leading many retailers to refuse Amex payments (and lower-income households to be denied for Amex cards).While Amex cards have become more widely accepted over the years, they still have an exclusive aura that's partially based on reality. According to early-2020s statistics from American Express, Amex Platinum Cardholders have an average household income of around $474,000 a year and boast a net worth of around $4.3 million.But you don't need to earn or own millions to get this card or others like it. You'll typically need excellent credit to qualify and must be able to show a consistent history of stable income. Most premium cards also come with expensive annual fees, although the value of their included benefits can make the cost well worth it to you.Amex Platinum CardThe Platinum Card from American Express is one of the most recognizable cards worldwide. It's made of metal, lending a distinctive heft to any cardholder's wallet, and makes a satisfying "clink" when you drop it on top of the bill in a fancy restaurant.Among its many benefits, the Amex Platinum Card unlocks complimentary access to hundreds of premium airport lounges worldwide, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounge network. Terms apply.Cardholders can also rely on the famous Amex concierge service to help them snag coveted dining reservations, tickets to shows and sports events, and accomplish other exclusive tasks.You'll need a separate category in your budget for this card's whopping annual fee of $695 (rates and fees). But the Amex Platinum Card offers many statement credits worth more than a thousand dollars in products and services each year, assuming you can use them.These annual credits include up to $200 on certain hotels booked through American Express Travel, up to $100 at Saks Fifth Avenue, up to $200 back on select airline fees, and credits for certain streaming subscriptions and Equinox fitness memberships (some credits require enrollment and terms apply). All of these benefits add up quickly to make the Amex Platinum worth it for loyal cardholders.The Platinum Card from American Express Apply now lock iconAn icon in the shape of lock. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Insiders Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.4/5 Icon of check mark inside a promo stampIt indicates a confirmed selection. Perks Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1 Point on other purchases. Annual Fee $695 Intro APR N/A Regular APR See Pay Over Time APR Intro Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points Recommended Credit Good to Excellent ProsCheck mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and UberCons con iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired con iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards Insiders Take If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more. Product Details Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.The American Express Global Lounge Collection can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card.$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.$199 CLEAR Plus Credit: CLEAR Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card to your Resy profile.$695 annual fee.Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.Terms Apply. Delta Reserve CardDelta Air Lines is popular with U.S. travelers for offering a top-tier flight experience even in economy class. Wealthy flyers who can afford to book business class on every flight can quickly earn their way to elite status and access to Delta Sky Clubs, the airline's proprietary network of airport lounges.If you don't fly often enough with Delta to earn elite status, adding the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card to your wallet can simulate the luxurious experience for a fraction of the cost and time spent midair.Cardholders who can swing the $650 annual fee get automatic access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta, as long as they're not in basic economy (rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardholders get up to 15 Sky Club visits a year unless you spend $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year, which unlocks unlimited Sky Club access for the following year. Terms apply.Better yet, travelers who buy Delta flights with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card get complimentary access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges as well on the day of travel.Cardholders also get a 15% discount when booking flights on Delta SkyMiles, and are eligible for complimentary seat upgrades when available. Finally, they receive an annual Delta companion certificate for select flights within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.Pro tip: Consider the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MastercardDelta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Apply now lock iconAn icon in the shape of lock. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Insiders Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.1/5 Icon of check mark inside a promo stampIt indicates a confirmed selection. Perks Earn 3 Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 Mile on all other purchases. Annual Fee $650 Intro APR N/A Regular APR 19.99% - 28.99% Variable Intro Offer Earn 100,000 bonus miles Recommended Credit Good to Excellent ProsCheck mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin to select destinations Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Access to American Express Centurion Lounges and 15 Delta Sky Club visits each Medallion Year Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns 3 miles on Delta purchasesCons con iconTwo crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee Insiders Take The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta flyers who can use benefits like airport lounge access, which can make the annual fee worthwhile. Product Details Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/2/2025.Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion Year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, youll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.$240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.With your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping while flying Delta.Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.No Foreign Transaction Fees.$650 Annual Fee.Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.Terms Apply. Hilton Aspire CardNothing says luxury like getting upgraded to a hotel's penthouse suite an experience you may be able to enjoy for yourself if you have one of the best hotel credit cards around: the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardThis premium credit card confers a slew of exclusive benefits that help soften the blow of its expensive $550 annual fee. Hilton Honors Aspire cardholders get a free night certificate each year on their card anniversary, valid at almost any Hilton hotel worldwide including five-star properties like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives.If you get the Hilton Honors Aspire, it comes with complimentary Diamond status the hotel chain's highest tier of elite status. Hilton Diamond elite members get automatic room upgrades when available, exclusive lounge access in hotels that offer this amenity, premium WiFi, early check-in and late checkout privileges when available, and free breakfast or a daily food or beverage credit, depending on what the property offers.These benefits, and several others that come with this card, are worth thousands of dollars a year in luxury experiences and upgrades if you travel enough to justify the Hilton Honors Aspire's annual fee.
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  • I compared cheeseburgers from Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings. The chicken chain completely surpassed my expectations.
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    Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings are both classic American chain restaurants.Buffalo Wild Wings, however, is more famous for its wings and chicken offerings than its burgers.So I was surprised by the quality and value of its classic cheeseburger.Football season may be over, but it doesn't mean your cravings for game-day foods have to be.In a series, "Tailgate Taste-off," Business Insider is pitting chains against each other to identify the best versions of popular game-day dishes, such as Buffalo wings and cheeseburgers.Last year, casual dining chains capitalized on America's need for beef, with multiple chains launching new burgers and burger-based value meals.Applebee's is arguably most famous for its burgers.Buffalo Wild Wings, on the other hand, is more well-known for its chicken offerings, which include classic wings, boneless wings, chicken tenders, and chicken sandwiches.However, in a recent ranking of cheeseburgers from four chain restaurants, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of Buffalo Wild Wings' classic cheeseburger.The chain has also grown in recent years, adding 22 US units between 2022 and 2023, according to data fromRestaurant Business.To put Buffalo Wild Wings' burger to the test, I decided to compare it to Applebee's classic cheeseburger, thus determining which chain delivered the better burger in terms of taste and value.Here's how the classic cheeseburgers at Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings compared.
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  • How streamer Tubi helped boost Fox's Super Bowl broadcast to a new viewership high
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    Tubi's Super Bowl stream reached 13.6 million viewers, helping push the game's audience to a new high.The free streaming service has been growing consistently since its purchase by Fox in 2020.The service is particularly popular with young and multicultural viewers.The Eagles won the Super Bowl, but it was Fox-owned streamer Tubi's big night.Tubi's simulcast of the game reached an average minute audience of 13.6 million, broadcaster Fox announced. The free streaming service helped drive Super Bowl LIX to a record 127.7 million average viewers across platforms, per Fox.Last year's big game reached 123.7 million viewers, makingit the most-watched Super Bowl at the time, according to Nielsen data.Tubi aired the Super Bowl for the first time this year as owner Fox broadcast the game. The streaming service helped make the Chiefs-Eagles matchup more accessible to audiences without traditional TV packages or who may have watched on phones or other devices.Ahead of the game, Tubi's marketing chief Nicole Parlapiano told Business Insider that the service wanted to show viewers and advertisers that it had reached its "credibility era" as a destination for high-quality entertainment.The company said that it had reached 97 million monthly active users in 2024.Tubi has set itself apart with its vast library of licensed TV shows and movies, as well as original programming. Streaming the Super Bowl was a way for it to introduce its platform to more viewers, who had to sign up for a free account to watch the game.The service featured shoulder content, such as a fashion-focused pre-game show, for people who were more interested in the cultural aspects of the Super Bowl than the game itself.Tubi has grown its viewership since it was purchased by Fox in 2020. In December, it accounted for 1.7% of US TV viewing, more than fellow free streamer Pluto TV and popular subscription services including Peacock and Max, according to Nielsen data.Tubi is particularly popular among young and diverse audiences.In 2023, the company said 36% of Tubi watchers were between the ages of 18 and 34. In December, 45% of Tubi's viewing came from Black audiences, BI previously reported based on Nielsen data.Two years ago, Tubi's ad during the Super Bowl conjured up some chaos. It made viewers think they had sat on their remote and changed the app they were using.The company leaned into the eccentric marketing approach again this year, which helped it build social media buzz. Its Super Bowl ad featured a boy with a head shaped like a cowboy hat who loves watching Westerns."We took a lot of risks back then, and it kind of set the pace for how we approached the business in the past two and a half years," Parlapiano previously told BI.
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  • Warfare experts rate 13 'Lord of the Rings' battles for realism
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    Warfare experts rate 14 scenes from "Lord of the Rings" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" and judge how real they are.Archer Jim Kent ("Grizzly Jim") analyzes the archery by Legolas in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." Blacksmith Neil Kamimura rates forging scenes from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Jousting world champion Shane Adams rates the horseback fight scene from Helm's Deep for accuracy. Medieval fortification expert Michael Fulton looks at the Minas Tirith fortress defense scenes from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." Ancient warfare historian Roel Konijnendijk analyzes the battle tactics depicted in the Siege of Gondor and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."Archery expert Grizzly Jim has been practicing archery for over 20 years and has traveled across Europe for archery events and demonstrations.Shane Adams has 20 jousting world championships. He hosted the History Channel show "Full Metal Jousting" and the jousting reality show "Tilt."Tobias Capwell is the curator of arms and armor at The Wallace Collection in London.Michael Fulton is an assistant professor of medieval history at Western University in Ontario, Canada.Neil Kamimura owns and operates the forge T Kamimura Blacksmith in Hawaii.Roel Konijnendijk is a historian of ancient warfare at Lincoln College, University of Oxford. He specializes in classical Greek warfare.You can find Follow Grizzly Jim on Instagram here.You can find Roel Konijnendijk on Bluesky here.You can find Neil Kamimura on Instagram here.For more information about Tobias Capwell and The Wallace Collection, you can visit the Wallace Collection website.You can find more information about Shane Adams and Extreme Jousting here.Michael Fulton's medieval warfare books can be found here.Show more
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