• Ukraine is sending leaders and specialists to a NATO training camp in Poland.
• The idea is that they can spread what they learn to many more troops back home.
• It focuses Western training on areas where allies believe they can add the most value.

New Western training for Ukrainian troops on NATO soil isn't taking in large numbers of soldiers, but is instead focusing on leaders and specialists who can spread what they learn throughout Ukraine's military.

The Norway-led Operation Legio trains Ukrainian soldiers with help from allies at a purpose-built camp in eastern Poland, called Camp Jomsborg. Rather than basic recruits, the training is primarily focused on preparing specialists, instructors, and leaders, including section leaders and platoon and company commanders. Many already have combat experience.

"The capacity in Jomsborg is limited," Brigadier Atle Molde, the commander of Task Force Legio, told Business Insider. He said that using that capacity to train leaders on different levels helps to maximize the impact.

A "well-trained instructor can go back and teach 10, 20 soldiers of his own for maybe four or five times a year," he added. "So the overall effect will be better if we focus on training the specialists in Jomsborg and not necessarily basic recruit training."

Speaking on the condition that only his rank and first name be used, Maj. John, the S3 Operations Officer in charge of synchronizing the training operation, told Business Insider that Ukraine can train far more of its own troops, and in some areas, such as drone warfare, it is better prepared to train its own soldiers. Western militaries, however, can offer expertise in other areas.

Operation Legio cannot make a major quantitative difference for a military of Ukraine's size, John said, "but we have a qualitative difference because we produce what we call force multipliers. That is platoon leaders, squad leaders, combat medics, instructors."

With an instructor, "the secondhand value is quite big. He will train maybe 400, 500 Ukrainians a year within these training programs. And when you produce a lot of instructors, that secondhand value is quite big," he said.

He said effects are also felt through non-instructors, too: Squad leaders who return and lead their squads, platoon leaders who return and lead their platoons, and combat medics who return and save lives on the battlefield. "So that is what we focus on here."

Training battlefield leaders

Battlefield leadership is one of the main areas where Operation Legio officials believe Western militaries can add value.

Molde said "we try to give them competencies with regard to the conventional methods, planning methods, military decision-making processes, and so on."

One Ukrainian sergeant taking part in the training told Business Insider that his unit tries to structure its leadership as NATO militaries do and said that being at Camp Jomsborg was helping him develop those leadership skills. The sergeant, who uses the call sign Yankee, said the training "will help me a lot in understanding the situation better, in evaluating the situation" when he returns to the battlefield.

Molde said the Ukrainians want to know how to move, how to lead, and how to do mission command.

"They want to, in a more long-term cultural change of their old legacy from the Soviet time, moving in a more Western direction," he said.

It was Ukraine that asked for this specialist-focused training, John said, explaining that the curriculum is built around Ukraine's requests, rather than partners deciding on their own what Ukrainian troops need.

Molde said the training "has to be based on the priorities and the demand signals, as we call them, from Ukraine." It's ultimately "their war; it's our job to help them. And that's not by imposing our own opinions on something they don't see as beneficial."

The Operation Legio officials said there are areas where Ukrainian soldiers are stronger than their Western counterparts, particularly in technologies and tactics developed during the war, while Western forces bring strengths in fundamentals.

John said that the Ukrainians "have the combat experience. They have the highest understanding of the new technologies. At the same time, it's not like the Western instructors here don't have any expertise." Both sides challenge each other to be better.

"We're learning from each other," Molde said.

• Walmart is taking on DoorDash and Uber Eats with a new restaurant delivery partnership.
• The retailer will start delivering from Dunkin' locations, it said on Thursday.
• Walmart already has a massive delivery workforce. It's trying to use them to deliver even more.

Walmart wants to use its legion of delivery workers to take a bite out of DoorDash and Uber Eats.

The big-box chain struck a food-delivery partnership with Inspire Brands-owned Dunkin' that will start with 150 locations in Walmart stores and expand to most of the 10,000 Dunkin' locations across the US, Walmart said on Thursday.

Walmart is moving onto turf long dominated by DoorDash and Uber Eats, both of which already work with Dunkin'.

The retail giant's push into restaurant delivery marks a significant evolution of its business model: Rather than simply using its vast store network and Spark drivers to deliver its own merchandise, the company is positioning itself as a broader local-commerce platform.

"By expanding restaurant delivery beyond our stores, we are offering a value and convenience proposition that is unmatched," said Greg Cathey, Walmart's senior vice president, e-commerce fulfillment transformation, in a press release.

On Thursday, it described itself as "a rapidly emerging contender in the restaurant delivery business."

Walmart will face stiff competition from established services with built-in brand recognition and operational experience. Those delivery players, meanwhile, are trying to expand their reach and improve efficiency.

Uber's proposed $14.8 billion acquisition of Delivery Hero would expand the company's international reach, from Latin America to Asia. And DoorDash is making deliveries using self-driving robots — sometimes with a little help from humans.

The Dunkin' partnership will allow customers to order a coffee or donut through Walmart's app or website "alongside their paper towels, milk and household essentials," Cathey said.

Walmart started testing food deliveries from restaurants located within its stores earlier this year, Business Insider reported in May.

In June, the retailer confirmed its entry into restaurant delivery with a Subway partnership. The sandwich chain operates about 1,400 locations within Walmart stores.

The Arkansas-based chain has stores within 10 miles of 90% of the US population, it said on Thursday. Many of those stores are also close to dozens of restaurants, positioning the retailer to bundle orders from those establishments with items that customers want delivered from Walmart.

Since 2018, Walmart has also grown its Spark delivery service, which relies on hundreds of thousands of independent contractors to deliver orders from its stores. Spark and its gig workers have increased Walmart's delivery speeds as more retailers, including Amazon and Target, deliver orders in as little as a few hours.

Have a tip about Walmart or Spark? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• I'm tired of teaching all the men in my life to clean.
• I wanted to break the cycle and get my son to start pitching in while he's still young.
• My husband had to get on board and clean, too, to set a good example.

I was talking to a friend about cleaning recently. He said that he cleans the family home and I pointed out that this is something of a rarity, even though it shouldn't be. My friend said that he doesn't "help his wife" clean; it's his home, too, and therefore also his responsibility. So, he cleans their home.

I explained how, in all my serious, live-in relationships, not one of my partners knew how to do any routine cleaning, such as cleaning the bathrooms or floors, until I showed them how.

I've had to show all of my previous partners how to clean

As I thought more about cleaning and my past relationships, I realized that I really didn't want my own son to grow up not knowing how to clean his living space — or worse, not being a team player when it comes to household chores.

He is almost 13, and while we've been cleaning together for years already, he still thinks he shouldn't have to help. Unfortunately, I've also heard him say that cleaning the house isn't "man's work." Whenever I hear him say something like that, I question him about that belief.

I usually start by asking him, "Why do you think that?" In this case, he has grown up watching me do all of the housework, whether I was in a relationship or not. He explained that he thought that's just "what moms did."

I tried appealing to his logic and explaining how exhausting it is to do every household chore on one's own. The topic of gender and expectations also came up, as can be expected when talking about division of household responsibilities.

I also explained how cleaning and keeping his space organized is about a lot more than just doing housework — it's a form of self-care, too. And when he lives with other people one day, it's also a way to be a team player.

We talk a lot about fairness, and he now understands that it wouldn't be fair to expect any one person to do the chores of the entire household. He also understands that everyone needs to pitch in, and that it's part of life, even if most people don't love doing chores.

To get my son to help, my husband had to get on board and start cleaning, too

While talking to my son about why he doesn't think he should have to clean, I realized that I've allowed my husband of five years to forgo chores, too. Once we realized that he needed to set a better example around the home, cleaning truly became a family affair.

There are certain tasks we should all do daily, such as making our beds, cleaning up after ourselves, and helping with the dishes and laundry. But when it comes to the deeper cleaning, even my husband doesn't enjoy contributing.

To ease my husband and son into a new way of life around the house, I decided to designate one day a week to share all the major housework. It's a little different every week, because I want my son to learn how to clean the whole house, and I also want him to witness my husband doing the same.

We all take turns doing the floors, so, for instance, my son will vacuum, then my husband will mop while I'm cleaning the bathrooms. The following week, we switch, and they tackle the bathrooms while I get the floors.

Since my son hates every moment of it, my husband and I really have to maintain a united front. Seeing my husband clean without complaining really does help my son get the work done with a better attitude overall.

On a practical level, the house gets clean much more quickly, which means we all spend less time on chores, but on a deeper level, our family starts to feel more like a small community, learning to work better together. What once took me three hours of hard work now takes us an hour as a group.

My son would never admit it, but I know that what I'm teaching him is sinking in

I actually love cleaning and find it therapeutic, so I try to share that attitude with him by recommending he put on some good music while he cleans. Once, he took my advice and reorganized his room — without us asking him to — for an entire afternoon, all while listening to his favorite music. It showed me that he's listening, even if it doesn't always seem like it.

His actual cleaning skills are improving, and the other benefits — like how nice it feels when your room has just been cleaned — are becoming more evident to him through firsthand experience. I can see him starting to take more responsibility in caring for his own belongings, and while it's not quite a total victory for me yet in the realm of family chores, I do think it's a great place for my son to begin.

• Union security workers for the offices of some of Silicon Valley's biggest tech companies have authorized a strike.
• The union, which represents around 14,000 workers, said it is negotiating for better wages and benefits.
• Anthropic recently told staff to work from home in light of a possible security team strike.

Union security workers for the California offices of OpenAI, Anthropic, and other tech companies announced on Wednesday that they had authorized a strike.

The security personnel, who are seeking better pay, are employed by staffing agencies that provide building security for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Salesforce, the SEIU-United Service Workers West said.

Business Insider previously reported that Anthropic asked employees to work from home last week, as the company believed there could be an imminent strike by Allied Universal, the security staffing firm for its San Francisco office.

On Wednesday, an unfair-labor-practice strike was officially authorized as union security officers marched through San Francisco and near the offices of OpenAI and Anthropic. It was not immediately clear if a strike would definitely go ahead, or when.

Some companies have been tightening security protocols in recent years. The Wall Street Journal reported that Anthropic and OpenAI have dealt with several threats against their employees. In April, police said a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the home of OpenAI's Sam Altman, who later said AI "doomerism talk" may have contributed to the attack.

The SEIU-USWW, which represents roughly 14,000 security workers, said it had been bargaining with Allied and other staffing agencies, such as Securitas and GardaWorld, for improved wages and benefits for staff in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles County.

"We're asking Allied and the other security companies to stop playing games, come to the table, and settle a strong contract with real raises, better training, and respect for the officers who keep these buildings safe," Christopher Yates, an Allied Universal security officer who lives in Hayward, said in an emailed statement sent by the union.

Representatives for OpenAI, Anthropic, Salesforce, Google, and Meta did not immediately respond to a Business Insider request for comment.

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at 628-228-1836. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Two units run by Ukraine's spy agencies fought each other in a shootout in central Kyiv on Tuesday.
• The dramatic confrontation between GUR and the SBU centered on a disputed apartment search.
• Video appears to show two groups of soldiers approaching each other aggressively before shots ring out.

A gunfight broke out in Kyiv on Tuesday between special forces units run by Ukraine's intelligence and security agencies, with at least three officers reported wounded.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called the confrontation — involving the country's military intelligence directorate, GUR, and the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU — an "absolutely shameful situation."

"Here, in Ukraine, it is only possible to shoot at Russian occupiers to protect Ukraine. No other shootout will ever be perceived by our state as something that is permitted for anyone," he said.

The violent clash in central Kyiv is one of the most dramatic and high-profile confrontations between friendly Ukrainian forces.

The SBU said in a statement on Wednesday that the gunfight occurred while it was investigating a possible operation by the Kremlin against a Russian dissident. SBU agents had been collecting and recording evidence as part of "urgent investigative actions," it said.

"During a search at one of the addresses, a group of individuals carried out an armed attack on the SBU operational-investigative group," the statement said.

According to the SBU, these individuals blocked its officers and their cars from proceeding, after which the security service called in its "Alpha" special forces unit to intervene.

"During the cessation of armed resistance, law enforcement officers used weapons," the SBU wrote, adding in the statement that the people blocking its investigation were from a Ukrainian unit.

Several members of the opposing group were wounded in the process, it added.

Apartment raid central to shootout

Local media reported that the raid centered on Stepan Kaplunov, the deputy commander of a unit of Russian volunteers who fight for Ukraine under GUR's Timur special forces paramilitary.

Kaplunov's unit, the Russian Volunteer Corps, said on Tuesday that he had been "abducted by unknown individuals" and was appealing for information on his whereabouts.

He later emerged after the confrontation, telling Ukrainian media outlet Radio NV that he had been held for days by the SBU under accusation of contacting Russia's Federal Security Service.

Kaplunov said he was brought to one of his apartments, where the SBU tried to conduct a search. The Russian volunteer said he heard sounds of a gunfight at the apartment, but did not see what happened as he was inside.

Video on social media appears to show moments of the confrontation between two groups of Ukrainian troops, who can be seen approaching each other aggressively. Gunshots can be heard as one group began raising their firearms and detaining members of the other.

GUR and the SBU did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said Ukraine's prosecutor general would investigate the incident "step by step."

"There must be responsibility, including personnel decisions of the heads of the special services regarding the participants in what happened, and there must be internal investigations in both services," he said.

Air fryers have flooded the market due to their purported convenience and quick results. While many people, myself included, were skeptical of the appliance, years of testing them have taught me they are a great kitchen tool when you want food cooked quickly and evenly. But not all air fryers are created equal, and your cooking and capacity needs dictate which you should purchase. I have tested or had hands-on experience with most of the top performers on the market and developed favorites.

While I personally love a dual-basket air fryer like the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone XL to whip up fries and chicken tenders at the same time, my favorite day-to-day air fryer is the single-basket Cosori TurboBlaze. I was shocked that it unseated our previous winner, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. It was just more consistent and also prettier to look at on the counter.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches kitchen products.

Our picks of the best air fryers

Best overall air fryer: Cosori TurboBlaze - See at Amazon

Best air fryer with a cooking window: Instant Vortex Plus with Odor Erase Technology - See at Amazon

Best budget air fryer: Beautiful Touchscreen Air Fryer - See at Walmart

Best air fryer toaster oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro - See at Amazon

Best dual-basket air fryer: Ninja Foodi 10 Quart DualZone XL 2-Basket Air Fryer - See at Amazon

Best glass air fryer: Ninja Crispi Pro - See at Amazon

Best small air fryer: Chefman 4-Quart - See at Amazon

Best air fryer + pressure cooker combo: Instant Pot Duo Crisp - See at Amazon

How to choose the best air fryer for your needs

Best overall

This is the best overall air fryer we tested. The six-quart capacity of the Cosori TurboBlaze is a good size for most households and a practical choice for everyday use. It's my favorite because of the outstanding performance, ease of use, and consistent results. It cooked dishes according to the suggested times on the packaging and in recipes, yielding consistent results throughout. It never wavered in any test. Fries were golden and even, chicken wings were crispy, and Brussels sprouts had those toasty, nutty edges they get when cooked at high heat (the best way).

I found the Cosori looked more attractive than any other. Its flush, easy-to-read display almost disappears when it is turned off, so it's sleek enough to leave out on the counter between cooking sessions. The TurboBlaze has a strong DC motor, enabling it to perform a variety of functions beyond air frying, including dehydrating, proofing, baking, roasting, broiling, and reheating. It has nice features like a shake reminder for cooking, which is helpful if you are multitasking.

The Cosori's biggest drawback might be the handle. We have not seen any damage, but Amazon reviewers have noted that the basket's push button can fail over time. If that's a concern, just take better care when shaking and dishwashing the basket. Still, such potential drawbacks are relatively minor given the TurboBlaze's powerful motor, quick cooking ability, and consistency. If you want a single-basket air fryer, this is the one to get.

Read our Cosori TurboBlaze air fryer review for more information.

Best with a cooking window

A viewing window lets you monitor food progress. The Instant Vortex Plus model is from the same brand as the ultra-popular pressure cooker, but it's focused solely on air frying — you won't find any slow-cooking or pressure-cooking features here. Its noteworthy design features are the cooking window for monitoring cooking progress and an air filter to absorb cooking odors. Even factoring in preheating, the Vortex Plus cooked food the fastest in our tests, including evenly cooked hand-cut fries in just 14 minutes. It was previously our top pick, only to be unseated by the Cosori, with its sleek interface, consistent cooking results, and more cooking functions.

It's so easy to use. You can easily get this air fryer up and running without even glancing at the manual. You just select one of the six functions, use the temp/time button to adjust the cooking time and temperature, and press start. The unit will preheat and then begin the countdown.

The basket and crisping plate are both dishwasher-safe. However, our tester preferred hand-washing the basket because it takes up a lot of space in the dishwasher, and the nonstick surface makes cleanup effortless. However, I noticed that the window can fog up after extended use and is tricky to clean. After countless rounds of testing, this is still one of the best air fryers on the market. The Vortex is also available in a 4-quart mini size if you're looking for a small air fryer for one or two people, or a massive 10-quart model that fits a rotisserie chicken. This size is best for average households, however.

Read our Instant Vortex air fryer review for more information.

Best budget

We were surprised by how well the Beautiful air fryer performed. It offers a lot of value relative to its performance. This is a great machine for beginners or casual users because it's super simple and easy to use. It features straightforward controls that make operation intuitive and ensure that even those with little technical knowledge can operate it effortlessly. Our fries were golden brown and evenly cooked, and the chicken wings only took a little longer than in our recipe.

It's also really cute. The Drew Barrymore-backed air fryer looks great on the counter thanks to its simple design, a gold "B," and minimal controls. In a sea of black-and-silver appliances, the Beautiful comes in a variety of colors. We tested a light blue model called Hydrangea, which added a punch of color to our kitchen. Since it is so simplistic, it is also very easy to clean and not too loud.

The air fryer doesn't feel made to last. Despite its positive aspects, the product doesn't feel durable or built to last. So, that lower price point does come with some compromises. The basket has a lighter, thinner feel, so don't be too rough with it if you need it to last. Yet, given its consistent cooking results, I still think it's a great budget air fryer, despite its simplicity.

Read our Beautiful air fryer review for more information.

Best toaster oven

The Breville is versatile and a true multi-tasker. It might replace a few of your appliances. One of the obstacles for many cooks with air fryers it is another appliance eating up counter space. I use the Breville as an air fryer often, but its versatility cannot be undersold. It's not only efficient for crisping chicken tenders, but also great for toasting that morning bagel, heating up a slice of leftover pizza, and even making a batch of homemade cookies using its amazing convection technology. It doesn't do well with high-fat items like chicken wings, but it's great for drier items you might air fry, like French fries or veggies.

It comes with so many accessories. Seriously, it came with more than any other toaster oven, including a 13" pizza pan, a 9"x13" broil rack, an enamel roasting pan, a mesh basket rack for dehydrating and air frying, and two oven racks. The accessories only add to the versatility claim, making this machine capable of so much that you might never turn on your oven. Another feature I liked was that cooking stopped when you opened the door to shake the food or check doneness.

It is enormous and takes up much of the counter. Most toaster oven combos are, but this one is even larger, thanks to the convection technology. This is the third Breville toaster oven air fryer combo I have owned and tested, including the compact version, and it is by far the biggest. It is also the best of the three, so I am happy to recommend it, and it has become something I use nearly every day. I love it so much, I kept it in my kitchen well after the test.

Best dual-basket

This model is like two air fryers in one. The Ninja Foodi DualZone XL features two 5-quart baskets that you can program to heat independently or for the same time and temperature. A "smart finish" function ensures that both baskets finish cooking simultaneously if you're cooking two different types of food. Dual baskets offer the most flexibility and versatility.

The food came out crispy and delicious. Most importantly, the Ninja Foodi DualZone cooks food evenly without drying it out. While it was one of the slowest units preparing frozen fries, it quickly produced delicious broccoli and hand-cut fries. Ninja typically makes superior air fryers, and this does not disappoint. It also heats up very quickly, which is another hallmark of the brand.

It is heavy. No heavier than other dual air fryers, but it's worth considering if you have mobility concerns. But it is still simple to use and clean. With so many functions, we assumed this $230 air fryer would have a steep learning curve, but the controls are intuitive. We had it up and running without referencing the instructions. Clean-up is also a snap since the baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe. We like that the baskets are smaller than the traditional 6-quart models, making them easier to fit in the dishwasher.

Read our full Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer review.

Best glass

This is the best non-toxic air fryer I've tested. If you want a non-toxic option with minimal plastic and non-stick coating, the Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer is for you. The glass cooking vessel uses an aluminum crisper plate with a non-stick nano-ceramic coating and is PFAS- and PTFE-free. During testing, when other devices failed, I would put them in this air fryer to finish them off. This happened more than you would expect, especially with chicken wings, which this produced well. It was also fun to watch it cook through the glass. That consistency and ability to heat things quickly and evenly made it one of my favorites.

I like this better than the original model. I found the original Ninja Crispi a little awkward to store, and it never seemed tidy because you had to wrap the cord around the mechanical unit, and everything was separate. The removable lid also increased exposure to the heating elements. This model has an integrated stand that lets you just slip the glass container into the grooves. I love how this has a reheat feature, which is super handy for heating up leftovers like Chinese takeout, given the glass configuration, which you can use without the crisper plate insert. I used it for a pork tenderloin one evening, and it was cooked perfectly. I think it could be a good microwave alternative for those who don't own one.

The glass containers are great, with some caveats. They come in various sizes with matching lids so you can serve meals directly from the glass container and store any leftovers in the fridge. They nest within each other and store easily with the unit. When it's time to clean, you can just throw them in the dishwasher, but water gets stuck in the unremovable handles. I expected this design flaw to be fixed in this incarnation, but the same handles remain. It is very hard to get a cloth or anything between the plastic handles and the glass container, and to dry everything properly.

Read our full Ninja Crispi Pro review for more information.

Best small

It's ideal for cooking for 1-2 people and small spaces. However, being small wasn't a negative for the Chefman 4-Quart Air Fryer. It fits in anyone's kitchen, whether you need something this small or not, and is a real powerhouse despite its size. It also features a viewing window, which you can illuminate with the button on the control pad. Controls are very simple and straightforward, so anyone can use this with ease.

It is small but mighty. It doesn't get as hot as the others in the test, but we really didn't notice that big a difference when it came to things like french fries and chicken nuggets for dinner. Everything we wanted crisp came out as expected, though some items, like fries, needed a little more time than the package said. But we were able to get consistent results with this machine. And once you know how long it takes to get to your liking, you'll be set.

Its size is also its biggest drawback. You can't fit much in here because the basket is smaller, so you will have to cook things in stages if you're cooking for more than one or two people. The ideal user for this is someone with limited storage, on a budget, or cooking for one to two people.

See more of the best small air fryers.

Best air fryer + pressure cooker combo

This multicooker is a great option if you want a model that does it all. Air fryers often get a bad rap for being uni-taskers, but they're versatile and space-savers. Still, Instant Pot has bucked the trend by adding air fryer functionality to its already versatile multicookers, making it the best multitasking air fryer. The $200 Duo Crisp comes with two separate lids — a traditional Instant Pot lid for pressure cooking and slow cooking, and another lid equipped with an electric heating coil and fan for air frying, broiling, dehydrating, and more.

It excelled in every test. It produced tender broccoli and crisp frozen fries. Air frying is an add-on to the Instant Pot's already versatile design. If you've used an Instant Pot, you're already familiar with the Duo Crisp's pressure cooking. In our guides to the best pressure cookers and best sous vide cookers, we rated it the best multitasking unit.

But its design has a few downsides. The basket allows you to stack two layers of food to compensate for the lack of horizontal space, but because the heat comes from above, the food on the bottom layer is often less crisp than the top. The air fryer basket also lacks a handle, making it difficult to agitate the food. When you remove the lid, the heating coil is exposed, a burn hazard. The unit has a special plate to safely set the lid on your counter, but you must still be careful.

Check out our Instant Pots vs. air fryers review and our full Instant Pot Duo Crisp review.

What else we tested

We have tested over 65 air fryers for this guide. Here are some that didn't make the cut, but may work for your needs.

• Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven ($380): This toaster oven and air fryer combo has so many features and attachments, but I found it not very pretty to look at, and it is taller than other combos we have tested. While it can air fry, it took a long time to crisp the fries and left our veggies dried out. It didn't perform very well in our tests.
• Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer ($250): This dual-basket air fryer is attractive, with its sleek black exterior and discreet controls. However, the baskets are not the same size, and the 3.2 quart smaller one is too compact for anything you'd want to make.
• Cuisinart 6-qt Basket Air Fryer ($100): This was a strong contender for the best air fryer. Its large viewing window and interior light make monitoring food easy. Its even cooking and quick performance make it a solid choice, even though it didn't quite edge out our category winners.
• Gourmia Fry 'N Fold Digital Air Fryer ($80): This Gourmia has a transparent glass drawer that affords you a 360-degree view of your food. The Lid base flips to sit inside the cooking basket for easier storage. It's essentially a budget version of the Ninja Crispi. Unfortunately, it cooked more slowly than other basket air fryers and was incredibly loud.
• Philips Premium Airfryer XXL ($150): Philips popularized air fryers, and when this model was first introduced, it was our top pick. However, other brands have caught up with Philips, and at this price point, some units cook faster and more evenly.
• Breville Joule Air Fryer Pro Smart Oven ($500): This air fryer-toaster oven is a good splurge. It excelled at maintaining consistent temperatures and cooking evenly. Yet, it preheated and cooked more slowly than most units. It has integrated app connectivity that includes monitoring, remote control, and auto-cooking.

Our top picks, compared

What to look for in an air fryer

Size and capacity

Air fryers come in a range of quart sizes, from 1-quart mini versions to 16-quart extra-large models. We find that a four- to six-quart unit is the sweet spot for two people, but recommend more than six quarts for families of four or more. If you like to cook multiple dishes at once for a larger household, a dual-basket model is a great choice.

Type

There are various types of air fryers on the market, and it can get really confusing when you're deciding which type to buy. Each has its pros and cons.

• Basket: Traditional air fryers employ a basket configuration, which is great if you just want to cook one type of food. The cooking surface area on these is often limited, as stacking food is discouraged, so you can't cook many things at once, such as chicken wings.
• Dual basket: If you like to cook two types of food or just need more capacity, a dual-basket air fryer is a great choice because it has two compartments, often the same size, and can cook at different temperatures or for different times. They are often much heavier and have a larger footprint, so that is a consideration when buying one.
• Toaster oven models: Resembling a countertop oven with an air fryer function, these typically include a perforated metal tray for use on the air fryer setting. They are more versatile because they can perform several tasks, such as baking cookies, toasting bread, and reheating slices of leftover pizza. They often don't perform as well as basket-style air fryers, but they do the trick, especially if you want to limit the number of appliances on your countertop.

Ease of use

Those of us using an air fryer are seeking convenience. That means it has easy-to-read, easy-to-use controls and plenty of presets, but not too many. And cleaning, along with how much space it takes up, is always a consideration.

Extra features

Some models have windows so you can watch the food, which makes it fun to see things crisp in real time. Others have smart features like shake reminders to ensure the food cooks evenly, and sensors that stop cooking when the unit is opened, so your cooking time stays accurate. Many toaster oven models come with attachments and accessories such as pizza and roasting pans, multiple racks, and stainless steel mesh air fryer baskets.

How we tested

Business Insider has tested over 65 air fryer models in every category. This latest test retested previous winners and added new models. Here’s how we put each appliance through the paces.

Design

Air fryers come in a range of sizes and weights. So it is important to choose one that fits your kitchen and lifestyle. The larger the unit, the more counter space it requires, so we evaluated this during testing. We also evaluated the build and how durable we thought the air fryers would be with typical use. This was also when we noted any features, presets, and accessories included with the model.

Performance

This was where the bulk of our testing took place (and the most important part of our evaluations). We cooked the same foods: fries, chicken wings, and Brussels sprouts in each air fryer to test basic functions. In toaster ovens, we also added cookies, pizzas, and toast. During these cooking tests, we noted how long the air fryers took to heat up, how well they crisped food, the evenness of cooking, the ease of use, and the noise level. It was important that machines heat up quickly and not take much longer than the package's recommended time. Overall, we wanted the best user experience, one that felt convenient, since that is the promise of air fryers.

Care

Cleaning is a huge consideration. During my tests, some units, such as the toaster ovens, were so hard to clean that they just weren’t worth the fuss. We prefer models with as many dishwasher-safe parts as possible and construction that makes clean-up a snap. We also assessed how hard it was for the average user to pick up and store, in case you’re like me, and don’t want to leave the air fryer out on display.

Meet the expert behind the guide:

Jennifer Zyman, contributor: I am a food writer and kitchen product testing expert with over a decade of experience covering food, dining, and cookware. As the former testing editor at Food & Wine, I tested hundreds of products a year and developed strict evaluation standards for kitchen tools and food products. I also studied classical culinary techniques at the California Culinary Academy, which is rooted in the Le Cordon Bleu tradition.

Air Fryer FAQ

Are air fryers worth it?

Some people equate air fryers with ovens and call them useless, but I love them. Unlike traditional, countertop, or toaster ovens, an air fryer creates a contained, high-heat environment that mimics deep frying without excess oil. They also cut cooking times in half. I find that certain foods, such as chicken wings and fries, are handled better by traditional basket air fryers than by an oven. They are also so much easier to clean than ovens, and they are great for summer when you don't want to heat the entire kitchen.

How do air fryers work?

Air fryers use convection technology to circulate hot air in a contained environment. It mimics deep frying but wrapping whatever you are cooking in hot air that crisps food, often very quickly.

What size air fryer do I need?

It depends on what you cook and how many people you are cooking for. Air fryers come in a wide range of sizes, with most falling between 1 and 6 quarts. My experience indicates that most households need 4 to 6 quarts.

Are air fryer ovens better than basket models?

No, our testing and long-term experience say basket models are best. They create a more enclosed cooking environment and are so much less messy. Our chicken wing test really drove that point home, since the fat from the wings splatters everywhere. The toaster oven styles smoked so much that we had to stop the test. And it was much easier to put the basket in the dishwasher than to clean up the oil that gets everywhere in the toaster oven.

Can an air fryer replace using the oven?

No, it cannot, but it can make certain items faster than the oven. You would not use this to make cupcakes, for instance. There just isn't enough cooking surface for some things that require an oven. However, an air fryer is much better for french fries, vegetables, chicken nuggets, and other things you want crisped.

Should I buy an air fryer microwave?

Yes, air fryer/microwave combos exist, but in our testing, they don't match the performance of separate dedicated appliances. The GE 4-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven is one of the better options. At just around $200, this appliance is an excellent microwave but limited as an air fryer. While the GE Combo handled thin items like pizza reasonably well, it struggled with air-frying thicker foods, such as large batches of frozen fries and a whole chicken. For more details, check out our air fryer microwave review and our guide to the best microwaves.

What are the best things to cook in an air fryer?

Anything you want to crisp, of course. Fries, chicken tenders, fish sticks, and mozzarella are just a few ideas. During testing, I roasted a pork tenderloin I slathered with mustard and honey inside the Ninja Crispi, and the results bested my oven on some occasions. If you're just getting started, check out our recipes for air-fried bacon and air-fried french fries. And if you need to know the limits of your air fryer, here are the best and worst things to make in an air fryer.

• Uber announced plans to lay off some managers and eliminate nearly half of its "micro-teams."
• It's part of the Great Flattening, as companies look to cut costs and trim managerial layers.
• Eliminating middle managers can result in fewer career development opportunities for employees.

As Uber cuts jobs, it's targeting some of the smallest teams in its org chart.

In a memo announcing layoffs affecting about 10% of staffers on Wednesday, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the ride-hailing giant would trim management layers and cut the number of "micro-teams" — those with only one or two direct reports — by nearly half.

"The outcome is a simpler org chart geared toward building versus managing," Khosrowshahi wrote.

Uber's focus isn't simply on small groups of workers. It's groups that come with their own management layer. The move comes at a time when many tech companies are looking to reconstruct org charts with fewer layers and more managers acting as "player-coaches," not merely supervisors.

In some cases, it's meant CEOs like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg have touted the value of the "tiny team," where elite employees do the work that once took legions. Coinbase announced in May that it would have "no pure managers" as it shifted toward AI-native pods, including "one-person teams" in which a single employee takes on the work of an engineer, designer, and product manager.

For others, it's meant asking fewer middle managers to oversee bigger teams — and sometimes take on more hands-on work as well.

How AI is reshaping teams

These days, managers can often oversee larger teams because AI is changing what they do, said David McJannet, cofounder of Dome Systems, a platform for controlling AI agents. Instead of turning to a supervisor for guidance on every task, workers can use AI for help, he said. Managers can then focus more on setting goals and checking that employees are on track to meet them.

"The job of the manager is less about handholding," McJannet said.

However, there can be risks to trimming managerial ranks — and not only for those in the middle. As managers are stretched across more reports and responsibilities, career development and mentorship can fall to the wayside.

Paddy Lambros, the founder and CEO of Dex, which uses AI to connect software engineers with employers, previously told Business Insider that the intense pace of work has made managers' relationships with their reports "more tactical and transactional."

"It's not managing the human, it's managing the work," Lambros said. "And it's much more sink or swim."

Some executives are in favor of a shift toward fewer managers overseeing bigger teams. Fred Voccola, the chairman and CEO of AI software company Simpro Group, said this transition needs to happen "faster and more aggressively."

A Gallup report published in January found that the average manager's span of control grew from 10.9 direct reports in 2024 to 12.1 in 2025. At Simpro, Voccola said, the ratio of individual contributors to managers has gone from about eight-to-one to 17-to-1 as AI helps employees produce more.

The model requires leaders to contribute directly to tasks, Voccola said. He calls it "hands-dirty" work for managers. For example, he said he wants a chief technology officer involved in debates about software architecture and a chief marketing officer writing copy.

That doesn't mean every small team within companies is obsolete. In his memo, Uber's Khosrowshahi said the company would cut down the number of micro-teams, not eliminate them entirely.

Kevin Kelley, Boston Consulting Group's global lead for organizational design, said there are instances where small teams are the right bet. For instance, new initiatives might start with only a few people. He said small teams can also make sense when work is highly uncertain or highly interdependent and requires senior expertise.

"A small team will actually make sense under those circumstances for some period of time," Kelley said.

Micro-teams under major pressure

For some executives, the case for reducing the number of teams with only a few direct reports isn't solely about cutting layers or costs. Bill George, former CEO of the medical-device maker Medtronic, said such teams can lack the "diversity of expertise" to solve problems independently simply because of their size.

"We need to have a multidisciplinary team," George, an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, said. "The problem with a one- or two-person team is you only get a couple of disciplines."

George expects to see more companies having managers oversee 15 to 50 people, although there is no magic number for the appropriate span of control, he said.

One goal of stripping out managers is to reduce the layers separating leadership from frontline employees — a point Khosrowshahi raised in his memo, saying Wednesday's restructuring would reduce by 20% the number of workers who are seven or more layers from the CEO.

That can give executives a more direct view of what is happening, George said, rather than relying on information filtered through several levels of management. That was his approach when he ran Medtronic. When the company had production problems, he said, he didn't want to hear only from the quality department.

"I'm going down to the floor and talk to the people on the production line," George said. "They'll give me the real story."

• Greg Abel says Berkshire sees electricity as AI's next bottleneck — and a major opportunity.
• The firm owns utilities across Iowa, Nevada, and the western US that could be critical to the AI boom.
• Sign up for First Trade, Business Insider's daily markets newsletter.

Following in the footsteps of a legend is no easy feat. For every Tim Cook, there are countless tales of new leaders failing to fill gigantic shoes.

New Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel finds himself in such an unenviable position: He's tasked with replacing Warren Buffett, the wealthiest self-made investor in history and arguably the greatest market titan of them all.

Since taking over at the start of 2026, Abel has let his portfolio moves do the talking. But on Wednesday, he sat down for a wide-ranging interview with CNBC that shed light on Berkshire's investment strategy.

The broad takeaway: The firm is embracing the AI boom more directly than its old-school reputation might suggest. But it still wants to do it the Berkshire way, more as a hands-on operator than a tech speculator.

Investors could use a win at this point. Berkshire shares have barely budged this year, lagging the S&P 500 by more than 10 percentage points as the market's AI-led rally has left its cash-heavy, old-economy portfolio behind.

Betting on the next AI bottleneck

The clearest evidence of Berkshire's openness to AI is its roughly $38 billion stake in Google parent Alphabet. Abel confirmed on Wednesday that Berkshire started amassing its position last year as a bet on AI, saying the company came on the radar because AI was helping Berkshire's own operating businesses.

But Abel's more interesting comments may have been about a less glamorous side of the AI trade: electricity. He made it clear that Berkshire sees access to power as the AI boom's next bottleneck and is positioning itself to capitalize.

So with many investors still focused on global chip shortages, Berkshire is looking further out and trying to get ahead of the next AI logjam.

That's where its operator mindset comes into focus. Berkshire isn't just buying a stake in an AI winner. Through its energy business, it also owns utilities across Iowa, Nevada, and much of the western US that could supply a crucial ingredient of the boom.

Its Iowa utility already gets roughly 8% of its power load from data centers, and Abel sees opportunity in continuing to supply AI hyperscalers as they race to build more capacity.

The energy caveat

But the opportunity in electricity comes with a big condition. Abel said Berkshire will only serve new data centers if doing so doesn't drive up power costs for existing customers.

The stance gets at the AI boom's next great challenge. It's already clear that demand for computing power is enormous. Now, Berkshire is betting the trade will turn on physical capacity and permission.

Even if utilities can generate enough power for data centers, can hyperscalers win over the customers, regulators, and local communities who may be asked to pay for it?

Berkshire is positioning itself for that opportunity, while warning that backlash could limit how quickly utilities can turn the AI buildout into profits.

A two-speed economy

Abel also offered a sober reminder that the rest of the economy isn't sprinting alongside the AI trade. Consumers remain strained by inflation and high mortgage rates, he said, while the housing market faces a "bumpy road" with no quick recovery in sight.

Yet Berkshire's recent purchase of homebuilder Taylor Morrison shows the firm is willing to invest through that downturn. Abel expects the company to be a "very strong asset" in five to 10 years, as Americans keep pursuing homeownership even if many cannot afford it today.

The new Berkshire may be changing the packaging, but the formula looks familiar: look past today's pain, invest for the long haul, and maintain hands-on control where it can.

• Unlike me, my daughter never worked low-paying, menial jobs while growing up.
• Instead, I steered her toward prestigious internships and resumé-building opportunities.
• Now I wonder if I deprived her of lessons that only service work can teach.

At 27, my daughter earns more than I did at 57. But she still can't properly clean a coffee machine or remove sticky spills from her kitchen countertops.

One of the few regrets I have as a parent is not encouraging her to work a minimum-wage job during her formative years. Rather than scooping ice cream or scrubbing toilets, she spent her early teen summers at sleepaway camp with friends. In high school and college, she landed internships at prestigious financial institutions, including BlackRock and Dow Jones.

Thanks to those internships, she graduated from college with an unpadded résumé, and by her final semester, she had secured a full-time job with a Manhattan consulting firm.

While I'm genuinely impressed with how much my daughter has achieved in her 20s, I can't shake the idea that she missed out on some important life lessons by not getting some dirt under her fingernails.

Making the most of the hand I was served

My work experience as a teen couldn't have been more different than my daughter's. My father often spent more on the road than he brought in as a wholesale shoe salesman, and my mother's part-time proofreading job did little to cover the costs of raising three kids in suburban Boston.

I got my first part-time job at 15 and later worked nights, weekends, and summers as a food server at the local Pewter Pot Muffin House, a slightly more upscale alternative to Dunkin' Donuts (now known as Dunkin'), with a colonial theme. All but a few of the dollars I earned went toward my college living expenses. I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship to cover tuition.

My uniform was a floral-print dress with puffy sleeves and an itchy, lace-trimmed collar. I tucked my long hair beneath a sheer white, ruffled cap that led to my friends nicknaming me "The Muffin Wench." By the end of every shift, the cotton-polyester uniform had trapped countless odors, from fryolator grease to the sizzle of fat from our most expensive menu item, microwaved prime rib.

Large families with screaming, squirming kids ordered bottomless cups of coffee and a few muffins to share. They'd sit for hours and leave behind a few coins and a crumb-covered carpet, which I quickly stick-vacuumed before the next party arrived.

While I often returned home with a backache from crouching to reach the corners where much of the debris landed, the job gave me perspective: I knew I had to work my tail off in college because a liberal arts education would give me the chance to leave my family's financial struggles behind.

The most valuable lessons I learned on the job

The job taught me a lot about teamwork, whether I picked up a table for another server who was slammed or helped others complete their sidework — cleaning the coffee maker or "marrying" half-finished ketchup bottles and salt and pepper shakers — once I had finished my own. Given my poor hand-eye coordination, it was the closest I came to playing a team sport.

Having people bark orders at me as I used a hot cloth to wipe up their spilled pancake syrup made me certain of one thing: I never wanted to go back. Instead, I would hustle to make my dream of working in publishing a reality, even if I didn't have magazine connections, a trust fund, or parents who could subsidize my New York City rent.

In addition to teaching me resourcefulness, humility, and an appreciation for every dollar I earn to this day, working for tips fueled my grit and determination and gave me skills I still use, even though I now pay someone to clean my apartment.

My daughter can afford to have hers cleaned, too. But she opts to spend most of her discretionary income on designer bags, travel, and expensive restaurant outings. I can't fault her, but I know on the rare occasion that she vacuums, she'll likely miss the corners where most of the dust hides.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics classified 831 jobs based on their exposure to AI.
• Twenty of the low-exposure jobs earned median pay of at least $75,000 last year.
• Several of those high-paying jobs are projected to grow, including roles in healthcare.

Dental hygienists are among the high-paying jobs projected to grow and have relatively low exposure to AI.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics classified how exposed a job is to AI based on research published by various authors over the past few years. BLS classified 213 of 831 occupations as having low exposure.

"'Low' relative AI exposure generally indicates that the requirements of an occupation do not match well with the current capabilities of AI models, and that LLMs have not been observed performing many of the occupation's tasks," BLS said. Exposure doesn't "imply job loss, productivity gains, automation probability, or wage effects."

Twenty of the low-exposure jobs had a median annual wage of at least $75,000 last year. Employment for a few of those high-paying jobs, including chemical plant and system operators, is projected to decline between 2025 and 2035. Below are 10 high-paying jobs with low AI exposure that are projected to increase over the decade, based on new BLS projections, sorted by their projected job growth.

On the other end are occupations that are very highly exposed to AI. Over a hundred of those jobs are high-paying, with many expected to grow between 2025 and 2035, including for software developers, financial managers, and human resources specialists.

"'Very high' relative AI exposure generally indicates that, compared to other occupations, a larger fraction of an occupation's tasks can be completed or assisted by AI technology, and that LLMs have been observed performing some of the occupation's tasks," BLS said.

Over the past few years, AI has become more prominent in the workplace and in the job search process. Postings containing AI terms have soared, people are being asked about their AI usage in interviews, and employers may expect their workers to incorporate AI into their duties to be more productive.

Americans think jobs are at stake. In a Pew Research Center survey this year, 71% of US adults think AI will lead to fewer jobs in the country over the next 20 years, more than the 64% who said this two years ago. The share of adults who believe there will be more jobs was steady between the two survey periods, at 5%.

• More and more unemployed Americans have been out of work for over six months.
• Without a recession to blame, some job seekers are struggling to explain why.
• Some blame AI, age discrimination, or ghost job listings. Others wonder if they're the problem.

When Jeremy Spiegel was looking for work in 2009, it was clear why finding a job might be difficult: it was the depths of the Great Recession.

But when he lost his director role at a publishing company in 2024, there was no recession to blame. Spiegel, who's in his 40s and lives in Massachusetts, has spent two years looking for work — despite having more than twenty years of experience.

"I've been told so many times a version of 'It's not you, it's us' that I am beginning to wonder if it is, in fact, me," Spiegel said.

He said others have struggled to understand how someone with his background could be out of work for so long. Had he offended someone at the companies where he was applying? one family member wondered. Spiegel said he sometimes avoids social events because he fears he'll have to talk about his job search.

More than a million Americans have been unemployed for at least 27 weeks. While the unemployment rate remains low by historical standards, the share of unemployed Americans who have been out of work for that long has risen considerably since early 2023.

This isn't normal. Historically, when such a large proportion of unemployed Americans have been without work for this long, the unemployment rate has also been elevated, and the US economy is either in or coming out of a recession.

Without such a clear explanation to turn to, many long-term job seekers told Business Insider they've searched for answers about what's holding them back — whether AI and government policy or age discrimination and ghost jobs.

Ofer Sharone, a sociologist at UMass Amherst who studies long-term unemployment, said when job seekers don't have a clear external explanation for why they can't find work, they're more likely to wonder whether something is wrong with them. That self-blame can take a toll on their mental health and make it harder to maintain the confidence needed to keep searching.

"A recession is ironic in that it is a time when finding work is hardest, but also, it is when the stigma of being unemployed is lessened," he said.

Is it the job market — or me?

After Jon McCarty lost his software engineering job in 2022, he spent 18 months struggling to find another one. He eventually pivoted to handyman work and now works as a part-time cashier at Home Depot.

"I started coming to grips with the idea that I will probably never get another software job," said McCarty, who's in his early 60s and lives in Virginia.

McCarty said he'd sometimes made it through phone and technical interviews only to be rejected after a video interview. As the rejections piled up, he began to suspect that his age was hurting his chances. It was one way to make sense of why he kept getting rejected.

"Is this just a perception I've created to make myself feel better about not getting a job? I'm not sure," he said.

Sharone said that hope is critical for long-term unemployed jobseekers because their search is a marathon and not a sprint. "When there is high uncertainty about the causes of the difficulties, it is difficult to maintain this level of hope," he said.

Finding a way out

For people who have already spent months or years searching for work, having an explanation for their difficult job search ultimately matters less than finding a way out of it.

In the months and years ahead, economic uncertainty could fade and give companies more confidence to hire. The hiring pullback that followed the pandemic-era hiring spree could eventually run its course. Or the US could enter a recession — potentially making an already difficult hiring landscape even worse.

Even in today's difficult job market, some long-term job seekers are managing to break through. But leaving the ranks of the unemployed doesn't always mean the job search ended the way they hoped. Some have given up looking for work altogether, while others have taken jobs that pay considerably less than their previous roles.

When Kymberly McClain resigned from her deputy director role at a small nonprofit in 2024, she was confident she'd quickly find another job. But as months passed without an offer, she began questioning what about her might explain the rejection. Was it her race? Her age? Her lack of a college degree? She even wondered whether she'd somehow ended up on a "do-not-hire list."

Nearly two years after her job search began, McClain recently landed a full-time customer-service job at a call center. She said she's making roughly half what she earned in her previous role, but after so much rejection, simply getting an offer helped put at least one of her fears to rest.

"I'm just excited that somebody said yes," she said. "I was like, okay, I'm not blackballed from the job market."

Do you have a story to share? Reach out to the reporter via email at jzinkula@businessinsider.com, or via Signal at jzinkula.29.

• Investors use rules like the 1% rule to screen for cash-flowing rentals.
• Some boost cash flow by adding units: "The more doors on the land, the more money it produces."
• Others see mid-term rentals as the 'sweet spot' between long- and short-term leases.

Producing cash flow from rental property sounds simple: collect more in rent than you spend on the property.

In practice, getting the numbers to work can be much harder. Investors have to find a property at the right price, finance it, account for ongoing expenses, and keep it occupied.

Business Insider has spoken with real estate investors across the country about the rules they use to find — and maintain — cash-flowing rentals. Here are four that they swear by.

Use the 1% rule as a quick screen

Ted Garber has specific cash-flow and return goals for each property he buys.

"Each rental needs to shed cash flow immediately and, on average, pay back our initial investment within three to six years," the Florida-based investor said.

One tool he uses to quickly evaluate a potential deal is the "1% rule," which suggests that a property's monthly rent should equal at least 1% of its purchase price. For example, a $120,000 property would ideally rent for at least $1,200 a month.

Garber prefers an even wider margin. On a $120,000 condo, for example, he'd rather collect closer to $1,500 a month to create a cushion for expenses.

Brannon Potts uses the same rule differently because he builds his rentals rather than buying existing properties. He starts with expected rent, then works backward to determine how much he can afford to spend on construction.

"I know my rents, and I can reverse engineer it using the 1% rule," he said. "If I know rents are going to be $2,100, can I build it for $210,000 or less?"

He applies the same logic to multifamily properties. If a triplex can rent for $1,750 per unit, for example, total monthly rent would be $5,250, giving him a target build cost of roughly $525,000.

Make the land produce more income

Potts owns both single-family and multifamily rentals in Fort Worth, Texas, and has developed another rule of thumb: "The more doors on the land, the more money it produces."

That could mean buying a multifamily property instead of a single-family home or finding other ways to generate revenue from the same parcel. On one project, Potts hoped to build a fourplex, but local regulations limited him to a triplex. He still had unused space on the property, so he added four storage units for his tenants.

"I ended up building those four storage units for less than $20,000 total, and I rent those out at $55 per 10-by-10 storage unit," he said. That generates an additional $220 a month from the same property.

His broader advice: "Be creative."

Consider renting by the room

Another way investors increase a property's income is by renting individual bedrooms rather than the entire home to a single household.

Peter Keane-Rivera, who owns single-family properties in the greater Seattle area, summarizes his strategy this way: "Buy the biggest house you can and fill up all the rooms with paying tenants."

He has converted or added bedrooms to increase the amount of rent his properties can generate and said he aims for at least $1,000 a month in positive cash flow.

Renting by the room can also spread vacancy risk across several tenants, he said: "You diversify your cash flow by having four tenants under one roof instead of one."

Jeff White and Suleyka Bolaños, a couple who invest in Denver, have used a similar strategy.

"More bedrooms equals more cash flow," White said. When evaluating a property, they look for opportunities to add bedrooms without major structural work. Turning a five-bedroom home into a seven-bedroom, for example, could add $1,600 to $2,000 a month in gross rent, White said.

The trade-off is more management. Multiple unrelated tenants under one roof can create compatibility issues, so White and Bolaños sometimes begin with shorter leases before offering longer renewals.

Look beyond traditional long-term leases

Some investors have also found a middle ground between traditional long-term rentals and nightly vacation rentals.

Mid-term rentals are generally furnished properties leased for more than 30 days but less than a year. They can appeal to traveling professionals, people relocating, or tenants who need temporary housing.

The strategy can generate more income than a traditional yearlong lease while avoiding some of the turnover and management required by short-term rentals.

Colorado-based property investor Zeona McIntyre described mid-term rentals as the "sweet spot" between the two strategies: potentially higher revenue than a long-term rental without the constant bookings associated with an Airbnb-style property.

The broader lesson is that cash flow doesn't depend on one formula. Investors can improve the numbers by buying at the right price, increasing the amount of income a property produces, or choosing a rental strategy that better fits their market.

• Melissa Petro's 2023 book advance didn't translate into the expected book sales she had hoped for.
• Despite a six-figure advance, Petro's book sold only 2,000 copies in its first year.
• Petro's book did lead to new opportunities, such as ghostwriting, despite failing to meet sales goals.

When I sold a book in a six-figure deal back in 2023, I thought my whole life would change.

For starters, that amount of money — for a book I had been working on for free for the past 20-plus years — felt like a windfall. Given the size of my advance, it was safe to assume my publisher was positioning it as a "big book": a highly anticipated title launched with a major marketing push and significant financial backing, expected to be a commercial success.

The book was deeply personal and provocative, tracing my journey as a former sex worker and survivor of mass-media humiliation turned stay-at-home mom, and what that experience might teach us all about shame.

Given the outsized response to some of my earlier essays, I anticipated attention. I also feared catastrophic fallout. All the hate mail would be worth it, I told myself, because opportunities would come knocking anyway — emails in my inbox, speaking gigs, and other prestigious, lucrative offers.

Then the book came out — and crickets.

It was like throwing my heart into an ocean of content

I watched it bob along the media landscape for a week or so, competing with other new titles and whatever else was making waves.

I was buoyed by a speaking event at the 92nd Street Y with Kiese Laymon, and being flown to D.C. to appear in conversation with Charlotte Clymer felt equally surreal. I got a few kind reviews. Others were mixed. My publisher described first-quarter sales as "quiet."

When my agent emailed to encourage me "not to feel disappointed," it had the opposite effect.

Like most books, mine didn't earn out

Here's the reality I didn't know: most books don't earn out — that is, sell enough copies to recoup what the publisher paid the author upfront.

I didn't know this when I signed my contract. Instead, I fixated on a line promising a $30,000 bonus if I met a sales benchmark within the first year. I've since been told that's standard language in most book contracts, but at the time I read it as a personal challenge and made earning out my goal.

Do you know how many books an author has to sell to earn out? I didn't. Do you know what a typical debut nonfiction book sells in its first year? I didn't know that either. None of it mattered. All that mattered was: I was going to sell, sell, sell.

Most books don't. According to industry data, many nonfiction titles sell only a few hundred copies in their first year, and only a small fraction surpass 1,000. A "successful" debut with a traditional publisher is often defined as somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 copies. I sold just over 2,000 copies in my first year.

To earn back my $125,000 advance and trigger that bonus, I learned much later, I would have needed to sell over 44,000 copies in a year. That threshold is structurally out of reach for almost anyone. Still, a part of me—even today—feels it's a personal failure.

Even successful authors need day jobs

For nearly 20 years, my one goal in life was to publish a book and become an author, so when it finally happened, I thought I was set. I thought being an author would become my full-time job — and in a way, it can.

Even when publicists do their job, authors are still expected to act as their own — or spend tens of thousands of dollars hiring an outside one — and pour in hundreds of unpaid hours promoting a book that is unlikely to ever earn out.

At first, I felt ambivalent

Having already "earned" my advance by writing it, I resented the expectation that I keep working for my publisher for free. I spent the first year booking podcasts and events, and the only currency was exposure. Eventually, carving hours out of my workday to volunteer my time felt increasingly untenable — almost irresponsible — when I couldn't reliably pay my bills.

Today, I recognize that most writers aren't financially supported by their writing, even the "successful" ones. There are writers who will never earn significant money and are still, in every meaningful sense, writers. Even authors who are household names often rely on teaching, consulting, or freelance work to stay afloat.

I get occasional opportunities that look impressive from the outside — speaking invitations, podcast appearances, and conversations with well-known writers. These gigs may or may not pay. I also do the unglamorous work: chasing freelance gigs, teaching, and trying to convert visibility into income that actually covers my life. That's part of being a working author.

It's not the book — it's what the book leads to

We often think of a book as the be-all and end-all of a writer's career, but as Anna David often points out in her Substack, "Behind the Book Cover," it functions more like a business card.

An author gets to keep their advance whether they earn out, but I won't make another penny from my book beyond the advance. Even so, having written a book has qualified me for work I couldn't have accessed otherwise.

It opened the door to ghostwriting, where I make a quarter of what I made from my advance for roughly a quarter of the work, with none of the pressure of publicity or backlash. It also lets me sell private coaching at a premium rate, teach courses on publishing and craft, and lead personal development workshops for prestigious places like the Esalen Institute.

More than my career path, it changed my mindset

I was already fairly shame-resilient, but writing this book in particular — and publishing a book in general— deepened my understanding of shame and vulnerability. I'm less invested in protecting a polished version of "success," and more willing to name things plainly, even when that means calling something a "failure" and sitting with the judgment that follows.

That ability is a gift the book gave me, and it's worth more than any royalty check.

• Amazon forecasts its own delivery network will handle nearly 90% of its US packages by 2029.
• Almost all projected package growth would flow through Amazon's own delivery network.
• Amazon projects that UPS and USPS will handle a shrinking share of its packages.

Amazon's own delivery network is handling a rapidly growing share of its US packages, with a recent internal forecast projecting that figure could approach nine out of every 10 packages by 2029.

Amazon's latest preliminary forecast puts its own delivery network at 86.3% of its US packages in 2027, 87.4% in 2028, and 88.7% in 2029, according to an internal planning document from late July that Business Insider reviewed.

The shift is happening faster than Amazon previously projected. Its prior estimates put first-party delivery at 83.8% of US packages in 2027 and 85% in 2028, according to the document.

In 2023, the company said it delivered over two-thirds of its own packages in the US, the last time it publicly disclosed that figure.

Amazon's latest plan projects that its own delivery network would handle roughly 12.2 billion US packages in 2027, growing to 15.8 billion in 2029.

The previously unreported figures quantify how profoundly Amazon's relationship with the traditional parcel industry has changed. Over the past decade, Amazon has transformed itself from one of the biggest customers of carriers like UPS and the US Postal Service into a delivery giant in its own right.

Some outside carriers have also pulled back or changed the capacity they provide. At the same time, greater control over delivery has become increasingly important to Amazon's retail business. CEO Andy Jassy has said faster delivery leads customers to consider Amazon for more of their purchases.

An Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider that the projections shouldn't be interpreted as finalized plans.

"We're always planning and forecasting across our operations, and we regularly produce numerous versions and updates of planning documents," the spokesperson said. "Any internal projections are preliminary, subject to significant revision, and should not be treated as definitive or as representing finalized plans."

Amazon absorbs the growth

Amazon's forecast puts almost all of its projected package growth through its own network.

Under the plan, total US package volume grows from roughly 14.1 billion in 2027 to 17.8 billion in 2029, an increase of about 3.7 billion packages. Over the same period, volume allocated to outside carriers barely changes, hovering around 2 billion packages.

Amazon's first-party network doesn't mean Amazon's employees make all those deliveries. Much of its last-mile network relies on independent Delivery Service Partners that use Amazon-branded vans, as well as Amazon Flex contractors who deliver packages in their own vehicles.

Amazon's projections expect some of the fastest growth to come from its Sub Same-Day network, which stores products closer to customers for delivery within hours. Its share of Amazon's first-party package volume is projected to grow from 17.1% in 2027 to 21.3% in 2029.

The projections indicate that Amazon's rural network will account for just over 11% of first-party package volume. The company has committed more than $4 billion to triple the size of that network by the end of 2026.

Amazon is also trying to make its delivery infrastructure faster and more productive.

Business Insider previously reported that Amazon is testing all-day delivery with faster shipping windows and exploring Walmart-sized stores under Project Kobe that could serve as pickup points and local delivery hubs. It's also developing Project Tetromino, a highly automated delivery station that could process packages more quickly.

Amazon projects a shrinking role for traditional carriers

As Amazon's own delivery network grows, it expects traditional carriers to handle a smaller share of its packages.

USPS's share is declining in Amazon's forecast. The company's prior plan allocated roughly 13% of US packages to the Postal Service in 2027, compared with about 10% in the newer forecast. The latest plan has that share falling to 8% by 2029.

The decline comes after a tense round of negotiations with USPS over a new delivery contract. The companies reached an agreement earlier this year.

The new USPS contract, signed in April, establishes a minimum of 1.27 billion packages, 19% below the previous contract's minimum, according to the latest document on Amazon's projections. The preliminary plan allocates about 1.4 billion packages annually to USPS, though the final amount will depend partly on the capacity and coverage of Amazon's own network.

UPS, meanwhile, decided to cut the volume it handles for Amazon by more than half by the second half of 2026, citing lower profitability. Amazon's preliminary forecast has UPS handling 1.8% of its US packages in 2027 and falling to 1.4% by 2029, or roughly 250 million packages a year.

FedEx plays a smaller role, accounting for about 0.4% of Amazon's US package volume. Amazon revived its relationship with FedEx last year after the companies cut ties in 2019.

Amazon isn't cutting traditional carriers out entirely. The internal document says the USPS contract expires in 2029 and assumes it will be renewed "given the mutual dependency between Amazon and USPS."

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at ekim@businessinsider.com or Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp at 650-942-3061. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Olivia Tai asked strangers to write down their biggest AI secrets.
• Confessors wrote about cloning their ex-boyfriend's voice, lying to their manager, and dating a chatbot.
• Tai scanned the notes and uploaded them to a site. She named it: "What We Tell AI."

Olivia Tai stood in a San Jose mall with her bright red sign, proclaiming: "Everyone has an AI secret."

Two tween girls approached, arms full of shopping bags. They quickly scribbled down their confessions, chatting with Tai in their Valley Girl affect. Tai asked about how they used AI at school.

"Everyone uses AI, and if you don't use it, you're an overachiever," the girls told her.

Tai wasn't just fishing for tech secrets. The 26-year-old from San Francisco was developing her art project, called "What We Tell AI." She asked strangers across the country to leave anonymous notes about their AI-related shames — and then displayed them on a website.

Americans are forming increasingly personal relationships with AI. A September survey from Elon University and YouGov found that 27% of US adult internet users had "significant emotional or social interactions" with AI.

Tai saw this first hand. The project turned her into something like a radio host accepting late-night calls, she said. Friends told her about their ChatGPT-written wedding vows; strangers told her they lied to their managers about AI.

"I didn't know how this project would impact people," she said. "What I'm learning is that, sometimes, the poignancy of a single, really clear story in the form of a note can actually spread way more dialogue."

The origins of the project

Tai was tired of people turning into "debate kids" when they talked about AI.

In the summer of 2025, she hosted a series of workshops in New York and San Francisco about AI's impact on the world. She noticed that people would get too abstract or think too far into the future.

So, she introduced the confessions. At the start of the workshop, she'd ask attendees to write down a secret about their relationship with AI. They'd put the notes in a bowl, mix them up, redistribute them, and have everyone read the admissions aloud.

"It makes the stakes really personal," she said. "It makes things real."

After a few workshops, she thought the confessions would make a good art project. She set up a prototype in San Francisco's Dolores Park, with a cardboard box and a Sharpie-written sign.

One note that day, in particular, struck her. It was about cloning an ex-boyfriend's voice to "have a last connection with him." The AI cloning "helped me finally move on," the note read.

Tai found it "poignant" and "strange" — and decided to turn it into a proper art project in multiple cities.

She painted a wooden sign bright red. "It's meant to be provocative," Tai said. She'd load it into her granny cart, along with an instruction folder and a picture frame containing six example notes.

Not everyone got it. Some would leave confessions about long-lost loves with no AI relation. Others would leave prank notes. Still, she ended up with a trove of thoughtful responses.

After collecting the notes, Tai kept them in little plastic bags, organized by where they were written. She then uploaded them to her site, designed by her friend Arin Pantja.

Tai is still scanning the notes, so the site is being updated continually and could continue to grow. People are asking Tai if they can contribute and complete the experiment in Mexico, Australia, and China, she said.

An unscientific study

Tai called the project a "snapshot" of San Francisco.

It's not that she only collected data from the city; she hopped between San Francisco, San Jose, and New York. Rather, it's about the spirit of the confessors.

"You won't come up to the booth if you don't actively have a relationship with AI," she said. "I'm in a lot of spaces that are going to have early adopters."

Of the cities, San Francisco had the boldest responses. In New York's Luddite community, it's shameful to say you wrote an email with AI, Tai said. In the Bay Area, that's table stakes.

Some of the San Francisco confessors wondered if she was doing market research for an AI company. "People who work in AI would be scared, and a little bit suspicious," Tai said.

She compared it to New York, where people worried she was a content creator, filming them as they wrote.

Tai calls herself an "artist-researcher." She later clarifies that she more identifies with the artist title, but that the process of collecting notes felt like an "anthropological, ethnographic snapshot."

She isn't an expert, Tai said, and she's not telling people to "have some takeaway." Rather, she's asking people to reflect more deeply on the "slippery slope" of AI.

"There are all these new norms coming about," Tai said. "Which ones do we actually want?"

• The US could swap Venezuela's heavy crude for lighter American oil to help refill the SPR.
• The Venezuelan barrels don't have to enter the reserve themselves, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
• More Venezuelan heavy crude could also mean more competition for Canadian oil.

The US could swap heavy Venezuelan crude for American oil to help refill the US emergency reserve, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday.

"We'll swap you a barrel of heavy crude for a barrel of light or medium United States crude," Wright told CNBC in Caracas.

The swap could get around a mismatch, as some of Venezuela's key heavy crude grades aren't suitable for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Wright's comments came after President Donald Trump said Sunday that he planned to "fill up" the US strategic reserves with Venezuelan oil. The White House has also said oil secured through a sweeping new US-Venezuela agreement could help replenish the SPR.

"It doesn't mean that exactly these barrels go in there," Wright said.

Venezuela's heavy crude could instead go to US refiners, while lighter American barrels obtained through a swap could enter the reserve. Wright said US refineries built in the 1960s and 1970s were designed around Venezuelan crude.

Under the new agreement, North American Blue Energy Partners received 100-year concessions covering 17 Venezuelan oil fields. The US government received a 35% equity stake in the company's corporate parent. The State Department gained the right to buy 20% of the oil from NABEP-operated fields at the cost of production.

More Venezuelan heavy crude could also increase competition for Canada, a major supplier of heavy oil to US refineries.

"Well, of course. All crude is competition with all other crude," Wright said when asked whether Venezuelan production would compete with Canadian and other North American oil.

Wright said increased competition would push prices lower, which he expects to boost consumption.

"If you have lower oil prices, you have faster demand growth," he said.

Domino's is finally launching a truly personal pizza. Yay! Right? Except that the company's announcement about it is weirdly sad. Hungry diners will be able to customize "without compromise," it says, avoid "sacrifice," and share a meal without actually sharing. Of course, pizza's not that deep, but that's sort of the point. We should generally be able to come to an agreement on olives and pepperoni.

A growing number of Americans are eating by themselves — the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey shows that as of 2023, over a quarter of Americans spent most of their eating and drinking time alone, up from a fifth in 2008. When people do end up gathering for meals, they're increasingly siloed. We've figured out how to eat alone even when we are together.

Food hall-inspired startup Wonder makes meals from multiple menus out of the same kitchen, so no one has to choose between cuisines. Delivery company DoorDash has launched a feature for business customers that lets employees choose separate lunches from different places and get them delivered all at once. A 2026 OpenTable survey found that 52% of Americans say they'd rather order their own dish than share with the table, even as group dining overall is up.

We may be sharing space, but we're not sharing food — and, in turn, we're not sharing all the benefits that come with a communal plate.

"The act of coordinating itself makes people have trust and connection," says Kaitlin Woolley, a professor of management at Cornell University. "Sometimes, this little bit of friction or this little challenge, it does help us to come together."

Woolley means what she says quite literally. In one of her studies, she paired people off and had them either share a bowl of chips and salsa or each get their own. She then put them in a negotiation scenario, in which one person played management and the other a union representative, and asked them to reach a wage agreement. Her findings: Pairs who shared a snack struck a deal faster than those who didn't. The slight inconvenience of timing chip dipping and trying not to hog helped the partners forge an understanding.

Sharing a meal often involves a series of mundane accommodations — choosing the restaurant, waiting until everyone has food before starting, not eating too fast, leaving the last cookie on the tray until someone finally relents and takes it. None of this behavior is particularly profound, but it makes us pay a little more attention to others' wants and actions.

When people order from the same venue or eat the same cuisine, the collective experience improves. That comes at the small expense of everyone not getting precisely what they would have chosen were they on their own, says Ayelet Fishbach, a professor of behavioral science and marketing at the University of Chicago. "There's a lot to gain from the social side, and the individual cost is usually negligible," she says.

We tend to bond over similarities related to food as well, Woolley adds: "More so than taste in music or similar clothes, it seemed to be a way for people to connect."

This isn't always as simple as everyone agreeing on the same cheese pizza and moving on. Many people have food allergies or dietary restrictions, and the option to personalize things makes it easier to participate, even if it comes with its own set of challenges. Instead of getting veto power, the person with the issue can do their own thing and still hang out.

It can be stressful to be the odd one out, and research shows that people with food restrictions tend to worry about how they'll be perceived. They get anxious about having to reveal their restrictions, wonder whether people will decline to invite them in the future, and feel self-conscious about others making negative assumptions about them.

Kevin Kniffin, an assistant professor of management and organizations at Cornell University, did a study about a decade ago that found that firefighters who eat meals together perform better as a group than teams who eat alone. One of the firefighters in the study was vegan. He would bring his own meal, but still made sure to eat at the same time and at the same table as everyone else. He also took part in shared clean-up chores, despite not contributing to the shared mess.

"The firefighter seemingly had a strong intuition that all of those shoulder-to-shoulder and face-to-face activities were important, and it was his smart way of matching his own dietary decisions with his platoon's meal-sharing practices," Kniffin says. He adjusted the part of the meal he needed to without opting out of everything around it.

To be sure, people share meals without eating the same food all the time — i.e., we often order separate dishes at restaurants. Eating distinct items together doesn't erase social interaction. A lot of the dynamics depend on expectations. If everyone agrees to bring their own lunch to the breakroom, that can strengthen bonds. But if someone invites friends over with the express purpose of cooking a homemade meal and a guest decides to DoorDash their own food instead, that's a no-no, even if the host might not openly show offense.

"There are silent social agreements," says Nicklas Neuman, an associate professor and senior lecturer in food studies, nutrition, and dietetics at Uppsala University.

The idea that everyone should get exactly what they want is a modern luxury. It's a "radical" development in human history to choose what we eat based on taste preference rather than what's available to us, Neuman says. "It's obviously also connected to how individualized the culture is," he says.

Meals aren't just about nutrition, taste, or social gatherings — they're also a consumer choice. What we eat says something about who we are, what we value, what we can afford, and where we are in the class hierarchy.

Delivery apps and the ability to get hyper-customized meals have unbundled the constellation of decisions and activities typically involved in communal eating, Kniffin says. In terms of the consequences, he compares the effects to Jenga: It's not clear "which pieces in the bundle are critical" to actually providing the societal benefits of a shared meal. Maybe the shared entrée isn't load-bearing, but if you remove too many other blocks, the whole thing collapses, and what remains is a handful of people consuming individualized products around the same time, staring at their phones.

Apart from food selection, other parts of the shared meal are turning into atomized interactions as well. Technology has enabled the precise division of the bill. A multi-person lunch or dinner has long created opportunities for low-stakes financial tensions. Do we split it evenly? Does the person who skipped drinks pay less? Does anyone really want to decipher who ate how much of the appetizer?

Apps such as Zelle, Splitwise, and Venmo make it possible to settle those questions with strict accuracy. That may ease potential conflicts, says Margaret Clark, a professor of psychology at Yale University. When one friend starts calculating everyone's share down to the last cent, "it just feels petty," she says. If, instead, the app automatically does the arithmetic, it may feel less loaded. "It's not the person, it's not one of the members, who is suggesting that we should be transactional to the last cent," she says.

Friction at mealtime isn't inherently virtuous, nor is removing it necessarily antisocial. Sometimes, technology and optionality clear away annoying logistics and make it easier to be together. Other times, the thing being engineered away has value — taking turns, making accommodations, finding compromise. Everyone choosing their own specific adventure may lead to a trade-off between long-term social connection and short-term convenience. There's something to approaching meals in a more joint, straightforward way — we eat the same thing, generally guess how the money should shake out, or you say you'll get me next time when I pay — that might make the relationship better.

Maybe instead of five people ordering five individual pizzas and going with Domino's "without compromise" approach, most of the group agrees to get a large cheese. The person who really wanted sausage learns to live without it for a meal, and the person with an allergy gets a separate small pie with a gluten-free crust. Everyone tackles their slices around the table and discusses whether it might be better to do Chinese or Mexican next time.

Emily Stewart is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

• Shopify COO Jess Hertz says that her ideal employee in the AI era is "X-shaped."
• She said these employees have "multiple spikes of expertise" rather than depth in only one area.
• Shopify has previously said that using AI is mandatory and will be used to measure performance.

Shopify's chief operating officer has one word to describe employees that will thrive in the AI era: "X-shaped."

On an episode of the "Rapid Response" podcast released on Wednesday, Jess Hertz said that Shopify previously embraced the idea of a "T-shaped person" — someone with broad capabilities but deep expertise in one area. AI is changing that model.

"What I think we're starting to see is AI is really pushing towards what I'm calling X-shaped people," Hertz said. "You have different vectors of expertise, and you're really moving away from just the expectation that you have to have depth in this one area."

She said these employees have "multiple spikes of expertise" — they can absorb complex concepts and learn new skills quickly.

She added: "You have multiple spikes of expertise, much faster, being able to absorb complexity, being able to learn new spaces, being able to you know be a seven out of 10 designer if you want to be."

Hertz joined Shopify in 2021 as general counsel after serving in the Biden administration, including as White House staff secretary. She became the e-commerce company's COO in 2025.

The shift may also change how companies assemble teams, Hertz said.

"The other part is really how do those different shaped people actually intersect with each other," she said. "The idea of team composition and the different constellation of people will only become more and more important as we enter this AI world."

Last year, Shopify's CEO, Tobi Lütke, went viral for mandating AI use at the company and said that questions about AI use would be gauged at performance reviews.

"Before asking for more head count and resources, teams must demonstrate why they cannot get what they want done using AI," Lütke wrote in an April memo that he posted on X after it was leaked.

'Learn your EQ'

Hertz joins a group of tech leaders who have been saying that AI is changing what they are looking for in an ideal employee.

In a February TV interview, Anthropic president Daniela Amodei said she thinks people with a humanities background are as important as ever, since AI models are very good at STEM.

"What I mean by that is when we look to hire people at Anthropic today, we look for people who are great communicators, who have excellent EQ and people skills, who are kind and compassionate and curious and want to help other people."

Similarly, in an interview last year, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said workers should develop the abilities that AI struggles to replace.

"My advice to people would be critical thinking, learn skills, learn your EQ, learn how to be good in a meeting, how to communicate, how to write," he said.

• Jet Li said his daughter's mental health struggles made him rethink what it meant to be a good father.
• Li said he learned to listen and changed how he interacted with her.
• "Become their buddy, become their roommate, become their friend. Then talk to them," he said.

Jet Li said he had to learn to be a better listener to be a better father.

Speaking on the "Daily Stoic" podcast hosted by Ryan Holiday, the martial artist and actor said his daughter's mental health struggles prompted him to rethink his approach to parenting.

Li said he had no father figure to model himself after, since his own father died when he was 2.

Having grown up in a traditional household, Li said he believed a parent's role was mainly to provide for a child's practical needs.

"You work hard, make a lot of money, then give them a good education," he said. "That's good enough."

But over time, Li said he came to realize that while money could solve some problems, it could not solve them all.

He said that it became clear when one of his daughters, Jada, began struggling with her mental health, and he didn't know "how to help." Li has four daughters: two from his first marriage and two from his second.

He said that despite spending years studying Buddhism and mental training, he did not know how to reach his daughter when she withdrew.

That was when Li said he realized he "needed to learn" how to show up for her differently.

"So I turned down a lot of work, and then through this journey, I try to do everything I can with my daughter. Become a listener, become their friend," he said.

Li said parents often default to telling their children what they should or shouldn't do: "You're the general. They're the soldiers." However, he eventually realized that dynamic was not working.

So, bit by bit, Li said he began to change how he interacted with his daughter.

"Become their buddy, become their roommate, become their friend. Then talk to them," he said.

Li said he had to learn to listen without immediately offering advice: "Sometimes I need to learn to hear. Don't give an opinion. Just hear."

In a December 2023 interview on a Taiwanese talk show, Li said he asked his daughter to point out his shortcomings so they could truly become friends. He said she told him he was self-centered and arrogant. Although her bluntness initially upset him, he was eventually grateful for her honesty.

Li isn't the only celebrity who has spoken about rethinking the way they parent.

In March 2025, Kate Hudson said being accountable for her mistakes has been a key part of her parenting journey.

"Sometimes in conflict, you go too far, and you need to say you're sorry, instead of teaching them that you doubled down," Hudson said.

In August, Matthew McConaughey said he had adjusted how he talks to his children as they've grown older to make them more likely to open up.

"I've had to be almost less of a dad in ways — be less judgmental when they're saying something," McConaughey said.

• Ukraine says hundreds of firms have applied to join TrophyLab, its new catalog of Russian weapons.
• The platform, launched in June, offers data on 115 types of captured Russian equipment.
• Firms can access a database on these weapons or request a sample for study.

Ukraine's defense ministry said on Monday that over 430 firms have applied for access to its new catalog of seized Russian weapons and equipment, about two months after its launch announcement.

The online repository, called TrophyLab, contains data "for engineers, scientists, and defense technology manufacturers" on weapons such as the Russian T-90M main battle tank and the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

More than 130 Ukrainian defense firms, as well as another 300 foreign companies, have submitted applications so far, the ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian officials say the database, filled out by active combat units, intelligence and security services, and scientific institutions, offers over 225 blueprints, component analyses, and schematics to firms that pass a vetting process.

When the program was announced in late June, the defense ministry said it contained 115 samples of Russian drones, air-launched munitions, armored vehicles, and other equipment across 79 categories.

"Every missile, drone, and vehicle seized on the battlefield is now a source of knowledge for the free world," wrote Mykhailo Fedorov, the country's defense minister at the time.

TrophyLab also allows users to apply for a physical sample of a Russian weapon for "offline study" and to submit requests for information on specific types of Russian equipment.

According to the platform, firms will be able to destroy or disassemble some of these samples in their testing or inspections.

Eligibility to use TrophyLab is so far limited. Ukraine says it's only approving domestic manufacturers, certain scientific institutions, military units, and firms from partner countries that are already supplying its troops or screened by the defense ministry.

The move is part of Ukraine's concerted push to harvest data and information from its battlefield as a catalyst for weapons technologies at home and in the West.

The country has become a hotbed for defense startups and large, legacy manufacturers eager to trial their drones, robots, and electronic warfare systems in active combat — a service that Kyiv offers to friendly nations under its "Test in Ukraine" program.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has shared thousands of hours of frontline drone footage with allied nations, such as the UK and Germany, to help firms there train their AI systems.

• Dean Chou moved from Taiwan to Los Angeles for college in the '90s and built a life there.
• As his parents got older, he worried about being so far away and decided it was time to move home.
• Now he lives near Taipei 101, spends under $2,500 a month, and can see his parents whenever he wants.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dean Chou, a 53-year-old US citizen who moved back to Taiwan to be closer to his aging parents. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I was born in Taiwan, and moved to Los Angeles in 1999 for college.

After graduation, I got hired as a product coordinator for a lighting fixture company. I worked between the American office and the factories in China, and that's how I learned about procurement.

Around 2009, when the economy crashed, I was laid off. My next job was selling frozen seafood, and I continued to build the sourcing business I had started a few years earlier. I was helping American companies find factories and products in Asia.

Within two years, I got my green card. After that, I quit so I could focus on my own business. In 2018, I became a US citizen. I still do sourcing work today, along with running a roofing business in Los Angeles.

Building a life in the US

America worked out perfectly for me.

In 2010, my wife and I bought a three-bedroom house for about $450,000. It was built back in the '50s and located on a cul-de-sac, with a huge yard and a detached garage. It was a pretty good starting home.

In October 2019, we discovered that my wife had lung cancer, and she passed away in April 2021.

After she passed, I continued living in the house with our dogs. I'd planned to hold onto it until I retired because we had restored it together. But eventually, I realized I needed to look forward, and letting go of the house became part of that grieving process.

As I started thinking about what came next, my parents were a big part of the decision.

They're both 78 now, and they're still capable and happy, but I've missed out on over 25 years with them. I always felt guilty about the distance. I'm an only child; if they ever needed help, there was no one else.

Before, I was married, and moving back wasn't something I was seriously considering. But by 2025, I felt it was time. More than anything, I wanted to be closer to my parents and friends. I can still travel back to LA anytime I want.

The cost of living in Los Angeles was also getting expensive, and because I could manage my businesses remotely, moving back to Taipei made sense.

In April 2025, I sold the house in California for $1.05 million. It was really emotional when I had to hand my keys to the new owner, but all the past was past, and now it was done.

Deciding to go home

I left Los Angeles in October, with my dogs and five pieces of luggage. I rented a car to take me from the airport to my parents' apartment.

They met me downstairs when I arrived, and I remember thinking, "Oh, I'm finally home."

I stayed with my parents before getting my own place at the end of November. I now live in a 780-square-foot apartment about a 15-minute walk from Taipei 101. My rent is 40,000 Taiwan dollars, or about $1,200.

My living costs are usually around $2,500. Food is much cheaper than in LA, and I don't have a car.

I'm also still managing my LA-based company remotely with a business partner. Because Taiwan is 15 to 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles, I go to bed around 10 p.m. and wake up around 3 or 4 in the morning to go over my messages, texts, and emails. Technology really helps.

But moving back hasn't been perfect. The living spaces are much smaller. Even though I speak the language, sometimes people use terms or refer to things in ways I'm no longer familiar with.

I still think about moving back to the US sometimes. If you've lived in LA, worked there, and have friends there, it's a little hard to leave.

But I'm glad I'm right here with my parents now. They are still capable and don't need my help physically yet, but I'm ready.

When I was living in LA, we talked once or twice a week, mostly on Fridays or Saturdays. They also followed me on Instagram, so they could keep up with my life from afar.

Whenever I came back to Taiwan, my schedule was usually pretty full. My parents would tell me I needed to spend more time with them.

Now, we can see each other whenever we want. If they want me to come home, I'll come home. We'll meet for lunch or dinner and talk about everything. Sometimes we go to markets or trade shows together.

We get to share those normal, everyday moments that distance once made difficult.

• Satellite images show Black Rock City rising from Nevada's desert.
• About 70,000 burners are expected to attend this year's festival.
• Satellite images capture entry lines, camps, artwork, and the temporary airport.

Burning Man is transforming Nevada's Black Rock Desert into a temporary metropolis once again.

Thousands of participants began entering the gates at midnight on August 30, hauling the food, water, shelter, and supplies needed to survive a week in the remote playa about 80 miles north of Reno.

Roughly 70,000 people are expected to attend the art festival, described as an annual experiment in radical self-expression, communal effort, and civic responsibility. Burning Man has also long attracted prominent Silicon Valley figures, with Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sam Altman among its past attendees.

Early arrivals spent the Sunday raising shade structures, building camps, and installing artwork as hammers, power tools, and dance music echoed across the dust. This year's creations include a metal octopus and a shattered Eiffel Tower, along with the Man, a human-shaped effigy, and the Temple of the Moon, a 170-foot-wide sanctuary for reflection and remembrance. Both structures are made to be burned in separate ceremonies near the end of the event.

Temperatures are forecast to hover around 80 degrees during the first half of the week, though gusty winds could whip up the playa's notoriously punishing dust.

Here are this year's satellite images showing the progress of Black Rock City.

Laying the groundwork

Before Burning Man opens, survey crews mark Black Rock City's clock-face plan on the empty playa. Radial avenues extend from the Man, while curved streets form the surrounding semicircular camping area.

Work on Black Rock City begins roughly a month before the event, when crews mark the city's center and begin surveying the street grid. Over the following weeks, they build roads, gates, service compounds, Center Camp, and ceremonial structures before artists and the general public arrive.

The entry queue

Burners arriving by car formed long lines across the Black Rock Desert over the weekend, funneling through temporary lanes toward the event's entrance gates.

The sprawling queue is a familiar part of arrival at Black Rock City, where organizers inspect tickets and vehicle passes before admitting participants. From above, the rows of cars resemble a temporary highway etched into the playa, leading toward the semicircular desert city beyond.

The Black Rock City Municipal Airport

The Black Rock City Municipal Airport, which springs up for just 13 days a year, appears to be in full swing based on satellite images.

Instead of asphalt, the airport is built from scratch each year on the dusty playa. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the temporary airport serves general aviation and private planes, as well as Burner Express Air, which is a designated event charter flight that carries some attendees between the temporary airport and Reno, the San Francisco Bay Area, or Southern California during the event.

Center Camp

Center Camp sits near the 6 o'clock edge of Black Rock City. Its acre-wide canopy provides shade and hosts performances, art, drinks, and gatherings.

Mostly staffed by volunteers who handle scheduling, daily operations, and bartending in the ring of interactive camps that surrounds the plaza, the area is one of Black Rock City's main civic spaces and natural meeting points.

The Cryptomeria pavillion

At Black Rock City's geographic center, the Man is taking shape above the Cryptomeria, a tree-inspired pavilion with rootlike approaches and spiral stairways that climb nearly 60 feet. This year's pavilion was named and designed by designer and inventor Alexander Rose, a longtime burner.

Around it, temporary installations are expected to gradually spread across the open playa, creating an outdoor gallery.

The Temple of the Moon

Art installations are taking shape across the playa.

The Temple of the Moon installation made especially for the 2026 Burning Man, as pictured, is a 170-foot-wide sanctuary inspired by the Queen of the Night cactus and lunar cycles. Its petal-like forms surround a chamber reaching 52 feet.

The installation was created by artist James Gwertzman alongside the Moonlight Collective and Temple Build Crew as a quiet space for grief and remembrance.

Over three months since its theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu movie has finally landed on a streaming service. We'll show you everything you need to know about where to watch The Mandalorian and Grogu, including global streaming options.

If you don't want to scroll any further, we've got you covered. The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is available to stream on Disney Plus around the world. Keep reading to learn more about worldwide pricing, bundles, and to take a look at the trailer.

Where to watch The Mandalorian and Grogu in the US

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is streaming on Disney Plus in the US. Subscriptions start at $12 a month for ad-supported streaming, but you can upgrade to ad-free for $19 a month.

If you're looking for a little extra in your streaming, you can try one of the Disney Plus bundles. The bundles start at $13 a month for the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu option, just $1 a month more than each service costs on its own. If you don't mind committing to the services for six months, you can get the ad-supported bundle for $12 a month for half a year. There are also opportunities to bundle in ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Select, or HBO Max.

Where to watch The Mandalorian and Grogu in the UK and other regions

Disney Plus is the home of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie worldwide. Subscription prices vary by region. In the UK, monthly plans start at £6 a month. You can learn more in our Disney Plus price guide or click through to see Disney Plus prices in your country.

Where to watch The Mandalorian episodes

If you're looking to get caught up on the original series, Disney Plus has you covered. All three seasons (24 episodes) are available on the streaming service. Disney Plus also hosts the rest of the Star Wars catalog, from classic films to original TV series.

The Mandalorian and Grogu cast and creative

Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder, and Jonny Coyne star in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The film was directed by Jon Favreau.

How long is The Mandalorian and Grogu movie?

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes (143 minutes).

What is The Mandalorian and Grogu movie rated?

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is rated PG-13.

The Mandalorian and Grogu trailer

The official trailer for "The Mandalorian and Grogu" dropped in February. In it, fans got a first look at Din DJarin and Grogu on their latest adventure. The film picks up after the Empire has fallen and the New Republic fights to preserve all that they fought for in the Rebellion. Check out the full trailer below.

• See also: Best streaming deals | Best streaming services

• Good Good's CEO and president are out after an ad debacle that led to a loss in retailer and brand partners.
• The ad was seen by critics as promoting violence toward women.
• One of the founders is taking over as interim CEO.

Good Good's CEO and president are out on Wednesday in the latest twist at the beleaguered YouTube golf collective, according to a memo seen by Business Insider.

Nahid Giga, one of the company's founders and an early investor, will step in as interim CEO, according to a memo shared with staffers by Alex Puchala, who leads finance and operations at Good Good.

Outgoing CEO Matt Kendrick, also one of Good Good's founders, had publicly blasted Callaway after the golf company ended its partnership with the YouTuber group over a controversial ad it made in a partnership with Callaway.

In the memo, Puchala called it a difficult day for Good Good. "Matt helped build something extraordinary that exceeded all expectations and continues to bring countless new fans to the sport."

The president, Joe Flannery, a sports industry vet, had been appointed to take over most of the business operations and had been on the job only a few days when the ad broke.

A Good Good spokesperson said that, even with the recent controversy, the company has seen growth in retail sales and in the number of followers on social media. It's also maintained investor confidence, the spokesperson said. It also sees an opportunity to engage retailers again.

The ad behind the firestorm

The ad that caused the firestorm showed one of Good Good's cofounders, Garrett Clark, running toward a female member of the group, Alexis Miestowski, and pushing her to the ground. Standing over her, he said, "Do not touch my new driver," before picking it up himself and hitting a shot.

The fallout was fast and severe. Retailers pulled Good Good products from shelves, and the golf group stepped away as the title sponsor of a fall PGA Tour event.

Kendrick told Front Office Sports that he didn't view the ad before it ran and that the marketing team oversaw it. Good Good's marketing head, Jeff Lefkovits, and a second marketing team employee were let go. Callaway's content head departed, according to reports. Good Good previously apologized for the ad's content.

It's been a striking turn of events for what had been considered a creator economy success story. The company, whose bread and butter is high-energy golf videos, had built a string of retail partnerships and raised $45 million last year.

The diversified business that had made Good Good a creator success story also exposed it to partners who didn't have the stomach for bad news.

Good Good had a brand-friendly image and had rolled out a campaign, "There's More to Golf," earlier this year to promote inclusivity and reach new audiences.

Creator economy watchers have said Good Good could come back if it doubles down on its core audience and leans on humor — in a self-deprecating way — to steady the ship.

Here's the memo from Puchala:

Good Good Team — I wanted you to hear this news directly from me. Effective today, Matt has decided to step down as CEO of Good Good and Joe has chosen to part ways as well.

This is a difficult day for the entire Good Good family. Matt helped build something extraordinary that exceeded all expectations and continues to bring countless new fans to the sport. What began as a small group of friends playing golf is now a growing global community.

To ensure stability through this transition, Nahid Giga, Good Good co-founder and one of our first investors, will step in as interim CEO, effective immediately. Garrett and the creator team will keep doing what they do best, making great content and engaging our fans who are eager to see and hear from us. I will remain COO and CFO, and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations.

We're encouraged by the continued support of the Good Good community, and we remain focused on moving forward and building the next chapter of the company.

My door is always open if you have any questions, or simply need to talk.

Onward,

Alex

Update: Our deal-hunting team has been searching for new Paramount Plus coupon and promo codes, but we haven't found any active, valid discounts at the time of writing. We'll keep searching for new codes and deals and update this page as we find them, so keep checking back for more. If you're still planning to sign up for Paramount Plus today, you can keep scrolling to learn about savings on annual plans, or head back to checkout.

Paramount Plus might have started as a way to stream buzzy CBS shows on demand, but the app has evolved into one of the best streaming services on the market, thanks to its impressive selection of originals, sports programming, and (in the Premium tier) Showtime series. The streaming service is already one of the more budget-friendly apps on the market, but using one of the best Paramount Plus coupon and promo codes can help you save even more on a subscription.

Paramount Plus carries the full slate of popular CBS shows, from franchise favorites like "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds" to newer series such as "Boston Blue" and "Ghosts." Most notably, the service gets the latest episodes of "Survivor" and "Marshals" the day after they air on linear TV (or live, depending on which tier you're subscribed to). But the service carries much more than CBS faves, including popular original series like "Dutton Ranch" and award-winning films such as "No Country for Old Men." The streamer also offers an ever-growing line-up of live sports, including UFC events and NFL on CBS games.

By upgrading to a Paramount Plus Premium plan, you gain access to a live stream of your local CBS station. This tier also unlocks Showtime titles, including popular ongoing series such as "Yellowjackets" and "Dexter: Resurrection," among others. For a deeper look into everything that Paramount Plus has to offer, you can check out our Paramount Plus guide and in-depth Paramount Plus review.

Even after a few rounds of price hikes, Paramount Plus remains one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. The ad-supported plan is one of the most competitively priced streaming subscriptions, given the sheer volume of quality content for just $9 a month compared to competitors. Even with its relative budget-friendliness, a promo code is a great way to cut costs even more. These offers are pretty rare, but we're always testing out discount codes we find to see if they're valid. To help make saving easy, we've rounded up the best current offers below.

Today's best Paramount Plus coupon codes

Previous Paramount Plus promo codes

Are there any other Paramount Plus sales running at the moment?

At this time, there are no active deals running at Paramount Plus. The most recent limited-time sale discounted the first two months of service on both Premium and Essential plans down to just $0.99 a month, before plans returned to their then-standard rates. The deal wrapped up on June 25, but we're always on the hunt for more discounts, which usually pop up every few months or so (especially around major shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday).

Opting for an annual plan remains a great, evergreen way to save on the streaming service, especially if it's something you're planning to hold onto for a while. You can save money each year compared to what you'd pay after 12 months of a month-to-month subscription. An annual subscription is also a great way to temporarily avoid any upcoming price hikes. Check out the savings breakdown below:

• For the latest buying advice updates, follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp

How to use Paramount Plus coupons and promo codes

Using a Paramount Plus coupon code is a simple process. Like other streaming services, Paramount Plus requires you to create an account to enroll in a plan. If you're on the sign-up page, choose a plan and create an account using your name, email, ZIP code, and a new password. From there, you'll be taken to a checkout page where you can apply a coupon code by clicking "Have a coupon code?" to paste in a promo code.

Can you stack Paramount Plus coupon codes?

Paramount Plus coupon codes cannot be stacked together. The system only allows for one promo to be applied at a time. However, we don't often see more than one active coupon code available at a time, so this shouldn't be a frequent problem

Paramount Plus coupons: frequently asked questions

Does Paramount Plus offer discounts for teachers, students, or the military?

Paramount Plus offers verified service members 50% off any plan for life. Students currently enrolled in an accredited institution can get 50% off any plan. Verified teachers, faculty, and staff members can get 50% off any plan.

If you fall into the education category, be sure to check our roundups for the best student discounts and the best teacher discounts you can score year-round.

Which Paramount Plus plans can I choose from?

Paramount Plus has two main tiers of service, which are available as either monthly or annual plans. The base tier, Paramount Plus Essential, costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. Essential includes ad-supported access to most of the streamer's catalog (except for Showtime) and select live events.

Paramount Plus Premium, previously known as Paramount Plus with Showtime, offers a little extra. Premium costs $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year and includes ad-free access to the streamer's entire catalog (including Showtime programming). Users can also live stream their local CBS station, so you can watch CBS shows and sports live as they air.

Both plans are solid options, and deciding which one is right for you ultimately comes down to personal taste and budget. If you're only interested in UFC or catching a CBS show on demand with ads, Essential will do the trick. However, if you're tired of ads, want to watch CBS live, or are interested in a broader catalog of prestige programming, you'll probably want to upgrade to Premium.

Does Paramount Plus offer a free trial?

Paramount Plus doesn't have a free trial for new users. Previously, the streaming platform had a week-long trial period for first-time customers, but the offer was discontinued in early 2026.

Is Paramount Plus available outside the United States?

Yes, Paramount Plus is available in select countries outside the United States, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Austria, and more. You can explore a full list of countries with access to Paramount Plus on the streamer's global landing page. Libraries sometimes vary by location. For example, "Yellowstone" is available on several international versions of Paramount Plus, but it's not included in US subscriptions.

Where can I watch Paramount Plus?

The Paramount Plus app is available across a massive selection of devices, including iOS and Android mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TVs and tablets, Samsung TV, Google TV, LG TV, and Chromecast, among others. Notably, it's also available on Apple Vision Pro, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox. You can find a full list of supported devices (along with supported models and operating systems) on the Paramount Plus website.

What's coming soon to Paramount Plus?

Like most streaming services, Paramount Plus constantly updates its library to bring you more content. This month, Paramount Plus users will get access to hit originals and specials, shows, popular movies, new live sporting events, and more. See their website for a full list of what's coming to Paramount Plus this month.

Some of the top new premieres on Paramount Plus in September include the streaming debut of "Scary Movie 6," the final season of "Colin From Accounts," the Season 2 premiere of "MobLand," and the Season 2 premiere of "Sacrifice." Additionally, "South Park" Season 29 and "Survivor" Season 51 will premiere on Comedy Central and CBS, respectively, which means new episodes will be available to stream on-demand on Paramount Plus the next day.

What live sports events are available on Paramount Plus?

Since first launching, Paramount Plus has significantly grown its repertoire of live sports. Notably, Paramount Plus gained the UFC broadcast rights beginning in 2026, taking over from ESPN and its hefty pay-per-view fees. All UFC events are available on both tiers of Paramount Plus, so even Essential subscribers can get in on the action.

Paramount Plus Essential subscribers can also live stream NFL on CBS games and UEFA Champions League matches. Sports fans hoping to live stream other games that air on CBS will want to opt for a Premium subscription, which offers a full live stream of CBS. This Premium option unlocks CBS's WNBA, Masters Tournament, NWSL, college football, and March Madness coverage, among other sporting events.

Check out more great streaming sales in our guide to the best streaming deals and our roundup of the best Peacock promo codes.

The US Open is underway, and tonight's marquee men's match will see defending champion Carlos Alcaraz face off against Jaime Faria. We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria, including free and global streaming options.

Carlos Alcaraz is looking to keep his hot streak going in his first tournament back following a four-and-a-half-month injury break. Alcaraz breezed through the first round, beating Roman Safiullin in straight sets. Jaime Faria, who made waves last month when he eliminated Ben Shelton early in the Cincinnati Open, went to five sets in his first-round match against Jenson Brooksby.

*This is just an approximate start time. Early round matches often start later. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the venue for the match, will also host Aryna Sabalenka's evening match at around 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria for free

There are a few ways to catch the Alcaraz vs. Faria match for free. In Australia, select daily coverage is available for free on 9Now, which just requires account creation to use. In the US, live TV services like YouTube TV and Fubo have free trial offers for new customers.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria from anywhere

If you're away from the location where your desired streaming service works, you can still access your favorite watch options (including the free ones) with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that help people temporarily alter their device's virtual location. They're popular among those looking to upgrade their cybersecurity or keep up with their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad.

Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs we've tested. It's user-friendly (even for beginners) and offers a substantial selection of global servers. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not helping you out.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria in the US

ESPN is carrying US Open coverage in the US until 11 p.m. ET tonight, so you should be able to find the Alcaraz match on the network, even if it has a bit of a late start. ESPN Unlimited is the best streaming service for accessing every single match at the US Open. Subscriptions cost $32 a month or $320 a year. You can learn more in our guide to the ESPN streaming service.

If you'd prefer to watch through a platform that has a free trial and carries additional channels beyond just those from the ESPN family, then a live TV streaming service will be a better fit. YouTube TV and Fubo are two of our top recommendations right now.

YouTube TV carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC in both its main and sports plans. The main plan typically costs $83 a month, but a limited-time YouTube TV deal will knock the first five months down to just $68 a month for first-time customers. The sports plan is also running a special promo where new users can get their first six months down from $65 a month to just $45 a month. YouTube TV plans come with a free trial for new users, and ESPN Unlimited is now available on the platform as well.

Fubo is another popular live TV service with plenty of ESPN offerings. ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC are available in Fubo's Sports + News, Pro, and Elite packages. All of these plans also unlock access to ESPN Unlimited. Sports + News starts at $65 a month, but new users can get $10 off their first month of service. Pro and Elite also offer introductory month discounts, and all plans come with a free trial for first-time customers.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria in the UK

In the UK, US Open coverage is available through Sky Sports. Fans can tune in with one of the many Sky TV deals and plans, or access the same content through Now. Now Sports offers more flexibility in streaming content, including a £15 single-day pass.

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Faria in Australia

Select US Open coverage is available for free through 9's Gem channel in Australia, which tends to show Australian players and top seeds. Alcaraz vs. Faria are the matches in today's line-up. Fans can live stream the action on 9Now by creating a free account if they don't already have one. Australians looking to live stream absolutely every match at the US Open will need a paid Stan Sport subscription. Stan Sport costs $30 a month when you combine the $10 a month base plan fee with the $20 a month Sport add-on.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• More than half of Americans used an AI chatbot in July, according to new data from Morning Consult.
• Yet 70% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their communities, according to another recent poll.
• This story originally appeared on POLITICO and is courtesy of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.

They're ugly. They're noisy. They sprawl across the landscape. They gobble up energy and water.

Americans hate data centers and don't trust the Big Tech companies that need them. But they love using the artificial intelligence models they power.

More than half of Americans used an AI chatbot in July, according to new data from Morning Consult. And it's not just experimenting — Americans are increasingly using AI chatbots multiple times a week. Yet 70 percent of Americans oppose constructing data centers for artificial intelligence in their community, according to a Gallup poll from May.

The disconnect is emerging as one of the central political challenges surrounding the AI boom — and it's one that politicians from both parties must navigate as the midterms approach. The issue has repeatedly shown up as a divisive theme in races across the country.

It's an especially thorny thicket for President Donald Trump as he tries to lead his party to hold its majority, considering his full-throated embrace of data centers despite their massive energy needs.

On Monday, Trump warned that communities that resist data center development do so at their economic peril.

"The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame."

But even Trump acknowledged last month that the industry may have an image problem.

"The construction jobs are enormous," Trump said at a White House event with crypto executives last month, arguing that if he were a mayor or governor, he would "absolutely want" an AI plant or data center in his community because of the jobs they would create and tax revenue they would generate.

"If you don't take it, you're going to be left behind because there are plenty of places that want it," Trump said. "So I would say that maybe you can use a little public relations help."

Behind the scenes, the White House knows data centers aren't popular with all voters. A senior White House official, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said Trump sees polling on the topic and that the president has been told directly that public opinion is a problem.

"He looks at the polling. He looks at what people are saying," the official told POLITICO. "Polling isn't necessarily great on data centers, but it's incumbent upon us to explain our position. I think that's part of what he was trying to do" with his recent social media postings exhorting people to embrace them.

The official acknowledged that data centers have become "a big topic of conversation when it comes to midterms" and said Trump wants to make the case for their economic and national security benefits while recognizing that voters have "real concerns" about their impact.

Trump has cast the need to accelerate data center development as a national security matter — a way to ensure the U.S. stays ahead of China. His administration has taken action to speed up their deployment but has acknowledged the need to ensure that Americans don't foot the bill for greater electricity costs.

The White House said in a statement that Trump "has been clear that he only wants data centers to be built in local communities that want them and all of the significant benefits they bring," adding, "At the same time, the President is also forcing data centers to pay for their own power, water, and other utilities."

Ben Green, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan who studies the politics and social impacts of technology, was skeptical that better messaging alone could overcome Americans' concerns.

"The data center resistance is a matter of people responding to real material costs and political realities," Green said, pointing to concerns about electricity rates, water use and the relatively small number of permanent jobs some facilities create, adding that the industry has "really overplayed their hand."

But Mike Madrid, a Republican political consultant, said he sees "no political downside" for politicians of either party who come out against data centers.

Madrid argued the intensity of the opposition goes beyond the usual local government fights. Data centers have become a tangible target for broader anxieties about technological change, concentrated wealth and the growing power of companies to collect Americans' data, he said.

And that opposition, he added, has led some politicians who once eagerly supported data center development to reverse course.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who previously worked to bring billions of dollars in data center investment to his state, moved last month to impose tougher requirements on new data centers, including greater transparency and local approval, decisions he said he made after hearing constituent concerns.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who had similarly touted the development in Texas, has also shifted direction amid opposition, issuing two data center directives and a temporary pause on development in his state.

Despite growing local unrest, the Trump administration is moving ahead with regulations that enable data center build-out. The Environmental Protection Agency last month proposed eliminating federal notice and comment requirements for certain "minor" air pollution permits, a category that can include backup generators used by data centers.

The administration says the change would reduce administrative burdens and speed permitting, but environmental groups worry that it will make it harder for communities to oppose projects near them.

Trump and his administration have taken other steps to speed data center development, including an executive order that creates a fast track regime for permitting, directing the Energy Department to identify federal lands where they could be sited, and directing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to consider new rules governing the kinds of energy interconnections — essentially, how a facility is connected to the power grid — that hyperscale data centers need.

The tension over data centers is particularly acute in parts of the country the White House may have expected would welcome the projects.

In Hood County, Texas, where Trump won more than 80 percent of the vote in 2024, residents have packed local government meetings to oppose proposed data centers over concerns about their effects on the area's water, power grid and rural landscape. In response, commissioners have tightened development requirements, including more detailed disclosures about proposed projects' water and energy use.

And that opposition has already derailed at least one project. Earlier this summer, Hood County commissioners revoked a previously approved concept plan, 3-2, for a proposed 862-acre data center. The project, known as Fort Spunky, had sought 100 megawatts of electricity and projected using up to 20,000 gallons of water per day.

Stephanie Justice, policy communications manager at Americans for Responsible Innovation, who focuses on data centers, said Americans' embrace of AI tools and opposition to nearby data centers aren't necessarily contradictory.

"Using AI and wanting its infrastructure built responsibly, and people wanting to have a voice, aren't opposites," Justice said. "AI is happening, and people need to be able to know how to use it and integrate it into their careers or daily lives. But they should also be able to have a say in how and where data centers are built."

Green also cautioned against interpreting widespread use of AI tools as widespread support for the technology. As AI becomes integrated into search engines, workplaces and other products people already use, he said, it has become difficult for Americans to not participate.

"It's not necessarily everyone who uses it regularly is a supporter," Green said, noting that workers are oftentimes pressured to become fluent in AI, adding that the technology "has value," and people "use it because that's available to me. But it's not worth the costs of what data centers are providing."

Still, the projects have found support among organized labor, particularly the building trades whose members stand to benefit from the construction projects required to build and maintain them — a particular challenge for Democrats, who consider unions a core constituency.

Dan Diorio, the executive vice president of state policy and government affairs at the Data Center Coalition trade group, suggested that the economic benefits of a data center near a community extend well beyond initial construction jobs. That includes, he said, substantial tax revenue that funds schools, while supporting millions of jobs across construction, manufacturing, technology and local services.

But he acknowledged that the rapid build-out has raised "important questions about land use, energy and water," adding that the industry needs more "transparent, proactive engagement" with communities.

Although data center development can mean significant investment and construction employment while it is being built, the number of permanent jobs can be far smaller than initial promises once a facility is active. One of the proposed data centers in Hood County projected a peak construction workforce of 2,000 people, but a permanent workforce of 200.

Even if those projects ultimately deliver jobs and investment, Madrid was skeptical that politicians who block them today will pay a price years from now. In local development fights, he said, "there's no future constituency to be concerned about."

If the U.S. eventually found itself at a competitive disadvantage with China because it failed to build enough AI infrastructure, Madrid said voters would still be unlikely to hold a local politician responsible. "No one's going to suffer at the polls because you were against AI data centers at this moment in time," he said.

This story originally appeared on POLITICO and is courtesy of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which harnesses the resources of the company's newsrooms to publish ambitious scoops, investigations, interviews, opinion pieces, and analysis. It allows journalists — including those from POLITICO, Business Insider, WELT, BILD, Onet, and Fakt — to collaborate on major stories for an international audience of hundreds of millions across platforms.

If you're trying to figure out how to stop your cat from scratching the furniture, first, you'll need to understand why they do it. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. They scratch to stretch, keep their claws in good shape for climbing and hunting, and mark their territory, through both scents and visible signs, says Dr. Maggie Placer, a veterinarian and the veterinary sciences program manager at EveryCat Health Foundation.

To find the best products to protect furniture from scratching, we consulted veterinarians and cat behaviorists and enlisted four cats to test everything from couch protectors to scratching posts. In total, we've tried 30 products designed to prevent destructive scratching.

Keep in mind that cats might scratch furniture for several reasons. They may not have access to alternatives, such as scratching posts or pads. If your cat has dedicated scratchers but keeps returning to your furniture, those might not be placed in the right spots, or their scratching surfaces may be worn out and need replacement. In some cases, cats simply prefer the height of the furniture or the sensation of scratching a couch or carpet. Whatever the reason, you can redirect your cat's scratching by providing them with more appealing alternatives.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks to stop cats from scratching furniture

Best overall: Sofa Scratcher Squared - $83 at Chewy

Best furniture guard: Panther Armor Heavy-Duty Clear Protectors - $18 at Chewy

Best scratch tape: Pioneer Pet Sticky Paws on a Roll - $13 at Chewy

Best stylish: Hilde & Phil Cat-e-Corner - $444 at Hilde & Phil

Best scratching post: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post - $64 at Chewy

Best floor scratcher: Petfusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge - $55 at Chewy (temporarily out of stock)

Best wall-mounted scratcher: 7 Ruby Road Cat Wall Scratcher - $45 at Amazon

Best cat tree: Armarkat Classic Cat Tree - $143 at Chewy

Best overall

Best for: Cats who scratch sofas or chairs, redirecting scratching behavior, long-lasting scratch protection

Skip this if: You want to cover large furniture surfaces completely, or you're looking for temporary scratch protection rather than a permanent scratching surface.

This scratcher protects a popular scratching spot: the edge of a sofa or chair. The genius of the Sofa Scratcher is that its sisal-covered edges fit snugly against the edges of a couch or chair. This gives a cat an appropriate place to scratch right at the center of the room where felines prefer to mark their territory, says Dr. Christine Calder, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

It comes in two shapes, but the square option is best for most furniture. The Sofa Scratcher comes in both a half-moon-shaped design and a square version. We prefer the Sofa Scratcher Squared because it fits flush against most furniture and has a sturdy wood core that prevents cats from digging their claws into the upholstery. One of our furniture-scratching cats seemed to enjoy flexing his claws on the Sofa Scratcher Squared as much as the couch itself. Even after nearly six months of use, the scratcher still looked good as new.

The design provides great coverage on the sides, but it's on the shorter side. The 24-inch-tall square scratcher, with its two 5.5-inch-wide panels, perfectly covered the chair and couches. If your furniture is taller, you might need an additional furniture guard to cover any remaining exposed areas. The brand's original rounded scratcher didn't match the shape of our straight-edged furniture, leaving gaps large enough for a determined cat to reach the upholstery, but it may be a better fit if your furniture has curved arms.

It is very stable. The Sofa Scratcher stays in place with a rectangular polycarbonate base that you slip under the leg of a couch or chair, with the added weight anchoring it. While the base remained stable, the top of the scratcher sometimes wobbled. Still, it never dislodged from the couch, even when our cats dug their claws in deep and pulled with force.

Keep in mind: If you stop using this type of scratcher, it could lead to issues. "It won't train your cat to scratch on all couches or furniture, but it could absolutely teach your cat that this couch is now a delightful scratching surface," says Rachel Geller, a certified cat behavior and retention specialist and founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc.

Read our full Sofa Scratcher review.

Best furniture guard

Best for: Protecting upholstered furniture, discreet scratch protection, easy installation

Skip this if: You're hoping for an all-in-one solution that protects your furniture and includes a scratching surface. You need a guard for faux leather, velvet, or microfiber. You will need to spot-test on leather.

Panther Armor Heavy-Duty Clear Protectors provide a simple, reliable scratch deterrent. One way to stop a cat from scratching furniture is to use a combination of deterrents and redirection, Geller says. You can cover the area with a barrier to discourage the destructive tendency, then pair it with a nearby scratching post to redirect the behavior. I like Panther Armor Heavy-Duty Clear Protectors because they create a durable barrier that cats can't easily penetrate with their claws. Instead of the satisfying texture of upholstery, the plastic guard's smooth surface encourages cats to look elsewhere. That's also why it's important to pair the guard with an appealing scratching surface.

The protectors took only a few minutes to install. I cleaned the surface with a lint roller, cut the protector to size using the printed grid lines on the backing as a guide, and stuck it on. The material didn't cling to my scissors, the cut came out clean and straight, and it went on smoothly and remained transparent. Other scratch guards I tested trapped air bubbles I couldn't smooth out, or had two sticky sides that ended up adhering to themselves.

The material held up well in durability testing. A knife penetrated it, but a fork or wire tines didn't, and I don't anticipate my cats pressing hard enough to get through it, especially with regular nail trims. The adhesive held reliably on flat surfaces, though wrapping it around an edge may require securing with the included twist pins. They have a corkscrew base so cats can't pull them out and a clear plastic cap that looks like a small button.

I also appreciated that the front surface isn't sticky. My cats could still rub against the bed where I placed the guard or wriggle underneath it without their fur getting caught. When I removed the guard, there was no sticky residue left behind, and my upholstery showed no damage from the pins. The adhesive did cause some pilling on my upholstery when I removed it, but given the durability of these guards, it's unlikely you'll need to replace them often.

Best scratch tape

Best for: Deterring scratching behavior, temporary protection for upholstered furniture or carpet

Skip this if: You need a long-lasting furniture protector or need to protect faux leather or other delicate surfaces.

It's a simple tape deterrent that won't harm your cat. Scratch tape works much like a furniture guard by taking the appeal out of scratching areas like couch legs or carpet edges. Of the two versions we tested, Sticky Paws proved most effective at discouraging scratching without causing unnecessary fear, pain, or discomfort. It also comes recommended by Daniel "DQ" Quagliozzi, a cat behavior consultant and owner of Go Cat Go!

Sticky Paws is a transparent, double-sided tape. One side adheres to furniture upholstery, carpeting, and other household surfaces, while the other sticky side faces outward. When cats attempt to scratch, the tape briefly grips their claws and paws, preventing them from digging in. "Sticky tape is not too aversive for cats," Calder says. It may be unpleasant to scratch, but doing so doesn't cause pain or fear.

Sticky Paws comes in various shapes and sizes, but our favorite is Sticky Paws On a Roll. It works like a packaging tape dispenser, so you can easily cut it to the desired length. However, like furniture guards, simply covering surfaces won't teach your cat where they should scratch instead. To redirect your cat's behavior effectively, pair the tape with positive reinforcement and a scratching pad or post. After one of our cats got their paws on the tape just once, he quickly lost interest and turned to nearby posts and pads instead.

That said, we discovered a few noteworthy drawbacks. First, stuff sticks to it — the adhesive outer layer collects dust and pet hair. It can also be tricky to apply it smoothly without creases, and it's not suitable for all surfaces. We learned the hard way when the tape left residue on a faux-leather chair and also tore the material, especially in spots where a cat's claws had already made pinholes. While the tape didn't leave residue on an upholstered couch or finished wood, it's less durable than a furniture guard, easier to penetrate, and needs to be replaced more frequently.

Best stylish

Best for: A blend of function and style, cats who prefer vertical sisal scratching surfaces, long-lasting protection

Skip this if: You're looking for a budget-friendly option or want a scratcher you can move from room to room.

If you're looking for something that blends function and style, I'm smitten with the polished look of the Hilde & Phil Cat-e-Corner, a two-in-one end table and sisal scratcher. The concept began as a successful Kickstarter, dreamed up by a cat dad inspired by none other than his own cats, Hilde & Phil.

It looks and functions like a natural extension of your furniture. The Cat-e-Corner is designed to fit snugly against your armchair or sofa, wrapping around the front arm or the back if you have a chaise lounge. A 7-inch-wide tabletop sits atop a vertical sisal scratching surface. Made from solid wood with a plywood backing, it's available in either a maple or black walnut finish. You can also customize the setup with left or right positioning and risers. For example, my 27-inch sofa needed a 2-inch riser to bring the tabletop to the ideal height.

The sisal scratching surface requires periodic replacement. My cats took to it right away, gravitating toward the sisal on the front of the arm while my husband and I lounged on the couch. After about two months of regular use, the sisal started to show some wear. It was easy to detach the mat from its velcro backing and replace it with a new scratching pad, which comes in three different patterns and is sold separately. To maximize the pad's lifespan, I recommend rotating the worn section from front to back before swapping it out for a new one.

The piece is sturdy but requires careful placement. The Cat-e-Corner is a freestanding piece, with no permanent attachment points or parts to slide under your furniture. If your couch sits partially on a rug, you might need to use shims to balance the unit. Otherwise, its sturdy construction and anti-tip feet ensure your belongings stay stable and level during everyday use.

Best scratching post

Best for: Vertical scratching, large cats, people looking for a durable, long-lasting scratching post

Skip this if: Your cat prefers horizontal scratching surfaces or a scratching post that doubles as a climbing tower or lounging spot.

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post earns our top spot as the best cat scratching post because it's tall enough for a full-body stretch, sturdy enough for large cats, and built to last. Neither my cats nor I could claw deeply enough into the tightly woven sisal to cause meaningful damage. Likewise, freelance reporter Jenny McGrath's 13- and 18-pound cats have been scratching the same SmartCat post for years. When the sisal does finally show wear, she rotates the post to a fresh side.

It's ideal for cats that like to scratch vertically on furniture. Our experts say that rather than punishing your cat for scratching furniture, it's best to redirect their natural behavior. Cats who live outdoors usually scratch on trees, while indoor cats may develop preferences for other materials or even the direction they scratch. Quagliozzi says that if your cat scratches vertically on furniture, they'll likely prefer a vertical scratcher. If they tend to scratch carpets or rugs, a horizontal scratch pad may be more satisfying. Some cats enjoy both. Whatever your cat prefers, Calder says it's important to provide multiple scratchers.

The base and top are sturdy but don't lend themselves to scratching or lounging. The engineered wood base is sturdy and won't collect fur or wear down like carpet, though it's not as comfortable as a carpeted base for lounging. There's a wooden perch at the top, but my 10- and 11-pound cats gravitated instead toward the larger perches on other posts we tested. Smaller cats and kittens may still find this post climbable and large enough to perch on. I assembled the scratcher in under five minutes, but had to use my own flathead screwdriver.

If your cat loves climbing as much as scratching, this isn't the best option. For climbing, the Feline Nuvo Grand Forte is an excellent option. At 41 inches tall with a wide, round sisal post that mimics a tree trunk, my cats raced up the post, claimed the top as a lookout, and frequently lounged on the carpeted base between scratching sessions. However, the sisal showed wear more quickly than the SmartCat's scratching surface.

Best floor scratcher

Editor's note: This floor scratcher is currently out of stock. Scroll to the end of this slide for alternatives.

Best for: Cats who enjoy full-body play, scratching, and lounging, cats who bunny-kick rugs or couch cushions, redirecting scratching through enrichment

Skip this if: Your cat prefers vertical scratching surfaces or you want a scratcher that won't shed cardboard over time.

Some cats like to scratch vertically, others horizontally, and some a little of both. If you've found destruction on rugs, carpets, and couch cushions, your cat falls into one of the latter two categories, and providing them with a properly placed floor scratcher may solve your problem.

We tested five floor scratchers and found the Petfusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge to be the best. Placer says kittens tend to prefer cardboard scratchers that are shaped like an "S". This scratcher takes that appeal a bit further, with a softer, elongated curve connecting its two rounded ends. It has vertical and horizontal scratching spots as well as an ergonomic spot to lounge.

This scratcher could be an excellent purchase for a new kitten or cat, helping prevent them from ever developing the habit of scratching your furniture or stopping the behavior early. When placed near where my cats often play, they loved digging their claws into it, stretching across the curve, and swatting toy mice on the ground from their perch. It's easy to imagine a kitten climbing and playing inside the center. It provides a multitude of enrichment for cats, which Placer says is key to deterring furniture scratching. "Destructive scratching can occur if your cat's needs have not been fully met," she says.

The scratcher is reversible. When your cat claws through one side, you can flip it over for extended use. My scratcher has shown some wear after two months of testing, but it is far from needing to be flipped over. While it slides around a bit on a smooth floor when a cat really gets clawing, it has never flipped over or shot across the room.

If this isn't a good fit for your cat, there are other options I like. This pick replaces our previous choice, the Our Pets Double-Wide Cat Scratcher, which remains a great budget-friendly option. If your cat prefers sisal over cardboard — or if you'd rather not deal with cleaning up cardboard bits — you might consider the SmartCat Bootsie's Combination Scratcher.

Best wall-mounted scratcher

Best for: Cats who prefer vertical scratchers, small spaces, guardians looking to save floor space

Skip this if: You're unable to drill into your walls or prefer a freestanding scratcher you can move around.

This is a versatile scratcher, especially for small spaces. "Cats who live outside scratch on trees — which are extremely sturdy, are the right height, and the perfect texture," Geller says. While we can't provide indoor cats with live trees, wall-mounted scratchers are just as sturdy and can be installed at the ideal height for your cat. Plus, they add more scratching options without taking up extra floor space.

Out of the wall-mounted scratchers I tested, the 7 Ruby Road Cat Wall Scratcher was the clear winner for its solid natural wood and high-quality sisal design. I added it to my cats' existing climbing wall and — given their immediate interest — fully expect it to get tons of use. What I really love is that once the sisal eventually needs replacing, you can swap it out with a replacement mat rather than buying a whole new scratcher. Replacement mats cost about $20.

This scratcher requires light assembly using a drill. Screws are included, but I recommend purchasing and installing drywall anchors as well. With a 24.5-inch-long by 8-inch-wide scratching surface, it replaces our previous pick from 7 Ruby Road, which we found a bit small. If you prefer not to mount it, it also comes with four rubber non-slip pads, allowing you to use it on the floor.

If your cat loves to scratch the corner of a wall, consider other options. The Frisco Wall Sisal Cat Scratcher is a clever solution because it's designed to fit over corners. It comes with adhesive backing, but it didn't hold, so you'll need to permanently install it with screws. The carpet and sisal scratching surface also wear down faster than our top pick.

Best cat tree

Best for: Multi-cat households; cats who enjoy scratching, climbing, and lounging; people looking for an all-in-one enrichment center

Skip this if: You're looking for a compact scratching solution that takes up minimal space.

This tree offers different scratching surfaces to appeal to various cat' preferences. Cat trees are an all-in-one solution that satisfies your cat's scratching needs while also providing spaces for playing, hiding, and resting. If you're unsure about your cat's preferences or have multiple cats, the Armarkat Classic Cat Tree features both horizontal faux-fur and vertical sisal scratching surfaces.

It's attractive to both cats and people, and it's durable, too. Placer recommends placing scratching posts and trees near where your cat is already scratching or in areas where you spend the most time. I chose to place the tree in my husband's office, where he spends most weekdays. The cats took to it right away, and we were equally impressed, which is why we named it our top pick in the guide to the best cat trees. After almost a year of use, it still looks great.

It's suitable for cats of all ages and sizes. Cats scratch throughout their lives, from kittenhood through their senior years. This tree is designed with a platform only 10.5 inches from the ground and five sisal-wrapped poles at its base — 4 of which offer almost 2 feet of uninterrupted vertical scratching space to help achieve a full-body stretch — making it easier for senior cats and kittens to access.

With another 4 sisal-wrapped poles higher up, this tree is a hit with my 10- and 11-pound cats. They love kicking off their zoomies by clawing at the base and racing up the structure, digging into the sisal posts as they climb to the top, bolstered bed or cozy tent hideaway. Despite their enthusiasm, the tree remains stable under their combined weight. It also includes a double-lined hammock for lounging.

Our top picks compared

What to look for in products to stop cats from scratching furniture

When cats scratch unwanted surfaces, Geller says many people use a combination of deterrents and redirection. Deterrents include sprays, sticky tapes, and guards, while redirection involves encouraging your cat to scratch appropriate surfaces using positive reinforcement.

Cat-scratching deterrents: Tape and vinyl guards are the most popular and effective types of deterrents. They prevent furniture scratching by creating a sticky surface or one that a cat's nails can't penetrate. Our experts say that cat scratching deterrent sprays do not help redirect furniture scratching.

Here are a few key qualities to look for if you opt for deterrents.

• Versatility: The product should be suitable for the surfaces your cat scratches the most, whether it's your couch, carpet, or wooden door frames.
• Size: Cat deterrent tape comes in rolls, pre-cut strips, or large squares that you can cut to size. Vinyl guards typically come in sheets, with some that can be cut to size and others that cannot. In testing, we preferred rolls of cat deterrent tape and vinyl that could be cut to size with scissors, but you can choose the option that works best for the areas you're looking to protect.
• Ease of removal: Test the tape on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't leave sticky residue or cause any damage. In our testing, cat deterrent tape left residue and damaged vinyl but came off clean from wood and upholstery. The small pins used to install our preferred vinyl guard, Clawguard Furniture Shield, didn't damage our upholstery, but they could leave marks on more delicate materials.

Cat scratching products: Cat trees, posts, and pads offer a permanent and appealing alternative to your couch. Here are the key features that will encourage your cat to use them and not your furniture.

• Material: Cat scratchers typically come in three materials: corrugated cardboard, carpet, and sisal. Sisal is the most durable and firm option, while corrugated cardboard is the softest. One study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science looked at the scratching preferences of 36 adult cats. More of the cats favored rope and cardboard scratching surfaces over sofa fabric or carpet. However, each cat has their own preference for which material they enjoy sinking their claws into.
  
  Age can also influence a cat's scratching preferences. "Senior cats may have less muscle mass than younger cats," Placer says. "This can make their claws more likely to get stuck in firmer materials." However, age isn't always a clear indicator of preference, so you may need to offer your cat a variety of scratching surfaces to determine what they like best.
• Orientation: Placer says most cats prefer scratching vertically, but some enjoy scratching horizontally, diagonally, or at an angle. You can figure out what and how your cat likes to scratch by observing what they target around your home. Cats use scratchers not only to maintain their nails and leave behind their scent but also to stretch, so Placer recommends choosing a scratching post that's taller than your cat's body length.
  
  You should also consider your cat's physical abilities. "Senior cats may need horizontal scratchers as they can easily sit or lay to scratch," says Turano. Meanwhile, agile kittens and cats may prefer vertical posts they can climb.
• Stability: Geller says cats love scratching couches because they're sturdy, textured, and close to their favorite humans. To encourage your cat to use a dedicated scratching surface instead, look for ones with rubber feet to keep it from sliding across the floor, multiple connection points to secure it to the wall, or a large or weighted base for added stability. Cats need a stable surface to really dig their claws into, and anything that's wobbly or bangs against the wall might frighten them.

How we tested products to stop cats from scratching furniture

Freelance reporter Shoshi Parks first consulted veterinarians and behaviorists and then tested furniture protectors and scratchers with her two cats in 2020. Since then, freelance reporter Janelle Leeson has further tested the same products and new options with her two cats. They used the tests below to make their picks.

Scratch test: To evaluate the durability of the furniture guards and scratch tape, they used three tools (a fork, a push pin, and an X-acto knife) to repeatedly scratch the same section of each product 50 times. This allowed them to assess whether the material could be penetrated and how quickly damage occurred. For scratchers, they tested durability by dragging a metal-tined cat comb across the same section of the product 50 consecutive times to observe any visible wear or material shedding.

Penetration test: Using the same three tools from the scratch test, they conducted three rounds of penetration testing, attempting to make a hole through the material. First, they applied light pressure, then medium, and finally, full force.

Cat attract test: They introduced each product to their cats, sprinkling them with catnip when needed. Products were placed in locations the cats preferred to scratch and rotated weekly. Parks and Leeson noted which scratchers they ignored, used occasionally, or consistently returned to.

How to stop cats from scratching furniture FAQs

Why do cats scratch furniture?

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. "Scratching serves many functions for a cat, including a communication tool that leaves both scent and visual marks at a site, a way to clean and condition the claw beds, and a great way to stretch the muscles of the legs and toes," says Dr. Andrea Sanchez, a veterinarian and chief of staff at Banfield Pet Hospital in Vancouver, Washington. When cats lack easy access to appropriate scratching surfaces, such as scratching posts or horizontal scratch pads, they may redirect their claws to furniture and carpeting.

How can I stop my cat from scratching my sofa?

A scratching post or pad won't be helpful if it's not placed in a spot where your cat likes to scratch. Cats need a variety of scratching options in various locations to be fully satisfied. Sanchez recommends positioning them in high-traffic areas and close to your cat's favorite resting spots. The material of the post or pad is important too. "Some cats will strictly scratch on softer materials such as cardboard boxes or scratch pads, while other cats will only use carpeted or tall, sturdy posts," Sanchez says. While many cats enjoy scratching sisal rope or cloth, others may be drawn to different textures. If your cat is attracted to carpet, Quagliozzi recommends framing a piece of carpet specifically for them to scratch.

Does cat scratching deterrent spray work?

Our experts say that deterrent sprays aren't an effective way to stop cats from scratching furniture. "They don't really work, and they're an aversive," Calder says. Aversives are tools or techniques that use discomfort, pain, fear, or intimidation to force an animal to change their behavior. Deterrent sprays fall into this category because they irritate a cat's acute senses of smell and taste, causing sneezing and coughing. They can also scare cats, often working by emitting a sudden burst of offensive spray. A more effective long-term strategy is to use scratch tape or furniture guards in conjunction with training to modify a cat's behavior. "Our goal is not to scare the cat," Calder says. "It's more about finding out why the behavior is occurring in the first place."

Do pheromone sprays such as Feliway stop cats from scratching?

Pheromone sprays aren't a substitute for proper scratching surfaces. Instead, they work by reducing anxiety, which can help deter unwanted behaviors such as scratching, soiling, aggression, or excessive meowing when used alongside items that meet a cat's essential needs, including access to appropriate scratching surfaces. Placer says the key to using pheromones to stop your cat from scratching furniture is to spray the area where the unwanted scratching has occurred, not on the scratching post or tree you want your cat to use.

Do nail caps really work for cats?

Nail caps can effectively stop cats from scratching furniture, but they come with significant drawbacks. Many cats, including all four of our tester cats, simply won't tolerate them. Some cats may resist having them applied, chew them off, or develop irritation around the nail bed. Nail caps are made from durable, flexible vinyl and are glued over the nails. While they prevent cats from scratching furniture, they also prevent natural feline behaviors. Scratching is essential for cat communication and plays a role in keeping their claws healthy.

If you need a short-term solution for your cat's scratching behavior while waiting to consult a veterinarian or behaviorist — or if you're considering declawing, rehoming, or euthanasia — nail caps can help. However, it's essential to also provide scratching surfaces around your home so your cat can stretch and exercise their muscles.

Should cats be declawed?

To prevent a cat from scratching, some veterinarians offer declawing, a surgical procedure that removes a cat's claws and the last bone in each toe. However, some countries and US cities have banned the practice. The American Veterinary Medical Association, Feline Veterinary Medical Association, and numerous other veterinary and feline welfare organizations either discourage or oppose the practice of elective declaw surgery. Instead, these organizations recommend providing scratching surfaces like the ones featured in this guide, frequent nail trims, and positive reinforcement training.

Complications of this procedure can include infection, tissue necrosis, back pain, and regrowth of claws along with chronic pain due to incomplete removal, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Cats who have been declawed can experience chronic pain related to the procedure months or years later, and a 2017 retrospective study found that declawed cats were more likely than clawed cats to have back pain, elimination outside the litter box, aggression, and overgrooming. In addition, removing a cat's claws prevents them from practicing innate behaviors such as scratching and climbing.

Dr. Bob Murtaugh, a veterinarian and chair of veterinary medicine for the National Academies of Practice, does not believe declawing is necessary unless there is a valid medical reason."I think the best thing is to just provide them with some scratching opportunities and to train them," he says. "Part of having a cat is recognizing the fact that they might take it out on a sofa every once in a while."

Optimum offers a handful of home internet plans that cover the basics for most households, whether you're streaming, gaming, working from home, or just trying to keep multiple devices connected at once. Its main lineup includes 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gig plans, with even faster multi-gig fiber options available in some areas. I've broken down Optimum's internet plans, packages, and prices below, including how to get the best price for your household.

Which Optimum internet plan makes the most sense for you really comes down to how much speed you need and what type of service is available at your address. Fiber customers can get faster, more balanced upload and download speeds, while cable plans tend to have slower uploads. Pricing and availability can also vary depending on where you live.

Optimum internet plans and prices

Optimum offers home internet plans ranging from everyday broadband speeds to multi-gig fiber service, with availability depending on your location. Its three main tiers are 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 Gig, all of which currently come with a five-year price lock, unlimited data with no data caps, and free self-setup.

*Prices include a $10 AutoPay and paperless billing discount and will remain in place for 60 months; afterward, monthly rates can increase by up to $15 a year until the applicable standard rate is reached.

The right Optimum internet plan largely depends on how many people and devices are sharing the connection. The 300 Mbps tier is enough for common activities like browsing, video calls, and streaming across several devices, while the 500 Mbps tier offers more headroom for households that stream 4K video on multiple screens or use many connected devices at once. The 1 Gig plan is geared toward heavier usage, such as gaming, frequent large downloads/uploads, and households with multiple people streaming or working online simultaneously.

It's important to check what type of Optimum service is available at your address. Optimum operates both a fiber-to-the-home network and a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network, so upload speeds can differ substantially, even when the advertised download tier is the same. For example, Optimum lists cable versions of its 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans with upload speeds up to 20 Mbps, and its 1 Gig cable plan with download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 35 Mbps. Fiber customers can get symmetrical speeds, including multi-gig service in eligible markets.

Optimum also includes equipment and setup benefits, though some costs can rise over time. Current offers include free self-setup and a free Gateway for the first 12 months; after that, the Gateway fee can increase by no more than $5 a month every year until the standard rate is reached. Optional Whole Home WiFi costs $5 a month, and Optimum may provide an extender when needed. Shoppers can also bundle internet, TV, and mobile services for additional savings of up to $30 a month.

Optimum internet bundle deal discounts

Despite its already competitive pricing, Optimum offers opportunities for shoppers to save by bundling, applying coupon codes, and more. Here's a breakdown of Optimum's internet bundle plans, which help lower prices by adding TV and mobile service.

TV bundles all come with built-in Entertainment TV, Optimum's base plan. They also include Optimum Stream at no additional cost, giving customers an all-in-one streaming device that connects live TV, streaming services, and Optimum internet to an entertainment system. Mobile bundles each come with a free third mobile line.

• Optimum cable TV packages and plans compared

If you're only shopping for Optimum internet and would like to save, here are the best promotions and offers running now:

Optimum fiber internet plans and prices

Optimum's fiber lineup ranges from 300 Mbps to 8 Gig, with five speed tiers: 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gig, 2 Gig, and 8 Gig. Unlike Optimum's cable service, its fiber plans offer equal upload and download speeds, which can make a noticeable difference for video calls, uploading large files, livestreaming, and other upload-heavy activities.

*All prices include an eligible $10-per-month Auto Pay and Paperless Billing discount, and taxes and fees are additional.

The most affordable option is 300 Mbps Fiber for $30 a month, which is ideal for basic online activities like browsing and casual streaming. 500 Mbps Fiber costs $40 a month and is geared toward typical everyday household use, while 1 Gig Fiber costs $50 a month and offers more bandwidth for households with multiple people streaming, gaming, or using connected devices at once.

For heavier internet users, 2 Gig Fiber starts at $60 a month. This high-performance option is ideal for both productivity and gaming, with extra bandwidth that can be useful for larger households with numerous devices operating simultaneously. At the top end is 8 Gig Fiber for $90 a month, Optimum's fastest residential internet tier. It offers speeds of up to 8 Gbps for both downloads and uploads, though it's only available in certain parts of Optimum's fiber footprint.

Exact plans, speeds, and offers vary by location, so customers need to enter their address to see which fiber tiers are actually available to them. Find out if you qualify on Optimum's availability site.

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• Podcaster Bill Simmons caused a stir in the sports media world by saying he bet through a proxy.
• Sportsbooks like FanDuel prohibit customers from making bets on others' behalf because of state law.
• Legal experts say Simmons could face some punishment, but it likely wouldn't be serious.

Bill Simmons has said he authorized another person to place sports bets on his behalf, but don't expect the podcasting star to get more than a slap on the wrist.

Simmons, who runs Spotify's podcast strategy, said on his show on Sunday that he'd enlisted his daughter's boyfriend to log into his account and place NFL futures bets for him.

The issue is that Simmons lives in California, where online sports betting is illegal, and his daughter's boyfriend lives in Massachusetts, where it's legal. So-called "proxy betting" is illegal under Massachusetts state law.

Simmons' bets have caused a stir, especially since he said they were placed on the online sportsbook FanDuel, which has major sponsorship deals with Spotify and The Ringer, the sports-and-culture site Simmons started.

However, legal experts say that the Spotify executive likely won't be in too much trouble.

Simmons is "an unlikely candidate" for aggressive civil penalties, though he appears to have violated online gaming laws in Massachusetts, said Mark Gottlieb, a law professor at Northeastern University in Boston.

Simmons may get a 'good-faith determination'

Under Massachusetts law, sportsbooks can only accept bets from people who are 21 or older and are physically present in the state. Sportsbooks can't allow customers to have more than one account or to place bets on behalf of someone else.

If sportsbooks find that users have multiple accounts, including through a proxy, the law says they "shall implement procedures to terminate all accounts" associated with them.

Sportsbooks can make exceptions if they investigate the account and make a "good-faith determination" that the violator's behavior "was not intended to obtain a competitive advantage," according to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission's rules.

Richard McGowan, an associate professor at Boston College who studies gambling, said he'd "really be surprised" if Simmons received a penalty, other something like than a one-month suspension from FanDuel.

A FanDuel spokesperson said the company "became aware of the issue" and handled it according to its terms, which meant reporting it to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and voiding the bets.

Sportsbooks like FanDuel can also suspend or close an account at their discretion for severe or repeated violations of their terms.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said they're "aware of the comments made on the Bill Simmons Podcast" and that "staff are currently reviewing the matter" but declined to share specifics.

Simmons put himself in 'a very awkward place'

Gottlieb said proxy betting is so common that Simmons may not have realized he could be breaking the law. Simmons said on his Tuesday show that he "did not know about the proxy rules" but that he "did learn."

Not knowing isn't a bulletproof defense, though.

"The law presumes that people know the law — even if they do not," said Jeffrey Eilender, a civil litigation partner at New York-based Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP.

While FanDuel might decline to drop the hammer on Simmons, who regularly promotes the sportsbook to his audience, this incident could be a wake-up call in the fast-shifting world of sports betting.

"It puts FanDuel and Bill Simmons in a very awkward place," Gottlieb said. "He shouldn't have been doing this in the first place, and he shouldn't have announced it."

Comfortable footwear doesn't have to be bland or clunky — Vionic makes sure of it. The brand's stylish shoes are designed with this in mind, with podiatrist-approved features to ensure your feet look and feel great. If you're ready to give the brand a go, you couldn't have chosen a better time, thanks to Vionic's Labor Day sale.

Of course, our style team has put Vionic's footwear to the test, and we're happy to say they live up to the hype. Highlighted in our guides to the best ballet flats and the best loafers, we can't get enough of them. One of our top picks, the Uptown Loafer, is over $45 off for Labor Day.

Read on to find my roundup of the best Vionic Labor Deals, featuring shoes we've tested, plus popular last-chance styles from the retailer. If you're here after the sale has ended, be sure to check out my roundup of the best Vionic coupons, which I update year-round with the best promo codes to save on your cart.

The best Vionic Labor Day deals

When does Vionic's Labor Day sale end?

Vionic hasn't announced an end to its Labor Day sale, but it's safe to assume the promotion will at least last through the holiday weekend. That said, stock is limited, so if you find a style you like in your size, I recommend acting fast. I'm already seeing popular items sell out and become unavailable.

When is Labor Day?

Labor Day 2026 officially lands on September 7. Most retailers kick off their sales the week before and end them immediately after Labor Day.

Follow our Instagram page and WhatsApp channel for more deals and buying guides.

• I've been to all of Canada's provinces. Ontario is great, but there are less-visited spots I love.
• Cycle Prince Edward Island has beautiful scenery, and Vancouver Island has a lovely coastline.
• I loved seeing the Earth's mantle in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Canada is pretty massive. The country spans almost 4,700 miles from east to west, touches three oceans, and hosts six different time zones.

Fortunately, I've been able to visit all 10 of its provinces. And with so many options, I know it can seem overwhelming to choose where to explore next.

Although I enjoyed learning and experiencing what makes each province unique, a few places stand out — and they aren't in Ontario, Canada's most-touristed province.

Here are the three Canadian provinces I loved visiting, plus highlights I experienced that'll make you want to plan your own trip to each.

Explore the Earth's mantle and freshwater fjords in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Humans tread on the Earth's crust, but it's not every day that you experience the second component below it, the mantle.

However, in the Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park, parts of the Earth's mantle are exposed, and visitors get a rare chance to admire this distinct structure without any digging.

When I explored the south end of this UNESCO World Heritage site, the rust-colored terrain made me feel as if I were on Mars. I loved learning about the local carnivorous pitcher plants and feeling the texture of the rusty rocks.

There, I opted for a guided group walk along the beautiful Tablelands Trail, which is around 5 miles out and back.

After walking on the mantle, I headed north of the park to visit Western Brook Pond. This freshwater fjord was carved thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers, and it's nothing less than breathtaking.

I took a guided boat tour through the fjord and learned all about it. If you want a panoramic view of it, take the day to hike to the top of the Western Brook Pond Trail.

Take in the scenery while cycling along Prince Edward Island's numerous trails.

Prince Edward Island is famous for its potatoes, red-sand beaches, and picturesque countryside.

The red sand is due to the soil's rich iron content, which oxidizes (turns reddish) when exposed to air. During the summer, there are usually more than 20 supervised beaches on the island.

Instead of admiring the area by car or on foot, my family and I have enjoyed exploring it by bicycle. Biking allowed us to slow down, be present with where we were, and get a taste of the laid-back island lifestyle.

We chose to pedal along the Confederation Trail, which stretches from one tip of the island to another and covers about 278 miles. It helped us connect to special towns like Cardigan, where we visited Canada's smallest library.

The Confederation Trail has labeled stretches that range from easy to hard, so you can choose your own cycling adventure. If you're looking for a strenuous trail, I recommend gearing up on the Gairloch or O'Leary Mountain Bike Trail.

But if you're not confident in your cycling skills, consider taking a guided ride or renting an e-bike to help you go the distance.

British Columbia is a popular province in Canada for a reason.

British Columbia is an adventurer's playground with impressive natural beauty. It's hard to get bored with the beautiful Pacific coastline and legendary old-growth forests.

Johnstone Strait, a glacier-carved channel between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, is especially beautiful — and you might even see a humpback whale in the water if you visit at the right time.

One of my favorite experiences on the province's Vancouver Island is kayaking around the shores in the morning. I watched Steller sea lions glide through the water, and a river otter play on a nearby dock.

Once you're done with the water, venture to nearby picturesque communities like Telegraph Cove and Hanson Islands. Or perhaps find your footing and try the Haddington Beach Trail (just under 2 miles out and back) or the Salmon River Estuary Trail (under a mile out and back).

While there, I suggest learning about the area's diverse ecosystem — and there's perhaps no one else better to teach you than members of the Tlowitsis Nation, a group acknowledged as being among the first to originally live on this stretch of land.

Taking time to learn about Indigenous cultures in the area and booking experiences through Indigenous tour guides can also enrich your trip, helping you learn the history of the land you're visiting and why it's so important to protect it.

This story was originally published on July 11, 2024, and most recently updated on September 2, 2026.

• The bond market threw a tantrum this week, raising the stakes for the next batch of economic data.
• As yields surge, investors head toward an August jobs report with big implications for the rate outlook.
• But BofA says payroll data is just "the opening act" before the next Fed meeting.

The next batch of economic data will hit a bit different in light of the temper tantrum thrown by the bond market this week.

With bond yields hinting that rates might be set to rise and stay elevated, investors will be keenly focused on this Friday's August jobs report as a fresh input for what the Federal Reserve might do when it meets later this month.

According to Bank of America, though, jobs are just the appetizer ahead of the Fed meeting on September 15th and 16th.

"Payrolls are unlikely to be the deciding factor for a September hike," analysts at the bank wrote on Wednesday. "A significantly weaker report could lower hike odds, but CPI remains the key release for determining whether the Fed follows through. We hold our call for Sept hike."

The Consumer Price Index for August will be published on September 11, and it's expected to show inflation rose at 3.4%, in line with July's rate. However, there's a chance it surprises to the upside given that pressures from the US-Iran war haven't been relieved.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's own words last week at Jackson Hole should elevate the importance of CPI in investors' eyes.

"Absent a significant downside surprise in employment, we doubt Friday's report would decisively settle the Sep FOMC debate. Warsh's speech at Jackson Hole characterized labor markets as stable and consistent with full employment, while emphasizing that inflation remains above target and deserves the Fed's predominant attention."

Given that markets are on edge about interest rate hikes, BofA said to expect a higher-than-usual market reaction to a weaker jobs number that lowers odds of a hike and refocuses attention on the Fed's employment mandate. Regardless, the bank said, "markets will probably retain some uncertainty ahead of the inflation data, the Fed's current primary focus."

The stakes for the coming data prints are higher, too, in light of the signals being sent by the bond market. With yields around the world touching multiyear highs, fixed income investors say a world of higher-for-longer interest rates is likely the new normal.

As a writer who's covered both style and health for the past decade, I have high standards for the brands I invest in. I look for pieces that are comfortable and flattering, of course, but I also pay close attention to the chemicals used in their manufacturing. So when I came across the intimates and loungewear line Subset, I immediately noticed that its pieces are made from PFAS-free, certified organic cotton.

Emerging studies have suggested that a lot of synthetic fabrics contain PFAS, also commonly known as "forever chemicals," which are linked to a wide range of health harms from impaired immunity to reproductive issues. While we don't know the degree to which these chemicals can transfer from clothing, studies have shown they can be absorbed through the skin. So, as a precaution, I try to avoid them whenever possible — particularly with garments worn close to my body, like underwear.

That approach appealed to me, especially for underwear and other pieces worn close to the skin. But materials are only part of the equation: I wore and washed five of Subset's bestsellers for weeks to find out whether they were comfortable enough to sleep in, versatile enough for everyday outfits, and durable enough to justify the investment.

What's the difference between Subset's bras?

Subset's main bra styles are the Triangle Soft Bra and the Keyhole Soft Bra.

Both styles feel more like a bralette in that they're soft and stretchy with no underwire or padding — but at the same time, they have more structure and are more customizable than the typical pullover bralette. The double-lined and darted cotton cups, thick band with three rows of hook-and-eye closures, and adjustable straps lend a surprising amount of support.

The main difference is that the keyhole bra has a more scooped neckline, whereas the triangle bra has a more V-neck shape. The keyhole style also offers slightly more coverage at the very top of the cups.

Triangle Soft Bra review

Triangle bras haven't historically been the best fit for me — the skimpy angled cups simply don't cut it for my fuller bust. But this one surprised me: Thanks in part to the higher center, I didn't find myself spilling out of it. My DD-cup bust got significantly more support than most bralettes, but without any pesky wires digging in. Plus, it works great under lower-cut tops.

The seams in the center of the cups also provide some much-appreciated lift and shape — although the downside is that they are visible under skintight or super thin tees and tanks. Of the two bralettes I tested, this one wins for visible lift and separation.

Keyhole Soft Bra review

I wasn't sure what to make of this bra, but it's actually become a favorite in my rotation for lounging and everyday wear. The cups sit higher, making it less versatile than the triangle bra — that said, the broader scoop shape also offers a little more coverage and makes me feel a little more secure.

Overall, this bra has a slightly sportier look, but the keyhole does lend some fun visual flair. It's more likely to peek out from under low-cut tops, so I've been wearing this one under casual scoop-neck dresses and crew-neck tees.

High-Rise Brief review

A high-rise brief is not usually my first pick when it comes to underwear, only because it's slightly limiting from a style standpoint: I can't wear it under any of my mid-rise skirts or low-slung jeans. That said, this is Subset's top seller, so I had to see what all the hype was about.

Subset claims these are not your grandma's panties, and I have to say this rings pretty true. Because the leg holes are cut higher and the rear is a bit cheekier, these offer the modesty of a traditional brief with a slightly more flirty and feminine appeal. The cheeky backside seems to be polarizing with reviewers — it could be considered a pro or a con, depending on your personal preferences for coverage.

Mid-Rise Thong review

I consider thongs to be a necessary evil: I don't particularly love having fabric ride up my backside all day long, but they certainly come in handy when I'm wearing a bodycon dress or pencil skirt. This one isn't seamless, and the waistband is slightly thicker, so it doesn't disappear under every outfit — but it's also surprisingly comfy for a thong. It also doesn't bunch up or roll down over the course of the day.

I've been reaching for Subset's thong when I'm wearing thicker form-fitting bottoms, like skinny jeans or on sweltering days when I want to keep things breezy with minimal coverage.

Mid-Rise Bikini review

My holy grail underwear strikes a balance between cute and comfy — something surprisingly hard to achieve. The Subset bikini fits the bill. It provides ample coverage without looking too conservative, and the high-cut openings make my legs look longer.

It's not the best option for avoiding VPL, yet of all the Subset styles I tested, this is the one I found myself wearing the most — whether hanging around the house, sleeping, or heading out for the day in flowier dresses and relaxed-fit jeans.

FAQs

Do Subset bras run true to size?

In my experience, the bras do run true to size. If you're between sizes, Subset recommends sizing up — and if you have a larger cup-to-band ratio, consider the "plus" bra sizes.

What do Subset's "plus" bra sizes mean?

In addition to the standard XS to 2XL sizing, Subset also offers its bra styles in "plus" size options (S+ to 3XL+) with additional cup room.

This can come in handy for people like me, who have a larger cup size than their band size. For example, a regular M bra only fits a B-C cup, whereas a M+ bra fits cup sizes D-E. The best way to figure out whether you need a roomier cup is to compare your measurements against Subset's size guide.

Does Subset underwear shrink or show panty lines?

It's an unavoidable reality that anything made with 100% cotton will usually shrink a little when exposed to heat in the washing machine and dryer. That's probably why Subset strongly advises washing these pieces on the cold water setting, and hanging or laying flat to dry.

By following these instructions, I didn't notice much shrinkage.

How do Subset pieces hold up with washing?

My biggest pet peeve with clothing is pilling, without a doubt — so I was pleased to find this wasn't an issue with Subset's fabric. It also retained its shape and softness and resisted fading throughout my testing, even after multiple washes.

One thing I did notice — as someone with two cats — is that hair (and lint) does seem to cling to Subset's organic cotton quite a bit. But I opted for black, and I'd imagine this is way less visible with lighter colors.

As a parent to a toddler, I've been steadily revamping my wardrobe with comfortable outfits that still feel chic. When my body changed postpartum, so did the fit of my clothes — but I've finally found jeans that helped me embrace my shape.

To my surprise, Spanx denim has been the answer. It uses the brand's namesake compression technology to create a stretchy, sculpting fit that moves with me, but doesn't feel restrictive or look like jeggings.

I now own six pairs of Spanx jeans. And spoiler: the SPANXsupersmooth Authentic 360 Lightweight Super Wide Leg Jeans ($148) and SPANXshape Authentic 360 Wide Leg Jeans $158 have come out on top (for different reasons). I honestly wouldn't want to be without either pair depending on the occasion, but lately, it's the Lightweight Super Wide Leg pair I reach for the most — especially as a busy mom.

Before I continue, let me just say this: all bodies are beautiful, and no one needs to shrink themselves or look "snatched" by any means. If you're in the market for compression denim, however, here's everything you need to know about Spanx jeans.

Comparing the 3 types of Spanx denim

ReDefine: As the most rigid of the three, this denim type is meant to sculpt the tummy, thighs, and bum for a smoother, more lifted appearance. The jeans come with functional pockets, zippers, and buttons, so despite their technical fabric, they still look like jeans. Size options range from 0 to 26, with petite and tall options.

Authentic 360: This style features a four-way stretch with medium compression and a panel that shapes the belly, waist, and backside. "They provide a more classic denim experience in a more structured premium fabric that smooths," says Pascale Gueracague, the Chief Design Officer at Spanx. This collection has sizes ranging from XS to 3X with petite and tall options.

• Authentic 360 Lightweight: This new take on the Authentic 360 design uses an ultra-lightweight fabric with a lot more stretch and a barely-there, second skin feel. I wear these during the hottest times of year, as they're much more breezy and breathable than the regular Authentic 360 jeans.

EveryWear: This is the most relaxed, stretchy denim of the three. "The newly upgraded EveryWear jeans are a pull-on style with 'TummyTamer Tech,' faux hardware, and a smooth waistband," says Gueracague. While the back pockets are functioning, they're missing front pockets and a fly zipper. Its sizes range from XS to 3X, with petite and tall options.

The Authentic 360 collection is my top choice

My most-worn pairs come from the Authentic 360 collection. Both feature a wide leg silhouette, which I personally love for a laidback energy that can be effortlessly elevated. While the SPANXsupersmooth Lightweight Super Wide Leg Jeans (pictured left) feel relaxed and breezy for everyday comfort — especially when it's warm out — the SPANXshape Wide Leg Jeans (pictured right) are my go-to when I really want to feel super supported and snatched with a much tighter waist.

The SPANXsupersmooth Authentic 360 Lightweight Super Wide Leg Jeans

This style runs a bit big. I currently wear a size 6 in jeans and stand 5 feet tall. I got my tried-and-true Medium Petite, though I could have fit into a Small for some added compression. That said, a loose, relaxed fit feels more comfortable in the heat, so I didn't mind the size choice.

I was earlier in my postpartum journey when I began wearing Spanx jeans, and at the time the most compressive pairs felt too tight. I did not have that issue at all with these Super Wide Leg jeans, and could wear them comfortably on a long flight. Their waistband is a little more stretchy, eliminating any unwanted waist gap and creating an extra bit of cinch.

The compression isn't that noticeable, but my tummy feels smooth and supported. Although the compression level is incredibly light (especially compared to the ReDefine pair I tested), the tummy panel still makes my belly feeling gently smoothed and softly supported. And while I may have compared this pair to butter-soft pajamas (I'm kidding… kind of), they still have structure that feels like a major step up from faux denim jeggings. Also, it's worth noting that when washed and dried, the jeans' light support hold up and feel virtually the same as when they arrived, too.

These jeans feel as close to pajamas as possible (in a good way). Wearing jeans makes me feel put together. This pair keeps up on long days with my toddler as we run around, play outside, sit crosslegged on the floor, or stay put for hours during nap time. The compression is nearly undetectable, and they slide on with ease. The Super Wide Leg style in particular is totally my vibe, giving me that breeziness I love — especially in unpredictable late summer, early fall forecasts.

The SPANXshape Authentic 360 Wide Leg Jeans

They snatch my waist and smooth my belly. I'm not going to lie: it was difficult to zip them up because they are pretty compressive in the belly area, and the fabric is somewhat thick and stiff. But these factors worked to flatten my lower belly and cinch my waist.

Honestly? I feel really, really good about how my body looks in the Spanx Authentic 360 Wide Leg Jeans, especially considering I was newly postpartum. The amount of shimmying it took to get into this pair made me doubt myself, but as soon as I turned around and saw my reflection, I had an instant boost of confidence.

They look and feel like expensive jeans. I'm usually skeptical of jeans that come in alpha sizing (XS-3X) — they tend to lack the quality and precise fit of jeans that come in numeric sizing. But Spanx as a whole has surprised me with just how high-end the jeans look and feel, all while remaining size-inclusive. You get functioning pockets all around, real hardware buttons and zippers, and a clean, chic finish that is unmistakably denim. They even come in a trendy barrel-leg design.

I also love that these wide-leg jeans are made without any branding or stitching on the back pockets — because even though I'm obsessed with its jeans, I don't necessarily want the world to know that I'm wearing Spanx.

They don't feel great to sit in for long. With so much compression in the belly area, they may be uncomfortable if you're going on a long car ride or you're in a deep squat. You can always size up to make them more comfortable, but you may lose some of the shaping benefits in the process.

The SPANXshape Authentic 360 90s Straight Leg Jeans

This pair was another strong showing from the Authentic 360 collection. The 90s Straight Leg cut was a win, and while the compression did feel similar to the black wide-leg pair, for some reason, they felt slightly easier to button up. I suspect there could be a slight discrepancy between the different washes.

While I did cuff them, the petite inseam length was the perfect length for my shorter frame. I found them easier to put on and supportive while walking around, but they weren't very comfortable when I was seated for long periods of time.

My tummy looks quite flat in these, but then again, so does my bum. I wish the fabric were a bit thinner in the seat area, or maybe even that they had a different panel just below the booty for an added lift. The compression level ultimately stifled the natural curves of my body.

I can be picky about the color of my blue jeans, but the Elysian wash is the perfect mid-tone hue. It's not too dark and not too light, with a color that looks dimensional and not just a single wash of blue — ultimately, making the jeans look more expensive and high-quality.

The SPANXshape EveryWear Wide Leg Jeans

In comparison to the Authentic 360 jeans, the EveryWear fabric feels a lot smoother, a bit thinner (yet still feels well-made and like real denim), and much, much stretchier. These are made for casual days: I could sit in them for hours without getting those painful red indentations on my skin.

They're not as sculpting as the other pairs. I felt my lower belly looked slightly smoothed and flattened, but I didn't get the same waist-snatching effect. The EveryWear jeans definitely put comfort at the forefront.

I had to jump to get them on— but as soon as they were, they fit like a glove. No, seriously. It took some real effort to get these jeans over my bum, but I was justly rewarded. They never felt too snug or tight in any area, so they allowed my curves some room. Namely, my booty looked a little less flattened than it did in Authentic 360 jeans.

I wish they had real pockets and zippers. I understand how removing pockets and limiting layers of fabric makes for a smoother appearance, but as a new mom, I could always use extra pocket space.

That said, these jeans are the most comfortable of the bunch, with ultra-soft fabric that feels like a second skin. The fabric has an incredible amount of stretch, so I could actually breathe in them all day. I'm not usually a fan of pull-on jeans — in most cases, I'd rather just wear leggings — but I could make an exception for this pair. And honestly, you can't really tell that the front is an illusion, because there is a real fly button and raised seams that look legit.

The SPANXsculpt ReDefine Slim Straight Jeans

They have the strongest level of compression out of all three Spanx denim fabrics. The ReDefine collection is the newest denim release from Spanx, and the jeans feature real hardware and pockets — which is a major bonus for my taste. I also like that the lack of excess material around the legs means I can tuck them into knee-high boots.

This sculpting denim takes it up a notch with "strong compression," while the Authentic 360 and EveryWear denim are only medium compression. There's definitely some stretch to these jeans, but they do feel pretty tight and rigid by comparison — especially around the belly and bum. Ultimately, they weren't very comfortable to sit in.

More than the other styles, I found that the ReDefine range runs small. My postpartum size ranged between a 10 or 12. I tried this pair in a 12, and really struggled to put them on. I could have gone up a full size, or even two. My biggest piece of advice with the ReDefine line is to know your measurements, and when in doubt, go with the bigger size.

That said, this fabrication seems to have the best of both worlds. It looks and feels like real denim, bearing similar traits to my preferred Authentic 360 jeans (albeit much more compressive and tight around the belly). They do have a bit more stretch thanks to the Lycra, which is most akin to the EveryWear styles. Overall, if I had sized up, these could've been my favorite fit of them all. But in reality, the strong compression feels a bit too intense for my day-to-day.

The SPANXshape Authentic 360 Cropped Wide Leg Jeans

This was my least favorite pair I tried. I first thought the ankle length would set them apart in a good way, but they just didn't look right on my frame. They're fabricated with Spanx Authentic 360 denim, which is a blend of cotton, polyester, and just 1% elastane, meaning they're not very stretchy.

I disliked the cropped cut and patch pockets. This is, of course, a personal preference, but I do feel like the shorter cut "shrinks" me — and I'm already five feet flat. I prefer the full-length Wide Leg and 90s Straight styles instead because they make my legs look longer. My issue with the pockets is more personal — I feel like they draw the eye to my lower belly, and I'm more conscious of that area postpartum.

The denim is highly compressive, so it's best for active days. It definitely feels a bit tight, especially around my belly. This tightness isn't necessarily uncomfortable, but I feel it if I'm sitting down for too long. I didn't mind it when I was walking around and taking care of my baby on the go — in fact, I appreciated the support in those moments.

FAQs on Spanx jeans

Are Spanx jeans worth it?

There are very few denim brands I actually like on my petite, curvy figure, but Spanx happens to be one of them. They're more expensive than the cult-favorite Abercrombie jeans (about $90 per pair), yet cost less than the equally adored, yet higher-end, Mother Denim (about $258 per pair).

As our editors found with its Perfect Black Work Pants, Spanx clothing is consistently high quality, and you don't have to wear any shapewear undergarments with them. Plus, the clean branding allows you to wear them in casual settings or at the office.

They do, however, take special care to maintain. I let each pair of jeans I tested air dry (as suggested in the care instructions) so I didn't have to worry about them shrinking. They kept their compression qualities even after I washed them a handful of times, and since they proved their durability, I can tell that they'll be a staple in my wardrobe for a long time (as long as I keep taking good care of them).

Do Spanx jeans run small?

The ReDefine jeans definitely run small, so I suggest measuring yourself and rounding up a size if you're unsure.

The Super Wide Leg pair I tested felt a bit large, so if you want more fitted waist then you should size down.

The rest are pretty true to size, though the compression creates a tighter feel, so you may want to size up anyway. I'm only five feet tall, and the petite 30-inch inseam worked best for me. The inseam lengths can vary by style, so check the size guide before you place your order. For more jeans you can shop by inseam length, check out our Madewell jeans review.

Cons to consider

Spanx jeans are a little high maintenance. You can't just throw them in the regular laundry pile, because the dryer will wreck their elasticity. "We recommend turning denim inside out, machine washing cold on a gentle cycle, and laying flat or hanging to dry" explains Gueracague. "High heat can break down stretch fibers, so it's best to avoid the dryer whenever possible, and there's no need for steaming, ironing, or dry cleaning."

I also found that some pairs — like the intense compression in the ReDefine and Authentic 360 jeans — felt a bit too tight around the waistband in some situations (for sit-down brunches and car rides, I had to unbutton the top to allow myself some breathing room).

The EveryWear denim is much more comfortable when sitting down, but the pull-on style and faux pockets could be a turn-off for some.

The bottom line

All in all, I'm pretty impressed with Spanx's shaping denim. The most comfortable pair I tried is the SPANXsupersmooth Lightweight Super Wide Leg Jeans. But if I want that instantly sculpted hourglass effect, I'll definitely be reaching for my Authentic 360 Wide Leg Jeans, which are still pretty comfortable in spite of their compression.

Spanx jeans are a moderate splurge at $138-$168 a pair, and the sizing can be tricky. They also require more special care than cotton denim. That said, they truly are high-quality jeans that'll create silhouettes you didn't know you had in you.

• Global bond yields spiked this week.
• The moves are tied to a web of concerns over inflation, wars, and fiscal outlooks.
• From your mortgage to your investment portfolio, here's what higher yields means for your money.

With America's debt mounting and oil prices on the rise again, the bond market has been gripped by a sell-off this week.

Market jitters were first triggered last week, following Scott Bessent's plan to have the Treasury as much as double its long-dated bond purchases. The move briefly quelled yields, but they rose again as investors feared the government wasn't tackling the big fiscal issues that have been driving yields higher all year.

In the days that followed, a flare-up of US-Iran tension has driven oil back within striking distance of $100 per barrel, throwing fuel on inflation fears and recalibrating rate outlooks.

The 10-year Treasury yield on Wednesday was about 4.8%, the highest since 2023.

From consumer prices to personal finance, here's how the big bond market sell-off could impact your wallet.

What it means for your investment account

Higher bond yields can present a problem for stocks for a couple of reasons. For one, they offer a compelling alternative to equities. The thinking is, why risk the stock market when you can get a nearly risk-free rate of 5% socking your money into Treasurys.

The other reason has to do with higher borrowing costs and credit risk for companies. A higher cost of debt eats into earnings. For companies with shakier balance sheets, rising borrowing costs could threaten the overall health of the company.

All of this means one thing: potentially weaker stock returns. The stock market has already shed some of its summer gains as government bonds have convulsed this week, but more volatility could be coming. 5% has been the threshold to watch for the 10-year to know if more pain might be coming for stocks.

For stock investors looking to hedge rising yields, BlackRock's top US strategist this week told Business Insider to focus on dividend-paying stocks and quality stocks, defined as shares of companies with stable earnings growth, high free cash flow, strong balance sheets, and strong competitive advantage.

Consumers could see higher mortgage rates and a tougher job market

It's not just investors who need to know what's going on in the bond market. Higher yields have implications for Main Street, too.

The bond market is signaling that it sees higher rates on the horizon for a variety of reasons. For consumers, that's important because it suggests that the Federal Reserve likely won't cut interest rates soon. Chair Kevin Warsh has held rates steady this summer, though they remain historically elevated. Some economists — and Fed governors — expect at least one hike this year. Some banks see as many as three hikes through early 2027.

Warsh said in his Jackson Hole keynote address last week that his top priority is taming inflation.

According to Marcus Sturdivant Sr., managing member at advisory firm, The ABC Squared, bond market volatility will impact anyone with adjustable rate payments, most likely those dealing with mortgage or auto loans.

"The cost of borrowing for Main Street and the requirements to obtain capital will tighten or restrict," he told Business Insider.

Treasury yields influence a variety of consumer loan products, and their rise could lead to more expensive mortgage rates, auto loans, credit card rates, and personal loans.

However, a silver lining may be higher rates paid on savings accounts.

The already-sluggish real estate market in many areas could be poised for a sharper slowdown. Higher mortgage rates mean higher monthly payments. The 30-year mortgage rate edged toward 6.8% this week, pumping up borrowing costs while home prices remain elevated. Higher mortgage rates could also exacerbate the "lock-in effect," with current owners opting to stay put rather than move and buy a new home at higher rates than their current mortgage.

Business leaders, meanwhile, might find themselves pinching pennies. The ripple effects of a bond sell-off and high interest rates will mean that it costs more to borrow money, leaving companies with less money to hire workers and offer raises. Job seekers could see a slowdown in an already brutal market.

Not every new skill needs a semester-long course or a packed calendar. Skillshare is built for learning in smaller, more flexible doses, with thousands of self-paced classes covering creative and professional topics like graphic design, photography, writing, animation, marketing, business, and productivity. If you're considering a membership, a Skillshare promo code can make getting started a little more affordable.

Classes are designed around practical, project-based learning, with instructors ranging from working creatives to industry professionals. That makes Skillshare especially useful for people who want to learn by doing, whether you're experimenting with a new hobby, building a portfolio, or sharpening skills you already use at work.

New members may be eligible for a Skillshare free trial, but continued access requires a paid subscription. The platform also runs limited-time discounts on annual memberships, so we've rounded up the latest Skillshare promo codes, coupons, and deals below to help you save before signing up.

Today's best Skillshare coupon codes

Previous Skillshare coupon codes

Are there any other Skillshare sales running at the moment?

As of the time of writing, Skillshare is not offering any ongoing sales, so your best bet is to take advantage of one of its available coupons or promo codes.

How to use Skillshare promo codes

Start by using one of the sign-up options on the homepage. Once you're on the payment page, you can apply a coupon by pasting a promo code into the text box under "Gift card or discount code" and clicking "Apply." From there, continue the checkout process by entering your billing information and submitting your payment.

Can you stack Skillshare discount codes?

Skillshare does not allow coupon codes to be stacked together. Only one promo code may be applied per purchase.

Skillshare coupon code frequently asked questions

Does Skillshare offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

As of this writing, Skillshare does not offer special discounts for students, teachers, or military members, so taking advantage of its other coupons and promotions is still the best way to save.

If you're a student or teacher, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and the best teacher discounts for more opportunities to save from your favorite brands.

Does Skillshare offer a free trial?

All Skillshare memberships start with a weeklong free trial, so you'll have a chance to try out the platform before committing to payment. Just remember that your payment method will be automatically charged after your trial ends.

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Right now, Skillshare's trending courses include "Notion Masterclass: Maximize Your Productivity & Organization," "Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners," "Find Your Style: Five Exercises to Unlock Your Creative Identity," and more. You can browse through more popular topics on Skillshare's website.

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Skillshare accepts teachers who are working professionals, experts, or subject matter enthusiasts. If you're interested, you can apply to become a teacher on Skillshare's website.

How do Skillshare courses work?

Skillshare courses are designed to be focused and digestible, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Courses typically include a series of short, pre-recorded videos, hands-on projects, and discussion boards for interacting with other students. Learn more about how courses work on Skillshare's website.

Does Skillshare offer free courses?

While all Skillshare memberships start with a free trial, the platform does not offer free courses or a free membership. Using one of the available Skillshare coupons is the best way to lower the membership cost.

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• Some Amazon customers are upset about a tweak to the company's order confirmation emails.
• The e-commerce giant no longer says exactly which products customers ordered in its emails.
• Amazon cited privacy and a drive to reduce "customer information shared outside the Amazon app."

Amazon customers are taking aim at the e-commerce giant over its email etiquette.

Earlier this summer, some Amazon customers started seeing generic descriptions instead of exact ones in receipts and other order-related emails. An engine air filter for a car, for example, might now appear in the emails as an "automotive item" and require the reader to check Amazon's website or app for more details about the order.

It's a change that has drawn ire from some Amazon shoppers. Amazon made a similar change to its emails in 2020, but eventually rolled it back.

One Reddit post, for instance, has attracted 450 comments over the last two months, including many from Amazon users who take issue with the new system.

"I just noticed this today and I HATE IT," one commenter wrote. "I order things both for work and home, on two different cards. Now I have to click through to see which is which when things ship? Lame."

Other posters pointed to reasons that the change mattered to them, from managing businesses to budgeting apps that pulled the product information from Amazon's emails.

Amazon made the change for privacy reasons, the company told Business Insider. It's also designed to "direct customers to our app and website for the latest information on their orders," a spokesperson said.

The change "reduces customer information shared outside the Amazon app and website to further improve customer privacy," the spokesperson said.

Some customers have pointed to other possible reasons for the change.

Information about what customers buy online has long been a treasure trove for advertisers. It's also become useful for training AI. Last month, for instance, Google agreed to pay $10 million for anonymized employee data, such as work emails and messages, from Spirit Airlines — information that could be valuable to the search giant, experts told Business Insider.

"I'm wondering if this is because they don't want AI tools to be able to easily scrape sales data?" wrote one Reddit user on a post about Amazon's change that attracted 162 comments.

The Amazon spokesperson said the change was intended to "help protect customer information" when asked whether the company was trying to limit what third parties could scrape from its emails.

One poster on a Github forum posted a message from an Amazon customer service representative, who said that the change was meant "to minimize the risk of package theft by not disclosing the specific contents of your shipment in publicly visible communications."

The posted message, which Business Insider verified, also said that the less-informative emails "maintain confidentiality for gifts, surprises, or personal items you may not want others in your household to see."

An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the contents of the message.

Do you have a story idea about Amazon's email changes? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

September is finally here, and it marks the start of the fall sports season and the return of several broadcast TV favorites. The past couple of weeks have also brought a slew of streaming service price hikes, pushing monthly entertainment budgets to the limit.

We always say that one of the best ways to save on streaming services is to unsubscribe from the platforms you're not using. One of the joys of streaming is that most plans are month-to-month, and you're rarely locked into a long-term contract like cable. If you don't think you'll use a service much this month, it's worth unsubscribing, since you can always subscribe again next month.

But what streaming service should you hang onto (or sign back up for) this month, and what can you probably ditch at least until October? We've rounded up our two main recommendations below. If you're looking to save even more on streaming, check out our guide to this month's best streaming deals.

Get This: ESPN Unlimited

Fall sports kick off this month, with an emphasis on football at both the collegiate and professional levels. ESPN and its family of networks (ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN on ABC, the SEC Network, and more) make up a lot of that coverage. The NFL's Monday Night Football coverage belongs to ESPN and ABC, and loads of college football games air on ESPN networks. Additionally, several college games that aren't nationally broadcast are available as ESPN+ exclusives. All of this is available under the ESPN Unlimited umbrella for $32 a month.

ESPN Unlimited is also the comprehensive streaming home for all things US Open, which runs throughout the first half of September. Even if you have access to ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2 via cable or a live TV service, you'll still need access to the ESPN streaming service if you want to watch every single match of the Grand Slam tournament.

While broadcast shows start to return this month, the bulk of the fan-favorite scripted ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC TV series don't have their fall premieres until next month, since seasons are so much shorter than they used to be. Unless you're a huge fan of "Survivor" or FOX's medical dramas, we think you might be able to hold off on a pricier live TV streaming service and get away with just ESPN Unlimited this month.

Cut That: HBO Max

HBO Max is a great platform (we still think it's one of the best streaming services), but most people can probably go without it this month. The biggest things landing on the service in September are new episodes of "Lanterns," the premiere of Sharon Horgan's new comedy "Youth," and the streaming debut of the horror flick "Backrooms." The latter two won't turn up until September 20 and 25, respectively, so there's no harm in waiting until October to tune in.

HBO Max has also become known for its live sports offerings (at least in the Standard and Premium tiers), but this month's line-up is pretty tame. If you're interested in streaming the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and don't have access to TNT Sports on your TV, then HBO Max will be worth it. Otherwise, there aren't many other interesting sporting events on HBO Max in September.

The YouTube TV deal has been extended, just in time for the fall sports season. The current offer is the best deal we've seen on a live TV service so far this year, and new customers have a little extra time to cash in on the limited-time sale.

• Explore the YouTube TV deals

YouTube TV's current deal knocks the price of its Main plan from $83 a month down to just $68 a month for the first five months of service. This is $15 a month off, or 18% off, for first-time customers. There are also deals on YouTube TV's Sports plan, along with other packages, which we'll dig into below.

YouTube TV is one of the top services in the live TV streaming game, and this offer ranks among some of the best streaming deals we've seen this year. Keep reading to learn more about the platform and offer, including the deal end date, available channels, free trial information, and other details.

FAQ

When does the YouTube TV deal end?

The YouTube TV Main plan deal ends on November 26, 2026. The offer originally kicked off on January 1, 2026.

How do you sign up for the YouTube TV deal?

It's easy to sign up for the YouTube TV deal. For the main plan, just make sure to click through one of our YouTube TV links to ensure you're accessing the full five-month offer (navigating to the YouTube TV sign-up page through other means, like Google, will only show you a three-month offer).

Once you click through, you can check the plans and channels that are available to you in your ZIP code. You can start the sign-up process by clicking the big blue "Try It Free" button, which will prompt you to choose a Google account to sign in with.

Does YouTube TV have a free trial?

YouTube TV offers a free trial for new users, so you can try out the service for multiple days before you're charged for your first month, giving you time to decide whether it's a good fit. YouTube TV's free trial varies in length, so you should check to see what's available to you when you go to sign up. We've seen trials ranging from five to 21 days.

Are there other YouTube TV plans and deals?

YouTube TV also offers genre-specific packages tailored to sports, news, and entertainment. The Sports plan comes with 30+ channels and costs $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first six months of service for a limited time. The Sports deal concludes on September 30, 2026, so it has a slightly shorter timeframe than the Main plan offer.

What channels are available on YouTube TV?

As we mentioned above, pretty much every channel you'd find in a standard cable package is available through a YouTube TV subscription. That includes robust local channel coverage (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) and cable networks.

In YouTube TV's Main plan, some of the most notable channels available include AMC, Bravo, CNN, Disney Channel, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Fox News, FX, MTV, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, and USA. In the Sports plan, some of the top channels include ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, ION, SEC Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, and T2.

Does YouTube TV have any notable features?

YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR, multiview, and the ability to create up to six household accounts and stream on up to three devices at a time. For additional monthly fees, you can sign up for one of the platform's add-ons.

Are there other live TV streaming services?

YouTube TV is just one of several live TV streaming services on the market. Other popular month-to-month options include DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Philo. Each streaming service offers something different in terms of channel availability and pricing. You can learn more about some of these other options in our heavily tested guide to the best live TV streaming services.

You can learn more directly through YouTube TV's website.

• Teri Williams' great-grandmother was a business woman in the segregated south.
• Williams and her husband have run a bank for 30 years, while raising two children.
• She says building financial literacy can be challenging, even in her family.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Teri Williams, president and chief operating officer of OneUnited Bank. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up in Indiantown, Florida, I used to follow my great-grandmother around, whom I called Ma Honey. Ma Honey owned a penny candy store, a barbecue place, and a juke joint, where I learned how to play pool. She also owned rental properties, and I'd go with her to collect the rents.

Ma Honey's businesses shielded her family from the dangers of a segregated southern town. Her money also gave our family opportunities: she paid for my grandparents to move so that my father could attend high school, since there wasn't a Black high school in their town. She also built houses, one of which my parents and I still lived in when I was growing up.

But they say wealth lasts for three generations, and I was the fourth. By the time I went to college at Brown University, I was on a scholarship, and I felt embarrassed about Ma Honey and my small-town Southern roots.

I started running a bank while raising kids

I didn't think about Ma Honey as a businesswoman until I was in my 50s. But looking back, I can see that her spirit shaped my success. I went to Brown, then Harvard Business School, before working for major national banks.

In the mid-90s, my husband Kevin and I consolidated four banks in Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami to form OneUnited Bank. The banks we consolidated were serving the Black community, and that's what we've done since.

Kevin and I were growing the bank — he as chairman and CEO, me as president and chief operating officer — while we were raising our kids, who are now 30 and 32.

I taught my kids to prioritize savings

I'm curious if my kids thought about us as bankers or just accepted the environment they were raised in without questioning too much, as I did with Ma Honey.

The lifestyle of bankers isn't what people might think. In our house, being bankers meant prioritizing savings. One of the most important things we've taught our kids is to save, save, save.

I explain it like this: savings allows you to take risks. And to succeed, you need to take those risks — even more mainstream ones, like owning a home. The higher the risk, the higher the reward, and having a healthy savings account gives you a cushion for when mistakes and pitfalls inevitably happen.

Financial literacy is hard, even in my family

Building financial literacy was also very important — not just for my kids, but for the wider Black community. I wrote a children's book that addressed some of the issues in the Black community, such as check cashers and payday loans. At OneUnited, we've integrated these terms into our financial literacy programs in schools.

All the financial terms can still be overwhelming. One of my children called me when she was a young adult. She was confused about the balance on her credit card. In talking, I realized that she thought her balance was what she had available. I had to tell her it was what she owed.

I almost fell off my chair, thinking, "Where did I go wrong?" Then I reminded myself that financial terms can be complicated. There's no embarrassment or shame in not understanding terms that aren't easy to comprehend at first glance.

My kids use money differently from me

I tried to remember that as my children transitioned into adulthood. We had talked with them about money a lot. And yet, when you're suddenly dealing with your own paycheck, taxes, bills, and credit cards — well, that's a road that's different once you're actually traveling it.

My kids handle money differently from the way I did. I invested mostly in mutual funds, whereas they often chose individual stocks. They invested in crypto, which I wouldn't do. It's natural for financial decisions to change over time, so this doesn't worry me too much.

I hope this next generation thinks bigger. Ma Honey was able to serve her town, and through OneUnited, my husband and I now serve all 50 states. I hope my children, or my children's children, might be able to serve the world.

• US Census Bureau data shows the number of business applications filed in 2025 by county.
• Overall, the US saw an 8% increase in 2025, possibly fueled by layoffs and the AI boom.
• Most were in places with big cities, though a small county in Wyoming made the top 20.

Los Angeles County and Sheridan County, Wyoming, don't share many similarities, except for one main area: a high volume of business applications.

That's one of several findings from the US Census Bureau's most recent business application data release in June. The data track applications for Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Business Insider sorted the data by which US counties saw the most EIN applications and calculated the percent change compared to 2024 data, while also cross-referencing with the agency's 2025 county population dataset to determine the rate of applications per 1,000 residents. These applications did not necessarily result in a business being formed.

Overall, the US saw a roughly 8% increase in business applications in 2025, rising to 5.6 million from 5.2 million in 2024. That could be loosely tied to an economic shift during President Donald Trump's first year of his non-consecutive second term, including a weaker labor market that may have pushed some laid-off or out-of-work Americans toward entrepreneurship.

The boom in artificial intelligence, too, has torn down some obstacles that previously barred entrepreneurs from starting and running a business, ushering in an AI startup golden age.

While most of the top counties include large metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Miami, a small county called Sheridan in the US' least-populated state, Wyoming, ranked 16th, with 47,787 business applications in 2025; its population is just 33,241 residents. That's more than half of the state's 79,024 applications overall.

George Mocsary, a professor and corporate and small-business law expert at the University of Wyoming, told Business Insider that Wyoming is attractive to entrepreneurs because it has an industry built around simple, low-cost business formation services, particularly for small LLCs, including registered agents that provide designated addresses for receiving official notices.

When applying for an EIN, he said businesses can use an address associated with their registered agent, in this case, Sheridan, making it appear as though tens of thousands of businesses are opening in the small Wyoming county when they may actually operate elsewhere.

"You've got an entire industry in the state, and in Sheridan in particular, that's set up to let you [start a company]," Moscary said.

Here are the 25 US counties with the most business applications in 2025.

25. Philadelphia County, PA

Business applications in 2025: 31,924

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.0% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,574,281 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 20.3

24. Queens County, NY

Business applications in 2025: 34,304

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 3.1% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,358,182 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 14.5

23. Sacramento County, CA

Business applications in 2025: 35,789

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 14.6% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,618,460 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.1

22. Pinellas County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 38,333

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 10.8% increase

Population as of 2025: 948,563

Applications per 1,000 residents: 40.4

21. Wayne County, MI

Business applications in 2025: 39,517

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 10.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,769,038

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.3

20. Tarrant County, TX

Business applications in 2025: 39,814

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 13.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,248,466 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 17.7

19. Hillsborough County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 43,619

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.7% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,574,115 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 27.7

18. San Diego County, CA

Business applications in 2025: 45,546

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 3,282,248 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 13.9

17. King County, WA

Business applications in 2025: 46,989

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 25.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,344,939 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 20.0

16. Sheridan County, WY

Business applications in 2025: 47,787

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 25.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 33,241 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 1,438

15. Palm Beach County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 48,510

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 1% decrease

Population as of 2025: 1,575,726 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 30.8

14. Kings County, NY

Business applications in 2025: 48,687

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 0.3% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,653,963 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 18.3

13. Travis County, TX

Business applications in 2025: 48,974

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 15.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,389,670

Applications per 1,000 residents: 35.2

12. Orange County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 49,392

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 2.4% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,528,002

Applications per 1,000 residents: 32.3

11. Fulton County, GA

Business applications in 2025: 49,873

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,098,791 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 45.4

10. Orange County, CA

Business applications in 2025: 49,945

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.6% increase

Population as of 2025: 3,149,507 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 15.9

9. Clark County, NV

Business applications in 2025: 51,725

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 7.7% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,407,226 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 21.5

8. New York County, NY

Business applications in 2025: 54,695

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,664,862 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 32.9

7. Dallas County, TX

Business applications in 2025: 61,000

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,661,397 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.9

6. Broward County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 72,422

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 1.4% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,013,317 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 36.0

5. Maricopa County, AZ

Business applications in 2025: 98,384

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 14.5% increase

Population as of 2025: 4,689,558 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 21.0

4. Cook County, IL

Business applications in 2025: 99,217

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 5,194,625 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 19.1

3. Harris County, TX

Business applications in 2025: 99,688

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.5% increase

Population as of 2025: 5,045,026 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 19.8

2. Miami-Dade County, FL

Business applications in 2025: 135,758

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 2% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,802,029

Applications per 1,000 residents: 48.4

1. Los Angeles County, CA

Business applications in 2025: 172,540

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 4.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 9,694,934 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 17.8

• My husband and I love the life we built in Colorado, but we're far from my parents and his.
• We've managed the distance with trips and calls, but I'm worried about it as we grow our family.
• I don't want to move, but I worry about having our future kids grow up without grandparents nearby.

For years, moving to Colorado felt like the easiest decision in the world.

My husband and I both came here on our own, drawn by the mountains, the outdoor lifestyle, and the possibility of building a life somewhere that felt more like us.

I moved to Colorado 10 years ago; he followed five years ago. We met here, fell in love here, and eventually built the kind of life we'd once imagined from afar.

Now we're starting a family, and for the first time, I'm wondering if we've built our dream life too far away from the people who raised us.

Our families are rooted somewhere else

My parents live in the Chicago suburbs, where both sides of my family have lived for generations. There are decades of history there: grandparents, aunts and uncles, family traditions, familiar streets.

My husband's family is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his siblings are there, too, along with their children. That means our future children won't just have grandparents who live far away; they'll have cousins who live far away, too.

A Pew Research Center survey found that 75% of American adults consider it at least somewhat important to live in a community where family is nearby. I used to understand that statistic in the abstract.

Now, as we're preparing to have a child, I understand it differently. I've always understood that choosing Colorado meant giving up some proximity to family.

But when it was just the two of us, that trade-off felt more manageable. We could fly home for the holidays. We could plan trips around birthdays. We could FaceTime when we missed someone. We had the freedom to pack a bag and go.

Having children makes the distance feel different.

Suddenly, I'm picturing the ordinary moments, not just the big ones: grandparents stopping by for dinner, cousins playing together on a random Saturday, my parents being close enough to help when we're overwhelmed. I'm thinking about all the memories that happen without anyone planning them.

One 2026 Marquette Law School poll of about 1,500 adults in the US found that 56% of grandparents with adult children living within 50 miles cared for a grandchild at least once a month.

Among grandparents whose adult children all lived more than 50 miles away, that figure fell to 18%. Suddenly, the difference between "we can visit" and "we can swing by" feels pretty significant.

The life we chose is still the life we love

The complicated part is that I don't actually want to leave Colorado.

This is home. It's where my husband and I met. It's where we've spent years building our relationship, careers, friendships, routines, and community. The mountains that initially brought us here aren't just scenery anymore — they're part of our everyday life.

And there's something uncomfortable about questioning a decision that, for so long, felt so unquestionably right.

Part of me worries that I'm romanticizing what it would be like to live closer to family. Being nearby doesn't automatically mean everyone will have the time, energy, or ability to show up.

Families have their own lives, schedules, challenges, and routines. And moving closer wouldn't recreate the exact childhood or extended-family experience I remember growing up, since my husband's and my parents don't even live in the same state.

Maybe there's no perfect version of this decision

I suspect this is one of those choices that becomes more complicated once you're a parent: You can be grateful for the life you've created and still wonder about the life you didn't choose.

I don't know yet what the answer is. Maybe we'll stay in Colorado and find ways to make the distance work. Maybe we'll eventually move closer to one of our families. Maybe we'll spend years going back and forth before we figure out what feels right.

What I do know is that starting a family has changed the way I think about "home."

For a decade, home meant Colorado to me. It meant mountains and independence and the life my husband and I intentionally created together.

Now I'm realizing that home might also be measured in grandparents' houses, cousins' birthdays, family dinners, and the people who can show up when you need them.

I don't regret moving to Colorado — not even a little. But for the first time, I'm allowing myself to admit that the dream life we chose comes with a trade-off … and I'm not sure yet how much that trade-off will matter once our family gets bigger.

• NYC imposed a one-year AI moratorium for elementary and middle schools.
• High schoolers will take AI literacy courses and get limited access to approved AI tools.
• NYC will disable AI features in 38 previously approved educational programs.

Generative AI has been suspended by New York City's schools.

The city's Department of Education imposed a one-year moratorium on the use of AI by students in elementary and middle school classrooms, officials said on Wednesday.

High school students, meanwhile, will take two "AI literacy courses" each year and will have access to AI programs in specific educational contexts, said the city's schools chancellor, Kamar Samuels.

"The tech industry wants us to believe that AI in early education is not only inevitable, but that it is necessary," Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a press conference in Brooklyn. "We do not see it that way."

Under the new guidelines, generative AI programs will be either blocked or deleted from school software. Ailish Brady, an education advisor in the mayor's office, said the city would disable AI features in 38 previously approved educational programs or stop using products whose AI features can't be turned off.

The policy also sets daily limits on personal device screen time for children — 30 minutes for kids in third through fifth grade, and 45 minutes for middle school students, Samuels said.

The AI ban will impact about 600,000 students, about two-thirds of the school system's student population, which is the largest in the country.

Mamdani said school officials will evaluate the policy's effectiveness and results after the 2026-2027 school year. He drew a distinction between younger students and high schoolers, who he said need to be prepared for a world increasingly shaped by AI.

"Whether we like it or not, our teenagers are growing up in an AI-saturated world. We cannot pretend that that world does not exist," he said. "It would be irresponsible not to prepare our children for the fast-evolving technological future that lies ahead."

The high school AI literacy courses are meant to help students "think critically about AI before they begin to rely on it," according to a press release announcing the policy.

"The two 45-minute modules will introduce students to what AI is and is not, as well as AI-related bias, risks, ethical considerations and impacts on careers and future skills."

AI modules permitted for high school use do not include chatbots, officials said. The modules are designed for specific subjects, and each has strict time limits.

Quill, for example, is a program designed for use in English classes to support text analysis. Students can use the program for only 15 minutes each week, according to the policy.

New York City's AI pause for schools comes amid a public reckoning over how best to expose children to generative AI, as educators across the country bemoan how students are using the technology to cheat on assignments and parents petition for more restrictions.

The AIM Coalition, a group of parents, teachers, and activists in New York, has called on the city to institute a two-year AI moratorium in public schools.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the group said the new restrictions are a "step in the right direction," but added that "broad exceptions leave students at risk."

"Teachers' use of AI and high school pilots will still leave parents with little ability to keep their child out of such programs," said Marina Marcou-O'Malley, a director of an educational reform group in New York.

In March, the city's school system released guidance for the use of AI in classrooms. Those guidelines permitted students to use AI for research, exploration, and creative projects, provided its use was age-appropriate and guided by educators.

Officials said on Wednesday that the new moratorium was informed by feedback from students and teachers. Mamdani said the ban is the most "comprehensive of its kind anywhere in the country."

Microsoft, which in 2023 announced a partnership with New York City Public Schools "to support their exploration of the development of generative AI tools," did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

When reached by Business Insider on Wednesday, OpenAI did not comment directly on Mamdani's moratorium. The company said it works with educators and school districts to discern where guardrails are needed in its educational platforms.

Under the new policy, teachers are allowed to use AI for lesson planning and "operational tasks," officials said.

"This moratorium is a commitment to getting the future right," Mamdani said.

• Breaking up is never easy. And now Google doesn't have to do it.
• A judge ruled Google doesn't have to sell off parts of its adtech business.
• That said, it faces other remedies after a judge found it held an illegal adtech monopoly.

Google escapes again.

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Google doesn't have to break up its adtech business — which was the nuclear option sought by the Justice Department after the tech company was found to have operated an illegal monopoly in certain online advertising markets.

It's the second time in recent history that Google has fended off a breakup attempt from the DOJ. Last year, a federal judge in a separate case that concerned Google's dominance of the US search market rejected a forced divestiture of its Chrome browser.

But the online ad giant hasn't gotten off scot-free.

In an order filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Judge Leonie Brinkema accepted "most of the parties' proposed behavioral remedies." She didn't specify which ones. Her full opinion on the case has been temporarily sealed to give the parties time to redact any information deemed confidential.

The list of proposed changes to Google's business, submitted by the DOJ and the tech company itself, is lengthy. They largely revolve around Google playing nice — or at least a little nicer — with its competitors in the adtech space and not giving its own services preferential treatment.

Shares of publicly traded adtech companies, including The Trade Desk, AppLovin, Magnite, and Taboola, rose in Wednesday morning trading after the judge issued her decision. Shares of Google parent company Alphabet were also up slightly.

The DOJ appears to be chalking up the remedies decision as a victory.

"The Antitrust Division is pleased that the court ordered substantial relief in the Google Ad Tech case," a DOJ spokesperson said in a statement. "We are one step closer to restoring competition and bringing relief for the American people in online advertising markets."

In a ruling issued in April 2025, Judge Brinkema said Google had "willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts to acquire and maintain monopoly power in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets for open-web display advertising."

Google, which generated around $294 billion in advertising revenue last year, owns an ad server that publishers use to manage and sell ads, buying tools that marketers use to purchase ads, and an exchange that connects the two.

The judge said that the tie-up of its ad server and ad exchange gave Google significant control over which ads appear on websites. This allowed it to serve as a gatekeeper and maintain "a durable market share of over 90%" for its ad server, Brinkema wrote.

So, what could be in store for Google's ad business?

Google will likely have to scrap some of the under-the-hood auction practices that gave its own ad exchange an advantage over rivals. It might also have to make its ad exchange work more seamlessly with rival ad servers, giving publishers more choice over which companies' technology they use to sell ads.

Google had argued that breaking apart Google Ad Manager, which includes both the ad exchange and its ad server, would risk breaking a tool used by many advertisers for purposes beyond the "open web display ads" market at issue in the case, such as app and video ads.

"We're very pleased the Court rejected the DOJ's proposal to break apart tools that help small businesses reach new customers and grow," Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google VP for regulatory affairs, said in a statement Wednesday.

On the other hand, some adtech experts previously told Business Insider that untethering Google's supply and demand sides would boost innovation in the space, reduce costs for advertisers, and increase revenue for publishers.

Still, there was an outstanding question about who would actually buy it and whether the sale itself could create another monopoly.

The online display ad market is also in a very different position than it was even three years ago, when the DOJ first brought the case. A large share of ad dollars has shifted to closed platforms like Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Amazon, as well as to commerce media networks and streaming TV. The rise of platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT and, yes, Google's AI overviews, has squeezed publisher web traffic. And Google generates most of its ad revenue from search, not from serving ads on websites.

"While remedies include equal access for competitors, data sharing, elimination of preferential auction rules, and monitoring, it's unlikely they significantly change the dynamics of the ad tech industry," the research and consultancy firm Madison and Wall wrote in a note on Wednesday.

But there's hope that a loosening of Google's stranglehold on the market might at least even the playing field for those who continue to operate in it.

A number of adtech companies, as well as publishers, including Business Insider, filed lawsuits seeking damages from Google over its anticompetitive adtech conduct after last year's ruling in the DOJ case.

• Société Générale's Jan Groen now predicts three rate hikes due to persistent inflation concerns.
• Groen's forecast follows a hawkish speech from Kevin Warsh at Jackson Hole last week.
• Stocks may initially fall but tend to recover after Fed rate hikes, says SocGen's Manish Kabra.

Société Générale sees three Federal Reserve rate hikes on the way after a hawkish Jackson Hole Speech from Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh.

Jan Groen, the bank's chief US economist, said in an August 28 client note that his base-case outcome is for 25 basis-point hikes to come at the Fed's September and December meetings this year, as well as at the March 2027 meeting.

"Persistent underlying inflation and increasingly explicit Fed concern about elevated inflation suggest the bar for remaining on hold is rising," Groen wrote in the note.

"I believe the time for a call change in favor of hikes has come," Groen continued. "Even more so now the Chair also acknowledged an increased worry with persistently elevated inflation in his Jackson Hole remarks."

Groen cited a combination of structurally higher super-core PCE (essentially services inflation) that has not returned to pre-pandemic lows, and the recent oil and tariffs shocks as teaming up to fuel higher price growth, warranting higher interest rates.

According to the CME FedWatch tool, markets seem to generally agree with Groen's hawkish tilt. Markets are pricing in a 64% chance of a hike in September, and have two hikes as the most likely outcome by the December meeting. By the March meeting, three hikes is the second most likely outcome at a 27% chance.

However, Groen's updated outlook is more hawkish than that of some other economists and strategists on Wall Street. Both Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan are skeptical that rate hikes are coming in September.

What hikes would mean for stocks

Markets usually view rate hikes as bad news, as they're intended to cool down the economy by weighing on borrowing and spending. That, in turn, can dampen earnings growth.

But investors shouldn't worry too much if the Fed does embark on a hiking cycle, says Manish Kabra, Société Générale's chief US equity strategist.

Given Groen's new forecast, Kabra looked into how stocks have historically performed when the Fed has begun a rate-hike campaign. The data shows that stocks stumble initially, but tend to rebound in short order.

While the S&P 500 has dropped an average of 3% in the month after the first hike in a new tightening cycle, the index has risen an average of 4% six-months after the hike.

One exception would if the Treasury yield curve inverts, which is usually defined as the yield on the 2-year note climbing higher than the 10-year yield, which probably signals the Fed is being aggressively hawkish. These episodes have tended to coincide with 20% declines in stocks, Kabra said.

But as long as that doesn't happen — Kabra doesn't see an inversion playing out — he said to buy the market on news of the first rate hike.

• The US Navy's top admiral wrote an op-ed saying laser weapons are necessary to counter cheap drones.
• Lasers and other directed-energy weapons are preferable against low-cost targets.
• The Navy recognizes that using high-end munitions against cheaper threats is unsustainable.

The US Navy's top admiral sees laser weapons as a strategic answer to the cost challenge of combating cheap drones.

The Navy has been looking to laser and directed-energy weapons as a potentially cheaper means of neutralizing uncrewed systems, preserving limited and much more expensive interceptor missiles for higher-end threats. Laser weaponry, however, has been tricky to develop, as its effectiveness in combat depends heavily on power, cooling, and other shipboard systems.

In a Wednesday op-ed for The Washington Post, Adm. Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, identified the cost imbalance of using multimillion-dollar interceptors to take out low-cost drones as a "defining challenge for the US Navy."

"Recent conflicts have demonstrated how quickly low-cost drones, one-way attack aircraft and other relatively inexpensive weapons can pressure even advanced air and missile defenses," the admiral explained, cautioning that "a defender who fires multimillion-dollar interceptors against inexpensive drones may win the immediate engagement while losing the larger campaign of endurance."

"This is why directed energy weapons — especially high-powered lasers — matter strategically," Caudle said.

As the sea service battled the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen from October 2023 to May 2025, Navy warships routinely relied on missiles to eliminate drone threats. The Navy also regularly used top interceptors to combat ballistic missiles, straining stocks.

Last year, Adm. James Kilby, the acting chief of naval operations at that time, told Business Insider that the way the service had been heavily leaning on its interceptors in the Middle East would not be sustainable in a high-tempo fight.

During his July 2025 confirmation hearing for the CNO position, Caudle told the Senate Committee on Armed Services that the Navy faced a "learning curve" choosing the right weapons.

He said that lessons from the Red Sea led the Navy to look to cheaper air-to-air weapons and electronic warfare when possible, but further consideration is necessary.

The war with Iran this year, which has seen the US military face both drone and missile threats, has also demonstrated how quickly American forces can expend key stockpiles of high-value defensive munitions. The fighting added to concerns already sharpened by the Red Sea campaign over how long US interceptor stockpiles might last in a lengthy conflict.

While the defense industry is expediting and expanding the production of critical munitions, recent conflicts have turned up the pressure on the military to find more cost-effective, more sustainable solutions for defending against large numbers of drones.

Laser weapons are a promising capability to meet that threat and preserve those stockpiles, Caudle wrote, arguing that "lasers offer the possibility of shifting part of naval defense away from finite stored munitions toward shipboard electrical power."

That said, "lasers are not magic weapons," he wrote.

Lasers are line-of-sight weapons bound by combat realities like the atmosphere, ocean environment, beam strength and accuracy, and power and cooling requirements. To properly support laser weaponry, warships need enough power and the correct coolants to keep it from overheating. That means ship design has to be considered alongside weapon design.

Caudle stressed that laser weapons are not a replacement for high-end interceptor missiles. Instead, he added, directed-energy capabilities should be deployed as part of a larger, layered defense, employed against certain lower-cost threats.

The admiral said that the Navy needs to start incrementally readying the sea service for laser weaponry with more manageable, self-contained systems on ships rather than waiting for "perfect megawatt-class systems."

He said that such systems would not represent a "final answer," but rather "a practical bridge between promising technology and an operational capability the fleet can learn from, improve, and scale."

The Navy has been working on laser weapons for years, evaluating them for maritime missions at its Directed Energy Systems Integration Laboratory in California.

The sea service installed an early operational laser demonstrator, the Laser Weapon System, on the Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Ponce in the 2010s, and then it installed a 150kW Solid State Laser Technology Maturation demonstrator, or SSL-TM, on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Portland in 2019, using it to successfully destroy a drone target in May 2020 before it was uninstalled in 2023.

Additionally, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Preble is equipped with Lockheed Martin's High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS. Lockheed Martin said earlier this year that HELIOS eliminated four drones during a Navy-operated demonstration last year. Some other destroyers are equipped with the lower-powered Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy, or ODIN, which is used mainly to disrupt the optical sensors on drones and other threats.

Other services have explored the use of lasers as well. Last week, the US Army saw a laser weapons win, using the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser to eliminate three drug cartel-linked drones at the southern US border.

• Bond markets are under pressure, with yields rising globally this week.
• In the US, a 10-year Treasury yield above 5% would be the next level that could cause more volatility.
• Mohamed El-Erian said the fear is "interest rate risk turning into credit risk."

September has been tumultuous for markets and it's only two days into the month.

The bond market is the culprit behind the latest volatility, specifically a surge in global bond yields that's got investors on edge about what fixed income is saying about inflation and other macro concerns.

The 10-year Treasury yield on Wednesday was fluttering around 4.8%, its highest level since 2023. That's somewhat tame compared to global yields, which surged on Tuesay to the highest since 1996 in the case of the 30-year Japanese government bond and the highest since 1998 for the UK 30-year bond.

For now, investors are looking for clues about what's next.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last month that the Treasury could double purchases of long-dated bonds, sparking concern and drawing criticism from some of Wall Street's top commentators who say the move signals the government isn't thinking enough about addressing the fiscal issues that have been driving recent bond moves.

But as the bond market continues to spasm, there are a few key levels for investors to keep an eye on.

"The higher and longer yields persist, the more markets will be inclined to worry about interest rate risk turning into credit risk," stated Mohamed El-Erian, former former Pimco CEO turned Wharton economist.

Levels to watch for yields and oil

A 5% Treasury yields is considered by many investors to be a problem for stocks. There's a few reasons for that. One is that yields at that level present a compelling alternative. Why roll the dice in the equity markets when you can get virtually risk-free returns from bonds? A sudden shift to risk-off is likely to disrupt the stellar AI-fueled rally that's helped carry stocks to record highs this summer.

The second is that, as El-Erian alluded to, a persistent increase in yields raises borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, which is the credit risk the economist was referring to. Mortgage rates have already repriced in the face of this week's bond swings, with the 30-year home loan rising to 6.89% this week, according to Mortgage News Daily's latest survey.

Some strategists are urging calm as bonds convulse. Deutsche Bank said on Wednesday that a sharper and more persistent rise in the 10-year Treasury yield would need to be seen over the next year for stock investors to start to sweat.

"The House View at DB has long been that the backdrop is generally supportive of higher global yields," Jim Reid, the bank's global head of macro research, said. "My view is that the latest rise in global yields is a continuation of the normalisation after the financial repression of the 2010s, rather than a sign that markets are yet focused on fiscal concerns."

Meanwhile, Paul Hickey, co-founder of Bespoke Investment Group told Business Insider that he's most concerned about oil.

Specifically, he's eyeing US crude pushing past $90 per barrel, a level that was breached on Wednesday as fears about a re-escalation in the Iran war persist following fresh fighting last weekend.

"With crude rallying, yields have followed suit, and with WTI back to $90, a prolonged stay at these levels would likely push CPI higher and force the Fed into hikes," Hickey said. "If crude is still around these levels mid-month a hike will be on the menu for September's meeting."

Mark McClellan, chief US bond strategist at Alpine Macro, said his team sees the global borrowing glut as the primary driver behind the jump in yields, as demand outpaces supply on a global scale. He said investors should be watching near-term inflation prints for insight into how the bond market will continue to move.

And then there is the labor market. Investors will get payroll data for August this Friday, and the stakes are given the gyrations in bonds and the laser-focus on rate expectations heading toward the Fed meeting this month.

"Wage growth holds the key to whether inflation will prove persistent," McClellan noted. "While not a good leading indicator, it provides a strong confirming signal on whether consumer demand and inflation can be sustained. Watch the unemployment rate, which is more telling than payrolls. If it starts to rise, then this will take pressure off of the Fed to tighten. If it falls, then look out."

• Warren Buffett bet big on Alphabet to gain exposure to the AI boom, Greg Abel says.
• Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO said Buffett is still weighing in on big decisions at the company.
• Abel said he consulted with Buffett before taking part in Alphabet's stock offering this year.

Warren Buffett bet on Alphabet to tap into the AI boom, and he's still helping to call the shots at Berkshire Hathaway, Greg Abel says.

The legendary investor was succeeded by Abel at the start of this year after nearly six decades as Berkshire's CEO. During a rare on-air interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Abel shed light on Buffett's surprising tech bet and his ongoing role as chairman.

The Berkshire CEO explained why Buffett built a nearly $38 billion stake in Alphabet from scratch in under a year. Google's parent company was the third-largest position in Berkshire's stock portfolio at the end of June.

Abel pointed to AI's material impact on businesses and beyond, Berkshire having a "lot of visibility" into AI and its benefits through its myriad subsidiaries, and Alphabet being a "significant player" in the space.

"Now there's a lot more to Google than what I just said in why we like it, but those were the fundamental reasons as to why we took a serious look at Google, and now have a significant investment in it," Abel said.

Berkshire bolstered its Alphabet stake earlier this year by participating in a private placement. Abel said Berkshire was invited in late May to take part, and he promptly called Buffett to discuss the opportunity. Consulting with his predecessor was "very much consistent with how we manage Berkshire," Abel said.

The pair agreed on a $10 billion investment at a 6.5% discount to Alphabet's market price, Abel said, and the transaction went ahead.

Buffett has eschewed tech companies for most of his career, preferring to invest in more predictable, attractively valued businesses he understands deeply.

But Alphabet and Berkshire have some shared DNA. Alphabet's bosses modeled it on Berkshire and its web of decentralized, autonomous subsidiaries after visiting Buffett in Omaha in the mid-2000s. In addition to Google, Alphabet is the parent company of YouTube, Android, Waymo, and others.

Google's cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, also said that Buffett's essays and "owner's manual" for Berkshire shareholders were the main inspirations for the shareholder letter they included in Google's 2004 IPO prospectus.

Buffett previously broke from tradition when he bought into Apple in 2016. The iPhone maker has proven to be one of his most successful investments, and remains Berkshire's biggest stock position.

Buffett and Abel

The Alphabet position is one of many topics of discussion for Berkshire's chairman and its CEO, Abel said.

He and Buffett have a "great working relationship," he told CNBC, and speak regularly as "we love talking business, we love talking about what we're seeing across our portfolio."

Berkshire owns scores of businesses, including See's Candies and Geico, and holds multibillion-dollar stakes in public companies such as American Express and Coca-Cola.

Abel, speaking from Japan during a visit to Berkshire's business interests there, told CNBC that he stopped by Buffett's 96th birthday celebration in Omaha on Sunday, and sensed some FOMO from the business icon.

"Warren absolutely loves the Japanese investments," Abel said, "so I could tell it wasn't easy for Warren that off I went to Tokyo."

• Suzy Karadsheh grew up following the Mediterranean Diet in Port Said, Egypt.
• The city's cuisine is influenced by nearby countries, including Greece, Turkey, and Italy.
• Karadsheh eats a savory breakfast and cooks dinner in 45 minutes or less.

Growing up in the Egyptian city of Port Said, Suzy Karadsheh and her dad would head to the local market after school every day to pick up fresh produce for dinner.

Once at home, she would do her homework in the kitchen, inhaling the fragrant garlicky, spicy, or tomatoey aromas as her mom cooked dinner. The port city borders the Mediterranean Sea, making its local cuisine a melting pot of flavors from Egypt as well as nearby countries, including Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

"I was taking it in without realizing," Karadsheh, the founder of The Mediterranean Dish, a recipe website, told Business Insider. Now based in Atlanta and a busy mom of two, Karadsheh no longer has time to visit the local market every day, but she applies the principles of the Mediterranean diet to the 45-minute meals she makes for her and her family each day.

The Mediterranean diet is widely considered the healthiest way to eat. It prioritizes seasonal fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil, but isn't rigid.

"It's a joyful way to eat. It is not a restrictive way to eat. And I think people miss that when they hear the word diet in Mediterranean diet," she said.

She does have one rule, though: "not spending more than a half-hour prepping on a weeknight," she said.

Karadsheh shared what she eats on a typical day following the Mediterranean diet.

Savory breakfast

"I grew up with a savory breakfast. So we don't do sugary breakfast in this house very much," Karadsheh said.

For breakfast, she often eats sweet potatoes, which she roasts in advance and stores in the fridge, with fried eggs.

To make the breakfast, she cuts a pre-cooked sweet potato in half, grills both halves on a skillet with a bit of olive oil, and sears them for about three minutes until they are warmed throughout. In the same skillet, she fries two eggs. She plates them up and usually pairs them with some chopped cucumber and tomatoes, and feta cheese.

"It is just so filling," she said.

Mediterranean grain bowl for lunch

Lunch is a low-key affair for Karadsheh because she often has a late breakfast. She typically has leftovers or uses the precooked grains and roasted veggies she keeps in her fridge to make a Mediterranean grain bowl. She often has some hummus and a piece of bread on the side.

Whole grains are central to the Mediterranean diet, and a great source of fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa, for example, contains five grams of fiber. Karadsheh's favorite grains are freekeh, a roasted durum wheat with a "savory and smoky flavor" popular in Egypt, and farro, an ancient Italian grain.

Winner winner chicken (or fish) dinner

This summer, Karadsheh has mostly been eating fish or chicken with a Greek salad, containing bell peppers, tomato, cucumber, good feta cheese, onions, and olives, plus some grains, and sometimes tzatziki, a yogurt sauce.

Her go-to fish recipe is an oven-baked lemon, garlic cod. To make it, she dips the cod in a lemon, olive oil, and butter sauce, then coats it in flour seasoned with paprika, cumin, coriander, and salt. Next, she sears the fish in an iron cast skillet to give it some color, pours over the rest of the lemon sauce with some minced garlic, and cooks it in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 400 °F.

She loves trying out marinades for grilled chicken too, taking inspiration from different Mediterranean countries. Sometimes it's harissa, a Tunisian hot chili paste, she said, other times it might be Greek oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Gut health experts recommend aiming to eat 30 different types of plant foods a week, as research suggests this number promotes healthy diversity in the gut microbiome, the trillions of microbes that live in the colon lining and impact overall health. Using plenty of herbs and spices, which all count as different plants, is an easy way to get closer to the coveted 30 plants a week.