• Oil prices jumped on Tuesday as traders took stock of the latest escalations in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Trump said Monday that he'd impose a 20% toll on ships in the Strait.
• Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, hit $87 per barrel on Tuesday.

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday after President Donald Trump moved to charge ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and reinstate a blockade of Iranian ports, stoking fears of fresh disruption to global supplies.

Just after 6:00 a.m. ET, West Texas Intermediate futures were up about 3.3% at $80.70 a barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, gained 4.3% to trade at at $86.91. That extends a 9.6% surge in the previous session.

Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday that the US would levy fees "at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped" through the strait, declaring America the "GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT."

In the same post, he said Washington would restore its blockade of Iranian ports near the chokepoint. US Central Command said in a statement that the blockade would take effect at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.

The moves mark a sharp escalation in the standoff with Tehran. Roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, making it crucial for global prices.

Traffic through the waterway collapsed after Iran began attacking vessels in March, and had only started to recover following an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran.

On Saturday, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the strait was closed to all traffic "until further notice," according to state media, a claim the US disputes, with Central Command saying Sunday the waterway remained open to lawful transit.

Even so, oil remains well below its wartime highs. Brent peaked at $126 a barrel on April 30, but has fallen sharply over the past two months as global supply has recovered.

Output jumped by 4.1 million barrels a day in June following the US-Iran ceasefire, according to the International Energy Agency's monthly oil market report published Friday. However, it remained roughly 9.4 million barrels a day short of prewar levels.

• Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI shows how changing jobs can pull workers into a costly trade-secrets fight.
• Use your expertise, but taking confidential information can lead to a lawsuit or pink slip.
• Lawyers and recruiters say even well-meaning workers sometimes cross the line without realizing it.

A new job is your chance to put what you know to work. Just be sure not to share what belongs to your current or former employer.

Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI serves as a fresh reminder of the risks involved in drawing on your expertise without crossing into protected territory.

Filed on Friday, the lawsuit alleges that OpenAI sought confidential details from Apple engineers during job interviews and that one former employee continued accessing sensitive material after joining OpenAI.

Two former Apple employees were named as individual defendants alongside OpenAI, which previously told Business Insider it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets. The named employees and representatives for Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

While the allegations have yet to be tested in court, the case raises broader questions about how workers can change jobs without sharing a former employer's trade secrets. Legal experts say sharing this information can expose both the worker and the new company to lawsuits, substantial legal bills, and reputational damage.

"Whether you intend to or not, it can open up a huge can of worms," said Joseph H. Harris, a partner at employment law firm FordHarrison.

Such disputes are not unusual, and employers may deliberately recruit workers to gain access to a competitor's confidential knowledge, said Betsy Bulat, an equity partner with the employment law firm Martenson, Hasbrouck, Simon, and Bulat LLP.

"There are some unscrupulous employers that probably do hire people just for the sole purpose of getting a competitor's information," Bulat said, speaking generally.

She added that the stakes can be especially high for AI companies because the field is new and the pool of workers with deep expertise remains limited.

"I think we're going to continue seeing these kinds of lawsuits going forward," Bulat said.

How trade secrets walk out the door

It may seem obvious not to share trade secrets, yet Harris said employees sometimes take sensitive documents with them when leaving a company, reasoning that because they helped create the material, it's fair game and may come in handy later. They may have no malicious intent, he said, but these documents don't belong to them.

"Even though you wrote it and you worked on it, it's still the former employer's information," Harris said.

In other instances, workers may simply be trying to get up to speed and fail to recognize that moving confidential material outside company systems is not allowed.

Jennifer Schielke, CEO of staffing firm Summit Group Solutions, recalled a newly hired account manager who emailed a confidential client template to a personal account a few years ago. The employee, who didn't yet have access to their work email from home, wanted to study the template outside the office and openly mentioned doing so during onboarding.

The person was trying to learn, "but they didn't really think about the fact that they crossed the line," Schielke said.

The risk can arise before someone is hired. Michael Doud, a recruiter for The Barton Partnership, an executive search firm, said job candidates sometimes disclose confidential details about a current or past employer during interviews because they're bragging or desperate to land an offer.

The move can backfire, he said, because an interviewer may see the disclosure as an indicator of the candidate's judgment and trustworthiness.

"That's not the right first impression," said Doud. "It absolutely could hurt your candidacy."

The cost of sharing too much

The potential consequences of sharing trade secrets during a job interview or after getting hired can be severe.

A former employer can sue both the worker and the new company for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets. Claims may arise from nondisclosure provisions in an employment agreement or company policies that the worker signed upon joining the business.

Harris said a new employer could fire the worker to distance itself from the alleged misconduct, potentially leaving the worker on the hook for substantial legal fees. Even if a case doesn't go to trial, a public lawsuit accusing a worker of theft or dishonesty can create "severe reputational risk," Harris said.

These kinds of disputes often end in settlements because they are expensive to litigate and difficult to prove. Evidence that confidential material was taken does, however, sometimes surface.

Employment lawyer Pam Howland said her firm once handled a case involving several employees who left a business with few competitors in the region. Soon afterward, a new company emerged that looked strikingly similar and began taking market share from their former employer.

The former employer sued the workers and their new company, and years into the litigation, a document surfaced that Howland said showed the workers had used their former employer's proprietary information after all. The case was then settled.

'Don't take the bait'

The AI talent wars are prompting employers to scrutinize candidates' past work more closely as they try to distinguish genuine expertise from "lip service," said Tara Flickinger, a partner at executive search firm ON Partners.

That deeper questioning can lead applicants to reveal too much as they try to prove their credentials.

Her rule of thumb: "If you wouldn't say it in front of your former employer's general counsel, then don't say it in an interview."

Knowing where that line falls starts with reviewing any employment agreements and trade-secret policies before changing jobs, Bulat said. Workers can use the expertise and industry knowledge they developed in a previous role, she said, but not a former employer's documents, data, or other confidential information.

"Don't share anything," Bulat said of a current or former employer's confidential information. "If someone's trying to bait you into doing it, don't take the bait."

• SK Hynix is the latest US stock-market entrant to stumble after a hot debut.
• It's proving difficult for new offerings, especially those tied to AI, to see prolonged stock gains.
• The latest jitters come ahead of a critical earnings season, and as investors eye rate hikes.

There are few things a stock enthusiast loves more than a high-profile public offering. Investors get a shiny new toy to test-drive, and the market gets a fresh read on sentiment.

Good or bad, these offerings are usually exciting — and volatile.

But regardless of what happens, interest inevitably wanes over time. The post-offering honeymoon period ends. New, shinier toys pop onto the radar.

It's been no different within the AI-dominated landscape of 2026. And it's perhaps going overlooked that the most attention-commanding AI offerings have been struggling.

Let's dig into four notable examples:

SK Hynix

The South Korean chipmaker was responsible for the latest mega-offering, which saw it raise $26.5 billion by listing ADRs on the Nasdaq, the biggest-ever US listing by a foreign company.

After a strong first day of trading, shares tumbled 9% on Monday. The closing price of $152.35 was below the shares' $170 debut price, and just 2% above where the deal priced last Thursday.

The decline coincided with a record 15% plunge for Korean-listed SK Hynix shares during Asian trading hours. Shares rose 4% on Tuesday. Investors are worried about the sustainability of chip demand ahead of a critical earnings season, and those jitters are spilling into the US market.

SpaceX

The biggest IPO in history was met with excitement for investors … for a few days at least. Shares peaked 58% above their offer price three days post-IPO.

It's been a rocky road since then, with the stock finishing Monday at $139.14, just slightly above the $135 offering price, and below the stock's first-day trading debut of $150. In other words, early investors and insiders are in the green, but retail investors who jumped in post-offering most likely aren't.

Cerebras

Cerebras — an AI-infrastructure and chip company that operates data centers — is another example of a company that came out of the gate strong, but has struggled to keep up the momentum. It surged as much as 109% on its first day, but has fallen nearly 50% since then.

Now, similar to SpaceX, the company's shares are sitting in the no man's land between where it priced and where it debuted.

CoreWeave

Let's travel back to March 2025. Data-center builder and operator CoreWeave received an initially muted reaction to its IPO, only for shares to catch fire a few weeks later as the excitement mounted around a global AI-infrastructure buildout. They ended up surging nearly 400% from its offer price, through mid-June.

But CoreWeave has struggled since reaching that peak, losing much of that market value in the ensuing months. Shares currently sit 55% below all-time highs.

The CoreWeave situation shows that even the most sought-after offerings lose luster after a while. It also shows that timing is everything — the early investors who sold at last year's peak made a killing.

• Costco and Deschutes Brewery are winding down the fan-favorite Kirkland Signature Lager.
• The Oregon brewery said its production contract with Costco ended after a two-year run.
• Some warehouses still have the craft beer in stock, so now is the time to load up while you can.

All good things — including Kirkland Signature craft beverages — must come to an end.

Costco's cobranded beers with Oregon's Deschutes Brewery are winding down after a two-year run in which they amassed a quiet but loyal following, the brewery confirmed to Business Insider.

A spokesperson said the production contract for Kirkland Signature Lager and Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale has been fulfilled, and the warehouse club is selling through the remaining supply.

The Helles-style lager that won awards at the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival earned a reputation for a smooth, balanced taste that punches well above its dollar-per-can price point.

"The cost-to-value is insane on this beer," one shopper told the Wall Street Journal last year.

Fans on Reddit lamented the change this month as well.

"We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for the beer from Costco members since the announcement," the Deschutes Brewery spokesperson said. "The feedback on the beer has been exceptional, and it's clear that the beer has built a fan base across the US and internationally."

The lager wasn't Costco's first foray into a budget-minded brew, though it was decidedly more successful than the Kirkland Signature Light, which was discontinued in 2018.

A Costco employee told Business Insider the lager's sales at their location near Madison, Wisconsin, were moderately strong — roughly on par with mid-priced lagers like Modelo.

Cases of the lager were still available at that warehouse over the weekend, roughly a week after the brewer notified suppliers of the production change, as reported by Craft Business Daily.

While some Kirkland Signature items are locked in for the long haul, like the famous $5 chickens and $1.50 hot dogs, certain products may only be available for a limited time.

Costco did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider on this story.

Both Costco and Deschutes find themselves in better spots today than when they first launched the collaboration. The retailer continues to post strong monthly sales growth, and Deschutes said its volume sales were up 16% year over year in the 13 weeks ending June 28, citing data from market research company Circana.

There have been no hints so far that the fan-favorite beers will be resurrected anytime soon, so now is the time to stock up while supplies last.

• Michael Dell is crushing it this year — his personal wealth and his company are booming.
• The billionaire CEO has also found favor with President Trump.
• Meanwhile, his eponymous tech firm has cashed in on the AI boom and seen its share price surge.

It's a good year to be Michael Dell.

His net worth is up over $80 billion. His company's shares have risen 240% as it rides a wave of AI-driven growth. And, critically, Dell, 61, has found favor with perhaps the most influential man in the world: President Donald Trump.

Last week, Dell laptops received a ringing presidential endorsement that boosted the company's stock.

"Go out and buy a Dell computer," Trump told reporters at the White House at the launch of Trump Accounts on July 6, repeating a recommendation he had made in May. Later that day, Dell joined the president for lunch in the Rose Garden.

The tech CEO's recent public rapport with Trump has centered on Trump Accounts, the new investment savings account for children, and it has become one of the more visible — and steady — corporate relationships of the president's second term.

The Dells — Michael and his wife, Susan — made a $6.25 billion contribution to the program through their family foundation in December, and have appeared at several White House media days alongside the President.

The corporate world's attitude toward Trump has changed since his first term, when cultivating a relationship with the president was often seen as a reputational risk. Now, many business leaders are working more closely with him.

The dynamic has seen the president exert pressure on Big Law, media organizations, universities, and, most recently, World Cup organizers. For executives, gaining Trump's favor — or at least avoiding his criticism — can be a powerful incentive.

The Dell Foundation and Dell did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Earning Trump's favor

Dell is exactly the kind of homegrown American success story the president likes. Michael Dell started his PC company in his college dorm room and went on to become the youngest CEO ever to lead a Fortune 500 company, at 27.

Dell had some involvement with the first Trump administration, joining the president's American Manufacturing Council, and attending a "day 1" meeting of business leaders, but his dealings then with Trump were more limited.

Now, things are different.

The two men have an easy rapport, as seen in recent footage of Dell joking with the president about owning a "Dellicopter" instead of a helicopter.

Trump Accounts launched on July 4th; Dell's involvement in the program dates back at least a year — he was present at the first "Invest America" roundtable (which became Trump Accounts) in June 2025. Dell told CNBC in December that he first became interested in seeding investment accounts for children around 2021.

The Dell Foundation has long focused its philanthropic efforts on children, education, and economic opportunity, aligning with the mission of Trump Accounts.

The billionaire CEO has quietly appeared at other government functions. In March, he joined the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, alongside Marc Andreessen, Jensen Huang, and Mark Zuckerberg. Dell was previously a member of the council during President George W. Bush's administration.

Dell also attended White House dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in May.

"Michael and Susan Dell are patriots who are generously contributing billions of dollars of their fortune to the Trump Accounts of millions of kids from working-class families," said White House spokesman Kush Desai.

The president "rightfully" praised Dell and others who have donated to the program, he added.

What stands out about Dell's recent appearances is that, unlike other big-name tech leaders, whose faces are often as well known as the products their companies make, the billionaire CEO has tended to limit his time in the spotlight.

Dell rarely gives interviews or attends "it-crowd" events, and he was absent from the lineup of tech moguls at Trump's inauguration.

"They aren't 'out there' as big backers of politicians like some of these other CEOs," said Douglas Schuler, a professor of Business and Public Policy at Rice Business School who specializes in corporate political activity.

"They seem to make political contributions to both sides of the aisle and to members of Congress where they have significant operations or with jurisdiction over their business activities," he said.

It's Dell's year

Dell's relationship with Trump has coincided with a string of wins for the company.

Since the Dell Foundation announced its donation in December, the president has purchased more than $1 million in Dell stock. In April, he sold at least $50,000 worth of Dell shares and possibly as much as $100,000.

In February, Dell Technologies landed a $10 billion contract renewal with the US Department of Defense. Navy Chief Information Officer Barry Tanner told reporters the contract was awarded after a competitive evaluation process.

Shares of Dell popped in the days after Trump's promotion of the brand's laptops last week.

Dell's personal wealth is also surging. He's now the world's 6th-richest person with a net worth of $223 billion, adding $83.5 billion in 2026 alone, and trailing only Elon Musk in year-to-date wealth gain.

To be sure, Musk's own wealth boom shows that billionaires' net worth is hardly tied in the long term to how well they get along with the president.

After criticizing Trump's "big beautiful bill," Musk lost an estimated $34 billion in a single day, and Tesla's shares fell 14%. A year later, he's worth nearly $900 billion.

Dell owns roughly a 40% stake in his company, which has been enjoying a banner year driven by its AI offerings.

In May, the company reported its strongest quarterly earnings since its return to the public markets in 2018, with revenue of $43.8 billion.

Crucial to the company's growth has been its positioning as a key provider of AI infrastructure. Revenues in Dell's Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which sells GPUs, memory, networking, cooling, storage, and services, were up 181% year over year in its first quarter earnings report.

The company has also been overhauling its internal operations as it seeks to position itself for its next era, modernizing all systems and programs used across the business and reducing its workforce by 36,000 over the past three years through layoffs and attrition. As of January, Dell employed roughly 97,000 people, per its latest 10-K filing.

Where business meets politics

No matter what kind of approach executives take to Trump, there are no guarantees of a strong relationship with the president.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, for instance, has tempered criticism of Trump's policies with praise over the years, but Trump still sued him and the bank for $5 billion in January, alleging JPMorgan closed his accounts for political reasons after the January 6 attack. The bank said the suit has no merit.

Businesses often combine their market strategy with non-market initiatives, such as lobbying governments, donating to charity, or working with NGOs, Schuler said. Some research suggests that companies taking this broader approach perform better financially, but it is much harder to show that corporate political activity itself leads to stronger financial results for companies or their executives, he said.

"Is it possible that they benefited personally or the company itself? Certainly," Schuler of Rice University said. "Is it easy to show? No."

Whether it's genuinely aligned interests, political pragmatism, or a more calculated bid for influence, the president is in the Dells' corner.

"They are truly incredible people," Trump said last week, with the Dells beside him at the launch of Trump Accounts. "We're going to get him that money back one way or another."

• Ramp co-CEO Eric Glyman said he hired a candidate because of their Minecraft business.
• "We're trying to meet people who were leaders in different bizarre fringe communities," Glyman said.
• Glyman also scouts candidates on GitHub and highly values an employee referral.

Your Minecraft obsession could get you a job.

Ramp co-CEO Eric Glyman shared how his fintech company finds its talent. He told David Senra that he looks for candidates with "spikes," or specific areas where they excel.

For one group of Ramp employees, that spike was their ability to wield a digital pickaxe. When the employees were 15 years old, Glyman said they would spend 80 to 100 hours a week playing Minecraft.

The group operated lucrative private Minecraft servers — a growing side hustle for Gen Zers. The first gamer that Ramp hired paid his way through college on the server's profits, the co-CEO said.

"He became a small-businessperson when he was, quite literally, very small," Glyman said.

That employee then referred other Minecraft developers. "You find these people who you would have missed," he added.

These are the kind of spikes Glyman looks for, from video games to sports. A candidate's spike can also be their grades, or some "incredible work" that they've put out. It's about "drive," he said.

Glyman said he wasn't very interested in résumés. Rather, he was looking for "proof of work" — the awards and projects that a candidate can rack up.

"Part of the hiring process is actually going and trying to look for people who are very active on GitHub," he said. "We're trying to meet people who were leaders in different bizarre fringe communities."

Other executives are scouring GitHub for talent. Leaders from Cognition, Base44, and Replit previously told Business Insider that they search the coding platform for good candidates.

If you don't have a Minecraft side hustle or a deep GitHub repository, it always helps to know someone. Glyman said that a "really intensive interview process" — as in, 15 hours and multiple rounds — still won't teach him everything about a candidate.

"In two business days of working with someone, you're going to have more information about working with that person," he said. "So, we rely a lot on referrals."

• Will McGough says S&P Global 100 Index offers optimal exposure across regions and factors.
• The index offers exposure to US tech titans and international AI plays.
• One fund that tracks the index is the iShares Global 100 ETF.

The S&P 500 has long been the go-to for investors to buy broad market exposure to large-cap US stocks, but one chief investment officer overseeing $40 billion argues the benchmark index might be a bit out of date.

That's because the S&P 500 only offers exposure to US stocks, while leaving investors without a way to partake in the upside of some top international companies, some of which are at the forefront of the AI trade, said Will McGough, CIO at Prime Capital Financial.

A better catch-all index to invest in, he said, would be the S&P Global 100, which tracks a selection of around 100 top stocks in the world by market cap. A popular fund that tracks the index is the iShares Global 100 ETF (IOO).

The fund has about 80% exposure to the US stocks, but also includes key non-US AI holdings like South Korean memory chip maker Samsung Electronics; Dutch lithography machine producer ASML; SAP, a German software company building custom AI tools for businesses; and French energy firm Schneider Electric, which is helping to buildout data center infrastructure.

Other prominent international firms tied to AI included in the fund include Sony, Siemens, and Tencent.

Since today's global economy is so intertwined, particularly for companies tied to the AI boom, the old regional and factor buckets for stocks don't make as much sense anymore, McGough said.

"IOO makes a lot of sense to me because you're kind of cutting through people's predetermined definitions of what's growth, what's value, what's developed, what's emerging," McGough told Business Insider. "You're really just going with the theme of: the larger companies by market cap are in dominant positions with regard to their ability to grow earnings faster than some of the smaller stocks."

In addition to global AI firms being closely tied to other multinational firms, blurring the lines of regional classifications, McGough highlighted definitions of factors like value as another example of this way of investing being outdated. For instance, the S&P 500 Value Index has large weightings in Apple, Amazon, and Tesla, which are historically viewed as growth stocks.

"If you try to overweight growth by using growth ETFs, you're missing some growth names that are in the value index," he said.

One concern an investor might have with IOO is that it's heavily tilted toward the tech sector with a 45% weighting. That's even more biased than the S&P 500's 37% sector weighting. This makes it particularly vulnerable to a pullback in AI stocks if investors suddenly sour on the theme.

But McGough said he wasn't concerned about that, arguing that the AI trade still has legs as capex rises and the data center buildout continues. He said the trade is probably in its fourth inning, implying it's less than halfway played out.

Further, being out of the AI trade means you risk underperforming, he said, and exposure to the theme is now simply a natural byproduct of owning the largest companies in the world.

With around $8 billion in assets under management, IOO is a much smaller fund than S&P 500 funds like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), with $990 billion, and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), with $789 billion. IOO charges an annual expense ratio of 0.04%.

While IOO has exposure to many top international stocks involved in the AI trade, it its missing some notable names like Taiwan Semiconductor and SK Hynix.

Here are its top 10 holdings and their weightings:

• Nvidia (12.71%)
• Apple (11.52%)
• Alphabet, A class and C class combined (9.38%)
• Microsoft (7.12%)
• Amazon (5.97%)
• Broadcom (4.71)
• Eli Lilly (2.34%)
• Samsung Electronics (2.32%)
• JPMorgan Chase (2.24%)
• ASML (1.73%)

• Ford is targeting a $30,000 starting price for its new electric pickup.
• The 2027 truck will debut Ford's new Universal EV Platform, which will bring a "family" of new EVs.
• Ford says the new cars will feature fewer parts, faster production, and lower prices.

Ford hit reset on its money-losing EV program. Now, the first product of that overhaul is coming into view.

The Detroit automaker says the midsize electric pickup will reach customers in 2027, with a target starting price of about $30,000.

There's still plenty Ford hasn't yet revealed about the vehicle. We don't know the name, haven't received official range estimates, and have only seen the truck wrapped in funky-looking camouflage.

But the automaker has disclosed enough to make clear that the pickup will be one of the most important tests of its next-generation product strategy.

Here is what we know:

Challenging the EV cost issue

Ford's coming truck hopes to disrupt the age-old EV cost issue.

For years, electric vehicles have been more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. In 2025, a full-size Ford F-150 pickup truck with a fuel tank started at around $38,000, while its fully-electric counterpart (which has since been discontinued) had a starting price in the mid-$50,000 range.

The same EV markups on similarly-sized cars have marred product lineups at Hyundai, Kia, General Motors, Stellantis, and BMW.

Now, Ford is aiming for a starting price of about $30,000 — though that figure remains a target rather than a finalized sticker price. If Ford hits this goal, the electric pickup's price would be in the same ballpark as the similarly sized, gas-powered Maverick.

RAV4 room and Mustang speed

Ford says the pickup compares favorably to some of the most well-recognized names in the US auto industry.

The company tells Business Insider it will offer more passenger space than a Toyota RAV4, despite its relatively compact footprint. There's plenty of space for suitcases and bags, too: It will include both a conventional truck bed and extra storage in the front trunk, or frunk.

Ford has also said the truck will accelerate about as quickly as a Mustang EcoBoost. The automaker projects that the pickup's five-year ownership cost will be lower than that of a three-year-old used Tesla Model Y.

A platform designed for more than one truck

In 2022, the Blue Oval launched a skunkworks program to develop a new lineup of easier-to-build, cheaper-to-buy electric vehicles called the Universal EV Platform. That program is radically changing how the century-old automaker is building EVs.

Instead of using the traditional moving assembly line popularized in Ford's early days, the company is adopting an "assembly tree" production system. Ford plans to build its front, rear, and structural battery-and-interior sections separately before joining them together.

The cars will run on lithium-iron-phosphate prismatic batteries produced at BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan.

Ford says the structural battery pack will also serve as the vehicle's floor, reducing weight and complexity. The company says its coming vehicle is 15% more aerodynamically efficient than any other pickup on the market.

The new builds will be simpler. Ford says the vehicles will use 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners, and 40% fewer workstations.

The Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, where Ford will build the new trucks, is getting a fresh investment of nearly $2 billion. The company has put the wider investment in the truck, factory, and US battery production at about $5 billion.

Ford has shown silhouettes suggesting the platform could support vehicles including a hatchback, SUVs, and a cargo van. The company has not confirmed which of those models will reach production.

An EV market under pressure

Ford's new truck is taking shape during an uneven moment for America's EV market.

US electric-car sales improved from the first quarter to the second, but remained 20.5% below their year-earlier level, according to Cox Automotive.

Some companies found pockets of momentum: Rivian's sales rose 13.7% during the first half of the year, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 gained 8.6%, and Toyota's EV deliveries more than doubled from a relatively small base (though the company confirmed to Business Insider that it's delaying the launch of its Highlander EV by at least eight weeks). Tesla also beat Wall Street's expectations for global deliveries, although its estimated US sales remained down for the year.

Ford has been on the losing side of that divide. Its US EV sales fell 40.7% in the second quarter and 57.4% during the first half. GM's EV brands collectively fell by roughly a third in the quarter.

Every one of those US automakers is feeling pressure from Chinese EV makers. China-based car companies, including BYD and Xiaomi, have introduced lower-cost, faster-charging, technology-heavy EVs and expanded into global markets. BYD overtook Tesla as the world's largest seller of battery-electric vehicles last year.

Ford CEO Jim Farley has studied that competition from behind the wheel. He had a Xiaomi SU7 shipped to the US and drove it for six months, calling it "fantastic" and saying he did not want to give it up.

Ford's $30,000 truck is its attempt to turn that alarm into something American customers can buy.

• Walmart revised a feature in its Spark app that helps delivery workers find products in-store.
• Spark delivery workers say it wastes time when filling delivery orders.
• Walmart has spent years trying to deliver orders faster using its stores.

A new feature in Walmart's Spark app is slowing the chain's delivery efforts, workers say.

The Spark delivery workers told Business Insider that Walmart's app has changed a feature that helps them map out their trip around the store to pick up items. Instead of providing a set route that made the best use of a shopper's time, as the app used to do, the Spark app now tracks the worker's location in the store and rearranges the list of items based on their proximity.

Four Spark drivers said the feature is slowing them down. In some instances, it also prompted them to pick up items at risk of melting, such as frozen TV dinners and bags of ice, at the start of their shopping trip rather than the end.

"I frequently get anxiety checking my lists every day, making sure I'm not running around needlessly back and forth, wasting my time and the customer's time," one Spark worker said.

Wasting time can affect Spark workers' income, as they are paid per delivery rather than per hour. It could also have implications for Walmart, which has ramped up competition lately with Amazon to deliver fresh groceries to customers' homes in hours or minutes.

"We work to continuously improve the experience for shoppers and drivers on the Spark Driver Platform by introducing features that help Spark Shoppers navigate stores more efficiently and locate items more easily," a Walmart spokesperson told Business Insider.

The spokesperson also said the company's grocery operations "follow applicable food safety regulations and have processes in place to help maintain the cold chain throughout the shopping and delivery experience."

Melting lasagna and wasted time

The mapping feature, called Smart Path in the Spark app, often prompts Spark workers to pick fresh or frozen items early in the shopping trip, two of the Spark drivers said.

In one case, Smart Path suggested picking up a large frozen lasagna as one of the first few items, the Spark driver who worried about wasting time said.

"It did not thaw out as I was very quick with everything else, but that very well could have not been the case with, say, a new shopper," the Spark worker said.

On other shopping trips, the app has recommended picking up bags of ice as soon as the worker walked into the store — "a very bad idea," the Spark worker said.

On Reddit, some posts include screenshots of the app telling Spark workers to pick frozen items first in orders that contain a dozen or more items. Other Reddit users said the shifting list of items makes it harder to efficiently fill orders.

A Spark worker based in Tennessee said that the app's instructions often send her across the Walmart store where she shops multiple times to fill a single order.

The mapping system breaks the store down into sectors, each marked with a letter and a number. The Spark app tells delivery workers which sector each item is located in.

Often, though, items are located somewhere else, the Spark worker in Tennessee said. The worker said she shopped in early July for an order for a seeded watermelon and used the pathing feature to find it.

"But when I get there, all the watermelons in the display are seedless," the worker said.

Following the new Smart Path feature requires "extra time and energy I could be spending on the next order," the worker said.

Spark drivers work around the pathing tool

The Spark workers Business Insider spoke with said they have found ways to work around the new system's flaws.

Some delivery workers said they know their local Walmart stores well enough to navigate them while ignoring the pathing feature.

"I tried their way, but the app was sending me back and forth through the whole store," one Spark worker in Florida said. Now, he said, "I follow my own path."

Others said they've been sticking to delivering orders that Walmart employees have already prepared. Spark allows gig workers to choose between orders prepackaged by store workers and those they need to gather themselves at a Walmart store. The latter generally pays more.

A Spark worker in Indiana found another hack: He said that he's been focusing on delivering Spark orders from Sam's Club, which doesn't use the latest pathing feature.

"Thank goodness Sam's Club still has the previous version," he said.

Have a tip? 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.

• Chai Atreya's time at Amazon influenced his leadership at his next companies, including ActiveCampaign.
• Amazon's principles, like frugality, shaped Atreya's approach to decision-making and speed.
• While the technology has advanced, he still applies lessons learned from Bezos at his job today.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chai Atreya, a 44-year-old chief product and technology officer at ActiveCampaign, who lives in Los Gatos, California. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm the chief product and technology officer at ActiveCampaign, an autonomous marketing platform powering end-to-end marketing across email, SMS, WhatsApp, and more.

Over the past decade, I've led product and AI teams at high-growth tech companies. From 2012 to 2015, I worked as a software development manager at Amazon, helping launch the first iterations of Alexa, building distributed systems, and optimizing performance for fast, intuitive voice experiences.

I left Amazon because I wanted to take the lessons of operating at an Amazon-level scale and apply them in a role where I could drive transformation more directly and visibly. After Amazon, I held leadership roles at Teradata and Alteryx before joining ActiveCampaign in May 2025.

Jeff Bezos had a clear vision for what would become Alexa

When I started at Amazon, Jeff Bezos shared his vision for an always-on, cloud-connected virtual assistant for the home (what would eventually become Alexa). He set the stage for an experimental and secretive design process, with roughly 50 different concepts, each exploring different use cases, voice domains, and form factors.

The environment was exhilarating — a mix of intense scrutiny, collaboration, and experimentation, where inventing and simplifying were core to our decision-making every day. In one meeting, latency was called out as too high, and Bezos challenged us to reduce Alexa's response time. It challenged every team to rethink the architecture, caching, and system design.

What many people misunderstand about Amazon's "frugality" leadership principle is that it isn't simply about saving money. It's about being frugal with resources like time, bandwidth, and complexity. Setting an aggressively low latency target was an act of frugality.

We had to accomplish more with fewer milliseconds, fewer dependencies, and less architectural overhead. Those constraints forced clarity, demanded resourcefulness and self-sufficiency, and fueled invention.

Two distinct principles from Bezos stayed with me well beyond Amazon

The first was the distinction between one-way and two-way doors. One-way doors are decisions that are hard or costly to reverse, so they deserve more rigor and patience; two-way doors are reversible, so these decisions should be made quickly, tested, and adjusted based on what you learn.

The second was the regret minimization framework, which is about stepping back from the noise of the moment and asking which path you will be proud to have taken over the long arc of your career. The Amazon leadership principles shaped how we operated day-to-day, but those two ideas shaped how I thought about bigger decisions over a longer arc.

Another lesson I learned is that speed builds trust

At Amazon, we learned that moving quickly to deliver meaningful value earned the confidence of customers and partners. Speed wasn't just about reducing latency; it also meant anticipating needs, interpreting subtle signals, and acting decisively on feedback, both explicit and implicit, by leveraging insights from integrated systems to deliver real impact faster.

On Alexa, every decision, from which voice domains to prioritize (weather, music, etc.) to how the system handled errors, was driven by the question "what outcome does this create for the user?" In tandem, it required thinking big. We were redefining how customers interact with technology in their homes, and that ambition pushed us beyond incremental improvements.

I joined when Alexa was a handful of teams, and by its launch in 2014, it grew to thousands of people

During this hyper-scale phase, I conducted hundreds of interviews, consistently applying Amazon's leadership principles and honing my ability to scale teams and processes effectively.

Amazon gave me rapid exposure to high-velocity execution, rigorous decision-making, and systems built for massive complexity. I was also increasingly convinced that AI, analytics, and data would define the next major era of enterprise software.

By the end of my time at Amazon, I felt ready to bring those lessons to a mid-cap company where I could have a direct, broad impact and help guide its own scaling phase.

The principles I learned at Amazon still shape how I lead product teams today

Although my Amazon experience was unique, the principles I learned there — simplifying the customer experience, treating speed as part of product quality, and rethinking systems end-to-end — can help almost any technology company.

Systems that respond quickly and intuitively earn trust, encourage experimentation, and let users focus on strategy instead of mechanics. At ActiveCampaign, it means pushing my teams to simplify workflows, remove unnecessary complexity, and ship improvements that customers can benefit from immediately.

Amazon's leadership principles shaped me to see that every product decision comes back to a balance of speed, data, and clarity of intent. Product reviews constantly revolved around a simple question: "Does this serve a real user goal, and can it be iterated quickly?" The mindset of iterative learning allows teams to move quickly, test ideas in real contexts, and continuously improve.

I believe we're in a pivotal moment for software as a service

SaaS companies that fail to innovate risk disappearing. Success now demands two things at once: improving quality and faster delivery. The only practical way to achieve both is through radical AI coding; supercharging how we build, design, and iterate, and multiplying productivity across the company.

Technology has changed dramatically since I worked on the earliest versions of Alexa, but the leadership principles haven't. High stakes produce the most necessary, exciting products, and businesses that rise to meet market needs with something genuinely useful will define the future.

• OpenAI refuses to play by Silicon Valley's unspoken rule.
• In Facebook's early days, Sheryl Sandberg pushed back in similar ways.
• This is why Apple is so mad right now.

For years, Silicon Valley has had a comfortable way of digesting disruption. OpenAI is refusing to play by these unspoken rules.

That's my takeaway after reviewing Apple's angry lawsuit against the AI startup, and coverage of the blockbuster complaint.

The usual Silicon Valley playbook goes something like this: engineers work on secret projects inside Big Tech, gain expertise, then sometimes leave to start companies of their own.

Most of these startups stay relatively small. They solve narrow technical problems that Apple, Google, Nvidia, or Amazon haven't prioritized. Many fail. The successful ones usually become suppliers, software partners, or acquisition targets. Either way, they end up strengthening the existing dominant players.

Less risk, more control

That arrangement suits Big Tech just fine. Let someone else take the technical and financial risk, then use the new technology once it's proven, or buy the startup to control the products and the people behind it.

Sometimes it's an acqui-hire after a startup fails. Sometimes it's a multibillion-dollar deal after it succeeds. Either way, the founders often end up back at Big Tech companies, the cycle begins again.

For example, I have a neighbor in Silicon Valley who developed a specialized semiconductor component at a startup. Apple acquired that business, and he spent about four years in Cupertino doing similar work that helped make AirPods successful.

Kiva Systems followed a similar pattern. Amazon used technology from this robotics startup to make its warehouse more efficient. Then it acquired the business, and made it the foundation of Amazon's massive robotics operation.

Google took a similar approach with Noam Shazeer. He left to build the startup Character.ai before Google engineered a deal that brought the AI expert back to the search giant.

OpenAI's behavior blows this comfy, established playbook out the water in various ways. This is partly why the company upsets Big Tech companies — even those it previously partnered closely with, such as Microsoft and Apple, as Peter Kafka explained on Monday.

In other words, the Silicon Valley establishment loves to talk about disruption, but when they get truly disrupted themselves, the knives come out.

Sandberg's refusal

The last major example of this I can recall is Facebook, which, like OpenAI, was well-funded and refused to play by the usual rules of the industry. These rules mainly revolve around talent. Who gets to hire, retain, and essentially control, great technical minds — and the ideas held in these prodigious brains.

Back in the 2000s, Apple, Google, Intel, Pixar, Adobe, and Intuit entered into a secret pact that prevented the companies from directly soliciting each other's employees, according to a Justice Department lawsuit.

Facebook refused to take part, and instead went on a hiring spree, luring away hundreds of Googlers. The effort was partly overseen by Sheryl Sandberg, a former top advertising executive from Google. (You may have heard of her!).

Google — just like Apple today — was furious that it was losing talent to a scrappy startup that wasn't playing by Silicon Valley's rules.

"Fix this problem. Propose that you will substantially lower the rate at which you hire people from us," Google executive Jonathan Rosenberg told Sandberg in an email in August 2008. "Then make sure that happens."

But Sandberg refused, and Facebook went on to build the only digital advertising business that has really challenged Google (so far), becoming a $1.7 trillion tech juggernaut in the process.

OpenAI won't stay in its lane

Will OpenAI follow in Facebook's successful steps, or will it crash and burn? That's unclear right now. But the startup is certainly refusing to stay in its lane when it comes to Silicon Valley talent.

The scale of the departures from Apple to OpenAI are astounding. I hadn't realized, until Apple told the world in its lawsuit on Friday that more than 400 of its employees work there now. That's not a small hardware startup.

Some of the Apple talent OpenAI has brought on is unusually senior. Jony Ive is the famous iPhone designer, and Tang Tan spent a quarter of a century at Apple overseeing the design of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPod. These are not mid-level technical engineers who dabble in niche projects. They are either visionaries and/or top-level execs who ran big teams at Apple and know how to bring huge projects to life.

"Apple hasn't really had competition for its best hardware and operations people until now, " tech blogger Ben Thompson wrote on Monday. "From what I understand, there has never before been a mass exodus from Apple for a competitor like has happened in this case, and I don't think Apple likes that very much!"

A threat to Apple

Related to this: OpenAI isn't trying to fix some small technical thing that Apple is too busy to focus on. This startup wants to either directly challenge the iPhone, or completely replace this device as the go-to gadget of the AI era.

OpenAI hinted at this ambition in its response to Apple's complaints, saying it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets."

Instead of helping Apple from the sidelines, OpenAI is going for the jugular. That's a huge threat.

Thompson wrote on Monday that Apple finally has to "actually wrestle with the possibility that AI is such a paradigm shift that it actually might threaten the iPhone."

And OpenAI is ridiculously well funded, so it's beyond being easily acquired to bring talent back to Apple. The startup raised more than $100 billion earlier this year. Even if the valuation collapses 70% from here, it would cost about $100 billion to acquire. Even for Apple, that would be a pricey acqui-hire!

To me, all this explains the intensity (or desperation?) of Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI.

Normally, if a small startup is getting too successful, or too big for its britches, in Silicon Valley, it can be easily squashed, or just acquired. This time, OpenAI is too big, too well-funded, and too ambitious to swat away or subsume easily.

Sign up for BI's Tech Memo newsletter here. Reach out to me via email at abarr@businessinsider.com.

• AI is fueling a massive data center construction boom across the United States and beyond.
• Tech giants like Meta and Google are investing billions in these facilities to power AI.
• If you are someone working to build an AI data center, or recently did, Business Insider wants to hear from you.

Artificial intelligence is driving an unprecedented data center construction boom.

Tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are investing billions in new data centers across the US and around the world to power the next generation of AI technologies.

The rapid expansion has also turned AI data centers into a hot-button issue, with critics raising concerns about energy demand, water consumption, and the strain on local infrastructure.

At the same time, the buildout of AI data centers has also created thousands of blue-collar jobs for construction workers and other skilled tradespeople who are helping to bring these massive facilities to life.

Business Insider is reporting on what it's like to build these data centers — and wants to hear from the workers making it happen.

Whether you're a construction worker, engineer, electrician, pipefitter, plumber, ironworker, HVAC technician, welder, or another skilled tradesperson helping build — or who has recently helped build — AI data centers, Business Insider wants to hear from you.

Fill out the survey to share your experience:

For better or worse, America treats retirement like a personal problem. Yes, there's Social Security, but it's only designed to make up about 40% of your retirement income. As for the rest, the answer is to work hard, save up, and pray your calculations are right. Even if you manage to get it all right, what happens when your parents don't do the same?

Baby boomers are in their post-work era — an estimated 10,000 of them retire every day. As a whole, they're a very wealthy generation, but they're not all cruising toward their golden years financially sound. According to a Vanguard estimate, just 40% of boomers between 61 and 65 are on track to afford their lifestyles in retirement. Americans believe they need $1.6 million to comfortably retire, according to a survey from Charles Schwab. Boomers, on average, have a fraction of that saved up.

For families, it's a conundrum. Suddenly, adult children are tasked not only with helping with medical appointments and grocery runs — they're also scrambling to support their aging relatives financially, potentially blowing up their own savings in the process. It's a case of intergenerational financial contagion: One generation's under-saving rewires another's math and rewrites their future.

"When you plan for yourself, you're also planning for your kids, because if you're not taking care of yourself, you're forcing your kids to be your insurance company," says Laurence Kotlikoff, a professor of economics at Boston University.

When Brandon sat down with his mother to look at her 401(k) a few months ago, he was gobsmacked at how little she had saved up. Her goal was to retire at 67, which is just two years away, but her account sat at $112,000, far short of where the fund was meant to be. She plans to start drawing on Social Security next year, but she's still got a mortgage and car payments that the check won't come close to covering without her keeping a full-time job. "At the current spending rate, she's never going to be able to retire," Brandon tells me. Despite the brutal calculus, his mother seems to think everything will magically work out. "She doesn't see the cliff coming," he says.

Brandon, a 39-year-old Florida truck driver who asked his last name be withheld to protect his family's privacy, is starting to suspect that his mom has a backup plan: him. She helps take care of his 91-year-old grandmother and often makes comments wondering if she can expect the same from him. The problem is, he has a wife and two kids to focus on. He's got a 401(k) through his job and is smart about investing, but it's not enough to add another dependent to his ledger. "I feel a great deal of guilt for her future because I want my mom to be OK," he says.

Situations like Brandon's are about to become more common as the first generation to rely on the modern individualized retirement system reckons with its shortcomings. We've swapped pensions for 401(k)s and IRAs that are a choose-your-own-adventure mechanism for savers, if people paid into them at all. Only half of the private sector workforce has access to retirement savings plans through their employer, says David John, a senior policy advisor at the AARP Public Policy Institute. For those who don't, the odds are very high that they're not saving for retirement on their own. "As long as this situation lasts, we're going to see more and more people who don't have sufficient retirement savings," he says.

To make matters worse, for those who do manage to put money away, we don't really have effective tools or guidance to help them adjust their consumption habits once they've stopped working. Most people know they should have a plan for retirement spending, according to a recent AARP survey, but only about a quarter of them actually do. "Basically, a lot of people are going in blind," John says.

Products such as annuities, which are designed to provide a predictable income in retirement, are expensive. Increased longevity makes financial projections harder. And the costs of items such as long-term care are so astronomical that there may be no way to save sufficiently to cover them.

"You can get a loan for school. You can't get a loan for retirement," says Suzanne Norman, an executive coach and financial literacy educator.

People may have a strong nest egg and a good plan for how to ride out their retirement, but we all know what happens to the best-laid plans— unexpected roof repairs don't go away once you hit 65.

Allison, a 35-year-old in North Carolina, and her husband recently learned her father-in-law's house was in foreclosure — they had no idea he was in money trouble at all and just thought he was putting the house up for sale. In their initial panic, her husband contemplated dipping into his 401(k) to bail his dad out. Instead, they've gotten in touch with the real estate agent on the property — a cousin — and paid $5,000 to have the house painted and staged to help it sell faster. They found a place close to where they live for Allison's father-in-law to rent until they figure out what's next.

"There are a lot of loose ends that will have to be tied up eventually," Allison, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, says.

Recent research from Boston College examined unexpected expenses in retirement — think health emergencies, divorce, car breakdowns, etc. On average, those unexpected costs gobble up as much as 10% of annual retirement income for retirees, and only 60% of retirees have enough cash on hand to cover them in any given year.

"It's a pretty substantial amount," says Angie Chen, associate director of savings and household finance at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College and one of the authors of the research.

When these emergency shocks hit, some people look to their families, particularly their adult children, for support. People who are able to help their parents out generally don't significantly harm their retirement security — kids tend to lend a hand only when they're well-off, Chen says. But there are exceptions: Black and Hispanic households are likelier to fall behind on retirement because of giving to their older parents, largely because they often start pitching in, financially, earlier and therefore miss out on years of compounding investments.

"They do end up with less retirement wealth and less total wealth at the end," Chen says.

Sudden expenses can come in all shapes and sizes later in life, including scams. That's what happened to 62-year-old Laura's 82-year-old mother-in-law. Laura, who lives in Illinois and asked that her last name be withheld to avoid embarrassing her family, estimates that her mother-in-law has given tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars to scammers over the past five years, buying gift cards to send to people she's met on Facebook. Despite the family's attempts at intervention, she refused to be deterred.

"We told her and told her and told her that she would be a target because they look for widows and people who are lonely," Laura says, but her mother-in-law wouldn't hear it.

She eventually stopped paying her bills, and her house was foreclosed on. Last year, Laura and her husband had to scramble to get her into a senior living home that costs $3,000 a month. Between Social Security and retirement savings, her mother-in-law can cover it on her own, but Laura and her husband have still spent $50,000 on various parts of the ordeal — getting her moved, covering unpaid bills.

It's made Laura reflect on her own retirement, which is happening this summer. "I've worked all these years, I've put every penny I could into retirement, and here it goes," she says of her attitude toward it. As for her mother-in-law, things have settled down, and they got her a Jitterbug phone that does not have access to the internet.

The costs adult children pay when their parents' financial plans fall short aren't shared evenly. Women often bear the brunt of support, costing them hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages and missed retirement savings. Pew Research also found that one in 10 American adults is a caregiver for a parent 65 or older, and low-income people, disproportionately, end up shouldering the weight. This comes with emotional, logistical, and financial tolls.

"About half of family caregivers report at least one negative financial impact because of caregiving, and this hits retirement planning very acutely," says Jason Resendez, the CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, a nonprofit that supports family caregivers. He says family caregivers spend some $7,000 out of their own pockets annually.

As older generations retire, more and more families are staring down an uncertain economic future, and personal finance experts say communication is key. As much as budgeting discussions can be an "unpleasant task," AARP's John says, they're necessary.

"You can start to look at this and say, 'All right, what steps can I take to make sure that I'm using my income both more effectively but frankly more enjoyably?'" he says.

Conversations with parents can be tricky — after spending most of their lifetime in charge, they may feel like their kids are being condescending or nagging. But the more the family knows about what's going on, financially, the better everyone can prepare and seek out options.

"If you don't know what it costs to run your life, it's very likely that your life will run out of control," Norman says.

Marcelo Cardenal, a 47-year-old from Florida, and the rest of his family decided that the best avenue for his 89-year-old mother-in-law is to spend down her $100,000 in assets so she can qualify for Medicaid. It could take as much as three years to do it, though, given her deteriorating condition — she has dementia — he thinks it will be faster. "Somehow, she's been able to survive all of this time just living off of her Social Security," he says. He and his wife have helped out financially in a "minimal way," he says, but they feel the right course of action is to get her into the social safety net rather than dip into their own savings and potentially hamstring themselves down the line. It has "bought us time to think about what we need to do, we're not rushed to make decisions," he says.

Families can budget differently. They can delay Social Security, downsize homes, sell investments, or make tough decisions about long-term care. What they can't do is go back in time and save decades earlier. That means the retirement crisis won't stop with one generation — it will shape the financial future of the next.

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

• Sam Altman has picked a public fight with Anthropic over one of its latest social initiatives.
• He said he thought it was satire and accused Anthropic of quietly restricting access to its AI tools.
• The feud comes as Altman is reeling from an Apple lawsuit and in the midst of a fight with Elon Musk.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, already embroiled in fights with Apple and Elon Musk, is now sparring with Anthropic.

On Thursday, Anthropic posted a video on Claude's X account. The video was a collage of random pictures with voiceovers asking existential questions like "Can AI be trusted?" and "If it ends up taking like almost all the jobs, then what does it mean to work?"

The video, captioned "There is hope in hard questions," was part of Anthropic's new social initiative: "Inviting hard questions."

According to Anthropic, the initiative aims to answer people's most pressing concerns about AI. The company will "report the specific actions we're taking to address those questions," and be clear on where it might fall short of its goals, per its press release.

"I thought this was satire, kept looking for the handle to be spelled c1audeai or something," Altman wrote in his repost of Claude's X post.

"Hard questions are great but only if we deem you worthy enough to not silently downgrade you, or even get access at all," Altman added.

Altman was likely referring to Anthropic's recent challenges with its frontier model, Fable 5. At release, Anthropic placed several guardrails on the model so that questions about cybersecurity, biology, and chemistry would be routed to its weaker models.

The guardrails also meant that when Fable 5 detected people using it for AI development, the model's performance would be downgraded to prevent distillation attacks, which refer to training weaker models on the outputs of frontier AI models.

Initially, affected users were not told that their requests wouldn't be fulfilled. Anthropic reversed course on June 10 and began notifying the users after AI researchers criticized the company for limiting research.

Altman's public criticism of Anthropic comes after a series of feud-heavy days for the executive. Apple sued OpenAI on Friday, accusing it of poaching former Apple employees and accessing confidential documents.

Altman also opened up a barely-healed wound with Elon Musk after the two started trading blows on X over the weekend. Talking about the Apple lawsuit, Musk called him "Scam Altman," to which Altman responded that Musk was the one scamming people with his plan to build data centers in space.

Ever since Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei left OpenAI in 2020, the two startups and their leaders have been publicly at odds.

From an awkward photo opp in February when they refused to hold hands during the India AI Summit, to announcing plans to take their companies public at the same time, Altman and Amodei's rivalry shows no signs of mellowing anytime soon.

• The FSB said on Monday that Ukraine sneaked drones deep into Russia to bombard two airfields.
• The drones were sent in via balloon and larger drones, then transported by trailer, the FSB said.
• The Russian intelligence service said it seized 24 AI-enhanced attack drones and two ground stations.

Russian intelligence said on Monday that it stopped two major Ukrainian drone attacks on its airfields, describing a clandestine smuggling operation involving trailers, balloons, and fixed-wing drones.

State media outlet TASS reported that the Federal Security Service, or FSB, said the targets of the Ukrainian operation were the Ukrainka military airfield in the Amur region and the Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk.

Both airfields are hundreds of miles away from Ukrainian territory; Amur is in the Far East and borders China, while Chelyabinsk is in the Urals.

Per TASS, the FSB said the Ukrainian operation began with fixed-wing drones and balloons dropping off first-person-view attack drones in Bryansk, a region bordering Ukraine.

Russian intelligence said the smaller drones were smuggled deeper into the country via car-towed trailers with false bottoms, loaded with household appliances as a ruse.

The drones were then prepared for attack in garages near the airfields, the FSB added.

The agency told TASS that it seized two ground control stations and 24 first-person-view drones equipped with Western-manufactured "neural control modules," which essentially provide onboard artificial intelligence.

Each attack drone was equipped with 1 kilogram of explosives, and the ground control stations were also "equipped with self-destruct devices continuing 250 grams of explosives each," the FSB said.

TASS reported that the first-person-view drones were equipped with small fragmentation balls on their sides, as well as a mix of incendiary, anti-armor, and high-explosive payloads.

Ukraine's GUR intelligence service and defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

The details reported by Russia echo those of Operation Spiderweb, a shock Ukrainian drone attack last June that saw Kyiv's forces using trucks to smuggle dozens of small drones near four Russian airfields.

The strikes drew global attention for demonstrating the vulnerability of airfields to drone attacks. Ukraine said it destroyed or damaged over 40 warplanes, including Russia's hard-to-replace strategic bombers.

Artificial intelligence has also emerged as a key feature on Ukrainian and Russian war drones. Onboard AI algorithms allow a drone to identify targets and, in some cases, decide to engage them.

When combined with the ability to guide the drone to its target, that AI could essentially form the foundation for a group of drones to operate autonomously as a swarm.

It would also allow the drone to continue attacking while its radio signal to the human operator is jammed.

The FSB referred on Monday to the Ukrainian drones as part of a plan for "swarm drone attacks."

It also said that it confiscated communications devices used by the suspects transporting the drones to contact "Ukrainian handlers."

Ukraine's drone attack last year, Operation Spiderweb, involved several Russian drivers who delivered the uncrewed aircraft to the airfields. Kyiv said the drivers were unaware of the cargo they were carrying.

• Wix CEO Avishai Abrahami criticized the tech world's AI hype.
• Abrahami said he doubts AI's ability to replace jobs, citing frequent mistakes and limitations.
• Wix shares have dropped nearly 50% this year on SaaSpocalypse fears.

Even the CEO behind a buzzy AI coding platform says Silicon Valley is overselling AI.

On an episode of the "20VC" podcast released on Monday, Avishai Abrahami, the CEO of Wix, a web design company that acquired the vibe-coding platform Base44, addressed one of the industry's biggest debates: AI's ability to replace traditional software and human employees.

"I would love to say the team in three years, we will be a thousand people in Base44 and a thousand people in Wix, and everything else would be AI agents. I'm not so sure it is possible,"Abrahami said. "I think that we all give too much credit for AI and what it can do."

He added that AI is not doing well "for a lot of the things" at detailed levels.

The CEO said that vibe coding, for example, was far from a perfect solution. Wix bought Base44 for $80 million last year, and Abrahami said it has invested $200 million into the platform.

"You try to build anything very complicated, it's hard when you're trying to do visual editing. It's really annoying," he said. "You're not going to vibe code Shopify no matter how good you are."

In another example, Abrahami said the company tried several times to buy AI customer support systems but had to build its own after being disappointed with the off-the-shelf options. He also said that he is not prioritizing swapping human customer support with AI.

"I would not be that concerned with LLM replacing every kind of white-collar jobs," he said. "It's not that smart. It keeps making silly mistakes. It's not very good."

Abrahami's comments follow a rough year for Wix. Its shares have fallen almost 50% as investors question whether AI-powered website builders will erode its core business.

Wix is in a unique position compared to other software providers: While its stock is being punished by industry-wide "SaaSpocalypse" fears, it has reported double-digit revenue growth from Base44.

• Norway striker Erling Haaland took home a tipsy raccoon as a keepsake of his time in the US.
• He left the plane at Oslo with the taxidermied raccoon in one hand and a Dolce & Gabbana bag in the other.
• Haaland's fashion sense and meme-worthy presence have made him one of the World Cup's most viral players.

The FIFA World Cup's most viral football player left the US with a rather peculiar souvenir.

Norway's striker Erling Haaland returned home after his team lost to England in the quarter-finals on Sunday. He exited the plane at Oslo's Gardermoen Airport on Monday in style, carrying a $750 taxidermy raccoon in one hand and a Dolce & Gabbana tote bag in the other.

"It followed me home," he joked of the raccoon in the caption of his Monday X post.

The raccoon was from Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas, a family-owned business that Haaland visited at the start of July, according to an Instagram post by the store. The store's website says it's been in operation for more than 40 years.

The business has jumped on the Haaland hype train, posting a picture of him on its website's homepage wearing a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a shirt that reads: "Y'all can kiss my Dallas."

"As a family-owned business, moments like these mean the world to us," the store wrote in an Instagram post on July 5. "Thank you for stopping by and spending time with our team."

The raccoon, mounted on a wooden board and holding a whiskey bottle, is sold out on Wild Bill's storefront, with the notice "inventory on the way."

The shop has also started international shipping since Haaland's visit, after it was flooded with comments from Norwegians and other foreigners interested in its products.

Haaland, known for his blond man bun, funny facial expressions, and goal-scoring prowess, is perhaps the most viral player in this year's World Cup. The 25-year-old Manchester City player has taken over the internet with memes and songs, including "Haaland (Ha Ha Ha)," a Manchester City fan chant.

Off the pitch, he has made waves for his fashion sense. He has frequently been photographed carrying rare Hermès bags, Chanel cashmere beanies, and other luxury items.

• Nick Lappen found his passion for bartending after a transformative stint in China in his 20s.
• After returning to Boston during the pandemic, he opened a small bar to test the concept he hoped to bring to China.
• By 2023, he was back in China and went on to open a bar in Chengdu, specializing in tiki cocktails.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nick Lappen, an American bartender and entrepreneur based in China. His words have been edited for length and clarity.

I first visited China when I was 22 on a road trip from London to Mongolia, and the experience left a lasting impression.

A few years later, in 2015, I signed what I expected would just be a six-month contract as an education consultant in a mountainous province in southwest China.

Instead, it changed the course of my career.

After briefly returning to the US, I realized I missed the lifestyle of China and moved back. I no longer wanted to teach full time, so I started to split my time between teaching and bartending. I also opened a seasonal rooftop bar with my then-girlfriend, which led to consulting work and helped establish me in the country's growing hospitality scene.

I later moved to Shanghai to pursue bartending full time. But the pandemic forced me back to Boston, where I sharpened my skills behind some of the city's best bars and opened a small one specializing in baijiu, China's traditional distilled spirit, as a side project. It became a testing ground for the kind of bar I hoped to build in China one day.

Living in the US again confirmed that China was where I wanted to be. I missed the convenience and the general kindness of the people there.

I also missed spending weekends at off-the-beaten-path reservoirs in the countryside, where locals from nearby villages shared the same love of the water. We'd jump off cliffs into the pools, catch fish, paddleboard, swim, and enjoy local delicacies together.

Life in southwest China is low-stress, and I felt the pace and opportunities there were a better match for the future I wanted.

A new chapter in Chengdu

By 2023, I was back in China as head of bar at what is now Upper House in Chengdu. But after nearly two years, I felt ready to build something on my own.

The concept for Sugarcane Society, a rum bar, began by accident. Originally, my partners — a fellow American and a local Chinese friend I met in Chengdu — and I rented the space as an R&D site for our brand of liqueurs, bitters, and sprays. But we had extra space and decided to transform it into a bar.

The total cost to get Sugarcane Society up and running was 60,000 Chinese yuan, or under $10,000, including everything from the rent deposit and business registration to equipment and renovations.

The bar has been open since October 2025 and specializes in classic tiki cocktails. It's been doing well, but we're limited by space and can accommodate only 20 guests at a time.

One of the biggest challenges we face in Chengdu is visibility. The bar is not in a high-foot-traffic area. Most of our patrons are rum enthusiasts or fellow bartenders who seek us out based on our reputation for quality. Social media has been crucial for our marketing efforts, but building a following takes time and strategy.

What's Next?

Over the years, I've been presented with numerous opportunities to leave China, whether for jobs in the Middle East or back home in the US. Each time, though, I've realized I'd be moving somewhere I didn't want to live. The everyday experiences in China — the warmth of the people, the slower pace of life, and the constant learning — have only strengthened my desire to stay.

The notion that everything made in China is subpar is a misconception I want to dismantle.

The quality of the spirits, wines, and craft beers produced here rivals anything you'd find in the West. For example, XiaoPu, a "nomadic" winery that sources high-quality grapes from Ningxia, Gansu, Sichuan, and other wine-growing regions across China, makes some of the most interesting natural wines on the market.

Breweries like TripSmith in Guiyang and Wild West Brewing in Chengdu are also pushing the country's craft beer scene forward.

I've come to appreciate local products, from clothing and tech to fresh produce. I use Xiaomi products like air purifiers, WiFi routers, fitness trackers, and even my cellphone in everyday life, and Chinese clothing brands like Anta, Li-Ning, and Feiyue are affordable and high quality. My vision for the future includes showcasing these kinds of products in my bars, further bridging the gap between East and West.

If the version of me who first landed in China could see my life now, I think he would be astonished at how much I've changed. Maybe that growth would have happened elsewhere, too, but it happened here.

• LAPD lets contract with Flock Safety expire over privacy and civil liberties concerns.
• LAPD was a major Flock customer with 138 pole-mounted cameras across Los Angeles.
• Flock's license plate reading technology has made mistakes with serious consequences.

Flock Safety is hitting a rough patch with one of its biggest customers.

The Los Angeles Police Department let its deal with the surveillance company expire over the past weekend, a spokesperson of the department told Business Insider on Monday.

"We wanted to address some of the civil liberty and civil rights concerns and ensure that there is clarity over the terms regarding privacy, data ownership, and security," the LAPD spokesperson said.

The LAPD is among Flock's largest government customers. The Atlanta-based company operates a nationwide network of more than 80,000 cameras that scan license plates to help law enforcement agencies trace vehicles.

An LAPD audit report released earlier in July said the department had a three-year agreement with Flock, which operated 138 pole-mounted cameras across Los Angeles since July 2023. LAPD's audit cited concerns that federal agencies could have access to data collected by Flock and that federal immigration enforcement could seek access to it.

The data-sharing arrangement was first reported in October 2025 by the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights, which said that Flock had implemented an information-sharing pilot program that allowed federal agencies to access license plate data collected by local law enforcement agencies without those agencies' knowledge or consent.

The LAPD isn't alone in rethinking its association with Flock

A growing number of police jurisdictions have walked away from Flock since 2025, including Mountain View, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara County, South Pasadena, Flagstaff, and Hillsborough, North Carolina.

In some places, breaking up with Flock has proven harder than signing up. In Dayton, Ohio, city workers recently covered the company's cameras with trash bags after an internal review found what officials described as "egregious violations" of city policy, including thousands of immigration-related searches. In Evanston, Illinois, officials said Flock reinstalled cameras after the city had moved to remove them, prompting a cease-and-desist letter before the devices were ultimately taken down months later.

Business Insider's Nicole Einbinder previously reported that mistakes made by Flock's automated license plate readers have led to innocent drivers being stopped at gunpoint, mauled by police dogs, or jailed after their vehicles were incorrectly flagged. One man in Toledo was arrested and suffered serious injuries after Flock's camera misread the "7" on his plate for a "2" and flagged the vehicle to the police as stolen.

The setbacks come after years of rapid expansion for Flock, which has become a dominant player in the automated license plate reader market since its launch in 2017.

Earlier in 2026, Amazon's Ring also canceled a planned partnership with Flock days after a Ring advertisement aired during the Super Bowl sparked widespread backlash.

In a separate incident, US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg announced federal charges against a Texas man on Monday for allegedly leaving antisemitic and homophobic threats in Flock's company voicemail inbox. The voice message also accused the company of "breaking the Constitution."

Flock Safety's spokesperson told Business Insider that the company will have ongoing discussions with LAPD to address "misconceptions" that led to the "disappointing pause" and that it hopes to resume its "successful partnership" with LAPD soon.

"While this latest development comes as a surprise," the Flock spokesperson said, "We remain committed to continuing our active and ongoing conversations with LAPD to find a path forward."

• CA Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new bill that gives first-time EV buyers a $3,500 rebate.
• The bill limits the incentive to new EVs priced at $50,000 or less.
• The bill exempts California-based companies, such as Rivian and Lucid, from the price cap.

California is launching a new incentive program for first-time electric vehicle buyers that gives companies like Rivian and Lucid an edge.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill, SB 168, into law on Monday that will give first-time EV customers an instant incentive of $3,500 on a new vehicle and $1,750 toward a used one at the point of sale.

The program, called MyFirstEV, is expected to launch this summer, though the state did not announce an exact start date. A spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which will administer the statewide program, told Business Insider that the agency expects to announce participating automakers next month.

The bill has a price cap for EVs to qualify. New vehicles can't have a manufacturer's suggested retail price above $50,000, while used vehicles can't sell for more than $25,000.

However, the law exempts EV makers headquartered in California that manufacture only zero-emission vehicles, allowing companies like Rivian and Lucid to participate in the incentive program regardless of vehicle prices. Rivian is headquartered in Irvine, while Lucid is based in Newark.

Both companies sell vehicles priced well above the bill's caps. Rivian's R1T truck has a starting price of under $80,000. Lucid primarily sells luxury EVs, with the Air sedan starting at around $71,000.

A Lucid spokesperson told Business Insider that it intends to participate in the statewide program and that Lucid Air and Gravity vehicles will be eligible for California customers.

"We see this as a meaningful opportunity to help make advanced electric vehicles more accessible to California buyers," the spokesperson said, adding that the company "applauds the inclusion of the exemption."

Although Tesla manufactures the Model 3 and Model Y at its Fremont factory and maintains an engineering headquarters in Palo Alto, it would be excluded from the exemption. The company moved its corporate headquarters from California to Austin in 2021.

The CARB spokesperson confirmed that Lucid and Rivian could qualify for the exemption, while Tesla would be subject to the price caps.

Tesla wouldn't be entirely shut out of the incentive program. Lower-priced versions of the Model 3 and Model Y that fall below the $50,000 cap could qualify if the company chooses to participate.

The CA governor's office presented the program as a replacement for the federal EV tax credit program, which the Trump administration rolled back. Under the now-defunct federal program, EV buyers could get up to $7,500 in incentives.

"Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to pollute our air and surrender the clean car industry to China on a silver platter. California is putting its foot on the accelerator," Newsom said in a statement.

Spokespeople for Rivian and Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

• In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a home that set a record for the priciest home in California.
• The $190 million Malibu mansion is just one of the many properties they own around the country.
• Here are the homes they're linked to, from a former church in New Orleans to a Hamptons estate.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z break music records — and real-estate records.

The couple, who Forbes reports is worth nearly $4 billion combined as of this publication, is linked to many multimillion-dollar homes across the United States.

In 2023, they bought a 42,000-square-foot Malibu estate with a minimalist concrete aesthetic, designed by famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The price? $190 million — the largest sum in California history.

In New Orleans, the "Cowboy Carter" singer and the rapper-turned-entrepreneur have been linked to a former Presbyterian church that has been transformed into a mansion.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z's impressive property portfolio also includes another mansion in the Los Angeles area and several homes in New York. They are also reportedly in talks to purchase a 58-acre plot of land in the Cotswolds that they plan to develop in the future.

Take a look at Beyoncé and Jay-Z's homes across the country.

Beyoncé came from humble beginnings in Houston.

Beyoncé's rise to stardom began in a modest, middle-class neighborhood in Houston's Third Ward.

2414 Rosedale Street has three bedrooms and three bathrooms over 8,640 square feet, according to the listing from 2019.

According to the Associated Press, the Knowles family purchased the home in 1982, not long after Beyoncé was born, and moved out when she was about 5.

In 2019, the home was listed for sale for about $500,000. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state, it's unclear how much it sold for.

Beyoncé was spotted taking photos of the home in September 2023 during the Houston stop of her Renaissance World Tour, the AP reported.

The couple is linked to a Tribeca penthouse, where they married in 2008.

In September 2004, Jay-Z, who voiced his aspirations for success in his hit rap song 'Big Pimpin', made one of his first big real-estate purchases.

The native New Yorker, who was about 34 at the time, spent $6.85 million on a penthouse at 195 Hudson Street in the downtown Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca.

Architectural Digest reported that the 8,000-square-foot apartment has an additional 3,000 square feet of outdoor terrace space. It's in a 27-unit building that was converted from a 1929 brick warehouse in 1999, real-estate listings site StreetEasy reported.

In 2008, he and Beyoncé held an intimate wedding ceremony at the penthouse, with 40 people in attendance. Architectural Digest reported in 2024 that the couple is believed to still own the home.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are also linked to a home in New Orleans that used to be a church.

Louisiana is where Beyoncé's mother, fashion designer Tina Knowles, was born and raised.

In 2015, multiple news outlets reported that the couple purchased a Spanish Baroque-style mansion in New Orleans' Garden District. The house on Harmony Street, locally known as La Casa de Castille, was listed for $2.6 million at the time of its purchase, but the exact sales purchase price remains a mystery due to Louisiana's non-disclosure policy.

NOLA.com outlined how the church became a residence: In the 1920s, Westminster Presbyterian Church built it, and 38 members of the Ku Klux Klan allegedly attended its groundbreaking ceremony. Following years of vacancy, dancer Harvey Hysell transformed it into a ballet theater in 1977. Finally, in the early 2000s, it was purchased and extensively renovated.

According to the old Zillow listing, it still has 16-foot ceilings and stained-glass windows. The 13,300-square-foot, three-story property, made up of a main residence and three separate apartments, has a total of seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a rooftop garden.

In 2021, there was a fire on the property, and it was listed for sale shortly after at $3.5 million, later increased to $4.45 million, TMZ reported. However, it was later taken off the market, according to Architectural Digest.

On Google Maps' Street View, La Casa de Castille is blurred, suggesting that it may still be a private residence.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z own a home in the Hamptons.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have a New York state of mind when it comes to real estate.

In addition to the Tribeca penthouse and a midtown Manhattan condo — which Beyoncé owned prior to their marriage and sold in 2017 for $10 million — they have rented and owned several homes in the Hamptons.

In 2012, the year their daughter Blue Ivy was born, they leased a 31,000-square-foot vacation home in Bridgehampton for $400,000 a month.

Beyond the standard luxuries like a bar, a pool, and a tennis court, that mansion also featured a bowling alley, rock climbing wall, and skateboard half-pipe, according to Architectural Digest.

In 2017, the couple purchased the Pond House in East Hampton for $26 million.

Located at 81 Briar Patch Road, the 12,000-square-foot mansion with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a separate cottage was designed by architect Stanford White, whose work includes the arch in Washington Square Park.

The couple's waterfront property sits across from Georgica Pond and a 17-acre meadow preserve, offering unparalleled privacy.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a 34,000-square-foot estate in Bel Air in 2017.

Also in 2017, Beyoncé and Jay-Z bought an $88 million mansion in Bel Air. They welcomed twins Rumi and Sir that year, too.

The ultramodern 34,000-square-foot estate has eight bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, and a 90-foot infinity pool, according to its Zillow listing.

It has more than 10,000 square feet of outdoor living space and offers panoramic views of the Angeles National Forest.

In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z bought the most expensive home in California history.

In 2023, Beyoncé and Jay-Z purchased a 40,000-square-foot mansion in Malibu's exclusive Paradise Cove neighborhood, which some have dubbed "Billionaires' Beach," for $190 million.

The sale set a record for the most expensive property transaction in California and was also the largest residential sale nationwide that year.

The estate's record-breaking price tag is attributed in part to its high-pedigree design and extensive array of amenities.

According to Architectural Digest, it took the previous owners, art collectors Bill Bell and his wife Maria Bell, a decade and a half to complete the building.

Spanning more than 8 acres, the compound is designed in the Japanese minimalist style for which its architect, Tadao Ando, is known.

According to E! News, the main residence has 8 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, while its living room features custom-made fixtures imported from Italy. Outside, there are four separate pools, a bar, and a private helipad.

The couple is reportedly in talks to purchase a 58-acre plot of land in the Cotswolds in England.

The Cotswolds, a picturesque region spanning parts of southwestern and south-central England, is known for its rolling green hills, centuries-old villages, and historic estates.

With luxury properties often commanding multimillion-pound prices, the area has earned the nickname "the Hamptons of England." It has long attracted prominent British residents, including David and Victoria Beckham, actress Elizabeth Hurley, and supermodel Kate Moss.

More recently, the Cotswolds have also attracted wealthy Americans. Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly among them, The Times reported in September.

According to the publication, the Carters are considering a £7.5 million ($8.54 million) 58-acre property in Wigginton, a village with fewer than 200 residents. Owain Jones, who is handling the sale, told The Times that their plans to develop the land could bring the project's total cost to about £18 million (or about $20. 5 million).

Should the Carters move forward with the purchase, they would not be far from the Beckhams and Simon Cowell, who reportedly own homes in the nearby village of Great Tew.

However, the proposed construction has upset some Wigginton residents, who are concerned about preserving the village's peace and quiet, House & Garden reported.

• OpenAI has struck important deals with Microsoft and Apple over the last couple years.
• But Microsoft and OpenAI have more or less called it quits. And Apple is suing OpenAI.
• These aren't the first Big Tech deals to go south. But these are two high-profile breakups in the same year. Coincidence or trend?

A year ago, OpenAI seemed like it had an untouchable lead in the AI race.

It was by far the dominant AI platform for consumers. Competitors like Meta were scrambling — and spending a gazillion dollars on new hires — to catch up. Sam Altman had enough cash, and clout, to hire famed Apple designer Jony Ive to build him a mystery device meant to take on the iPhone Ive helped build.

Now the narrative has turned: OpenAI is now scrambling to catch up to rival Anthropic, which had focused on enterprise accounts instead of selling to individuals. Altman seems to constantly be reorganizing his leadership structure, and then reorganizing again. And Apple is suing OpenAI, claiming that Altman's company poached its employees and stole its secrets.

It's an open question whether OpenAI erred by focusing early on consumers instead of companies. Or whether it has the right executives in the right roles. You need time to see how all of that shakes out. (I've asked OpenAI if they want to weigh in on any of this.)

But we can focus on the Apple lawsuit right now. Because what's interesting to me isn't just the spectacle of one of the world's most powerful companies suing one of the world's most valuable startups (and, possibly dragging its legendary former employee into court as well, though Ive hasn't been named in the suit).

It's that this is the second time OpenAI has aligned itself with a leading tech giant, and ended up in a messy breakup.

That first rift was with Microsoft, which at one point appeared to be OpenAI's most crucial Big Tech ally. Microsoft first invested $1 billion in OpenAI way back in 2019, and then made a much bigger commitment in 2023, months after OpenAI ushered in a new era of AI with ChatGPT. When Altman was temporarily fired by his board later that year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella provided crucial backing for Altman in his negotiations to take back his job.

But by April of this year, Microsoft and OpenAI had more or less broken up. They still have a deal, but the exclusive relationship they'd forged a few years earlier is now formally non-exclusive. Of note: That deal came weeks after a report that Microsoft was considering suing OpenAI for allegedly breaching their existing contract.

The Apple/OpenAI story isn't a carbon copy of the Microsoft/OpenAI story, but it rhymes.

In 2024, Apple blessed OpenAI's status as the dominant AI company by giving it pole position on the iPhone: Apple wasn't forcing its users to use ChatGPT, but it was going to integrate the chatbot into its phone software. It seemed like a win for both companies.

Then OpenAI bought Ive's company for $6.5 billion, and announced plans to build a mystery device that isn't supposed to be an iPhone but is also clearly meant to compete with the iPhone in some way. And by May of this year, OpenAI executives were so disappointed with their Apple tie-up that they were reportedly considering suing Tim Cook's company for breach of contract.

Instead, Apple is suing OpenAI.

I don't have an opinion about the merits of Apple's case. So far, we only have Apple's (preliminary) side of the story. And there are plenty of observers, including my colleague Alistair Barr, who aren't particularly sympathetic to Apple.

It's also not the first time Apple has used the court system to fight a would-be iPhone challenger: While it didn't sue Google directly, in 2011 it did sue Samsung, which was using Google's Android software to build an iPhone rival.

But I think it's remarkable that OpenAI has struck two very important alliances with Big Tech giants, and both of them have ended in acrimony.

A seen-it-all perspective would be to argue that fighting with Big Tech companies is a sign that you may be a Big Tech company yourself. And that all of these guys have enormous resources, and lawsuits take forever to play out, and by the time they do, the world may have changed so radically that the initial fight becomes pointless. We're all adults here, let's move on.

But if you're a Big Tech executive who's working with OpenAI, or considering it, you may have already had concerns about the company's leadership. This week's news may give you even more reasons to fret.

Casper has earned its reputation as one of the leading bed-in-a-box brands by making mattress shopping simple. The company offers memory foam and hybrid mattresses, along with pillows, sheets, bed frames, and other sleep accessories, making it easy to refresh your entire bedroom in a single order. If you're planning to buy, a Casper promo code can help lower the cost.

One reason Casper remains a popular pick is its balanced mattress design, which appeals to a wide range of sleepers. Our sleep team has tested several models over the years, and the Casper Dream Hybrid remains our top recommendation for back and stomach sleepers in our guide to the best cooling mattresses. You can read our full Casper mattress review for a closer look at how each model performed in testing.

Mattresses aren't cheap, but Casper regularly offers discounts on mattresses, bedding, and sleep bundles throughout the year. We've rounded up the latest Casper coupon codes and deals below to help you save on your next bedroom upgrade.

Today's best Casper coupons and promo codes

Previous Casper promo codes

Are there any other Casper mattress sales running at the moment?

You can find a full list of clearance markdowns on Casper's website at any time. As of the time of writing, Casper is running the following promotions.

How to use Casper coupons and promo codes

Casper coupons are pretty easy to use. Copy the code you're planning to apply. Add the product you're buying to your cart, then click "Apply promo code" to open the entry field. Paste your discount code there, then click Apply.

Can you stack Casper coupon codes?

Casper coupon codes are not stackable, so you can apply only one per purchase. Therefore, it's important to use the best one available.

Luckily, the coupon codes work with any ongoing Casper sales.

Can I use Casper coupons in-store?

Casper coupon codes vary in whether they can be used in-store. Most often, they are limited to online use, but in-store associates can price-match any discounts you have proof of.

What mattress should I buy from Casper?

Casper offers a full lineup of great beds designed for different sleepers. You can learn more in our full Casper mattress guide, or check out these favorites of ours:

Casper coupons: frequently asked questions

Does Casper offer discounts for teachers, students, or the military?

Casper offers exclusive military, education, and healthcare discounts for verified members. Active-duty service members, veterans, military family members, teachers, students, nurses, healthcare professionals, first responders, and hospital employees can all save 5% on Casper purchases.

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

Do Casper mattresses have a warranty?

Casper offers a 10-year limited warranty that automatically comes with mattresses purchased on Casper.com. It covers defects, including abnormal deterioration, physical flaws in the foam, and manufacturing errors in the zipper assembly. If you bought your bed from another retailer, you can register your bed here.

Final sale and clearance items receive a shorter warranty than other purchases.

What is Casper's returns/refunds policy?

Casper's return policy aims to be as painless as possible, offering free returns anytime after the 30-night adjustment period. Just reach out to support within the first 100 nights of your purchase to have the brand remove the mattress from your home and provide a full refund.

Other products, like pillows, sheets, and accessories, can be returned by printing out a given shipping label and sending it back for free.

Does Casper offer free shipping?

Every mattress order with Casper receives free, no-contact delivery. As the term "bed-in-a-box" suggests, each mattress arrives tightly coiled in a box for you to place on your bed and unfurl.

Other items, such as headboards and bed frames, may incur a shipping fee depending on where you live. Learn more about the specific costs here.

Does Casper offer white-glove delivery?

Casper offers an in-home delivery and setup service starting at $199. After placing your order, you can schedule a delivery date for two to four weeks in the future. From there, you'll receive a four-hour delivery window the day before to prepare for your new product's arrival.

Will Casper remove my old mattress?

If your order includes in-home delivery and setup, Casper will offer disposal options for your old mattress. If your order does not include in-home delivery, check Casper's website or contact their customer support team for suggestions.

Does Casper only offer mattresses?

In addition to mattresses, you can shop for pillows, bedding, and furniture on Casper's site. You can even purchase dog beds from Casper to show your pets some love.

How does Casper compare to other online mattress companies?

Many online bed-in-a-box companies have risen in popularity in recent years, and each has its own merits and drawbacks. Check out our full guide to the best mattress to see how Casper compares to competitors across criteria like price range, mattress types, and delivery options.

Can I reuse a Casper coupon?

For the most part, Casper promo codes can only be used once per person. However, there may be exceptions, so be sure to check the terms and conditions for the specific code you want to use.

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

If you want your living room to feel like a home theater, screen size matters a lot. The best 85-inch TVs deliver a scale that smaller sets just can't match. Movies look more cinematic, and video games feel more immersive. This size is also perfect for watch parties during sports events, like the World Cup finals. The downside? Once you jump to this size, prices rise quickly. That's why choosing the right model really matters. You want that wow factor without paying more than you need to.

To make the decision easier, I've rounded up the best 85-inch TVs (and a few 83-inch options) you can buy. I've spent more than a decade reviewing home theater gear, and my team and I test TVs year-round for picture quality, smart features, and overall value.

Based on our findings, the TCL QM7K is my top pick for most needs. Its QLED panel delivers solid brightness, contrast, and color at a highly competitive price. But if you want an OLED with deeper black levels and wider viewing angles, I recommend the Samsung S90F. Though it's more expensive, it's a fantastic big-screen TV for home theaters.

Our top picks for the best 85-inch TVs

Best overall: TCL QM7K 4K QLED TV - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best midrange OLED: Samsung S90F 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best high-end Mini LED: TCL X11L 4K SQD TV - See at Amazon

Best premium OLED: LG G5 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best overall

The TCL QM7K QLED is the best 85-inch TV for most people. It's typically sold for around $1,500, which is an excellent price for a big-screen TV in this class.

I previously recommended TCL's step-up QM8K model in this spot. The QM8K has a brighter display, but the 85-inch size is pricier and hard to find in stock, and it's unclear whether more inventory will be available. With that in mind, the QM7K is now my top recommendation.

With its QLED panel and Mini LED dimming, the QM7K delivers solid brightness with a punchy picture, good contrast, and healthy black levels. I measured peak brightness at roughly 1,800 nits, which is more than enough to make HDR highlights really shine.

Explosions and other bright effects pop, and dark scenes exhibit good contrast. Minor light bleed still exists, but it's less noticeable than on older TCL models. Just keep in mind that black levels don't fully disappear in a dark room. For pixel-level dimming, you need an OLED, which costs quite a bit more.

Viewing angles are also decent. Colors and contrast still fade a bit off-center, but not nearly as much as older TCL TVs. On the software side, Google TV runs smoothly, and after weeks of testing, I encountered no significant glitches. Gamers get plenty of perks, too. A pop-up game menu shows key video and performance settings, and the TV supports up to 144Hz with a PC or up to 120Hz with a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

You can find better-looking 85-inch TVs, but the price jump to reach that next tier is significant. For what you pay, few large-screen models offer the QM7K's blend of brightness, features, and overall picture quality.

Check out our guides to all the best TVs and best TCL TVs.

Best on a budget

The best 85-inch TVs don't come cheap. Even entry-level models rarely dip below $700, and those sets make key sacrifices to keep costs down. However, TCL's QM6K is a bit of an outlier. The 85-inch size is often available for around $1,000 and features advanced capabilities that most budget-friendly sets lack.

Like the pricier QM7K, the QM6K utilizes a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight and supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. This gives the TV a wider color range, higher contrast, a brighter picture, and smoother gaming performance than regular LED sets that lack these features. The TV's contrast control is great for a display in this class, and its black levels are solid.

However, dark scenes aren't quite as inky as they are on OLED TVs or pricier QLED models, and this is the dimmest TV in this guide. I measured a peak of around 560-730 nits across various test patterns. Those are decent numbers for the money, but bright HDR content lacks the impact I've seen on TVs with higher luminance. Like most QLED displays, the QM6K's viewing angles are limited, though slightly better than those of older TCL models like the Q65.

The TV's Google TV interface is a breeze to use, and I didn't run into any major lag or glitches. The included Google Assistant voice remote even has backlit keys, a nice perk that Samsung and LG remotes lack.

Though performance between all QM6K sizes is comparable in most areas, the 85- and 98-inch models have one notable feature that smaller sizes lack. The 85-inch QM6K features a matte screen coating that reduces reflections. This is great if you plan to use the TV in a room that struggles with sunlight. However, matte screens tend to reduce contrast under certain lighting conditions, so if you don't have glare in your room, you might prefer a traditional glossy-style TV.

Read our TCL QM6K TV review.

Visit our guide to all of the best budget TVs.

Best midrange OLED

The 83-inch Samsung S90F OLED is notably more expensive than most QLED and Mini LED TVs in this size, but it offers a clear step up in image quality.

This model replaces my previous pick in this spot, the LG C5. The C5 delivers very similar performance and remains an excellent 83-inch OLED. However, it's getting harder to find in stock, and the S90F is a more readily available alternative.

The S90F uses an OLED panel with pixel-level dimming, enabling true black levels that disappear into a dark room. This kind of panel also has much wider viewing angles than a QLED TV, so the picture doesn't fade or distort when you sit off to the side of the screen. These perks make the S90F an especially great fit for movie nights, home theater setups, or watch parties.

On the downside, the S90F's brightness can't match that of a midrange or high-end QLED TV, like the QM7K. For a brighter 83-inch OLED, you'd have to spend up on the Samsung S95-Series, LG G-Series, or LG C6H, all of which use more advanced OLED screens with brightness-boosting capabilities. In addition, the 83-inch S90F's color performance isn't quite as wide as its smaller counterparts, since this size doesn't use quantum dots.

Even so, the S90F is plenty bright and colorful for typical use, and its high contrast exceeds that of any QLED, including the QM7K. This makes the S90F a superior TV for people willing to spend up on picture quality.

Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform is decent but not my favorite. I like its gaming hub, which has access to apps like Xbox Game Pass, but navigation isn't as intuitive as Google TV or Roku OS. However, this model is snappier than older Samsung TVs, which tended to lag a bit. The remote control is also worth mentioning, as it features a unique SolarCell design that powers itself with light and doesn't require batteries.

Read our Samsung S90F 4K TV review.

Visit our guide to the best Samsung TVs.

Best high-end Mini LED

The TCL X11L is the most impressive Mini LED TV ever made. It's the ultimate high-end 85-inch display for buyers who crave industry-leading brightness and color. This is TCL's premium TV model for 2026, and it's the brand's first to use SQD (Super Quantum Dot) tech. SQD might initially sound like marketing nonsense, but after testing the TV, it's clear there's real substance behind the technology.

Like TCL's other top TVs, the X11L uses a Mini LED backlight. But this model takes things further by using larger super quantum dots and an improved color filter. In practice, these tweaks deliver a noticeable performance boost over other QLEDs. While testing the 85-inch model, I measured around 2,600 nits of brightness using a 10% pattern in default Filmmaker Mode. With all the TVs' brightness-boosting adjustments maxed out, it hit temporary bursts of up to 9,300 nits, which is the highest I've ever recorded.

This level of brightness translates to dazzling highlights, strong daytime viewing, and the kind of HDR punch that makes movies and games look especially vivid on such a large screen. Color is another major strength. The TV offers one of the widest color ranges available on a consumer display, helping it stand out from conventional QLEDs like the QM7K and QM6K.

Just as important, its local dimming is the best I've seen on a Mini LED TV. Black levels often disappear in a dark room, and blooming around bright objects is virtually nonexistent. The TV's contrast control still can't fully match an OLED's pixel-level precision, but it's closer than any other QLED.

Beyond picture performance, the X11L's design is fitting for a true flagship set. It has a sleek, attractive build with a thin bezel. Its Google TV smart interface is also intuitive and easy to navigate, with helpful Gemini AI support.

On the downside, viewing angles remain narrower than what you'd get from an OLED. And the TV's biggest drawback is defintely it's price. The 85-inch X11L costs $7,999 but is sometimes on sale for $5,999. That's more expensive than many high-end OLEDs are. Still, if you have the cash and want a premium Mini LED with elite brightness and color capabilities, the X11L is basically unmatched.

Read our TCL X11L 4K TV review.

Best premium OLED

LG's 83-inch G5 is the ultimate high-end OLED TV. Part of what makes the G5 so impressive for an OLED is its high brightness.

While testing the 65-inch model using the TV's HDR Filmmaker Mode (its most accurate setting), I measured a peak of 2,410 nits. The 83-inch model should deliver the same performance. That can't match what top-tier QLEDs, like the X11L, can hit, but it's more than 1,000 nits brighter than midrange OLEDs like the S90F.

This high brightness, combined with the OLED panel's infinite contrast ratio and perfect black levels, produces stunning HDR images without the blooming or backlight imperfections typically found on QLED TVs. The G5 also features wide viewing angles, providing a great image from virtually any seating position.

LG's webOS smart TV interface rounds out the package with solid navigation speed, access to every major streaming app, and nice perks like hands-free voice control. However, the interface emphasizes shopping recommendations too prominently, and I find other systems, like Google TV, to be more stable and consistent.

Buyers should also note that the G5 is designed for wall mounting, to the point that it doesn't include a traditional TV stand. Instead, you get a bracket that lets you mount it flush to your wall with virtually no gap. It looks beautiful hung this way, but you need to buy a stand separately if wall mounting isn't an option for your room.

This set is expensive, but if budget isn't a concern, the LG G5 is easily one of the best premium TVs on the market. That said, a new version of this TV, the G6, is also available. It has better reflection handling and uses an updated chip to create smoother images. Those improvements will cost you, though, as the G6 is currently $1,300 more than the G5. The G6 is a better TV, but for now, I think most people are better off grabbing the cheaper G5.

Read our LG G5 4K TV review.

Visit our guides to the best TVs for picture quality and the best LG TVs.

How we test 85-inch TVs

To select the best 85-inch TVs, our team of experts relies on hands-on testing informed by over a decade of experience covering the home entertainment product market. 

When reviewing TVs, we typically evaluate each model's 65-inch option since that's the industry's flagship size. However, a specific model's overall performance often remains comparable across sizes 55 inches and up. For example, the 83-inch and 65-inch LG G5 OLED models have identical specifications. The only notable difference is the size of each panel. 

However, QLED TV models with local dimming, like the TCL QM7K and QM6K, use fewer dimming zones on smaller models. This can lead to some variances in contrast performance across sizes, but not to the point that it would alter our overall takeaway. We take all differences into account when recommending TVs and detail these instances as they arise.

To evaluate displays, we examine key picture-quality elements, including color performance, clarity/sharpness, contrast control, HDR brightness, refresh rate, smart-TV interface speed, off-angle viewing, and overall value. We use a colorimeter, a pattern generator, calibration software, and test patterns to check brightness and other objective image attributes. 

We also use each TV we test for day-to-day viewing over multiple weeks, relying on various movies and TV shows to assess real-world performance in both bright and dark rooms. We've selected specific scenes to compare the quality of each TV, with black levels, shadow detail, HDR capabilities, and upscaling in mind. Sources include 4K, 1080p, and standard definition (SD) material from Blu-rays, streaming services, and cable TV. We also test gaming capabilities using a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

For more information on our review process, visit our page detailing how we test tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I oversee tech product coverage for Business Insider's Reviews team, and I've spent years putting TVs through their paces. I also studied filmmaking, so I'm a stickler for an accurate picture. I want movies and shows to look the way the director intended, with proper colors, strong contrast, and no weird motion issues. I'm also a big fan of 85-inch screens because they offer a more cinematic feel at home. My team and I use professional calibration gear and test patterns to measure things like brightness and color accuracy, but specs only tell you so much. We make sure to live with every TV for a few weeks to see how it actually holds up in everyday use. The models in this guide aced our tests and stood out for their value against similar rivals.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

85-inch TV FAQs

Is 85 inches a good TV size?

The best 85-inch TVs can provide a level of immersion that smaller displays can't match. They're especially good for larger rooms, as you can sit farther away and still enjoy a cinematic experience.

However, some rooms simply can't accommodate a TV this big, and 85-inch sets are typically pricey. If you need a smaller display, check out our guides focused on other sizes:

• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

And if you want an even larger display, check out our guide to the best 100-inch TVs.

Why are some TVs made in 83 or 86 rather than 85 inches?

Differences in panel manufacturing processes across brands and screen types result in slight variations in screen size options. OLED TVs are only produced in 83 inches, while some LED/LCD panels may be produced in 86 inches instead of 85 inches. In practice, the difference of an inch or two is subtle, so you're still getting an extra-large, theater-like experience either way.

What about 80-inch TVs?

No major brands currently sell 80-inch TV models. The closest options are 75, 77, 83, 85, and 86-inch TVs.

How much should you spend on an 85-inch TV?

Generally, you should expect to pay at least $900 to snag one of the best 85-inch TVs, though high-end models can cost $5,000 or more.

We've seen cheap entry-level 85-inch LED TVs on sale for as low as $600, but budget QLED models typically start at around $900. Midrange options with local dimming and higher brightness capabilities sell for around $1,200 to $1,800. High-end 85-inch QLED TVs with the best performance typically cost around $2,000 to $4,000, while 8K models can range from $4,000 to $7,000.

If you want one of the best OLED TVs in this class, 83-inch options start at around $2,000, while high-end OLEDs this big can cost as much as $6,500.

Unfortunately, 85-inch TVs under $500 are virtually nonexistent unless there's a particularly great deal during a big sales event.

If you're looking for a more affordable set and are willing to compromise on size, check out our guide to the best TVs under $500 for our top recommendations.

Is OLED or QLED better at 85 inches?

It depends on your room and budget. OLED delivers perfect black levels and superior contrast, which look incredible in dark rooms. However, there are only a few OLED TVs at this size, and they're expensive. QLED TVs are more common at 85 inches, typically get brighter, and cost significantly less, making them a better fit for bright living rooms and for shoppers focused on value.

You can learn more in our QLED vs. OLED comparison.

Is wall-mounting an 85-inch TV safe and practical?

Yes, wall-mounting an 85-inch TV is generally safe and practical, as long as you use a high-quality mount rated for the TV's weight and secure it to wall studs. You can find top recommendations in our guide to the best TV wall mounts.

Because these TVs are large and heavy, it's important to have at least one extra person (or a professional installer) help with the mounting. Wall-mounting can free up floor space and looks great, but make sure you have enough clearance and a plan for cable management before committing.

Do 85-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Though there are exceptions, even the best 85-inch TVs tend to offer middling audio performance. Built-in TV speakers typically use small drivers placed in areas that can cause a muffled sound. They can get the job done for casual viewing, but we recommend that shoppers invest in a dedicated speaker system or a soundbar for the best audio performance. We especially like models that support Dolby Atmos, as this format can deliver an immersive surround-sound experience.

Check out our various soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations for different needs:

• Best soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best budget soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

Do you need an 85-inch TV with HDMI 2.1?

Many midrange and high-end 85-inch TVs include at least one HDMI 2.1 port. HDMI 2.1 supports a 4K/120Hz signal (some brands support up to 165Hz), along with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These features are designed for gaming enthusiasts, enabling smoother motion with reduced lag when paired with a compatible gaming console or PC.

To enable HDMI 2.1 features, all your home entertainment products need to support HDMI 2.1. Therefore, if you have a console connected to a soundbar plugged into your display, all three components must be HDMI 2.1 compliant. Likewise, you need to connect them all with an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable rated for 48Gbps. Visit our guide to the best HDMI cables for our top recommendations.

All of our best 85-inch TV picks support HDMI 2.1.

• Prince William and Kate Middleton sometimes bring their children to royal engagements.
• Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis bring moments of levity and fun to royal events.
• The royal kids often show off their personalities at events like Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon.

Prince William and Kate Middleton usually maintain an air of formality during royal engagements, though that isn't always the case when their kids are around.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are increasingly accompanying their parents to events as they age, including royal engagements such as Trooping the Colour and less formal events like soccer and tennis matches.

From waving to crowds from Buckingham Palace to giggling at royal engagements together, check out some of the best candid photos of William and Kate with their kids.

A tiny Prince George showed no signs of fear while staring down an Australian bilby with his parents in 2014.

George was less than a year old when he embarked on his first royal tour to New Zealand and Australia alongside his parents.

Despite being so tiny, photos of him pulling funny faces at a bilby — a desert-dwelling marsupial — while visiting Sydney Zoo show he was anything but shy. George looked to be growling at the bilby while Kate and William smiled on.

Vanity Fair reported that the bilby was actually named George after the young prince.

George and Kate were caught sharing a sweet moment elsewhere on the royal tour.

Clutching onto Kate's shoulders, with rosy cheeks and a glint of a smile in his eyes, was 9-month-old George in photos from later in the tour. 

The little prince was dressed in an adorable sailor outfit, with a white collared shirt and dungarees. 

The prince appeared to be in tears as the family made their way to Princess Charlotte's christening in 2015.

Not every candid photograph taken of William and Kate captures a lighthearted moment. In 2015, while the family was en route to the church in Sandringham where Princess Charlotte would be christened, it looked like George had burst into tears. 

While Kate, dressed in Alexander McQueen, walked ahead with Charlotte in a stroller, William took up the task of holding a tearful George's hand as they walked on. 

William and Charlotte shared a cute father-daughter moment during a visit to Canada in 2016.

An overseas trip to Canada in 2016 marked the first time that William, Kate, and their kids went on a royal tour as a family of four.

During an appearance at a children's party honoring the military, Charlotte, 1, clutched a balloon flower as her father, William, held her. A sweet moment was captured as he looked down at her, smiling. 

Charlotte appeared to be trying her best to keep up with Kate during the same trip.

After the family arrived at Victoria Harbour Airport, photographs show Kate leaning down to hold Charlotte's hand as they made their way to a seaplane. 

According to The Mirror, this was one of a handful of moments the children were seen throughout the royal tour of Canada. In other photographs of the day, Charlotte and George were also shown waving at onlookers. 

By 2017, Charlotte and George were quite the twosome as they were caught peering out their plane window during a trip to Poland.

Upon arrival at Warsaw airport for a five-day tour of Poland and Germany, photographers snapped pictures of George and Charlotte staring down at the welcome wagon as the family arrived.

While George, who was then just shy of 4 years old, seemed to smile, Charlotte looked rather more serious. 

Charlotte looked less than happy as the family prepared for their flight home.

Charlotte cried as the family prepared to take a helicopter at Hamburg airport during the last leg of their tour. 

The princess, who was only 2 at the time, was pictured in tears as her mother and father tried to calm her before the flight. Older brother George was all smiles as the family made their way on board the aircraft. 

Two years later, the older siblings had a young Prince Louis to keep them company while they pulled funny faces from the windows of Buckingham Palace.

Prince Louis, the youngest child who was born in 2018, made his Trooping the Colour debut alongside older siblings George and Charlotte in 2019. 

The three kids were seen peeking out of the windows at Buckingham Palace as the crowds gathered below to see the whole family walk out onto the balcony. Charlotte and Louis were seen pressing their faces against the window in a few hilarious moments captured on camera. 

William and Kate couldn't help but laugh as the family of five stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

After the children were done peering out of the windows at Buckingham Palace, they joined Kate and William on the balcony to wave at the onlookers of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. 

In a turn of events captured in this image, Charlotte, Louis, and George appeared to be carrying out their duties of waving to the crowd, while their parents couldn't quite keep a straight face. 

Louis made a silly face while wearing a pair of adult glasses on a day out with his mother, Meghan Markle, and Prince Archie.

Louis joined his mother, aunt, and baby cousin to spectate at the King Power Royal Charity Polo Day in 2019. 

The prince appeared to borrow Kate's sunglasses and, in a cheeky moment, stuck his tongue out at Meghan and Archie. 

All three children made synchronized funny faces while on the balcony for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

George, Charlotte, and Louis not only wore coordinating blue outfits but also appeared to be in sync with their expressions on the balcony at Trooping the Color in honor of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

It was Louis, however, whose reactions to the parade especially entertained his family and royal fans watching the action from Buckingham Palace. At first, Louis enthusiastically waved to the aircraft, but as the jets became louder, he covered his ears. 

Kate, Charlotte, George, and William were all smiles at the Platinum Jubilee party at the palace.

The entire family, aside from Louis, attended the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

George and Charlotte were seated between their parents as they watched live musical performances. All four were pictured laughing and clapping as they enjoyed music from the likes of Adam Lambert and Queen, Diana Ross, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the London cast of "Hamilton."

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Charlotte gave her parents a thumbs-up at her first solo royal engagement.

Shutterstock royal photographer Tim Rooke previously told Business Insider that Charlotte "gets her passion for sport from her parents."

George made a funny face at the Coronation Concert in 2023 following King Charles III's ascent to the throne.

The day after Charles' coronation, William and George waved flags and enjoyed the musical stylings of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Andrea Bocelli at a celebratory concert.

At Trooping the Colour in 2023, Louis expressed his enthusiasm with amusing faces and gestures.

Louis has been known to steal the show at royal events. At Trooping the Colour, he was spotted shushing the crowd and saluting the assembled soldiers.

Charlotte grinned up at her mother as the Princess of Wales attended one of her first royal engagements in July 2024.

Charlotte accompanied her mother to Wimbledon in July 2024, which was only the Princess of Wales' second royal engagement of the year following her cancer diagnosis.

As Kate greeted the crowd with a wave, Charlotte grinned up at her mother.

The same month, William and George celebrated at a soccer game with a hug.

Matching Charlotte and Kate's sporty vibe for the summer, William and George attended the final match between Spain and England at the UEFA European Championships in July 2024.

They hugged each other enthusiastically when England scored while wearing matching suits and ties.

All five members of the Wales family were locked into a flypast at Buckingham Palace in May 2025.

The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their children to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast that honored the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May 2025.

At one point during the flypast, William, Kate, George, and Louis all leaned over to get a good glimpse of the planes for a fun candid moment.

William and George looked like twins when they met with veterans the same day.

George joined his parents at a tea party attended by World War II veterans as part of the VE Day celebrations.

He chatted with veterans during the event, and photographers snapped a shot of the prince and his father leaning toward a veteran as they spoke. The pair wore similar expressions as they listened, highlighting how much they look alike.

Louis shared a secret smile with his mom at the Together at Christmas carol service in December 2025.

The Wales kids attended the Together at Christmas carol service in December 2025, an event Kate organizes annually.

During the service, Louis and his mother leaned their heads together and smiled at each other.

By Trooping the Colour 2026, Louis seemed more enthusiastic about the planes flying by.

Although he seemed overwhelmed by Trooping the Colour in years past, Louis appeared enthusiastic about the planes flying overhead at the June 2026 event.

He opened his mouth in an expression of awe during the event. Charlotte looked up at the planes in glee, while Kate and William grinned at their youngest child.

George, Charlotte, and Kate giggled together at Wimbledon in July 2026.

Charlotte and George attended the men's singles finals of Wimbledon in July 2026 with their parents.

In a moment of levity between the intensity of the final match, George made his mother and sister laugh by pulling his Wimbledon hat low on his head.

Like humans, cats can experience occasional loose stools, constipation, or excessive gas. If your cat is showing these signs, a vet visit can rule out conditions such as food allergies or inflammatory bowel disease, which may require a prescription diet. But if your cat is dealing with general digestive sensitivity, the best sensitive stomach cat food can help.

To select the sensitive stomach foods featured in this guide, I evaluated dozens of options and drew on guidance from veterinarians. I focused closely on ingredient quality and overall nutritional value. The veterinarians I spoke to recommend sensitive stomach formulas that include highly digestible animal proteins, low-to-moderate fat levels, and fewer carbohydrates. Many of these formulas also include probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, which can help ease gut inflammation and promote better digestion. Specific types of dietary fiber can also be beneficial.

Royal Canin Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy is a standout wet food, thanks in large part to its insoluble fiber, which may help prevent constipation. For dry food, Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach is an excellent choice. It includes soluble and prebiotic fiber to support digestive health and is particularly beneficial for cats prone to loose stools.

All of my recommendations meet the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and follow the Global Nutrition Guidelines set by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). These are key considerations when choosing the best cat foods.

What are the signs of a sensitive stomach in a cat?

The signs can be easy to overlook. Because hairballs are common in cats, symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation are easy to dismiss. However, a cat that vomits material with very little to no hair or vomits more than once a week should be evaluated by their veterinarian, says Dr. Kelly Diehl, a veterinary internist with a subspecialty in gastroenterology. Other common signs of a sensitive stomach include loose stools and gas. While dietary changes may relieve symptoms for some cats, cats with food allergies may need a prescription hypoallergenic diet recommended by their veterinarian.

Highlights for the best sensitive stomach cat food

Best wet: Royal Canin Digestive Care Thin Slices in Gravy, 3 oz. cans (12 pack) - $29 at Chewy

Best dry: Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Adult, 6 lb. bag - $48 at Chewy

Best for seniors: Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Prime Plus Ocean Whitefish and Salmon, 3 oz. cans (24 pack) - $47 at Chewy

Best for kittens: Royal Canin Kitten Loaf in Sauce, 3 oz. cans (24 pack) - $55 at Chewy

Best wet

As obligate carnivores, cats are built to get most of their nutrition from meat. While they can handle some carbohydrates — roughly what they'd consume from the stomach contents of prey — too many can be hard to digest and add extra calories. The best wet cat food tends to be higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than dry food, which can help with weight control and digestion, says Dr. Jamie Richardson, a veterinarian and chief medical officer at Small Door Veterinary.

Our top picks from Royal Canin and Iams also include beneficial fibers and other ingredients that support easy digestion and help reduce gut inflammation. Royal Canin Digestive Care contains powdered cellulose, an insoluble fiber that can help ease constipation by bulking up stool and promoting more regular bowel movements, according to Tufts University. Iams Perfect Portions Sensitive Digestion and Skin contains fiber from beet pulp, a highly fermentable prebiotic fiber that feeds good gut bacteria to promote better digestion, says Ellen Dierenfeld, a comparative animal nutritionist and founder of Zootrition. Both formulas also contain omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, which have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties, says Dr. Eliza O'Callaghan, a veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary in New York City. Soothing an inflamed gut can improve nutrient absorption and reduce discomfort.

Switching to wet food can also help, whether it's a transition from dry to any wet food or a switch to one better suited for a sensitive stomach. Wet foods contain far more moisture than kibble, typically 75% to 78% compared to 10% to 12%. That extra hydration is important for cats who lose water through vomiting or diarrhea, says Dr. Kelly Fishman, a veterinarian and founder of Strut Animal Mobility Specialists.

To compare the nutritional profiles of wet and dry cat foods, you'll need to evaluate nutrients on a dry matter basis, which removes moisture from wet food to assess nutrients based on the remaining solids. For the foods in this guide, we obtained dry matter values directly from manufacturers. To compare other recipes, you can use these directions from the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, contact the manufacturer, or ask your veterinarian for help.

Best dry

Some cats with sensitive stomachs may have a harder time digesting kibble because it's typically higher in carbohydrates than wet food, says Richardson. That doesn't mean carbohydrates are inherently bad — cats can use them for energy, says Dr. Lisa Weeth, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. The type of carbohydrate matters. Simple carbohydrates, like sugars found in fruit, offer little digestive benefit for cats, while complex carbohydrate sources like whole wheat, corn, or oats provide fiber and other nutrients that can support healthy digestion, according to Tufts University.

Our top dry food picks pair easily digestible proteins with fiber-rich complex carbohydrates, including oatmeal, whole grain corn, cracked pearled barley, and whole grain sorghum. The best choice for your cat depends on their specific needs. Purina One +Plus Sensitive Skin and Stomach is high in soluble fiber, which absorbs liquid and slows digestion, making it helpful for cats with loose stools. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Sensitive Skin is high in insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up stool and speed its passage through the digestive tract, making it a better fit for cats prone to constipation. It also contains coconut oil, which may help lubricate the intestinal tract and reduce inflammation, supporting digestion and helping reduce hairballs.

Wet food can be expensive, less convenient to serve, and some cats simply won't eat it. Fortunately, dry food can still be a good option for most cats. It has a long shelf life and stays fresh longer after opening. You can also buy larger quantities of kibble to lower the cost per serving, especially if it's one of our picks for the best affordable cat foods.

Best for seniors

As cats age, digestion slows, the intestinal wall thickens, and nutrient digestibility declines. A more sedentary lifestyle can further increase the risk of constipation. The signs of a sensitive stomach aren't always obvious — a dull coat, unexpected weight loss, or low energy can all point to an underlying problem. If you notice these changes, talk to your vet before switching foods. Cats are obligate carnivores and generally require high-protein diets, but Weeth says seniors with kidney or renal disease may require less protein.

Our higher-protein senior pick from Purina Pro Plan contains inulin, a good source of soluble fiber commonly derived from chicory root. This type of fiber slows digestion and can help firm up loose stools. It also includes fish oil, which may improve skin and joint health and ease gastrointestinal inflammation, and the wet food formulation helps replenish hydration lost through loose stools.

Our low-protein pick from Hill's contains insoluble fiber from complex carbohydrates, including whole grain corn, barley, and brown rice. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, speeding transit through the digestive tract to help relieve constipation. That bulking effect can also help pull hair through the digestive tract, aiding in hairball relief, according to Dr. Jennifer Larsen, a veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Combined with L-carnitine, which helps convert fat into energy, insoluble fiber may also help senior cats maintain a healthy weight by keeping them feeling fuller between feedings.

While digestive changes are a normal part of aging, illness isn't. Diehl says cats are good at hiding when they're ill, but signs like chronic vomiting and loose or very pungent stool can signal underlying health issues. Your veterinarian can identify the cause and recommend dietary changes that may help. Diehl says it's essential to get guidance from your vet since managing a sensitive stomach through diet depends on many factors, including other underlying health conditions.

Best for kittens

Kittens with diarrhea can benefit from a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, says Dr. Debra Zoran, a veterinary nutritionist and professor at Texas A&M University, adding that foods rich in protein and fat provide energy and support the healthy development of a kitten's gastrointestinal tract. Although pet food labels don't always list carbohydrate percentages, you can look for foods that list whole meats, meat meals, and byproducts among the first ingredients before carbohydrate sources.

The AAFCO recommendations say that kitten food, which is labeled for growth or all life stages, must contain at least 30% protein and 9% fat to support kittens' growth and energy needs. However, Zoran says the best kitten foods for sensitive stomachs should contain at least 40% protein on a dry matter basis. Just keep in mind that kittens could have an upset stomach for several reasons, including intestinal parasites. Because digestive upset can have many causes, including intestinal parasites, it's important to consult your veterinarian before changing your kitten's diet.

Our kitten picks include four different meat sources among the first five ingredients and exceed 40% protein on a dry matter basis. They also contain fish oil, a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for cognitive growth and development. The main differences are their texture and fiber sources. Royal Canin is a wet food that contains powdered cellulose, an insoluble fiber that promotes more regular bowel movements. Unlike fermentable prebiotic fibers, it won't feed beneficial gut bacteria, but it also won't cause extra gas. Purina Pro Plan is a dry food that contains dried chicory root, a soluble, fermentable fiber that slows digestion to help relieve loose stools, while also feeding good gut bacteria.

What to look for in a sensitive stomach cat food

When shopping for cat food for a sensitive stomach, you'll want to consider the following criteria recommended by veterinarians.

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for growth, adult maintenance, or all life stages: The most basic measure of nutritionally complete kitten and cat food is an AAFCO statement on the label. The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional standards for pet food. Recommendations are based on life stages: Food with an AAFCO statement for growth or all life stages is complete and balanced for kittens, and food with an AAFCO statement for maintenance or all life stages is complete and balanced for adult cats. The AAFCO hasn't established specific recommendations for senior cat diets. Senior foods must meet the minimum AAFCO nutritional recommendations for adult or all life stages foods.

Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis on a pet food label shows the percentages of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Food for kittens must meet the AAFCO's recommended minimum of 30% protein and 9% fat, and food for adult cats, including seniors, must have a minimum of 26% protein and 9% fat.

It's important to carefully examine the guaranteed analysis for cat foods. As obligate carnivores, cats can digest high-protein diets more easily than foods with low animal protein and high carbohydrates. For some cats, the best food may be high in protein, but high-protein diets can be harmful to some senior cats with certain health conditions. This is one reason it's essential to speak with your vet before transitioning diets.

Ingredients list: The ingredients on a pet food label appear in order of weight. Dierenfeld says that muscle meat proteins provide the best source of essential amino acids for obligate carnivores like cats. Animal-based proteins should always be listed as the first ingredient in cat food. The sensitive stomach cat foods in this guide include quality protein sources in the form of whole meat, meat meals, and meat byproducts. Saker says that meals and byproducts are concentrated forms of protein that are just as nutritious and digestible — if not more so — than whole protein sources.

You can also look for ingredients that promote healthy digestion and ease inflammation, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil.

Expert formulations: My picks for sensitive stomach cat food meet the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. This means the brands employ a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist or a PhD-level animal nutritionist. This expert oversight helps ensure your cat's food meets veterinarian-recommended standards for nutritionally complete and balanced food.

Manufacturing standards: Zoran says pet foods can vary slightly from batch to batch, which can trigger digestive upset in cats with sensitive stomachs. When choosing sensitive stomach food for your cat, it's wise to consider the quality control measures facilities where the food is produced. Brands that own their manufacturing plants have greater control over the ingredients in their recipes and, therefore, the food your cat consumes. Pet food brands should also be transparent about how they implement quality control measures. In short, they shouldn't just say they conduct quality control.

Calorie content: The calorie content of cat food is listed in kilocalories (kcal). Your cat's calorie needs will depend on their age, activity level, and overall health. For example, kittens grow quickly in their first year and should eat multiple high-calorie meals per day. Your vet can recommend the ideal number of daily calories for your adult or senior cat based on their lifestyle and ideal weight. They can also teach you how to check your cat's body condition score (BCS) between wellness visits. The BCS is a visual tool that helps you assess your cat's body fat on a scale of 1 to 9. This information can help you understand if your cat needs to lose or gain weight. That said, it's always best to talk to your vet before adjusting your cat's daily portion sizes.

How we chose the best sensitive stomach cat food

To narrow down the best sensitive stomach cat food, I spoke with several veterinarians, including four board-certified veterinary nutritionists. I also consulted the standards and recommendations from the AAFCO, the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, and other publications and organizations linked in this guide. Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Janelle Leeson, pet nutrition reporter: As a writer specializing in cat health and wellness, I've spent years interviewing veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists about biologically appropriate diets for pets at all stages of life, informing more than a dozen nutrition guides for pet guardians. I'm also a guardian to two cats and have fostered more than 50 cats and kittens, many of whom struggled with sensitive stomachs caused by sudden changes in their environment or diet. For this guide, I consulted three board-certified veterinary nutritionists, a veterinary internist specializing in gastroenterology, a comparative animal nutritionist, and three small animal veterinarians. I also referenced nutritional standards set by AAFCO and the Global Nutrition Guidelines established by the WSAVA.

Sensitive stomach cat food FAQs

What is the best sensitive stomach cat food?

There's no single best cat food for all cats with sensitive stomachs. The right choice depends on the cause of your cat's upset stomach. Many sensitive stomach formulas are made with easy-to-digest animal proteins such as meat byproducts and meals, limited carbohydrates, and healthy additions like fish oil and fermentable fibers such as beet pulp. Limited ingredient diets can also help reduce potential food reactions.

However, over-the-counter diets may not be the best solution for every cat with a sensitive stomach. If your cat's upset stomach stems from food allergies, your veterinarian may recommend switching them to a prescription hydrolyzed diet. Hydrolyzed diets contain proteins broken down into very small fragments, which are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.

What cat food is best for cats that throw up?

Cats that frequently vomit tend to do well on limited ingredient diets made with easy-to-digest proteins like chicken, turkey, or salmon. Recipes with added prebiotics and probiotics help balance gut bacteria, while omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil reduce gut inflammation. "Sometimes, simply switching the brand of food can do wonders," Diehl says. We recommend buying from trusted brands such as Purina, Hill's, and Royal Canin. They invest heavily in research and often partner with veterinary institutions to research and develop their formulas. Before trying to manage vomiting on your own, always consult your veterinarian. Ongoing vomiting can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

How do I know if my cat needs sensitive stomach food?

Diehl says signs your cat may benefit from a sensitive stomach food include vomiting soon after eating, vomiting small amounts of yellow or green liquid, or frequently having loose stools. "If you've labeled your cat a 'puker,' don't write it off," she says. Your veterinarian can help determine whether a sensitive stomach diet or prescription diet is appropriate.

What cat food is easiest on the stomach?

Because cats are obligate carnivores, animal-based proteins are the easiest foods for them to digest. This includes whole meats, such as deboned chicken, meat meals, and meat byproducts. While cats can eat recipes that contain multiple protein sources, they don't need a new recipe each day. In fact, Dierenfeld says switching recipes daily can affect your cat's appetite and upset their gut microbiome.

What makes sensitive stomach cat food different?

The best cat food for a sensitive stomach typically contains moderate to low levels of fat and highly digestible protein sources that are easily absorbed. Many also include supplements that decrease gut inflammation and improve digestion, such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and probiotics. However, specific ingredients and nutritional profiles of sensitive stomach foods can vary from brand to brand. If you're unsure about your cat's digestive health or nutritional needs, your veterinarian can provide individualized guidance.

Is wet or dry food better for a cat with an upset stomach?

Dry foods generally contain more carbohydrates and less moisture than wet foods. Richardson says this may make dry food harder for some cats with sensitive stomachs to digest. Wet foods typically provide higher protein and lower carbohydrate content, which can make them a better choice for cats with sensitive stomachs. When deciding between wet and dry food, Saker advises considering your cat's preferences and the types of special diets available. Some hydrolyzed diets your vet may recommend for severe food allergies only come in kibble form.

What should you feed a senior cat with a sensitive stomach? 

Your veterinarian should guide diet choices if your senior cat has a sensitive stomach. Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea can be the first signs of age-related diseases. Some older cats may benefit from lower-protein foods, such as Hill's Science Diet Specialty Perfect Digestion Adult 7+ Chicken and Barley Recipe, which includes fish oil to support skin, joint, and gut health. Senior cats healthy enough for a higher-protein option may benefit from Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Prime Plus Ocean Whitefish and Salmon Entree, which contains inulin from chicory root to aid digestion. Because chronic kidney disease affects approximately 40% of cats over age 10, high-protein diets should be fed to senior cats only with veterinary supervision.

• Randy League, 46, lived an active lifestyle and had no colon cancer symptoms.
• One night, he woke up with a sharp pain and struggled to use the bathroom for months.
• He was diagnosed with colon cancer and Lynch syndrome, a genetic predisposition for cancer.

From a young age, Randy League loved being on his feet — one of the best habits for reducing cancer risk.

He played football and basketball in high school, which he continued to do throughout his adulthood. "I enjoy playing golf, I enjoy any sports and just being outdoors, walking the dogs," League, 46, told Business Insider. The production manager at a commercial printing company in Columbus, Ohio, League was also kept busy by being in charge of maintenance for the whole building and three separate departments.

Then, in January 2025, he woke up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain that felt like extreme constipation. He spent the night straining to use the bathroom, so much so that some blood vessels burst in his eyes.

The pain kept getting worse, with League avoiding sitting as much as he could. "There were points where I couldn't even be in my office very long," he said, opting to walk on the floor of the building. When driving to and from work, he dreaded getting stuck in front of a train or anything that would delay the trip.

Months later, at age 45, he learned he had stage 3 colon cancer, of which he'd felt no symptoms prior to that first night.

"It's hard to imagine that there was a golf ball-sized tumor that just didn't show itself until that day," he said. "It was really weird."

It took him 3 months to get diagnosed

Because League almost never got sick, he didn't have a primary care physician. It was also why he didn't think to get screened once he turned 45, the standard screening age for colon cancer.

While he was proactive about booking an appointment early, the wait time was 6 weeks.

In the meantime, he tried to treat his symptoms as best he could. His wife looked online, and they both thought the issue might be dietary or related to hemorrhoids. League ended up trying suppositories, which only made the pain worse.

When he finally went to the appointment and had a very painful digital exam, the doctor ordered a diagnostic colonoscopy.

From then, it was another 3 to 4 weeks of waiting, even though League was technically "fast-tracked" for an appointment. On the day of the colonoscopy, League went with his mother, since his wife was convinced the issue would be hemorrhoids.

By April 2025, League was diagnosed with invasive poorly differentiated carcinoma with hepatoid differentiation — considered a rarer variant of colon cancer, since his tumor was located in his lower colon and some of the cancer cells resembled liver cancer cells.

"I was shocked and scared and speechless all at the same time," he said. "It took a good couple of days for me to really calm down."

He learned he had a genetic predisposition for colon cancer

The plan was for League to start with radiation and chemotherapy, with the hope of shrinking the tumor before any surgery.

At his first radiation appointment, League was offered genetic testing to see if he had any hereditary conditions linked to higher cancer risk. He learned he had Lynch syndrome, a symptomless genetic condition affecting 1 in 300 Americans that can greatly increase the chances of developing several types of cancer.

Colon cancer is the most common cancer associated with Lynch syndrome, increasing the lifetime risk of developing it anywhere from 22% to 74%.

League wanted his family to get tested. So far, his brother has tested negative. League, who has a 16-year-old daughter, is hoping she can get tested within the next four years, as Lynch syndrome would increase her risk of developing endometrial, uterine, and ovarian cancers.

He qualified for a milder cancer treatment

In the meantime, League continued with his radiation and oral chemotherapy treatments for six weeks, which successfully shrank the tumor and made it less painful for him to sit. In June 2025, he met with his oncologist to discuss his chemotherapy protocol — the plan was to continue with IV and oral chemotherapy.

Because he was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome and a specific gene mutation, League qualified for immunotherapy, a sometimes milder cancer treatment that trains the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, rather than destroying both normal and cancerous cells via chemo.

"I was just so thankful," League said. "I'm sure chemotherapy would've done a good job, but it also would've taken a lot more of a toll."

League was able to keep working, only taking time off for appointments. "I have a family that I'm responsible for and a mortgage, and I felt like the best thing I could do as long as I could do it was work," he said. His main symptom from treatment was extreme fatigue and struggling to sit for long periods of time. "I couldn't operate the forklifts and stuff like that."

As of June 2026, League is cancer-free and will continue to get regular MRIs and CT scans, as well as annual colonoscopies. Because of his Lynch syndrome diagnosis, he will also be screened for other cancers he might be predisposed to, such as stomach cancer.

League said one of his biggest takeaways was the importance of having a primary care physician and getting colon cancer screenings. "I don't even know if anything would've been caught for me, but I know that timelines would've been different and that would've reduced a lot of stress and anxiety that I had to deal with early on," he said.

• OpenAI staffers and formers defended CEO Sam Altman's ability to accept feedback or pushback.
• One ex-employee wrote on X that Altman was "receptive to internal disagreement and critique, for better or worse."
• The staffers responded to a since-deleted post that described a poor interview experience.

OpenAI employees are coming out in support of their CEO, saying that, yes, he's actually very receptive to critical feedback.

Eric Mitchell, who co-leads OpenAI's Post-training Frontiers team, wrote that there were multiple times when he "directly disagreed with, corrected, or expressed frustration with leadership to Sam."

"Sam always responded with curiosity, open-mindedness, and even deference when I've brought disagreement/complaint/correction to him," Mitchell wrote.

One such disagreement occurred during Mitchell's first six months at the company, he wrote.

Mitchell and other staffers responded to a since-deleted post by Nick Huber, an AI product leader. According to screenshots of the post, Huber described an interview with OpenAI where an interviewer asked him to use data to test a belief purportedly held by Altman.

OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider or confirm whether Huber had been interviewed by the company. Huber did not respond to a request for comment.

In his post, Mitchell wrote that any claims that the company had a "culture where people are retaliated against for honest criticism of leadership" were inaccurate.

In Mitchell's comments, two former staffers expressed praised Altman. Both worked on Sora, the AI video product OpenAI announced it would shut down in March.

"Can confirm, Sam is super receptive," wrote Gabriel Petersson, a former researcher at OpenAI and Midjourney who has since founded his own company.

Will DePue left OpenAI in April. He wrote that the company was "exceptionally receptive to internal disagreement and critique, for better or worse."

OpenAI researcher Brandon McKinzie wrote on X that he's given any critical feedback he's had to Altman and other company leaders.

"Not only do they listen to critical feedback, they take it very seriously and take action on it," McKinzie said. "It is one of OpenAI's greatest strengths."

A 2021 study found that allowing workers to share criticism openly, and even sharing those criticisms among the workplace, allows employees to feel a greater sense of "psychological safety."

Feeling psychologically safe — or willing to take risks without fear of embarrassment or punishment — is important for good work. Google listed it as the most important trait of an effective team in 2015.

Altman's leadership style has been much discussed since his brief ousting and return as CEO in 2023. At the time, OpenAI's board said that he was "not consistently candid in his communications." Altman said during a recent court battle with Elon Musk that, "I believe I am an honest and trustworthy business person."

The series of events, which staffers have referred to as "the Blip," is the focus of a coming movie directed by Luca Guadagnino, which was recently picked up by Neon after Amazon walked away from the project after deepening ties with OpenAI.

Some of the OpenAI staffers who publicly posted about their experience at the company praised the "hard conversations" they said happen regularly.

Victor Nunez, a staffer who works on OpenAI's Codex coding tool, wrote that the "amount of memes and hard conversations on a daily basis is astounding," but that everyone at the company "really leans into it."

For all the AI and automation work they do, Nunez wrote that the company's culture was "as human as it gets."

The FIFA World Cup is underway, four years since Argentina's victory, and Lionel Messi and his crew are attempting to defend their title against a stacked field. We've scoured the viewing options and rounded up everything you need to know about where to watch the World Cup, including free and global streaming options for every match.

If you don't want to scroll any further, we've got you covered. You can live stream every game on FOX and FS1 via FOX One or a live TV service in the US, for free on SBS On Demand in Australia, and for free across BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK, among many other viewing options around the world (which we'll break down below). You can access your streaming options from anywhere with the help of a VPN. Keep reading to learn more about the tournament, whether you're hoping to watch from home or attend in person.

Where to watch the World Cup for free

Several countries around the world offer free access to World Cup coverage. In Australia, all matches will be available for free on SBS On Demand. In the UK, all matches will be split across BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Other regions offer select games for free, often focusing on their national team and major late-tournament matches, while the rest are available via a paid service. In Spain, select matches will be available for free on RTVE Play. In Italy, RaiPlay will offer free coverage of select matches. M6 offers some free matches in France. Tabii in Turkey has plenty of free live streams in Arabic, too.

Want to access some of these free World Cup viewing options from outside the above countries? We'll show you how to get around those geo-restrictions next.

How to watch the World Cup from anywhere

Football fans who are away from the location where their streaming service works during any notable matches can still access their free viewing options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that let people temporarily change the virtual location on their electronic devices. They're popular among people looking to upgrade their cybersecurity and keep up with their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad.

NordVPN is our top recommendation and one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, offers a massive selection of global servers, and comes with a helpful 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not helping you out.

Where to watch the World Cup in the US

All 104 World Cup games will air on either FOX or Fox Sports 1 (FS1) in the US. FOX offers a direct streaming counterpart, FOX One, for $20 a month with a three-day free trial. You can also sign up for the service as a Prime Video add-on. If you're looking for a service with additional channels or a longer free trial, one of the best live TV streaming services we've tested might be of interest.

Fubo offers FOX and FS1 coverage in its Sports + News plan, along with 25+ other key channels. The streaming package also unlocks ESPN Unlimited access. Sports + News costs $56 a month, but new users can get $10 off their first month after a five-day free trial. FOX and FS1 are also available in the Pro and Elite plan.

YouTube TV is another live TV service with ample FOX and FS1 coverage. A special deal can help new users get $75 off YouTube TV for five months (that's $15 a month off each month over a five-month period). The sale brings the price of YouTube TV's main plan down from $83 a month to just $68 a month. There's also a sports plan with FOX and FS1, which costs $65 a month, but new users can get $10 a month off their first 12 months. The live TV service typically offers a free trial for new customers.

If you're looking for Spanish-language coverage, Telemundo has the broadcast rights in the US, and all 104 matches are available to stream on Peacock with Spanish commentary. Peacock's sports-friendly tiers start at $11 a month for Peacock Premium, but you'll be able to watch the first couple of days of the tournament with a pared-down Select plan as well.

Where to watch the World Cup in the UK

Every match at the World Cup will be available for free in the UK. Coverage is split across the BBC and ITV, meaning fans can live stream all matches via a combination of BBC iPlayer and ITVX. These are free streaming options that only require account creation to watch.

Where to watch the World Cup in Australia

It's good news in Australia. All 104 World Cup matches will be available in one place, through SBS, SBS Viceland, and SBS On Demand. That means that you can live stream all of the games via SBS On Demand, which just requires account creation if you haven't already made a login.

Where to watch the World Cup in Spain

RTVE will carry several World Cup matches in Spain. This means that fans will be able to live stream coverage for free on RTVE Play. You'll just need to create an account, and then you're all set to start watching. Coverage will favor games with Spain's national team, along with other marquee match-ups. Football fans in Spain hoping to watch every single World Cup match will need a paid subscription through DAZN.

Where to watch the World Cup in Italy

Select matches will be shown through RAI in Italy, which means that coverage will be available to stream for free via Rai Play. Italian FIFA fans hoping to watch every single match of the World Cup will need a paid DAZN subscription, which will grant access to all 104 matches.

Where to watch the World Cup in Germany

In Germany, select World Cup coverage will be available for free through ARD and ZDF. For full German coverage of the entire tournament, including all early group stage matches, fans will need a paid subscription to MagentaTV.

Which countries have been eliminated?

16 teams were eliminated after the group stage, and 32 advanced to the first round of knockouts. Curaçao, Czechia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, New Zealand, Panama, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Korea, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan were eliminated in the group stage.

South Africa, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Côte d'Ivoire, Sweden, Ecuador, DR Congo, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Croatia, Algeria, Australia, Cabo Verde, and Ghana were eliminated in the Round of 32.

Canada, Paraguay, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, the USA, Egypt, and Colombia were eliminated in the Round of 16. These knockouts resulted in the elimination of all three of the tournament's co-hosts.

Morocco, Belgium, Norway, and Switzerland were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

France, Spain, England, and Argentina have advanced to the semifinals. France and Spain will square off in Texas, while England and Argentina will duke it out in Georgia.

Where does the 2026 FIFA World Cup take place?

Typically, the FIFA World Cup is hosted by a single country (except for Japan and South Korea in 2002), but the 2026 tournament will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver serve as host cities. In Mexico, host cities include Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. US host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The final, which is scheduled for July 19, will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Is this a larger World Cup tournament than in past years?

If you've been looking at your TV guide and thinking that there are a lot of matches and teams, you're not alone. 2026 marks FIFA's largest World Cup tournament to date. The tournament was expanded from 32 to 48 teams, nearly doubling the number of matches scheduled to take place. This change increased the number of teams and groups in the group stages and means that knockouts begin with a new Round of 32 before the Round of 16.

Who is favored to win the FIFA World Cup?

Heading into the tournament, Spain was the favorite to win the FIFA World Cup. On DraftKings (prior to the start of the World Cup), Spain led at +450, followed by France (+475), England (+700), Portugal (+800), Brazil (+950), and Argentina (+950).

Heading into the semifinals (at the time of writing), DraftKings has France as the +130 favorite, followed by Spain (+320), England (+340), and Argentina (+450).

Previous FIFA World Cup winners

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, won the 2022 World Cup. Previous winners include France (2018), Germany (2014), Spain (2010), Italy (2006), Brazil (2002), France (1998), Brazil (1994), West Germany (1990), Argentina (1986), Italy (1982), Argentina (1978), West Germany (1974), Brazil (1970), England (1966), Brazil (1962), Brazil (1958), West Germany (1954), Uruguay (1950), Italy (1938), Italy (1934), and Uruguay (1930).

When and where is the next men's World Cup?

The next FIFA Men's World Cup tournament will take place in 2030. Most of the games will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with one match each taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. These South American games are in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first FIFA World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930.

When and where is the women's World Cup?

The next FIFA Women's World Cup is scheduled for 2027. Brazil will host the tournament for the first time. Spain is the most recent women's World Cup winner, beating out England 1-0 in the 2023 final. Prior to that, the USA won back-to-back in 2019 and 2015.

How do you get World Cup tickets?

Getting your hands on World Cup tickets has proven to be no easy task. The tournament is incredibly popular, and the initial FIFA ticket release was a bit confusing. Our team has found that some of the best prices and seating variety come from the resale market right now. You can learn more in our World Cup tickets guide.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule

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

• The US Navy has been using Saronic Corsair sea drones in new missions.
• In June, one rescued airmen from a downed Apache helicopter, an operational first for the US military.
• Over the weekend, three of them were used in attacks against Iran, another first.

The US Navy's new Saronic Corsair sea drones are getting a workout in the Middle East, pulling off operational firsts for the American military in both rescue and combat.

US Central Command revealed Monday that attacks over the weekend that targeted an Iranian submarine and ship maintenance facility involved three Corsair sea drones made by Saronic, an autonomous naval drone company. The company's Corsair drones are 24 feet long, boast a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, and have a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds.

Video footage shared by the command online showed the drone boats maneuvering into the port area before hitting their targets, triggering a massive explosion.

Per Saronic, Corsair drones can support a variety of kinetic and non-kinetic missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and can be adapted to carry different payloads. CENTCOM said that the drones hit a port at Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base, "marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations."

Last month, a Corsair drone rescued the crew of a downed US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter. The US accused Iran of shooting the aircraft down and responded with force.

The Corsair uncrewed surface vessel involved in the rescue mission belonged to Task Force 59, a Middle East-based unit focused on integrating new technologies into maritime operations.

At the time, Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesperson, said the drone boat recovered the service members and carried them to another point in the water, where a helicopter picked them up. Hawkins said Task Force 59 had begun fielding Corsairs in the CENTCOM region in late March. The rescue also appeared to mark the first operational use of a US naval drone for such a mission.

These developments reflect US Navy efforts to integrate uncrewed capabilities into operations, as well as how these systems are reshaping US capabilities. During both combat and the persistent tensions between the US and Iran throughout a shaky ceasefire and negotiations, drones have played important roles.

The Navy, for instance, has also used uncrewed underwater vessels to help clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In April, CENTCOM announced that two Navy guided-missile destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, were involved in efforts to clear the strait of mines, adding that additional forces, including underwater drones, would join clearance missions.

CENCOM has not identified which specific drones were used for clearing mines or how many mines have been disabled or destroyed. US officials have said Iranian small boats dropped mines that endangered US military vessels and commercial ships attempting to transit the region.

Among recent US military drone firsts was the use of Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack Systems (LUCAS) one-way attack drones during Operation Epic Fury to strike Iran. Announced in February, the use of LUCAS drones in combat for the first time came after CENTCOM stood up a new task force for the military's first one-way attack drone squadron, Task Force Scorpion Strike, in December 2025.

LUCAS drones are developed by American engineering firm SpektreWorks; they're low-cost systems modeled after Iran's Shahed drones. LUCAS drones can be launched from catapults, vehicles, and mobile ground stations. The systems have rocket-assisted takeoff capabilities and "extensive" range, according to the Navy.

• Donald Trump said the US will impose a 20% fee on "all cargo shipped" through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Trump said that such a fee was needed to cover US costs of a renewed blockade of the Strait.
• Stocks tumbled and oil prices spiked as markets digested the latest developments.

President Donald Trump says the US will reinstate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% fee "on all cargo shipped" to help pay for it.

"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday morning. "We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving."

Trump said the US would charge a 20% fee "on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World."

"The process and formation will begin immediately," he wrote.

Trump's announcement signals a further breakdown of an extremely tenuous ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. The US-Iran War has disrupted the usual flow of oil through the Strait, one of the most critical passageways for the global oil market. Before the conflict, roughly 20% of the global oil supply flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

US stocks sank on the news, a sign that traders are growing less optimistic on a resolution with Iran and more fearful of the inflationary impact of the war.

Major stock indexes dropped. The Nasdaq 100 fell more than 1% as the sell-off in chip and memory stocks intensified.

Here's where US indexes stood around 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday:

• S&P 500: 7,517.79, down 0.76%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 52,505.75, down 0.25% (-131.26 points)
• Nasdaq 100: 29,248.18, down 1.93%

Oil prices have jumped as the ceasefire has continued to break down. Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged 9% to trade around $82 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate crude also rose 8% to trade around $77 a barrel. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 4 basis points to 4.61%.

In recent days, the US has conducted a series of strikes against Iranian targets, which the Pentagon said were aimed at degrading Iran's ability to control the Strait.

Earlier Monday, Trump signaled that he had run out of patience with the Iranians and was ready to return to a more aggressive posture.

"We're taking over the Strait," Trump said during an interview on Fox News.

It is unclear how Trump would impose the 20% fee. Earlier in the conflict, he asked US allies to help secure the waterway but received little support in return.

Trump said the US would be "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" but would impose the fee "as a matter of FAIRNESS." At other points of the conflict, Trump has said that the state of the Strait is not the US' concern.

• A US judge issued a full-throated repudiation of Trump in a Monday ruling, POLITICO reported.
• Trump's lawsuit attempted to justify a settlement with an "anti-weaponization" fund, Judge Kathleen Williams wrote.
• She sanctioned two of Trump's personal attorneys who signed the initial complaint against the IRS.

A federal judge held Monday that President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was manufactured simply to justify its settlement, including a multibillion-dollar "anti-weaponization" fund for political allies and a shield from IRS scrutiny.

"This lawsuit was not brought to vindicate rights; it was brought to manipulate the judicial process," US District Judge Kathleen Williams wrote in a blistering 56-page ruling, POLITICO reported. POLITICO, like Business Insider, is a part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.

"This was an attempt to use the Court to provide some legitimacy to an agreement to confer immunity to people and entities affiliated with the President and to earmark billions of dollars from American taxpayers to redress grievances not defined in the law," the ruling said.

The fact that the federal government never countered arguments that the arrangement was unconstitutional —and that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche unilaterally canceled plans for the Anti-Weaponization Fund — was a glaring signal that the lawsuit was not genuine, Williams said.

Williams suggested that Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stan Woodward may be subject to investigative or disciplinary action by state bar associations.

She also sanctioned two of Trump's personal attorneys who signed the initial complaint against the Internal Revenue Service, referring Alejandro Brito to the Florida bar for potential discipline and banning Daniel Epstein from practicing in the Southern District of Florida for at least a year. The plaintiffs, including Trump, and certain agencies are also barred from citing the agreement in official proceedings as evidence of a formal settlement.

Though the administration has argued that Trump had filed the lawsuit — a demand for a $10 billion payout for the leak of his tax returns — in his personal capacity, Williams said that explanation was untenable.

"The court declines to adopt or accept the credulous exercise of divorcing President Trump's current job title from an understanding of what happened here," she wrote. "The Lead Plaintiff and the Government are one, a fully realized unitary interest."

Williams added that Trump could have brought the lawsuit while he was a private citizen, but appears to have waited until he was reelected president and appointed his former lawyer to help lead the DOJ.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House referred questions to Trump's personal lawyers.

"The IRS wrongly allowed a rogue, politically motivated employee to leak private and confidential information about President Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization to the New York Times, ProPublica, and other left-wing news outlets, which was then illegally released to millions of people," a spokesperson for Trump's legal team said. "President Trump continues to hold those who wrong America and Americans accountable."

The ruling is a full-throated repudiation of Trump and his administration at a delicate moment for Blanche, who faces a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday at which the Anti-Weaponization Fund could play a prominent role.

Williams said she was "extremely troubled" by Blanche's testimony to Congress about the settlement in May, saying his suggestion that the court could not review the settlement agreement was "at best, misleading and, at worst, disingenuous."

The Obama-appointed judge took particular umbrage at the Justice Department's decision to remain "conspicuously absent" from the Trump-IRS litigation, even when serious questions were raised about its legitimacy.

"Under these circumstances, the Court may reasonably infer that the Government failed to defend this lawsuit … because its position would not withstand judicial scrutiny and because resolution of the threshold issues identified by the Court would not have favored its preferred outcome to this case," Williams 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.

• President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged people to buy Dell computers.
• Presidents haven't traditionally endorsed specific products.
• Experts are largely resigned to Trump's favoritism of certain companies, while concerned about the impact.

In recent days, President Donald Trump has announced Walmart is lowering prices, and took credit. He went further last week when he cheered Michael Dell for funding Trump Accounts to the tune of $6.25 billion.

At an Oval Office celebration for the investment accounts for children with the CEO and his wife, Trump issued this exhortation: "Go out and buy a Dell computer."

Average Americans may like cheaper groceries or no-cost nest eggs for their kids. They may be pleased that the president is pushing for what he wants from corporate America.

The president's penchant for mixing business and politics has others concerned that his pattern of playing favorites meddles with free enterprise and could distort incentives in the economy. Another concern — he has bought shares in both Dell and Walmart this year.

"It's a clear violation of misusing public office for private gain, and also sort of implying that there is some sort of government-wide endorsement of Dell products over competitors for laptops and electronics," Don Fox, former general counsel and acting director of the US Office of Government Ethics, said in an interview.

"For anyone else, it would be a clear-cut violation, and frankly, in any other administration, no chief executive would ever have done this, and if one of their staff members had done it, they would have been called to the carpet on it."

Richard Painter, who served as the chief ethics lawyer in the White House Counsel's Office under President George W. Bush, said that during the Bush administration, ethics officials were so careful of perceived favoritism that they rarely allowed high-ranking officials to appear at company-specific events. When such events did occur, Painter said they "bent over backwards" to ensure they did not improperly lend the president's imprimatur.

Trump's remarks earlier this month marked the third time he urged people to buy Dell's computers in five months.

"This is not free enterprise when the government says this company's good, that company's bad," Painter said. "The whole point of free enterprise is to get the government out of the business, picking winners and losers in the economy."

Jordan Libowitz, a vice president at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonprofit watchdog group, said Trump's comments give the impression the presidency "is for sale."

"If you are a financial backer of the president, you might just see the president using the power of the presidency to benefit your business," Libowitz said.

During his first term in office, Libowitz said, Trump would single out specific companies, often for ridicule. What's different now, in Libowitz's view, is the president's own bottom line. Since returning to office, Trump has reported tens of thousands of securities trades.

Trump, who has not promoted Dell's stock, bought at least $1 million in Dell shares and possibly as much as $5 million in February. In April, he reported selling at least $50,000 worth of Dell shares and possibly as much as $100,000. (The president is only required to disclose rough amounts for purchases and sales.)

The Trump Organization has said that neither Trump nor his family has any direct control over the stock trades, which are controlled by outside brokerages. Other presidents have put their holdings into a blind trust or didn't hold individual stocks.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said Trump was right to praise the Dells.

"Michael and Susan Dell are patriots who are generously contributing billions of dollars of their fortune to the Trump Accounts of millions of kids from working-class families," Desai said in a statement.

CREW and the Campaign Legal Center, both of which have filed ethics complaints against Trump administration officials in the past, said there's little they can do in response since ethics regulations for the executive branch don't cover the president or vice president.

Painter said the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Trump v. United States, which granted presidents a degree of immunity for all but their most unofficial acts, has increased the difficulty of making claims about potential wrongdoing.

"If he says my statement about Dell Computer was an official statement of the president of the United States, you can't investigate his motives for that statement," Painter said.

Kedric Payne, a vice president at the Campaign Legal Center, said Trump is different because previous presidents kept their financial holdings in blind trusts.

"So, if you had a president going to some factory and saying, 'Oh, this is a great factory,' then the public could have confidence that the president is just promoting that particular factory and not trying to promote the stock that he owns," Payne said in an interview with Business Insider.

Not everyone is concerned about Trump's endorsements.

Seth Barrett Tillman, an associate professor at Maynooth University's School of Law in Ireland who drew attention for his arguments in another Trump-related Supreme Court case, said that the president is entitled under the First Amendment to single out companies for praise.

"The president has freedom of speech just like every other American, and any American who wants to say 'Go buy a Dell' is allowed to do that under the First Amendment," Tillman told Business Insider.

Tillman said it's possible Dell's manufacturing rivals may not be bothered by the endorsement.

"So, if the other manufacturers are not upset, I am not going to be upset, and I do not really think it is anyone else's place to be upset," he said. "And I do not know that any of them are upset."

Additional reporting by Steven Tweedie.

It's official: Spain will face France in the World Cup semifinals on July 14 in Arlington, Texas. It's been a long road for both teams, with France knocking Morocco out of the running and Spain finishing with a tight victory against Belgium. If you're hoping to see it all in person, learn where to buy France vs. Spain tickets below.

Demand is high for match 101 of the World Cup, and with remaining games dwindling and a tournament winner on the horizon, that isn't going to change. Read on to learn what you need to know about getting last-second tickets to France vs. Spain, including prices and location. Head to StubHub and Vivid Seats to order your tickets before the big game.

Where to buy France vs. Spain tickets

Tickets have been hard to come by for the World Cup, especially for high-stakes games like the semifinals. Luckily, verified resale platforms have several seats available for last-second buyers, though prices are inflated to match demand.

July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

• StubHub seats starting from $1,754
• Vivid Seats starting from $1,750

How much are France vs. Spain tickets?

Match 101, the first World Cup semifinal, is shaping up to be one of the most expensive matches of the tournament. On StubHub, the cheapest available tickets start at about $1,750, while the most expensive premium and hospitality listings climb to more than $62,000 per ticket. With a place in the World Cup final at stake, inventory is limited, and prices are expected to remain high.

Vivid Seats is similarly expensive, with entry-level seats listed at around $1,750. Premium lower-bowl and club seats quickly jump into the five figures, and the highest-priced VIP listings currently top out at about $21,405 per ticket. As the semifinal field is finalized, resale prices are likely to fluctuate, but this match is expected to remain one of the priciest tickets of the entire tournament.

How can I watch France vs. Spain from home?

If you're joining the many World Cup viewers who can't splurge on a last-second ticket to AT&T Stadium, luckily, there are many ways to watch the game from home. Check out our guide to watching the World Cup from home and consider signing up for NordVPN to catch it from anywhere in the world.

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

See more: Is StubHub legit? | Where to buy World Cup tickets | Where to watch the World Cup

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• My first African safari trip would have been better if I had known five things before I traveled.
• Bringing a day bag with a portable charger and sunscreen would've made our game drives better.
• I wished I'd packed extra clothes in my carry-on bag and planned my layover better.

Each year, my husband and I try to go on a big summer trip.

One summer, we headed to the beachy Maldives on a bucket-list vacation. The year after, we booked a 10-day luxury African safari trip, which felt like a cool change of scenery.

For the first leg, we visited Arusha, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. We then spent three days in Zanzibar for a luxury beach getaway on the Indian Ocean.

I can't put into words just how magical Africa was — but I can tell you that our trip would've been better if we'd known five key things before we left.

From packing to planning, here's what I'd do differently next time.

Luggage delays here are more common than I realized — and I wish I'd been better prepared.

After a 14-hour flight from New York City to Nairobi, a 10-hour layover, and a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, I found out my luggage was among a number of bags that hadn't made the trip.

An airport attendant told me this happens frequently in Mt. Kilimanjaro due to airplane weight limitations. The largest and heaviest bags are sometimes left behind and brought in on a later flight.

Unfortunately, I only had one extra outfit and a few essentials in my carry-on. Since the lodge's laundry service had a too-long turnaround time, I ended up washing my underwear and socks in the sink with a hotel soap bar.

I tried to buy clothing, but in this remote part of Africa, we only had access to the lodge's gift shop. It didn't have socks or underwear, and I spent $50 on the only short-sleeved shirt that fit me: a hot-pink number with "Hakuna Matata" across the front.

Unfortunately, bright colors can attract tsetse flies and scare away wildlife. You can imagine the dirty looks I got from other tourists when I showed up for our safari in my shirt as if I hadn't known the proper dress code.

My luggage arrived at our lodge just over 48 hours later, but if I could do it all over again, I'd pack a carry-on with at least three days of clothing and essentials.

Several basic items could've made the long game rides way more comfortable.

When I first arrived in the Serengeti, I had no idea what a full safari day or game drive would be like.

I later learned game drives can be really long — we usually boarded our Land Cruiser at 6 a.m. and didn't come back until 4 p.m. or later.

The drives would've been more comfortable if I'd brought a bag with things like a battery-powered fan, Advil, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, a cooling towel, an insulated water bottle, and a portable phone charger.

Lastly, we should've brought two pairs of binoculars. My husband and I shared a single pair, which was pretty inconvenient.

I overpacked but still felt like I didn't have the right attire.

Safari days are long, so opt for comfortable clothing and shoes.

Speaking of shoes, I don't recommend bringing any white ones. Although I looked cute and trendy in my white sneakers, they were entirely covered in brown dirt by the end of the first day.

Summer days in Africa are hot, but nights can get chilly, so it's best to pack items that keep you comfortable in a range of temperatures. Most guides also recommend wearing neutral, earthy tones like beige, khaki, olive, and brown that won't alarm animals.

I also wished I'd packed more lightweight clothing that covered most of my skin, protecting me from mosquito and tsetse-fly bites while keeping me cool in the African heat.

Extra planning could've made our layover better.

It's common to have long layovers or overnight stays when traveling from the US to remote parts of Africa.

For our 10-hour layover in Nairobi, we got Kenya Airways lounge access, which I highly recommend.

Our plan was to stay in the airport lounge, eat, and sleep in its nap pods. However, the lounge was smaller than we anticipated — food options were limited, and the few pods were full during our entire layover.

We wanted to change our layover plan and find a nearby hotel or sightseeing excursion instead, but we decided against it after learning Kenya was experiencing a yellow-fever endemic.

Although the potentially fatal disease is preventable by a vaccine, this was one of the few vaccines we didn't get before our trip because we hadn't planned on leaving the airport.

If we had, we would've seen more of Kenya. Instead, we sat in uncomfortable chairs under bright light for hours.

I wish we hadn't crammed so much into one week.

We tried to see a lot on our trip, but I wish we'd taken our time and stayed two to three days at each property.

I especially regret spending only one night in the Ngorongoro Crater because we didn't get to see its famous packs of lions. Animals are on their own schedule, and you can't control when they will be visible — all you can do is wait.

I also recommend having downtime between each stop to avoid safari burnout. Fortunately, many lodges have pools or relaxing activities like yoga classes.

This story was originally published on September 19, 2024, and most recently updated on July 13, 2026.

World Cup ticket prices are constantly changing daily now. The initial ticket launch from FIFA frustrated football fans around the world, with affordable prices nowhere to be seen on the cumbersome website. And while I can't say things have improved that much for the most compelling matches, there are at least more options to buy now.

Every game available now will cost you at least $1,300 for the cheapest ticket. Prices for the France vs. Spain semi-final have dropped by a few hundred dollars for the cheapest get-in price over the last few days, but the Argentina vs. England porces keep going up and up, and are now starting over $3,000.

If you want to know where to buy World Cup tickets at this late stage, your best bets are resale marketplace platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats, both of which are reliable sites we've used for years for other sporting events and live music. StubHub has generally been a bit cheaper, but Vivid Seats often has ticket stock on the day of, even when StubHub has sold out.

• See also: Where to watch World Cup online for free

2026 FIFA World Cup tickets for every game

Below you'll find links to purchase World Cup tickets via StubHub for every remaining tournament fixture, along with recent entry-level prices. Prices are subject to change daily, but are correct at the time of publication.

Semi-finals

Bronze Final

Final

I've been keeping an eye on World Cup ticket prices since launch, and since the tournament actually started, prices have shot up, with tickets under $1000 being exceptionally rare. Don't leave things to chance a few hours before kickoff, as I've generally seen tickets disappear by then for most games (despite there clearly being empty seats on TV). So if you're serious about going, I'd get them booked as soon as possible; even the day before may be cutting it too close.

Where to buy World Cup tickets

The official FIFA website has been drip-feeding out a few additional ticket releases in recent weeks, but with exceptionally high prices, usually starting way over $1,000. Every visit to the site prompts a wave of Captcha events, multiple logins, code resends, and a loop of waiting rooms. And when the prices end up being higher than online reseller markets, it's hardly worth checking anymore.

Instead, we've noticed StubHub and Vivid Seats have had better prices and a much wider variety of seats available. The StubHub prices listed above were the cheapest ones I've seen at the time of writing, and are usually quite far from the pitch. Prices climb dramatically the closer you get.

What are the cheapest World Cup tickets?

We're a long way from the early days of the Group stage, where prices under $200 could be snapped up for multiple matches around the US.

At the time of writing, though, the cheapest game is the France vs. Spain semi-final, priced from $1,373. The bronze medal match is the next cheapest, with get-in prices from $1,467.

Are resellers safe?

Yes, official resellers like StubHub and Vividseats are eligible options for buying World Cup tickets, with various protections in place that offer refunds if anything goes wrong with the seller. Check out Sarah's guide as she answers the popular question cautious ticket buyers online always ask: Is StubHub legit?

• Disney's new "Moana" movie fell flat in its box-office debut.
• The movie avoided controversy, but didn't excite audiences.
• It also faced competition from "Toy Story 5" and "Minions & Monsters."

"Moana" bellyflopped in its box-office debut, and the miss should provide Disney film executives with some hard-earned lessons.

Disney's new live-action remake about the uber-popular Polynesian princess failed to bring audiences aboard, with a $43 million domestic opening that was only slightly above the disastrous start for the "Snow White" remake last year.

"'Moana's' performance this weekend certainly has everyone questioning the animation-to-live-action strategy often employed by Disney," said Paul Dergarabedian, the head of marketplace trends at media research firm Rentrak.

The Mouse House has used sequels and remakes as an easy, low-risk way to generate tons of cash, though a flop for one of its most popular movies means this strategy may be losing luster with fans.

"Disney invented this live-action phenomenon based on their animated films, and they've had remarkable success with them," said box-office analyst David Gross in a Sunday report. "But this opening isn't close to Disney's past remakes."

Unlike the ill-fated "Snow White" adaptation, this "Moana" movie had no notable controversies, and it didn't make polarizing creative choices like last May's successful "Lilo & Stitch" remake (which brought in over $182 million in the US in its debut).

Here are the three key reasons "Moana" sank in its box-office opening weekend, according to analysts.

1. It's all too familiar

The new "Moana" is "an almost shot-for-shot (and line-for-line, in some cases) remake of a five-star masterpiece," Business Insider's Gabbi Shaw wrote in a review of the live-action remake.

By mimicking the original "Moana," Disney avoided angering audiences who might not have wanted to see major changes to the hit. But by declining to reimagine "Moana," the live-action remake may not have excited fans either.

"The central conundrum with all of these remakes," Shaw wrote in her review, is that Disney fans or parents with Moana-crazed kids could have simply put on the "superior animated film" instead of bringing the whole family to a theater.

Though controversy-free, the new "Moana" movie was something that "nobody was talking about, for better or worse," said box-office analyst Scott Mendelson.

2. Too much 'Moana'

Disney may have given audiences another "Moana" movie too soon.

The original animated film came out 10 years ago, and Disney struck gold with a billion-dollar "Moana 2" sequel in 2024.

Although the "Moana" movies are beloved, as they consistently rank among the most-watched films on streaming, kids may already be getting their fix of the princess from the comfort of their couch.

"This story wasn't ready to come back, and audiences are not rushing to see it," Gross said.

Analyst Shawn Robbins, the director of movie analytics at Fandango, said the timing of this "Moana" film missed the sweet spot.

"This live-action take arrived at least half a decade too early if the goal was for the box office to benefit from nostalgia and a generational hand-me-down to kids who didn't see the original film in theaters or weren't born yet," Robbins said.

3. It faced stiff competition, including friendly fire

Another factor in the "Moana" remake's slow start was that there are plenty of family-friendly films in theaters right now.

"The marketplace is a bit oversaturated with PG-rated family fare," Dergarabedian said.

Disney decided to release the new "Moana" three weeks after its own smash-hit "Toy Story 5" and a week after "Minions & Monsters" from Universal, though that film has so far slightly underwhelmed.

Those films and the World Cup may have kept audiences elsewhere, Robbins remarked.

However, seeing movies isn't always a zero-sum game. Mendelson said that family-friendly hits can spur rival movies, since kids see trailers in theaters and get excited.

"If people had wanted to see 'Moana,' they would have seen 'Moana,'" Mendelson said.

• Jamie Dimon said he's not sure if he'll be CEO in three years, weeks after the succession race heated up.
• Dimon said there's little to no chance he'll run for political office once he steps down.
• Instead, the 70-year-old said he'll likely write a book, teach, or pursue media.

Last month, JPMorgan gave the world a better idea of who might succeed Jamie Dimon as CEO. And Dimon just gave a better idea of what he might do once that successor takes the job.

Dimon, who has led JPMorgan since 2006, said that in addition to doing business "with people I like," he'll probably write a book about management or the financial crisis. Known as one of Wall Street's more outspoken CEOs, Dimon said he might take on public-facing roles, though he kept the details sparse.

"I may teach somewhere, because I like teaching, and I might do something around a media-related thing," he told Axios in an interview that aired on Saturday.

Many have speculated that Dimon might have his eyes set on the White House, but he said there's "pretty much no chance" he would run for office.

"I'm very hard-pressed to think I should be doing something like that," he said with a light laugh, adding that he's never been a part of a campaign. "I'm a banker. I'm a New Yorker. I'm 70 years old. I've had a couple of health problems."

Dimon underwent emergency heart surgery in 2020 and battled throat cancer in 2014.

He added that politicians and their families face tremendous public scrutiny, and, besides, he could have a significant impact from his current position. Dimon has recently spearheaded geopolitical projects at JPMorgan, like a $1.5 trillion effort to boost US dominance and security, and a sweeping "American Dream Initiative."

That doesn't mean Dimon and his colleagues won't also weigh in on political issues in the more traditional sense — JPMorgan launched a series called "From the desk of" in May, where senior leaders share their opinions on public policy.

Though it's hard for some to imagine the end of the Dimon era at JPMorgan, a new leader may step up in the next few years. When asked whether he'll still be CEO in three years, Dimon said he didn't know, repeating his common refrain that it's up to the board and that he plans to stay on as executive chairman. In the past, he's been known for saying he'll be in the job at least five more years.

Troy Rohrbaugh and Doug Petno recently emerged as the frontrunners to succeed Dimon after becoming co-presidents of JPMorgan in June.

• Retail traders aren't blindly buying every dip these days.
• Data from Vanda Research shows that everyday investors have changed up their strategy this year.
• They're picking winners and losers in the Mag 7 and are quicker to take profits.

It's not as catchy as "buy the dip" or "sell the rip", but "picking winners and losers and opportunistically taking profits" might be the most succinct description of what retail traders are up to in 2026.

It's a departure from past eras in recent market history, and further hints at the evolution of the day trader crowd often derided as "dumb money." Data from Vanda Research, which tracks retail investor flows into single stocks and ETFs, shows that everyday investors have grown more selective this year, no longer rewarding whole swathes of the tech trade, while also being more willing to sell their holdings.

"Retail remain highly active on a total turnover basis — they're just becoming (a) far more selective about where they deploy capital and (b) much more willing to sell & liquidate holdings," Vanda wrote.

Net buying of single stocks by retail investors last week was the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanda said, while the selling of some of the ususal favorites gathered steam.

"Last week's largest retail outflows came from familiar names including Apple, Tesla and Nvidia, alongside several semiconductor stocks," the firm wrote. "Rather than abandoning single names altogether, retail appear to be harvesting gains following a powerful AI-led rally and recycling capital into newer opportunities."

The chart above shows many of the tech sector's leading names, including most of the Magnificent Seven, were among the most-sold stocks last week.

"Retail aren't buying the Mag 7 anymore," the firm wrote. "They're picking winners. That growing divergence in positioning is also helping drive the increasing dispersion we've seen in relative price performance across the group."

This is a contrast to their strategy a few months ago when retail traders started offloading Nvidia shares to scoop up more Tesla.

Vanda's data shows that the mentality may still be driving retail action, just with a focus on a different Musk-led company. Following the SpaceX IPO, the retail community began selling other tech stocks to free up dry powder for the highly anticipated debut.

SpaceX has been volatile since it trading began, but retail trader hype hasn't wavered and Wall Street sentiment has been mostly bullish as analysts initiate coverage of the stock.

"SPCX was once again the most bought stock by retail (+$26.8mn), with the newly-listed SK Hynix ranking second (+$21.4mn) and Intel third (+$18.8mn)," Vanda wrote. "Nvidia, by contrast, saw around $54mn of net selling, suggesting investors are rotating within the AI complex rather than simply adding exposure."

Meanwhile, the retail community is divided on SK Hynix, which recently priced an offering of American depositary receipts and began trading on Nasdaq on Friday. The South Korean chipmaker initially made a notable splash, only to drop significantly after the euphoria faded on Monday.

Trading volume is high, and the ADRs ranks among both the most-bought and most-sold stocks among retail traders, according to Vanda's data. The firm noted that while SK Hynix enjoyed one of the strongest debuts among retail traders that its analysts have seen, it still fell short of SpaceX's IPO day.

• Jay-Z concluded his star-studded three-night residency at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
• The final show, titled "Extra Innings," featured musicians from across the rapper's long career.
• Beyoncé, Usher, and Rihanna were among the guests brought onstage.

On Sunday, New York City's Yankee Stadium was certainly a concrete jungle where dreams are made of — at least, for the thousands of Jay-Z fans who waited hours to see the rapper take the stage for the third and final night of his residency there.

A four-hour delay caused the show to kick off around 12:15 a.m., instead of the scheduled 8 p.m.

In a joint statement, Roc Nation and Yankee Stadium told Business Insider that "hundreds of individuals in large groups — who did not have tickets to tonight's performance — stormed over peaceful ticketholders, and in some cases, breached security," which led to the gates being closed for "an extended period of time."

For many, it was worth the wait, as friends, family, and longtime collaborators joined one of New York City's most beloved musicians onstage, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Usher, Pharrell Williams, Jeezy, Fat Joe, and more.

Here are all the stars who showed up for Jay-Z's third and final Yankee Stadium show.

Rihanna

Rihanna performed her song with Jay-Z, "Run This Town," before launching into her own hit, "B**** Better Have My Money."

Usher

Taking a quick break from his own tour, Usher stopped by Yankee Stadium to perform "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" and "Throwback."

Beyoncé

Mrs. Carter was on hand to perform one of their biggest hits as a couple, "Drunk in Love."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roc Nation (@rocnation)

Pharrell Williams and Malice

Williams performed a medley of songs, including "Excuse Me Miss," "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)," and "Allure," before bringing out his protégés, Clipse, the duo consisting of Malice, seen here, and Pusha T.

Pusha T

Pusha T and Malice, as Clipse, performed "Grindin'."

Teyana Taylor

Taylor took over for Mary J. Blige in a performance of "Can't Knock the Hustle."

Jeezy

Jeezy joined Jay-Z onstage to perform two of their collaborations: "Seen It All" and "Go Crazy."

Jermaine Dupri

Dupri rapped "Money Ain't a Thang" with his longtime collaborator.

Fat Joe and Jadakiss

Knicks summer wouldn't be complete without a performance of "New York" by these two.

The-Dream

The-Dream subbed in for Frank Ocean's vocals on the chorus of "No Church in the Wild."

Swizz Beatz

Swizz Beatz and HOV performed another long medley of some of their best work, including "On to the Next One," "Ruff Ryder's Anthem," and "Welcome to the Jungle."

• Meta announced that it is supercharging its Louisiana data center, known as Hyperion.
• The project has led to year-end bonuses of up to $50,000 for local teachers, Meta said.
• The campus will now grow to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity and cost more than $50 billion.

Meta is scaling up what was already slated to become its largest AI data center, a Louisiana campus that the tech giant says has fueled "life-changing returns" for local teachers and businesses.

The company behind Facebook and Instagram said in a blog post on Monday that the Richland Parish data center, known as Hyperion, will now grow to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity, bringing the project's cost to more than $50 billion.

The announcement offers a new data point for Wall Street investors watching Meta closely for updates on its AI spending plans. The company's capital expenditures have ballooned in the last two years, largely due to AI infrastructure costs.

As part of its announcement, Meta touted the project's local economic impact, saying that the increased tax revenues tied to the data center have recently led to year-end bonuses of up to $50,000 for Richland Parish teachers.

That's 400% higher than what teachers received last year in the rural Louisiana parish that's home to about 20,000 people, according to Meta.

Sheldon Jones, the parish's school district superintendent, said in a statement shared by Meta that the influx of money has been "life-altering for our teachers and their families" and was "transforming our schools."

"Last year, our teachers received a $10,000 bonus, this year that check was over $50,000," Jones said, adding, "Meta's investment has made Richland Parish a destination for education as well as industry."

Jones did not immediately respond to a request by Business Insider for further comment.

The Hyperion project, according to Meta, is among the largest investments in AI infrastructure worldwide.

Meta said in its Monday post that local Louisiana businesses have received more than $1.6 billion in contracts from the company since it broke ground on the 4 million-square-foot site in December 2024.

"With this expansion, we will be investing over $1 billion in local infrastructure improvements, including roads, water and wastewater systems," said Meta.

It added that the company "pays the full costs of the energy, water, and related infrastructure the data center uses so consumers aren't paying the cost."

The project's expansion marks a dramatic escalation from last year when Meta and investment firm Blue Owl Capital put the data center's price tag at about $27 billion with plans for more than 2 gigawatts of compute capacity.

Once operational, Meta says the data center will create more than 1,000 jobs.

While Meta has highlighted the project's economic benefits, the rapid buildout of AI data centers by Big Tech has become a flashpoint, with critics raising widespread concerns about energy demand, water consumption, and the strain on local infrastructure.

• Palantir CEO Alex Karp said AI could be about to create a huge wealth disparity.
• "That's a problem for society," he told Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner.
• Karp also said the overselling of AI by the companies that make it is "disconcerting."

AI is making a lot of people rich. You might not be one of them, says Palantir CEO Alex Karp — and that's the problem.

In an interview with Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner, Karp said AI will likely raise living standards broadly, but the scale of gains at the very top will be wildly disproportionate to gains elsewhere. Axel Springer is Business Insider's parent company.

Karp said that AI wealth disparity is the "biggest problem in this country."

"While it will raise the standard of living of the average person, the people involved are likely to get 10, 100 times wealthier than they already are," Karp said on an episode of Döpfner's "MD Meets" podcast that aired Monday.

In past technological revolutions, Karp said, the gap between winners and everyone else was far narrower: "The person at the bottom, maybe their salary doubled, and the person at the top became five times wealthier, but it was very unusual to be a billionaire 40 years ago."

"You now have a revolution where, you know, I could become 20 times wealthier than I am now," he added.

AI is creating a "complete decoupling" between ordinary economic gains and a small class of people who attain "unimaginable wealth," he said.

'They're telling you your life is going to suck'

Karp said that even if AI doesn't cause massive job losses, it doesn't stop people from worrying about it, as some of the people behind the technology have made those cuts seem inevitable.

"The people running the lab companies, who are the leaders, told you it's true," Karp said. "They're telling you your life is going to suck. And they're also getting very wealthy, and you don't find them very likable."

While he didn't name any executives, Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman have warned about AI causing job disruption. Recently, they have softened their positions.

Karp's comments come as anxieties around AI are boiling over into public backlash. Gen Z has shown resentment toward the technology, while the data center boom is also being met with hostility from communities and politicians.

It's also not the first time Karp has spoken critically of the AI industry. He ripped into the leading labs earlier this month in a CNBC interview where he said "something has gone completely wrong" with the AI market.

Karp told Döpfner that while he believed AI would make a lot of people's lives better, he was skeptical of any framing that AI would be a "plethora of good things" that everyone would profit from.

"The overselling of AI in this country is really, really, really, somewhat disconcerting, but it's also depressing because you don't have to do it," Karp said, describing AI as a "natural resource" with both positive and negative potential.

He also had some choice words about those leading the AI race.

"These are like very oddly-shaped-IQ specimens that you probably wouldn't want to have over for dinner," he said. "And if they were over for the dinner, you have nothing to talk to them about. And, by the way, vice versa."

Argentina and England are set to renew one of international soccer's most iconic rivalries in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals. After knocking off Switzerland and Norway, respectively, the two heavyweights are now just one win away from the World Cup final, setting up one of the tournament's most anticipated matches.

With Lionel Messi leading Argentina and England chasing its first World Cup title since 1966, demand for tickets is expected to be intense. If you're hoping to be there in person, we've rounded up everything you need to know about buying Argentina vs. England tickets, including where to find seats, what resale prices look like, and the best places to compare listings before kickoff. Check out StubHub and Vivid Seats for seats available now.

Where to buy England vs. Argentina tickets

Tickets to see the World Cup in person haven't been easy to come by. That said, matches as high-stakes as the semifinals are especially difficult to get seats for, making verified resale platforms your best bet for finding tickets.

July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA

• StubHub seats starting from $2,965
• Vivid Seats starting from $2,984

How much are England vs. Argentina tickets?

England vs. Argentina is one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and semifinal ticket prices reflect the enormous demand. On StubHub, the least expensive resale tickets currently start at about $3,000, while the most expensive premium and hospitality listings climb to more than $47,000 per ticket. With two of international soccer's biggest powers meeting for a place in the World Cup final, inventory is expected to remain limited.

Vivid Seats is no different, with entry-level tickets beginning around $3,000. Premium lower-bowl seats, VIP packages, and hospitality experiences range well into the five figures, with the highest listings reaching approximately $32,141. As kickoff approaches, prices are likely to continue fluctuating, but this semifinal is expected to remain one of the tournament's most expensive resale markets.

See more: Is StubHub legit? | Where to buy World Cup tickets | Where to watch the World Cup

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

• Many A-list attendees were spotted at Wimbledon wearing coveted watches.
• Serena Williams wore a pink Audemars Piguet watch, valued at more than $45,000.
• Romeo Beckham later sported a $68,000 Patek Philippe timepiece.

While Wimbledon was underway, luxury watches seemed to be as common in the stands as those bright green tennis balls on the court.

The famed tennis tournament was held between June 29 and July 12 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.

Athletes like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka hit the court to compete, and celebrities like David Beckham supported from the sidelines.

Both players and attendees sported luxury timepieces that caught a lot of attention. Here's the wrist candy we spotted.

Serena Williams arrived for her first match wearing a pink Audemars Piguet watch.

While leaving a practice session, Williams was photographed wearing the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph timepiece.

The $45,900 watch has a diamond-set bezel, a titanium case, 18-carat white-gold hands, and a pink bracelet.

It perfectly matched the handle of her tennis racquet.

David Beckham opted for a steel Tudor piece.

The soccer legend attended the first day of Wimbledon wearing a gray suit and a steel watch. The latter was the new Tudor Black Bay 58, which retails for $5,350.

The silver piece has a black face beneath a domed dial and distinct rhodium-plated hands.

Romeo Beckham one-upped his dad with a Patek Phillipe watch.

The model attended with his girlfriend, Kim Turnball, and was photographed wearing the Nautilus 7118 watch from the Swiss brand. It retails for $68,268.

Traditionally a woman's watch, it has a rose-gold bracelet, a silver opaline dial with a wave pattern, and shining white hands.

Alexander Ludwig sported a simple timepiece from Frédérique Constant.

The "Vikings" actor sat beside musician Niall Horan and wore a Swiss watch on his left wrist.

The Frédérique Constant piece (model FC-303MS4C24) is from the watchmaker's classic collection. It features a rectangular face in rose gold with a black leather band.

It's no longer sold by the brand and is sold out by secondhand watch dealers.

Esteban Ocon was there on day two wearing a Bianchet watch.

The French Formula 1 driver wore the Tonneau Ultrafino Carbon watch, which costs about $83,895 (67,500 CHF).

The black design features a double strap made in part from high-density carbon, a square face with visible gears, and self-winding hands.

On Wednesday, Erica Stoll wore a diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe piece.

Stoll sat in the audience with her husband, golf star Rory McIlroy, and flashed her rose-gold Patek Phillipe watch as she clapped.

She wore a version of the Nautilus 7118 that retails for $76,645. It has 56 diamonds around its face and a thick, shining bracelet.

Joao Fonseca signed autographs with a Rolex on his wrist.

The athlete wore the $40,000 Yacht-Master 42, which has a black dial and white-gold features.

It's also known for being legible in the dark and scratch-resistant.

Lady Eliza Spencer chose a Chopard watch for the fourth day of Wimbledon.

She attended the tournament with her sister, Lady Amelia Spencer, and the two were photographed together on their way inside.

In those images, you can see Lady Eliza's $11,400 Happy Sport watch from Chopard.

The timepiece has a pink leather bracelet, a stainless steel and rose-gold case, and five loose diamonds that move across its pink mother-of-pearl face.

Day five saw Jelena Djokovic in the audience wearing a massive Audemars Piguet piece.

The watch in question appears to be the Royal Oak Self-Winding Perpetual Calendar in 18-carat pink gold.

It's labeled as "price upon request" on the Audemars Piguet website, though secondhand watch dealers list the piece for more than $229,000.

She wore the watch alongside a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet that was also in rose gold.

Usain Bolt wore his Hublot collaboration watch.

The Olympic runner collaborated with Hublot early this year to create the Big Bang Unico Reloaded Usain Bolt watch.

Limited to 200 pieces, the approximately $33,640 (€29,000) watch in 18K yellow gold has a lightning bolt-shaped hand and a camouflage bracelet.

It's also engraved with the phrase "Anything is Possible, Don't Think Limits."

Andrew Garfield attended Wimbledon on July 4 while wearing an IWC timepiece.

He paired his all-blue outfit with the $11,200 Ingenieur Automatic 35 watch from IWC. It has a silver, stainless steel bracelet, a blue face with a checked pattern, and a date display.

The "Amazing Spider-Man" actor sat with his girlfriend, Monica Barbaro, and Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour at the tournament.

Arden Cho was in the audience wearing Chanel wrist candy on July 7.

She specifically wore the Boy-friend watch, which has an 18-carat beige gold case, a black quilted bracelet, and 64 diamonds around its face. Its price is only available upon request.

Cho wore it with an assortment of diamond rings, bracelets, and a Hermès handbag.

Comedian Matt Friend opted for a Rolex.

He wore the $42,700 Cosmograph Daytona, known for its 18-carat yellow-gold case, turquoise dial, and black Oysterflex bracelet.

On July 8, Elle Fanning wore a delicate Cartier watch.

She was photographed in the audience wearing a $5,300 Panthère de Cartier watch in the mini model. It's made from steel, has a small square face, and blue hands that match its vibrant dial.

The actor attended with her boyfriend, Gus Wenner.

Sam Claflin was there the following day with an Omega timepiece on his wrist.

He specifically wore the Seamaster Aqua Terra, which features a blue-striped dial, a date window, and a thick stainless steel case.

It's sold out on the Omega website, but secondhand dealers sell it for upward of $7,000.

Rami Malek chose a Cartier watch on July 10.

The actor attended Wimbledon in a striped shirt, a linen suit, and a small Tank Américaine watch from Cartier.

The $14,100 timepiece has an 18-carat gold rectangular face, blue steel hands, and a brown alligator-skin strap.

The next day, Lily Collins wore a gold Cartier piece.

She wore a tan sweater and pleated skirt for Wimbledon, which she accessorized with gold jewelry — including a $24,800 Panthère de Cartier watch.

The mini-sized timepiece is made from 18-karat yellow gold and features blue-steel hands that add a subtle pop of color.

On July 12, the final day of Wimbledon, Twiggy wore a Rolex.

The supermodel attended the tournament in a white linen suit and a salmon-colored vest.

She also wore gold accessories and a $35,300 Lady Datejust watch from Rolex. The yellow-gold piece has a metallic face and the brand's President-style bracelet.

Raye looked stylish with a mini Audemars Piguet piece.

Her Mini Royal Oak watch is a highly coveted piece, which can cost upward of $92,000 on the resale market.

In 18-karat gold, the timepiece has a geometric face, a frosted coloring, and a dainty bracelet.

Prince William wore what appeared to be one of the least expensive watches of the tournament.

He sat in the audience with his wife, Kate Middleton, and their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

While there, you could see William's silver watch, which appeared to be a discontinued Omega Seamaster Diver that resells for around $2,900.

Jennifer Lopez wore a watch from Ralph Lauren.

Her uniquely shaped timepiece is from Ralph Lauren's Stirrup Collection.

Retailing for $8,150, the mini watch had an alligator leather bracelet, a rose-gold case, and Roman numerals.

• Lorde criticized AI-enabled glasses during a Thursday festival set.
• "Don't get the glasses. Not sexy," she said.
• It comes as companies try to make sexy-looking AI consumer tech.

In 2021, Lorde sang about throwing her own "cellular device in the water."

She might want to chuck your high-tech glasses in the waves, too.

During a Thursday performance at Madrid's Mad Cool Festival, the singer-songwriter delivered a blunt verdict on the wearable technology.

"Can I just say, for the record, fuck the glasses," she said between songs. "Don't get the glasses. Not sexy."

Lorde did not name Meta, Ray-Ban, or a specific pair of AI-enabled glasses. Representatives for the singer did not immediately respond to Business Insider's questions about her comments.

Still, the setting gave the remarks a lot of subtext.

Ray-Ban sponsored the festival and promoted its smart glasses there. Blackpink singer Jennie, a Ray-Ban Meta ambassador who has appeared in ads for the devices, performed on the same stage after Lorde.

The comments arrive as Silicon Valley races to move generative AI beyond computers, smartphones, and geofenced self-driving cars — and there's a current obsession with wearable accessories.

Meta has emerged as an early leader in AI wearables through its partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley. The $299 glasses can answer a wearer's questions, play audio, and capture live photos and videos through built-in cameras, Meta says.

The products have faced significant pushback from privacy advocates, who are concerned that bystanders may not always realize they are being recorded.

The products have been a hit. EssilorLuxottica said it sold more than 7 million AI glasses across its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta lines last year.

'Not sexy'

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly said that fitting the tech into high-fashion eyewear will be essential to making the wearables mainstream.

That makes Lorde's "not sexy" assessment particularly pointed — and she has some A-list credibility in the fashion department: She's walked the Met Gala red carpet four times, was on the cover of Vogue in 2021, and was a guest on designer Bella Freud's "Fashion Neurosis" podcast last year.

Her criticism also fits a recurring tension in her work: growing up online while trying to make disconnecting kinda cool. She previously told The New York Times she's tried ditching her phone after becoming alarmed by how much time she spent looking at its screen.

"Maybe the internet raised us," she sang in her debut 2013 album. "Or maybe people are jerks."

• As a local, one of my favorite Rhode Island towns to visit in the summer is Charlestown.
• There are cute coffee shops, delicious seafood spots, and quiet, peaceful beaches.
• One of my favorite things to do is visit the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, a quirky village of shops.

Between freezing temperatures and blizzards dumping feet of snow that last for weeks, Rhode Island can be brutal in the winter. Once it gets warm enough for ice-cream stands to put out their "Open" flags and hydrangeas to bloom, though, everything changes.

As a lifelong local, I've always believed that summer in New England is well worth the long, dreary winter. Luckily, my hometown in Rhode Island is the ultimate shoreline spot, with waterfront restaurants, a quaint downtown, and a beach near Taylor Swift's iconic summer house.

When I crave something a little different for the day, though, I just hop in my car and drive to Charlestown, Rhode Island — a quiet, stunning beach town about 45 minutes from Providence.

There's no place more perfect for a peaceful summer day.

I always start my day by picking up coffee and lunch before going to the beach

Charlestown is home to the iconic, cozy Dave's Coffee, which serves locally roasted coffee and pastries. I always order a latte and then head to the café's peaceful garden to sit for a bit.

Pro tip: Dave's also sells delicious coffee syrup, which is a perfect way to spruce up your coffee at home.

Before a relaxing beach day, picking up lunch is a must, too. Along South County Trail, Rippy's Liquor & Marketplace might look like a convenience store from the outside, but its deli is a hidden gem.

They have the best sandwiches, perfect for a beach lunch. My personal favorites are the chicken salad or the chicken cutlet. I can also never go wrong with a turkey club.

From beaches to shopping, there's something for every traveler

There's never a shortage of beaches to choose from. East Beach, running three miles, is a peaceful spot, along with Blue Shutters Beach, where you can lay down a checkered blanket and soak in the sun for the day.

Visitors looking for something different can set up camp at Ninigret Pond, where kayakers paddle throughout the salt pond. Keep an eye out for artist Thomas Dambo's giant wooden trolls nestled along the park's trails.

Once I notice my skin's getting pink (or if it's one of those rare days when I'm not feeling the beach), I venture to the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, a quirky, fun village of shops tucked away in the woods.

Since I was little, I've loved wandering the grounds and shops there — like Small Axe Productions, where I can spend hours browsing handcrafted jewelry before making my way upstairs to check out beautifully carved musical instruments.

While I'm there, I also usually stop by the General Store for socks with fun slogans and a bag full of penny candy. Then, I'll take time to soak in my peaceful surroundings, walk through the bamboo forest, and even run into chickens roaming the gardens.

There are many local seafood restaurants to choose from

Dinner in Charlestown is always a game-time decision, simply because there are too many excellent local spots to choose from.

As soon as you see the long line, you'll know you've reached Monahan's Clam Shack. I love a good chowder-and-clam-cake combo — with New England-style creamy chowder, of course — and Monahan's has one of the best.

The flounder-fish tacos with mango salsa are also fresh, tasty, and perfect for sharing.

When I'm in the mood for a sit-down meal, the Charlestown Rathskeller is a local classic with live music all summer long. My favorite dish is their chicken pasta fresco, which I believe is the ideal light summer meal.

Their famous loaded fries are worth saving room for, too.

When I'm ready to head back home, I'll stop by Quonnie Farms to pick up some ears of corn or a delicious homemade pizza. In the summer, there's even an ice-cream stand — perfect for those nights when the only right answer is ice cream for dinner.

• The stock market's most hyped offerings this year have struggled since their debut.
• SK Hynix is the latest example, with the US-listed ADRs down 10% in their second day of trading.
• The hottest IPOs have arrived at an awkward moment in the market as investors reassess the AI trade.

Some of the hottest new listings are having trouble keeping the momentum going after much-hyped debuts.

SK Hynix is the latest example of a stock struggling after a splashy initial offering. While technically not a new IPO, momentum behind the South Korean chipmaker's American depositary receipts has fizzled in the days since they were priced last Thursday.

The ADRs fell by nearly 10% on Monday after a brutal day of selling dragged the Korean-listed shares down 15%. While the ADRs are still trading slightly above the offering price of $149, they've tumbled sharply from Friday's high around $175 as the chip trade struggles and memory makers fight against downward momentum that recently pushed the sector into a bear market.

But SK Hynix is only the latest example of an offering that rocketed higher before eventually running out of steam this year.

SpaceX — which garnered a nearly $2 trillion valuation and marked the biggest IPO of all time — saw shares soar as much as 25% in the days that followed the offering. The stock is now down almost 40% from its peak, trading below the $150 level at which trading began on June 12, and nearing the $135 IPO price.

Cerebras, an AI semiconductor maker, has also seen its stock struggle after a strong debut. The stock jumped 68% in its first day of trading, kicking off the wave of mega-IPOs expected in 2026. As of Monday, the stock is down 40% since it began trading on May 14.

Stocks are often volatile after their IPOs as shares go through a period of price discovery. The problem with buzzy tech IPOs is also that they're coming at an awkward time for the market as AI hype that once seemed endless cools off.

SK Hynix priced its US offering right as the sector struggled against a bear market slide that sent some of the hottest stocks tumbling, including Micron Technology and Sandisk.

Meanwhile, there's growing concern that the bar for more AI-fueled stock gains is higher heading into this earnings season. Unexpectedly strong results in the first quarter lifted the market, but companies will need to do more than simply beat earnings to keep gaining. That was illustrated most recently by Samsung, another darling of the AI memory trade, which reported stellar results by most metrics but saw its stock plummet as a result.

In the case of SpaceX, investors may also be positioning for volatility as they eye the end of the first lockup periods that could see more shares flood the market.

The pipeline of hugely anticipated IPOs is still full. Anthropic and OpenAI, two other pure-play AI giants, have filed confidentially for IPOs that are expected later this year.

"The IPO parade, which now looks like it's turning into a stampede has been coming for a while," Mark Klein, the CEO of SuRo Capital, wrote in a note on Sunday. "The need to access capital right now is pretty acute."

• From age 30 through 40, I took a trip every year to celebrate my birthday.
• Then, on my 40th birthday trip, I decided that one trip a year was no longer enough. I wanted more.
• I've found ways to make travel a big, sustainable part of my life that's not limited to birthdays.

My sister and I spent a week in Santorini to celebrate my 30th birthday. Somehow, that turned into a sacred tradition and, for the next decade, I took a trip for my birthday each year.

I rang in one birthday by road-tripping from Seattle to San Diego in a Mustang convertible and another touring castles and distilleries in Scotland with a friend.

One year, I celebrated getting older by eating tapas and watching flamenco troupes perform on a solo stay in Madrid and, for another, I ziplined through the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica with my mom.

To mark 39, I spent an afternoon in a floating spa on the St. Lawrence River during a trip to Montreal. In each of these places, I had the thrill of discovering new neighborhoods, languages, customs, and cultures.

For my 40th birthday, I planned a whirlwind multi-stop European trip with a friend to kick off the next decade. It was on the final leg that I realized that this tradition had run its course.

One trip a year was no longer enough — I wanted more.

My 40^th birthday trip ended up being my last

This tradition had started during the time in my life when I was making less money, had fewer vacation days, and was in junior positions where taking too many days off was discouraged.

The limited PTO I did have was used to celebrate friends and family as they achieved traditional "adulting" milestones: weddings, engagements, bachelorette parties, and baby showers.

My birthday week abroad was a way to make sure I remembered to celebrate myself, too.

By 40, wedding season had died down, and friends had settled into lives centered on their partners, children, homes, and careers.

Meanwhile, I was single and child-free, and after diligently climbing the career ladder, I looked around and realized I didn't really want to be there.

The idea of spending the next 25 years working in jobs that brought me very little joy, motivated only by the promise of a week or two living "the life that could have been," was suddenly intolerable.

Somehow, this tradition created to expand my travel experiences had, in fact, shrunk them into a box on a shelf that I only took down once a year, and then tucked away again for 50 weeks.

I wanted to know what it was like to experience the places I visited on a deeper level, not just as a tourist.

In time, I've built a life more focused on travel

So, a few months after that 40th birthday trip, I tightened my budget, began saving as much as possible, and searched for a tenant to rent my house so I'd also have passive income.

Soon after, I left my job, and two weeks later, I boarded a flight and spent the next three months traveling around Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia.

I returned home for just long enough to figure out how to make a travel-centered life more financially sustainable.

I secured freelance work with my old agency, found new long-term renters for my home, and began a certification in astrocartography — a practice that uses one's birth chart to identify the best places in the world to travel.

Now, I am able to work from anywhere in the world on a schedule that I set, while also gaining lived experience in that practice.

It feels good to finally be building a life that's centered on travel rather than one where it is a rare treat.

• I took Amtrak from Miami to Tampa for my first-ever train trip.
• Compared to air and car travel, my long-distance train ride was neither cheaper nor faster.
• There was more waiting than I expected, but I also experienced some surprising perks.

I've traveled a lot between cities and have explored nearly all of Florida, yet I had never set foot on a long-distance train before last year.

While I am familiar with local light-rail systems like Miami's Metrorail and the New York City subway, I have most often opted for long-distance and intra-city buses when moving around Florida.

The state, which lacks the train commuting culture of regions like the Northeast, is loosely connected by a network of rail systems, including the local Brightline high-speed rail and the commuter trains TriRail in South Florida and SunRail in the Orlando area.

On a June 2025 trip from Miami to Tampa, I opted to see what Amtrak is like in the state, which is the namesake of Amtrak's Floridian line, which travels from Chicago to Miami.

On the way to Tampa, I rode in the coach economy class, and on the way back, I had a private first-class roomette.

These 10 things surprised me as a first-time Amtrak passenger.

In Florida, traveling by train was not cheaper or faster than driving.

At first, I expected my train journey to offer a clear benefit over other modes of transportation, such as lower cost or faster travel times.

Instead, the train ride — which made nine stops between Tampa and Miami — took longer than it would take me to drive or, obviously, fly between the same two points. In fact, my almost-six-hour train ride was 1 ½ hours longer than an average drive starting at the same time of day.

While the train reached a top speed of about 80 miles per hour, which would be a bit faster than driving on the highway, it also faced a fair amount of train traffic, and our average speed during the trip was closer to 45 miles per hour, which is slower than the speed limits on Florida highways, which usually have a minimum speed of 50 miles per hour.

Of course, I reaped some benefits by traveling by train rather than driving the route. I didn't have to deal with road traffic, and I had the chance to sleep, eat, and relax on the journey.

I was also surprised that the ticket cost wasn't much cheaper than driving or flying. An ultra-economy flight between Tampa and Miami on a carrier like the now-defunct Spirit Airlines or its peer, Frontier Airlines, could've cost between $35 and $150 at the time of my trip, depending on when I booked.

Today, flights between the two cities can go for as low as $40, with an average of $80 to $140 round-trip, depending on booking timing.

Driving the trip would have cost an average of $34.16 at the time of my trip, as calculated using The Zebra's fuel cost calculator and AAA's state average fuel prices.

I paid $60 for a single coach ticket (and $230 for the first-class ticket), so both driving and flying could've been faster and cheaper.

Riding by train felt like traveling back in time.

Despite the extra time and cost, there were benefits to taking the train: It was a fun and enriching experience that felt like traveling back in time, with routes that went through rural areas that were once hubs of industries such as manufacturing.

The stations themselves — many of which were built when train travel was much more common — felt like glimpses into a different era.

In Tampa, for example, I boarded the train at Tampa Union Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1912.

I experienced more waiting around on my trip than I expected.

Expecting a somewhat more elevated travel experience than long-distance buses, which can often be delayed by road traffic, I was surprised by the amount of waiting I experienced on my journeys.

On one leg of the trip, for example, I stood in line for food in the café car for almost an hour, and on the other, my train was delayed by five hours due to extreme heat — a factor that is increasingly impacting rail travel, The New York Times reported in 2024.

Amtrak did not respond to my requests for comment about my experiences.

Boarding was quick, with no security checkpoints.

Once your train arrives, you can just hop on and find your seat, much like on long-distance buses.

While I appreciated the uncomplicated boarding process, a thought or two about safety crossed my mind when I compared it to airplane boarding. That said, as someone used to traveling by long-distance and intra-city buses, I wasn't too concerned.

In documentation about its safety measures, Amtrak said that "the security framework that works in the airport setting is not easily transferable to the rail station system." Its trains instead rely on the Amtrak police department, a dedicated police force working inside train stations and aboard the trains, to ensure passenger security.

I experienced what felt like never-ending airplane turbulence while on my trip.

Even compared to driving or riding on a long-distance bus on the highway, the train ride felt very bumpy, mirroring the most turbulent of flights for hours on end.

For one leg of the trip, I booked a first-class roomette and was glad to have a space to lie down to ward off motion sickness, which got to me towards the end of my travels.

I wasn't limited to my seat, and exploring the train was one of my favorite parts.

Roaming the cars was one of my favorite parts of traveling by train.

Although walking between cars was difficult — the bumpy ride meant I had to hold on tightly to available handles as I moved from one car to another — I enjoyed the freedom to walk back and forth between the eating and sitting areas, giving me a chance to stretch my legs during the long ride.

Unlike traveling by bus or airplane, it felt very communal.

With the café and dining cars open and waits often affecting all passengers, traveling by train was much more communal than the heads-down, headphones-on experience of airplanes and long-distance buses.

The compact space aboard the trains makes it nearly impossible to avoid striking up a conversation with someone next to you, or at the very least, enjoy a fair share of eavesdropping.

The first-class dining car felt like a fine-dining restaurant, making me forget I was on a train.

With the $230 roomette ticket, I received a complimentary dinner in the first-class dining car.

I was surprised that the experience resembled a fine-dining restaurant, from the amenities to the staff's attention.

With each table having its own white tablecloth and rose bouquet, I almost forgot that I was moving at nearly 80 miles per hour during my meal.

However, the food options in coach and first class weren't all that different during my trip.

Unfortunately, the train I'd booked a first-class ticket for was five hours delayed. By the time I boarded at Tampa, which was at the latter end of the train's Chicago-to-Miami route, its complimentary first-class food options had run out.

While I was expecting a three-course dinner with options like steak or roasted salmon, we were instead offered a turkey sub, a ham sandwich, or a cheeseburger, offerings I recognized from my previous travel in coach.

While I expected fancier menu options, the cheeseburger I ordered came out looking (and probably tasting) much nicer than the microwaved version offered in the café car. It had toppings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles, and had a side of kettle chips.

I know my experience wasn't typical and that the route was affected by mechanical and timing difficulties, and I received an apology email from Amtrak. I still enjoyed the food that was served, even if it wasn't the three-course steak dinner I had expected.

Amtrak did not reply to a request for further comment.

Overall, traveling by train felt more like an experience in itself than just a way to get around.

Even with all its delays, inefficiencies, and dwindling food options, traveling by train gave me a more fulfilling and enriching experience than I expected.

From looking out the window at new rural landscapes to experiencing school-cafeteria-style communal eating, my train journeys felt more like experiences in their own right rather than simply a way of getting from point A to point B.

• State AGs are suing Paramount Skydance, hoping to block its deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Paramount has already secured regulatory approval from the Department of Justice.
• Buying WBD would make Paramount a Hollywood behemoth.

Paramount Skydance's plan to buy Warner Bros. Discovery is running into resistance.

State attorneys general from California, New York, New Jersey, and nine other states have sued David Ellison's media company, alleging its $110 billion WBD deal is anticompetitive and harmful to consumers.

"The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the US," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

Bonta continued: "Consolidation here not only leads to higher prices — it also leads to fewer opportunities for important stories to come to life, and fewer ways for audiences to encounter stories, ideas, and perspectives beyond their own experiences."

The lawsuit focuses on theatrical film distribution, claiming that the combination would account for about 27% of that market. Together, Bonta said Paramount-WBD, Disney, Universal, and Sony would control about 86% of the theatrical distribution market, including the lion's share of top-grossing blockbuster films.

Outside movies, the lawsuit highlights the Paramount-WBD tie-up's potential influence over the market for cable channels.

This lawsuit was widely expected. Bonta said before the deal was official that his office would give any proposal to buy WBD "a very close look."

Paramount responded in a statement that the lawsuit "reflects a fundamentally flawed application of the antitrust laws and is wrong on both the facts and the law." Ellison's company pledged to "vigorously defend the transaction."

"Delaying this transaction will only harm entertainment workers who have already suffered over recent years as technology has disrupted their livelihood and cost California tens of thousands of entertainment jobs," Paramount said.

Ross Benes, a senior analyst at Business Insider sister company EMARKETER, said that the states' lawsuit was unlikely to stop the deal.

"With regulatory agencies gutted, state AGs are provided an easy political win by going after Paramount," Benes said. "Their success in stopping the merger appears unlikely because they do not have federal jurisdiction and the Trump administration effectively controls all branches of government."

Media analyst Ric Prentiss of Raymond James said that the Paramount-WBD deal "does not explicitly require UK or state approvals" to close.

"It is possible the merger could have all necessary approvals by July 22, and the companies could close the merger on that date," Prentiss said in a recent note. However, he added that a lawsuit could delay the deal's close.

Paramount wants to buy WBD ASAP

Buying WBD would make Paramount a Hollywood superpower by giving it control of the Warner Bros. studio, HBO, HBO Max, and TV networks like CNN. Ellison already has Paramount Pictures, the Paramount+ and Pluto TV streamers, the CBS broadcast network, and cable channels like MTV.

Paramount has been hoping to fast-track its WBD acquisition, as the company has agreed to pay WBD shareholders about $7 million each day that the deal doesn't close, starting after September 30.

Donald Trump's Department of Justice approved Paramount's WBD deal in mid-June, stating that the transaction was "not likely to result in harm to competition or American consumers" in streaming, pay TV, or movie production and distribution.

European regulators are reviewing Paramount's plan to acquire WBD and have already secured concessions, including Paramount exiting the United International Pictures joint venture with Comcast's Universal Pictures. The European Commission now has until July 22 to review the updated proposal.

Top Hollywood stars, including Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo, have spoken out against the deal, saying in a joint statement that it would "further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape" and result in "fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences in the United States and around the world."