• BrewDog cofounder James Watt has criticized the UK's work culture.
• Watt said the UK was "one of world's least work-oriented countries."
• Watt stepped down as BrewDog CEO in 2024.

BrewDog cofounder James Watt said the UK was "one of the world's least work-oriented countries" as he criticized the idea of "work-life balance."

Appearing in an Instagram video alongside his fiancée, Georgia Toffolo, Watt initially said he believed "the whole concept of work-life balance was invented by people who hate the work that they do."

Watt said he and Toffolo instead believed in "work-life integration."

Watt received pushback over the post and later deleted it from Instagram, saying "the comments crossed the line from debate to personal abuse." However, he later reposted it with additional context.

In the new post, Watt made it clear that his content was "aimed at founders, entrepreneurs, and people who want to push their careers forward," adding that "most successful leaders I know don't separate work from life."

In a LinkedIn post, Watt then suggested the pushback may be linked to what he described as the UK's comparatively low work ethic.

"As a nation, we love to joke about the French being lazy, but the reality is that our output per hour is 13% lower than theirs," he wrote. "I've heard countless international leaders say that the UK's work ethic just doesn't stack up against other nations, especially the US."

He then went on to cite a 2023 study by the Policy Institute at King's College London that found the UK public ranked among the lowest internationally for the importance placed on work.

The study, which looked at 24 nations, including Italy, France, and Russia, found that British people were the least likely to say work was important in their lives and among the least likely to say that work should always come first.

"This isn't to say nobody in the UK works hard—I know that millions of you do and are relentlessly grafting every day," Watt added.

BrewDog was founded in 2007 in Scotland and soon found success as it shook up the craft beer scene with its bold, controversial marketing and its signature Punk IPA.

The company has since built a network of bars and breweries around the world. Its Columbus, Ohio site features a taproom, hotel, and brewery.

Watt stepped down as CEO of the company in 2024, after 17 years at the helm. His departure followed a number of controversies over the company's alleged treatment of staff.

In 2021, dozens of former employees wrote an open letter accusing the company and Watt of creating a "culture of fear" in which staff were treated "like objects."

Watt later apologized to the former employees, saying the company had "always tried to do the best by our team."

"But the tweet we saw last night proves that on many occasions we haven't got it right. We are committed to doing better, not just as a reaction to this, but always; and we are going to reach out to our entire team past and present to learn more. But most of all, right now, we are sorry," he added.

In January 2024, BrewDog also faced fallout after it emerged it would no longer hire new staff on the real living wage, instead paying the lower legal minimum wage.

• Viral imitations of Hermès' Birkin bag have boosted awareness of Walmart's e-commerce marketplace.
• The positive attention is a tailwind as Walmart aims to take on Amazon's online dominance.
• But dupes like the so-called Wirkin also pose a challenge for the retailer's brand relationships.

For all of the fanfare they received last month, the internet-famous dupes of the ultra-luxe Birkin handbags have been disappearing from Walmart's e-commerce marketplace.

Walmart itself has been fairly quiet about the trend.

"In some instances, products may no longer be available," a Walmart spokesperson told Business Insider, declining to comment on the items specifically. The spokesperson added that the company encourages shoppers to explore its website for "exciting alternatives."

The frenzy around these imitation luxury accessories, available for a fraction of the price of the designer versions, highlights how such an increase in attention can be a somewhat mixed bag for online platforms like Walmart. An imitation bag going viral on TikTok can bring publicity to an online marketplace while also posing legal and reputational risks for brand owners.

"The Birkin dupes on Walmart's site have attracted such attention because of the juxtaposition of a very price-focused brand and a very aspirational product," GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders told BI. "It underlines how much its marketplace has evolved over recent years. Walmart has been actively expanding the offer to attract more consumers, especially younger and more affluent ones."

Walmart executives have touted the massive assortment of products available via third-party sellers in its online marketplace, which launched in 2009. Last quarter, CEO Doug McMillon said the SKU count is approaching 700 million items — a figure that dwarfs the 120,000 SKUs typically carried in a Walmart Supercenter.

McMillon has spoken at length about how important a huge selection of products is for Walmart to become the first place shoppers think of when they need anything from a dozen eggs sold by Walmart to a pair of sneakers from a third-party seller.

"When somebody thinks about buying anything and they want to go search or they want to go find a specific item, we want to be in that consideration set and that requires 1P and 3P," he said in a September 2023 earnings call, referring to first-party and third-party goods.

Amazon largely achieved this place in American consumers' minds by offering more than 600 million products on its site, of which 588 million are sold by third-party vendors, according to Capital One.

But what happens when sellers offer — and shoppers want — products that might infringe on another company's intellectual property rights?

Neither Walmart nor Hermès have said publicly whether an official complaint was filed, but McMillon has often said the company prizes its brand partnerships and wants to keep suppliers happy.

That position could lead the company to take a more cautious approach with potentially risky listings.

While many of the listings for the imitation Birkin bags are no longer available on Walmart's website, similar bags can be found on some of its e-commerce rivals.

As of Wednesday, a third-party seller on Amazon was offering a $100 "Wirkin welmes" leather handbag, using keywords that were popularized in reference to the delisted dupes on Walmart.com. Amazon didn't respond to BI's request for comment.

Balancing new customer awareness with protecting brands could help explain Walmart's relatively low-key handling of the Wirkin trend publicly. However, this likely won't be the last time the company will have to thread this needle.

Opening the marketplace to an ever-larger number of sellers means there will be no shortage of listings that will go on to be deleted. Those future listings will likely come and go with less attention as more people realize Walmart's offering goes well beyond its physical stores.

If anything, the kerfuffle over the Wirkin shows that Walmart's marketplace ambitions have reached a key milestone, attracting a level of viral attention in league with existing titans like Amazon and eBay.

• Myka Stauffer was a family YouTuber who chronicled her adoption of a child with medical needs from China.
• She and her husband faced backlash in 2020 when they said they were placing their son with a new family.
• Now, Myka is the subject of a new docuseries. Here's where she is today.

In May 2020, parenting YouTubers Myka and James Stauffer posted a video that would change their life.

In the since-deleted video titled "an update on our family," the Stauffers said that their son Huxley, whom they had adopted from China in 2017, had "a lot more special needs" than they had initially been aware of. After pursuing treatment and consulting medical professionals, the Stauffers said that they had made the decision to place Huxley with a "new forever family" who would be better able to care for him. Before deleting their channel, it had over 700,000 subscribers.

The Stauffers faced backlash online for their decision, as well as criticism that they had profited from content about Huxley's adoption before placing him with a new family. Fabletics, Kate Hudson's athletic wear brand, as well as other brands including Chili's and Big Lots cut ties with Myka.

Now, the Stauffers — and the family vlogging ecosystem at large — are the subject of the documentary series "An Update on Our Family." The series, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024, will air on HBO and Max starting January 15. It examines Huxley and the Stauffer family's story and the family vlogging ecosystem in which they existed.

Here's what we know about where Myka Stauffer is today.

Myka Stauffer left social media and hasn't posted since 2020

On June 24, 2020, Myka posted a statement to her Instagram account addressing the controversy around Huxley. In it, she said that she was "naive, foolish, and arrogant," and wished that she had been more prepared when she and her husband adopted him.

"I wanted to help so bad I was willing to bring home any child that needed me," she wrote.

Myka also said in the statement that she and James did not "adopt a child to gain wealth," writing that revenue from their videos featuring Huxley was put back into his care.

"We love Huxley and know that this was the right decision for him and his future," she said. "Praying that Huxley only has the best future in the entire world."

Since then, Myka has not publicly posted on her main Instagram account. Her personal YouTube channel and the family's channel, The Stauffer Life, have been deleted.

While Myka no longer posts online, James maintains his car detailing channel Stauffer Garage.

Myka and James' lawyers, Thomas Taneff and Taylor Sayers, told People in 2020 that the Stauffers had consulted medical and education professionals while caring for Huxley.

"Over time, the team of medical professionals advised our clients it might be best for Huxley to be placed with another family," they said.

The Stauffer family did not participate in 'An Update on Our Family'

The Stauffer family, who The Columbus Dispatch reported lives in Columbus, Ohio, did not participate in "An Update on Our Family."

Executive producers Rachel Mason and Rachel Knudsen told Business Insider that they attempted to reach the Stauffers multiple times while making the docuseries.

"We wanted them to participate, and also understand them not reaching back out to us," Knudsen told BI.

"We trust that their decision is their decision, and what's best for their family," she continued.

Email addresses that appeared to be associated with Myka Stauffer and the email address associated with James Stauffer's YouTube channel did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.

"An Update On Our Family" premieres on HBO and Max on January 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will air for three weeks.

• I'm an experienced skier who has been to more than a dozen ski resorts around the world.
• I often see beginners make mistakes like holding up lines, tailgating, and zooming down slopes.
• Wearing proper gear and being aware of your surroundings can enhance your skiing experience.

As an unathletic kid, I dreaded "going skiing" because it really meant slogging through ski school while my parents hit the slopes.

I started ski school before I started actual school, and for years, I was much better in the classroom than on the slopes.

Now, as a (much more athletic) adult skier with years of experience, I've been lucky enough to travel beyond my home base in Lake Tahoe to ski resorts in Utah, Colorado, the Canadian Rockies, and the French Alps.

Ski resorts have an etiquette system that can be difficult to grasp, and I've seen beginners make the same mistakes over and over, no matter where I am.

If you're a newcomer at a ski resort but you don't want to seem like one, here are some mistakes to avoid:

Holding up the line

If you're traveling in a group, wait until everyone is present before you all enter the chairlift line together. Don't try to save a spot for your friend — it's rude to other parties who are ready to get on the lift.

If you need to make boot or gear adjustments, do these before you get in line. Don't block the line's entrance.

At most resorts, lift lines funnel from many lanes into one main artery that feeds the chairlift. If there's no lift operator queueing groups, you have to merge lanes by alternating groups. Be mindful of when it's your turn and when you should let someone else go ahead.

Tailgating

It's annoying when someone steps on the back of your shoe while you're walking. However, it's even worse when someone does that to you while you have big metal slats hooked to your 8-pound boots.

When you're queueing up for the lift, leave just enough space between the tips of your skis and the next person's.

You wouldn't drive bumper-to-bumper, and you don't need to ski like that either.

Poorly planning your dismount from the lift

Good lift etiquette continues at the top of the hill on the dismount.

Coordinate with others on your chair to figure out which direction you're going when you get off. This can help you avoid a collision if you need to cross paths with another person on your chair.

Once you get off the chair, keep moving so the people behind you have a clear runway to exit.

Not staying in your lane

Once you advance past beginner techniques like "pizza" and "french fry," you need to make more parallel turns to ski down a hill safely.

Avoid zooming straight down the trail, which is how you can lose control.

On busier trails, it's safest to make your turns in a chosen section of the slope. Stick to one side of the trail rather than using its entire width to leave enough room for other skiers.

Picking a bad mid-mountain rest stop

Whatever you do, don't stop in the middle of the trail — that's like parking in the center lane of a highway.

Just like you would on a freeway, pull onto the shoulder instead. When you know you need to hit a stop, get to the side of the trail so the other skiers won't have to swerve around you.

Then, when you're ready to get back on the slopes, look uphill for anyone making their way down toward you. I usually wait for a break in the traffic — when there are very few skiers uphill of me — before I hop back on the trail.

In general, downhill skiers have the right of way because they can't see you coming behind them. It's your responsibility as the uphill skier to ensure you won't crash into them.

Not wearing the right outfit and gear

There are no fashion faux pas in skiing, but I would caution against those tight designer ski suits some people like to wear. They feel impractical for a sport that involves a fair amount of falling and bending over.

On the slopes, you should also wear bright colors and avoid wearing white. This can help other skiers see you coming, thus avoiding unnecessary collisions.

I also swear by wearing helmets. Most of the times I've taken bad falls have been on flat ground — it's easy for even the most experienced skier to catch an edge and lose their balance.

• Charlie Cox returns to play Matt Murdock in "Daredevil: Born Again."
• The new series sees him face off with a creepy serial killer called Muse from the comics.
• He also has to contend with Kingpin.

Charlie Cox is returning to "Daredevil: Born Again" as the blind lawyer-turned-vigilante Matt Murdock, several years after the Netflix "Daredevil" series was axed.

"Born Again" continues Murdock's story as an attorney trying to help the poorer citizens of New York by day, and fighting crime as a vigilante with enhanced senses by night.

It's an exciting project for fans, who mounted a #SaveDaredevil campaign when Netflix canceled the show after its third season in 2018.

But in 2022, Marvel got the rights back to Daredevil and the other "The Defenders" characters — including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Punisher.

Cox even made a crowdpleasing cameo as Murdock in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," offering legal guidance to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) when his secret identity is revealed to the world.

He also had a memorable appearance in "She-Hulk" episode eight as Jennifer Walters' love interest.

Now, Cox and some of the cast from the Netflix era are returning in "Daredevil: Born Again." Here's everything we know about the series.

The first trailer for "Daredevil: Born Again" introduces the serial killer, Muse.

The "Daredevil: Born Again" trailer sees Murdock reuniting with his archenemy, Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio). It appears that they've found a frosty stalemate following their bloody feud in the Netflix series.

Alongside brutal action scenes, the trailer introduces Muse, a serial killer who paints murals using the blood of his victims.

Muse debuted in the 2016 comics by Charles Soule and Ron Garney. The killer made an impression on fans because he used blood from 100 missing people to create horrific art murals in New York.

His brutal methods make him a real threat to Daredevil. He also has the ability to draw in any sensory information about himself, which makes it difficult for Daredevil to rely on his heightened hearing during combat.

Marvel fans previously got a look at "Daredevil: Born Again" when it shot on location in New York.

Photos showing Cox in his new Daredevil costume surfaced online in February 2024 alongside Wilson Bethel as Benjamin Poindexter, also known as the villain, Bullseye.

This confirms that Daredevil will face off with Bullseye again after their brutal conflict in "Daredevil" season three.

The trailer also included a brief appearance from Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher. He starred in Daredevil season two before getting his own Netflix solo series which ran for two seasons until 2019.

"Daredevil: Born Again" will be released on Disney+ in March 2025.

The "Daredevil: Born Again" trailer confirmed that the series starts streaming on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

The show was originally due to have 18 episodes, but Marvel overhauled the project in October 2023 and condensed the season to nine, according to TV Line.

Cox leads the "Daredevil: Born Again" cast, which includes Jon Bernthal, Deborah Ann Woll, and Elden Henson.

Some of the returning cast appeared onstage at D23 2024, where it was confirmed that Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson are returning to play the lawyers Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, respectively. And Bernthal and D'Onofrio will reprise their roles as Frank Castle and the Kingpin.

It's reassuring for fans that the core cast of the Netflix "Daredevil" series is returning. This ensures that the series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that this isn't just a reboot.

When speaking to Entertainment Weekly, D'Onofrio confirmed that "Born Again" directly references previous storylines.

"There are storylines that reach back to the original series. Where our characters are coming from, where we are, and where we're going, some of those threads lead back," he said.

Woll echoed his sentiment and added: "What the characters went through still exists, that's still part of who they are, it's just that now we're catching up with them at a different point in their lives."

In a separate interview with Rotten Tomatoes, D'Onofrio also suggested that "Daredevil: Born Again" will be just as violent as the Netflix series.

He said: "There are some things on this show that we go much further with than we did the original show. There's one thing in particular that my character does that I can't believe made it into the cut."

Also in the cast are Ayelet Zurer as Kingpin's wife, Vanessa Fisk, Margarita Levieva as Murdock's love interest, Heather Glenn, and Kamar de los Reyes as another vigilante called White Tiger.

• I compared Summer Fridays' lip butter balm to its supposed dupe from Trader Joe's.
• Trader Joe's package came with almost twice the product for less than half the price.
• They were so similar that I'd rather save money by getting the Trader Joe's balm.

Summer Fridays is perhaps best known for its viral lip butter balm. The non-sticky formula has been praised in beauty publications and on TikTok since 2020, and it's supposed to leave a glassy, glossy look.

Unfortunately, it costs $24 a tube, which is a little too much for me to regularly spend on lip balm.

Luckily, as a professional makeup artist, I have found plenty of so-called dupes on the market that use similar ingredients and formulas but cost less. One that recently caught my eye is Trader Joe's two-flavor pack of lip butter balm for $7.

To see how similar the products really are, I bought both and put them to the test.

Owning a balm from Summer Fridays made me feel fancy.

To pick up my Summer Fridays balm, I headed to Sephora.

There's something luxurious about purchasing skincare and makeup products at high-end retailers, and I enjoyed perusing the varieties of balms on the shelf.

The brand's lip butter balm comes in eight shades/scents: vanilla, sweet mint, pink sugar, iced coffee, vanilla beige, brown sugar, cherry, and poppy.

I went with sweet mint, mostly because it sounded similar to a variety Trader Joe's offers. It also seemed to be the most neutral shade of the bunch, so I thought it would make for a good, fair comparison.

I paid $24 for a 0.5-ounce tube.

Trader Joe's, however, gave me a better deal right off the bat.

As a grocery store, Trader Joe's was a less luxurious, more hectic environment.

However, these lip balms were super convenient to buy since I was already there buying groceries.

I paid $7 for 1.04 ounces of product in two varieties (each 0.5 ounces): vanilla mint and brown sugar.

Far and away, Trader Joe's has the better deal on balm. When broken down, Summer Friday's balm costs $48 an ounce, and Trader Joe's is about $6.73 an ounce.

The packaging looked similar.

Both balms came in matte, mint-green squeeze tubes, which I found aesthetically pleasing.

However, Summer Fridays' packaging is slightly thinner, creating a longer tube, and has a contrasting white cap.

Despite the subtle size difference, they both fit easily into small pockets, which is a high priority for me when it comes to lip balms.

They both smelled the same to me.

The minty balms from Trader Joe's and Summer Fridays smelled very similar to me. In fact, I couldn't tell them apart in a blind smell test.

For both products, I liked the added kick of sweetness to mellow out the tingly mint sensation.

Even the core ingredients are the same.

When I glanced at the back of each box, I didn't notice much variance in the balms' formulas. This is especially true for the first-listed ingredients, which typically make up the largest part of a product's makeup.

When I asked dermatologist Toral Vaidya about the formulas, she said that some of the shared ingredients — shea butter, tocopherol (vitamin E), and sodium hyaluronate — make both products similarly effective for hydration.

"Shea butter is a moisturizing agent rich in fatty acids that helps nourish the lips, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that has skin-protecting qualities and also helps the skin retain moisture," she told BI. "Sodium hyaluronate is a humectant and skin-conditioning agent that helps hydrate the lips."

Both tubes had a smooth application.

I was able to smoothly apply Summer Fridays and Trader Joe's balms on my bare lips and on top of other products for a glossy finish.

The applicators on both tubes had similar divots that seemed to form the shape of my lips as I used them, which I loved.

The only difference I noticed was that Summer Fridays' formula felt slightly thicker.

The products are both great, but I'd rather save my money and get the dupe.

I used each balm for a total of three days, leaving some time between for the fairest comparison.

My lips felt similarly hydrated the entire time, and both products showed noticeable improvement in healing my chapped lips.

I found myself applying the Summer Fridays formula less frequently than Trader Joe's balm, but that could've been due to the difference in my schedule those weeks. I was out and about in the cold more while testing the latter.

I completely understand why people rave about Summer Fridays' balm, especially if they've found a signature shade or scent they can't part with. However, when it comes to the basic clear formula, I really couldn't tell the difference between the products.

I'd rather save some money and repurchase the two-pack dupe from Trader Joe's.

• Some Republicans have urged Trump and his nominees to kill the IRS's free direct tax-filing tool.
• Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons are urging them to keep it.
• They also argued that the program fits the bill of one of DOGE's reported goals.

As some Republicans urge President-Elect Donald Trump to kill the IRS's free direct tax-filing tool, Democrats are attempting to preserve it.

In a letter to Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent and IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long, Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Chris Coons of Delaware touted what they see as the benefits of the program.

"Direct File is making the process of interacting with the government more efficient, a goal we all can agree on," Warren and Coons wrote in a letter exclusively provided to Business Insider. Twenty-two other senators and 113 House members, all Democrats, also signed on.

The duo also made the case that the program "fits the bill" of a program that's reportedly being explored by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's "Department of Government Efficiency:" a mobile app to allow Americans to file their taxes directly to the IRS for free.

"The Direct File pilot program has proved that it is efficient, cost effective, user friendly, and secure — a pilot program that already meets the DOGE leaders' goals," the senators wrote, adding that, as Musk and Ramaswamy have said, "Americans deserve a simple and free way to meet their tax obligations online."

The program, which was enabled by the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, first launched in 12 states last year and is set to expand to 13 more states this year. More than 140,000 have filed their federal tax returns via the program, according to the IRS.

The direct-file tool is designed to make filing taxes easier and simpler. Historically, many Americans have had to spend significant amounts of time on tax preparation or pay money to private services like TurboTax.

"Most Americans have simple tax returns, yet filing is still arduous and frustrating," the senators wrote. "The complexity of the tax code makes it difficult for average Americans to ensure they get it right, while also protecting their sensitive financial and personal data."

In December, 29 House Republicans sent a letter to Trump urging him to kill the program via executive order as soon as Day One of his presidency. They cast the tool as an example of the "weaponization of government," arguing that it gave too much power to the IRS.

It's not clear how the incoming Trump administration will approach the program, and the Trump-Vance transition did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.

• A man from Vancouver caught people's attention because they thought he was RedNote's CEO.
• Jerry welcomed new users who had been flocking to the app ahead of a potential TikTok ban.
• People got a bit carried away, and it became a viral case of mistaken identity.

Americans flocking to the Chinese app RedNote thought the platform's CEO had left them an encouraging message.

Turns out, he wasn't the CEO. He's just a guy from Vancouver.

Jerry, who shares a RedNote account with his girlfriend Dani that has about 31,000 followers, posted a video on January 13.

In the video he welcomed US users who had been signing up ahead of a possible ban on TikTok. He said the app, also known as Xiaohongshum, was mainly Chinese-speaking, and it was a place people mainly used for finding restaurants and sharing lifestyle content such as makeup videos.

"But do feel free to speak English and post English content because I believe there are a lot more English-speaking people on this platform nowadays," Jerry said. "We need to build this community."

Mistaken identity

For reasons that aren't entirely clear, some users assumed Jerry was RedNote's CEO.

His video got reposted on TikTok, and the rumor quickly spread around the platform. People thanked him for welcoming them with open arms while the potential TikTok ban loomed.

Jerry's video was also mentioned at the end of a Fox 5 New York news segment about the ban threat.

"The CEO of RedNote even made a video welcoming new users who speak English to the app, and he also encouraged them to never stop sharing their voice," said Jennifer Williams, a sports reporter for FOX 5 News.

On Tuesday, Jerry and Dani, on their TikTok account FakeCEORealGF, tried to clear up the confusion. In the video, Dani showed Jerry what had happened, and he responded with disbelief.

"Guys, I'm not the RedNote CEO, just to be clear," Jerry said.

"I'm just another normal guy in Vancouver," he added. "I didn't expect this post to go viral like this, and thank you for all the comments, but I want to clarify that I'm not the CEO of RedNote."

Jerry said all the points he made were still true, and he hoped new users enjoyed the platform.

Dani, who is Chinese and grew up in North America, and Jerry, who was born in Shanghai and moved to Canada a decade ago, said they had enjoyed watching Chinese and American cultures merge on RedNote.

"Guys, I hope you guys aren't mad at us," Dani said. "We're really sorry for any misunderstandings this caused."

TikTokers who made the error joked in the comments that Jerry had been promoted.

"We married the first guy to be nice to us," one viewer wrote. Another said: "He said 'welcome' and we said 'THE CEO?!?!'"

Others remarked on Jerry's American accent, remarking, "We have to start using critical thinking skills."

Jerry and Dani and Fox 5 New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

TikTok faces a January 19 deadline to comply with a divest-or-ban law requiring its US operations to be sold. It remains unclear what the ramifications of the bill could be.

Creators have been highly critical of the ban, saying their small businesses and livelihoods will be destroyed. Black creators, who were instrumental in the platform's growth, could be significantly affected.

Element of trolling

In response, TikTok users have been considering their options and downloading alternative apps, including Lemon8 and RedNote. Both have rapidly climbed the app download charts in recent days.

The influx to RedNote has been helping some of its users learn English, BI reported this week.

There's also an element of trolling going on. Frustrated about losing a valuable resource for their income and ability to mobilize, TikTokers are leaning into downloading other Chinese apps to send a message.

A major criticism of the potential TikTok ban is that it is hypocritical. Many claim it focuses heavily on one app while leaving alone other tech companies such as Meta, which owns Instagram.

• I stayed in a cylindrical tiny home hotel in Germany during a European train trip in 2022.
• The 106-square-foot home made smarter use of space than any tiny home I've seen in the US.
• The European tiny home was two stories and less than half the size of the US tiny homes I've booked.

I love how tiny homes creatively use small spaces. Living in NYC for the last six years, I've rented some cramped apartments.

So, I often book tiny home accommodations when I travel to get some ideas for space-saving hacks I could implement in my own dwelling.

From Florida and Maryland to Canada and Switzerland, I've stayed in several tiny Airbnbs around the world.

But none of those homes used indoor space as smartly as this tiny home hotel in Germany, which I found on Airbnb back in 2022.

I was looking for tiny stays in Germany when I found one with a unique, cylindrical shape that packed a lot inside, so I booked it for two nights for $140.

The Airbnb was part of a tiny home hotel in Neustrelitz, Germany, called Slube. The company designs minimal concrete "Slubes" for up to two people.

There are three types of Slubes: Basic, which is one story; Home, which is two stories; and Tower, which adds a rooftop terrace. I booked a Home Slube.

It was less than half the size of any tiny home I'd stayed in before.

At 16 feet tall, the tiny home with two floors was 106 square feet.

I checked in with a code sent to my phone rather than a physical key.

When I arrived by train from the airport in Berlin, I didn't see any employees on the property.

I was confused at first, but then I checked my email. I had a message from Slube informing me I'd be staying in room five and could check in by myself.

Inside, the 53-square-foot bottom level had a bathroom on the right, a sitting area on the left, and a ladder to the second floor.

The sitting area had a foldout table. When I wasn't using it, I could push it into the wall to save space.

Across from a foldout table was a bench with two seat cushions instead of a couch.

Beneath the benches, there was enough space for me to store luggage.

This tiny home utilized more vertical space than those I've seen in the US.

There were hooks and storage cubbies above the bench, so I stored all of my clothing and toiletries on the first floor.

I was impressed by the amenities packed into such a small room.

In the back right corner of the sitting area, there was a nook of built-in shelves storing a small coffee machine, a hair dryer, and a few dishes.

The bathroom felt efficiently designed.

There was a curtain separating the shower head and sink from the toilet and storage space.

Even with two windows, I felt I had enough privacy.

The first-floor windows had a film over most of the glass, which allowed me to let natural light in without sacrificing my privacy.

After checking out the first level, I headed up the ladder to the bedroom.

I thought it was easy to climb but could be challenging for some.

There was a latched gate at the top of the ladder, which I imagine was built to keep people safe from falling.

Knowing I was securely fastened into the bed area made falling sleeping easier.

The bedroom was the same size as the living space and bathroom combined — 53 square feet.

A comfy, full-size bed covered the floor space. The pillows had the ideal ratio of fluff to firmness for my neck and head.

Above the bed, a TV equipped with Netflix and other streaming services was mounted on the wall.

Before bed, I watched some of my favorite shows.

On the far side of the bed, I used the lower platform as a nightstand.

It had easily accessible outlets, a pocket for the TV remote, and more space for my electronics and water bottle.

Above the bed, a large window opened so I could let the breeze into my room.

It had a black-out curtain for privacy and early morning light.

The Slube also had smart electricity that made my stay feel a little luxurious.

I controlled the lights and temperature of each story from my phone.

I found it fascinating that this tiny home truly left no space unused, from the loft bed to the wall cubbies.

While I can't stick a second story into my own rental, the European tiny home still gave me inspiration for how I could make better use of my space, starting with vertical storage hacks.

• Wednesday's BlackRock earnings call was CEO Larry Fink's 100th.
• The firm went public in 1999 when it was still known primarily as a fixed-income manager.
• Despite being the world's largest asset manager, the $11.6 trillion firm is looking to grow through its private market strategies.

At least one thing remains the same from when BlackRock went public a quarter of a century ago: Larry Fink's pre-earnings call dinner.

Fink, speaking on his 100th earnings call Wednesday, said — despite the many changes to the firm and the world over the past 25 years — he has had a bowl of cereal with blueberries the night before each call.

Now, with $11.6 trillion in assets and a record $641 billion in net inflows in 2024, BlackRock is looking toward private markets for its next evolution.

"This just the beginning," Fink said.

The firm hopes to close its acquisition of private credit giant HPS in the second quarter, he said and has already integrated infrastructure investor GIP. Data platform Preqin — which BlackRock is set to buy for $3.2 billion — will make the private markets more accessible, Fink said, because of its data and analytics capabilities.

Altogether, the biggest opportunity for the firm is taking these strategies downmarket to individual retirement plans and managed account models. Private market players are anticipating that the incoming Trump administration, which has promised a deregulatory push, to allow private equity and credit assets into pension plans such as 401ks.

The ideal portfolio blend, Fink said, is no longer the 60-40 portfolio of stocks and bonds that was the standard for so long. Alternatives are needed to diversify properly, and BlackRock plans to offer them.

There's close to $10 trillion in money-market funds Fink expects will "be put to work" soon, and "income-oriented products" like private credit and infrastructure investments should be at the top of the list.

While he's hoping to get private markets strategies into 401ks, Fink did not address his own potential retirement. Mark Wiedman, a potential successor to Fink, is leaving the asset manager. Fink said on the call that Wiedman's departure was discussed for months and he will stay on through the spring to help with the transition.

"Rob and I are proud of the deep leadership team at BlackRock," he said, referring to firm president Rob Kapito.

He said talent is "the most important thing we invest in each and every year," stating that a new generation of leaders is being developed.

Those new leaders will be the ones who will determine what BlackRock's next 25 years look like and where it will grow next. They just need to be careful not to blink.

"It goes by quick," said Bill Katz, TD Cowen's analyst, on the call, reminiscing about covering BlackRock's IPO.

• AI hiring is rising 30% faster than overall hiring, LinkedIn reports.
• By 2030, 70% of the skills needed for most jobs will change due to AI, the platform predicts.
• LinkedIn's COO told BI that fluency with AI will be something that comes up in many job interviews.

If you want to get a new job this year, it might pay to lean into artificial intelligence.

Since last fall, AI hiring has risen 30% faster than overall hiring, new figures from LinkedIn show.

This doesn't just mean being one of the technologists who build AI, though many employers are desperate to find workers with these skills. It can also mean workers comfortable using AI to do their jobs, Daniel Shapero, COO at LinkedIn, told Business Insider.

He said that, in part, that desire reflects a need to have people best positioned to withstand an enormous shift in the workplace.

"There's a feeling from employers that they need to make sure that the workers that they're hiring are up for the changes that are about to occur in the labor market," Shapero said.

Part of the coming shift is underscored elsewhere in the LinkedIn report: By 2030 — in only five years — 70% of the skills required for most jobs will change, the company said. That's largely because of AI.

"That's just an indication of how prevalent AI is likely to be across different kinds of jobs," Shapero said.

AI has also only recently become mainstream. ChatGPT was the first major chatbot to burst onto the market, and that was in late 2022. Yet workers who embrace the technology will be most likely to succeed, LinkedIn says.

Employers are expecting AI fluency

The forecast about how much many jobs will change comes years into what's sometimes called the Big Stay, the buttoned-down sequel to the job-hopping that unfolded during the pandemic era. Before the pandemic, LinkedIn said, some workers were adding to their AI skills. Then, during the so-called Great Resignation, many workers didn't feel pressure to tack on abilities because they could often readily change jobs.

Now, years later — and with many workers reporting that they feel stuck in their roles — adding to their bona fides can seem prudent, Shapero said.

LinkedIn found that the share of jobs listed on the platform that included AI literacy skills jumped more than sixfold in the past year.

Yet, even with that increase, employers are only spelling out their desire for AI literacy in one of every 500 job listings on the platform, LinkedIn found. That's perhaps in part because fluency with AI is becoming an expectation for employers, Shapero said.

"It may not be on the job description, but it's going to be something that shows up somehow in the interview," he commented.

Shapero said one head of recruiting for an employer told him that the No. 1 question they're asking candidates is how they've used AI for work or at home within the past year.

"What they're trying to get at is comfort and fluency and the ability to learn new things and new technologies," he said.

AI will affect "almost every job," Shapero said.

Kelly Mendez-Scheib, chief people officer at Crunchbase, which collects data on companies, told BI that the company is hiring for roles including machine learning engineers and data scientists.

"I'm pretty bullish on AI," she said.

Adding more skills to our profiles

Job seekers appear to feel the need to beef up — or at least enumerate — their skills.

"People are trying to make sure that they are showcasing what's most attractive about them as a candidate," Shapero said. "And it comes down in many ways to AI skills."

Since 2022, LinkedIn users have increased the rate at which they add skills to their profiles by 140%. This includes so-called soft skills like communication and leadership.

A lot of what employers are after is workers who can marry tech with old-school basics. Communication, for example, was the most in-demand skill in 2024, LinkedIn figures show.

Parminder Jassal, CEO of Unmudl, which focuses on developing workers' abilities through hands-on training, told BI that, in many ways, the ideal is a matchup is AI's power with people's skills and emotional know-how.

"You put that together with AI intelligence, and now you get this super intelligence skillset," she said.

LinkedIn's report found that "leaders and companies understand that AI is the most powerful when collaborative humans surround and lead it."

Do you have something to share about your job search? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email our workplace team from a nonwork device at [email protected] with your story, or to ask for one of our reporter's Signal numbers.

• Red No. 3 has been linked to cancer in some rat studies.
• The FDA said food companies have until 2027 to strip the dye from products.
• Regulators previously reviewed evidence linking food dye to ADHD.

The Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of a specific red dye that has been linked to cancer in some rat studies.

Red No. 3 is a synthetic dye which gives a cherry hue to candies, sodas, and some medications.

"The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in human or animals," Jim Jones, the FDA's deputy director for human foods, said in a statement.

"Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3."

Food companies have until 2027 to phase out Red No. 3 from their products. Drug companies, like the maker of Tylenol PM, have until 2028.

It is serendipitous timing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick to lead the Health and Human Services Department. In his campaign for president, Kennedy promised Americans that he would ban all synthetic food dyes in his pursuit to "make America healthy again."

Red No. 3 is present in a quarter of baking decorations and tenth of cookies sold in the US. Products include:

• Nerds
• Peeps
• Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strips
• Vigo Saffron Yellow Rice
• Tylenol PM

A spokesperson for the National Confectioners Association told Business Insider candy makers welcome more transparency and will reformulate products accordingly.

Is food dye a health risk?

The move comes more than 30 years after the FDA banned the use of Red No. 3 in cosmetics, when animal studies showed links to cancer.

At the time, in 1990, the FDA promised to extend that ban to food products too, in part due to pressure from the food industry.

"Americans like their cherries red," a food lobbyist who worked with the maraschino cherry industry told the Washington Post in 1989, fighting to keep Red No. 3.

In recent years, 20 advocacy organizations came together to petition the FDA to ban Red No. 3, citing animal studies showing a link to thyroid cancer.

The petition also implored the FDA to reconsider evidence that some synthetic food dyes could increase children's risk of ADHD.

US and European regulators reviewed the ADHD evidence in 2011. While the EU determined the evidence was strong enough to warn against synthetic dyes for kids, the FDA said more research was needed.

Europe and California took the lead

In the EU, Red No. 3 is banned in all cosmetic and food products except cocktail cherries. Instead, manufacturers use natural dyes like carmine, turmeric, and beets to add vibrance to their products.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been making a push at the state level.

In 2023, Newsom signed into law a ban on Red No 3., giving food giants until 2027 to change their products. In September 2024, he issued a ban on six other synthetic food dyes in public schools: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. That, too, will take effect in 2027.

The consumer advocate organizations are calling on the FDA to follow California's lead and expand the ban to encompass all synthetic dyes.

"Many synthetic food dyes are allowed in food but haven't been reviewed for safety by the FDA in decades despite recent studies that have linked the chemicals to serious health problems," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement.

"It's time for the FDA to catch up with the latest science and get these harmful chemicals out of our food."

• Americans are flocking to Xiaohongshu as a potential TikTok ban looms in the US.
• Xiaohongshu, known as RedNote, offers similar short-form video content to TikTok.
• The app, founded in 2013, reached over 200 million users by 2019.

Americans are flocking to another China-based social media app as a potential TikTok ban looms.

Xiaohongshu has risen to the top of the App Store in the US as so-called TikTok refugees search for apps that provide similar short-form video content. The name translates to "little red book" in English but it's referred to as RedNote or Red Book by English speakers.

Its format isn't much different from TikTok, and some familiar faces have already started popping up in the "Explore" section. It's unclear if users are posing as celebrities on the platform, but actor Selena Gomez's alleged profile has a verified check mark next to her name. It looks like Gomez has been posting there since as early as 2023.

Most of the app's instructions are set in English once you choose the language, but there are still aspects written in Chinese. Xiaohongshu describes itself as "a lifestyle platform for young people" founded in 2013. The site says it reached over 200 million users in 2019.

"Users can record their daily lives, share their lifestyles, and interact based on their interests through short videos, pictures and texts," it said on its "About" page.

It's still up for debate on where most Americans will go for short-form video content if a TikTok ban goes into effect. Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, and apps like Lemon8 have all been touted as alternatives.

Here's how to get started on RedNote.

First, you'll have to agree to terms of services related to how data is collected and shared. Then, you can create an account using your phone number.

You can decide what sort of content you're interested in viewing, like fashion, food, and reading, and access feeds related to them. Like TikTok, there's a "For You" page to browse videos and "Shop" section that doesn't have much English translation.

From there, it's not much different from TikTok. You can like, share, comment, and favorite videos. Americans have taken the app by storm.

Your profile functions similarly to TikTok, with a bio, profile picture, and a customizable username.

Representatives for Xiaohongshu didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Over on TikTok, users are still unsure which app will prevail, but RedNote has been the Apple App Store's No. 1 download for the last few days.

• I love cruising and have picked up lots of tips to ensure the best possible experience on board.
• To avoid any possible delays, I I highly recommend building ample travel time into your itinerary.
• If your budget permits, it's worth booking a private enclave or treating yourself to other upgrades.

Cruises are a lot of fun but can require some planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. Over the past few years, I've been on cruises to places like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal.

However, I used to be cruise-averse, mainly because of the stories I'd heard about overcrowded buffet lines and pool decks, and being trapped on a ship with thousands of people.

I've since come to enjoy most things about this kind of trip, mainly because I've learned there's an itinerary and a ship for every type of cruiser. I've also gleaned tips and hacks during my journeys to avoid the crowds and make the experience feel more special.

Here are nine tips I've learned that have made sailing less stressful and more enjoyable.

Arrive the day before the cruise departs

Although it might be tempting to save money on a hotel by booking a flight for the day you depart, the potential stress isn't worth it.

Delays and cancellations due to weather or mechanical issues might mean that you arrive at the dock after embarkation — and the ship won't wait for you.

I highly recommend building ample travel time into your itinerary — plus, you'll get to start your vacation a day sooner.

Book restaurants as soon as you board

Getting on the ship is exciting, and you'll understandably want to explore the pool deck or hang out on your balcony. Before you do, though, hit up the concierge to make restaurant reservations.

The most popular restaurants and reservation times will likely book up quickly, especially on sea days when everyone is on board.

Getting your preferred times and spots for dining will give you peace of mind — especially if you're cruising with a large group — allowing you to relax and enjoy your sailing.

Consider skipping port to enjoy the ship

Conventional wisdom might lead you to believe that a day at sea is the best time to enjoy all the ship has to offer.

When all the passengers are on board, though, the pool will likely be woefully crowded, spa appointments may be difficult to book, and there will probably be long lines for waterslides and other attractions.

If your cruise is making a port stop at a locale that doesn't really excite you, there's no crime against staying on board and blissfully having the ship practically to yourself.

Book excursions directly through the cruise line

If you do a Google search for tours and things to do at your various port stops, you'll inevitably find lots of operators whose prices are cheaper than similar activities offered through your cruise line.

However, if you book the official excursions, the ship's activities director knows where you are. So, if there's a delay or hold-up getting back to the ship, they'll wait for you.

On the flip side, if you do your own thing and then hit traffic after sunbathing at a local beach in Aruba or going on a taco crawl on Cozumel, you may end up getting left behind.

Spring for breakfast in bed

If waiting in line for pancakes and bacon first thing in the morning isn't your thing, I recommend ordering room service at least once during your trip.

The service may incur a small surcharge, but sipping coffee while enjoying an omelette and fruit platter on your balcony is the perfect, solitary way to start the day.

Check out the back of the ship

My favorite part of the ship is the back, referred to as the "aft."

It's relaxing and borderline mesmerizing to watch the wake the ship leaves behind. However, in talking with my fellow passengers over the years, not everyone heads back there.

Your ship may even have a bar or restaurant overlooking the wake. Even if it doesn't, I recommend grabbing a coffee or a cocktail and heading to the back of the ship, which is arguably the most zen-like area.

Consider staying in a private enclave

If your cruise line offers it and you can afford it, book a cabin in a private enclave, like the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises, The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line, and the Suite Class on Royal Caribbean.

Each aforementioned experience comes with amenities like a more sumptuous cabin, and a separate pool deck, restaurant, and lounge — all of which feel like an oasis from the crowds.

These VIP passengers also get priority check-in and a butler who can make the best reservations for restaurants and shows.

Although the experience doesn't come cheap, it lends a feeling of exclusivity to the on-board experience.

Bring attire for theme nights

FOMO can be strong on gala night, white night, or for a poolside pajama party if you don't have something fitting to wear.

Check the cruise line's website or app ahead of time to find out if there are theme nights — and pack accordingly.

On cruise lines with dress codes, you may be excluded from certain dining options if it's an elegant night and you show up in shorts and flip-flops.

Treat yourself to one special experience

Even if you're budget-conscious, it's nice to upgrade yourself during your cruise.

This could mean a multi-course tasting menu at one of the upscale dining concepts, an afternoon at the thermal spa or hydrotherapy circuit, a high-end excursion like a private sunset sail, or an expensive bottle of wine that's not included in your drink package.

Sure, part of the allure of a cruise is that many things are already included, but adding something extra can make the trip more memorable.

• Donald Trump champions the working class but his policies are bad news for them, Paul Krugman says.
• The Nobel-winning economist says tariffs and deportations will hurt instead of help the poor.
• "A lot of people are going to get brutally scammed," Krugman said.

Donald Trump rode to victory in the US presidential race by pledging to put America first and fight for blue-collar workers. Paul Krugman says he'll only make their lives harder.

The economist, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2008, criticized the president-elect's plans to raise tariffs and cut taxes during Tuesday's episode of "The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent" podcast.

He told The New Republic show that those and other policies would lead to the working class paying higher prices while high earners keep more of their money.

"Even more than usual for a Republican, he appears to have an extremely regressive economic program in mind, one that really will effectively redistribute income away from working-class voters to the top," Krugman said.

American households are already being pinched by inflation, which spiked to a 40-year high of more than 9% in the summer of 2022 and remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

On top of higher prices for food, fuel, rent, and other basics, many consumers are also paying more toward their credit cards, car loans, and mortgages.

That's because the Fed, in a bid to curb inflation, increased its benchmark rate from zero to north of 5.25% in under 17 months, and has kept it as high as 4.5% for now.

The battle over groceries

Krugman, a former MIT and Princeton University professor and New York Times columnist, zeroed in on grocery prices. Trump said during his campaign that he would reduce them, but he's walked that claim back in recent weeks.

Yet recent surveys show that his supporters still expect him to do so, Krugman said, despite the fact that broader prices are still rising and deflation is almost universally regarded as undesirable for an economy.

A CBS News/YouGov survey, conducted in late December with a nationally representative group of 2,244 US adults, found that 40% of Americans expect Trump to make food and grocery prices go down, exceeding the 36% who expect him to make them increase.

"A lot of people are going to get brutally scammed," Krugman said. Trump isn't just misleading people by saying they'll be better off once he's in office, he also doesn't appear to know how he'll deliver on his promises, Krugman continued. "So the scam is there is no plan."

Trump said last year that lowering grocery prices would be tricky, but improving supply chains and boosting domestic energy production could lower costs for farmers, who could then pass those savings onto consumers.

Tariffs and immigration

Separately, Krugman nodded to the fact that tariffs are a tax on imports, and businesses usually pass on their increased costs by charging higher prices to consumers.

He described their impact as "really bad," and said the fallout from Trump's proposed mass deportations would be "much, much worse." They'd be hugely disruptive and drive up prices in industries like agriculture, food processing, and construction, Krugman said, leaving the US with a shortage of workers for large-scale programs like rebuilding Florida after a hurricane.

The author and blogger also rang the alarm on Trump and his allies' fierce criticism of colleges and skepticism of higher education.

"We've been pulling ahead on technology, but an administration that's extremely hostile to universities and education is going to undermine that source of advantage as well," Krugman said.

"Trump wants to turn the clock back to 1896, and that's not good for the US economy."

• A Stanford law professor dropped Meta as a client in the wake of Mark Zuckerberg's recent changes.
• Mark Lemley represented Meta in a 2023 AI copyright case involving comedian Sarah Silverman and others.
• Zuckerberg's recent changes at Meta more closely align with Elon Musk's opinions and strategies.

Mark Lemley, a Stanford law professor and lawyer who represented Meta in a 2023 AI copyright case, said he has dropped the company as a client because of what he described as CEO Mark Zuckerberg's "descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness."

"I have fired Meta as a client. While I think they are on the right side in the generative AI copyright dispute in which I represented them, and I hope they win, I cannot in good conscience serve as their lawyer any longer," Lemley, a partner at the law firm Lex Lumina, wrote in a LinkedIn post on Monday.

Lemley and Lex Lumina represented Meta when comedian Sarah Silverman and other authors sued the Facebook owner in 2023, saying it violated copyright by training the Llama AI model on books they had written.

At the time, Meta's lawyers argued the claims should fail because the authors could not prove Llama generated text that closely resembled their books. The case is ongoing.

In the LinkedIn post, Lemley also said he was changing how he used some Meta products.

He has deactivated his Threads account because he did not want to "support a Twitter-like site run by a Musk wannabe."

The lawyer also said he will no longer buy anything from ads he encounters on Facebook or Instagram.

"While I have thought about quitting Facebook, I find great value in the connections and friends I have here," Lemley wrote.

Lemley is a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. At Lex Lumina, he works with clients on cases pertaining to intellectual property, antitrust, and internet law.

A representative for Lex Lumina told Business Insider via email: "Money can't buy everyone. We're proud to be a firm that doesn't sell out our values. Sadly, it seems this is becoming a rarer and rarer quality in America today."

Lemley, Meta and Sarah Silverman did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Changes at Meta

Since the start of the year, Zuckerberg has made sweeping changes to Meta, including eliminating third-party fact-checking on the platform in the US in favor of community notes.

Meta also planned to reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Zuckerberg recently said Meta needs more "masculine energy."

"Masculine energy, I think, is good, and obviously society has plenty of that, but I think that corporate culture was really trying to get away from it," he said on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.

Zuckerberg's changes at Meta resemble those made by Elon Musk on the social media platform X.

Musk has spoken out against DEI and content moderation. Politically, Musk has thrown his support behind right-leaning political parties and figures in Europe and the US.

He's a prominent supporter of President-elect Donald Trump and has been named the co-lead of a commission called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

Zuckerberg has also started to mirror Musk in terms of politics and relationship-building with Trump. Meta donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, and Zuckerberg declined to endorse any candidate during the 2024 election campaign.

These moves mark a distinct change in how Zuckerberg approached Trump in the past.

In 2020, after Facebook was criticized over the then-president's violent remarks on the platform, Zuckerberg said he was "deeply shaken and disgusted by President Trump's divisive and incendiary rhetoric."

Trump was barred from Facebook and Instagram in 2021 for what Meta called praising "people engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6." Meta reversed the decision two years later.

• "Ghost jobs" are roles that employers list as open even though they're not actually trying to fill them.
• Employers may post them for various reasons, but they can waste applicants' time and sour them on the company.
• Here are some tips on how to sniff out these job listings.

We've all heard of being ghosted in the hiring process: You apply for a job and go through a few rounds of interviews, only for a prospective employer to disappear in the end.

But what about jobs that weren't actually there to begin with? So-called "ghost jobs" are roles that employers say they're actively hiring for when they're really not.

And they're a pain point for many job seekers: Between 18% and 22% of jobs listed on Greenhouse in any given quarter are considered ghost jobs, the hiring platform said in its 2024 State of Job Hunting report.

Employers may post bogus job listings for several reasons: They may be trying to give the appearance they're growing or trick overworked employees into thinking they'll get some relief soon. Or, companies may be trying to build their talent pool for real job openings in the future.

Regardless of the reason, there are some signs candidates can look for that suggest a position is likely just a ghost job. One big indicator is if a job post has been up for several months.

"If the job has been posted for 30 days or more, that's something that you could put in the back of your mind and say, 'Well, this posting's been open for a while and they haven't hired anybody yet. Maybe they're not in a hurry to hire,'" says FlexJobs lead career expert Toni Frana. "The sooner you can apply to a job in relation to when it was posted, the better."

If you saw the role advertised on a job site like LinkedIn or Indeed, double-check it's still posted and active on the company's own careers page.

When reading the job post, you want to see as much specificity as possible.

"Sometimes if job descriptions are vague and don't provide a lot of detail to explain what the role actually is, then it's possible that someone from the company may have quickly typed something up and posted it to see if candidates will apply and to see the quality of those candidates," said human resources administrator and former recruiter Jackie Cuevas. "So pay close attention to the actual quality of the job description — the more information, the better."

If you make it to an interview, ask about the timeline for filling the position, says Charnay Horton, a career coach and CEO of resume writing firm Resume Addict. 

You can say, "Can you tell me more about the interview process, and when the hiring manager is looking to make a decision?" or "Can you provide additional insight regarding why this opportunity is available?"

You could also consider asking, "How does this position contribute to departmental success?" to gauge how important the role is and how urgently it might need to be filled.

If your point of contact is dragging their feet throughout the process, it might be a sign they're not actively trying to fill the position.

"When employers are actively hiring, they move quickly, especially if you are qualified for the role," Horton said. "They want to get you in front of the hiring manager quickly so that they do not lose you mid-process. If you get a sense that the company is lagging with responses, they may not be serious about filling the role."

Ultimately, you want to "be as proactive as you can in your search," said Frana.

"It's not just about reading the job postings and applying," she said. "You can find out a lot of information on a company's website, on social pages like LinkedIn and Twitter, or if you just do a Google search of the company hiring and see what results you get. That is all information-gathering that can be really helpful for you as a candidate, and it's one of those action steps that helps job seekers focus on the things they can control in the process when so much of it is outside of their control."

• Football season is a key time for chain restaurants to draw in customers.
• We tried boneless chicken wings from five chains to determine the best option for game day.
• Applebee's and Chili's impressed us with their juicy, flavorful wings.

As football season kicks off, restaurant chains are rolling out crowd-pleasing tailgate favorites and value-focused deals to win over fans.

In a new series, "Tailgate Taste-off," Business Insider is pitting these chains against each other to uncover the best versions of popular game-day dishes.

Whether you're deciding which chain has the best Buffalo wings or offers the best value for delivery, this guide will help you make the most of your football season dining experience.

Boneless wings are one of the most popular options at chain restaurants on game day, and chains that specialize in chicken wings, such as Wingstop, are also experiencing significant growth.

In October 2024, the chain, which focuses its menu on bone-in chicken wings, boneless wings, and other chicken items, announced 38.8% year-over-year revenue growth.

Chains like Applebee's also know the value of delivering high-quality boneless wings.

"We've ensured our promotions during the season were available in-restaurant and for ordering to-go or delivery so we can be part of guests' football moments no matter where they like to watch," Joel Yashinsky, Applebee's chief marketing officer, told Business Insider, adding that "a key element" of Applebee's football-season strategy this year has been to highlight the chain's boneless wing options.

We ranked boneless wings from five chain restaurants — Applebee's, Chili's, Buffalo Wild Wings, TGI Fridays, and Wingstop — based on taste and value.

My least favorite wings came from Buffalo Wild Wings, which surprised me.

I tried the same three flavors of wings from the five chains: Buffalo, garlic Parmesan, and barbecue.

At Buffalo Wild Wings, an order of 15 boneless wings, which included up to three different sauce flavors, cost $24.99, excluding tax.

However, Buffalo Wild Wings has been running a number of promotions recently that could help lower costs.

The chain is offering a value deal that includes 20 boneless wings in up to four sauces and a large order of fries for $16.99, excluding tax, when ordered online or through the BWW app.

Given that the chain is famous for its wings, I was surprised that the chain's boneless wings landed last in my ranking.

Buffalo Wild Wings' boneless wings looked more like chicken nuggets than boneless wings.

Some of the wings were meatier than others, but I thought Buffalo Wild Wings' wings were the smallest when compared to the other chains.

Still, I enjoyed the flavor of the boneless wings, particularly the classic Buffalo wings. They had a sweet buttery flavor without packing too much spice.

The flavor of the Parmesan garlic wings could have been amped up.

The wings had a slightly pungent garlic savoriness, but they weren't as flavorful as the ones I tried from the other chains.

The breading was crunchy and had a peppery flavor to it, but I thought it slightly overpowered the sauce.

The honey barbecue wings were coated in the most sauce.

Of the three kinds I tried from Buffalo Wild Wings, these were my favorite. The wings were sticky and sweet, thanks to the addition of the honey in the sauce, and paired nicely with the chain's creamy ranch.

The inside of the boneless wings was moist.

The wings were juicy on the inside, which balanced nicely with the crunchy outer breading.

In some ways, these boneless wings reminded me of standard chicken nuggets.

Boneless wings are made exclusively from chicken breast, while nuggets are typically made from a blend of various chicken parts. These did taste better than most chicken nuggets I've had, though I wasn't blown away overall.

In the end, I'll go for the burger next time.

Next up were the boneless wings from TGI Fridays.

I ordered boneless wings from TGI Fridays in three flavors: Buffalo, garlic Parmesan, and apple-butter barbecue. I ordered them as part of the chain's combo platter, which allows you to choose three appetizers to try.

At the TGI Fridays I visited in Massachusetts, the order cost $18.29, excluding tax, and came with eight of each flavor wing.

The Buffalo wings were small but packed a decent amount of flavor.

TGI Fridays doesn't seem to have its own house Buffalo sauce and instead douses its wings in Frank's Red Hot Buffalo sauce, a pretty standard grocery-store hot sauce.

I did enjoy the overall flavor, but these wings didn't bring the heat for me. Compared to the other Buffalo boneless wings I tried, these were just average.

I was most impressed by the Parmesan garlic boneless wings.

The wings had a super crispy coating and were drenched in a savory, garlicky sauce.

The wings had a crunch when I bit in — which I didn't quite get with the Buffalo boneless wings — and paired excellently with the chain's ranch.

I also liked the apple-butter barbecue wings.

I could distinctly taste the apple butter in this sauce, which gave it a sweet, almost molasses-like flavor. Though the size varied, these wings also were slightly bigger and crunchier than the Buffalo wings.

The wings were filled with a good amount of chicken breast meat, but the sauce truly stole the show.

The wings were reasonably thick, but the chicken and breading lacked seasoning or flavor on their own — the sauces provided the majority of the flavor, which wasn't necessarily a criticism but an observation.

The boneless wings from Wingstop landed in the middle of the pack.

Boneless chicken products like boneless wings, chicken nuggets, and tenders are having a moment right now.

However, Wingstop's senior director of culinary, Larry Bellah, told Business Insider that the chain's bone-in traditional wings are still its most popular offering.

Bellah also said the five most popular sauce flavors at Wingstop are lemon pepper, Original Hot, hickory-smoked barbecue, garlic Parmesan, and hot honey.

I ordered 20 boneless wings, which allowed me to select up to three sauce flavors for $24.69, excluding tax.

The Buffalo boneless wings were crispy on the outside.

They were smaller than the top two brands I tried but had a lot of flavor. Wingstop doesn't have a Buffalo sauce, but their Original Hot flavor is the chain's own spin on a classic.

They were buttery, with just the right level of spice.

The garlic Parmesan wings were covered in cheese.

I found the wings to be quite flavorful overall, but the Parmesan cheese stood out much more prominently than the garlic. The garlic flavor was subtle, almost overshadowed by the richness of the cheese.

The hickory-smoked barbecue flavor was sweet and smoky.

The sauce had a bold, smoky flavor with a rich balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes, and coated every square inch of the boneless wing.

Of all the sauces, this flavor paired best with the chain's ranch, which was creamy and mildly tart.

The chicken meat inside was juicy and filling.

Though these wings were small, they were thick. I thought they were an excellent value for the price. The chicken meat inside tasted high-quality and shredded apart with every bite.

My second favorite wings came from Applebee's.

Applebee's seriously delivered on flavor. However, the chain didn't clinch the win for me based on value.

I found it difficult to try a variety of different flavors of boneless wings from Applebee's. The chain has an appetizer platter called the Classic Combo that's somewhat similar to the Triple Dipper from Chili's, but it's not fully customizable.

I ended up ordering two separate orders of eight boneless wings, which cost $16.99 each, at my local Applebee's in Brooklyn. I also got another order of eight boneless wings as part of the chain's "2 for $2X" deal, which included an appetizer and two entrées for $30, excluding tax.

In the end, I ended up paying more than at any other chain so that I could try multiple flavors. However, Applebee's does sometimes offer promotions like $0.50 boneless wings that could cut costs.

The Buffalo wings were packed with flavor.

As the official grill and bar sponsor of the NFL this year, I expected the chain's boneless wings to be good — and they delivered.

Out of all the boneless Buffalo wings I tried, these were the spiciest and most flavorful. They paired seamlessly with the chain's ranch, which was tangy and creamy and perfectly balanced out the heat.

The garlic Parmesan wings were also super flavorful.

The outside of the wing was crispy and crunchy, and the garlic Parmesan sauce added a savory, nutty flavor to each bite.

The honey barbecue wings came coated in a sticky sauce.

The wings were perfectly balanced between sweet and smoky.

I was also impressed by the thickness of these wings.

The wings were impressively large and packed with tender, juicy chicken.

When it came to flavor, Applebee's was exceptional. All three sauces I tried were well-executed and flavorful. However, the garlic Parmesan stood out as my favorite.

Its rich, creamy blend of nutty Parmesan and savory garlic created a bold and indulgent flavor that took the wings to another level. While the other sauces were delicious, the garlic Parmesan offered a perfect balance of crispy breading and zesty flavor that kept me going back for more.

Chili's came in first place for its flavorful boneless wings at a great value.

I got 15 wings in three different flavors as part of Chili's highly popular Triple Dipper appetizer combo, which allowed me to select three appetizers for $17.29, excluding tax, at a Chili's in Massachusetts.

The chain has seen great success with its viral Triple Dipper.

CNN reported that the TikTok-famous appetizer, which the company says is especially popular among younger customers, now accounts for 11% of Chili's sales. Triple Dipper orders grew by 70% over the last year, boosting foot traffic to Chili's restaurants and cementing the chain as the brand to watch.

The boneless wings from Chili's were the largest out of all the chains.

The wings appeared to be baked in the Buffalo sauce rather than tossed in it after cooking.

The Buffalo sauce was sweet and slightly spicy, with a light buttery flavor. I got a strong citrus flavor coming through, which I also enjoyed.

The garlic Parmesan boneless wings were really flavorful.

I was again impressed by the size of the wings and thought the savory punch of garlic really came through. The wings were moist yet crispy, and I couldn't get enough of them.

The barbecue wings came coated in a smoky sauce.

Unlike the others, which were almost dry to the touch, these boneless wings came completely drenched in the chain's house barbecue sauce.

I thought the sauce was smoky with a slight sweetness, but they could have benefited from a little acid for some brightness.

I loved the breading and the thickness of the wings.

They were full of chicken meat, which made this an incredibly filling appetizer to share among a few people at a Super Bowl party … or keep all to yourself while catching the game.

For under $20, the Triple Dipper delivered incredible value, offering a generous portion of high-quality wings that didn't skimp on flavor or size.

It's a standout deal that perfectly balances affordability with crave-worthy flavor — it's no surprise this menu item has become such a hit.

• "Conclave" leads the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards nominations with 12 nods.
• "Emilia Pérez" received 11 nominations while "The Brutalist" got nine nods.
• All three are nominated for best film, along with "Anora" and "A Complete Unknown."

The nominations for the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards have been announced, as the road to this year's Academy Awards heats up.

"Conclave," Edward Berger's papal drama starring Ralph Fiennes, received the most nominations, making it the one to beat at this year's BAFTA awards, which are set to take place at London's Royal Festival Hall on February 16.

"Conclave" is in the running for 12 awards — one more than Jacques Audiard's musical "Emilia Pérez," which recently took home four Golden Globe awards.

Meanwhile, Brady Corbet's critically acclaimed "The Brutalist" received nine nods. The three films will compete for best film alongside James Mangold's Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" and Sean Baker's sex worker drama "Anora."

Here's the complete list of 2025 BAFTA nominations.

Best film

"Anora"

"The Brutalist"

"A Complete Unknown"

"Conclave"

"Emilia Pérez"

Leading actor

Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"

Timothée Chalamet, "A Complete Unknown"

Colman Domingo, "Sing Sing"

Ralph Fiennes, "Conclave"

Hugh Grant, "Heretic"

Sebastian Stan, "The Apprentice"

Leading actress

Cynthia Erivo, "Wicked"

Karla Sofía Gascón, "Emilia Pérez"

Marianne Jean-Baptiste, "Hard Truths"

Mikey Madison, "Anora"

Demi Moore, "The Substance"

Saoirse Ronan, "The Outrun"

Supporting actor

Clarence Maclin, "Sing Sing"

Edward Norton, "A Complete Unknown"

Guy Pearce, "The Brutalist"

Jeremy Strong, "The Apprentice"

Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"

Yura Borisov, "Anora"

Supporting actress

Ariana Grande, "Wicked"

Felicity Jones, "The Brutalist"

Isabella Rossellini, "Conclave"

Jamie Lee Curtis, "The Last Showgirl"

Selena Gomez, "Emilia Pérez"

Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"

Best director

Sean Baker, "Anora"

Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"

Edward Berger, "Conclave"

Denis Villeneuve, "Dune: Part Two"

Jacques Audiard, "Emilia Pérez"

Coralie Fargeat, "The Substance"

Outstanding British film

"Bird"

"Blitz"

"Conclave"

"Gladiator II"

"Hard Truths"

"Kneecap"

"Lee"

"Love Lies Bleeding"

"The Outrun"

"Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl"

Original screenplay

"Anora"

"The Brutalist"

"Kneecap"

"A Real Pain"

"The Substance"

Adapted screenplay

"A Complete Unknown"

"Conclave"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nickel Boys"

"Sing Sing"

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer

"Hoard"

"Kneecap"

"Monkey Man"

"Santosh"

"Sister Midnight"

Film not in the English language

"All We Imagine as Light"

"Emilia Pérez"

"I'm Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui)"

"Kneecap"

"The Seed of the Sacred Fig"

Animated film

"Flow"

"Inside Out 2"

"Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl"

"The Wild Robot"

Documentary

"Black Box Diaries"

"Daughters"

"No Other Land"

"Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story"

"Will & Harper"

Original score

"The Brutalist"

"Conclave"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nosferatu"

"The Wild Robot"

Casting

"Anora"

"The Apprentice"

"A Complete Unknown"

"Conclave"

"Kneecap"

Editing

"Anora"

"Conclave"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Kneecap"

Cinematography

"The Brutalist"

"Conclave"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nosferatu"

Special visual effects

"Better Man"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Gladiator II"

"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"

"Wicked"

Costume design

"Blitz"

"A Complete Unknown"

"Conclave"

"Nosferatu"

"Wicked"

Sound

"Blitz"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Gladiator II"

"The Substance"

"Wicked"

Makeup and hair

"Dune: Part Two"

"Emilia Pérez"

"Nosferatu"

"The Substance"

"Wicked"

Production design

"The Brutalist"

"Conclave"

"Dune: Part Two"

"Nosferatu"

"Wicked"

British short film

"The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing"

"Marion"

"Milk"

"Rock, Paper, Scissors"

"Stomach Bug"

British short animation

"Adiós"

"Mog's Christmas"

"Wander to Wonder"

EE rising star award

Marisa Abela

Jharrel Jerome

David Jonsson

Mikey Madison

Nabhaan Rizwan

• Inflation accelerated in December for the third straight month.
• The consumer price index rose by 2.9% year over year, matching the consensus expectation.
• The Federal Reserve is expected not to cut interest rates later this month.

Inflation sped up in December as expected, marking the third consecutive month of acceleration.

The consumer price index, an inflation measure, increased by 2.9% over the year that ended in December. That matched the forecast increase and was above November's year-over-year increase of 2.7%.

While 2.9% is the highest rate since July, it falls short of the roughly 3.1% in January 2024. Inflation was about or above 3% for the first half of the year; it slowed to 2.4% in September from a peak of 3.5% in March.

Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased by 3.2% over the year that ended in December, below the forecast of 3.3%, which would have matched the rates in September, October, and November.

The year-over-year percentage change in the shelter index continued to slow. The index increased by 4.6% over the year that ended in December, down from the 6% year-over-year increase in January 2024.

The CPI climbed by 0.4% over the month in December, matching the forecast and above November's 0.3% increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said energy contributed more than 40% of that increase.

The gasoline index rose by 4.4% over the month, higher than November's 0.6% increase. The fuel-oil index similarly increased by 4.4% in December after rising by 0.6% in November.

Core CPI rose by 0.2% from November to December. It was expected to rise by 0.3%, as it had done for four months before December.

"The takeaway for consumers is that the pressure on household budgets is unrelenting," Greg McBride, the chief financial analyst for Bankrate, told Business Insider.

The Federal Open Market Committee could consider the new data in its interest-rate decision at the end of the month. After three consecutive cuts, it's unlikely to make another cut.

Traders have been expecting the committee to hold the Fed's target rate steady at 2025's first scheduled meeting. CME FedWatch, which indicates what traders expect to happen to rates based on market activity, showed before the CPI release a 97% probability the Fed's target rate would be unchanged. That was little changed after the release.

"The consumer reaction is going to be a lot different than the market reaction in the sense that the market is going to look at the improvement in the core and take that as good news and rejoice," McBride said. "But consumers' household budgets are based on the headline, and the food and energy costs are both rising at a faster than desired pace and pressuring already tight household budgets."

Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, said at a press conference on December 18, after the latest interest-rate decision, that the committee would "assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks" when figuring out any additional changes to its target rate.

"We know that reducing policy restraint too fast or too much could hinder progress on inflation," Powell said. "At the same time, reducing policy restraint too slowly or too little could unduly weaken economic activity and employment."

The latest jobs report, published Friday, showed that job growth exceeded the forecast in December, while unemployment fell to 4.1% from 4.2% in November. Cory Stahle, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said the labor-market report "validates the stance that we've seen from the Fed recently."