❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Today β€” 25 January 2025Latest News

Multiple injuries as United Airlines flight from Nigeria to the US forced to turn back after 'unexpected aircraft movement'

25 January 2025 at 07:07
A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
A United Airlines plane.

Urbanandsport/NurPhoto

  • A United Airlines flight from Nigeria to the US made an emergency landing following a technical issue.
  • The flight from Lagos to Washington, DC. experienced "an unexpected aircraft movement," United said.
  • Six people were taken to hospital with injuries but have been discharged, the airline said.

A United Airlines flight from Nigeria to the US was forced to make an emergency landing in Lagos early Friday.

The flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. turned back after the aircraft β€” a Boeing 787-8 β€” experienced a technical issue and "an unexpected aircraft movement," the airline said.

After diverting, United Airlines Flight UA613 landed safely back in Nigeria. Four passengers and two flight attendants were taken to hospital with injuries but have been discharged, United Airlines said in a statement.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said an additional 27 passengers and five crew members sustained minor injuries.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show scenes on board the aircraft. The footage shows food and items strewn across the cabin with the sound of panicked passengers in the background.

Two-hundred-and-forty-five passengers were on board the flight, as well as eight flight attendants and three pilots.

Flight data from Flightradar24 shows that the plane abruptly dropped speed twice during the flight, at one point slowing from over 500 knots to 40 knots.

United Airlines said it was working with US and Nigerian aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the issue.

FAAN said the aircraft did not suffer "any major damage."

The Boeing 787-8 in question, registered as N27903, was built in 2012.

In 2024, the FAA ordered hundreds of Boeing 787s to undergo inspections after a Latam Airlines jet suddenly dropped in midair.

Boeing did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Business Insider, which was sent outside regular working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The 10 youngest starting quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl

25 January 2025 at 07:03
Jayden Daniels, #5 of the Washington Commanders, looks to make a pass during the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has an opportunity to become one of the youngest quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl.

Nic Antaya/Stringer/Getty Images

  • On Sunday, the Washington Commanders will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.
  • If the Commanders win, they'll make their first Super Bowl appearance since 1992.
  • At 24, Jayden Daniels could become one of the youngest starting quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl.

Only four teams remain in the race for Super Bowl LIX: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Commanders.

While the Chiefs, Bills, and Eagles have been playoff staples in recent years, the Commanders have had a different story.

The team finished last season 4-13, but under the leadership of new head coach Dan Quinn, the team has rebounded in spectacular fashion, going 12-5 in the regular season before winning their first wild card playoff game since the 2005 season.

On January 18, the Commanders continued their postseason run by upsetting the No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions 45-31 at Ford Field to reach their first NFC Championship since their Super Bowl-winning 1991 season.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is a key part of the team's recent successes. In the regular season, he threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushed for an additional 891 yards and six touchdowns. And he hasn't slowed down in the postseason either, having thrown for 567 yards and four touchdowns.

It should come as no surprise then that Daniels was awarded the 2024 Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards by the Professional Football Writers of America in January 2025.

Now, if the Commanders can get past their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, Daniels will have a chance to make history yet again at Super Bowl LIX by potentially becoming the second youngest quarterback to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

If he succeeds, he'll be just 24 years, 1 month, and 22 days old when he joins this list of greats.

Here are the 10 youngest starting quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl, and how old they were at the time.

10. Tom Brady
Tom Brady raises his fist as he's surrounded by reporters after winning Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Brady won Super Bowl XXXVIII when he was 26 years old.

Andy Lyons/Staff/Getty Images

Age: 26 years, 5 months, and 29 days old

Of course, Tom Brady made this list twice. The New England Patriots legend won his second Super Bowl with the team in 2004, defeating the Carolina Panthers 32-29.

9. Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon running on the sideline with his helmet off.
McMahon was 26 when he and the Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX.

John Iacono/Contributor/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Age: 26 years, 5 months, and 5 days old

Jim McMahon was part of the star-studded 1985 Chicago Bears lineup, which included Walter Payton, Richard Dent, and William "The Refrigerator" Perry when they defeated the Patriots 46-10 to win the franchise's only Super Bowl in January 1986.

McMahon rushed for two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback to do so in the Super Bowl.

8. Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw prepares to pass the football in Super Bowl IX.
Bradshaw won Super Bowl IX in 1975 at age 26.

Sylvia Allen/Contributor/Getty Images

Age: 26 years, 4 months, and 10 days old

Terry Bradshaw won the first of his four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 in a 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He would go on to win again the following year, as well as in 1979 and 1980.

7. Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman prepares to pass the football during Super Bowl XXVII.
Aikman was 26 when he won Super Bowl XXVII in 1993.

Owen C. Shaw/Contributor/Getty Images

Age: 26 years, 2 months, and 10 days old

Troy Aikman helped the Dallas Cowboys usher in a new era. Despite the team finishing 1-15 during his rookie season in 1989, the team rebounded just a few years later to beat the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in Super Bowl XXVII in 1993. Aikman threw for 273 yards, including four touchdowns, and earned the title MVP. It was the first of his three Super Bowls with the Cowboys franchise.

In a 2022 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Aikman's agent, Leigh Steinberg, recalled telling him after the game that his life would never be the same now that he was "Troy Aikman, Super Bowl MVP, superstar."

6. Joe Montana
Joe Montana ran with the football during Super Bowl XVI.
Montana was 25 when he won Super Bowl XVI.

Focus On Sport/Contributor/Getty Images

Age: 25 years, 7 months, and 13 days old

Joe Montana's first of four Super Bowl wins came in 1982 in Super Bowl XVI. He was named MVP in the San Francisco 49ers' 26-21 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, an honor he'd receive twice more in his career.

5. Joe Namath
Joe Namath dropped back to throw the football during Super Bowl III.
Namath was 25 when he won Super Bowl III in 1969.

Focus On Sport/Contributor/Getty Images

Age: 25 years, 7 months, and 12 days old

Joe Namath and the New York Jets defeated favorites, the Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts), 16-7 to give the team their first β€” and only β€” Super Bowl win to date at Super Bowl III in 1969. Namath was named MVP.

4. Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLVIII.
Wilson was 25 when the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

Kevin C. Cox/Staff/Getty Images

Age: 25 years, 2 months, and 4 days old.

Russell Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to their first-ever Super Bowl title in 2014. He threw for more than 200 yards, including two touchdowns, in a dominating 43-8 performance over Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos to win Super Bowl XLVIII.

After the game, Wilson told Fox Sports reporter Pam Oliver, "In the beginning of the season, I told the guys, 'Hey, you know, why not us?' You know, we believed that we could get here; we had the talent, we had the coaching staff, we had the best fans in the National Football League, and we wanted to win it all."

3. Tom Brady
Tom Brady points up as he speaks to a reporter after winning Super Bowl XXXVI.
Brady won his first Super Bowl at 24 years old.

JEFF HAYNES/Staff/AFP via Getty Images

Age: 24 years and 6 months old

The seven-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Super Bowl MVP had to start somewhere. Brady's first Super Bowl celebration came after the Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams (now known as the LA Rams) 20-17 in 2002's Super Bowl XXXVI.

2. Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes stands with his arms raised, smiling as confetti falls around him following the Chiefs' Super Bowl LIV win.
Mahomes was 24 when he won his first Super Bowl with the Chiefs in 2020.

John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Age: 24 years, 4 months, and 16 days old

During the 2019-2020 season, Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970. He had two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown to help the Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20, and he became the youngest quarterback ever to win the Super Bowl MVP award.

"I mean, obviously, I've had a good start to my career," Mahomes told reporters at the time.

That win was the first of his three Super Bowl titles with the team so far.

1. Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger holds the Vince Lombardi trophy with teammate Jerome Bettis to his right as confetti falls around them.
Roethlisberger was 23 when he won Super Bowl XL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

JEFF HAYNES/Staff/AFP via Getty Images

Age: 23 years, 11 months, and 3 days old

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl in NFL history thanks to the team's 21-10 defeat over the Seahawks in 2006's Super Bowl XL.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Bartenders share 3 mocktail recipes that are so fun you won't even miss the booze

25 January 2025 at 05:57
someone carrying to fizzy drinks with mint leaves and limes
There are some easy nonalcoholic cocktails you can make at home.

Syda Productions/Shutterstock

  • Business Insider asked bartenders for their best nonalcoholic drink recipes.
  • All the bartenders were inspired by nostalgic childhood ingredients, like tamarind and juma.
  • Sherbert, juice, and nonalcoholic vermouth come together to make a booze-free punch.

Nonalcoholic beverages have the highly alluring benefit of being hangover-free.

However, it can sometimes be hard to capture the vibe of a specialty cocktail without the liquor.

If you're looking for inspiration, Business Insider spoke with three international bartenders about their favorite recipes for nonalcoholic drinks to make at home.

Bring some Afro-Caribbean flavors to your kitchen with a tamarind-forward mocktail

Erika Flowers, the lead bartender at Compère Lapin in New Orleans, wants to celebrate a fruit that's plentiful in her home country of Belize: tamarind.

The sweet-and-sour fruit, also known as tambran, is popular in many tropical countries' cuisines, from Asia and Africa to the Caribbean. Flowers grew up watching her mother and aunt enjoy tamarind candies while she sipped on tamarind juice, so it's also a personal ingredient for her.

The award-wearing bartender calls her tamarind mocktail a Tambran Caye in honor of the small collection of islands off the coast of Belize.

tambran based mocktail on a wooden table
Erika Flowers suggested making a tamarind-based drink.

Wayne Jones

Ingredients

  • 1 Β½ ounces of tamarind syrup
  • 1 ounce of pineapple juice
  • Β½ an ounce of fresh lime juice
  • 4 ounces of club soda

If you can't find tamarind syrup at the store, look for a can of tamarind pulp (Goya sells one).

Method

  1. Make the tamarind syrup by combining an equal amount of tamarind pulp and cane sugar in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
  2. Once cooled, add 1 Β½ ounces of the tamarind syrup to the pineapple and lime juices in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  3. Shake until the tin frosts over, and then attach the strainer to the opening.
  4. Pour the mixture into a Collins glass and top it with the club soda, ice, and a lime wedge.

Liven up a party with a sparkling nonalcoholic punch

Marie Amelie Fabre, head bartender at Punch Room Barcelona, loves nonalcoholic twists on classic drinks like Negronis, martinis, and punches.

She has her own take on a Garibaldi punch, which she calls Il Risorgimento punch.

It's a tribute to her Italian grandmother, who served her sparkling water with fruits as a child. However, the spiced punch also holds some local significance in her region of Catalonia since Barcelona is a major port city connected to ancient spice-trade routes.

fancy punch bowl with a red drink and lots of garnishes
The bartender calls her take on a Garibaldi punch Il Risorgimento.

The Barcelona EDITION

Ingredients

  • Nonalcoholic red vermouth (like Martini Vibrante)
  • Orange juice
  • Grapefruit sherbet
  • Soda water

The quantities of each ingredient depend on how many people you're serving, but you can play around with ratios until you find something you like.

Method

  1. Combine the Martini Vibrante, orange juice, and grapefruit sherbet.
  2. Add ice and shake well to chill.
  3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice before topping it with soda water and stirring gently.
  4. Garnish with an orange slice or a twist of grapefruit peel.

Some mocktails may even have added health benefits

Bina Nuraga, the beverage R&D manager at Desa Potato Head in Indonesia, likes to honor the long-standing cultural and holistic traditions around low-to-no-alcohol beverages.

"Jamu is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink made from roots and spices like turmeric, ginger, and galangal," Nuraga said.

At its base, the drink can be as simple as turmeric and water, but there are ways to add more medicinal herbs and flair. The bartender's take on the beverage called a Jamu Sling, pays tribute to his childhood in Bali.

He grew up drinking lolo (a Balinese version of jamu), which his mother mixed with things like cemcem leaves and tamarind for a before-school drink or cinnamon, water, and salt to aid with stomach aches.

yellow mocktail with a cinnamon stick
Jamu is a traditional Indonesian drink.

Desa Potato Head

Ingredients

  • 15 milliliters of jamu
  • 60 milliliters of coconut water
  • 10 milliliters of coconut nectar
  • 50 milliliters of tonic water

There are a number of places to buy jamu in the US, including DJAMU, an Indonesian-owned business based in NYC that ships nationally. Alternatively, you can make your own with things like turmeric, ginger, tamarind, lemon, honey, and water.

Method

  1. Shake the jamu, coconut water, and coconut nectar together.
  2. Top the mixture off with tonic water.
  3. Serve in a wine glass with a garnish of edible flowers or cinnamon sticks.
Read the original article on Business Insider

I'm a Disney fan who visited Universal for the first time. It didn't win me over, but a few of its perks blew me away.

25 January 2025 at 05:25
Universal Hollywood globe near entrance
I went to Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time, and some parts of my visit impressed me.

Timothy Moore

  • I've been going to Disney parks for years, but I visited a Universal theme park for the first time.
  • Universal Studios Hollywood had great character interactions and incredible ride-skipping passes.
  • However, I felt disappointed by some food, prices, and attractions I think Disney parks do better.

I first went to Disney World when I was 2 years old, and it's been a favorite destination ever since.

Now, as the editorial director of two print magazines dedicated to Disney World and Disneyland, I visit the parks for about four weeks every year.

Although I'm a die-hard Disney fan, I also just really love theme parks. Kings Island, Cedar Point, and Six Flags are great β€” but, somehow, I'd never set foot inside a Universal park until recently.

While on a trip to Los Angeles, my friends, husband, and I spent two days at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Here's how it went and how I felt Universal compared to Disney.

Universal had cool themed restaurants, but I found I preferred Disney's food options
Author Timothy Moore holding large pink doughnut at Universal
We loved the pink doughnut with sprinkles from Lard Lad Donuts.

Timothy Moore

When it came to food, Universal let me down a little bit.

We ordered food from Toadstool Cafe, Hog's Head Pub, and multiple restaurants in the Simpson area β€” and I found a lot of it felt overpriced and a bit lackluster.

For example, the decent fish and chips at Hog's Head cost me $19. I'd much rather grab a tastier fish-and-chips platter for just $13.50 while walking around Disney's Epcot World Showcase.

Although the restaurants and dishes we tried had excellent theming, the only food we really enjoyed was the giant pink doughnut with sprinkles from Lard Lad Donuts.

In this category, I felt Universal was overshadowed by Disney parks, which are great for foodies with fantastic sit-down restaurants, creative snacks, and festivals throughout the year that celebrate food.

In general, I felt some of Universal's prices were a bit high.
Super Mario World wristbands on arms with fists touching
Disney isn't cheap, but neither was Universal.

Timothy Moore

Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland have comparable ticket prices that both start at just over $100 a day.

However, Universal felt more expensive than even nearby Disneyland. Although neither park is cheap, I found myself quickly blowing through my budget at Universal.

For example, the interactive wristbands for Universal's Super Nintendo World β€” which are considered essential to truly experience the land β€” felt expensive at over $42 each.

Worse, some of the wristband-related technology didn't seem to be working correctly both times I rode the Mario Kart ride. My group also encountered tech issues with a few games around the land.

Disney isn't perfect, either, and I know issues and glitches can happen with any attraction, but I still felt let down, especially because I'd paid so much for my wristband.

The band felt especially pricey compared to Disney's MagicBand+, which starts at $35. These bands allow visitors to interact with special elements throughout all Disney parks β€” not just one land β€” and aren't essential to fully enjoying a visit.

There are too many screen-based attractions at Universal for my liking.
Simpsons Krustyland ride entrance
We found the Krustyland area had a dizzying screen-heavy ride.

Timothy Moore

Friends had warned me that Universal was packed with screen-based rides and that my husband, who gets severe motion sickness, would have little to do.

They were right. Of Universal Studios Hollywood's 13 attractions, roughly half rely heavily on screens. Even the World-Famous Studio Tour inserts screens into a few portions of the experience.

Although I absolutely loved some of these attractions, I wish there had been more variety.

Disneyland also has screen rides, but the park is also packed with coasters, dark rides, and more traditional screen-free attractions, like carousels, Ferris wheels, and trains.

I was disappointed by Universal's lack of parades, but the park had great character experiences.
Raptor creature at Universal
Some of the character encounters in Universal blew me away.

Timothy Moore

Although Universal had some performances and shows on offer, I was sad not to find a single parade during my visit. At Disney parks, there are usually multiple parades each day.

However, I must give Universal kudos for its random character encounters. I felt like I experienced more here than I usually do at Disney.

I especially loved the raptor encounter in the Jurassic Park area, where guests interact with a giant dinosaur accompanied by a cast member who teaches them about the creature.

I also liked the wand experience at Universal, which felt accessible and fun.
Hand holding a wand at Ollivanders in Universal Hollywood
Any guest can participate in buying a wand at Ollivanders.

Timothy Moore

Another highlight of visiting Universal was going to the Ollivanders wand experience at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Although the interactive show is short, it's free for all guests, and no appointment is required.

You have to pay if you want to purchase a wand (and they're expensive at $65 a pop), but the actual wand-selecting experience is cool in its own right.

It kind of reminded me of the lightsaber-building experience at Savi's Workshop at Disney. Although the experience is more immersive and includes a saber, it also requires a $250 reservation β€” and you can't simply watch the process for free.

In my opinion, Universal has a better security experience.
Security gate and conveyer belts at Universal Hollywood
We didn't spend long going through security at Universal, but it felt quite thorough.

Timothy Moore

Disneyland's security process makes me feel fairly safe, but Universal Studios Hollywood's felt like it was on a whole other level.

The bag and body scanners at the entrance reminded me of what I might find at the TSA at an airport.

Although Universal's process felt more thorough, it was also faster. We spent less time going through security here than we usually do at Disney.

Universal's Express Pass is an incredible value β€” especially compared to line-skipping options at Disney parks.
Universal Studios Hollywood entrance with red carpet and palm trees and groups of people out front
Universal's Express Pass is an incredible value.

Timothy Moore

When it comes to add-on line-skipping services, Universal's blows Disney's out of the park.

Universal's Express Pass is expensive but absolutely worth the cost. They vary in price but start as low as $199, which includes the cost of admission to the park.

With our passes, we were able to ride everything in the park without waiting for even a second β€” seriously, we walked right onto each attraction β€” and we didn't have to plan our day around specific entry times.

On the other hand, Disney's comparable skip-the-line program, Lighting Lane, is expensive and has multiple tiers that can be confusing to navigate.

The most expensive option, the Premier Pass, starts at about $300 per person per day at Disneyland, which doesn't even include park admission.

Although there are cheaper options for the skip-the-line service at Disney, I don't find they're of great value: You'll still wait in several lines and probably spend the day on your phone trying to plan your next steps while inefficiently walking around the park.

I had fun, but I wasn't completely sold on Universal by the time I'd left.
Two adults playing touchscreen games in Super Mario LAnd
Universal Studios Hollywood had some cool experiences and games, but I wasn't 100% impressed.

Timothy Moore

There are things I love about Universal, and being immersed in two of my favorite franchises (Mario and Harry Potter) was a dream come true.

However, Disney parks feel even more immersive β€” and two days at Universal was more than enough time for me.

In my opinion, nearby Disneyland is an overall better value than Universal Studios Hollywood, especially when looking at food choices and the variety of attractions.

Still, I look forward to someday checking out Universal Studios Orlando as it's much bigger, and I've heard it's even better than the Hollywood park.

Until then, though, I'll get my magic at Disney.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Trump threatens to scrap FEMA, calling the emergency agency a 'big disappointment'

25 January 2025 at 05:18
US President Donald Trump (C), with US First Lady Melania Trump (C L), speaks at a Hurricane Helene recovery briefing

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

  • President Donald Trump has threatened to scrap the emergency agency FEMA.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency is tasked with responding to disasters across the US.
  • Trump's comments came during a national disaster recovery tour that saw him visit Los Angeles and North Carolina.

President Donald Trump threatened to scrap the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during a visit to North Carolina on Friday.

During a press briefing, Trump said he would sign an executive order that would "begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA" or "maybe getting rid of" the agency entirely.

"FEMA has been a very big disappointment," Trump said, adding that the agency β€” which employs more than 20,000 people across the US β€” was "very bureaucratic," "very slow," and "cost a tremendous amount of money."

"Other than that we're very happy with them," Trump joked, reiterating that he believed states should be in charge of managing disasters.

After Hurricane Helene hit the US in late September, FEMA received both criticism and praise for its work.

Trump was speaking in Fletcher, North Carolina, as part of a national disaster recovery tour that later saw him visit areas affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.

During his trip to California, Trump met with local leaders and pledged to provide federal disaster relief for people affected by the fires, which ravaged the region earlier this month.

Trump received a warm welcome from California Gov. Gavin Newsom as he touched down in the state, despite a tense relationship between the pair in recent weeks.

They appeared to set aside their differences as Trump said he wanted to work together on the recovery.

Trump had previously threatened to withhold federal funds for recovery.

The LA fires could be some of the costliest in US history. AccuWeather has estimated the preliminary total damage and economic loss to be between $250 billion and $275 billion.

Early estimates suggested the potential economic losses of Hurricane Helene could be more than $50 billion.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Elon Musk's close ties to Trump could be good for the EV industry, Rivian CEO says

By: Lloyd Lee
25 January 2025 at 05:05
Elon Musk greets Donald Trump
Trump, during the presidential campaign, praised Musk's technological advances.

Brandon Bell/Pool via AP

  • Elon Musk has become a key advisor to President Donald Trump as a government efficiency tsar.
  • Trump has moved to cut subsidies for EVs, which the Tesla CEO has embraced.
  • Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said Musk's relationship with Trump could benefit the EV industry.

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told Business Insider that Elon Musk's close proximity to President Donald Trump could benefit the electric vehicle industry.

"Tesla is the largest EV manufacturer in the United States. All that said, it's good that there's somebody who understands the electric vehicle space and technology and importance so well that's close to President Trump," Scaringe said of Musk. "I don't think that's a bad thing."

Musk has become a key advisor to Trump, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to cut federal spending and regulations. The Tesla CEO has also made policy suggestions on his social media platform.

In a July X post, Musk called for the end of government subsidies for "all industries." That same month, Musk said during an earnings call that doing so would "be devastating for our competitors and for Tesla slightly" but would help his company in the long run.

Musk and a White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump on Monday signed an executive order calling for the removal of incentives for EV purchases. Scaringe said the EV industry would be fine without them.

The President previously attacked EVs, once calling them "too expensive" and discouraging people from buying them because of their range. His rhetoric around electric cars, however, softened after Musk's endorsement.

"I'm for electric cars," Trump said at a rally in Atlanta. "I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly."

Scaringe said he doesn't think Trump is "anti-EV." Instead, Trump "just wants to allow consumers to choose," he said.

The Rivian CEO is also confident that Trump would see EV companies like his as a net positive to the US, especially considering its race to electrification against China.

Days before Trump's inauguration, Rivian closed on a $6.57 billion loan from the Department of Energy. The money will go into a new manufacturing facility in Georgia and add 7,500 jobs through 2030, the DOE said in a press release.

"I think some of this discussion forgets the fact that, when we talk about EVs and new technology, those jobs that are created in the United States are often in politically more Republican areas," Scaringe said. "And I think the US needs it. Trump β€” he 's a businessman. And so he's going to look at this and say, 'We need these businesses to be successful.'"

Tesla benefited greatly from Trump's electoral victory in November.

Following Trump's win, Tesla's stock surged 27% and pushed the company to a trillion-dollar market valuation. As a result, Musk's wealth on paper ballooned to more than $400 billion by December.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I was just rejected from my dream college and deferred from my safety schools. I feel like I failed, and I'm unsure about my future.

25 January 2025 at 04:47
an upset teenager sitting at a desk with her face in her hands
The author (not pictured) was rejected by her dream college.

Carol Yepes/Getty Images

  • I received several rejections and referrals from colleges, including my dream school.
  • I'm trying not to attach any meaning to my rejections, but I still feel like a failure.
  • I'm trying to convince myself that who I become is more important than where I go to school.

Just a few months ago, I submitted my college applications to several schools, taking the early action route.

Recently, those decisions came in, and, unfortunately, my rejections and deferrals started piling up. Of the more than half a dozen schools I've heard back from, I have far more deferrals or outright rejections than acceptances.

I unfortunately was rejected from my dream school. Some schools I hoped (and believed) were my safety schools differed me. Those deferrals give me no greater insight into my academic fate; they just leave me on edge until final decisions are announced in April.

The sting of each rejection made it harder to believe that my worth was not tied to these decisions.

There's so much pressure to get into a top university

The narrative that success equals attending a "top" university often pushes my close friends and me to sacrifice our well-being for a rΓ©sumΓ© boost. All-nighters, overcommitment to extracurriculars, and constant comparison with peers have become normalized.

This isn't just stressful; it's damaging. The constant obsession with where I end up can overshadow the more important question: Who do I want to become? What do I want to achieve β€” both in college and for the rest of my life?

Each of us will decide the outcome of our next four years. But still, nobody is asking me, "How would you, Sarah, define personal success?"

Instead, the questions are about what university name will be emblazoned on the sweatshirt available for purchase in the campus bookstore.

It doesn't matter that some of the most successful people didn't follow a traditional path. Oprah Winfrey attended Tennessee State University, and Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College. But I'm not either of them, and I still have to prove myself a person of worth in the grown-up world.

I can't help feeling like a failure right now

I can't scroll through Instagram or TikTok without seeing videos of students opening their acceptance letters from Ivy League schools or hearing people boast about their 4.0 + GPAs and extracurriculars. Comparison feels inevitable.

It doesn't help that college has come to symbolize so much more than just education. To many students, it represents validation β€” proof that all our hard work was worth it. It's a ticket to a secure future.

When rejection arrives instead, it's hard not to feel as though we've failed β€” not just academically, but as individuals. After all, colleges claim they're looking for "the whole person," not just grades. What does it say about me if the whole person I've spent years becoming wasn't enough?

I'm now trying to move forward

As I sit with my rejections and try to process what they mean, I'm learning to separate my self-worth from external validation. It's not easy, and it's a lesson I suspect I'll be relearning throughout my life. But I'm also trying to focus on the bigger picture.

My worth isn't determined by where I go to college. It's determined by how I show up in the world, how I treat others, how I pursue my passions, and how I respond to challenges like this one.

As I send out applications for the regular decision round, I'm trying to approach the process with a different mindset. I'm focusing on finding schools that align with my values and goals rather than chasing prestige. I'm reminding myself that rejection is not a reflection of my worth or potential. And I'm holding onto the hope that wherever I end up, I will make the most of it.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Trump says he could send US special operators after Mexican drug cartels. It could make things a lot worse.

25 January 2025 at 04:30
A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier assigned to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan provides security during an advising mission in Afghanistan, April 10, 2014.
A US Army Special Forces soldier provides security during an advising mission.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sara Wakai/ Released

  • Trump and others have floated sending US special operations forces to Mexico to combat cartels.
  • Experts told Business Insider that intervention in Mexico could create instability.
  • SOF missions like foreign internal defense could be prudent, but only to augment nonmilitary approaches.

Trump world is kicking around the idea of sending special operations forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels. There's a risk these operations could make things worse, experts said.

While designating Mexican cartels as "foreign terrorist organizations" on Monday, President Donald Trump was asked by reporters whether he would consider sending US special operations personnel to Mexico.

"Could happen," the president said, noting that "stranger things have happened."

Experts on the cartels and warfare said that sending any military troops into Mexico risks stirring instability, which could then spill over the border into US territory.

"I don't think that the American people have the stomach for what's going to happen if we start messing around down there," a senior active-duty special operator told Business Insider, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media.

"Just throwing any military mechanism at this problem for the purpose of just killing cartel leaders is not going to change anything," he said. "It's only going to make things worse."

Three Green Berets inside a building with gray walls during a room-clearing exercise.
US Army Green Berets prepare to breach and enter a building as part of Close Quarter Battle training.

US Army/Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort

Trump floated the idea of military intervention in Mexico in his first term, but his team now appears to be considering the idea more seriously.

"How much should we invade Mexico?" a transition team member told Rolling Stone in November 2024 for a report on Trump's musings about combating cartels in Mexico. "That is the question."

Trump's new national security advisor, Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret, has pushed the idea of using special operators. And Trump's "border czar," Tom Homan, has said that special operations forces could be used to take the cartels out, or "take them off the face of the Earth."

Direct action raids β€” hard-hitting missions US special operations is known for and which Trump appears inclined to pursue β€” on Mexican soil would bring disastrous consequences, especially if conducted without an invitation from Mexico, the operator and other experts BI spoke with warned. But other, less kinetic missions, like training foreign troops or improving foreign internal defense, could prove worthwhile, they said.

Such missions have long been the bread and butter of forces like the Army's Green Berets. With Trump's formal designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, those kinds of missions could augment other government efforts to more effectively stem the flow of drugs into the US, sources told BI.

An idea that keeps coming up

The idea of using special operators to combat cartels in Mexico has gained traction among leading Republicans, particularly military veterans. Before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former naval officer, ended his bid for the White House, he told CNN that if elected president, he would deploy US special operations forces into Mexico "on day one."

In 2023, Waltz, then a congressional representative from Florida, and Dan Crenshaw, a Texas congressman and former Navy SEAL, introduced new Authorization of Military Force legislation aimed at Mexican cartels. Such legislation is notably not often quickly reversed β€” both of the AUMFs that allowed the Global War on Terror to balloon in scope are still in place.

Wanting to send special operations forces into Mexico is understandable, said Bruce Hoffman, a senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations. Other measures have failed to curb the flow of drugs into the US, though some of the efforts at home appear to be working, as deaths from fentanyl overdoses are finally on the decline.

A member of U.S. Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Europe (NSWTU-E) provides cover during a raid with Cypriot Army Special Forces in Cyprus, September 28, 2021.
A member of US Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Europe (NSWTU-E) provides cover during a raid with foreign special operations forces.

U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt

But special operations is much smaller than conventional military forces, he said, and isn't designed to solve every problem that might warrant military intervention.

"Despite the public imagination, SOF is not on a regular basis engaged in the kinds of operations that people often imagine, that are depicted in Hollywood," Hoffman said.

"They're engaged in less glamorous things like training indigenous forces, gathering intelligence, psychological operations, [and] civil affairs," he said.

Bolstering Mexico's internal defenses could be a worthwhile endeavor, the active-duty special operator told BI, but prioritizing military intervention over non-violent approaches, like empowering the State and Treasury departments to apply pressure on the financial institutions used by cartels, would be foolhardy.

The dangers of getting it wrong

Violence against cartels could trigger a humanitarian crisis and spur more immigration to the US, said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor at George Mason University who has extensively studied cartels.

Mexican civilians caught in the crossfire would likely flee communities, which could create a refugee crisis, she said. "They are going to apply for asylum in a desperate situation," she said, calling the idea of immediate military intervention illogical.

It's not as simple as killing top leaders either. Complicating the grip cartels have on Mexican society is their seemingly infinite complexity, she said.

"We're not talking about businesses that operate vertically, like El Chapo and El Mayo, and all these guys that provide orders to everyone," she said, referring to two infamous drug kingpins. Most cartels operate with less centralized command structures and are splintered into smaller cells. Some of these focus on drug movements and production, while others focus on kidnapping, extortion, and human smuggling.

If the goal is to limit the reach of the cartels and the violence and the destruction that comes with them, "you are going to get the exact opposite effect" if you start killing leaders, said Carolyn Gallaher, a professor at American University who studies cartels, in an interview with BI.

Top leaders can be easily replaced by others zealously vying for power, creating an even more complex battlefield for American troops and Mexican civilians.

"When you start fighting an army that is not behaving like a regular military, you are basically in the middle of civilian life," Gallaher said. "And you don't have an accurate way to differentiate between civilian and soldier."

US special operations mortar Syria
Coalition and Anti-Terror Forces fire mortar rounds on an overseas live-fire range.

US Army/Sgt. Brandon White

Doug Livermore, vice president of the Special Operations Association of America and a senior Green Beret officer in the National Guard who has written about narcoterrorism, said special operations is just one tool in the vast US government toolbox, and can't be the main effort.

"A military approach by itself will not be sufficient. It will not solve the problem," Livermore told BI.

He suggested a broader approach involving US special operations-provided intelligence or efforts to bolster internal security. However, Livermore said rampant corruption in Mexico's government agencies could complicate these efforts.

He also recommended a closer examination and targeting of China's role in the US drug crisis, pointing to the supply of chemical and financial support to cartels.

It's unclear what endstates the Trump administration desires to achieve to define success, said the SOF operator. Lacking such parameters could lead to another quagmire. It seems likely, however, that any effective operation to dismantle them will take years, he said.

"It's not done in a short amount of time; it takes consistent effort and partnership," the operator said. "It's going to take a generation or two; it's not going to be done in four years."

Read the original article on Business Insider

'Complete turmoil': Ivy Zelman called the home-insurance crisis before the devastating California wildfires and warns 5 other states could see long-term property values erode

25 January 2025 at 04:20
two people stand in front of a burned down house still smoldering under smoky skies
Megan Mantia, left, and her boyfriend Thomas, return to Mantia's fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire burned it down.

AP Photo/Ethan Swope

  • Wildfires have devastated California in early 2025, and climate change may be to blame.
  • Real-estate analyst Ivy Zelman warned of rising property insurance costs last summer.
  • Here are five other states that homeowners could flee as climate risk rises.

Six months ago, Ivy Zelman made a bold, unpopular call, as she's done throughout her career.

The venerated real-estate analyst and founder of research firm Zelman & Associates said there was a looming threat to property values that only a few of her counterparts were talking about.

Climate change, which some have dismissed as merely a boogeyman, would become an increasingly big headache for homeowners, Zelman had told Business Insider. Her thesis was that rising global temperatures, which are correlated with natural disasters like floods and fires, would cause home insurance prices to soar over time, which would weigh on property values.

Those who agree with this thinking, like analyst David Burt of "The Big Short" fame, warned that this dynamic could cause property prices in certain markets to fall up to 60% in extreme cases.

Though they'd love to be proven wrong, Zelman and Burt seem to be onto something.

Devastating wildfires have ravaged California in January, killing dozens and displacing thousands, and scientists say climate change is partially to blame. This could go down as the costliest natural disaster in US history. And those whose homes haven't gone up in smoke may face exorbitant insurance cost increases β€” assuming insurers are willing to cover them at all.

In a recent interview, Zelman refused to take a victory lap but is still concerned about this trend.

"I never want to be someone to say, 'Oh, I was right,'" she told Business Insider. "I just think we all have to be realistic. How many times β€” it's the definition of insanity β€” how many times are people going to be evacuated, and then, 'Wow, we were lucky our house didn't burn down,' and they then say, 'OK, well, let's just go back home, and we're OK.'"

Zelman continued: "I think it's got to [get] some people to rethink whether they want to keep doing this."

The California exodus could continue due to high insurance prices, climate risks

California had the second-largest outbound moving rate among US states last year, according to data from Atlas Van Lines, and Zelman thinks that could only accelerate after the fire crisis.

"Bigger picture, does the state of California have more outbound migration because people are concerned about getting their home insured?" Zelman asked rhetorically.

US moving trends 2024

Atlas Van Lines

Insurance companies are reconsidering whether homes in high-risk markets are worth insuring. If the risks of insuring a home against fires, earthquakes, and floods outweigh what they can charge, they may decide it's not profitable to stay in markets like California.

"It's very preliminary, but the insurance industry is in complete turmoil," Zelman said. "And part of that has been driven by the commissioners not allowing premiums to rise fast enough to accommodate the risk."

If insurance costs surge by thousands of dollars per year to account for climate risk, prospective homebuyers could take note and make lower offers, driving prices down over time, as Burt pointed out. And that assumes buyers are still comfortable with living in California long term.

"One gentleman friend, who we've been friends with forever, reached out and said, 'I was near the evacuation site, but I fortunately didn't have to evacuate. But I'm actually wondering, should I just sell and get the hell out of here? I'm worried about home values going down,'" Zelman said.

In the near term, Zelman said California homeowners like her friend shouldn't fret. Ironically, she said property values could surge in the next year since tons of home supply just got wiped out.

But in the coming years, Zelman suspects that buyers will gravitate toward cities that may be warm but have less risk of natural disasters, like Phoenix or Las Vegas. And those looking to get distance from Los Angeles but stay nearby could go south to Newport Beach or Orange County.

5 states that could have long-term climate risk

California isn't the only state with housing markets at risk from natural disasters that may be influenced, at least in part, by climate change.

Property values could also come under pressure in a handful of Sun Belt states, Zelman said. Elevated risks of hurricanes and uncomfortably high temperatures could eventually reduce demand for homes in the region that Zelman's colleagues had jokingly called the "Sun Melt."

Although the Sun Belt was home to some of the hottest housing markets last year, Zelman noted that existing home listings have risen rapidly in Florida and Texas, and to a lesser extent in North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. Those states each saw neutral to positive net migration flows in 2024, and new-home construction rates suggest that they're still in demand. In fact, the South is the only US region that has more inventory now than before the pandemic.

However, rising rates of homeowners looking to move could be an ominous sign. If there was a major uptick in existing listings, Zelman said it could put prices under pressure. At the very least, she thinks owners in those states should keep an eye on this trend in the coming years.

Effect of inventory on prices Zelman

Zelman & Associates

"The reason why home prices are under pressure is because there's more competition, whether it be builders opening more communities, or we have existing home sellers that are trying to move inventory," Zelman said. "I think that suggests that there is going to be more a need for people to either reduce their asking price or for builders to provide incentives."

Lower home prices may seem like a blessing for buyers who've been frozen out of what was the least affordable housing market in four decades, Zelman & Associates found.

But new buyers could get stuck with declining long-term home equity values unless the factors spooking homeowners and affecting prices, including climate-related headaches, don't go away.

"I don't anticipate that '25 is going to really be the only year that we're going to see pressure in these markets," Zelman said. "Maybe the pressure abates. But I think that it could be where I would tell a Business Insider reader, 'Well, if you buy in '25, it could go lower in '26.'"

Those looking to move may want to consider the more affordable Midwest region, Zelman said, reiterating a point that the Cleveland resident made last summer.

Read the original article on Business Insider

My 3 daughters all decided to put being a mother on hold. I'm devastated that I might not get to be a grandmother.

25 January 2025 at 04:07
Lynnette Lyons standing and embracing her three daughters
The author (second from the right) says her three daughters don't want kids right now.

Courtesy of Lynnette Lyons

  • I'm the mother to three daughters, and all of them aren't having children anytime soon.
  • I'm devastated that I might never get to be a grandmother.
  • After struggling to get pregnant for years, I can't wrap my head around their decision.

Let's face it: Not everyone is cut out to be a parent.

As a mother to three adult daughters, I'll be the first to tell you motherhood is no walk in the park. I always wanted to be a mother, but it wasn't easy to get pregnant. Once I finally did, there were even more hardships ahead as I raised my three girls.

So, I understand why some people decide not to have children, especially biological ones.

But when all three of my kids said they don't plan on prioritizing being parents, I was devastated that I wouldn't be a grandparent anytime soon.

My daughters all say having biological children is not a priority right now

One of my children said she didn't plan to have biological children. She hasn't ruled out becoming a mom altogether, but after seeing how many foster kids end up in group homes because of a lack of families willing to host them, she realized that adopting an older child would be the right choice. So, I'll be getting no tiny bundles from her.

Another child is undecided. She'd like to become a mom someday and is considering perhaps one pregnancy, but, like her sister, she believes adoption is her best course to parenthood. However, as an LGBTQ+ person, she also recognizes that motherhood β€” whether through a biological child, adoption, or a combination of the two β€” could be out of reach due to expense and possible discrimination.

That leaves me with one child who seems content, at least at this stage, to pursue having a family "the old-fashioned way eventually." She and her significant other, however, have a long way to go before kids are even glimmers in their respective eyes. They're pursuing careers in highly competitive fields, which won't allow time to grow a family for several of their most fertile years.

My children are far from alone. According to the CDC, the US birth rate has decreased by 2% annually over the last decade, reaching a historic low in 2023. According to the Pew Research Center, a majority of adults under the age of 50 who don't have kids cite a major reason as "they just don't want to."

My experience with becoming a mother is affecting my emotions

Each of my kids thought this through and arrived at the right decision for them. So, I had to take a step back and ponder why I, the person known for always being supportive of individual choices, had such a sorrowful reaction to my own kids' decisions on this topic. After all, at least one of them hopes to have kids, and the other two might end up with them one way or another.

I quickly realized it might have something to do with my own fraught path to parenthood. I struggled for almost five years through multiple cycles of fertility drugs, two devastating miscarriages, and eventually in-vitro fertilization (IVF) before I finally gave birth to these three little people who infused my life with meaning.

Desperate to become a mom, I basically subjected myself to medical torture to achieve it, so my own children feeling so differently about the prospect is hard to wrap my brain around.

I'm learning to accept and support my daughters' decisions

Ask any grammy or grandad, and they'll tell you the payoff for the hard work of raising those helpless humans into productive citizens is the gift of grandparenthood. The thought of possibly never receiving this well-deserved prize makes me feel rather sorry for myself.

However, I realize my children don't owe me anything, and honestly, the joys of watching them grow into the amazing young women they've become have truly been the greatest gift of all.

So, while I may be privately nursing my wounded soul over my "lost" grandchildren, I know I'll also find the strength to support my kids' very personal decisions.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I pay $550 a year for unlimited airport lounge access. They're sometimes crowded, but it's still an incredible value.

25 January 2025 at 03:45
Entering the JFK chase location.
Unlimited airport access is the best investment I've made to make travel easier and more comfortable.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

  • I get unlimited Priority Pass airport lounge access through my credit card for $550 a year.
  • I worry about overcrowding as people look to banks for more easily accessible lounge access.
  • Chase is still the best bang for my buck, as chasing airline status is too difficult and expensive.

As a frequent flyer who isn't loyal to any one airline β€” I typically just book the cheapest economy ticket β€” I've focused on making my airport experience as enjoyable as possible.

The best investment I've made to that end is getting Priority Pass airport lounge access through my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card.

The card costs me $550 a year and gives me unlimited visits to more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide. American Express and Capital One also offer access to the network through their respective credit cards.

I've used the pass dozens of times a year in more than 20 countries since 2018. I always enjoy free food and drinks β€” alcohol included β€” and many have access to showers and private spaces to work or relax away from the busy airport terminal.

Some even have sleep pods and spas, like the airport transit lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport. The one in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has a pool.

Priority Pass has some downsides

Some lounges have lackluster amenities, others are restricted due to crowds, and a handful of major US airports don't have Priority Pass options at all.

Air India's New York-JFK lounge with brown chairs and tables.
Air India's Maharaja Lounge at New York-JFK, part of the Priority Pass network, is among the basic ones with minimal amenities and food.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Christopher Evans, the CEO of Collinson International, which owns Priority Pass, told Business Insider that many people don't want to give up the perk, and the company is constantly investing in the customer experience to make it worthwhile.

"We've surveyed people asking if you lost your lounge access benefit, what would happen?" he said. "94% of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region said they were likely to change card provider. That was 62% in the Americas."

While my biggest worry is capacity and lounges cutting some access, I think Priority Pass β€” even with the crowds β€” is easily worth the hefty annual fee for frequent travelers.

Waitlists and reserved spots to tackle overcrowding

I've been increasingly concerned about Priority Pass crowds β€” especially as airlines make it more difficult to access their own lounges.

In 2023, Delta Air Lines changed who could access their SkyClubs and made earning status based on dollars spent instead of miles flown. British Airways recently followed suit with its own sweep of changes.

As a result, Evans said people who can no longer reach the upper echelons of airline loyalty are looking at memberships like Priority Pass as an alternative.

Virgin Atlantic lounge with red and purple chairs and gold ceiling design.
Virgin Atlantic Airways lounge is among the better ones at New York-JFK, in my opinion. Priority Pass members through Chase have access.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I've noticed the increased crowds in the US and some European airports, which were already on the rise amid the post-COVID travel boom. I've found myself on waitlists that reach up to an hour or fighting for a seat with a power outlet available.

Meanwhile, airline lounges like Lufthansa and Air France at New York-JFK, both of which are in the Priority Pass network, limit access to those using Priority Pass due to capacity.

Evans said Priority Pass has seen a spike in the number of people accessing its network and is working to address the demand by establishing waitlists, adding new lounges, creating a "pre-book" reservation system, and other app improvements.

"We have millions of visits a month in our program, two visits a second now, I think, or we're getting close," he said.

Pre-book guarantees access for a fee, with another 110 lounges soon getting the option, a spokesperson told BI.

Potatoes, bacon, and eggs on plates at the lounge in Las Vegas.
The Priority Pass lounge in Las Vegas offers free hot meals. Over the past seven years, I've saved a significant amount of money on airport food using Priority Pass.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

"We'll be starting to roll out the ability to highlight to customers which lounges are likely to be busier and at which times a day," he said. "So, pre-warning people by enhancing a digital journey to then improve the physical experience when you get there."

New and improved lounges will further increase Priority Pass' value

Evans said Priority Pass has added about 200 lounges to its network in 2024 to provide more choice and a better overall experience.

I personally hope places like Newark, Denver, and Philadelphia airports see future options, as none have a proper Priority Pass lounge.

I actually try to avoid flying out of New Jersey's Newark airport β€” the alternative to my local New York City airports β€” for this reason.

Philadelphia, however, is soon getting a Chase-branded lounge as the bank expands its airport network. Reserve card members have access.

New York-JFK, LaGuardia, San Diego, Boston, Hong Kong, and Phoenix airports each also have one, and more are coming to airports like Las Vegas.

Inside the Chase LGA lounge with gray tables and chairs.
I've used the Chase-branded lounge at New York LaGuardia Terminal B at least six times in the past year.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Chase is taking on competitors American Express and Capital One as banks race to take advantage of the growing interest in credit card-branded airport lounges. Amex's Centurion network is the largest of the three.

I have considered adding the Amex Platinum card to have Centurion in places without Priority Pass, like Denver (and Newark, come 2026).

But the card would add another $695 a year (at the time of publication), and I am happy with the value I get from my Chase Reserve card for now.

It's hands-down easier and more affordable than chasing expensive airline status.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Ukraine to give combat units $60M a month to procure drones directly as it seeks to reduce reliance on centralized acquisition

25 January 2025 at 03:42
Ukraine will allocate $60 million a month for combat units to procure new drones.
Ukraine will allocate $60 million a month for combat units to procure new drones.

Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

  • Ukraine says it will give its armed forces an additional $60 million a month to procure new drones.
  • The funds will be distributed among combat units, the Ukrainian defense ministry said.
  • The move is designed to allow brigades to purchase the equipment they need directly.

Ukraine's defense ministry has announced that its armed forces will get an additional UAH 2.5 billion (almost $60 million) a month to procure new drones.

The funds will be distributed among military combat units and will allow brigades to buy the equipment they need directly, rather than having to rely on centralized acquisition efforts.

The initiative builds on a prior allocation of UAH 2.1 billion (around $50 million) in December, the ministry said.

"We have analyzed this experience and decided to scale up the initiative," Ukrainian defense minister Rustem Umerov said in a statement.

"Commanders of the units will have the flexibility to use these funds to acquire the drones that are the most effective for carrying out mission requirements at the front," he continued. "This marks another step towards building a highly flexible system to ensure the military has everything necessary for Ukraine's defense."

In December, Umerov announced that commanders would now be able to purchase drones "without unnecessary bureaucratic approvals from the General Staff and other military authorities."

Ukraine's Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) has been leading Kyiv's centralized drone procurement efforts.

In August, the agency said it had so far spent 30 billion UAH (around $717 million) acquiring drones in 2024. It had signed contracts for more than 350,000 drones so far in the year, it added.

Dmytro Klimenkov, Ukraine's deputy defense minister, said at the time that such efforts were "aligned with the strategic objective of the President of Ukraine to supply our military with UAVs."

He added that 95% of the drones they had purchased were made in Ukraine, which he said showed "notable progress in enhancing national defense technologies and validates the high quality of domestic products."

A Ukrainian multi-purpose naval drone called "Magura V5" during a demonstration in April.
A Ukrainian multi-purpose naval drone called "Magura V5."

Photo by Pavlo Bahmut/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The war in Ukraine has acted as a kind of incubator for drone innovation.

Uncrewed systems have dominated the battlefield, wreaking havoc in the air, on the ground, and at sea.

The conflict has seen drones deployed against warships and tanks, used for reconnaissance, and as support for medical evacuations.

The rising demand for such technologies has led Kyiv to issue increasingly ambitious production goals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that Ukraine wanted to produce "a record number of drones" this year.

In early December, the Ukrainian defense ministry said it had supplied more than 1.2 million uncrewed aerial vehicles to the country's armed forces in 2024.

Zelenskyy said in October that Ukraine was capable of manufacturing up to 4 million drones a year.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The spotlight is on Hollywood as awards season kicks into full gear

25 January 2025 at 03:38
Oscar statue
An Oscar statue in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Welcome back to our Saturday edition! One luxury travel planner, who crafts itineraries for her clients, forgot her own golden rules when booking her family's 12-day trip through Europe. Here are her must-dos to avoid travel snafus.


On the agenda:

  • Everyone is talking about ranches right now. Here's why.
  • Americans who use cheap weight-loss drugs are about to face a harsh new normal.
  • Inside Jackson's Hole's ultra-exclusive golf club Shooting Star.
  • A Texas local went to four Michelin-starred barbecue joints. One restaurant ended up being her favorite.

But first: Hi, awards season.


If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here.


This week's dispatch

grammy and oscar award

Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

Lights, Camera, Awards

As the saying goes, the show must go on. Even with a city reeling from the devastating aftermath of wildfires, Los Angeles is taking center stage with awards season officially in full swing.

For the average fan, it's a good time to escape the news from the boardroom or the White House and reflect on the projects that made us laugh, cry, or feel our feelings β€” whatever they may be.

For Hollywood, the implications are much larger. The economic impact of hosting several awards shows is a huge financial boon to the region. And while estimates are hard to quantify, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos wrote that events like these are "a hugely important source of income for a vast network of professionals" in California.

While the Golden Globes came and went with a splash, LA is now preparing for the Grammys. On February 2, comedian Trevor Noah will return to host music's biggest night from inside LA's Crypto.com Arena. BI's music team says it'll be a big year for BeyoncΓ©, Chappell Roan, and Kendrick Lamar.

"All eyes will be on BeyoncΓ©, who's already the most-awarded artist in the show's history β€” but hoping to win album of the year for the first time in her career with the country-inspired opus 'Cowboy Carter,'" senior music reporter Callie Ahlgrim told me.

"Meanwhile, expect Kendrick Lamar to sweep the rap categories with 'Not Like Us' and Chappell Roan to win big in general-field races like best new artist and record of the year, thanks to her massive breakout hit 'Good Luck Babe!'" she added.

The Oscars cap off awards season. The nominations were announced earlier this week, and "Emilia PΓ©rez," "Wicked," and "The Brutalist" were the most recognized. Still, until March 2, it can be anybody's trophy.

BI's entertainment correspondent Jason Guerrasio said it may be a big night for an iconic movie star. "For the first time in years, Oscars night is wide open," Guerrasio said, "but I think when the dust settles, 'Wicked' and Demi Moore will be walking away with hardware."


Home sweet ranch

A group of riders on horseback at Lost Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
A group of riders on horseback at Lost Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Latham Jenkins

BeyoncΓ© released "Cowboy Carter," "Yellowstone" pulled 11.4 million viewers, and Western-inspired fashion trends are on runways. Our love affair with cowboy culture seems to be back in full swing.

The cowboy craze has also extended to the real-estate market, with ranches seeing more demand, brokers told BI. While owning a ranch comes with its own challenges, they offer something for everyone β€” from living off the land to enjoying more privacy.

Why people are loving ranches right now.


So long, faux-zempic

Ozempic behind red ropes.

Nicolas Ortega for BI

GLP-1 drugs are at the center of a weight-loss revolution. For some Americans, the Ozempic gold rush helped deliver a weight-loss solution into their hands.

The drugs became so popular that manufacturers started running out. When the FDA added GLP-1s to its shortage list, it allowed drug compounders to get in on the action β€” making cheaper, knock-off versions more accessible to patients. Now that supply has caught up to demand, and the FDA is poised to declare the shortage over.

It's going to get a lot harder to get knock-off Ozempic.


Bet on the Shooting Star

A gold course divided by a stream and dotted with Aspen trees and sand dunes sits in front of a mountain at sunset

Courtesy of Shooting Star

Shooting Star in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has been ranked a top golf course in the US. Still, few get to see it β€” membership requires an invitation, and there's a long waitlist.

BI's Joey Hadden went inside the 1,300-acre property and toured the clubhouse, 18-hole course, barn, and residences. It oozed Western charm, and its natural beauty made it look like a painting.

Take a peek.


Michelin-starred BBQ

BBQ Ribs with a Texas flag pick

BURCU ATALAY TANKUT/Getty, MicroStockHub/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

When it comes to barbecue, Texas might rank supreme. Barbecue restaurants in Texas feel as abundant as Starbucks locations.

It's no wonder why the Michelin Guide awarded stars to four barbecue spots when it expanded to Texas in 2024. A local visited La Barbecue, Interstellar BBQ, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, and Corkscrew BBQ to see if they lived up to the hype.

One ended up being her favorite.


What we're watching this weekend

A television displaying a TV show

Christopher Saunders/Netflix, BI

  • "The Night Agent": Netflix's popular political thriller series is back for season two, focusing on Peter Sutherland's new job as a night agent.
  • "Gladiator II": Ridley Scott's epic sequel to the 2000 movie "Gladiator" is streaming on Paramount+ following a theatrical release.
  • "Blink Twice": Channing Tatum plays a sinister tech billionaire named Slater King in ZoΓ« Kravitz's 2024 directorial debut. The psychological thriller is now streaming on Prime Video.

See the full list


A red shopping bag surrounded by $100 bills.

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

What to shop

  • Affordable loungewear: We love Spanx's AirEssentials sets, so we had to test this affordable alternative from Amazon that went viral on social media. The Amazon bestseller had us impressed with its luxe feel and comfortable fit.
  • For the dog parents: No toy is truly indestructible, but these come pretty close. We submitted these products to our dogs' strong jaws, plus forks, knives, and dishwashers, to find the best dog toys for aggressive chewers.
  • Underwear that won't let you down: Boxer briefs should offer ample support, coverage, and comfort β€” but not all are created equal. That's why we've spent years testing the best boxer briefs for men.

More of this week's top reads:


The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

Read the original article on Business Insider

22 of the best and worst looks Melania Trump has worn as first lady

25 January 2025 at 03:29
Three photos of Melania Trump side-by-side.
Melania Trump has style hits and misses as first lady.

Kevin Dietsch - Pool / Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP / Getty Images

  • Melania Trump's style has been closely watched since she became first lady.
  • Her best first lady looks mix her personal style with a professional edge.
  • Melania Trump has also worn some controversial outfits over the years.

Melania Trump is officially first lady again.

She returned to the White House in a dark navy outfit on Monday, striking a markedly different tone with her attire than she did when President Donald Trump first took office in 2017.

Since becoming first lady, Melania Trump's style has often been a source of attention, as some of her outfits have been controversial.

Take a look at some of the best and worst looks she's worn while Donald Trump has been in office.

Melania Trump paid homage to Jackie Kennedy when she debuted as first lady.
Donald and Melania Trump on Inauguration Day 2017.
Donald and Melania Trump on Inauguration Day 2017.

Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images

Ralph Lauren Collection designed the knee-length, powder-blue dress Melania wore to Trump's inauguration in 2017, as well as the coordinating shrug and gloves she wore with the look.

She accessorized the outfit with pearl earrings and blue, pointed-toe heels.

The full ensemble evoked Jackie Kennedy's style. From the bright color to the nod to one of America's most iconic first ladies, Melania's look was the perfect choice for her husband's first inauguration.

Her custom gown for the 2017 inaugural balls featured standout three-dimensional detailing.
Donald and Melania Trump at the 2017 Inauguration Ball 2017.
Donald and Melania Trump at a 2017 inaugural ball.

Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images

HervΓ© Pierre custom-designed Melania's off-the-shoulder dress for the inaugural ball.

The cream dress had an A-line silhouette, a thigh-high slit on one side, and three-dimensional fabric that curved across the bodice. A thin red belt cinched at the waist for a pop of color.

The dress felt high-fashion, connecting the first lady to her past as a model as she stepped into a new role.

Melania's outfit for a visit to Texas in August 2017 got attention online.
Donald and Melania Trump in Texas in August 2017.
Donald and Melania Trump in Texas in August 2017.

JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images

In August 2017, the Trumps visited Corpus Christi, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey to assess recovery efforts.

The pair wore casual attire, with Melania arriving in a white button-down, black jeans, and sneakers. She also added a black baseball hat to her look that said "FLOTUS," first lady of the United States, on the front.

Melania's outfit quickly became a source of social-media chatter, with some saying her hat called attention to her in the wake of the natural disaster while others praised her casual outfit.

Her suit for a Canadian state visit in October 2017 was more fitting for the occasion.
Donald and Melania Trump with Justin and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in October 2017.
Donald and Melania Trump with Justin and Sophie GrΓ©goire Trudeau in October 2017.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

When greeting Justin and Sophie GrΓ©goire Trudeau at the White House in October 2017, Melania wore a gray pinstripe suit instead of a dress.

The suit featured high-waisted pants, and she paired it with a white button-down and an untied black tie. The outfit was unexpected for a first lady, offering a fun style moment.

The president and first lady had a rare matching moment in April 2018, wearing coordinating striped looks.
Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018.
Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018.

Mandel NGAN / AFP / Getty Images

In April 2018, the Trumps hosted Japan's prime minister at the time, Shinzo Abe, and his wife, Akie Abe, at Mar-a-Lago, during which the first lady wore an off-the-shoulder dress from Carolina Herrera.

The dress was covered in black and white stripes, with thicker black stripes on the bodice and the pattern reversed on the midi-length skirt.

She added white heels to her look, and Trump wore a navy and white striped tie that matched his wife's look. The coordinating outfits were an atypical but welcome choice for the couple.

The same month, Melania stunned in a black minidress and coordinating coat.
The Trumps, President Macron, and his wife at the White House in April 2018.
Donald and Melania Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife at the White House in April 2018.

Al Drago/Getty Images

Melania greeted President Macron of France and his wife Brigitte in a black minidress and black pumps at the White House.

The standout feature of her outfit was a Givenchy tuxedo cape, which added a flair of personality to the otherwise simple look.

The semi-sheer dress she wore to a state dinner for the Macrons during the same trip was a little too busy.
Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2018.
Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2018.

Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images

The first lady changed into a silver Chanel dress for the dinner.

Most of the form-fitting dress was covered in textured fabric, while the top of the bodice and bottom of the skirt were made of a sheer, black fabric adorned with silver embellishments.

The fabrics didn't blend well, making the dress look too busy. It would have been a better look without the sheer fabric.

In June 2018, Melania received backlash for wearing a jacket that said, "I really don't care, do u?"
Melania Trump in June 2018.
Melania Trump in June 2018.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In June 2018, Melania visited an immigration facility in McAllen, Texas, where children were living, wearing a green Zara jacket that said "I really don't care, do u?" on the back.

Critics said the jacket was insensitive to wear for the visit, critiquing both the first lady and the president for the fashion faux pas.

Melania's former aide, Stephanie Grisham, wrote in her book "I'll Take Your Questions Now" that the president yelled at Melania for wearing the jacket, though Trump and the first lady both said she wore it to send a message to the left-wing media.

A different bow would have improved her dress for an Independence Day celebration in July 2018.
Melania and Donald Trump in July 2018.
Melania and Donald Trump in July 2018.

Alex Edelman/Getty Images

Melania wore a floor-length wrap dress from Ralph Lauren to celebrate Independence Day 2018.

The blue-and-white gingham dress was fun and festive for the holiday, but the oversize red belt tied at her waist overwhelmed the look.

If the first lady had swapped the bow for a thinner belt, her dress would have been more effective.

Melania's suit for a trip to Egypt in October 2018 also raised some eyebrows.
Melania Trump in October 2018.
Melania Trump in October 2018.

Tarek Wajeh/picture alliance via Getty Images

Melania posed for photos in front of pyramids in Egypt wearing cream trousers, a white blouse, a black tie, and a sand-colored Ralph Lauren blazer. A white-and-black boater hat completed the look.

The outfit may have been innocuously stylish in a different venue, but some social-media users thought the outfit looked similar to one worn by "Raiders of the Lost Ark" villain RenΓ© Belloq during his visit to the pyramids in the film.

It wasn't the first time Melania faced criticism for one of her outfits on her visit to Africa. During her tour of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx, Melania told reporters, "I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear," following backlash for wearing a white pith helmet.

"You know what? We just completed an amazing trip," she added. "We went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, we went to Kenya, here we are in Egypt. I want to talk about my trip, not what I wear."

Brown pants weren't a great choice for Melania's evening arrival at the White House in December 2018.
v
Donald and Melania Trump in December 2018.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Donald and Melania Trump arrived at the White House on the evening of December 27, holding hands as they walked across the lawn.

While the president was in a suit, Melania wore a green jacket, light-brown pants, and matching shoes.

The pants might have been a better choice for a daytime look, as it was difficult for some to tell if the first lady was even wearing bottoms at first glance in the dark. The addition of sunglasses to her nighttime look was also an odd choice.

Melania's outfit would have worked better during the day or with different pants.

In April 2019, Melania rocked a stylish polka-dot dress.
Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2019.
Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2019.

Xinhua/Ting Shen/Getty Images

In April 2019, the first lady was photographed at the White House in a black-and-white polka-dot dress designed by Alessandra Rich.

The high-neck dress cinched at the waist with a black belt, coordinating with the dots on the dress, and hit her mid-calf.

Melania wore a cream coat over her shoulders and her signature sunglasses, adding glamour to the feminine look.

Gloves brought an elegant touch to her look for a June 2019 state dinner in the UK.
Melania Trump and Prince Charles in June 2019.
Melania Trump and then-Prince Charles in June 2019.

VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

During a visit to the UK, Melania attended a state dinner with the royal family in a Dior gown.

A layer of semi-sheer fabric covered the gown's scooped neckline, forming points on the top of the bodice before transitioning into white fabric. The dress hugged her figure before flaring slightly at her waist.

Melania wore white, elbow-length gloves with the dress. The look was fitting for dining with royalty.

She appeared to take a page out of Kate Middleton's fashion book when she and the president hosted the royals for dinner during the same trip.
Donald and Melania Trump in June 2019.
Donald and Melania Trump in June 2019.

CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of a dinner at Winfield House, where the American ambassador to the UK lives, Melania was photographed in a red Givenchy gown.

Melania's floor-length dress was sleeveless and featured a built-in cape, a silhouette Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, often favors.

Melania's yellow and pink outfit in December 2019 was almost too colorful.
Donald and Melania Trump in December 2019.
Donald and Melania Trump in December 2019.

Victoria Jones/Getty Images

During another visit to the UK in December 2019, Melania stepped out in a high-neck, cape coat from Valentino. The coat was mustard yellow, and Melania paired it with a pink dress and coordinating pumps.

The jacket was a big statement in and of itself, so the look would have been more effective if the first lady had worn a more neutral color with it than bright pink.

Melania's black-and-white look for the Daytona 500 in February 2020 was stylish.
Donald and Melania Trump at the Daytona 500 in February 2020.
Donald and Melania Trump at the Daytona 500 in February 2020.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Melania's black Dior sundress was fairly simple. The midi-length dress featured a V-neckline and a white, dotted pattern.

The white lace belt from AlaΓ―a and white Christian Louboutin pumps she wore with the dress made the look cohesive, and she also added sunglasses to the outfit.

The look balanced Melania's personal style and traditional first lady attire.

A pink dress Melania wore during the virtual Republican National Convention in August 2020 would have been better without bow detailing.
Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.
Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania appeared alongside Trump in a hot-pink midi-dress from Jason Wu at the 2020 RNC.

The dress featured a boat neckline and a flared skirt, and two black bows sat on the waistline, which appeared to be cinched with elastic. Melania wore black pumps with the dress.

The bows on the dress could have been chic, but they looked a bit crumpled throughout the night, particularly because they sat atop the ruched waistline and contrasted so heavily with the pink fabric. The dress would have been a better fit if there had just been one or no bows on the waistline.

She wore a pleated dress at the 2020 RNC, but the green color felt out of place.
Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.
Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Melania wore a cape dress to close out the RNC, choosing a neon-green piece from Valentino.

The ankle-length, high-neck dress was covered in vertical pleats and featured two swaths of fabric flowing out from her shoulders like a cape. She added a thin pink belt and pink pumps to the outfit.

The silhouette was beautiful, but the green color was an odd choice for the RNC. The color detracted attention from Trump, and as Vanity Fair reported, it allowed social-media users to easily make memes out of the outfit using green screen technology.

If she had worn the dress in a different color, Melania's look would have been a slam dunk.

In November 2020, Melania wore a gingham coat that featured a stylish, built-in scarf.
Melania Trump in November 2020.
Melania Trump in November 2020.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Melania oversaw the delivery of the 2020 White House Christmas tree in a gingham coat from Balenciaga.

The loose-fitting coat featured an off-center line of buttons, and the collar formed a scarf that wrapped around one of Melania's shoulders. Quarter-length sleeves showed off the first lady's black gloves, just as the knee-length hem spotlighted her black boots from AlaΓ―a.

The look was effortlessly chic.

Melania's final outfit as first lady in January 2021 offered a full circle moment.
Donald and Melania Trump in January 2021.
Donald and Melania Trump in January 2021.

ALEX EDELMAN / AFP / Getty Images

When Trump left office in January 2021, Melania chose to wear an all-black outfit.

She paired a form-fitting Dolce & Gabbana dress with a cropped Chanel coat, gloves, Christian Louboutin pumps, and dark sunglasses.

The look seemed to nod to Jackie Kennedy, just as her first outfit as first lady did. However, the darker hues spoke to the more somber tone of the day for the Trumps.

Melania also made headlines for changing into a beachy dress before arriving at Mar-a-Lago later in the day.

When she returned to the White House on January 20, Melania set a new tone as first lady.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump on Inauguration Day 2025.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump on Inauguration Day 2025.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Rather than wearing another pastel look to mark the beginning of her husband's second term as president, Melania donned navy and white for the 2025 inauguration.

Adam Lippes designed her coat, which she paired with a white scarf, navy pumps, and a custom boater-style hat from Eric Javits. Boater hats are typically worn in summer, but the wool piece Melania wore offered a winter version.

Although the hat got some negative attention online as people compared it to the one the Hamburglar or V in "V For Vendetta" wore, Melania's inaugural outfit was a savvy choice. The look set a serious tone, blending professional style with Melania's personal taste.

Melania also managed to pull attention from Trump with the look, which was a feat considering how many eyes he had on him throughout the day.

And her custom dress for the 2025 inaugural balls had a modern edge.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump onstage at the 2025 Inaugural Ball, with a screen showing red, white, and blue lights behind them. He's wearing a black tux, and she's wearing a white strapless gown with a black strip of fabric zig-zagging across the bodice and straight down the skirt,
Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the 2025 inaugural ball.

Jim WATSON / AFP

Melania opted for another custom HervΓ© Pierre dress for the 2025 inaugural balls, arriving in a black-and-white dress that felt like a continuation of the fashion story she started with the look she wore during the day.

The strapless dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a zig-zag of black fabric adorned the bodice before framing a slit on one side of the skirt.

A coordinating choker with a brooch completed the stylish gown.

Read the original article on Business Insider

A former soldier in North Korea's army says he was restricted to firing 3 bullets a year

25 January 2025 at 03:23
A composite image showing, left, Hyunseung Lee seated and gesticulating during his interview with Business Insider; and right, Kim Jong Un waving to crowd of troops.
North Korean escapee Hyunseung Lee, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Business Insider/KCNA via Reuters

  • A North Korean who escaped the country described his days in the Korean People's Army.
  • He told BI that he trained men from the Storm Corps, the elite unit believed to be fighting Ukraine.
  • He described tough training conditions, dated equipment, and little ammo.

Constant propaganda as well as limited access to ammunition β€” or even toilet paper β€” were the stark realities of being in North Korea's army, a former soldier told Business Insider.

Hyunseung Lee, who was born in North Korea in 1985, defected with his family in 2014. Today he lives and works as a consultant for the Global Peace Foundation in Washington, DC.

During his years in the military, Lee says he trained soldiers from the 11th Corps β€” or Storm Corps β€” the elite unit now believed to be fighting alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine.

In an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November, Lee described those soldiers as victims of a "ruthless deal" between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin. He urged Zelenskyy to target them with psychological tactics.

Lee spoke to Business Insider for an in-depth interview about how North Korea really works.

Shared underwear and no ammo

Lee's firsthand knowledge of the North Korean military was developed during the rule of Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father, who died in 2011.

Nonetheless, his insight gives a rare snapshot of the hermit kingdom, as well as its military operations.

Lee told BI that he joined the North Korean military in April 2002.

After training, he said his first unit was the 4th Corps Reconnaissance Artillery Battalion, a special force devoted mainly to infiltrating enemy bases and transmitting back their coordinates for artillery attacks.

It was a grueling life β€” one in which there were no proper shower facilities, food was poor, and trainees had to improvise their own toilet paper, he said.

"The first day, I used my sock to wipe," Lee said, adding that later it was leaflets, books, or leaves.

Underwear was also communal, he added.

"We washed them together and then the senior officers distribute underwear randomly."

Lee said he was paid 50 North Korean won a month β€” about the price of an ice cream.

Soldiers would then supplement their income with private business, which was against the law, he added. "Basically, no one could make a living with the North Korean payroll system."

North Korean troops fired mortars during a mortar firing drill in North Korea in 2020.
North Korean troops fire mortars in a state media-provided image.

Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Having no experience of the outside world, Lee said he believed that the North Korean army could take on the US and win. Yet he said the equipment they were using was "from World War II."

Training was also massively restricted due to fears of breaking equipment that could not be replaced, he told BI.

When it came to weapons training β€” on a North Korean version of the AK-47 β€” there was very little shooting because bullets were "strictly controlled," Lee said.

"So the first year of my military service, I was only able to shoot three bullets," he said.

Storm Corps: 'Zero relationship with modern warfare'

Lee said he spent six months training soldiers from the Storm Corps, after being transferred to a special tactics unit that taught techniques in shooting, knife throwing, and martial arts.

Drawn from taller and more well-built soldiers, Lee said the corps is an elite unit trained in operations on foreign soil β€” namely airborne missions, sniping, and light infantry work.

In October, reports emerged that North Korea was using the Storm Corps for the forces it was sending to Russia.

During Lee's time with the corps, they at least had more bullets to work with, he said. But "the regime cannot provide fuel and an airplane," which meant the airborne troops had to practice by jumping off a model, he said.

Kim Jong Un, left, with an official looking at suicide attack drones during a test of the technology on November 14, 2024. Picture and information is a state media handout and unverified by independent journalists. The drones have been blurred out by state media.
Kim Jong Un among blurred missiles in this North Korean state media photo from November 2024.

KCNA via KCNA Watch

While North Korea and Russia have long shared similar tactics and equipment, when it comes to advanced tactics it's likely another story, Lee said.

"I would say their training has zero relationship with modern warfare," he said of the Storm Corps.

Last year, a Ukrainian official told Business Insider that the Storm Corps was likely learning deadly new drone techniques on the battlefield.

North Korea experts have also previously told BI that the soldiers β€” despite their proud status back in North Korea β€” would likely be at the bottom of the pecking order in Russia. It's an assessment Lee shares.

He said there would also be communication problems, with Russian soldiers taking advantage of the North Korean troops. Ukraine has already claimed that language barriers have caused deadly friendly fire incidents.

Asked if the Storm Corps will survive fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, Lee said: "I honestly don't know."

But he said they'll want to get back home as soon as possible. "They want to go back, and they want to be alive."

Read the original article on Business Insider

I hold low-key parties at my house monthly. It's been the best thing for my social life.

25 January 2025 at 03:12
Friends hanging out in a big apartment, some on a couch in a living room and some in a kitchen while cooking.
The author (not pictured) hosts monthly parties.

South_agency/Getty Images

  • My husband and I started hosting monthly parties at our apartment last year.
  • They're low-stakes β€” people bring their own snacks and drinks and don't have to RSVP.
  • It's completely changed my social life for the better.

In April last year, I emailed around 20 people my husband and I know, inviting them to a party at our place. There were guidelines:

  • Wear whatever.
  • BYOB + snacks, and bring anything. If we end up with 10 of the same chips, it's fine.
  • Don't RSVP. We don't need to know if you're coming or hear any apologies if not. We release you from the stress of committing ahead of time.

A bunch of people came. Friends from different areas of our lives became friends with each other. It was relaxed, delightful, and turned out to be one of the best things I've done for my social life.

This was the first iteration of the Monthly Party (MP), our recurring open-house gathering that removes the implicit pressure of more formal or less frequent events. If you miss one MP, no big deal; there will be another. If you don't know if you'll feel like socializing that day, cool; just decide the day of. There's no itinerary, no structure, just a good old-fashioned hang. It requires little else from me except sending an email a few weeks before each MP to set the date.

Everyone just wants to hang out

I was inspired to kick off our MP by my friend Stephanie Logan, who has hosted an interview podcast and spoken on connection in Washington, D.C. Along with MPs, she and her fiancΓ© also host an annual summer camp takeover for all their friends. I asked her why she started her MPs.

"I was so sick of texting everyone and making Doodle polls to try to find a good time and then running myself ragged trying to be a picturesque host," she said. "Monthly Party works because we just pick a day, and whoever can come shows up with no obligation to dress up or bring a themed dish, my house doesn't have to be spotless, and everyone just gets to hang out, which is why we all want to go to a party anyway."

It's true β€” don't we all just want to hang out? Much has been written about how people are lonelier, spend less time together, and have a harder time making friends. A recent article in The Atlantic, "Americans Need to Party More," offered a proposed solution and hit a nerve online; I saw some social media chatter in response about how it's too hard to party because of lack of space or expense.

We need to rethink what a party has to be, from what should be brought to one to the proper space for hosting. My husband and I live in an apartment, not some huge house with a yard, and it's just fine. And MPs aren't expensive because it's BYO-almost everything (we have some easy snacks and drinks on hand). The email sets the tone that this isn't some blowout soiree, so we don't have to offer one.

It's a low-stakes, low-key social environment

My initial anxiety, the same one other people express when I tell them about MPs, was that no one would come β€” how do you know you won't be left to wallow in a tragically empty apartment?

Well, you don't. If we're going to become a society that's more social, we might have to embrace the discomfort of the unexpected. I had to commit to not being too disappointed if the turnout is low or nonexistent. People are busy. I do not believe that the people in my life secretly hate me, and that's why they're not coming. I had to just hope that the generosity of attendance would mirror the generosity of the invite. That's a social contract I think we've lost our grips on a bit.

Besides, if no one comes, I'm just hanging out at home like I was already; I've not done any major prep. If only two people who don't know each other come, I play Good Hostess and get a conversation going. Everyone who comes is aware of the deal here β€” they, too, assume any potential social discomfort.

These worries have been unfounded anyway. In something like seven MPs, we've had anywhere from four guests to more than 15. One went on until the wee hours, and I was nearly soothed to sleep in the corner of my couch by the satisfying din of my friends enjoying each other's company. People have preemptively asked when the next one will be. One friend brags that he's been to every single one. Another said she's inspired to start her own.

I think people are craving this kind of social environment just like I was, so I hope they take to heart what I realized: It doesn't have to be a whole thing. Just send an email and open your doors.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Bad Bunny fears Puerto Rico will become the new Hawaii. He's not alone.

25 January 2025 at 02:43
Bad Bunny performing songs from his new album on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon."
Bad Bunny's new album, "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos," draws a parallel between Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Todd Owyoung/NBC/Getty Images

  • Bad Bunny's new album, "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos," dropped earlier this month.
  • It features traditional folk music from Puerto Rico, where the artist is from.
  • The lyrics touch on the gentrification of Puerto Rico and draw a stark parallel with Hawaii.

Pristine sandy beaches, lush green rainforests, and azure waters that stretch as far as the eye can see.

To some, Hawaii is a paradise β€” but Bad Bunny has a different view.

His new album "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos," or "I Should've Taken More Photos," notched up more than 150 million streams in its first week of release this month, overtaking Taylor Swift on Billboard's Top 200. He's been one of the most-streamed artists on platforms such as Spotify for several years.

Bad Bunny at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on October 05, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Bad Bunny's real name is Benito Antonio MartΓ­nez Ocasio.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images

Infused with traditional Puerto Rican folk music like plena, salsa, and bomba and featuring independent artists from the island like Los Pleneros de la Cresta and Chuwi, "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos" is an homage to Puerto Rico. It shows that Bunny no longer has to "lean on reggaeton" to dominate the charts, Nuria Net, a Latin music and culture journalist, told Business Insider.

But aside from the catchy rhythms and Bunny's viral moments promoting the album on TV chat shows, "concern pervades this entire record," Petra Rivera-Rideau, associate professor of American studies and co-creator of the Bad Bunny Syllabus, told BI.

It's most obvious on track 14, "Lo Que PasΓ³ a Hawaii," which translates to "What happened to Hawaii" β€” a song reflecting growing concern among some Puerto Ricans that their island is in danger of suffering the same overdevelopment as Hawaii.

A symbol of displacement

Those who grew up in Puerto Rico say it wasn't uncommon to hear Hawaii mentioned in debates around statehood β€” a question the island has wrestled with for more than a century.

Like Hawaii, Puerto Rico was annexed to the US in the late 19th century. While the former went on to become a fully-fledged state, the latter remains a territory with limited voting privileges.

"There was a tendency of comparing," said Daniel NevΓ‘rez AraΓΊjo, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and coauthor of "The Bad Bunny Enigma: Culture, Resistance, and Uncertainty," recalling his childhood.

For those in favor of statehood, Hawaii was often held up as a "model example of what Puerto Rico should be β€” progress and fully American," Net said.

An aerial view of Waikiki Beach in Hawaii with Diamond Head in the background.
Hawaii was the state with the highest cost of living in 2024.

James Kirkikis/Shutterstock

But the comparison has become more complicated in recent years, Illeana Rodriquez-Silva, an associate professor of Latin American and Caribbean history at the University of Washington-Seattle, told BI.

She said a wave of affluent settlers from the US mainland came in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which destroyed tens of thousands of homes in 2017 and forced about 130,000 people to relocate.

Lured by tax breaks that sought to help Puerto Rico bring in investment and entrepreneurship, they bought up property and land, Rodriguez-Silva said.

Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico
After Hurricane Maria, some investors were drawn to the island looking for property bargains.

AFP Contributor/Getty Images

"That's when I started hearing, 'we're going be like Hawaii,'" she said. "And what they are referring to is this moment in the late 19th century where US white elites were able to come in and actually start taking land" in Hawaii, she added.

Just as some Hawaiians lament tourists treating their islands like theme parks and increasing the cost of living, Puerto Ricans started feeling the impact of gentrification, NevΓ‘rez AraΓΊjo said.

"If you look at Rincon, Aguada, even MayagΓΌez, Aguadilla, there's a massive exodus of expats coming here buying properties," he said. "Everyone else can't afford to go to the grocery store."

NevΓ‘rez AraΓΊjo said Bad Bunny is vocalizing concerns that the island is "slowly being emptied out" and becoming a place that's "not for Puerto Ricans."

Tempered optimism

On "Lo Que PasΓ³ a Hawaii," Bunny calls on Puerto Ricans to retain their flag and not forget their roots.

It's a stark warning, but in "subverting the narrative" that the island should aspire to be like Hawaii, Net said it offers hope and pride to Puerto Ricans who have grappled with a "nagging feeling that nothing we do is ever good enough."

bad bunny
Bad Bunny holds a Puerto Rican flag in a demonstration calling for Gov. Ricardo RossellΓ³'s resignation in San Juan, Puerto Rico in July 2019.

ERIC ROJAS/AFP/Getty Images

Rivera-Rideau said the song also captures the political spirit of a new generation of Puerto Ricans, who, like Bunny, grew up seeing the island's problems mount and now want change.

"His concerns about electricity and infrastructure, gentrification, tourism, the economy, opportunities, growth for the future β€” those are concerns that many Puerto Ricans have," she said.

In recent years, events like the ousting of the island's former governor Ricardo RossellΓ³ after widespread protests have shown that "young adults are really energized," Rivera-Rideau said.

Bad Bunny performs during his Most Wanted Tour at Coliseo de Puerto Rico JosΓ© Miguel Agrelot on June 7, 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny's seventh album voices his fears about the future of Puerto Rico.

Gladys Vega/Getty Images

In "Marketing Puerto Rico," Bunny runs a risk of attracting more mainlanders, people who listen to the music simply because they find it "exotic" and catchy, NevΓ‘rez AraΓΊjo cautioned.

Still, for many young Puerto Ricans, "Debir Tirar Mas Fotos" is "the closest they will get to voicing those fears and those anxieties" about the island's future, he said.

Some TikTok users have taken to posting photos and videos of people and places they've lost, set to the album's title track, indicating that Bunny's music is resonating on the island and further afield.

"Many of these songs are pointing out the story of displacement," Rodriquez-Silva said. "That is something that is so real to many of us today."

Read the original article on Business Insider

Ukraine's Kursk invasion was a risky play, but it might have nailed the timing

25 January 2025 at 02:27
A still from a video shows a missile firing from the back of a vehicle, sparking flames at nighttime
A still from a video that was released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service shows a Russian "Grad" self-propelled multiple rocket launcher firing towards Ukrainian positions in Russia's Kursk region.

Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

  • Ukraine took a huge risk attacking into Russia and taking territory last year.
  • It has had positives and negatives for both countries.
  • But if it still holds enough of the territory as Trump pushes for negotiations it could pay off.

Ukraine's risky gamble to seize Russian territory could ultimately pay off, if for no other reason than the timing.

Ukrainian forces rolled the dice on a gamble and advanced into the Russian region of Kursk in August. They opted to use precious manpower and weaponry in a bold play to divert Russian resources, create a buffer zone, seize the momentum, and take land and prisoners that could be exchanged in future negotiations. The move into Kursk was a shocking development in the Ukraine war, the front lines of which had been static for months.

But the results of the surprise incursion have been mixed. While war experts have said it was a reasonable call given the morale and momentum wins, as well as the upsetting of Russia's war plans, the move hasn't significantly relieved pressure on the front lines in Ukraine, and the Ukrainians have struggled to hold a lot of what they captured.

Despite the setbacks, the timing of this thing could make it worthwhile. Right now, Ukraine is holding Russian territory amid a new push to end the war through negotiations.

Whoever holds territory in Kursk "is going to be in the box seat for any ceasefire negotiations," Col. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a defense expert and a former commander for the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear forces, told Business Insider.

New talk of negotiations

Tim Willasey-Wilsey, a conflict resolution expert at King's College London and a former British diplomat, said this month that for Ukraine, the Kursk operation was "quite deliberate" because it was "trying to take some territory which could lead to bargaining."

And now Trump's re-election has created new talk of efforts to revolve the war through negotiations.

Trump has repeatedly said that he would end the war through negotiations. This week, he said he would put more economic pressure on Russia to get it to make a deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also signaled an increased willingness to enter talks.

Zelenskyy said in November the parts of Ukraine still under its own control could be taken "under the NATO umbrella" as part of an agreement that still holds Ukraine's borders as its internationally recognized borders. He said Ukraine could then negotiate the return of its own territory that was still under Russian control "in a diplomatic way."

De Bretton-Gordon said Zelenskyy's comments reinforce that "Kursk is absolutely key."

A "victory plan" Zelenskyy unveiled in October also called for the continuation of Ukraine's work in Kursk, hinting at its value. De Bretton-Gordon said it shows Zelenskyy may be seeing Kursk as "a key bargaining chip."

Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told BI that given Trump is "almost certain" to push negotiations, "it's good to have this bargaining chip." Plus, he said, negotiations are likely to take place sooner than they would have under a Kamala Harris presidency, making it more likely that Ukraine could hold on to a significant chunk of Kursk.

"It could work out well" for Ukraine, he said.

Kursk holds significance for the Russians, as it was a key battle and turning point in World War II. Holding Kursk gives Ukraine, which has often been on its back foot, something it can use in negotations.

Russia may want to fight over Kursk

There's no guarantee it gets to negotiations, though. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson said last month that Russia sees "no grounds for negotiations yet." Putin has signaled that he doesn't want to slow down and take his foot off the gas.

George Barros, a conflict expert at the Institute for the Study of War, told BI Kursk "certainly can" play a role in negotiations, but he suspects that Russian President Vladimir Putin would rather fight rather than negotiate for Kursk.

Negotiating over his own territory would be a "massive humiliation for Putin," he said.

Russia hasn't pushed as hard as it could in Kursk. Barros said "it's quite clear to me that Kursk has not been a primary objective." Were that to change, it could have significant effects.

There are limits to what Russia can do. Focusing on Kursk could mean taking more troops out of Ukraine β€” something Ukraine wants as it takes the pressure off its forces. That might open the door for Ukraine to take back more of its own territory. It's hard to know.

Negotiations might still be a long way off

If there are negotiations, they may not be immediate, and Ukraine will need to be holding a good-sized chunk to use Kursk as a bargaining chip.

Ukraine has lost much of what it held, though warfare experts said it likely gave some of that up willingly to strategically defend other parts. Some experts are still bullish about what Ukraine is holding. De Bretton-Gordon, for instance, said "Ukraine's still holding a significant amount."

And Ukraine also executed a new offensive push in Kursk this month. The move was "likely to grant Kyiv diplomatic leverage," Can Kasapoğlu, a political-military expert at the Hudson Institute, wrote recently.

But for the gamble to pay off for Ukraine in terms of timing, Ukraine still needs to be holding ground if negotiations turn real β€” something Trump advisors said could take months more. That could be a tall order, but with the possibility of talks being openly discussed, that makes Kursk even more important.

Read the original article on Business Insider

See photos of America's failed attempt to create a tank out of a tractor

25 January 2025 at 02:23
An illustration of the hybrid tank prototype.
An illustration of the hybrid tank prototype.

Landships.info

  • The US military sought to develop a tank to break the trench warfare stalemate during World War I.
  • British and French tanks inspired the US Army to design their own armored vehicle.
  • The US tractor-turned-tank failed but influenced future tank and armored vehicle development.

The US military sought an armored weapon to bypass the heavily defended trenches along the Western Front during World War I.

Traditional infantry and cavalry tactics weren't cutting it against the heavy artillery and especially machine guns, calling for shielded firepower to strike fortified positions. The emergence of British and French tanks prompted the US Army, which lacked experience with tank development, to design a tank of their own to overcome the stalemate.

But the US' ambitious endeavor to create a successful armored vehicle fell short, with a prototype that was impractical for combat just as the war was ending.

Nonetheless, the failed prototype laid the groundwork for tanks and armored vehicles of the future.

Tractor turned tank
A 1917 Holt gun tractor on display at a fair in Dorset, England.
A 1917 Holt gun tractor on display at a fair in Dorset, England.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Leveraging its domestic transportation industry, the US military partnered with Holt Manufacturing Company, known for its tractors used to tow artillery.

They developed a prototype built off of an existing Holt Model 75 tractor powered by a modified hybrid gas-electric engine. The four-cylinder gasoline engine supplied power to two General Electric motors that drove each track individually for improved mobility and had enough space at the front to accommodate its main cannon.

Tracked treads better distribute weight than wheels and allow a vehicle to cross more types of terrain β€” an especially important quality for heavy vehicles whose weight is measured in many tons.

Design
Sketches that detail the design of the Holt hybrid tank prototype.
Sketches that detail the design of the Holt hybrid tank prototype.

miSci- Museum of Innovation & Science/Google Arts and Culture

Protected by a layer of 15mm steel armor, the tank could accommodate a crew of six β€” commander, driver, two machine gunners, a main gunner, and a loader.

It was armed with a Vickers mountain cannon at the front and two machine guns on either side of the boxy tank.

The tank was a response to the annihilating firepower seen on the Western Front, where artillery barrages were commonplace and advancing columns of foot soldiers were mowed down by emplaced machine gunners.

The sheer scale of the carnage was shocking. In the Allied offensive known as the Battle of the Somme in 1916, an estimated 620,000 British and French troops were killed or wounded.

A shielded hull was intended to carry troops past deadly machine gun nests and target those positions with heavy fire, clearing the path for infantry.

Problems
The tank prototype rolls over a hill.
The tank prototype rolls over a hill.

Landships.info

However, its bulky armor and equipped weaponry made the prototype of the hybrid tank far too heavy, weighing about 25 tons. Its 90-horsepower engine struggled to propel the tank, which moved at a top speed of 6 mph and was practically immobile on an incline.

That was hugely underpowered. A modern M1 Abrams, the US Army's main battle tank, moves its 68-ton bulk around with a 1,500-horsepower engine.

A more successful variation
People ride atop the tracked vehicle, one of which has an electrically-propelled gun mount.
People ride atop two tracked vehicles, one of which has an electrically propelled gun mount.

miSci- Museum of Innovation & Science

But the US military didn't give up. Instead, it chose to create a variation of the first design by adding just an electrically propelled gun mount to the gas-electric tractor.

While more successful than its predecessor, the armed tractor ultimately never made it to combat since it was completed after the armistice was signed and WWI came to an end.

Poor timing
A person riding the hybrid tank shows their head above the vehicle.
A person riding the hybrid tank shows their head above the vehicle.

miSci- Museum of Innovation & Science

Though the hybrid tank didn't appear on the battlefield, it did appear on the silver screen.

American animation studio International Film Service, owned by media magnate William Randolph Hearst, produced a miniseries in 1917 that featured vehicles similar in design to the Holt tank.

The series' final battle featured US troops ahead of a twin-turreted prop tank, though much of the footage for the series has been destroyed or lost in the last century.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I got a job at Deloitte but was miserable and quit at 24. Now I'm doing what I love and will never go back.

25 January 2025 at 02:10
Nicole Chan Loeb
Nicole Chan Loeb

Courtesy Nicole Chan Loeb

  • Nicole Chan Loeb is a 38-year-old photographer, videographer, and mother of two.
  • She started her career as a management consultant at Deloitte and quit after two years.
  • As a photographer, she's able to be present for her family while doing work that she loves.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole Chan Loeb, a 38-year-old former Deloitte management consultant who quit in 2010 and is now a photographer and videographer in Boston. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I've always loved numbers and excelled at math, so I majored in finance in college. In my junior year, I took a business class that involved project-based work, igniting my passion for management consulting. After speaking with Deloitte representatives during an on-campus job fair, I applied and was accepted to an internship for the summer after my junior year.

I enjoyed the internship. I had a great team, lots of support, and a clear progression path within the company. At the end of the summer, I received a return offer, which I accepted.

As a first-generation child of immigrants, I felt like my parents came to the US so I could have these opportunities. I think they were excited and proud of me for studying finance, graduating, and landing a job like this. But that path didn't last for long.

I hated the exhausting hustle culture

I started working at Deloitte full-time in the fall of 2008 after graduating. My job required extremely long hours in what was known as the 3-4-5 program β€” three nights in a hotel, four days at a client site, and a fifth day back in the office. I flew to a client site every Monday, stayed through Wednesday night, and flew back to Boston on Thursday. It wasn't a good work-life balance.

I worked on three significant projects during my two years at Deloitte. Being between projects was called being "on the beach," which could hurt your utilization ratio, affecting raises and bonuses. We were expected to find projects to stay busy with, so I took on initiatives for the company like volunteering and writing white papers.

It was a hustle, churn-and-burn culture, and it was exhausting. I hated it, but was too shy to raise my concerns.

I overheard senior managers and partners airing their frustrations about lack of time with partners and families. Having a family and balance was something I wanted in the future, but I could see myself getting sucked in for the next 15 to 25 years, feeling financially comfortable but never having time to be home.

I also didn't feel much job satisfaction; despite having a lot of work, my impact felt insignificant. One particularly awful week, I thought to myself, I can't imagine feeling like this for the rest of my life.

I remember sitting in a Thai restaurant and telling my then-boyfriend, now-husband, about it. He said, "You're miserable. You're going to run yourself to the ground. Why don't you just leave?" He encouraged me to pursue photography as a career. Ever since I was young, I've loved photography, and with my Deloitte salary, I'd upgraded my gear and kit, but I'd never considered it as a career.

At first, I shrugged him off, but I started thinking more about it and eventually decided to take the leap. In August 2010, I put in my eight weeks' notice to give the company time to find a replacement and in October 2010, at 24 years old, I left Deloitte.

The fear of having to return to finance motivated me

During my eight-week notice period, I created a website, posted on social media, and gave out business cards at marketing and networking events on the Fridays and Saturdays I was home.

I made soft announcements to friends. Some were supportive and immediately referred me to friends and family, but others warned that I'd wasted my college education and that photography should stay a hobby or a side hustle.

I actually didn't tell my parents for the first couple of years. They'd worked so hard that for me to say, "Hey, I'm going to leave my very comfortable, stable job with benefits and a retirement plan to do my own thing" was terrifying.

I gave myself two years to replace my Deloitte salary. If I couldn't achieve this, I'd return to another corporate job and keep photography as a hobby. The fear of needing to return to finance if I couldn't make this work was a really strong motivator.

It took me several months to get my first clients. To get my name out there, I did free photoshoots and assisted established photographers. I poured kindness and passion into my first clients and asked them to give me honest feedback, and they returned my kindness with referrals.

I found that many skills I'd learned at Deloitte transferred over to my new career β€” active listening to client concerns, professional client communications, presentation skills, understanding what clients want, both spoken and unspoken, and bridging strategy and creativity.

After the first 18 months, I saw that it could be a sustainable career.

I'd never consider going back

I don't ever miss working in consulting and wouldn't consider returning to that fast-paced life, although I'm not sure if the culture has changed.

Being a wedding photographer allows me to be present for my family while doing work I love. I choose clients who align with my values and structure my schedule to be intentional with my time. I can pick my kids up from school every day, take midweek adventures, and never have to ask for permission to travel.

I love capturing small, unscripted emotions that couples and families will cherish forever. I don't regret anything, and I'm very grateful for my supportive partner who encouraged me to pursue this passion.

I'm thankful for the mentors that I had at Deloitte, who were terrific role models, endlessly brilliant, and supportive. I still use the skills they taught me today in my photography work, and I wouldn't be who I am today without the experience of working there.

I hope that the humility and kindness that drove my career forward haven't gone away. It's really cool that I can make a comfortable living by taking pictures, and I don't take that for granted.

Deloitte representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

If you quit a Big Four consulting firm to pursue a different career and would like to share your story, email Jane Zhang at janezhang@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
❌
❌