• In my early 20s, I saw a story about sending a letter to deployed soldiers.
• I hadn't made many friends after college, so I wrote one and sent it with cookies.
• In 1995, I married one of the soldiers with whom I had become a pen pal.

In 1990, I was in my early 20s, living in my first apartment and in my first post-college job.

Still, I wasn't like other women my age. I had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and was facing hip replacement surgery. Dating and love weren't on my radar.

One evening, I saw a media story encouraging Americans to send letters to "Any Soldier" to support deployed troops. I wrote a patriotic letter, thanking whoever received it for their service, and put it in a shoebox with homemade cookies. Duty done.

I wasn't expecting to meet my husband like that.

A crew wrote back

A few weeks later, I received a letter, not from a US Marine Corps tank crew thanking me for the package and telling me a little about themselves. One of them mentioned that "Sgt. Ski" (the quiet one) read my letter on Good Morning America.

As the holidays approached, I sent Christmas cards to each of the four-person crew. I began receiving letters from each of them, including Sgt. Bill Mioduszewski. The crew and I exchanged group letters and audiotapes. They even painted my name on the side of their tank.

While quiet in real life, Bill was a marathon letter writer, sharing about his favorite bands, hometown, family, the cookies his grandma sent, and why he joined the Marines. He asked me about my life and the concerts he assumed I was attending back home.

When we met, he didn't feel like a stranger

Though Bill and I were strangers, we developed an easy, unguarded bond through our correspondence. Still, I didn't share my health issue with him; to be honest, I didn't think we'd ever meet. He asked for my phone number, but I didn't think he'd ever call.

But in April 1991, when he turned to the US, he did. We continued to write over the next two years and talk on the phone occasionally. I was chatty and flirty, and he was quiet and amused.

As time passed, Bill talked more frequently about meeting. I made excuses. I was afraid that if we met, he would see I didn't look like I did in that flattering picture I had sent the crew in 1990; I had gained 50 lbs. from medications for my health condition.

He pushed me to set a date to meet in 1992. I told him I was having surgery and needed to take time off for that. He sent me flowers and a sweet get-well card. I had put him off again.

In 1993, Bill was transferred from the West Coast to the East, now only a nine-hour drive away. I had no more excuses. I wrote to him and told him why I was afraid to meet.

When I didn't hear back immediately, I assumed the worst. Two weeks later, I got his reply: "I don't care if I come there, you come here, or we meet halfway — we are going to meet."

So we set a date, Labor Day weekend in 1993. As soon as we saw each other, he went for a long embrace. It didn't feel like we were strangers then.

We've been married for 29 years

That night, we went out with a friend and her husband. We went back to their house to watch a late-night TV show, and Bill and I laughed at the same stupid jokes. I took him to a few Florida touristy spots and tried to impress him with my culinary skills.

Three days after we met, he shyly kissed me. We were falling in love, not in the usual way, but as friends who knew each other pretty well before we "technically" met. Two months later, he quietly told me he loved me, and I told him I loved him, too. In November 1995, we got married.

Since then, we have lived all over and gone through life's lows and highs, including illness, deployments, infertility and miscarriages, buying our first home, welcoming our only child, and career changes, including his retirement from the Marines.

In September 2001, when I was seven months pregnant with our son, Bill went to California for desert training. He unexpectedly ran into his former lieutenant, the one who made him read my "Any Soldier" letter on TV.

Bill said, "Remember our pen pal, Vikki? I married her and she's having our son." The then-USMC major responded with a look of surprise followed by an "Ooh ra! Hope he's born on the Marine Corps birthday." I missed the 226^th by a couple of days.

This year, Sgt. Ski and I will celebrate our 29th anniversary. What began as a dutiful letter and melted cookies in a shoebox addressed to "Any Soldier" landed exactly where they were meant to, if you believe in fate — and we do.

• Henry Butler was diagnosed with an early stage of prostate cancer at age 49.
• He was given a lot of treatment options and ultimately chose a prostatectomy.
• It's been five years since his surgery. While he's physically back to normal, his life is forever changed.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Henry Butler, who is a prostate cancer survivor. He lives in the UK with his wife, where they run a wine shop together. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

When I found out I might have prostate cancer, I was on holiday with my family, sitting on a boat.

I remember getting the phone call from my doctor saying that my PSA levels were slightly above what they should be for my age, and I should come in for more tests because it might be cancer.

So that was fun.

When I got back, I returned to the doctor and got an internal examination with the finger up the backside. That's when he said my prostate didn't feel right on one side.

I wish I hadn't had so many treatment options

I was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 2019 at age 49. I'd been taking antibiotics for a sinus infection, and suddenly started getting a lot of painful UTIs.

I never prioritized doctor visits before that, but my wife insisted I schedule an appointment. Thank goodness she did.

After my doctor felt my prostate, everything was fast-tracked. I had an MRI and two biopsies. My Gleason score, which measures how aggressive the cancer is, was around three or four — high enough to consider treatment.

I was given loads of options. I sort of expected the medical experts to tell me what treatment I should have, but it was the reverse. They said this needed to be my journey, and I had to choose.

In hindsight, I wish I hadn't had all the options. My wife and I investigated them all, and I still wasn't sure which was the right one.

Then, one day, I was in the hospital, and a urologist who had bought wine from us a couple of years back recognized me.

We got to talking, and he was the first doctor I really warmed to. He told me straight up, "You've got cancer and we need to deal with it." On hearing that, I just thought, "You're the man."

We discussed the various options and ultimately decided to go with surgery.

I chose to cut out the cancer

In spring 2020, I had a prostatectomy. The doctor said I was going to feel like I'd been hit by a train after the surgery, and he was right. Getting back on track wasn't easy and took a full year.

Aside from the pain post-surgery, which got a little better each week, I had issues with incontinence and couldn't get an erection. This didn't make me feel like less of a man, though. I accepted that if there were changes, then I'd deal with it, and it would be fine.

I've got a friend who doesn't want any treatment because I think he's worried about how it would change him as a man. So he just monitors his PSA levels, but is constantly worried.

Physically, I'm back to normal

I struggled with incontinence during that first year post-surgery, but now I hardly think about it.

Sex was something my wife and I had to get used to, again. Part of my recovery involved taking Viagra every day for a year to help get everything back in working order.

My wife was worried about hurting me at first, and I was also nervous, but we got there eventually.

Physically, I'm almost completely back to normal, thanks to the incredible care I received and diligently following the recovery guidelines, like regularly walking, doing Kegel exercises, and staying positive.

However, this experience has changed my life.

My life is different after treatment

I started therapy for the first time in my life. A friend signed me up because I had the cancer thing going on, I had a couple of friends who had died, and business was struggling.

Turns out, I loved therapy. Off the back of that, I'm now in a men's group.

Before all this, the thought of joining a men's group sounded horrific. I didn't want to sit around with a bunch of men and talk about, I don't know, stuff. But it has been super rewarding.

You quickly realize that everyone's had something going on — it's not always cancer, it can be another form of trauma. We talk about masculinity and how you deal with trauma mentally, and how you communicate with each other. That's been a really good way of making connections with people.

I think that's a big thing that's changed in me. I'm better at keeping connections and being more open with my emotional side, which can be upsetting sometimes, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. You get a lot back from people if you're vulnerable.

• Interior designer Vicente Wolf shared which decor items he'd never have in his home and why.
• He said small coffee tables aren't functional enough, and short drapes can look odd.
• The designer also avoids faux fireplaces, plastic flowers, and mass-produced art.

When designing your space, deciding what not to bring into your home can be just as important as choosing which pieces to buy.  

So, Business Insider asked Vicente Wolf, an interior designer with over 40 years of experience and principal designer of Vicente Wolf Associates, to share a few things he'd never have in his own space.

Here's what he said.

Coffee tables serve a real purpose in homes, so Wolf avoids small ones

"Coffee tables offer people a place to put things down — even your feet, should you choose to," he told BI.

A generously sized coffee table is especially necessary if you don't have end tables or other flat surfaces conveniently located nearby, Wolf added.

Plastic plants can be drab and have the same stale look year-round

Wolf avoids faux plants in his home designs as they can be lifeless and unchanging. They also don't hold a candle to living ones.

"There is a joy in seeing things grow," he added.

Plus, based on the ancient practice of feng shui, which focuses on harmony and balance in a space, every room should include something living. 

Fluorescent lights can be too harsh and unflattering

Wolf avoids using fluorescent bulbs in his home because they're not very flattering in spaces or against skin tones.

"They are way too harsh for the eyes, and wreak havoc on the colors in the decor," he said.

Wolf recommends staying away from matchy-matchy bedroom sets

Matching furniture sets may be a one-step way to decorate a bedroom, but they lack originality, Wolf said.

"In my opinion, they also look dated, as society has moved toward a more relaxed vision of home styling," he told BI. "Coordinating pieces that work together is so much more fun — and alluring — but do take an extra bit of thought."

You won't find short drapes in his space

According to the designer, having drapes that hang above the floor is akin to wearing clothing that doesn't fit properly.

He said drapes typically look best when they touch the floor or puddle a ½ inch to an inch or so.

The designer replaces paper napkins with cloth ones

Although paper napkins are easier to clean up, Wolf said it's best to opt for cloth ones if you want a more sophisticated look.

Cloth napkins are wonderful for entertaining guests and are a personal luxury to use in everyday life — just make sure they're good quality.

"Buy cotton napkins that have some absorbency," he added. "You have to be able to wipe grease off your face properly."

Wolf tries to avoid reproduced and mass-produced art

Wolf said mass-produced art is the opposite of sophistication, and using it is a missed opportunity to create a more personal home design.

"I like my home and those of my clients to be an expression of how they live and who they are," he said.

So, he prioritizes special original pieces and typically steers clear of reproduced art for himself and his clients.

He suggested looking at secondhand stores for original art that "won't break the bank" or framing your own photos. After all, Wolf said, "most everything will work beautifully" in a really great frame.

Fake fireplaces don't offer the same feel as real ones

The designer said faux fireplaces can be tacky and electric inserts can't even come close to the look and feel of a real fireplace.

"If you must, a gas-powered fireplace is acceptable, but there is nothing like the real thing with real logs," he said. "So, if it doesn't light, I don't want it."

He said furniture with visible branding is tacky

He also avoids displaying labeled or branded furniture in his home. 

"It's just tasteless," Wolf said. "Why do I want to give a company free advertising?"

This story was originally published on November 7, 2022, and most recently updated on May 23, 2025.

• Anthropic banned the use of AI in job applications.
• The startup is backtracking on this policy, Mike Krieger, Anthropic's chief product officer, said.
• Anthropic is a leading AI startup that offers an AI chatbot service called Claude.

About a week ago, I told you about an odd policy at one of the top AI companies. When you apply for a job at Anthropic, the startup won't let you use AI to write a required "Why Anthropic?" essay.

That seemed a bit rich, coming from a company that's been warning us to adopt AI or face irrelevance.

On Friday, an Anthropic executive said the startup is reversing this stance.

"We're having to evolve, even as the company at the forefront of a lot of this technology, around how we evaluate candidates," Mike Krieger said during an interview on CNBC. "So our future interview loops will have much more of this ability to co-use AI."

Why would an AI company have previously not wanted people using its products like this? This technology is supposed to take over the world, revolutionizing every aspect of work and play. Why stop at job applications?

I asked Anthropic about this earlier in May. I still haven't heard back. But I think Krieger described the evolving situation thoughtfully. Here's everything he said on Friday about this issue (edited for clarity by me, not an AI bot).

"I actually was in a conversation this week around how we're revising our interview loop to actually let people use AI, because that is an actual part of the software engineering job today.

"Are you able to use these tools effectively to solve problems? Just like, I talk to people who are high school teachers and they've had to evolve, how they even think about what it means to give assignments out in the age where people are using AI.

"We're having to evolve, even as the company at the forefront of a lot of this technology, around how we evaluate candidates. So our future interview loops will have much more of this ability to co-use AI, but talk about, how did you prompt the AI? What were you trying to do with it? What are its limitations? What did you change, based on what it did?"

Anthropic is hiring a lot right now. If you go to its career website and click on a job posting, you may still see this requirement:

"While we encourage people to use AI systems during their role to help them work faster and more effectively, please do not use AI assistants during the application process," Anthropic wrote in a job posting I checked on Friday. "We want to understand your personal interest in Anthropic without mediation through an AI system, and we also want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. Please indicate 'Yes' if you have read and agree."

I assume Anthropic will update these listings soon. Maybe they'll get their Claude AI chatbot to do it?

Sign up for BI's Tech Memo newsletter here. Reach out to me via email at [email protected].

• I compared premade frozen beef patties from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods to find the best one.
• I thought the patties from Wegmans were a bit too greasy.
• I loved the burger patties from Whole Foods because they were full of great flavor.

When it comes to summer cooking, I always like to have frozen burger patties on hand. They're a quick and convenient meal I can make whenever the mood strikes. 

To find out which supermarket chain carries the best frozen burgers, I compared options from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods.

Here's how the frozen burger patties stacked up, from worst to best.

Wegmans' Angus beef burgers looked a little different than the other patties.

At $15 for six ⅓-pound patties, this option was more expensive than many of Wegmans' fresh burger options.

The packaging on Wegmans' seasoned Angus beef burgers suggested cooking them frozen, so I separated a patty from the stack and cooked it on a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

The juice didn't pool up on the top of the burger patty while I cooked it, and it kept an even shape and puffed up to the perfect size. However, I thought the seared outer layer took on an oddly orange hue.

I also tried thawing another Wegmans burger before cooking it, and this patty was noticeably grayer than the others I tried. However, I wasn't worried because color isn't always an indicator of freshness.

These burgers were a little too greasy and spongy for me.

When I bit into the Wegmans burger, there was an enormous explosion of greasy juice. However, this could've been because I let them sit for a little bit before eating them.

I thought these patties were a little on the salty side, but to be fair, they were pre-seasoned with sea salt. They stayed moist, but seemed a bit greasy, even by burger standards. I also thought they had a spongy texture.

I'd eat one again if someone served it to me, but I'll skip them next time I'm at Wegmans.

I was curious to see what the Kirkland Signature Angus ground-chuck and beef patties would be like.

At $28 for 18 patties — each weighing ⅓ pound — Costco's house brand represents the best deal for frozen patties of the three stores. 

The packaging suggested cooking these patties frozen, but I tried cooking them both thawed and frozen.

I found it very easy to overcook them, especially when I started with a thawed burger. These patties were large in circumference but thin, so they cooked faster than I expected. The first three came out fully well done when I was aiming for a medium temperature.

Still, they took on a nice brown crustiness when seared on the skillet and maintained a decent size.

I didn't think the Kirkland Signature patties had a ton of flavor.

Unfortunately, I didn't think these burgers tasted like much. They were a bit juicy when I cooked them to medium, but didn't offer much flavor.

That said, when I garnished them with cheese, ketchup, and the like, they were good. If I served them at a barbecue, no one would ever complain.

I preferred them to some other frozen burgers I've tried in the past, and due to the cost and convenience, I could imagine myself picking up a package of these during barbecue season. 

The Whole Foods organic grass-fed beef burgers were smaller than the other patties.

The Whole Foods burger patties were the most expensive of the three, at $8.50 for four ¼-pound patties. They were slightly more costly per pound than Wegmans' and the only organic beef option among the three I tried. They were also smaller than the other patties.

The box I got was frozen solid, and the burgers were pressed so tightly in their packaging that it was impossible to separate them without at least partially thawing them first. 

Unlike the other two brands, the box for the Whole Foods burgers suggested thawing these patties before cooking.

The small patties cooked very fast. They were so thin that, at times, I wound up with dried-out edges even when the center of the burger was still juicy. They shrunk in the pan and didn't look especially appealing. 

The Whole Foods burger was my favorite.

In my opinion, these patties tasted distinctly better than the other two options. There was a rich, meaty, almost gamey flavor that tasted as much like skirt steak as ground beef. Each patty also had a nice, crusty texture from the skillet.

When I tried all three burgers side-by-side, completely unadorned, this was the only one I finished.

Once I run out of the remaining Kirkland Signature burgers in my freezer, I'll pick up the Whole Foods patties to cover the rest of the summer.

This story was originally published on June 16, 2024 and most recently updated on May 23, 2025.

• The Defense Information Systems Agency is facing a 10% cut to its workforce, its director has said.
• DISA, the Pentagon's tech arm, provides the military with IT and telecommunication resources.
• Its director said it was an "opportunity to ruthlessly realign."

The Defense Information Systems Agency, the Pentagon's IT arm, is facing a 10% cut to its workforce, its director told lawmakers this week.

Speaking to senators in Washington on Wednesday, Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton said DISA was set to lose around one tenth of its staff but that that could be a good thing for the agency.

"It's giving us an opportunity to ruthlessly realign and optimize how we are addressing what is an evolving mission," he said. "We are doing a realignment and we're going back to the department to ask for what we refer to as a surgical rehiring. We need to hire the right people back into the right positions to then lead us forward."

DISA currently has around 20,000 employees — including about 6,800 civilians and more than 10,000 contractors, Stanton said.

The cuts come as part of a wider realignment in the Department of Defense.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in April that the DoD would be doing away with billions of dollars worth of IT and consulting contracts, including some with companies such as Accenture and Deloitte.

"These terminations represent $5.1 billion in wasteful spending at the Department, and nearly $4 billion in estimated savings," Hegseth said in a memo.

But Stanton assured that the cuts at DISA were being conducted in a strategic manner.

"Our contracts are aligned to the highly technical IT and cybersecurity workforce. They're not consulting contracts. These are individuals that are putting hands on keyboard, that are running fibreoptic cables, that are performing server maintenance in a global footprint," he said, adding that DISA's contracts were "healthy" and "in a good spot."

It comes after the Defense Department announced plans in February to reduce its civilian workforce by 5 to 8% in an effort to "to produce efficiencies and refocus the Department on the President's priorities and restoring readiness in the force."

The DOD employs more than 900,000 civilians around the world, in jobs ranging from engineering and tech to finance and legal.

Efforts to reduce its workforce come as part of the wider government cuts pushed by President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.

The Elon Musk-linked agency has been tasked with maximising efficiency and productivity across the government under Trump's new administration, and it has carried out waves of controversial layoffs in pursuit of its goal.

• Steve Madden says Trump's tariffs won't achieve his desired outcomes.
• Tariffs aim to reduce trade deficits and boost US manufacturing, Trump said.
• Madden argues the US benefits from trade with China, including "better jobs" than working in a factory.

Shoe boss Steve Madden says Donald Trump's tariffs won't pan out the way his administration hopes.

When Trump announced his tariff plans in April, he argued that big trade deficits weakened US manufacturing and made supply chains too dependent on other countries.

As a result, imported products are getting more expensive, and you can "thank your government for that," Madden, the cofounder of his eponymous shoe brand, told "The Cutting Room Floor" podcast host Omondi on Wednesday.

"They fundamentally do not understand what they're doing," Madden said when asked about tariffs.

The notion that the US has lost manufacturing jobs to China is true, Madden said. However, he said, Americans have picked up "many better jobs as a result of our relationship with China."

He points to the iPhone, now the target of an "at least 25%" tariff directed at only Apple. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that he expects iPhones sold in the US to be "manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else."

"The iPhone being made in China — the success that that has created — the commerce," Madden said. "There's probably hundreds of thousands of people working for Apple today in America as a result of them making those phones in China."

The US has evolved into a "society that doesn't want to work in a factory making fucking socks," especially when jobs in retail, marketing, social media, and more exist, he said.

It's a concept that Madden says wealthy businessmen who "never made anything" wouldn't understand, and that's the problem.

"The Trump administration is deploying a multi-faceted approach of tariffs, rapid deregulation, domestic energy production, and tax cuts to reshore critical manufacturing and restore American Greatness," White House spokesman Kush Desai told Business Insider in a statement.

Representatives for the Steve Madden brand didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by BI.

The titans of retail are feeling the effects of Trump's tariffs. As Apple examines where to produce its US iPhones, Walmart warned that its prices will be increasing as a result of the tariffs. Best Buy, Target, and more have told consumers to expect to see products get more expensive.

"We are the people who create commerce — the Apples, the Steve Maddens, the UGGs, the Ralph Laurens — we create the economy, and they're destroying it," Madden said.

• Keke Palmer has been acting since she was 10, but told BI she didn't feel adequately paid until 2022.
• She said that she doesn't compare herself to others in Hollywood because she feels she's not on an even playing field.
• Palmer said that's why she's diversified her income sources.

Keke Palmer has worked in Hollywood since she was 10 — but when asked by Business Insider when she felt adequately paid, the 31-year-old said: "'Nope,' that was probably the first time."

Palmer played Emerald Haywood in Jordan Peele's 2022 horror movie, in which she and Daniel Kaluuya play siblings who try to get a photo of a murderous UFO to sell the image for money.

Before "Nope," Palmer led the Nickelodeon series "True Jackson, VP," which ran from 2008 until 2011, starred in the 2015 slasher comedy "Scream Queens" created by Ryan Murphy, and voiced the mammoth Peaches in multiple "Ice Age" movies. Palmer's first prominent movie role was at the age of 12 in 2006's "Akeelah and the Bee," in which she starred opposite Angela Bassett.

Palmer, who is also a singer, TV host, author, and podcaster, said that gender and racial inequalities are very real in Hollywood, but she doesn't dwell on them.

"I don't compare — especially as a Black person, a Black woman — because it's not a fair thing to do to myself," Palmer continued. "I don't think that comparing oneself makes sense in any regard, because you're not at the same vantage point, beginning or otherwise, as someone else."

She added that "if you are getting your needs met, that has to be at the forefront of your mind. That doesn't mean that everything is fair, but it's an important thing to think about and have a particular perspective about."

Palmer encourages other actors in Hollywood to diversy their income streams

Palmer said it's one of the reasons she's diversified her income streams, including owning multiple production companies, and has encouraged others to do the same.

"It's essentially why I turned my brand into a holdings company with subsidiaries. You have to diversify," Palmer said.

It's increasingly common for A-listers to launch multiple businesses to increase career longevity. Rihanna has Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. Kim Kardashian launched Skims, and Reese Witherspoon's media company, Hello Sunshine, is among the most successful in Hollywood.

In recent years, Black actors, including Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Mo'Nique, and Taraji P. Henson, have spoken out about not being paid fairly on account of their race and gender.

In a 2023 SiriusXM interview, Henson confirmed rumors that she considered quitting Hollywood over pay inequality.

"I'm just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost," she said tearfully. "I'm tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, 'You work a lot.' Well, I have to."

• The best-selling country artists of all time include Elvis Presley, Tim McGraw, and Shania Twain.
• We used RIAA's data to compile this list based on total album units sold in the US.
• Only three artists on this list debuted in the 2000s: Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Luke Bryan.

Did you know two of the top three best-selling musicians of all time are country music artists?

Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks trail only the Beatles in record sales.

Country music is one of the most popular genres in music, with its own set of stars, award shows, and hall of fame.

We used the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) list of best-selling artists, ranked by albums sold, to pick out the top 25 most successful country musicians of all time.

To qualify as a country star, a musician's output had to primarily appear on country charts, or the artist had to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, nominated in the country genre at the Grammys, or have received nominations at country award shows like the CMAs or the ACM Awards.

Here's who made the cut, from No. 25 to No. 1.

25. Luke Bryan — 19 million units

24. Hank Williams Jr. — 19.5 million units

23. Brooks & Dunn — 21.5 million units

22. Carrie Underwood — 22.5 million units

21. Jimmy Buffett — 23 million units

19 (tie). Kid Rock — 23.5 million units

19 (tie). Johnny Cash — 23.5 million units

18. Vince Gill — 24 million units

16 (tie). Toby Keith — 25.5 million units

16 (tie). Faith Hill — 25.5 million units

15. Linda Ronstadt — 30 million units

14. Willie Nelson — 31.5 million units

13. The Chicks — 33 million units

12. John Denver — 33.5 million units

11. Kenny Chesney — 35 million units

9 (tie). Tim McGraw — 41 million units

9 (tie). Reba McEntire — 41 million units

8. Alan Jackson — 44.5 million units

7. Kenny Rogers — 47.5 million units

6. Shania Twain — 48 million units

5. Alabama — 49 million units

4. Taylor Swift — 57 million units

3. George Strait — 69.5 million units

2. Elvis Presley — 146.5 million units

1. Garth Brooks — 162 million units

• I visited Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, which opened on Thursday.
• The unique meet and greets and creative food and drink options really blew me away.
• However, I wish the park had more shade and didn't rely as much on mobile ordering for restaurants.

Epic Universe, the newest major theme park in Central Florida in years, opened on Thursday.

The Universal park consists of five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park.

After a full day in the park, I was blown away by how immersive it felt. I rode every attraction, tasted some of the many food and drink offerings, and met iconic characters.

For those wondering if a visit is worth it, I've put together a list of things that impressed me most at Epic Universe — plus two of my biggest disappointments so far.

I love how open and immersive the main corridor of Epic Universe is.

After walking under the Chronos, the park's main entry structure, you're inside Celestial Park. This themed world is packed with star imagery, plus tons of greenery and flowers.

I loved how wide the sidewalks are and how open this area feels. The floral landscaping and water features really do make it feel like a park or garden.

All of this gave me a great first impression of Epic Universe as a whole.

The park's meet and greets have some incredible characters.

I love meeting characters from my favorite movies and franchises, and all around the park, there are opportunities to meet icons like Princess Peach and the Invisible Man.

The one character you must see is Toothless, a dragon from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The interactive animatronic is impressively cute and lifelike.

I liked how interactive the new Harry Potter-themed world is.

There are several Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter throughout the world in places like California and Japan. Even so, the newest Orlando addition focused on the Ministry of Magic is exceptional.

There are so many small details and interactive areas inside the world that you could really spend all day enjoying it.

Even the queue for the ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was breathtaking. Between the giant wizard banners, intricate statues, and lighting design, I felt like I was inside the movies.

I also appreciated that this land had many spots where guests can use special wands to interact with "magical" objects and buildings.

Dark Universe ended up being a hit for me, mostly because it's packed with entertainment.

I typically don't like spooky, scary, or intense things, so I was surprised I really enjoyed Dark Universe.

It's themed after famous monsters and creatures, from Dracula to Wolf Man. It has two rides, and I found myself especially impressed by how much walk-around entertainment was packed into this land.

As I walked through, I passed tons of storytellers and characters ready to interact with guests and take photos. I especially loved meeting Gregor, a funny monster hunter who hangs around at the land's Burning Blade Tavern.

I appreciated how easy it was to get to the park from my room at Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

I stayed at the newest Universal Orlando hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, during my visit. It opened earlier this year and has its own entrance into Epic Universe.

Staying here meant it was incredibly easy for me to walk to the park. I was able to get from my room to Epic Universe in under five minutes.

For me, it's always a win when theme parks have hotels just steps away.

The inventive and fun food and drink options impressed me.

I've been to many theme parks over the years, but I still found myself impressed by the creative and delicious culinary options at Epic Universe.

My favorite sweet treat ended up being the DK Crush Float from Super Nintendo World. It's pineapple-and-banana-swirl soft serve in a waffle bowl topped with caramel popcorn and chocolate pieces that's loaded into a cup filled with pineapple soda.

It's a total sugar rush worth trying.

However, I wish the park had more shaded areas.

As I walked around Epic Universe, I noticed it didn't have many shaded spots.

This felt especially unbearable when the day was at its hottest in the afternoon. Light-colored paths throughout the park seemed to reflect the Orlando sun.

Although there are some air-conditioned restaurants and attractions in Epic Universe, I could see this sun exposure being especially tough for young guests or those who struggle with the heat to navigate.

I also didn't enjoy the fact that nearly every restaurant relies on mobile ordering.

Most quick-service restaurants at Epic Universe rely on mobile ordering instead of having guests wait in line. Although this seems like it could be time-saving and efficient, I struggled to use this system during my visit.

My phone wasn't able to get a strong enough signal for my order to go through or for me to input my table number in many spots throughout the park.

This could also make ordering food a bit tricky for those who aren't as tech-savvy.

Keke Palmer is the internet's darling. She's an Emmy-winning actor, headline-making podcaster, and TV host. Fun, charismatic, and genuine, Palmer can create a catch-phrase in a split-second moment of genius. Remember, "Sorry to this man"?

So, ahead of our call, I was intrigued to find out what Palmer was like one-on-one, without cameras flashing or being on a big movie set.

What I discovered is that she is everything you'd want a celebrity to be: simultaneously relatable (she's also obsessed with Pilates) and somehow otherworldly (she's motivated to work until 2 a.m.).

In the latest installment of Business Insider's "5-9" series, Palmer, 31, shares a glimpse into her busy life as a businesswoman and mother, as part of her collaboration with American Express' Business Platinum Card.

What time do you get up, and what's your morning routine?

I put my clothes out the night before and get up between 6 a.m. and 6.45 a.m. If my workday starts after 8 a.m., I'll use that hour from 7 a.m. to work out: Pilates is my favorite.

When I get back, I'll have a coffee. I'm drinking my water, and I've got my Stanley. Then I'll start work.

Do you do reformer or mat Pilates?

I love them both for different reasons. If I do mat Pilates, it's going to be heated, and if I do reformer Pilates, it's not. If my hair is done, I'm doing reformer, for sure. I don't want to get sweaty on the mat.

The Pilates that I do is not as yoga-leaning, it's athletic — not cardio, but very intricate and muscle-building.

It's the moment of my day that I get to myself, even if I'm in a class with other people. It's just me, feeling it, existing in the world, and doing something for myself. It's really meditative.

When you're focusing so hard on what you're doing, you can't think about anything else.

Exactly, girl.

What do you have for breakfast?

I try to eat something that will really nourish me, especially as I've got older and work so much. I love what I do, and I'm trying to extend my ability to keep doing it.

Anything that's a whole food. I love eggs. Sometimes, I have egg whites with potatoes. This morning, I had sweet potato pancakes with a side of yogurt.

It's not that I don't care about taste, I do, but I want to make sure that it's stuff that's going to be prolonging me for the rest of the day. Especially with all the traveling, too.

How do you keep yourself healthy while traveling a lot?

I definitely need a premium travel experience. I use my American Express Business Platinum Card because I can relax in the lounge, get something to eat, and do a little work if I need to.

I travel for work mostly, sometimes getting right off the plane and straight into business, so the peace and the comfort that I can obtain from that kind of experience is helpful when I go in and pitch.

Eating for gut health

What are your wellness essentials?

I have an array of different things that really feed into my ability to stay grounded and at ease.

For me, therapy is seasonal. I think that therapy is good if you're not doing it all the time.

I love journaling, prayer, and any type of fitness, such as Pilates, yoga, and hiking. All of that stuff brings me immense joy. I love a good hike by myself, and I like doing things solo, because I'm always around so many people when I'm working.

I love bingeing comfort TV. It doesn't even have to be the most interesting thing.

Spending time with family is huge for me, especially my little boy. I love to be with him. It's like time stops.

What time do you get home from work?

When I'm on set, I can go as late as 2 a.m., but if I get out at a normal time, then I'm off around 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Do you generally not eat dinner at home?

I usually eat before I get home. And then when I'm back, I try to give my stomach a rest to digest because eating so late can mess me up for the next morning and disturb my sleep.

Are you consciously intermittent fasting?

I don't think of it that way. I think about it in terms of my gut.

I've had a lot of health issues with PCOS, my nervous system, and my stomach, which has always been very sensitive. So, over these past few years, it's been really important for me to understand how to help my stomach and what foods are ticking it off, because when your gut brain is good, the rest of your brain is good.

Once you find out what works for you, it makes a real difference.

A lot of times, they're telling you the things that are good for you, but they're not necessarily good for you. Or they're telling you the things that are bad for you, but they're not necessarily bad for you.

People often say, "No rice, no potatoes," but my body prefers those, and I'm not saying they've got to be deep-fried. I pair that with something fibrous, protein, or beans. That's good for me.

Do you have a go-to drink?

Yes, whiskey.

With ice?

No, I don't want it watered down!

Good point.

Baths before bed and "Girlfriends"

Do you have a skincare routine?

It's kind of simple, but there are certain ingredients I like to use. Niacinamide, over-the-counter retinol — not prescribed because I don't want to go too harsh.

I love La Roche Posay Mela B3 for dark spots, and also La Roche Posay's kids' and adults' SPF because it doesn't burn my eyes.

I like oil-based cleansers, especially if I'm doing a lot of performing. Sometimes the makeup's coming on and off, and I don't want a cleanser that's going to be too stripping.

I do switch up products because I honestly think that you have to learn your skin and be able to touch, feel, and look at it, and then define what you're going to do based on that.

What's your nighttime routine?

I love watching TV and oiling my hair while in the bath, using face wash and moisturizer, setting out my clothes, and turning on my bed warmer. It's a warming blanket from Amazon. I put it underneath my sheet, and it's perfect.

I lie in bed. I might look at my phone or journal, drop a couple of magnesium drops in my water, maybe a little bit of turmeric, and sip on that. I have a bean bag eye mask. Sometimes, I microwave it. I put it on my eyes, and I'm out.

I'll always go to sleep to some sitcom like "Girlfriends" or "Gilmore Girls" — any type of comfort show.

• This Memorial Day, you might be firing up the grill and making some classic hamburgers.
• Celebrity chefs, from Ina Garten to Gordon Ramsay, each have their own burger recipes.
• Ree Drummond wraps hers in lettuce, while Rachael Ray makes her own version of a McDonald's Big Mac.

Forget boring lettuce-cheese-and-tomato burgers at your next cookout — it's time to get fired up about something worthy of a celebrity-chef restaurant.

With Memorial Day weekend and grilling season right around the corner, there are chef-approved tips for elevating a classic burger at home.

Potato chips, bacon-tomato jam, and freshly sliced avocado — practically every celebrity chef has their own unique list of toppings they have to add to create their own signature burger.

Here's how 12 celebrity chefs make their perfect burger.

Bobby Flay adds potato chips to make his signature "crunch burger."

Bobby Flay starts with four 6-ounce burgers made from ground chuck or ground turkey for the signature burger served at Bobby's Burger Palace.

He then adds American cheese, beefsteak tomato, lettuce, red onion, a homemade horseradish mustard mayonnaise sauce, and potato chips for the perfect amount of crunch.

Gordon Ramsay says seasoning can make or break your burger.

Gordon Ramsay makes his burger using ground beef and brisket and recommends storing the formed and seasoned burger patties in the fridge before putting them on the hottest spot of the grill.

For toppings, Ramsay adds American cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled white onions, and mustard mayonnaise. 

Ina Garten makes her hamburgers using two types of beef and egg yolks.

To make Ina Garten's "real hamburgers," mix together 2 pounds of ground chuck and 1 pound of sirloin, steak sauce, egg yolks, salt, and pepper.

Garten also adds a small pat of butter to each burger, sticking it inside so it's covered by the meat before adding the burger to the grill.

Martha Stewart adds Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to her burgers.

Martha Stewart makes her hamburgers by adding mustard and Worcestershire sauce to ground chuck.

She also recommends adding cheese, tomatoes, raw or grilled onions, pickles, and jalapeños to make the burgers even better.

Ree Drummond wraps her "low-carb" burgers in lettuce.

To make these Pioneer Woman-approved "low-carb" burgers, you'll need lettuce leaves large enough to fold over the entire hamburger patty, tomato slices, red onion, avocado, and chopped pickles.

Drummond also adds her own version of a special sauce, which uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. 

Jamie Oliver tops his "insanity burger" with homemade burger sauce and pickles.

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's insanity burger comes directly from his cookbook "Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food." The recipe calls for a burger patty made from ground chuck steak.

Oliver uses sliced red onions lightly dressed in vinegar and sea salt, bacon, yellow mustard, Tabasco chipotle sauce, cheese, ketchup, pickles or "gherkins," and homemade burger sauce for toppings.

Joanna Gaines tops her "Gaines brother burgers" with drip jam and melted Gruyére cheese.

In her first cookbook, "Magnolia Table," Gaines shares the recipe for her famous burgers using ground beef, beefsteak tomato, homemade bacon-tomato jam, and Gruyére cheese. 

To make Alton Brown's "burger of the gods," you'll need ground chuck and sirloin.

Alton Brown's "burger of the gods" patties are made with trimmed and cubed chuck and beef sirloin, plus kosher salt.

In the recipe, the celebrity chef and "Iron Chef" host recommends cooking the 5-ounce patties in a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.

Guy Fieri's "straight-up with a pig patty" burger requires many ingredients, including "donkey sauce" and applewood-smoked bacon.

To recreate Guy Fieri's burger, you'll want to read the lengthy list of ingredients.

However, some highlights from this "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"-worthy burger are applewood-smoked bacon, heirloom tomato, Vidalia onion, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and two different kinds of sauce.

Giada De Laurentiis' game-day burgers are topped with cheese, tomatoes, and avocado.

To make De Laurentiis' recipe for game-day burgers, you'll need 2 pounds of ground chuck.

The Food Network star elevates these simple burgers with toppings like grilled onions steamed with balsamic vinegar and sugar, mashed avocado, provolone piccante cheese, arugula, and thinly sliced tomato.

Emeril Lagasse is famous for his blue cheese-stuffed burgers.

For Emeril's "kicked-up" blue cheese-stuffed burgers, you'll want to crumble the cheese and form it into small patties. Then, sandwich the cheese between two beef patties before adding it to the grill.

Lagasse's recipe also recommends topping the stuffed burgers with sliced tomatoes, romaine, sliced onions, and his green peppercorn mayonnaise.

Rachael Ray's version of a McDonald's Big Mac calls for homemade special sauce.

Rachael Ray's recipe for "Big Smack" burgers uses her own special sauce, which is made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

She makes the actual burgers with ground beef sirloin and tops them with the special sauce, yellow American cheese, chopped Vidalia or white onion, dill pickle chips, and chopped iceberg lettuce.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Happy Friday! Let me offer a penny for your thoughts while I still can. The Treasury Department placed its final order for the coin best known for being stuck to the bottom of your car's cup holders.

In today's big story, we're looking at the impact Trump's tax bill could have on your wallet and why bond investors remain up in arms about it.

What's on deck

Markets: Jamie Dimon isn't feeling too optimistic about the economy.

Tech: We have some advice for Jony Ive about his future work with OpenAI.

Business: The creative ways companies avoid using the word "tariff."

But first, one bill to rule them all.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

Trump takes on taxes

For President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" and your wallet: Is beauty only skin deep?

The tax bill passed the House on Thursday and is now headed to the Senate. And while it's still subject to change, BI's Ayelet Sheffey examined how it could impact Americans' finances.

Here's a look at some of the potential winners and losers of the bill in its current form.

Winners

Service workers: The legislation would eliminate taxes on tips and overtime wages.

Parents: The current child-tax credit would be extended through 2028 and bumped up from $2,000 to $2,500. There's also the "Trump account" that includes a $1,000 deposit from the government for babies born in the US from 2025 through 2028.

Residents of states with high taxes: The cap on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, would increase from $10,000 to $40,000. The issue's been a source of GOP infighting.

Losers

People with student debt: Existing income-driven plans would be eliminated in favor of two options. One would be a standard payment plan. The other offers loan forgiveness after 360 payments for borrowers based on their income level. (The two new options aren't that much worse than borrowers' current options, but the bill shows more loan forgiveness is a long shot.)

EV owners: Say goodbye to those tax credits. And while we are at it, let's add a $250 annual registration fee. Somewhat relatedly, tax credits for homeowners installing solar panels or energy-efficient heat pumps are on the chopping block.

People on Medicaid and SNAP: The monthly work requirements for many recipients would rise. Elder Americans won't get a pass either, as the work requirement for SNAP benefits would extend to adults age 55 to 64.

One group not on the above list would argue it's the biggest loser from Trump's bill: bond investors.

"Bond vigilantes" have been selling off Treasurys and sending yields spiking in protest of the bill.

So what's their beef? BI's Jennifer Sor has a nice rundown on the group's biggest gripes.

The issue centers on the bill widening the US government's deficit (how much revenue is brought in compared to what it spends money on). At last count, that number reached $1.8 trillion. One estimate sees that growing by $4 trillion over 10 years under the new bill.

A bigger deficit means more borrowing, which isn't good for the economy's growth prospects. The more the US has to worry about paying off debt, the less it can spend on services or benefits for Americans.

And if the debt and deficit keep growing, some investors might wonder whether the government can actually make good on its debts (see: Treasurys).

3 things in markets

1. Beware "global financial market Armageddon," a famed Wall Street bear warns. Societe Generale strategist Albert Edwards fears the worst as Japanese bond yields spike. Here's how the bond yield surge in Tokyo could affect the US.

2. Jamie Dimon says don't get too comfy. The US is still at risk of a fate worse than recession — stagflation — he told Bloomberg on Thursday. It's not a problem that can be ignored either. "I think it's a mistake to think we can go through all the things we're going through and the volatility itself will come down," he added.

3. Would you like an AI video with that research note? In response to client requests for more videos, UBS is using AI to generate avatars of its analysts that explain their notes. Thirty-six analysts, or about 5% of UBS' total, have volunteered to take part, and the bank has plans for more.

3 things in tech

1. The ins and outs of Google I/O. The search behemoth's annual conference was packed with updates, from Gemini's Chrome integration to its nascent Smart Glasses. As Google preps for the AI era, here are the six main takeaways from I/O.

2. Legal-tech darling Harvey goes into the blue Azure. Harvey agreed to spend $150 million on Microsoft's cloud services over two years, according to an internal email seen by BI. The startup, which builds chatbots and agents for legal services, is scaling up and expanding.

3. Dear Jony Ive, please don't give us a voice-controlled device. The former Apple designer and Sam Altman have been teasing new AI hardware following OpenAI's purchase of Ive's startup. BI's Katie Notopoulos hopes the gadget won't require talking in public.

3 things in business

1. The jet-setting rich. Nearly half of summer travelers this year earn over $100,000, according to a Deloitte survey. Luxury travel is booming, but if you don't have deep pockets, you may find yourself cutting back during trips — if you go at all. The wealth gap may not last, though.

2. Walmart takes a page from the Big Tech playbook. The retailer is laying off 1,500 people to "remove layers and complexity," effectively flattening management. Companies like Meta and Amazon have led the trend to boost efficiency.

3. Don't say the T-word. Instead of "tariffs," businesses might say they have to raise prices because of "sourcing costs" or "supply-chain issues." Tariff-induced panic buying took off in April, but that burst of activity is winding down, Bank of America credit card data shows. That's bad news for the economy.

In other news

• Now they're being ordered home.The big winners of the loneliness epidemic: nice guys with jobs.
• I'm on the verge of finishing my dream course at Harvard Business School. With Trump's crackdown on foreign students, I don't know if I'll be let back on campus.
• Big Law firm says its Trump deal is nothing more than a 364-word Truth Social post.
• Kid Cudi says Diddy broke into his home, unwrapped his family's Christmas gifts, and shut his dog in the bathroom.
• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says there's a 'silver lining' for people starting businesses in a choppy economy.
• Hinge Health just broke open the digital health IPO market. Here's who's getting rich.

What's happening today

• NATO Parliamentary Assembly spring session.

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The Business Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have two children.
• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are raising Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in the US.
• Archie and Lilibet didn't have prince and princess titles when they were born.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children might be royals, but their childhoods differ from those of other British princes and princesses.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been raising Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3, in California following their step back from the monarchy, giving their children almost entirely private childhoods that most royals don't get.

Here's everything to know about Archie and Lilibet.

Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

Archie was born May 6, 2019, at the Portland Hospital in London, just shy of a year after Harry and Meghan's May 2018 wedding. The couple announced his birth on their Sussex Royal Instagram account, which they stopped using in 2020, with a graphic that read, "It's a boy!"

"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019," the post said. "Their Royal Highnesses' son weighs 7lbs. 3oz."

"The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives," the statement said.

Harry and Meghan broke tradition after Archie's birth, choosing not to do a photocall when they left the hospital as Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, did when their children were born. Instead, they introduced Archie to the world with a photocall at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8. They announced his name via Instagram the same day.

In 2020, the couple revealed Archie's name was inspired by the Greek word "arche," which means "source of action." They named their charitable organization Archewell for the same reason. Meanwhile, Harrison traditionally means "son of Harry," making it a natural choice for Archie's middle name.

Archie was seventh in the line of succession for the British throne when he was born, but he moved up to the sixth spot after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022. Archie was christened in July 2019 at the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, with members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, in attendance.

While they were still working royals, Archie joined his parents on a royal tour of Africa in September 2019 when he was just 4 months old, meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu during his first royal engagement. Meghan later revealed Archie's nursery caught fire during the tour, though he wasn't hurt.

Harry and Meghan also shared a candid holiday card that featured a close-up of baby Archie in December 2019.

Harry and Meghan decided to keep Archie out of the public eye since they stepped back as senior royals and relocated to the US in 2020. He hasn't joined them for public appearances, living out his childhood privately in Montecito, California.

The couple shared a few glimpses of Archie in their 2022 Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan," and he has appeared in a handful of Meghan's Instagram posts since January 2025. Her posts don't include his face, though.

Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor

Meghan and Harry shared they were expecting their second child in February 2021, revealing in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that they were having a daughter. In an essay for The New York Times, Meghan said she had a miscarriage between her pregnancies with Archie and Lilibet in July 2020.

Harry and Meghan welcomed Lili on June 4, 2021, at 11:40 a.m., as the couple shared in a statement on their Archewell website two days after her birth.

In the statement, the pair said that Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California. Lilibet is the first member of the British royal family to be born in the United States.

At the time of her birth, she was eighth in the line of succession, but as of 2022, Lilibet is seventh in line for the British throne.

Harry and Meghan said that Lili's name celebrates her grandmother and great-grandmother. Lilibet was Queen Elizabeth's family nickname, while Lili's middle name honors Princess Diana, who died when Harry was 12.

"On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili," the couple said in their statement. "She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not release a photo of Lili's face alongside the announcement. They shared the first public photo of her face on their 2021 Christmas card.

Lilibet was christened in the US in March 2023 during an intimate ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, which the royal family didn't attend. Tyler Perry, who allowed Meghan and Harry to stay in his house when they first moved to California in 2020, is her godfather.

Harry and Meghan released another photo of Lilibet for her first birthday, sharing a snap of the young royal at Windsor Castle's Frogmore Cottage.

The Sussex family traveled to the United Kingdom in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. During the visit, Lilibet met her great-grandmother for the first and only time. She also met her grandfather, King Charles.

Like her brother, Lili made minor cameos in "Harry & Meghan" and appears on her mother's Instagram, though her face isn't visible in the posts. Meghan also released a recipe for Chantilly Lili, a dessert named after her daughter, in April 2025.

Archie and Lili's titles changed after Queen Elizabeth II died

Archie and Lilibet didn't have prince and princess titles when they were born, instead being referred to as Master Archie and Miss Lilibet on the line of succession.

The Letters Patent, a royal decree made by King George V in 1917, states that only the current monarch's children and grandchildren and the children of the Prince of Wales can use a prince or princess title.

At the time of their births, Archie and Lili weren't the grandchildren of the sovereign or children of the Prince of Wales, making them ineligible for prince or princess titles.

However, Meghan also said in her and Harry's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that while she was pregnant with Archie, some members of the royal family "were saying they didn't want him to be a prince," which she indicated may have been because Archie is biracial.

Following the interview, Buckingham Palace said in a statement, "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan."

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," it said. "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

After Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022, King Charles III ascended the throne, making Archie and Lili the grandchildren of the British monarch. As such, they automatically inherited prince and princess titles, per the Letters Patent.

Meghan and Harry referred to one of their children with their new title in March 2023, as a spokesperson for the couple called their daughter "Princess Lilibet Diana" in a statement to Business Insider about Lili's christening.

On March 9, Buckingham Palace updated the line of succession on its website, officially calling Harry's children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for the first time.

Although their titles and place in the line of succession changed, Archie and Lili aren't publicly known to have a relationship with the rest of the royal family. Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family is still strained, and in a May 2, 2025, interview with BBC News, Harry said his father isn't speaking to him due to disputes over security for the Sussexes when they're in the UK.

• I'm an American who's lived in the Netherlands for 10 years.
• I think visitors should expand their Dutch travel itineraries beyond just Amsterdam.
• Expecting small talk and American-style customer service are other mistakes I see frequently.

Wandering into a Dutch bike lane is a fast track to two things: a near-death experience and an unexpected lesson in Dutch curse words.

After living in the Netherlands for the past decade, I've seen tourists repeatedly make this mistake — and many others.

Whether you're spending a weekend in Amsterdam or venturing farther north to Groningen, knowing what not to do can make all the difference. Here are the six biggest mistakes I see tourists make when they visit the Netherlands.

Only visiting Amsterdam

If your entire Dutch travel itinerary is based in Amsterdam, I think you're making a mistake.

Sure, the iconic city is featured in travel guides for a reason — romantic canals, the Van Gogh Museum, and an army of bikers with zero fear, come to mind — but there's so much more to the Netherlands.

Instead, I recommend visiting cities like Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen. Like Amsterdam, they have adorable Dutch houses and lots of charm, but are generally quieter and see fewer groups of tourists.

Traveling to popular tourist destinations without planning ahead

If your plan is to wing it in the Netherlands, you'll likely be disappointed.

I recommend booking tickets for popular tourist excursions like Keukenhof (one of the world's most famous gardens, best known for its tulips) or the Anne Frank House ahead of your trip.

Otherwise, you risk spending the majority of your trip in line with the other hopefuls.

Expecting small talk

In my experience, many people in the Netherlands don't engage in small talk — although, the weather is exempt from this, as complaining about the rain, or the lack thereof, is basically a national sport.

However, this tends to surprise many first-time visitors. I've noticed people here don't typically ask how your day's going while bagging your groceries, unless it looks like your day has been a dumpster fire. Even then, I wouldn't expect a lot of sympathy.

The Dutch are known for their efficiency and getting to the point, and once you get used to it, the directness is kind of refreshing.

Walking in the bike lane

Those red paths at the side of the road aren't decorative — they're high-speed lanes for cyclists with zero patience. Most importantly, they're not safe for pedestrians.

Pro tip: If you hear a bell, move, and make it quick.

Anticipating American-style customer service

If you're used to American-style customer service where the waiter checks on you every five minutes, the Dutch approach might feel way more hands-off.

In my experience, servers won't typically try to upsell you the truffle fries or ask if you're "still working on that." Instead, it's common for patrons to just flag waiters if they need something.

I also wouldn't stress about tipping. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated, but not expected.

Booking accommodations in the city center

Booking a place to stay in the middle of the city might seem like a good idea. However, there will likely be lots of noise.

Cities like Amsterdam have quieter neighborhoods, like De Pijp or Jordaan, with all the charm but fewer crowds (and significantly less yelling at 3 a.m.). In my experience, you'll also find more locals, better coffee, and aesthetic shops.

Staying just a little outside the chaos means you can still get the vibe you're looking for, but with a good night's sleep. Your future jet-lagged self will thank you.

• Tom Cruise has starred in eight "Mission: Impossible" movies since 1992.
• The actor reprises his role in the 2025 sequel, "The Final Reckoning."
• Here are all of the "Mission: Impossible" movies, ranked from worst to best.

Tom Cruise is taking on one last daring adventure in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," which pits Ethan Hunt against an evil AI that threatens to destroy the world.

The actor has been the face of the franchise since the first movie in 1996, and has starred in eight films in total.

The Impossible Mission Force (yes, really) first debuted in the "Mission: Impossible" TV series in 1966, which starred Steven Hill and Peter Graves and ran for six seasons until 1973, before it was revived for another two seasons on ABC in 1988.

With the franchise set to end with "The Final Reckoning," here are all the "Mission: Impossible" movies, ranked.

8. "Mission: Impossible 2" (2000)

"Mission: Impossible 2" should be given way more love than it gets, mainly because the Hong Kong cinema legend John Woo helmed it. Yes, the "Hard Boiled" and "Bullet in the Head" director brought his signature bullet ballet style to the "Mission: Impossible" sequel, with all the slow-motion flair you could ask for.

Is it cheesy? Sure. Does the script need some work? Definitely. Is there any smart subtext or meaning underneath all the action? Absolutely not. This is a peak 2000s action movie, and it knows it. 

"Mission: Impossible 2" is so over the top that once you've made peace with it, it's best to just go along for the ride. Come on, Tom Cruise and Dougray Scott play motorbike chicken with each other before a midair tackle sends them both crashing to the ground. What's not to love? It's the type of vehicular chaos that the "Fast & Furious" franchise's Dominic Toretto would be proud of.

Even so, "Mission: Impossible 2" ranks at the bottom of the bunch.

7. "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" (2011)

The 2011 film "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" takes the franchise into the modern era. It follows Hunt and his team as they're forced to go on the run when they're framed for bombing the Kremlin.

It quickly becomes a race to stop the villainous Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), who wants to start a nuclear war so that only the strongest members of humanity will survive. 

It's this plot that keeps "Ghost Protocol" from ascending the ranking, because, as spy thrillers go, stopping a nuclear war feels predictable, and the film fails to do anything unique with the premise. Plus, there's nothing particularly extraordinary about Hendricks as a baddie.

But generic plot devices aside, the film features some brilliant fights and gripping set pieces. The stand-out moment is when Cruise's hero climbs the Burj Khalifa in Dubai with nothing but sticky gloves and rope.

One of the most surprising elements of the film is Jeremy Renner's William Brandt, a disgraced former agent who's grappling with the guilt of failing Ethan on a former mission. That sub-plot works very well among the rest of the action, and it's a clever way of injecting a bit of heart into the mission.

6. "Mission: Impossible 3" (2006)

Two words: JJ Abrams. The "Lost" and "Fringe" creator made his big screen debut in 2006 with "Mission: Impossible 3," which takes a mid-noughties approach to the Impossible Mission Force and gives it a brutal edge.

The sequel pits Ethan, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Zhen Lei (Maggie Q), and Declan Gormley (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) against a nefarious arms dealer played by the incomparable Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Part of what elevates "Mission: Impossible 3" from previous films is that it never actually explains what Ethan and the gang are chasing. It's known only by its mysterious codename, the Rabbit's Foot. It could be an infectious disease, a computer virus, a hard drive teeming with currency, or nuclear codes — and that's what makes it so compelling. 

It's also refreshing to see Ethan settled and in love with Michelle Monahan's Julia Meade. What does married life look like for a superspy? How does that complicate his responsibility to save the world? 

The sequel feels very busy, as Abrams packs a lot into a tight two-hour run time. And some parts don't quite work, like Ethan's dynamic with his young mentee Lindsey Farris (Keri Russell). But there are some stellar sequences throughout, like the ballistic shoot-out on the bridge, which is an eye-popping piece of action choreography.

5. "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" (2025)

"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" is the sequel to 2023's "Dead Reckoning," and sees Hunt race to stop an assassin known as Gabriel (Esai Morales) from controlling a sentient AI called the Entity. Just to raise the stakes, the Entity has already taken control of the world's nuclear weapons and plans to wipe out humanity.

While the 2025 movie is billed as the final entry in the franchise, its story doesn't quite live up to the high expectations set by "Dead Reckoning." The first hour is bogged down by lengthy exposition and generic action movie silliness.

That being said, as soon as the action picks up and Cruise embraces his adrenaline junkie persona once more, "The Final Reckoning" provides a breathtaking cinematic experience.

Whether it's the suspenseful scuba dive into a wrecked submarine or how Hunt climbs between two biplanes in the sky to fight Gabriel, the film's ambitious sequences deserve to be seen on the big screen.

4. "Mission: Impossible" (1996)

Taken from the 1966 TV series of the same name, 1996's "Mission: Impossible" introduces Cruise's Ethan Hunt, a field agent working for Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), the main character from the show. 

It has audiences instantly on their toes when Ethan's entire team, including Phelps, are assassinated by a double agent in the opening — forcing our hero to go on the run after being framed for their deaths.

"Mission: Impossible" earned itself a place in cinema history thanks to the brilliantly intense break-in scene, in which Cruise's Hunt hacks into a CIA mainframe computer while suspended on cables.

And of course, the high-octane ending on top of a Channel Tunnel train is a pulse-pounding affair set to the iconic theme music. 

Cruise effortlessly brings Hunt to life alongside top-notch performances from Voight, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Ving Rhames, which really help sell the paranoid atmosphere of the film

3. "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" (2015)

"Rogue Nation" is where frequent Tom Cruise collaborator Christopher McQuarrie properly put his stamp on the franchise. McQuarrie expands the world in a fascinating way with the introduction of the Syndicate, a vast organization made up of rogue agents from every intelligence agency on the planet.

Their mission (should they choose to accept it) is to create disorder and chaos to destabilize the global intelligence community, although their true goals don't become apparent until 2018's "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." Hunt is determined to root out the Syndicate, and its sinister leader, Solomon Lane (Sean Harris).

"Rogue Nation" also introduces Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), an enigmatic British agent who has a delicious will-they-won't-they dynamic with Cruise's hero.

A brawl in the rigging above an opera stage in Vienna is a stunning highlight, as is Cruise's underwater dive to retrieve a computer chip from a submerged safe. Cruise broke the world record for holding his breath for six minutes while completing that stunt in 2014.

2. "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" (2023)

"Dead Reckoning Part One" sees Hunt's IMF team chasing a key that will lead them to an unstoppable AI that could wreak havoc on the world.

And, of course, every government agency in the world wants to get their hands on it, so Hunt and his team are effectively on the run from everyone. 

"Dead Reckoning's" focus on AI gives it a grounding in the real world, but the film also continues to elevate the sheer scale of action that audiences have come to expect from the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. 

That jaw-dropping mountain jump at the movie's climax has to be seen to be believed, and it only gets more bonkers after that.

It's a testament to Cruise and McQuarrie that the film feels fresh and new — even if the script does drag on at points. 

Then again, audiences are coming to see Cruise throw himself off a mountain, not to hear Oscar-winning dialogue.

1. "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" (2018)

There's no question that McQuarrie's "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" is the best movie in the franchise, which is impressive considering it's the sixth outing for Hunt and the gang. 

It continues the Syndicate storyline from "Rogue Nation" and dives further into Solomon Lane's scheme. He wants to destabilize the world by irradiating the Siachen Glacier, which supplies water to India, Pakistan, and China. This would kill off a third of the world's population and drastically change society in the process.  

But most of the story revolves around a CIA and IMF mole who goes by the codename 'John Lark.'

The hunt to find this rogue agent crosses the world, introducing the likes of Henry Cavill's CIA agent August Walker and Vanessa Kirby's underworld matriarch, Alanna Mitsopolis. 

The scope of McQuarrie's movie is massive, and its huge stunts mirror that size. A gobsmacking scene sees Hunt dive with Walker from a plane and parachute into Paris. Cruise shot the stunt alongside a cameraman to properly capture the chaotic dive. 

Then, of course, there's the film's exhilarating helicopter chase through a New Zealand mountain range — just another example of McQuarrie and Cruise's commitment to filming these stunts in the most jaw-dropping way possible.

"Fallout" is a thrilling chapter of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise that deepens the audience's understanding of Cruise's hero while delivering a stunning cinematic experience.

• First lady Melania Trump is keeping a low profile during President Donald Trump's second term.
• An infrequent White House presence, she divides her time between homes in Florida, New York, and DC.
• Her latest appearances included the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act signing and an event for military mothers.

It's a refrain dating back to the first Trump White House: Where's Melania?

First lady Melania Trump, who remained an enigmatic figure during President Donald Trump's first term, has kept an even lower profile during his second.

Ahead of the inauguration, Melania Trump told Fox News that she planned to divide her time between the White House, Trump Tower in New York City, and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

This schedule has made her an infrequent White House presence, averaging one to three appearances at public events each month.

Melania Trump's communications director, Nicholas Clemens, declined to comment.

Take a look at the first lady's White House activities and appearances thus far.

January 20: Melania Trump attended the inauguration.

Melania Trump held the Bible as Donald Trump was sworn in for his second non-consecutive term, and the couple danced together at several inaugural balls later that evening.

For the swearing-in ceremony, Melania Trump wore a navy coat and skirt by Adam Lippes, an American designer. She accessorized with a matching wide-brimmed hat by Eric Javits.

Her black-and-white inaugural gown was designed by Hervé Pierre.

January 21: The president and first lady joined Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance at the National Day of Prayer Service.

The service, the last of Donald Trump's inaugural events, was held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

January 24: Melania Trump and Donald Trump visited California and North Carolina to survey damage caused by natural disasters.

Melania Trump joined Donald Trump to visit Los Angeles in the aftermath of multiple wildfires and neighborhoods in North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Together, they met with first responders and residents who had lost their homes and businesses. Melania Trump was photographed hugging and shaking hands with those affected by the natural disasters.

February 22: Donald Trump and Melania Trump hosted the National Governors Association dinner at the White House.

Melania Trump wore a black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo, similar to the outfit she chose for her official White House portrait, while posing for photos with governors from across the US.

Donald Trump thanked Melania Trump in his speech, saying that she "made the evening beautiful."

March 3: She participated in a roundtable discussion on the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act targeting revenge porn.

"TAKE IT DOWN" is an acronym for "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks."

The act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes, and requires websites to remove them.

"Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm," Melania Trump said in her opening remarks.

March 4: Melania Trump attended Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress.

The first lady's guests included the families of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was fatally shot during an assassination attempt against Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and Laken Riley, who was killed by a man who had entered the US illegally.

Melania Trump wore a gray skirt suit by Dior.

April 1: She attended the International Women of Courage Awards.

Melania Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presented awards to several notable women in a ceremony held at the State Department.

"These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world," she said in her remarks at the event. "Their journeys remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others, showing that love fuels the call for justice."

April 21: She appeared alongside Donald Trump at the White House Easter Egg Roll.

Melania Trump read the book "Bunny with a Big Heart" to a group of children at the event.

April 25: Donald Trump and Melania Trump departed the White House together to travel to Pope Francis' funeral.

The president and first lady were among several world leaders who attended the late pope's funeral in Vatican City.

May 8: She hosted an event for military mothers and unveiled a US postage stamp honoring Barbara Bush at the White House.

"I applaud Mrs. Bush's mark defending our society's vital need for women across all avenues, whether CEO or homemaker," Melania Trump said at the unveiling. "We have, can, and will build better families and run innovative businesses at the same time, ultimately shaping a brighter future."

May 19: Melania Trump spoke at the signing ceremony for the "TAKE IT DOWN" Act in the Rose Garden.

The bill, which was first presented to Congress in 2024 before Donald Trump took office, received widespread bipartisan support.

"Artificial intelligence and social media are the digital candy for the next generation: sweet, addictive, and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children," Melania Trump said in her remarks at the signing ceremony.

May 20: Melania Trump hosted a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event for children in the Kennedy Garden.

The first lady greeted the children of White House staffers as they participated in an arts-and-crafts activity.

"It is always special to see children's creativity and spirit on display, especially here at the White House where so many hardworking men and women support the success of our nation every day," she said in a White House statement.

May 21: She spoke at the Senate Spouses Luncheon held at the National Gallery of Art.

Melania Trump, accompanied by Usha Vance, spoke about her Be Best platform, which focuses on children's well-being, and her Fostering the Future initiative, which supports children transitioning out of foster care.

"Together, we will uplift and empower our children, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive," the first lady wrote in a post on X. "Let's continue this vital mission and inspire a brighter future for all!"

• Denmark will raise its retirement age to 70 by 2040, the highest in Europe.
• The move ties pension age to life expectancy, sparking union backlash over fairness.
• Other countries may make similar moves as aging populations put a strain on public finances.

Denmark has officially raised its retirement age to 70 — and other countries may make similar moves.

The Danish Parliament passed legislation on Thursday that will gradually raise the retirement age to 70 by 2040.

The change applies to anyone born after December 31, 1970.

The bill, which passed with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, marks one of the most significant changes to the state pension age in Europe. It also signals a broader shift in how developed economies are preparing for aging populations and mounting fiscal pressures.

The move stems from a 2006 welfare agreement that ties the pension age eligibility to life expectancy. With people living longer, the government argues that raising the retirement age was needed to keep the pension system financially sustainable.

"In 2040, we will raise the retirement age from 69 to 70 years, among other things, to afford proper welfare for future generations," Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, Denmark's employment minister, said in a statement following the vote.

She said it would be the last time her party voted for an increase under the current system, citing the need for a fairer model that reflected differences in career length and job type.

The decision has sparked anger from unions and workers in physically demanding sectors such as construction and agriculture.

Denmark's largest trade union, 3F, has argued that the policy will disproportionately burden lower-income workers. It said surveys had found three-quarters of their members doubted they could keep working into their 70s.

Pension changes have become a flash point across Europe. Just two years ago, France was rocked by months of mass protests and strikes after President Emmanuel Macron's government raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Nonetheless, as demographic pressure mounts globally, Denmark's move may be a bellwether.

Countries including Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK have already scheduled retirement age increases to 67 by 2031, 2028, and 2028, respectively.

With life expectancy continuing to rise, birth rates falling, and the need for a sustainable ratio of workers to retirees, economists and researchers say retirement ages will probably need to be pushed back further.

A 2024 report from the UK's International Longevity Centre projected that Britain would have to raise the retirement age to 71 by 2050 to maintain the ratio of workers to retirees.

Similarly, in the US, the retirement age for full Social Security benefits has already been raised from 65 to 67.

While Republicans have proposed a further increase, President Donald Trump said on the campaign trail in June 2024 that he would "not raise the retirement age by one day."

• President Donald Trump said tariffs of at least 25% would apply to iPhones not made in the US.
• Apple stock fell more than 3% in premarket trading on Friday.
• Trump told Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhones should be made "in the United States, not India, or anyplace else."

Apple dipped premarket on Friday after President Donald Trump said iPhones manufactured outside the US would face a tariff of at least 25%.

"I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone's that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday.

He warned that if Apple failed to comply, the company must pay the US a tariff of "at least" 25%.

Apple stock was down more than 3% just before 8 a.m ET.

Trump also threatened new tariffs against the European Union on Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

• I spent a week without my phone in the Tangkhul Naga villages of Manipur.
• Trusting strangers' handwritten maps over Google taught me to embrace uncertainty.
• I learned to appreciate all my phone provides without taking it for granted or using it too much.

As I stood at a Himalayan crossroads clutching a paper map, I could feel my fingers twitching for a phone I'd vowed not to use.

I'd traveled from Mumbai to the Tangkhul Naga villages of Manipur and decided to spend a week of my trip not relying on my phone.

At first, the absence of notifications felt liberating — until I realized how much I'd outsourced my survival to technology.

The first hour of my digital detox felt like stepping into a silent void. There was no Google Maps to decode winding mountain trails, and no translator to navigate conversations in the village's Tangkhul dialect.

My heartbeat spiked when a fog rolled in, erasing landmarks. I'd romanticized the idea of "unplugging" — until reality hit.

I was lost, alone, and utterly dependent on strangers and a paper map. Soon, though, the locals became my unexpected compass. An older woman brewing tea over a fire gestured for me to sit with her.

As steam curled from the clay cup, she traced a route on my map with charcoal-stained fingers: "Follow the red prayer flags, then the goats."

Her directions were vague, yet effective. By sunset, I'd traded algorithmic certainty for human intuition and found my guesthouse.

Soon, I found myself slowing down and finding other ways to capture memories

That night, I journaled by candlelight. And, with no phone to document my travels in photos, I sketched scenes from the day.

My first drawing — a mist-cloaked valley — took 40 minutes.

Instead of snapping dozens of photos of the valley from slightly different angles in seconds, I was forced to slow down and remember the details.

It was a refreshing challenge to rely so much on memory and force myself to focus on one task instead of tapping around on my phone.

The sketches also made me realize just how much I'd reduced travel to a series of Instagram snapshots. Now, each drawing captured my memories more profoundly, from the prayer flags flapping in the wind to the sunshine breaking through the clouds.

Ironically, my phone-free "Kodak moments" became more immersive than any filtered photo.

As the trip went on, I started to feel grateful and guilty for having a digital detox in the first place

About halfway through my trip, a teenage girl approached me and asked if I could take her family's photo and put it on Facebook.

Her family posed stiffly outside their home, clutching a prized smartphone — one of the few in the village. Their only internet access was a three-hour walk to town.

The request gutted me. Here I was, romanticizing my "noble" detox, while they saw social media and connection as a lifeline to opportunity.

For them, an online post has the chance to go viral, which might mean getting a scholarship or other meaningful resources.

My privilege hit hard: I could afford to romanticize disconnection.

I took the photo and promised to tag them later. Still, the guilt lingered: Who exactly was this detox serving?

The more time I spent away from my phone, the more I realized how lucky I was to be able to have it as a resource — a way to navigate and to connect with friends around the world.

Still, it's easy for a phone to become too much of a crutch and a distraction. Maybe I didn't need to go fully phone-free if I was able to find balance by setting mindful limitations and remembering to have gratitude for all it can offer me.

Some of my lessons stuck with me, but it hasn't been perfect

When I returned to Mumbai, I tried to take some of my technology-detox habits with me, from going on long hikes without a phone and spending Sundays offline.

So far, it's been messy. I've missed emails, gotten lost in my city, and had arguments with friends who think I'm ignoring them on purpose.

However, I've also rediscovered the art of waiting and taking in the world around me — staring out train windows, eavesdropping on market banter, and letting my mind wander without a screen to numb the boredom.

I still keep one of the hand-drawn maps a local shepherd gave me during my trip above my desk. It's rice paper inked with jagged peaks, rivers like squiggled threads, and an "X" marking his favorite hidden spring.

It's objectively useless for navigating Mumbai's chaos, but it reminds me that sometimes, the most unexpected paths — ones that force us to slow down, observe, and engage with the world around us — can best reshape our perspectives the most.