• Walt Disney World is building its first-ever affordable housing development.
• The 1,400 units will be built in Horizon West, a master-planned community in Central Florida.
• Housing insecurity is a problem in Central Florida — for residents and Disney cast members alike.

I don't typically spend my Friday afternoons flitting across Orlando in search of undeveloped plots, but nearly 80 acres of land have become a source of tension for some residents of Horizon West.

The master-planned community, complete with five villages and a town center, spans over 20,000 acres and is about 20 minutes from the Magic Kingdom.

Construction for nearly 1,400 mixed-income housing units — developed by The Michaels Organization on land owned by Walt Disney World — will begin this year. More than 1,000 units will be dedicated to affordable housing.

"We selected this land because it is part of a thriving community, close to employers, shopping, services, public schools, and areas of rest and recreation," Disney says about the development on its website. "We feel there is no better-positioned community in Central Florida to provide residents the opportunity to start a new chapter of their story."

Disney said the "critical" need for affordable housing units prompted it to pursue the project. "The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including those who live and work in Central Florida," the company says.

Housing insecurity continues to impact Central Florida.

Residents across various industries are still reeling from the increased cost of living and the dicey housing market that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes hospitality and tourism workers — like Walt Disney World cast members — who are vital to the area's economy. Former cast members have told local Florida outlets and BI that they've struggled with housing insecurity and securing living wages.

Walt Disney World has made strides to address the issue. In 2021, the company set a $15 minimum wage for cast members and increased it to $18 in 2023.

Critics of the privately funded project said the fast-growing area is already crowded and does not have the infrastructure to handle an influx of residents. Supporters said it's an opportunity to address the housing insecurity in Central Florida. Orange County expects the population, now over 1.5 million, to increase by 500,000 by 2050.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents residents in Horizon West, opposed a proposal for the housing units last year.

"We are not in a position to put more human beings in an area that isn't ready for them. I think we have this perception that affordable housing is the goal. And yes, it should be affordable, but it should also come with all the things we need for it to be successful," Wilson told WMFE, a local public radio station.

In response to concerned citizens, a Disney spokesperson told Newsweek, "Orange County leaders continue to identify affordable housing as one of the most significant priorities for our region, and we take great pride in bringing a plan to the table that can contribute to the solution."

Residents told BI that Horizon West used to be a hidden gem, but now it's attracting people in search of camaraderie and what they call the "village lifestyle."

I toured the community to see what all the hype was about.

Each Horizon West village has a distinct vibe

As I walked through Horizon West, one thing became clear: It's a lively, family-focused community that is quickly expanding.

Parents pushed strollers, couples walked dogs, and packs of laughing children sped down the sidewalks on electric scooters. Palm trees dotted the grassy landscape alongside several apartment buildings and retail spots. It's a far cry from when citrus farmers and their groves dominated the area.

Orange County began to develop Horizon West in 1995 after a series of freezes decimated the citrus groves in the area. Inspired by the new urbanism movement, developers created a master plan that envisioned each village having housing, shops, a place to work, a school, parks, and other things essential to daily life.

That "village lifestyle" is one reason Heather Parker and her family moved to Horizon West from Missouri in 2020. Parker is the culture & engagement manager for Horizon West Happenings, a community initiative focused on empowering residents.

"When we decided to move to Florida, my kids were in elementary school and middle school, so having the school was a very big draw to us," Parker said. "As we started researching, we found a couple of options that were a good fit."

It was also appealing that residents have easy access to green spaces and often forgo cars for bicycles or scooters, she said.

"Everything is open and connected," Parker said. "I can go to the grocery store on my scooter to pick up a couple of items or go to the dentist. The hospital is two minutes down the street from me. There are so many great things about everything being so close."

Although each village appears similar at a glance, Lindsay Turner, the director of marketing for Horizon West Happenings, said each "has its own unique vibe."

Hamlin, for example, acts as the downtown and offers a nightlife element attractive to young professionals. Bridgewater is "family-oriented," while Village I attracts many Disney employees due to the close commute. There's also a Brazilian influence prevalent in some villages that isn't in others, which Turner said shows how each area is distinct.

Horizon West's population boomed during the pandemic

Florida became a top destination for people moving states during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving it an economic boost but also increasing living costs. When I explored Horizon West, it seemed like there were signs and banners advertising real estate options on every corner.

Real estate agent Nicole Mickle said the influx of new Floridians was felt in Horizon West. She and her family moved to the area in 2018. "I sold many homes through FaceTime," Mickle said.

The US Census Bureau reported that 14,000 people lived in Horizon West in 2010, and that number rose to over 58,100 in 2020. The community is now about 75,000, according to the Census Reporter.

"The rumors are true," Turner said."The growth is exponential. It's insane how quickly and how fast things grow here. You can leave Horizon West for a month or two and come back to areas that are completely unrecognizable."

Horizon West has various housing options at different price points, which the developers specified in the master plan.

"Apartments could be around $2,500 a month, and homes could be multimillion-dollar over here," Mickle said. "I think the homes are still affordable for what Horizon West offers. You can't find this in other areas of Orlando at the moment."

Disney moves in

Mickle said the recent population boom, in tandem with residents' passion for Horizon West, could explain the stir around the Disney-backed housing units.

"What some want to do is keep the integrity of the community," Mickle said.

Residents circulated a petition last year saying they "strongly opposed" the construction because it threatened "the local environment and quality of life due to the inappropriate location and lack of adequate infrastructure." Some residents told local media outlets that the housing units would bring more traffic to the area, while others wondered how affordable the units would actually be.

Although the units have drawn criticism, Parker said they've also generated excitement from those looking for new housing opportunities. The units are meant for Central Florida residents across many industries and backgrounds, including firefighters, teachers, and hospitality workers.

"Not many teachers in Horizon West live in the area," Parker said. "It is an upper-middle-class area, and teachers in Florida may not make enough money to live here otherwise."

Parker said the project is designed to fit aesthetically with the surrounding Horizon West properties and will have coveted amenities like pocket parks.

"Disney has done a great job of holding community meetings, opening up the dialogue, listening, and trying to make sure everybody's on the same page," Parker said.

• Capital One Financial Corporation completed its acquisition of Discover Financial Services.
• The deal, first announced in February, is valued at $35.5 billion.
• The acquisition combines two of the world's largest credit card issuers.

Capital One Financial Corporation has completed its acquisition of Discover Financial Services.

Richard D. Fairbank, Capital One's founder and CEO, said in a press release on Sunday that the deal "brings together two innovative, mission-driven companies."

"Through the efforts of thousands of associates across Capital One and Discover, we are well-positioned to continue our quest to change banking for good for millions of customers," he said.

The companies first announced the acquisition, an all-stock transaction valued at $35.5 billion, in February.

At that time, Fairbank said the acquisition was a "singular opportunity to bring together two very successful companies with complementary capabilities and franchises, and to build a payments network that can compete with the largest payments networks and payments companies."

Capital One reported a $1.4 billion net income during its first-quarter earnings in April. Discover reported a net income of $1.1 billion that same month.

Representatives for Discover Financial Services didn't respond to a request for comment. For now, the companies have said nothing will change for Discover customers.

• President Donald Trump spoke at a business roundtable in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
• Trump talked about Disney's planned theme park in Abu Dhabi.
• Disney announced its seventh theme park, Disneyland Abu Dhabi, earlier this month.

President Donald Trump has high hopes for Disney's seventh theme park.

"I see the new theme park is going to be incredible. Bob Iger was in my office the other day and he was showing it to me," Trump said during a roundtable with business leaders in Abu Dhabi on Friday. "It's going to be incredible."

Earlier this month, Disney announced that it planned to build its seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi. Disney, working alongside immersive experiences company Miral, said the theme park would be built on Yas Island.

"Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come," Iger said in a statement.

Representatives for the White House and Disney did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Abu Dhabi was the final stop on Trump's Middle East trip. Earlier this week, the president touched down in Saudi Arabia before traveling to Qatar and, finally, the United Arab Emirates.

Trump returned to the United States on Friday after securing a flurry of deals in those countries, including a deal for American chipmaker Nvidia to provide at least 18,000 Blackwell GPUs to Saudi Arabia and for Qatar Airways to pay Boeing $96 billion to build at least 160 jets. The US and Saudi Arabia also struck an arms deal worth almost $142 billion.

Disney has been a lightning rod in the culture wars in recent years, including its legal showdown with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Since returning to the company in 2022, Iger has sought to change this perception.

Although Iger publicly criticized Trump and his policies during his first term, his tune appears to have changed this time around. Disney, along with other companies like Meta and Amazon, for example, announced it would make changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives — an important agenda item for Trump.

"I've always believed that we have a responsibility to do good in the world, but we know our job is not to advance any kind of agenda," Iger said during a livestreamed meeting in 2024. "For as long as I'm in the job, I'm going to continue to be guided by a sense of decency and respect, and we'll always trust our instincts."

• Big Tech dominated Kantar BrandZ's most valuable global brand ranking.
• Apple topped the list for the fourth year in a row.
• Companies like ChatGPT and Chipotle made their debut.

Try as they might, brands can't take a bite out of Apple.

Kantar BrandZ, a marketing data and analytics company, published its annual ranking of the world's most valuable brands.

The global market has weathered storms in the past, but the volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting consumer expectations over the last five years have rattled the landscape. The ongoing tariff discussions between the United States and other countries have added another layer of uncertainty to the formula. While some companies succumbed to the pressure, others steamrolled ahead.

Topping the list for the fourth year in a row is Apple with a brand value of about $1.3 trillion. That's a 28% increase from 2024, according to Kantar.

After overthrowing Jeff Bezos' Amazon in 2022, the tech giant has continued to dominate the list while Google, Microsoft, and Amazon vie for second, third, and fourth place. Under CEO Tim Cook, Apple has managed to fend off international competitors like China's Huawei and South Korea's Samsung.

Another standout on this year's list is Jensen Huang's Nvidia, which saw its brand value increase 152% from 2024. The chipmaker, which reached a $3 trillion valuation after announcing a deal with a Saudi Arabian tech firm, appeared at No. 5 on the list.

Here is Kantar's top 10 most valuable global brands:

1. Apple
2. Google
3. Microsoft
4. Amazon
5. NVIDIA
6. Facebook
7. Instagram
8. McDonald's
9. Oracle
10. Visa

Kantar's report also highlighted some "newcomers," brands making their debut on the list.

ChatGPT was the highest-ranking newcomer at No. 60, coming 25 spots ahead of financial service company Stripe and 26 spots ahead of Chipotle.

Here are the top seven newcomers:

60. ChatGPT

85. Stripe

86. Chipotle

89. Booking.com

95. Hilton

97. Uniqlo

99. DoorDash

Martin Guerrieria, head of Kantar BrandZ, said brands need to do more than differentiate themselves from competitors to stay afloat in the global market.

"The dominance of brands like Apple, Instagram, and McDonald's underlines the power of a consistent brand experience that people can relate to and remember," he said. "ChatGPT's dramatic rise shows how a brand can find fame and influence society to the extent that it changes our daily lives. But with generative AI competition accelerating, OpenAI will need to invest in its brand to preserve its first-mover momentum."

• Big Tech companies depend on content made by others to train their AI models.
• Some of those creators say using their work to train AI is copyright infringement.
• The US Copyright Office just published a report that indicates it may agree.

Big Tech companies train their AI models mostly on the work of other people, like scientists, journalists, filmmakers, or artists.

Those creators have long objected to the practice. Now, the US Copyright Office appears to have joined their side.

The office released on Friday its latest in a series of reports exploring copyright laws and artificial intelligence. The report addresses whether the copyrighted content AI companies use to train their AI models qualifies under the fair use doctrine.

AI companies are probably not going to like what they read.

AI companies are desperate for data. Most of them believe that the more information a model can digest, the better it will be. But with that insatiable consumption, they risk running afoul of copyright laws.

Companies like Open AI have faced a slew of lawsuits from creators who say training AI models on their copyrighted work without permission infringes on their rights. AI execs argue they haven't violated copyright laws because the training falls under fair use.

According to the US Copyright Office's new report, however, it's not that simple.

"Although it is not possible to prejudge the result in any particular case, precedent supports the following general observations," the office said. "Various uses of copyrighted works in AI training are likely to be transformative. The extent to which they are fair, however, will depend on what works were used, from what source, for what purpose, and with what controls on the outputs — all of which can affect the market."

The office made a distinction between AI models for research and commercial AI models.

"When a model is deployed for purposes such as analysis or research — the types of uses that are critical to international competitiveness — the outputs are unlikely to substitute for expressive works used in training," the office said. "But making commercial use of vast troves of copyrighted works to produce expressive content that competes with them in existing markets, especially where this is accomplished through illegal access, goes beyond established fair use boundaries."

In the report, the office compared artificial intelligence outputs that essentially copy its training materials to outputs with added elements and new value.

"On one end of the spectrum, training a model is most transformative when the purpose is to deploy it for research, or in a closed system that constrains it to a non-substitutive task," the office said. "For example, training a language model on a large collection of data, including social media posts, articles, and books, for deployment in systems used for content moderation does not have the same educational purpose as those papers and books."

Training an artificial intelligence model to create outputs "substantially similar to copyrighted works in the dataset" is less likely to be considered transformative.

"Unlike cases where copying computer programs to access their functional elements was necessary to create new, interoperable works, using images or sound recordings to train a model that generates similar expressive outputs does not merely remove a technical barrier to productive competition," the office said. "In such cases, unless the original work itself is being targeted for comment or parody, it is hard to see the use as transformative."

In another section, the office said it rejected two "common arguments" about the "transformative nature of AI training."

"As noted above, some argue that the use of copyrighted works to train AI models is inherently transformative because it is not for expressive purposes. We view this argument as mistaken," the office said.

"Nor do we agree that AI training is inherently transformative because it is like human learning," it added.

A day after the office released the report, President Donald Trump fired its director, Shira Perlmutter, a spokesperson told Business Insider.

"On Saturday afternoon, the White House sent an email to Shira Perlmutter saying 'your position as the Register of Copyrights and Director at the US Copyright Office is terminated effective immediately," the spokesperson said.

While Trump, with the help of Elon Musk, who has his own AI model, Grok, has sought to reduce the federal workforce and shutter some agencies, some saw the timing of Perlmutter's dismissal as suspect. New York Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democrat, addressed Perlmutter's firing in an online statement.

"Donald Trump's termination of Register of Copyrights, Shira Perlmutter, is a brazen, unprecedented power grab with no legal basis. It is surely no coincidence he acted less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk's efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models," the statement said.

Big Tech and AI companies have rallied around Trump since his election, led by Musk, who became the face of the White House DOGE Office and the administration's effort to reduce federal spending. Other tech billionaires, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have also cozied up to Trump in recent months.

A representative for the White House did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Pope Leo XIV addressed the College of Cardinals on Saturday.
• He said artificial intelligence posed "new challenges."
• Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8.

The growing prevalence of artificial intelligence across numerous industries has been hard to ignore, even for the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever US-born pope, addressed the College of Cardinals on Saturday for the first time since the papal conclave. In his speech, the new pope said artificial intelligence influenced his decision to take the name Leo XIV.

"Sensing myself called to continue in this same path, I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution," Leo XIV said. "In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice, and labor."

Saturday's address isn't the first time the Catholic Church has reflected on artificial intelligence.

In January, the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, published a lengthy note on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. The note said the Catholic Church "encourages the advancement of science, technology, the arts, and other forms of human endeavor" but sought to address the "anthropological and ethical challenges raised by AI — issues that are particularly significant, as one of the goals of this technology is to imitate the human intelligence that designed it."

Leo XIV's predecessor, Pope Francis, also discussed AI in a January 2024 message published by the Holy See.

"The rapid spread of astonishing innovations, whose workings and potential are beyond the ability of most of us to understand and appreciate, has proven both exciting and disorienting," Pope Francis said. "This leads inevitably to deeper questions about the nature of human beings, our distinctiveness and the future of the species homo sapiens in the age of artificial intelligence. How can we remain fully human and guide this cultural transformation to serve a good purpose?"

Pope Francis added, "At this time in history, which risks becoming rich in technology and poor in humanity, our reflections must begin with the human heart."

• Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
• A spokesperson for Swift told outlets the subpoena is "tabloid clickbait."
• Baldoni and Lively, who starred in "It Ends with Us," filed dueling lawsuits against each other.

Taylor Swift is the latest big name to appear in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's contentious legal scuffle.

TMZ reported on Friday that Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, subpoenaed Swift as a witness in the case related to "It Ends With Us," a 2024 romance film starring Baldoni and Lively.

Although the film did well at the global box office, its success has been overshadowed by the behind-the-scenes rift between its leading stars. In addition to acting, Baldoni directed the film, and Lively was billed as a producer.

In response to the subpoena, a spokesperson said Swift had minimal involvement in the film beyond licensing her song "My Tears Ricochet."

"Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see 'It Ends With Us' until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history," the spokesperson told Good Morning America.

The spokesperson said the decision to subpoena one of the world's biggest pop stars was made to create "tabloid clickbait."

"The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, 'My Tears Ricochet.' Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case," the spokesperson said.

Representatives for Swift, Lively, and Baldoni did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Lively and Baldoni have countersued each other

So far, neither Lively nor Baldoni has backed down in their legal battle.

Following the August 2024 premiere of "It Ends With Us," based on Colleen Hoover's eponymous book, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department accusing Baldoni of sexually harassing her and creating a "hostile work environment that had nearly derailed production of the Film."

The complaint also accused Baldoni and his team of attempting to damage Lively's public reputation. The complaint, formalized into a lawsuit last December, mentioned Swift by name.

Baldoni sued The New York Times for libel last December after the outlet published an article about Lively's accusations. One month later, Baldoni accused Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of taking over the film and attempting to hurt his reputation in a $400 million lawsuit. Both Lively and Reynolds have asked for Baldoni's lawsuit to be dismissed.

• Banke Adebola moved from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia in 2024.
• Adebola said her mental health has improved while living in Riyadh.
• She said the city is growing into a top travel destination.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Banke Adebola, 31, an accountant who moved from the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia. She moved to the capital city, Riyadh, in May 2024. It's been edited for length and clarity.

My husband accepted a job offer three years ago, so I fit my life in about three suitcases and left my home in London.

Now, I'm an accountant working remotely in Saudi Arabia.

I'm not going to lie. When my husband moved to Riyadh, I said, "Let's stay a year or two, then come back to London." I had no idea what it would be like living here as a Christian Black woman, but my tune has changed. I've surprised myself with how much I like it here.

There were things about Riyadh that surprised me

Since my husband already had friends living in Riyadh, finding an apartment wasn't hard.

For the first year, we rented an apartment, but we live in a compound now because it's closer to where my husband works.

Expats tend to flock to compounds because there are no dress restrictions and there are amenities. Europeans, Americans, and people from all over the world live in a compound, which is a bit pricer than a normal apartment. On the other hand, some other expats want to live with the locals.

One of the first things I had to come to terms with was that Riyadh is heavily reliant on cars and driving, so most locals don't rely on public transport. The Riyadh Metro Station opened last year, which is quite popular, but you still have to drive to the metro.

In London, I would dedicate my Saturday mornings to walking around the town and grabbing a coffee on the way back. You can't really do that here because there aren't as many places around as in London.

The Saudi government is trying to add more greenery, but it's not really a walkable city yet. It's too hot to walk half the year anyway because temperatures can reach 113°F.

Another was how to dress. When you hear about Saudi Arabia, you might think, "Oh, I need to buy a scarf or wear an Abaya." You don't need to do that as an expat.

If you're not Muslim or if you're not from Saudi Arabia, there are no expectations to cover up like the locals do. You can wear whatever you want as long as you are dressed modestly and respectful of the culture.

Many Saudis, or people who live in Riyadh, are Muslim, so it's embedded in the culture, and you will hear prayer calls all day. During Ramadan, many stores are closed during the day because people are fasting. The local coffee shop will be open from about 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., which I hadn't experienced before. Being Christian, it kind of encouraged me to take my faith more seriously because they take theirs very seriously.

Also, the workweek in Saudi Arabia is Sunday to Thursday. I still get confused sometimes, and it's taken me a while to adjust to it.

So far, the biggest impact that it's had on my life is that my mental health is much better here. It's not like I hated the UK, but I always had seasonal depression.

When it was winter in London, I never wanted to leave the house, but I don't have any of that here. Even during the winter in Riyadh, it's always sunny. It's improved my quality of life and mental health. I just feel lighter here. Especially coming from the corporate world in London, where everything's quick.

Riyadh is a modern city that's continuing to grow

Riyadh has grown since I first visited. My husband and I have met more expats in the last six months than ever before.

The government has something called Saudi Vision 2030. They're trying to make Saudi Arabia a top travel destination, so they've introduced lots of new entertainment. There are lots of boxing matches now, and last year, we hosted a tennis tournament with Rafael Nadal.

If you visit, you will be surprised how much you like Saudi Arabia. There are so many things tourists can do, like visiting the museums or Boulevard World, which has exhibitions of different countries showcasing the food and culture.

Saudi Arabia is much more modern than people give it credit for.

• India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate cease-fire on Saturday after US mediation.
• It followed days of rising tensions and cross-border strikes between the two nations.
• President Donald Trump has since floated "substantially" increasing trade with New Delhi and Islamabad.

President Donald Trump has floated "substantially" increasing trade with India and Pakistan after the two countries announced an immediate cease-fire on Saturday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised India and Pakistan for their "strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership" and said that, "while not even discussed," he was "going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations."

He added that he would also work with Islamabad and New Delhi to find a solution regarding the contested region of Kashmir.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Trump's comments in a statement on Sunday, thanking the US for its help brokering the truce and saying it looked forward to working more closely with Washington on "trade, investment, and economic cooperation."

It comes after a series of drone and missile strikes between the long-time rivals that were sparked by an attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir last month.

Following US pressure and diplomatic efforts, a "full and immediate" cease-fire was declared on Saturday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that he and Vice President JD Vance had spent 48 hours engaging with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif.

"I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site," Rubio wrote on X.

However, both India and Pakistan have since accused each other of violating the cease-fire.

India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, said in a statement Saturday that there had been "repeated violations" of the truce and that India's armed forces were "giving an adequate and appropriate response."

A spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it was India that had carried out violations and that Islamabad remained committed to upholding the terms of the cease-fire.

"We believe that any issues in smooth implementation of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels. The troops on ground should also exercise restraint," they said.

Western leaders have also been pushing to broker another crucial cease-fire deal between Russia and Ukraine this weekend.

The leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire from Monday, or face more sanctions.

"Russia must agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on X.

• A humble 3-bedroom Illinois home listed for sale this week is now in the world spotlight.
• Chicago native Pope Leo XIV, also known as Robert Prevost, grew up in this house.
• Originally listed for $199,000, the home has been pulled off the market as the owner decides what to do.

News of a plain, brick, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home built in 1959 hitting the market outside Chicago wouldn't typically make headlines.

Then the world discovered that the 1,200-square-foot home is where Pope Leo XIV, until Thursday known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, spent his childhood.

According to Zillow, the home was most recently bought for $66,000 in May 2024. It was then flipped and re-listed for $205,000 in January, before being cut to $199,000.

Steve Budzik, a real estate agent working with the home's owner, said they were shocked to learn the news of the home's history.

"He was like, 'Wow,'" Budzik said of owner Paul Radzik. "It's better than winning the lotto. We were both very surprised and honored. It was a lot of emotions."

Budzik said the home garnered "steady interest" before Thursday, averaging one to two viewings a week, but that the fanfare surrounding the first American pope brightened the spotlight.

"Since yesterday, at around 10 o'clock, I would say my client and I have received seven to eight offers," Budzik said. "We took the listing off, so there were no showings, but if we had left it on the market, it would've probably been booked out all day."

The owner has decided to delist the home as they weigh their options.

"It's like a collectible car they only made one of," Budzik said.

Budzik said the owner might keep the home, but is considering several options, including turning it into a museum honoring Pope Leo XIV or a rental space where admirers could stay.

"Every day people are reaching out to us with their own ideas as well, so we're just going to wait and review everything and come up with a plan in the next few weeks," he said.

Budzik told BI that the owner has also considered reaching out the Pope Leo XIV's brother, who lives in Illinois, for his thoughts.

Hometown pride has swelled for Leo XIV. Weiner's Circle, a celebrated local hot dog joint, put up a Latin sign exclaiming: Canes Nostros Ipse Comedit ("He has eaten our dogs").

Chicago resident Frank Calabrese, 37, was among the first to discover the home's new place in history. As a self-professed Chicago history nerd, Calabrese started digging around on Thursday to find out more about the life of Pope Leo XIV.

As a law clerk for property tax cases, he also knew exactly where to look. He searched local tax records and found the deed that listed the Pope's father's name.

"It is strange to feel like there's a personal connection to the Pope," Calabrese told BI.

• The Walt Disney Company's new theme park resort will be in Abu Dhabi.
• Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the company's seventh theme park.
• The company shared renderings of the theme park.

Disneyland is officially coming to Abu Dhabi.

The Walt Disney Company announced its seventh theme park on Wednesday. It will be built on Yas Island, which already hosts several theme parks and entertainment experiences, including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

Disney, which is licensing operations to Miral, an immersive experiences company, shared renderings of Disneyland Abu Dhabi with Business Insider.

"As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a company blog.

"Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come."

Miral, based in Abu Dhabi, will build and develop the theme park resort. Disney Imagineers will spearhead creative design and operational oversight.

"What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination — an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world, creating magical moments and memories that families will treasure forever," His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman at Miral, said in the Disney blog post.

Disney announced its new destination ahead of its second-quarter earnings call. The company surpassed analysts' estimates, reporting 23.6 billion in revenue.

Paul Verna, EMARKETER's vice president of content, said Disney's stronger-than-expected results would come as a relief to investors.

"Although CEO Bob Iger acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainty for the remainder of its fiscal year, the company raised its EPS outlook, brushing off fears of a recession and threats of heavy tariffs on films produced outside the US," Verna said.

• Nicki Minaj has now attended the Met Gala eight times. 
• Minaj attended her first Met Gala in 2013 wearing a Tommy Hilfiger gown.
• Here are all her Met Gala looks between 2013 and 2025. 

Nicki Minaj has become a Met Gala veteran.

The "Pink Friday 2" rapper attended the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday in New York City. This year's theme was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," which drew inspiration from Monica L. Miller's 2009 book "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, according to Vogue. The dress code was "Tailored for You."

Minaj, 42, has attended the Met Gala eight times since 2013. Here are all her looks.

May 2013: Minaj attended her first Met Gala in a Tommy Hilfiger gown

The 2013 Met Gala theme was "Punk: Chaos to Couture," but Minaj kept things simple in a dark blue gown featuring cut-outs along the midriff and a square neckline. Tommy Hilfiger designed the gown and gifted Minaj a $32,000 Rolex for being his guest at the event.

"Oh gee, thx Tommy," she wrote on X, known as Twitter at the time.

May 2016: She wore a Moschino gown and walked with designer Jeremy Scott on the red carpet

Minaj waited three years to attend her next Met Gala, which had the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" theme. She posed with designer Jeremy Scott, wearing a Moschino creation on the red carpet. Scott announced in March 2023 that he intended to step down from his role with the luxury fashion brand.

The sheer black dress featured a plunging necklace and black belts with bejeweled buckles. Minaj also wore black sheer opera gloves.

May 2017: Minaj's third Met Gala look was designed by fashion retailer H&M

The "Pink Friday 2" rapper arrived at her third Met Gala wearing a black and red outfit. That year's theme was "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between."

Vogue reported that Minaj's ensemble — designed in collaboration with H&M — included a duchess satin kimono top, an obi belt with designer Rei Kawakubo's face, and intricate details like a strip of red Swarovski crystals.

May 2018: Oscar de la Renta designed Minaj's gown for that year's Met Gala

Minaj wore another black and red ensemble to the Met Gala in 2018 when the theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

She arrived in an ombré Oscar de la Renta gown with black fabric at the top that gradually turned a bold red. She topped the gown with a matching robe featuring a long train and a detailed headpiece.

May 2019: Prabal Gurung designed Minaj's ensemble for her fifth Met Gala

Minaj attended the 2019 Met Gala — with the "Camp: Notes on Fashion" theme — in an all-pink halter minidress designed by Prabal Gurung. It included a plunging sweetheart neckline, an extravagant train, and silver jewels strung across the fabric.

During a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight that May, Minaj admitted that she didn't understand the event's "camp" theme.

"Up until today, I had no idea what 'camp' was," she told the outlet. "So, I don't even know if this is camp, to be honest."

May 2022: Minaj arrived to her sixth Met Gala in a gown designed by Burberry

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Met Gala organizers to cancel the event in 2020, and Minaj didn't attend the 2021 ceremony due to vaccine protocols. However, she returned to the Met Gala red carpet in 2022 wearing a dramatic black gown by Burberry.

Harper's Bazaar reported that the all-black ensemble featured a strapless leather jumpsuit adorned with a large belt buckle and a long feathered train. Minaj's outfit was paired with a matching black cap, and she accessorized with black jewels across her skin.

May 2024: Minaj wore a gold minidress designed by Marni

Minaj attended the 2024 Met Gala in a gold Marni minidress after skipping the previous year. She paired the dress with a matching handbag and heels.

The dress is covered in hand-painted 3D metal flowers, according to Vogue.

Minaj thanked Marni and its creative director, Francesco Risso, on Instagram, writing, "This was the most wonderful experience & I'm so grateful for @marni & Francesco who were the most exquisite, most classy gang a girl like me could ask for."

May 2025: Minaj wore a Thom Browne suit dress to her eighth Met Gala

The theme for the 2025 Met Gala was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," and the dress code was "Tailored for You."

A post on Thom Browne's Instagram said Minaj's ensemble was "a deconstructed take on the dandy pinstripe suit."

"The look is grounded by a pencil skirt with mermaid train in navy and white pinstripe wool crepe and a corset in white silk moiré with binding in tonal silk duchess satin," the post said.

• The Walt Disney Company hosted its second-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.
• Analysts say a slowdown in travel may drag down Disney stocks.
• The company said it is building a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.

The Walt Disney Company says it will open a seventh theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.

Disney, which won't own the park but is licensing the operation to Miral, an immersive experiences company, announced the new destination on Wednesday.

"As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways," Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement online.

"Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati — an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come."

A blog published on Disney's website said the destination would be located on Yas Island.

Disney also reported its second-quarter finances on Wednesday.

Ahead of the earnings call, analysts at Raymond James said that while Disney's travel and leisure experiences helped diversify the company "away from the tumultuous Media space into a secularly growing business," it also made Disney "more cyclical and macro sensitive."

"As such, both the fears around tariffs and a possible recession, along with a slowdown in travel that has already begun, have dragged DIS stock down ~27% in ~6 weeks," wrote Raymond James analysts Ric Prentiss and Brent Penter.

Here are the key numbers for the second quarter compared to analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg:

• Earnings per share: $1.45 adjusted vs. $1.20 expected
• Revenue: $23.6 billion vs. $23.05 billion expected
• Entertainment: $10.68 billion vs. $10.48 billion expected
• Sports: $4.5 billion vs. $4.32 billion expected
• Experiences: $8.8 billion vs. $8.76 billion expected

The earnings report came after President Donald Trump on Sunday called for a 100% tariff on foreign-made films.

The announcement confused Hollywood. Industry insiders were concerned the tariffs could hurt the entertainment business, which is still recovering from labor strikes and spending cuts. In a Monday statement, the White House said the Trump administration is "exploring all options."

"Although no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made, the Administration is exploring all options to deliver on President Trump's directive to safeguard our country's national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again," the statement said.

Analysts from Raymond James also said that "Disney's streaming networks are relatively less exposed to international content," and that the company's "emphasis on animation (largely done domestically) further insulates Disney from potential film tariffs."

However, the analysts also wrote that the idea of a film tariff poses "more questions than answers," including whether films partially shot or produced domestically would also face tariffs, and if it could be applied to libraries and movies already produced.

During its first-quarter earnings call in February, Disney reported strong earnings, surpassing Wall Street expectations with adjusted earnings of $1.76 per share and $24.69 billion in revenue.

Despite a slight dip in Disney+ subscribers in the first quarter, the entertainment division received a boost from box office hits like "Moana 2" and "Inside Out 2." In the experiences segment, Disney also saw revenue growth last quarter and has a $60 billion investment plan underway for its parks and experiences over the next 10 years.

• Unit owners at 432 Park Avenue, a luxury tower in New York City, have now sued the developers twice.
• A 2021 complaint said the building was "riddled" with "construction and design defects."
• The owners now say in a new complaint that the developers committed "massive fraud."

432 Park Avenue, the narrow 1,396-foot-tall residential skyscraper on New York City's Billionaires' Row, was advertised as an architectural marvel when tenants first moved in nearly a decade ago.

Now those tenants say the luxury tower is beset by cracks, leaks, elevator malfunctions, and relentless noise.

Unit owners have filed two separate complaints against the building's developers. One, filed in 2021, says the building is plagued with structural issues and accuses the developers of not addressing them. The other, filed last month, accuses the developers of "massive fraud."

Renting a unit at 432 Park Avenue can cost $1 million a year. On Zillow, a two-bedroom unit is listed for sale for over $10 million, while a four-bedroom unit is listed for sale for $35 million.

According to StreetEasy, a New York City listings site owned by Zillow, owners of 432 Park's 104 condos have access to 30,000 square feet of amenities, including a residents-only restaurant, room service, a pool, a library with a wood-burning fireplace, a billiards room, a board room, and a screening room.

When it opened in 2015, 432 Park was the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere at 96 stories. Another Billionaires' Row building, Central Park Tower, eclipsed it in 2019.

A board representing individual and commercial unit owners at 432 Park listed CIM Group, Macklowe Properties, and the company they formed to build the condominium in the 2021 lawsuit.

"What was promised as one of the finest condominiums in the City was instead delivered riddled with over 1,500 identified construction and design defects to the common elements of the Building alone (leaving aside the numerous defects within individual units)," tenants said in the 2021 complaint.

They said the developers "refused to accept responsibility for the vast majority of its errors" and didn't properly address the defects.

The building's developers defended themselves in a 2021 court filing: "432 Park had such issues — no different from any other building. Plaintiffs, however, have vastly exaggerated the scope of the work that was required (both in the reports of their consultant, SBI Consultants, Inc. ("SBI"), and in their Complaint) in furtherance of their gambit to exact undue payments from Sponsor."

In April, the tenants filed a second lawsuit against the group, as well as service firm WSP, SLCE Architects, and McGraw Hudson Construction, which is owned by the founder of Macklowe Properties. The unit owners said those companies knew "since the outset of construction that the Building's white concrete façade's design was wholly defective and would never hold up."

The developers "conspired with the other Defendants to concoct and disseminate fraudulent misrepresentations through the condominium offering plan and the Department of Buildings to conceal these alarming defects from Unit Owners in order to secure massive profits and leave Plaintiffs holding the bag," unit owners said in the April complaint.

In May 2024, The Wall Street Journal published an analysis from real-estate listings and property records, as well as interviews with people familiar with the building, that showed that the ongoing issues and legal action have pushed down sales activity and prices.

Compass realtors Alexandra Hedaya and Jason Haber, however, told Business Insider that they hadn't yet seen any impact on prices as a result of the lawsuits.

They hold the listing for a 4,462-square-foot, five-bedroom on the 55th floor now listed for $29.5 million. The home first hit the market in 2022 for $33 million. The developer sold it to its current owner for 23.87 million in 2016, according to New York City property records.

"It's hard to prove a negative. I can't tell you who hasn't called me because they're like, 'Oh, I don't want to look in the building.' So I only know the people who contact me about the building," Haber said.

Macklowe Properties, WSP, and the developer group did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Representatives for SLCE Architects and CIM Group denied the accusations in the April complaint and told BI they planned to move to dismiss it.

An attorney for the unit owners told BI, "This matter extends beyond negligence into an alleged calculated scheme, driven by greed, that eroded trust."

Although litigation is ongoing, the lawsuits offer a glimpse of what it's like to live in the famous building.

Flooding and water infiltration

Tenants said they experienced "repeated" leakage and floods in the building's common areas, including two "substantial" leaks in 2018.

The leaks caused water to enter the elevator shaft, shutting down service for two of four residential elevators "for weeks," according to the 2021 complaint.

"Thirty-five units, as well as common areas, suffered water damage," the unit owners said. "An investigation revealed that the cause was poor plumbing installation, including loose bolts buried under insulation."

"Persistent" water infiltration issues have also affected the tower's sub-basement levels, the unit owners said.

Noise and vibrations

Other issues tenants had with 432 Park Avenue's structure were noise and vibration, which they called one of the building's "most persistent and disruptive defects" in 2021.

"Apartments are plagued by creaking, banging, and clicking noises. Using the trash chute sounds 'like a bomb,'" unit owners said in the complaint. "The noise and vibration issues have been so severe that some Unit Owners have been forced to move out for lengthy periods, and in at least one case for over nineteen months — during a pandemic — while the issue is remediated."

Elevator malfunctions

Malfunctions with the building's elevators were also mentioned in the 2021 complaint.

"While Elevator disruptions have been particularly pervasive in the Residential towers, all areas of the Building, including the retail area, garage, and commercial space, have experienced and continue to experience malfunctions and shutdowns," tenants said. "Even escalators in the commercial space have malfunctioned, requiring prolonged shutdowns."

In addition to water leakage, the unit owner said in the complaint that the construction resulted in "wind conditions frequently disrupting the Building's elevator operations."

The exterior white concrete façade

Last month, the second complaint from tenants focused on the white concrete façade that comprises the building's exterior.

Unit owners said the design means the exterior is "plagued with thousands of severe cracks, spalling, and other forms of deterioration, which have led to major water infiltrations and flooding, corrosion of the steel rebar reinforcing the concrete columns, as well as other significant damage."

They said the parties listed in their 2025 complaint knew the façade would "never" hold up, and the group ignored warnings about potential defects.

Other issues

Residents said there were also visible cracks in the drywall on the walls and ceilings of the condos.

But that's not all: The 2021 complaint also cited "baseboard pulling and misaligned joints, malfunctioning sliding doors, grout joint openings and cracking at walls or floors in ceramic and/or stone tiling, excessive fog and window condensation, gaps and misalignment between wall and ceiling light fixtures, and repeated circuit breaker tripping."

• Disney's "Thunderbolts*" debuted in theatres on May 2.
• The film earned $76 million at the domestic box office over the weekend.
• Disney needed the win after a poor showing for its much-hyped live-action version of "Snow White."

Disney's "Thunderbolts*" earned $76 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend, a notable recovery after "Snow White" slumbered at the box office.

The film, produced by Marvel Studios, gained an additional $86.1 million in international ticket sales, totaling $162 million worldwide.

"Thunderbolts*" is the newest film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film follows a group of antiheroes who appeared in previous Marvel Studios projects as supporting characters, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan).

The opening weekend numbers are good news for Disney, which struggled to entice audiences to watch its "Snow White" remake in March.

Although the original 1937 animated film won Disney an Academy Award, the 2025 version garnered mixed reviews from critics and earned just $43 million at the domestic box office during opening weekend. A series of controversies surrounded the film, which may have affected viewership.

"The Amateur," a film produced by 20th Century Studios, grossed even less when it premiered in April. Starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne, the spy-action flick made $14 million during its opening weekend.

The early success of "Thunderbolts*" is also a sign that Disney could reverse its superhero slump. Slowing fan interest and an oversaturation of Marvel TV series on Disney+ caused what some perceived as a drop in quality, prompting Marvel to rethink its approach to rolling out Marvel content.

At the time of writing, "Thunderbolts*" has a critics' score of 88% based on 257 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

Representatives for Disney and Marvel Studios did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Travelers in the US will soon be expected to present a Real ID to board a plane.
• The Department of Homeland Security is set to start enforcing Real IDs on May 7.
• But Homeland Security head Kristi Noem said travelers will be able to fly without Real ID for now.

Travelers in the United States could have their vacations derailed this summer if they don't secure a Real ID.

The May 7 deadline set by the Department of Homeland Security is fast approaching, meaning old driver's licenses will no longer be considered an acceptable form of identification for adults boarding domestic flights.

But what happens if you arrive at a TSA security checkpoint without a Real ID? Here's everything you need to know.

What is a Real ID?

Real IDs were a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission, formed in 2002 under former President George W. Bush, for the federal government to "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards."

In addition to boarding domestic commercial flights, Real IDs will be required to grant access to certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants.

The US Congress formally passed the Real ID Act in 2005. But the federal government has delayed enforcing Real IDs several times over the past two decades. Though Real IDs are a form of identification, Homeland Security says they are not considered proof of citizenship.

How do you know if you have a Real ID-compliant card?

Unlike previous ID cards, a Real ID will have a star marking on the upper half of the card.

"If the card does not have a star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft," Homeland Security said.

But there are variations. Depending on the state, Real IDs can feature a gold star, a black star, a gold circle with a white star cutout, or a black circle with a white star cutout.

In California, Real IDs have an image of a gold grizzly bear with a white star cutout. Homeland Security announced on April 24 that New York State Real IDs, enhanced licenses, and identification cards will have a star or the US flag.

How do you get a Real ID?

The process of acquiring a Real ID varies by state.

For example, obtaining a Real ID in Alaska means applying in person at an Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles office and providing a primary document showing specific information, including birth name and US citizenship status.

In Texas, people can apply for a Real ID-compliant card in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Some may be eligible to renew their driver's license or ID online.

Homeland Security says that at the very least, people must present documents showing their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of principal residence address, and legal status to obtain a Real ID.

As Business Insider has reported, some people who have changed their names via marriage or divorce are having trouble gathering the necessary paperwork to apply for Real ID.

Homeland Security's website provides a Real ID map, allowing users to click on their state for more information.

Photos showed Americans throughout the United States waiting hours in line to obtain Real IDs ahead of the deadline, with some government offices remaining open longer than normal to accommodate the crowds.

The line at a Real ID Super Center in Chicago, operated by the Secretary of State, stretched for nearly two blocks the day before the deadline.

Can you apply for a Real ID after the May 7 deadline?

Though Homeland Security is set to begin enforcing Real IDs on May 7, people can submit applications anytime. Those who don't have a Real ID card by that date could face issues traveling in the United States and lose access to certain federal buildings.

Can you fly without a real ID after May 7?

Adults flying domestically in the United States can show an alternative form of identification. The Transportation Security Administration doesn't require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States.

The agency's website shared a list of accepted identification options, including US passports, US passport cards, state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, and more. But in April, TSA said the temporary paper card given to applicants by the DMV wouldn't be accepted.

If travelers don't have an acceptable form of ID, a TSA officer "may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity," TSA's website says, continuing: "If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening."

"You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed," the website says.

Homeland Security says passengers attempting to fly without proper identification can "expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated this on Tuesday, saying those without a Real ID would be able to fly, though they would be subject to additional questioning at airports.

• Warren Buffett announced he is stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO at the end of the year.
• He has recommended that Greg Abel, a vice chair at the company, succeed him.
• Tributes have been pouring in from business leaders such as Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, and Tim Cook.

Warren Buffett said he would step down as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO after 55 years, eliciting tributes from investors and business leaders.

Buffett, 94, made the announcement on Saturday during the company's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. The crowd gave Buffett two standing ovations, acknowledging his career as the longest-serving chief executive of an S&P 500 company.

He said he intended to step down at the end of 2025 and recommended to the board of directors that Greg Abel, now a vice chair at the company, take over as CEO.

Buffett has remained an enduring force as an investor and businessman since purchasing Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, then a New England textile mill, and transforming it into a $1 trillion conglomerate that spans multiple industries.

Following Buffett's announcement, business leaders from across the globe shared tributes.

Bill Gates

In a statement to Business Insider, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates called Buffett "one of the greatest CEOs ever" and "hands-down the most successful investor of all time."

Buffett and Gates have been friends for 30 years, meeting in the 1990s. They have worked together on philanthropic efforts for decades, though their friendship has cooled in recent years.

"He has built an extraordinary company in Berkshire Hathaway, and he's done it with wisdom, integrity, and a phenomenal sense of humor. But Warren hasn't been satisfied with setting an example as a businessman. When he decided to give his wealth back to society, he set an example as a philanthropist, too. His legacy will inspire generations to come," Gates said.

Tim Cook

The Apple CEO praised Buffett in an X post on Saturday.

"There's never been someone like Warren," Cook wrote. "It's been one of the great privileges of my life to know him. And there's no question that Warren is leaving Berkshire in great hands with Greg."

Jamie Dimon

Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase and a fixture of Wall Street, praised Buffett in a message after the investor's big announcement.

"Warren Buffett represents everything that is good about American capitalism and America itself — investing in the growth of our nation and its businesses with integrity, optimism, and common sense," he said, per Reuters. "I've learned so much from him to this very day, and I am honored to call him a friend."

Brian Moynihan

Bank of America Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan told Business Insider that Buffett "has achieved unparalleled success over a seven-decade-plus career."

Bank of America was one of Berkshire Hathaway's largest holdings before it began to sell shares last year.

"Beyond his business success, his unprecedented philanthropic giving continues to be an example to follow," Moynihan told BI over email. "His life lessons delivered to young and old are as valuable as his business acumen. I have personally learned so much from him and look forward to continuing to benefit from his insights. He has been a tremendous supporter and investor in Bank of America and our nation's economy and the innovative spirit of the United States."

Bill Ackman

Bill Ackman, the billionaire CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said on Monday he "wouldn't bet against Berkshire."

"I think they will be a little bit more aggressive about buying back stock. I don't see Berkshire waking up in six months and Berkshire announcing $100 billion acquisition," Ackman told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

The billionaire hedge fund manager said that Buffett's replacement, Greg Abel, "is a superb operator" who nonetheless may be cautious early on.

"I think the new CEO will be and the new board, not the new board, the current new CEO and the current board will be a little bit more careful on the first deals because if Berkshire's first deal turns out not to be a good one, you know, I think that the market will kind of frown upon that," Ackman said. "But I think the business will do very well."

Bill Gross

Billionaire investor and PIMCO cofounder Bill Gross told Business Insider via email that Buffett's vision set him apart from other investors.

"His vision was not limited to an optimistic vision of the future," Gross told BI. "Through his insurance holdings that by their structure allowed for the investment of premiums at a near zero cost into higher returning assets such as Coke, AMEX and Apple and in so doing he created a spread which over time led to billions and the recognition not just as a stock picker but as a financial structural wizard."

Gross also congratulated Buffett and recalled on X the first time his firm gave Berkshire one of its first loans in the mid '70s.

"I knew nothing about insurance and candy stores but was sold by his long-term vision of the economy and markets," Gross wrote. "Congratulations my friend — not just on the numbers — but on the philanthropy and the years. Having a cherry Coke with you was a highlight of my career."

Mark Cuban

Cuban told Business Insider in an email that Buffett was his "investing hero" and shared a photo of him with the investing legend at a Dairy Queen in Omaha.

"We used to go to DQ in Omaha," Cuban wrote. "It was the highlight of my year."

Following the announcement, Cuban also reposted on X a video showing Buffett receiving a standing ovation during the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting.

Spencer Hakimian

Hakimian, the founder of Tolou Capital Management, shared a video on X of Buffett receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting.

"Curtain call for the captain," Hakimian wrote.

Ron Olson

Olson, a Berkshire Hathaway board member, told CNBC that Buffett has "lived a life full of surprises. Very few of his decisions have been anything but sensational. I am very anxious to see Warren become the Charlie Munger for Greg Abel."

Olson also believed Abel "is ready" for the role.

"I have no doubt about that. We've known it for a long time," Olson told the outlet.

French Hill

The Arkansas GOP congressman and former businessman told CNBC that Buffett, Abel, and Berkshire Hathaway's board "have done a magnificent job over the last decade preparing shareholders for today."

Hill added that he's admired Buffett since his college days.

"When I got out of government in 1993 and went back to the private sector in investment management, it was Warren Buffett who was my role model — a man I've never personally met, but I've admired all these years," Hill told the outlet.

Stephen Squeri

The chairman and CEO of American Express told Business Insider via email that Buffett "has had one of the most storied careers in the history of American business."

Squeri added that Buffett's "vision and deep sense of responsibility to shareholders is unmatched, and his humility and humor are rare qualities in a leader that have made working with Warren a delight."

He added that American Express, in which Berkshire Hathaway holds a minority stake, looks forward to "continuing to work with Greg as he builds upon Warren's legacy."

Seth Klarman

The CEO of the Baupost Group hedge fund told BI over email that Buffett ran an "investment marathon" for decades and excelled in all conditions.

"But he is more than an investor — he is a visionary business leader, teacher, role model, and philanthropist. I've always seen him as a mentor, and I suspect he'll keep contributing in all of these spheres far into the future. There will be no other like him!"

Howard Marks

The co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management told BI in an email that it is "impossible" for anyone to measure up to Buffett.

"He is the single most influential investor of all time — the Isaac Newton of investing," Marks said.

"He says when he started in the early 1950s, he was able to buy dollars for 50 cents — and he makes it sound easy," Marks added. "But the thing is, even if the opportunities were there, nobody else did it. There weren't multiple Warren Buffetts."

Jim Cramer

Jim Cramer, the host of the CNBC show "Mad Money," called Buffett "our only G.O.A.T." in an X post on Sunday.

"In awe of Buffett and congratulate him on the greatest run of all time," Cramer wrote.

• Kohl's board of directors said it fired Ashley Buchanan over deals he gave to someone close to him.
• Buchanan became CEO in January.
• Michael J. Bender was named interim CEO.

Kohl's fired its new CEO, Ashley Buchanan, less than four months after appointing him to the role.

The department store said Thursday that its board of directors terminated Buchanan after an outside counsel investigation found that he had given favorable deals to someone close to him.

A Securities and Exchange Commission filing submitted on Wednesday said Buchanan directed Kohl's to "conduct business with a vendor founded by an individual with whom Mr. Buchanan has a personal relationship on highly unusual terms favorable to the vendor and that he also caused the Company to enter into a multimillion-dollar consulting agreement wherein the same individual was a part of the consulting team."

Buchanan failed to disclose the personal relationship in both cases, which violated the company's code of ethics, the SEC filing said.

"As a result of Mr. Buchanan's termination, the Board has determined to withdraw his nomination for election as a director of the Company at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders," the company said.

Buchanan must also forfeit all equity awards he received from the company and reimburse the company $2.5 million, a portion of his signing incentive, the filing said.

The board is set to launch a search to find a permanent replacement for Buchanan. It named Michael J. Bender Kohl's interim CEO.

• Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in Luigi Mangione's case, has been recused.
• Trump nominated Jay Clayton as interim US attorney for the Southern District of New York this month.
• The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty for Mangione.

The top federal prosecutor in Luigi Mangione's federal case has been recused.

The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York shared the update in a letter addressed to Judge Margaret M. Garnett on Wednesday.

"The Government also writes to inform the Court that United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, is recused from this matter," the letter said.

The Southern District of New York did not say why Clayton was recused. Instead, Perry A. Carbone, the district's criminal division chief, will act as the attorney for the United States in the case.

Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. He faces charges in three different jurisdictions.

In New York, he faces state charges of murder as an act of terror. He also faces lesser state charges for forgery and weapons violations in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested days after the shooting.

Mangione also faces federal charges for murder through the use of a firearm, among other charges. The Justice Department is seeking the death penalty against Mangione for the federal murder charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Clayton was chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020. He previously worked as a lawyer for Sullivan & Cromwell.

President Donald Trump unsuccessfully attempted to install Clayton as the Southern District of New York's lead attorney in 2020. Trump nominated Clayton for the role a second time last November, which drew ire from Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer, who said he would block Clayton's nomination, according to Bloomberg Law.

Edward Y. Kim served as the acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York from December 2024 to January, when Danielle Sassoon took over the interim position, the Associated Press reported. Sassoon resigned in February, and Matthew Podolsky took over before stepping down this month, according to ABC News.

On April 16, Trump named Clayton the interim US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, making his recusal from this district's most prominent case notable.

Representatives for the Southern District of New York and the US Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Microsoft reported its third-quarter results on Wednesday, surpassing analysts' estimates.
• The company reported $70.1 billion in revenue and earnings per share of $3.46.
• Strong demand in Cloud services and AI infrastructure drove big growth, Microsoft's CEO said.

Microsoft reported it beat analysts' estimates in its third-quarter earnings released Wednesday.

"Cloud and AI are the essential inputs for every business to expand output, reduce costs, and accelerate growth," Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, said in a press release published ahead of the Q3 call. "From AI infra and platforms to apps, we are innovating across the stack to deliver for our customers."

Microsoft's stock rose over 6% in after-hours trading after the earnings report was released.

"This was a strong, steady quarter from a company that's matured into its AI moment," said Jeremy Goldman, senior director of briefings at EMARKETER, a sister company of Business Insider. "Yes, growth is slowing in places like LinkedIn. Yes, infrastructure pullbacks raise questions. But Microsoft's ability to turn AI enthusiasm into real revenue — and real margins — sets it apart in a field crowded with promise but short on payoff."

Search and news ad revenues grew a healthy 21%, buoyed by Microsoft's early experiments with AI-powered Copilot ads, but the standout in the Q3 report was that Azure and other cloud services beat Street expectations, Goldman said.

"Still, investors will be watching closely as the company continues to pull back on data center expansion—a signal that even Microsoft sees the need to balance ambition with discipline in a shifting macro climate," Goldman added.

Ahead of Microsoft's earnings call on Wednesday, analysts at Piper Sandler said Microsoft "is in an enviable position as the world's largest software platform." Still, investors could be hypersensitive to Azure and the company's capital expenditure metrics.

"Bottom-line, capex-heavy models like MSFT and ORCL (among others) may face rising investor scrutiny, elevating near-term volatility on downstream policy and tariff implications," the analyst note, published April 24, said.

Here are the key numbers for the third quarter compared to analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg:

• Earnings per share: $3.46 vs. $3.21 expected
• Revenue: $70.1 billion vs. $68.48 billion expected
• Microsoft Cloud revenue: $42.4 billion vs. $42.22 billion
• Intelligent Cloud revenue: $26.8 billion vs. $25.99 billion

Big Tech companies like Microsoft are racing to lead the AI industry, which UBS said will grow into a $225 billion market by 2027.

In addition to domestic rivals like Google, Microsoft is also competing against Chinese developers. DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, emerged as a notable contender earlier this year.

During its second-quarter earnings call in January, Microsoft said sales related to Azure and other cloud computing services grew 31% during Q2, which fell slightly below analysts' expectations.

At the time, CFO Amy Hood told investors that Microsoft was in "a pretty constrained capacity place" regarding its ability to provide enough data centers to meet demand for artificial intelligence.

Earlier this month, BI reported that Microsoft is simplifying how it sells AI, which falls under Copilot. People in the organization told BI that the current system confuses customers, slows down sales, and impacts the cost and quality of the tools.

Correction: April 30, 2025 — An earlier version of this story misstated the day of the earnings call. It took place on Wednesday, not Thursday.