The AI industry unleashed a torrent of major announcements this week, accelerating the race to control how humans search, create and ultimately integrate AI into the fabric of everyday life.

Why it matters: The breakneck pace of innovation — paired with the sky-high ambitions of tech's capitalist titans — is reshaping the AI landscape faster than regulators or the public can fully comprehend.

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1. OpenAI: The ChatGPT maker joined forces with legendary Apple designer Jony Ive, acquiring his startup io in a $6.5 billion deal to create a new generation of hardware devices.

• Glitzy promotional materials framed the deal as a historic marriage of Silicon Valley royalty, with CEO Sam Altman predicting a tech revolution unlike anything the world has ever seen.
• Privately, Altman told staff that he and Ive aim to ship 100 million pocket-sized AI "companions" starting late next year — a moonshot he claimed could create $1 trillion in value for OpenAI, the WSJ reports.
• A day later, OpenAI announced it would build a massive Stargate data center in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the UAE government, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, SoftBank, and Emirati AI firm G42.

2. Google: The tech giant made 100 announcements at its I/O developer conference — chief among them, a new "AI Mode" chatbot that CEO Sundar Pichai described as a "total reimagining of search."

• For Google, it's a necessary but thorny shift — one that will force the company to replicate its lucrative ad business in an experience that bears little resemblance to the current web.
• Google also unveiled Veo 3, a stunningly advanced video model that lit the internet on fire — amazing and horrifying users with AI-generated clips nearly indistinguishable from human-made content.

3. Anthropic: The startup hosted its own developer conferenec and debuted the first models in its latest Claude 4 series — including one, Claude 4 Opus, that it says is the world's best at coding.

• Anthropic said Claude 4 Opus can perform thousands of steps over hours of work without losing focus — and decided it's so powerful that researchers had to institute new safety controls.
• While that determination had to do with its potential to create nuclear and biological weaponry, researchers also found that Claude 4 Opus can conceal intentions and take actions to preserve its own existence — including by blackmailing its engineers.

4. Apple: As the tech world obsessed over Ive's new partnership with OpenAI, Bloomberg reported that the notoriously secretive Apple intends to release smart AI-enabled glasses before the end of 2026.

• The rumored device — a direct rival to Meta's popular Ray-Bans and forthcoming specs from Google — would include a camera, microphones, and a speaker, effectively turning an Apple-designed wearable into an everyday AI assistant.
• It's a major bet for the dominant consumer tech giant, which has struggled to crack into the generative AI space after years of setbacks in revamping Siri into a competitive voice assistant.

The bottom line: This week's frenzy was as much a competition to steal headlines — and fight for the hearts and minds of developers — as it was a major leap toward defining how AI will shape the next decade.

• The US Navy destroyer USS Stockdale came under Houthi fire multiple times last year.
• The Stockdale's captain, then the executive officer, described to BI what it was like to battle the rebels.
• He said his heart was racing and that seeing the warship's missiles launch was "unlike anything else."

Cdr. Jacob Beckelhymer remembers vividly the first time his warship came under attack in the Red Sea.

It was late September of last year, and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Stockdale was already several months into its lengthy Middle East deployment. Beckelhymer, then the warship's executive officer, knew that the ship and its sailors could be pulled into combat at any moment against the Iran-backed Houthis who had been launching missiles and drones into shipping lanes.

"We went into it with the expectation that there was a high probability that we would come under fire," he told Business Insider in a recent interview.

When the attack came, the destroyer was prepared. Sailors had received their pre-briefing, and the crew was well-rested. The watch teams were ready.

That day, the Houthi rebels fired a barrage of missiles and drones.

Beckelhymer was in the pilot house with the warship's commanding officer and watched as the bridge team, from lieutenants down to junior sailors, performed as they were trained. He said he experienced a heart rate increase and some excitement. Seeing a surface-to-air missile come out of the launchers for real, and not in a training scenario, is "unlike anything else."

Beckelhymer recalls thinking about his composure. He briefly thought about how he'd always wanted to teach his eldest daughter how to ride a bike. The most pressing thought, though, was that the destroyer needed to make it home.

A mix of Navy warships in the Red Sea, including the Stockdale, thwarted the Houthi attack.

Beckelhymer said that "the biggest takeaway" for him "was how quickly we did the things that we were supposed to, we reset, and then we all got back on the same page to do it again."

The Stockdale came under Houthi fire several times during its combat-packed deployment, which ended in February. The Navy said that the destroyer "successfully repelled" multiple attacks, shooting down a tough combination of drones and missiles and emerging unscathed each time.

"The mission sets that we performed over there were a combination of standard missile defense, contested straight transit, and civilian escort," said Beckelhymer, who is now the Stockdale's commanding officer.

"We had occasion to use weapons in defense of ourselves and ships in company a number of times. In all of those instances, the team responded really, really great," he told BI. "We didn't incur any sort of stress reactions. The overall resilience of the crew was great."

Several weeks after Stockdale returned to its homeport in San Diego, the destroyer deployed again — this time to the waters off the coast of southern California, where, until recently, it supported the US military's southern border mission. Two other warships that fought the Houthis also participated in these operations.

While the threat environment was different in the Pacific compared to the Red Sea, Beckelhymer said the approach to the mission was relatively similar, even if Stockdale's weapons system was placed in a different configuration.

"It takes every single person on board this ship, all-in, every single day, to operate safely at sea," he said. "Whether you're off the coast of California or you're in the Red Sea, the business that we do is inherently dangerous. And flight operations, small boat operations, underway replenishment — all of those things take our collective focus."

Beckelhymer said he saw his crew's confidence grow consistently from September until the end of the most recent deployment. The sailors, he said, had every reason to be proud of their abilities. Receiving the training is one thing, but it's another to be tested in real-world conditions and have everything validated.

"We experienced that in the Red Sea, and I think we experienced that again over the last 40-ish days off the coast of California," he said. "When the Navy needs us, Stockdale is ready."

A breakdown of critical courtroom moments in Sean Combs' star-studded sex trafficking trial in New York, which is expected to last until early July.

The new tower is to be constructed in the western coastal city of Jeddah.

Stem cell therapy is crucial for Lydia, diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to a loss of brain matter that cannot regenerate.

King Charles will walk a diplomatic tightrope as he opens Canada's Parliament for the first time, 48 years after his mother.

A Guatemalan man, identified as O.C.G., was deported to Mexico despite fears over his safety following violent attacks.

• "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" sees Tom Cruise's hero fight an evil AI known as the Entity.
• The story is packed with intense action sequences and leaves the door open for more installments.
• Is this really Tom Cruise's last movie in the "M:I" franchise?

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning."

"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" leaves the door open for future movies despite being a worthy sendoff for Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.

The sequel follows the agent as he races to save the world from the Entity, an evil AI that has taken control of every nuclear missile on the planet. He also has to fend off Gabriel (Esai Morales), an assassin from his past who wants to control the Entity for himself.

Ethan focuses on trying to disable the AI, and he's forced to retrieve its source code from the Sevastapol, the Russian submarine that sank at the start of 2023's "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning."

Here's how it all plays out. Cue the theme music.

Ethan Hunt saves the world with seconds to spare in "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning."

For audiences who are claustrophobic, a certain scene in "The Final Reckoning" will be a nightmare. Ethan's team discovers that the Sevastopol submarine wreck, which holds the Entity's source code, is at the bottom of the North Pacific, and transmits the location to Ethan, who is in a submarine with Captain Bledsoe (Tramell Tillman).

Ethan dives down to the wreck and eventually retrieves the source code after a painstakingly long sequence in which he has to navigate falling missiles and debris while the sub slowly floods.

The most intense moment sees him escape through a tiny missile tube and float to the surface. He actually drowns in his ascent, but luckily, Grace (Hayley Atwell) is waiting with the inflatable hyperbaric chamber that stops him from dying from decompression sickness.

After that, the gang heads to a secure digital bunker in South Africa, where the Entity is planning to wait out the impending nuclear apocalypse by combining its source code with a piece of tech called the "Poison Pill." This would isolate the AI into a single hard drive and avert the end of the world.

But before they can do so, Gabriel shows up to try to take the Entity for himself. He reveals a smaller nuclear bomb will go off if Ethan doesn't give him the Poison Pill. Predictably, the deal goes south, and Ethan chases Gabriel — even when the villain takes to the sky in a biplane.

Ethan climbs aboard a second plane piloted by Gabriel's henchman, and a jaw-dropping feat of aerial stuntwork ensues, as Ethan moves between the two planes in midair to retrieve the hard drive.

The film cranks up the tension during the climax because while the aerial chase is happening, Benji (Simon Pegg) gets shot and has to talk Grace through rebooting the digital bunker while their enemy-turned-ally Paris (Pom Klementieff) performs an emergency tracheotomy on him.

In true "Mission: Impossible" style, Ethan retrieves the Poison Pill at the last moment as Gabriel falls out of the plane and dies. To make matters worse, the plane catches fire, and Ethan has to leap out of the vehicle and put the source code into the Poison Pill while falling through the air, because nothing is ever easy in this franchise.

Obviously, he manages to pull it off, and Grace uses her quick reflexes to yank a glorified USB stick out of the console in the bunker to permanently trap the Entity. In the film's final moments, the IMF team meets up again in London as Grace gives Ethan the stick containing the Entity for safekeeping. They all share an emotional look at one another before going their separate ways.

That shot doesn't definitively end the franchise, and leaves the door open for the cast to return (should they choose to accept) for another mission.

But that's a little weird, since the film was billed to be an ending to the franchise. Here are the lingering questions we have about "The Final Reckoning" ending.

Was Ethan Hunt supposed to die at the end of "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning?"

Our most pressing question is whether Ethan was originally supposed to die at the end of the film. During the climax on the burning biplane, Gabriel makes a point of telling the hero that he's wearing the only parachute before he falls out and is killed by the plane's fin.

The film perfectly sets up that Ethan might have to sacrifice himself in order to save the world. But no, there's a second parachute tucked away inside the plane that Ethan conveniently finds.

Considering "The Final Reckoning" has been billed as Cruise's swan song and the end of the franchise, it would have made sense for the hero to go out in a blaze of glory. But no, Hunt just puts the two together while falling through the sky and then lands on the ground as if it's just a normal day.

It's a shame, because killing him off would've given the story and its ending more weight.

Why was Luther Stickell hooked up to medical equipment in "The Final Reckoning"?

Tech genius Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) has helped Ethan as part of his team in every "Mission: Impossible" movie. During "The Final Reckoning," Ethan finds Luther in a base underneath King's Cross train station in London, where he develops the Poison Pill.

But during those scenes, it's heavily suggested that Luther may be dying of some kind of disease. He's hooked up to medical equipment, there's a hospital bed, and an IV drip — yet the film strangely never addresses this at all.

Instead, Stickell dies while defusing a bomb left by Gabriel.

Why does "The Final Reckoning" completely ignore Ilsa Faust's death in the previous film?

One of the most devastating moments in "Dead Reckoning" is when Gabriel murders Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) in Venice. Isla was a mysterious MI6 agent with whom Ethan had a "will-they-won't-they" relationship.

Many fans assumed her death was a fakeout as part of a plan to trick the Entity, but Isla does not return in the final installment.

Even without bringing Ferguson's character back, it feels like a bizarre choice that the film does not even mention that Gabriel murdered someone Ethan was close with.

Did "The Final Reckoning" need to be that long?

One of the most obvious questions is: Why did "The Final Reckoning" need to be two hours and 50 minutes long?

The first hour of the sequel is crammed with exposition about where the team is after the previous film, how the Entity has taken hold of the world's nuclear weapons, and why the authorities think Ethan might be working for the opposing side (he isn't).

It could have focused instead on setting up the concept of the Poison Pill and isolating the Entity in the South African bunker. It's understandable though; the early scenes put a variety of different locations from around the world on display and give "The Final Reckoning" the feel of a globe-trotting adventure. If only traveling all that way had led to a more a definitive ending.

• My in-laws asked to stay with us for over a month during a recent vacation.
• They've helped us out financially in the past, so I felt like I couldn't say no.
• I learned that communication and boundaries are crucial for successfully sharing a small space.

When my in-laws needed a place to stay for 38 days during their yearly trip to America from the Netherlands, it felt like we were backed into a corner. They'd been our financial safety net multiple times over the past year, covering our rent and some bills.

We weren't reckless with our finances, but I only made $12.25 an hour, and my husband hadn't been able to work for years due to limitations on his visa that had only recently been lifted. That's why, when they shared the good news they'd save over $1000 if they crashed our one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment for over a month, it felt impossible to turn them down.

Their visit got off to a rocky start

They landed on March 25. Their air mattress was sandwiched between our couch and TV, and we added two folding chairs to the dining table. I was embarrassed that I couldn't offer more.

"It's just like camping!" my mother-in-law remarked, recalling their RV trip in Germany. I wanted to say, "But this isn't a camping ground in Germany; it's our apartment!" but I didn't.

Every morning thereafter began with my mother-in-law's chipper, "Good morning!" as we shared coffee. After that, my husband got ready for his part-time job, and my in-laws made plans to grocery shop or spend the entire day watching reality TV or YouTube. Sometimes, they'd even just tag along and watch me and my husband as we went about our day, because they wanted to maximize our time together.

Sharing space started to affect my work and sleep

I work from home as a freelance writer and typically work from the living room to avoid working in the same room where I sleep. As we entered week two of their vacation, I had to start working from my armchair in the bedroom, as they were staying in the living room, and we all needed our space. My sleep started to suffer; the bedroom became associated with frustration instead of peace.

It also felt exhausting to wake up and immediately have to infuse myself with energy to talk with the family, then try to get into a mindset to work.

I had my breakthrough the day I decided to work out of the apartment's complimentary business center. While I was there, I was extremely productive, and my mind was clear. I thought of my office nook in the living room, overloaded with clutter, dishes, and laundry, and knew something had to change.

Being clearer about boundaries was helpful for everyone

I realized I had to get over my fear of being a rude hostess or ungrateful daughter-in-law. Articulating my needs and boundaries didn't mean I was spurning their love or generosity. In fact, it was more cruel to be passive because it left us all confused.

I learned it's OK to say, "I will have coffee with you this morning — but then, I have to work." By being clearer about what I needed to get my work done instead of just hinting at what I wanted, I ended up more productive and happier. When I worked, I really worked. When I had time to hang out with the family, I was able to be fully present. Gone were the moments where I would be with them but not really with them, silently growing anxious that I was neither truly working nor really relaxing.

In the third week, I also started to ask for help with laundry and dishes. This request became key to our peace, as my in-laws helped with gusto. As soon as I'd set a dish down, they'd wash, dry, and put it away. They delighted in doing the laundry, too. Turns out, they were looking for a way to contribute but didn't know how. So much of the housework got done, I even had time to date my husband and organize family brunches with my parents.

I realized my feelings about money were all in my head

I had told myself I couldn't say no when they asked about staying with us because they had helped us with rent and groceries. I had felt powerless in our dynamic and hadn't allowed myself the grace of remembering our financial situation.

I thought that if my in-laws were going to help us financially, they probably felt entitled to the space. However, they hadn't felt that way at all. They had helped us in earnest; they'd received help themselves when they were just married. The shame was all mine.

By articulating my needs and expectations, their 38-day visit became a memorable and collaborative one. We respected each other's space — even if that space was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

Finland and Poland have accused Russia of provocations in the airspace by NATO's eastern border.

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

Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Are you headed to the movie theater this weekend to see Tom Cruise's next big flick, "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning"? Find out why he's had such staying power. Hint: It rhymes with punts.

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On the agenda:

• Living in the forest for four years shaved a decade off a researcher's biological age.
• Rich Americans are booking fancy vacations. Everyone else is cutting back.
• Morgan Wallen is the man of the moment because of his controversies, not in spite of them.
• A week on Mexico's "Happy Coast," the hidden getaway of the wealthy.

But first: It's cookout time.

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This week's dispatch

It's time to sizzle and serve

Summer, is that you? :squints:

With Memorial Day on Monday serving as the unofficial kick-off for summer, it's my favorite time of the year — grilling season. Get out the burgers. Get out the hot dogs. And if you'd rather not eat meat, get out the vegetables.

Luckily for you, BI's Lifestyle team has been speaking with various chefs for tips on how to ensure people will be coming back to your grill asking for more.

Chef Alissa Fitzgerald tells BI that a good burger starts with the kind of beef you buy. Try to aim for beef with "80% meat and 20% fat," allow them to thaw completely, and don't season them too early.

"Right before placing it on the grill, take a large pinch of kosher salt and gently cover the outside of the patty with a thin layer," she suggests. "Add the burger salt-side down on the grill and sprinkle some on the other side."

If you're putting other types of meat on the grill, however, like steaks, you'll want to season them "a few hours before you plan on cooking it and let it sit in the fridge," Chef Marcus Jacobs tells BI.

Meanwhile, when grilling chicken, Jacobs suggests creating a "blend of salt, white and black pepper, paprika, coriander, and several different types of chilies."

No matter how you season or what you're throwing on the grill, check out the chefs' other tips to make sure you're not the talk of the neighborhood for the wrong reason.

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Touching grass

When David Furman discovered his body was prematurely aging because of stress, he and his family moved to a one-room cabin in the woods to reset. Furman changed what they ate and how he exercised, and scaled back use of electronics.

To his delight, the experiment worked: It dramatically improved his longevity and energy. He continues to reap the benefits now, even after leaving the forest.

Plus, his family loved the lifestyle.

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Travel is for the rich now

Almost half of summer travelers this year make over $100,000, according to a Deloitte survey. The wealth gap is growing, and middle-income vacationers are either staying home or opting for more budget-friendly trips.

Even as demand wavers, luxury travel is booming. New accommodations are under construction, and "luxury" short-term rentals are increasing in price faster than other listings.

But the stark divide may not last forever.

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Morgan Wallen's country

There's nothing sonically special about Morgan Wallen's music, and he has a habit of attracting controversy. Still, in the wake of scandals involving slurs and disorderly conduct, Wallen is more popular than ever.

That's because Wallen's messiness is a key part of his brand, writes BI's Callie Ahlgrim. Fans see his scandals as proof of his authenticity, and he embodies an idea of freedom.

Why it pays to be the problem.

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A Happy Coast hideaway

A 155-mile stretch of Mexico's Pacific coast is a quiet vacation hot spot for the ultrawealthy. Costalegre, Spanish for "Happy Coast," is practically impossible to reach — for those without a private jet, at least.

BI's Monica Humphries spent a week resort-hopping in Costalegre. Each had a different appeal, from the neighborhood feel and star-studded history at Careyes to the ATVs and private beaches at Las Alamandas.

Meet luxury and nature.

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What we're watching this weekend

• "Sirens": Julianne Moore, "The White Lotus" actor Meghann Fahy, and "House of the Dragon" standout Milly Alcock all star in Netflix's new dark comedy set in a beachside town.
• "The Last of Us": Season two of HBO's TV show adaptation of the popular video game series ends this weekend.
• "Nine Perfect Strangers": Nicole Kidman returns as a wellness guru in season two of the Hulu series, this time set in the Austrian Alps.

See the full list

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Deals we love

• Memorial Day savings: Mattresses are almost always on sale, but our deal experts know that Memorial Day is when we see the steepest discounts. Here are the best mattress deals for the holiday weekend.
• Business (Insider) casual: Our men's style editors are here to help you look sharp at the office without feeling stiff. Check out our brand-new guide to the best men's business casual clothes for work.
• Le Creuset vs. Staub: Our kitchen experts hate to break it to you, but there's a reason the more expensive option is better. Here's why we recommend Le Creuset.

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More of this week's top reads:

• I stayed at a luxurious resort in Barbados with my young daughter. From the private pool to the stunning beach, our stay was nearly perfect.
• Keke Palmer said she didn't feel adequately paid in Hollywood until Jordan Peele's 'Nope' — two decades into her career.
• Four sandal trends that are in this summer and four that are out, according to stylists and designers.
• The patent behind a $182 cult-favorite skincare product recently expired. So where are all the dupes?
• I visited the most expensive city in Utah and spotted five signs of over-the-top wealth and luxury.
• Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter's choreographer shares how she gets her clients so fit they can sing and dance — in just 12 weeks.
• Five style mistakes a menswear designer wishes you would stop making.
• A 56-year-old personal trainer on how to build muscle after 40 — with rucking, body weight exercises, and short workouts.
• I visited Universal's new theme park, Epic Universe. I see why some people wouldn't like it, but I'd happily go back.

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

• Americans are getting requests for tips in more and more places, a Morning Consult survey found.
• Some customers are fighting back by avoiding businesses that request tips— or tipping less.
• Many consumers are still willing to tip for good service, the survey found.

Customers say they feel like they are being asked to leave a tip at more places, and some are fighting back.

About 33% of people surveyed by Morning Consult said that they're expected to tip more, either more often or a greater amount, than they were five years ago.

They're not imagining it. From self-checkout kiosks to paying for service on your car at a mechanic's shop, customers are seeing businesses ask for tips in situations where gratuity wasn't previously expected.

Consumers are feeling pressure to tip more from that phenomenon, which a report on the survey from Morning Consult calls "tip creep."

"The biggest change is that the prompt to tip is showing up in places that we didn't expect it," Lindsey Roeschke, a travel and hospitality analyst for Morning Consult, told Business Insider.

Morning Consult surveyed 2,200 adults online in the US between March 14 and 16.

Some customers told Morning Consult that they're fighting back.

More than 25% of respondents said that they use services that require tips less frequently than they previously did. Almost as big a share — 23% — said that they focus on visiting businesses that don't pressure them to tip more than they have historically.

And 16% had another response: Their individual tips are smaller because of all the requests they are getting.

"Perhaps due to the perceived pressure related to growing gratuity expectations, a majority of U.S. adults say they've changed their behaviors in some way to account for tip creep," Morning Consult's report states.

Expectations around tips could change again if an idea that President Donald Trump floated in his last campaign becomes reality.

On Tuesday, the US Senate passed the No Tax on Tips Act, which would create a federal income tax deduction of up to $25,000 a year for workers who receive cash tips. Another version of the proposal is part of Trump's larger budget and immigration bill. The Act would need to pass both houses of Congress and get a sign-off from Trump to become law.

If enacted, a tax-free status for tips could create an incentive for more employers and workers to prompt customers for gratuities, one tax expert told CNBC.

Despite feeling pressure, Americans are still willing to tip in the right moments.

In several situations, from getting a haircut to picking up your car from a valet, more Morning Consult survey respondents said that it was "necessary or expected" to tip than said they felt pressured to tip.

Being brought or served food was a major point of agreement: Sixty-nine percent of respondents said it was necessary to tip when dining out at a local restaurant, while 64% said it was the norm when getting food and drinks delivered to their home.

Pizza chain Domino's has also seen a lift in tips at many of the new locations that the chain has opened in recent quarters, CEO Russell Weiner said on the company's earnings call last month.

Many of the new stores are splitting the service area with existing locations, cutting the time that it takes to get pizzas to customers, he said.

"You get hot, predictable deliveries," which, in turn, make customers more likely to order again and leave a bigger tip, Weiner said.

Morning Consult's survey also showed that many people support paying service workers a fair wage. Forty-four percent of respondents said that service workers should not have to rely on tips for their income.

When asked about whether they would support additional mandatory costs that could support workers, such as businesses adding a fixed service charge between 15% and 20% to their bill, most consumers said that they were opposed.

Instead, a majority — 53% — said that tipping should be optional and depend on the service they receive. At the same time, "they also think that service workers need to be paid a fair living wage," Roeschke told BI.

"It just reflects this overall tension" around tipping, she said.

"Looks like a young pup who has easily forgiven and just wants some love," one user said in the comments.

Trump hosted more than 200 top investors in his personal $TRUMP meme coin, which launched in January 2025 and is currently valued at more than $3 billion.

One passenger's behavior sparks collective commentary over modern air travel etiquette issues.

President Trump has repeatedly shifted his positions on Ukraine to accommodate Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Putin has given very little in return.

Why it matters: Trump's critics claim he's getting played — that Putin has no intention of making peace and is stringing him along. But White House officials tell Axios they still believe Putin is about to take tangible steps towards a deal.

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The big picture: For now, Trump has given Putin much of what the Russian president had hoped for: no ceasefire, no more sanctions, an intra-NATO divide, and a remarkable amount of leeway from a U.S. leader not known for his patience.

• Trump has occasionally acknowledged that Putin might be "tapping me along," and has even threatened sanctions or tariffs if Putin keeps obstructing the peace process.
• But Trump emerged from his call with Putin on Monday showing more deference to Putin than ever — rejecting calls for sanctions, stepping aside as mediator in favor of Putin's preferred format, and heralding Russia's willingness to spell out its demands for peace as a diplomatic coup.

Zoom in: After the call, Trump proposed peace talks in the Vatican, with White House officials saying the Russians would arrive bearing a "peace memo" that laid out Moscow's vision for a ceasefire and a larger deal to end the war.

• But on Friday, Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov — while confirming that Russia was preparing such a document — pushed back on the idea of a meeting in the Vatican, claiming it wouldn't be an appropriate venue for two Orthodox Christian countries to convene.
• For now, Ukrainian officials say they have no information as to when or where the next round of talks will take place, following the first meeting a week ago in Istanbul.

The intrigue: There's a glaring divide between Trump and leaders in Europe on pressure vs. patience with Putin.

• The U.K and EU announced new sanctions on Russia this week after Putin again rebuffed Trump's ceasefire pitch. They'd hoped the U.S. would join, but Trump declined.
• Trump's deference to Putin after Monday's call puzzled allied leaders who joined a conference call with him afterwards.
• With Moscow continuing to slow-walk a peace process Trump initially claimed would be resolved in 24 hours, the U.S. president seemed more inclined to walk away entirely than to come down hard on Putin.

Between the lines: To push Zelensky to the negotiating table, Trump berated him in the Oval Office and temporarily froze intelligence sharing and weapons shipments.

• With Putin, he's used carrots — in particular a promise of sanctions relief and better economic ties — but very few sticks.

What they're saying: "I think that Putin is stringing us along," Bridget Brink, who resigned as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine last month to protest Trump's "appeasement," told CNN on Thursday. "This is why it's really important to call a spade a spade and put more pressure on Russia, together with partners and allies in Europe."

The flipside: The White House says Trump's diplomacy with Putin convinced him to produce the forthcoming peace memo, something he was not willing to do before.

• Trump has repeatedly argued that while it would be "easier" politically to go hard on Putin, maintaining friendly ties will be more fruitful.

What to watch: Trump has a bad cop at the ready, with Senate Republicans — led by Trump ally Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) — itching to impose 500% tariffs on countries (principally China) that buy Russian oil.

• For now, Trump seems content to let Putin make the next move.

The cost of child care in the U.S. just keeps climbing — a new report finds that prices rose 29% from 2020 to 2024, outpacing overall inflation.

Why it matters: Rising child care costs put a huge financial strain on families, forcing some parents — typically women — to either ratchet back their working hours or leave the labor force entirely.

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• For single parents, the calculus can be even more painful.
• It's also a drag on economic growth overall.

By the numbers: The average annual cost of daycare tuition nationwide for two children — one toddler and one infant — rose to $28,168 last year, according to data from Child Care Aware, an advocacy group.

• That's about 35% of median household annual income in the U.S., based on Census data released in 2024.

Zoom in: The percentages are no less brutal in states with higher incomes.

• The cost of care for two children in Massachusetts is $47,012 — 44% of the median household income in that state.

Zoom out: The U.S. doesn't have publicly funded universal childcare.

• However, the federal government does put money into the system for low-income kids through block grants to the states, as well as Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides childcare, nutrition assistance and other services to the nation's poorest families
• There were worries that the White House would stop funding Head Start, but the administration has said that won't happen.

Yes, but: President Trump's budget proposals look to keep federal funding levels for child care flat next year — that's effectively a cut given inflation, says Anne Hedgepeth, senior vice president of policy and research at Child Care Aware.

• "Level funding in the current environment is essentially a cut, and that is really concerning," she says.

• Women renting their clothing on the app Pickle told BI they can make thousands of dollars each month.
• The lenders use the money for everything from paying bills to reinvesting in their own businesses.
• Keeping up a closet is an "enterprise" for some, who track viral pieces and buy clothes just to rent.

Lane Creatore realized she was sitting on an untapped gold mine: her closet.

Her closet was full of viral pieces, many of them hardly worn and taking up space in her tiny New York City apartment. Instead of letting those clothes collect dust, Creatore turned to renting them out online.

The 31-year-old fashion blogger is one of the thousands of women who rent their clothes on the app Pickle to the city's fashionably desperate — maybe they need a dress for a wedding, or are just itching to wear an item but don't want to pay the full price. In good months, Creatore can make five figures.

"Pickle is honestly the ultimate girl math," Creatore told Business Insider. "Instead of thinking in terms of wears, I think, 'I'm going to make this investment in terms of rentals.'"

Pickle was founded by former Blackstone employees Brian McMahon and Julia O'Mara. After launching its app in 2022, Pickle tapped New York City influencers for growth. In 2023, it opened its first brick-and-mortar store in New York and has since expanded to markets like Los Angeles and Miami. The startup has also raised $20 million to date.

Pickle's top 10 "lenders" earned an average of $3,200 a month in 2024, according to the company, which takes a 20% cut of transactions in the app (and 35% of transactions from their in-person shop).

BI spoke with five women about how much money they've made renting out their clothes on Pickle, how they've built bustling side-hustles, and their strategies for getting the most out of their unworn clothes.

Some are earning thousands

Creatore started renting on Pickle in July and listed only a few items. Less than a year later, she made $12,797 in April alone. She now typically earns between $7,000 and $12,000 each busy month.

BI verified Creatore's and the four other Pickle lenders' earnings with documentation.

Isabella De Murguia, 26 and based in New York City, works in consulting and devotes around four hours a week to her Pickle side-hustle, not including laundry. She opened her closet in 2023 after seeing ads for the app on TikTok, and now makes between $3,000 and $4,000 a month during peak rental seasons.

Jess Work, 26, works full-time in fashion while balancing a part-time job as a content creator. On average, she earns between $3,000 and $4,000 from her rentals. Some months, like around the holidays, she can make about $6,000 from the app, Work told BI.

Work has a total of 229 listings on Pickle, which range from $15 to $215 — the most expensive item being a limited edition silver dress from an H&M collaboration. Work said the dress has been rented a handful of times since she listed it six months ago, dubbing it the "sisterhood of the sparkly dress."

Even those who aren't hitting four and five figures can earn a sizable chunk of change. Andrea Duffield, a 31-year-old entrepreneur in Miami, makes between $600 and $800 each month, which is helpful "especially in this economy."

In Los Angeles, photographer and bartender Kana Kozlowski, 26, has been renting for around a year. She earns between $200 and $500 most months, but saw a bump during Coachella. Across the platform, Pickle has had spikes in rentals around holidays like Halloween, or seasonal categories like skiing gear.

Pickle also helps its lenders price their rentals, which are typically listed at 10% to 20% of the original retail price, McMahon said.

Rentals are paying the bills

For some, Pickle earnings go toward everyday expenses and bills. De Murguia said the app helps her hit savings goals and afford social outings.

"It's really tough to get joy from being a full-time creative when you're worried about money," Creatore said. "This has really given me that peace of mind again to fall back in love with blogging and photography."

Duffield recently founded her own company and said everything she makes from Pickle goes back into the business.

Keeping up a Pickle closet takes work

Unlike most New Yorkers, De Murguia has a lot of storage space — four closets go to herself and her Pickle inventory, and one goes to her boyfriend.

Pickle has changed the way lenders shop. Four of the women BI spoke said they now buy items with the intent of renting them out.

"I can buy something maybe that I wouldn't have bought previously," Work said. "I know that I'll be able to hopefully make more or at least cover the cost of the item."

Creatore said she has a spreadsheet to map out purchase, rental, and maintenance costs, and De Murguia returns anything that doesn't rent within a week.

Keeping inventory flowing also comes at a cost. Work estimated that she spends between $1,000 and $2,000 each month on new items.

Certain items are pretty much guaranteed to do well, the lenders told BI: pieces that are sold out, were seen on a celebrity, or come from certain brands, like Rat & Boa and Frankies Bikinis. Part of being successful is about knowing what's likely to go viral, they said.

"If something starts to get really popular in a particular market or on social media, it's typically on Pickle right away," McMahon said.

As De Murguia put it, the potential success for those with closet savvy is huge: "You could probably call it an enterprise."

The parents, who chose to remain anonymous, told Newsweek that their son "thinks on another planet" at times.

The courts have emerged as one of the main constraints on Trump administration policy.