• Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says that Reddit's human-led communities are what set the company apart.
• AI bots, however, are threatening that advantage by taking over forums and comments.
• Reddit has acknowledged the problem and is introducing new checks to ensure its users are human.

Is nothing sacred anymore?

Reddit is one of the last places on the internet where posts and comments don't feel like an endless pit of AI slop. But that is starting to change, and it's threatening what Reddit says is its competitive advantage.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says that what keeps people coming back to the site is the information provided by real people, who often give thoughtful answers to questions. As the internet becomes saturated with AI-generated content, Huffman says that Reddit's communities, curated and managed by real people, set it apart from other social media platforms.

"The world needs community and shared knowledge, and that's what we do best," Huffman told investors last week on an earnings call.

Traffic to Reddit has grown considerably over the past year, thanks in part to users Googling specifically for Reddit posts related to their questions.

Reddit's business model has seen increased attention since the company went public in March of last year. Since then, Reddit has amped up advertising on its forums and inked deals with both OpenAI and Google to allow their models to train on Reddit content. In April, Reddit's stock dipped after some analysts shared fears that the company's success could be inextricably tied to Google Search.

"Just a few years ago, adding Reddit to the end of your search query felt novel," Huffman said in a Q3 earnings call in February. "Today, it's a common way for people to find trusted information, recommendations, and advice."

But now, some Reddit users are complaining that the uniquely human communities the site is known for are being infiltrated by AI bots, or users relying on tools like ChatGPT to write their posts, which can often be spotted by the formatting. ChatGPT loves a bulleted list and an em-dash, and these days tends to be effusive in its positivity.

One user in the community r/singularity, which is dedicated to discussion about advancements of AI, recently flagged a post from what they believed was an AI-generated user spreading misinformation about the July 2024 attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.

"AI just took over Reddit's front page," the poster noted.

And on April 28, Reddit's chief legal officer said the company was sending "formal legal demands" to researchers at the University of Zurich after they flooded one of the site's communities with AI bots for a study. Moderators of the forum r/changemyview said in a post that researchers conducted an "unauthorized experiment" to "study how AI could be used to change views."

The researchers who conducted the experiment said in a Reddit post that 21 of the 34 accounts they used were "shadow-banned" by Reddit, meaning the content they posted would not show up for others. But they said they never received any communication from Reddit regarding Terms of Service violations.

The moderators called the experiment unethical and said that AI targeted some users in the forum "in personal ways that they did not sign up for." The post says the AI went to extreme lengths in some posts, including pretending to be a victim of rape, posing as a black man opposed to Black Lives Matter, and even posing as a person who received substandard care in a foreign hospital, among other claims.

"Psychological manipulation risks posed by LLMs is an extensively studied topic," the community's moderators wrote. "It is not necessary to experiment on non-consenting human subjects."

A spokesperson for the University of Zurich told Business Insider that the school is aware of the study and is investigating. The spokesperson said that the researchers decided not to publish the findings of the study "on their own accord."

"In light of these events, the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences intends to adopt a stricter review process in the future and, in particular, to coordinate with the communities on the platforms prior to experimental studies," the spokesperson said.

For Reddit's business strategy, which is largely focused on advertising and its belief that it provides some of the best research around because it's based on real human reactions, the increased presence of AI on the platform is a threat. And Reddit has noticed.

On Monday, Huffman said in a Reddit post that the company would start using third parties to "keep Reddit human." Huffman said that Reddit's "strength is its people" and that "unwelcome AI in communities is a serious concern."

"I haven't posted in a while — and let's be honest, when I do show up, it usually means something's gone sideways (and if it's not gone sideways, it's probably about to)," Huffman said.

The third-party services will now ask users creating Reddit accounts for more information, like their age, Huffman said. Specifically, "we will need to know whether you are a human," he said.

A spokesperson for Reddit told BI that the Zurich experiment was unethical and that Reddit's automated tools flagged most of the associated accounts before the experiment ended. The spokesperson said that Reddit is always working on detection features and has already further refined its processes since the experiment came to light.

Still, some Reddit users say they are fed up with what they see as a "proliferation of LLM bots in the last 10 months."

"Some of them mimic the most brain-dead of users, providing one-word responses with emojis at the end," one user wrote. "They post with unnatural frequency, largely in subreddits known for upvoting just about anything."

• Melania Trump has worn neutral basics at recent official events, a departure from her usual style.
• She seemingly also hasn't spent much time at the White House, reportedly dividing her time between Florida and New York.
• Her subdued wardrobe and infrequent public appearances have helped her keep a low profile.

First lady Melania Trump rarely ventures into public these days. When she does, you might have a hard time spotting her.

Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, her wardrobe has largely consisted of muted basics in neutral tones.

A black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo for the National Governors Association dinner and reception in February. A gray Dior skirt suit for Donald Trump's joint address to Congress in March. A cream-colored Mackage trench coat for the White House Easter Egg Roll in April.

And most recently, on Thursday, a white blazer and black skirt for an event honoring military mothers.

It's a notable departure from her White House style during President Donald Trump's first term, when she made bolder fashion choices.

Back then, she wore vibrant, glittering gowns at state dinners, a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana floral coat to a G7 summit, and of course, the infamous "I really don't care, do u?" jacket on her way to visit immigrant children at the US-Mexico border.

Melania Trump's involvement in public life this time around has been similarly subdued, which has helped her maintain a low profile.

In May, The New York Times reported, citing anonymous officials, that the first lady has spent fewer than 14 days at the White House since the inauguration on January 20. She has been photographed at the White House about once a month — twice in April.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Ahead of Donald Trump's second term, Melania Trump indicated she did not plan to live at the White House full-time, an arrangement not typical of modern first ladies. In a rare interview back in January, she told Fox News that she planned to divide her time between Washington, DC, Trump Tower in New York City, and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

"I will be in the White House," she said. "And, you know, when I need to be in New York, I will be in New York. When I need to be in Palm Beach, I will be in Palm Beach."

The shift to safer style choices could indicate a more matter-of-fact approach to a role she's already held, but perhaps the first lady is simply tired of launching a news cycle with every outing and look.

Throughout her memoir, "Melania," she expressed frustration with what she called the "vindictive attitude" of press coverage surrounding her involvement in public life.

"That campaign year would set the tone for my future relationship with the media — they would never treat me fairly," she wrote of campaigning in 2016. "They persisted in fabricating stories, undermining my efforts on behalf of children, and focusing on trivial matters."

A fiercely private first lady, Melania Trump's tempered wardrobe and infrequent appearances have given the media and the public little to talk about, which may have been the goal all along.

• The 1929 stock market crash marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
• Factors including speculative lending and changing monetary policies contributed to the crash.
• Photos show the panic in the stock exchange, at banks, and on the streets as savings vanished.

The Roaring Twenties — an era of great economic growth in the United States — halted on Thursday, October 24, 1929, when stock prices began plummeting.

Influenced by a variety of factors, from banks' role in speculative stock lending to changing monetary policies, the market crash of 1929 marked the start of the Great Depression that would shape American life for the following decade.

With recent market movements in response to President Donald Trump's tariff announcements sparking fears of an incoming recession, history shows how market crashes have influenced American life in the past.

These 20 vintage photos show how the 1929 market crash, marked by dramatic stock price drops on Black Thursday, Black Monday, and Black Tuesday, unfolded on Wall Street and beyond.

The Roaring Twenties came to a sudden halt in October 1929.

The 1920s were a decade of great economic growth. Industries boomed, and economic optimism led many everyday Americans to invest in the stock market, which had become more accessible thanks to loans offered by banks.

From 1922 to 1929, the value of stocks as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 218.7%, according to the Economic History Association.

Over the decade, many had begun investing in the stock market through margin loans.

At the time, people could buy stocks by paying as little as 10% of the purchase price and financing the rest from brokerage firms through what became known as margin buying, according to Federal Reserve History. This meant that many people who could not afford the up-front expense of investing in the stock market had access to buy and trade stocks.

By 1929, two-fifths of loans issued by banks went toward the purchase of stocks, Time reported.

On October 24, the US markets began to crash.

The crash began on Thursday, October 24. On the day that later became known as Black Thursday, the market opened 11% lower than the previous day, as reported by Barron. Despite moderately picking back up by that afternoon, the drastic drop began sounding the alarms for stockholders.

The crash came after market speculation reached a historic high.

With many Americans investing in the stock market through margin purchases of stocks, the speculation for high prices, which would provide a profit on their loan, reached a historic high. This led to the Federal Reserve making an effort to limit banks' lending to speculative stock purchases, according to Federal Reserve History.

Stock prices peaked right before the crash.

On September 3, 1929, less than two months before the market crash, stock prices had reached a historic peak, with the Dow Jones averaging 381.17, over 27% higher than the previous year.

With many owning stocks through margin loans, fears spread that stock prices had become overvalued, a concern that slowly led to doubts about the stability of the market, the Economic History Association wrote.

On Black Monday, brokers rushed to sell as prices plummeted.

When markets opened on Monday, October 28, 1929, stock prices immediately began to plummet as stockholders rushed to sell based on the panic that had begun the previous week.

As mass panic spread, sell transactions overwhelmed the markets, leading to the crash.

By the end of the day on Black Monday, the Dow Jones had dropped nearly 13% and showed no signs of slowing down, as reported by Time.

Outside the New York Stock Exchange, crowds tried to get updates on prices.

In New York, people rushed to the Stock Exchange building in an effort to get updates on the stocks to ensure their investments remained safe.

"For so many months so many people had saved money and borrowed money and borrowed on their borrowings to possess themselves of the little pieces of paper by virtue of which they became partners with the US industry," Time reported in November 1929. "Now they were trying to get rid of them even more frantically than they had tried to get them."

Without access to real-time information, many relied on the newspapers to inform them.

As the crowds tried to get an image of what was going on inside Wall Street, newspapers became a hot commodity, with many flocking to buy the most updated information as it came out.

Meanwhile, brokers' offices were overwhelmed trying to complete sell orders.

As prices plummeted on Black Monday and Black Tuesday, stock brokers witnessed sell orders coming in at rates they knew wouldn't be replicated in their lifetime.

"Wall Street was a street of vanished hopes, of curiously silent apprehension and of a sort of paralyzed hypnosis yesterday. Men and women crowded the brokerage offices, even those who have been long since wiped out, and followed the figures on the tape," The New York Times reported on October 30, 1929. "It was the consensus of bankers and brokers alike that no such scenes ever again will be witnessed by this generation."

The dissemination of information was limited by the technologies of the time.

As chaos unfolded on Wall Street, communication to outlets across the country relied on telegrams and ticker tape, which could not keep up with the sheer volume of transactions being made as prices continued to plummet. As Time reported, "although people knew they were losing money, they didn't know how much."

Stock brokers worked around the clock during the critical hours of the market crash.

To keep up with the mass volume of transactions, stock traders worked through the night, catching up on sleep in the area near Wall Street, turning offices or school gyms into sleeping quarters in preparation for the chaos that was all but certain to come on Tuesday, October 29, 1929.

Abroad, businessmen closely monitored the situation unfolding in the New York markets.

The crash spread to international markets as US consumers rushed to withdraw their capital from investments abroad, according to the International Monetary Fund. In the following months and years, the financial depression that shook American markets spread to other countries, leading to a worldwide financial downturn in which each country's domestic markets aimed to regulate themselves.

As the news about the crash spread, panic grew even more, peaking on Black Tuesday.

By 1932, when the Great Depression ended, stocks had lost nearly 90% of their pre-crash value, per the Economic History Association.

Hearing of the chaos on Wall Street, thousands rushed to withdraw their accounts from the banks.

On Black Tuesday, as the news spread, people rushed to their banks to withdraw their savings, as panic and financial uncertainty influenced mass decisions.

Banks across the nation began failing, causing people to lose their savings.

The crash showed the fragility of economic systems, as banks, which used deposited money to issue loans, started failing. As people in the midst of the panic rushed the banks to withdraw their savings, banks ran out of money to cover the transactions.

The Social Security Administration reported that 9,000 banks failed after the crash, virtually disappearing $7 billion in assets for those who had stored their capital in them.

People's savings virtually disappeared overnight.

As the market crash led to banks failing, a distrust in financial institutions began to rise, leading to the popularity of practices like stashing cash under mattresses or buying gold as an investment.

Following the crash, banks decreased lending, affecting businesses across the country.

In response to the market crash and the droves of people rushing to the banks to withdraw their capital, many banks stopped or decreased their lending, which greatly affected businesses.

Americans soon began to feel the economic downturn.

The effects of the Great Depression were felt soon after the crash. Americans faced the sudden loss of savings and investments. Banks failed and lending stopped, so businesses had to cut costs by lowering production and laying off employees, which led to a drastic rise in unemployment, reaching a high of 24.9% in 1933, according to the National Archives.

The Great Depression lasted for the next decade.

While the market crash didn't singlehandedly cause the recession, it was a sign of the crumbling economy that would greatly impact people for the decade after.

• I'm a huge Costco fan who's been shopping at the store for over 20 years.
• On a recent trip to the store, I saw lots of great items for summer entertaining.
• I really enjoyed some of the snacks I found, including the Fruit Riot sour grapes.

Summer prep is in full swing at Costco, with delicious snacks and essentials for outdoor entertaining hitting the shelves.

As a diehard Costco fan of over 20 years, a few items caught my eye during a recent visit to the warehouse. Here are nine items I recommend checking out this month.

The Sonoma Creamery pepperoni pizza crisps look delicious.

I'm always on the lookout for a new snack to add to my rotation, so as a pizza lover, these Sonoma Creamery crisps caught my eye.

Their crispy, cheesy edges look like they'd give the perfect satisfying crunch, and I'm very excited to try them.

I grabbed a box of Titan ice packs to prepare for warm summer days.

For those gearing up to spend the summer outside, I highly recommend checking out the Titan high-performance ice packs. These are ideal for keeping your beverages cool during long days in the sun.

I snagged the multi-pack for my family, and thankfully, they don't take up much freezer space since they're foldable.

The Fruit Riot sour grapes are my new favorite snack.

I've been seeing lots of buzz about Fruit Riot on social media, so I was very excited to find the brand's sour grapes at my local Costco.

Each bag contains frozen grapes covered in lemon juice and a sour candy coating. Although it may sound odd, believe me when I say these are worth the hype.

I'll definitely be snacking on these treats by the pool all summer long.

The Core FlexRail folding table is perfect for outdoor gatherings.

As the days get longer, I'm looking for any excuse to gather friends and enjoy a meal outside. Although the Core FlexRail folding table is on the heavier side, it's extremely versatile.

Half the table can be used for meal prep, while the other half has a heat-resistant surface, perfect for placing a portable grill. It also has a paper towel holder, cupholders, and a space to hang a garbage bag.

In my opinion, it seems like the perfect option for barbecues and tailgates.

I'm excited to try the Sun Tropics dragon fruit and guava juice.

I seriously cannot wait to try the Sun Tropics 100% dragon fruit and guava juice. When I was at Costco, I saw lots of people grabbing it, and I was intrigued by the unique flavor combination.

I'd love to pour it into a Popsicle mold for a cooling summer treat.

The Igloo MaxCold cooler is perfect for outdoor activities.

Igloo's MaxCold foam-insulated roller cooler is the ideal size for a camping trip or beach day. With easy-to-navigate wheels, it looks like it would make transporting beverages simple.

The Solely fruit jerky is like an adult version of a Fruit Roll-Up.

I first fell in love with Solely fruit jerky when I discovered that each flavor is made with just one ingredient. So, when I saw Costco's newest variety pack with mango and pineapple strips, I knew I had to pick up a box.

These are like the adult version of Fruit Roll-Ups: chewy, light, and packed with a ton of fruit. Honestly, I could probably eat the entire pack in one sitting.

I loved the Brentwood Originals indoor/outdoor pillows.

I was immediately drawn to the Brentwood Originals pillows, which can be used either inside or outside.

These versatile pillows come in four different designs and are UV- and weather-resistant, making them perfect for porches, patios, and everything in between. My family is already planning to grab a few on our next Costco run.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Pho'nomenal Foods ripened jackfruit chips.

During my last trip to Costco, I picked up a bag of the Pho'nomenal Foods freeze-dried ripened jackfruit chips. I wasn't sure what to expect, but they surprised me in the best way.

They have a bright tropical flavor but aren't overly sweet, and the light crunch makes them super snackable.

Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one.

• Tesla canceled its range extender — and it's one of many Cybertruck promises the company hasn't delivered.
• The EV truck is also more expensive, with the cheapest version of the Cybertruck starting at $69,990.
• Other features that didn't make it into the final vehicle include crab walking and floating.

The Cybertruck has changed a lot since Elon Musk first unveiled it in 2019.

Tesla's first pickup, which finally launched in November 2023, has had a rocky rollout, with multiple recalls and early challenges in scaling up production.

The Cybertrucks for sale right now have less range and a far higher price tag than Musk initially predicted, with the cheapest model available costing nearly $70,000, compared to the $39,900 that Musk promised.

Here are some of the Cybertruck features that Musk has talked about over the years that failed to materialize.

1. A $39,900 price tag

When Musk first unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, he said the cheapest version would cost $39,900, with more advanced variants costing $49,900 and $77,000.

But that didn't work out. In 2023, Tesla shipped a $120,000 Foundation Series version of the Cybertruck and said its cheapest model would actually cost $60,990 and would arrive in 2025. Tesla recently released its Long Range version of the Cybertruck, which has a $69,990 price tag. The Cyberbeast, its most expensive version, cost around $100,000.

The price hike disappointed many Tesla fans, and made the Cybertruck something of a status car when it first arrived. Now that the market has become more saturated and the truck has been targeted by political backlash, some consider the EV overpriced.

2. 500-mile range

Musk also said in 2019 that the most advanced tri-motor version of the Cybertruck would have a 500-mile range.

That would have made it one of the longest-range EVs on the market, but it was a promise Tesla didn't deliver on.

The automaker advertises the $69,990 Long Range Cybertruck as having an estimated 350 miles of range, with the roughly $100,000 "Cyberbeast" clocking in at 301 miles.

Tesla previously had plans to offer a $16,000 "range extender." The battery pack would sit in the truck bed of the vehicle and increase the vehicle's range to over 470 miles. In October, Tesla reduced the range to 445 miles and delayed it from early to mid-2025.

In early May, Tesla canceled the product and refunded pre-orders.

3. Cyberquad

Musk ended the 2019 Cybertruck event with a surprise unveiling of the "Cyberquad," a Tesla quad bike.

The billionaire wrote at the time on X that the Cyberquad would be a two-seater ATV that would be released at the same time as the truck.

Tesla did release a $1,900 kids version of the Cyberquad, which now costs $1,650 and previously faced a recall, but the full-size quad bike is yet to materialize.

4. The Cybertruck functioning as a boat

One of the most eye-catching promises Musk made about the Cybertruck is that it would be able to float and serve as a boat for short periods.

The Tesla CEO wrote on X that the pickup would be waterproof enough to "cross rivers, lakes, & even seas that aren't too choppy."

Although the Cybertruck has a "wade mode" that allows drivers to drive through 30 inches of water for a limited time, it's far from sea-worthy.

Musk appears to have not given up on this feature, however, posting on X last December that Tesla would release another upgrade that would allow the Cybertruck to "traverse at least 100m of water as a boat."

He reiterated its potential in April when responding to a video on X of a Cybertruck driving in a lake.

5. Crab walking

In 2021, Musk wrote on X that the initial production run of Cybertrucks would have four motors, one for each wheel, allowing it to turn 360 degrees like a tank and move diagonally like a crab.

But this feature never made it off the Tesla drawing board. Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill said in April that Tesla experimented with the feature but couldn't find a practical use for it.

"We played with this in development, but no matter what we tried, it was a clunky/awkward experience with no real use case," he wrote in a post on X.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside normal working hours.

• My husband and I met when he was 44 and I was 38.
• I placed a personal ad in a newspaper, and he replied with a flyer about himself.
• We didn't want kids and wanted to travel the world instead, and we've been doing it for 35 years.

In 1991, when I was 38, I placed a personal ad in a newspaper — this was before computers and cellphones — looking for a boyfriend.

Around a month later, I received a large envelope in the mail with interesting responses. There was one that really stood out.

Carefully designed like a humor-infused brochure, the title across the top said, "YOUR NEXT BOYFRIEND?" It included a picture, bullet points listing his attributes and interests, and lots of adorable graphics, including his drawing of a couple hugging that said, "Could this be us?" It was clever, creative, honest, and funny. In fact, it was so hilarious that I laughed out loud and thought to myself, "I have to meet this guy!"

My husband Jim and I have been married for almost 33 years.

We had lots of things in common

On our first date, we discovered we had many interests and ethics in common, and I could tell that he was genuine, sweet, funny, and a real gentleman.

He told me he lived on a boat (✓), loved to ride his bicycle and motorcycle (✓), and liked to travel to tropical places and scuba dive (✓✓). Also, he told me he had done a lot of solo adventures, traveling on his bicycle for months at a time in places like Australia and New Zealand. That really excited me — I had always wanted to travel like that. Also, neither of us wanted to have kids.

Our next date was a scenic bicycle ride along the water. On our third date, he took me for a ride on his motorcycle to a beautiful beach, and we shared our first kiss. On the way back, I had butterflies in my stomach, I knew something really wonderful was up. Now, almost 35 years later, I still swoon with every kiss.

After three months of dating, we took a trip to Belize to go scuba diving, which was fantastic. After 10 months, we moved in together, and a month later, he proposed to me on Christmas Eve as we sat beside our colorful, twinkling tree and warm, cozy fireplace.

We haven't stopped traveling

Eleven months later, we got married, and the day after, we took a walk on the beach and agreed that after tasting adventure together in Belize, we wanted to take a much longer trip and officially become vagabonds.

Six months later, we quit our jobs, sold our cars, put everything else into storage, bought two backpacks, and flew to Bangkok.

We traveled with just a Lonely Planet guidebook as we made our way through Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bali. Four glorious months of nothing but adventures. We learned early on how to overcome difficulties and cope with constant change together.

Eighteen years after our first big adventure trip, we lost our jobs due to an economic downturn, so we took off again for a six-month trip to Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, and India. Then, after a year back home, we sold our house and embarked on a seven-month trip that included the Greek Islands, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Laos, and back to Thailand and India.

We are a really good team

Traveling to all these amazing places changed our lives forever and gave us an important perspective on how other cultures live. We also discovered that we are a really good team, each with a different set of skills that match up well, and that we can trust each other to get things done right. This experience also helped us develop a seemingly unbreakable and lasting bond.

Delightfully, on a day-to-day basis, we are extremely demonstrative. We hug and kiss often and thank each other constantly for such a loving relationship. We also have many absurd running comedy routines and dialogues that keep us laughing. People are often amazed by our obvious affection for each other and tell us how rare it is.

Like every other couple, we have had to deal with stressful and difficult situations. But we are able to handle them well because we always try to be kind to each other and put the relationship first. We both truly believe that love is the most precious and wonderful thing in the world.

To this day, every night when we get into bed and snuggle (his response to my ad did include, "likes to snuggle"), we happily melt into each other's arms and feel so grateful that we were lucky enough to find each other.

• Splurging on a five-star hotel stay is typically saved for special occasions.
• I've, fortunately, slept in plenty of luxury hotels where I've watched travelers make mistakes.
• Some people book stays that are too short, while others don't take advantage of the concierge.

From sipping an iced vanilla latte on a private beach to watching snowfall from the comfort of a sauna, I've stayed in luxury, five-star hotels around the world as a travel reporter.

It's a drastic shift from my personal trips and vacations, which tend to involve budget hotels and cheap vacation rentals. When I'm at a lavish hotel, I'm soaking in every minute and every amenity.

From personal experience and conversations with other travelers, I've spotted mistakes that diminish the luxury experience.

A single night is not nearly enough in a five-star hotel.

With a typical 4 p.m. check-in and 11 a.m. check-out, one night in any hotel isn't very long to explore — especially when you're splurging on the accommodation.

I made this mistake while staying at my first five-star hotel, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Canada's Banff National Park.

My friend and I checked into the glorious property just as the sun was setting. We explored the hotel's dining scene and joined a free s'mores and bonfire event. The next day, we set our alarms early to enjoy why we were at Lake Louise in the first place — the nature.

We didn't have nearly long enough. We were rushing to get up early, hike around the lake, and make it back in time to check out of the lodge. We enjoyed our stay, but it wasn't the relaxing trip we had hoped for.

Since then, I've talked to dozens of other guests who shared similar sentiments.

At a five-star hotel in Sydney, guests told me they couldn't decide how to split time between exploring the city and the hotel's amenities. At a luxe spot on the island of Zanzibar, guests raced around the property to enjoy every detail during a short stay.

While booking a luxury hotel might already be a splurge, finding a place that allows you more than one night helps maximize the entire experience.

Not researching the destination beforehand is another common mistake.

Some five-star hotels are in the heart of a city, offering easy access to museums, shopping, and nightlife.

Other luxury hotels are in the middle of nowhere. A stay here means that your vacation is limited to the resort itself.

I've spoken to travelers who weren't aware of how remote the accommodations were, leaving them frustrated that activities were far away, dining outside the hotel was inaccessible, and entire days had to be spent at the property.

Researching where you're heading is key to making the most of a luxe hotel stay. Whether that's speaking to a hotel representative, a travel agent, or Googling, research will give you a better sense of how you'll be spending your precious vacation days.

Some guests don't take advantage of the hotel's concierge.

A concierge at a five-star hotel is a major perk of sleeping in luxury.

They can secure hard-to-get dining reservations, share lesser-known property amenities, and make personal recommendations for the area you're visiting.

I've watched travelers miss out on restaurant visits because they didn't know the concierge might be able to help. I've also seen people fail to use water kayaks and paddleboards in fear that they cost money — a simple question for the concierge.

The concierge is also there in case an emergency arises. They can provide information on the nearest doctor, call transportation services, and help you find anything you may have forgotten to pack.

They're a resource, so failing to use them is a big mistake.

Similar to not using the concierge, I've watched travelers not take advantage of free amenities.

Since every hotel works differently, knowing what's included and what's not when you arrive is important.

I've visited hotels where the spa is accessible regardless of whether you book a service. Other hotels keep the spa off-limits unless you arrive for a massage or facial.

In casual conversations with guests, I've raved about a visit to a private beach and watched as they were shocked to learn that access to a second beach was included in their stay. I've also highlighted the free minibar — another perk people have said they were unaware of.

The high costs of visiting a five-star hotel tend to include much more than just your hotel room, so take advantage of those perks.

Others fail to explore the hotel's food scene.

Finding an award-winning chef stationed at a luxury hotel shouldn't come as a surprise.

On a recent visit to the Four Seasons Tamarindo, I dined on meals influenced and created by well-known chefs. At Coyul, a restaurant on the property, the menu was created in partnership with Elena Reygadas, who was named the best female chef in the world in 2023 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. The meal of risotto and soft shell crab was a highlight of a weeklong trip to Costalegre, Mexico.

I'm always shocked when I chat with guests and learn they haven't had a single meal at the hotel. While I'm all for exploring a range of restaurants on a trip, guests might miss out by skipping the hotel's dining scene.

Finally, they overpack for the trip.

I still laugh when I think about packing for my first five-star vacation to a tropical destination.

I sat staring at my suitcase, debating how I could save space. Removing a beach towel was my solution, and thank goodness I did. When I arrived, beach towels were piled high at every corner of the pool.

If you're heading to a luxury spot, there are a handful of things you can skip packing. There's no need for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or body wash. Robes and slippers are a guarantee. I've always found a hair dryer.

While some of those are expected, I've also watched guests waste precious space packing extra tote bags and umbrellas, which will typically be available at a five-star hotel.

Again, a quick conversation with the hotel can help save precious space in a carry-on.

• Jony Ive was known for delivering simple designs at Apple.
• Ive said in a fireside chat that his design mantra at his new agency, LoveFrom, could be different.
• His new chapter is shaping up to be his "ornament era."

Jony Ive is embracing his "ornament era."

The former chief design officer at Apple spent the better part of 27 years designing products that were defined by simplicity and minimalism: the iPod, iPhone, MacBook, and iPad all had the British-born designer's hand in them.

But he's taking a different approach now.

In a fireside chat with Stripe CEO Patrick Collison this week, Ive, who has been busy working on an independent design agency called LoveFrom since leaving Apple in 2019, acknowledged that his more recent work can be seen as "Jony's ornament era."

"I think that's a lovely observation," Ive said in response to Collison, who described his work at Apple as "so stripped down" and "reduced to the essence."

Ive's ideas and work at Apple were often inspired by Dieter Rams, the German industrial designer who had a "less but better" approach that informed his work at consumer products businesses like Braun.

In the fireside chat, Ive said that his work at LoveFrom is informed by a diverse team of industrial, graphic, and sound designers, as well as architects, typographers, and musicians, as opposed to at Apple, where his team had "clear criteria for what we were doing."

Ive has shared few details about the projects LoveFrom is working on, with his design agency's website maintaining a barebones display that has shrouded the storied designer's future work in secrecy.

But a few public projects have indicated a shift in direction in his design, with Ive notably creating an ornament logo for the coronation of King Charles III, as well as work for Airbnb.

"If you're working for the King on his coronation identity, that of course, would demand a very different approach than the one we would have taken if we were designing instructional products for how to use an iMac," Ive said.

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

Happy Friday! We've got a new pope and he's an American! Cardinal Robert Prevost, who hails from Chicago, will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Here's everything you need to know about him. To be fair, we probably should have seen this coming with Gen Z's obsession with "Conclave."

In today's big story, a trade agreement with the UK has Wall Street excited, but not everyone is convinced things are heading in the right direction.

You still have time to sign up for Tech Memo. It's our new weekly BI newsletter from Alistair Barr on what's happening inside the world's most powerful tech companies.

What's on deck

Markets: At Milken, billionaire and CEO concerns about the economy didn't stop the party.

Tech: Google pushes back on claims it's losing search to AI.

Business: Panasonic is cutting 10,000 jobs in a bid to boost efficiency.

But first, wheeling and dealing.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

The art of the trade deal

President Donald Trump seems to be entering the next stage of his wide-reaching trade war, and investors are loving it.

On Thursday, Trump announced a trade agreement with the UK that his administration said would bring opportunities worth $5 billion to US exporters.

The first deal made since Trump's Liberation Day — when tariffs were widely implemented — was reason enough for investors to celebrate, sending major indexes rising.

But it wasn't just the UK deal that had Wall Street excited. In announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump made clear he wasn't done resolving trade disputes.

"This Deal shows that if you respect America, and bring serious proposals to the table, America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Many more to come — STAY TUNED!" Trump said on the social media platform.

Trump's post seemed to confirm what many had long believed: The threat of tariffs was merely a Trump negotiation tactic to secure better trade terms.

(BI's Alice Tecotzky previously read Trump's "The Art of the Deal" to see how they compared to his approach to tariffs. There were plenty of takeaways.)

One trade agreement is still far from solving the whole trade war.

Investors have been eager to find any signs of reprieve from tariffs, with some even pricing in a win for the US ahead of the UK announcement.

Still, there's no guarantee other countries will be as willing to come to the table. Relations with one of the biggest trade partners — China — are still strained. Discussions between the two sides are supposedly coming this weekend.

In the meantime, the risk of a recession is looming. Despite strong recent economic data, some experts warn the worst is yet to come thanks to the ongoing uncertainty, writes BI's Catherine Boudreau.

The unknowns are also stressing anyone involved in global trade, which is already a pretty complex industry to begin with, writes BI's Madeline Stone.

Even Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged that the true impact of tariffs on the economy is still unclear while holding interest rates firm on Wednesday, much to Trump's displeasure.

But for now, Wall Street is happy to take the win. A trade agreement with the UK is better than a trade agreement with no one.

3 things in markets

1. Bitcoin hit $100,000 for the first time in three months. The world's largest crypto saw gains after the White House's trade agreement with the UK. Bitcoin is moving in line with other risk assets as the markets settle down.

2. A benefactor from the Trump bump is going bust. The secondhand market had a record number of deals last year, and uncertainty around President Trump's policies means demand for the once-niche market is expected to ratchet up again. Here's what it's like to work as a secondaries investor.

3. Hanging with the bigwigs and billionaires at Milken. Onstage at the Beverly Hills conference, concerns about the economy were almost as ubiquitous as the viral Saratoga water bottle. Recession woes didn't stop the rich from partying it up in private, however.

3 things in tech

1. Things aren't looking good for Google. Google disputed an Apple exec's statement that AI is cutting into its search. It's possible that both companies are right — but a recent filing reveals there's another reason to worry about Google's search dominance.

2. Tariffs sparked a wave of iPhone upgrades, not AI. Wall Street thought Apple's generative AI would kick-start an upgrade cycle, but Consumer Intelligence Research Partners found concerns over higher prices actually did the trick.

3. Millennials had the mall; Gen Z has Pinterest. That's according to Pinterest CEO Bill Ready, who said the platform is where "Gen Z goes to shop" during its Q1 earnings call. Pinterest's stock jumped as much as 18% after-hours on Thursday.

3 things in business

1. Panasonic plans to cut 10,000 jobs. The Japanese company, which supplies batteries to Tesla through a subsidiary company, plans to cut 5,000 roles in Japan and 5,000 overseas by March 2026, which amounts to about 4% of its global workforce.

2. Bill Gates ramps up giving away his billions. The Microsoft cofounder told the New York Times he plans to shut down his foundation in 2045 — decades earlier than initially intended. He also criticized Elon Musk, saying he was "involved in the deaths of the world's poorest children" by cutting USAID as part of his DOGE initiative.

3. Shopify wants to help sellers navigate tariffs. The company just launched new tools to help merchants calculate duties and consider other tariff impacts, including a new website that uses AI to give guidance. See how it's assisting sellers.

In other news

• Here's how much Trump's policies could cost Wall Street in bonus money.
• Trump's deal with Paul Weiss is throwing a wrench into his war on Big Law.
• Warren Buffett delivered a masterclass in succession planning — and a lesson in high drama.
• Temu sent my last shipment with no extra tariff fees. What happens the next time I want to place an order?
• The new face of professional networking isn't human.
• Liam Payne died without a will. Here's why his ex will manage his $32.2 million fortune, even though they weren't married.

What's happening today

• Hoover Institution Monetary Conference begins, with speakers including institution director Condoleezza Rice.

• Court hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez as push to free them continues.

  ---

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

• Boeing may deliver the new Air Force One jets by 2027, two years earlier than projected.
• The company has faced cost overruns and operational challenges, with the program $2 billion over budget.
• That timescale would allow Donald Trump to fly on the jets while he's still president.

Boeing could now deliver the next-generation Air Force One aircraft while President Donald Trump is still in office, a US Air Force official said.

The planes could be delivered by 2027 — two years earlier than previously expected, but still five years behind the original schedule.

Darlene Costello, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, revealed the update during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.

"We are looking at the requirements that are being potentially traded off to get to that date, and so I would not necessarily guarantee that date, but they're proposing to bring it into '27," she said.

One major change already agreed is the relaxation of a requirement that Boeing staff working on the project hold top-level security clearances, which had contributed to previous delays. Additional holdups were caused by supplier changes, engineering challenges, and pandemic-related workforce constraints.

"We are absolutely committed to delivering an aircraft with the communications and defensive capabilities required for presidential transport," Costello told the hearing.

The revised timeline comes as Boeing works with the Air Force to streamline requirements for the new VC-25B jets — modified 747 aircraft that will replace the ageing VC-25As. The updates aim to reduce production delays that have plagued the $3.9 billion program.

During his first term in office, Trump struck a deal with Boeing to acquire two new 747-8 aircraft, with initial delivery scheduled for 2024.

The two planes had been ordered by Transaero, a Russian airline that filed for bankruptcy before they were delivered.

Both planes, which first flew in 2016, have logged fewer than 20 hours in the air and have been at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio since 2019 for conversion.

Since taking on the fixed-price contract, Boeing has struggled with cost overruns and operational disruptions.

The aerospace giant recently acknowledged that the program is now $2 billion over budget.

If Boeing manages to meet the 2027 target, Trump could fly on the new aircraft while still in office.

The president has previously criticized delays in the project, prompting renewed pressure on Boeing from both the Air Force and political leaders.

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• HSBC has created a loan designed to help businesses handle the cost of tariffs.
• HSBC TradePay for Import Duties is an extension of an already existing program.
• Businesses have been scrambling to work out how to deal with the cost of tariffs.

Banking giant HSBC has launched a new financing service to help its customers manage the extra costs caused by the trade war triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

HSBC TradePay for Import Duties allows businesses to access credit and make payments. It adds to an already existing program launched in 2023 to help businesses deal with the costs of international trade.

The London-headquartered bank and financial services firm said the platform could be used to cover the cost of import duties, helping address the extra costs associated with tariffs.

According to HSBC, since launching TradePay, it has made $2.3 billion of trade finance accessible worldwide.

"By settling import duties directly and frictionlessly through HSBC TradePay, our US clients have more visibility and control over their working capital at the time they need it most," Vivek Ramachandran, head of global trade solutions, said in a statement.

Since Trump announced his so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs in April, US businesses have been scrambling to address the cost of the increased levies on goods. Some have said they will absorb costs, while many have passed these costs onto customers.

Last week, HSBC posted a profit before tax of $9.5 billion, compared to forecasts of $7.8 billion, in its first quarter of 2025. It surpassed expectations of revenue by $980 million and announced a share buyback of up to $3 billion.

• X said it was ordered to restrict thousands of accounts in India.
• The company said its staff in India faced "significant fines and imprisonment" if it didn't comply.
• The takedown request follows a Kashmir terror attack that has reignited India-Pakistan tensions.

Elon Musk's X says India's government has ordered it to block more than 8,000 accounts in the country or potentially face "significant fines and imprisonment" for local X staff.

The company's global government affairs team said Thursday that it had begun restricting access to the flagged accounts in India.

"X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company's local employees," the global government affairs team account wrote in an

X said the order, which comes as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, includes demands to block international news organizations and high-profile users.

X added that it disagreed with the demands, which amounted to "censorship of existing and future content," but said it would "withhold the specified accounts in India alone."

The directive appears to be part of a wider crackdown targeting social media accounts tied to Pakistani politicians, media outlets, and celebrities.

India has also blocked more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels in recent weeks, accusing them of spreading "provocative" content. Several of the blocked channels belong to Pakistani news outlets.

Meta blocked access to a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at the government's request, the page's founder said Wednesday.

Military clashes between India and Pakistan have ramped up in recent days following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir last month that killed 26 people.

"In most cases, the Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India's local laws. For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts", X's global affairs team continued.

The takedown request could add tension to Musk's expanding business interests in India. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, spoke with Musk in April about increasing tech collaboration. Tesla is planning to open showroom locations in Delhi and Mumbai, and Musk's satellite company, Starlink, is seeking final approval to launch satellite internet in the country.

A spokesperson from X and India's government did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BI.

• As a local, there are a lot of Connecticut beach towns I'd choose over the Hamptons in New York.
• Greenwich feels exclusive and filled with activities, and Fairfield is wonderfully laid-back.
• Old Saybrook feels like it's out of a movie, and Mystic is a coastal gem filled with history.

There's nothing like a summer along the Long Island Sound — although it touches New York and Connecticut, I've found most of my favorite spots are actually in the latter.

I lived in New York City for years and loved it, but something has always drawn me back to my Connecticut roots.

And sure, I enjoy a good trip to the Hamptons, but I'd choose these coastal Connecticut towns over the former every time.

Here are some of my favorite picks — as a bonus, most of them are less than three hours from NYC.

Fairfield feels like a laid-back, Hamptons-esque escape.

Vacationers in Fairfield can feel like locals as they head out for a morning run, hit up the farmers market for a bouquet, grab coffee at one of the many cafés downtown, or simply relax in the sunshine.

I like the town's larger beaches, Jennings and Penfield, which have pavilions serving up classic beachside eats. If I want a more secluded feel, I head to the smaller Sasco Beach.

I love feeling pampered on a weekend getaway here. My favorite "treat myself" spot is Wine N Cheese Day Spa. I'll typically head there for a facial, fine wine, and an aesthetically pleasing charcuterie board.

If I'm looking for a fresh pasta diner to go, I stop by Centro. For a night out, Sinclair is the place to order dirty martinis (with generously stuffed blue-cheese olives) and a pot of mussels.

And, of course, a nightcap at J.B. Percival Co. Craft Cocktail Lounge and Speakeasy is a must.

Fairfield is about an hour away by train from NYC.

Greenwich captures the fun "see and be seen" Hamptons mindset.

I absolutely love Greenwich — it's a wealthy city, which means many celebrities and pro athletes have houses here. It's fun to keep an eye out for stars while admiring impressively grand local architecture.

The town feels exclusive and cool and has tons of activities, whether you're heading to Tod's Point to explore 147 acres of scenic walking trails, chartering a yacht from the Delamar Hotel for an outing, bird watching at the Greenwich Audubon Center, or shopping the Avenue.

Either way, at sunset, there's nothing like kicking back in an Adirondack chair at the Point and looking at distant views of Manhattan.

And, of course, I complete my Hampton-esque getaways here with dirty martinis at Elm Street Oyster House and live music at OG Social.

Greenwich is about 45 minutes from NYC by train.

Old Saybrook resembles a dreamy seaside out of a Hallmark movie.

I think downtown Old Saybrook offers historic Sag Harbor charm. Think: idyllic book shops, antique stores, bed and breakfasts, and art galleries.

However, I think this small beach town feels like more of a hideaway from a Hallmark movie than the popular Long Island village.

Guests can stay at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, where they can rent a bike and pedal into town for shopping before heading back to watch boats from the pool.

I also suggest a stop at Harvey's Beach — an excellent spot for boating, seashell collecting, or simply kicking back.

While there, I suggest enjoying Fresh Salt's waterfront dining and picturesque bar at sunset or stopping by Connecticut's beloved Little Pub for fish and chips and brews.

To end their night, visitors can catch one of many shows at the local Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center,

Old Saybrook is about two hours from NYC by train.

Mystic is a lovely coastal village in Connecticut.

Mystic has charming seafood spots, ice-cream parlors, boutiques, and a nautical history museum.

In addition, the nearby vineyards — like Jonathan Edwards Winery and Saltwater Farm Vineyard — have a Hamptons-style ambiance.

When I'm not sunbathing or sipping wine here, you'll find me shopping for natural handmade soaps, essential oils, or braided rugs in Olde Mystic Village.

The town's many nearby beaches don't disappoint, either, from Esker Point to Williams Beach to Bluff Point State Park. If I want to get some steps in, I walk down a scenic trail to Bluff Point.

To cap off my nights, I'll usually head to the Treehouse at Oyster Club, an outdoor dining deck nestled among the foliage with sweeping views of downtown Mystic.

Mystic is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from NYC.

• Jordon Hudson, 24, is dating former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
• The Maine native is competing in the Miss Maine pageant on May 10 and 11.
• If Hudson wins the competition, she will compete at Miss USA later this year.

Jordon Hudson describes herself as a founder, CEO, and avid "bird-er," although you most likely know her as the 24-year-old girlfriend of NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick.

But Hudson soon hopes to be known by another title — Miss USA.

The pageant queen will compete at Miss Maine on May 10 and 11 and, if she wins the state crown, will head to the national stage.

Here's everything you need to know about Hudson, from her family's fisherman roots to why she believes beauty queens are the modern suffragettes.

Jordon Hudson is a Maine native who advocates for fishermen

Hudson wrote in a recent Instagram post that she was "practically born on the waters of Hancock Point" in Maine, just as her father had been, "and his father, and his father… since before the American Revolutionary War."

"Daughter of Maine fishermen" is the first thing listed in Hudson's Instagram bio, and the pageant queen frequently uses her platform to advocate for the profession.

In March, Hudson wrote an Instagram plea to Donald Trump after it was announced that his administration planned to cut the Maine Sea Grant, a federal funding program that supports research and outreach for the state's marine economy.

"It was the reckless regulatory decisions by government officials with no stake in those decisions that forced my 9th generation fishermen father out of this industry more than 15 years ago," Hudson said. "Please do not put others through what we have been through."

Days later, Hudson posted an Instagram picture of herself with Susan Collins and praised the Maine senator following the news that Trump's administration had agreed to renegotiate the grant's funding. On May 2, it was announced that funding had been restored.

Hudson was a national cheerleading champion in college

Hudson was a cheerleader at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. In 2021, her team won a National Cheerleaders Association Collegiate Championship, the famous Daytona, Florida, competition at the center of the Netflix documentary "Cheer."

According to her Instagram, Hudson was also a model for Rebel Athletic, a cheer and dance apparel brand, and toured with "Cheer" star Gabi Butler around New England.

Hudson joined the East Celebrity Elite cheer squad after graduating from college and proudly calls herself a "geriatric cheerleader" on Instagram. In a February 2024 post, Hudson praised the sport for keeping her "anchored through difficult seasons of adolescence and young adulthood" and those who helped with the "neurological damage rehabilitation" she required after repetitive concussions from the sport.

The 24-year-old is also a licensed cosmetologist

According to her LinkedIn, Hudson received her cosmetology professional licensure from the New England Hair Academy in November 2019 while enrolled at Bridgewater, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy in May 2022.

In a lengthy Instagram post from November 2019, Hudson shared that balancing cosmetology school with college, cheerleading, and a job as a henna tattoo artist had been an "intense chapter" of her life.

Hudson has been competing in pageants for years

Hudson placed third runner-up at the Miss Massachusetts Teen USA competition in 2020 and placed first runner-up at Miss Maine USA 2024.

She will represent her hometown of Hancock at the Miss Maine USA 2025 competition on May 10 and 11. The winner will go on to compete at Miss USA, which has never crowned a Miss Maine in its 73-year history.

In January, Hudson shared a picture of herself attending the Miss America 2025 pageant and explained why she believes "beauty queens are the contemporary suffragettes."

"Like feminism, pageantry is malleable & looks a lot different now than it did 104 years ago, however, the essence and mission to perpetuate Women's Rights and Empowerment is never-changing," she wrote on Instagram.

"Sure, both 'feminism' & 'pageantry' have flaws and connotative aspects (as does every other 'industry'), but we are all dedicated to finding the solutions to all of these issues," she continued. "Let it not be mistaken that our intentions are anything aside from deep and pure."

Hudson and Belichick announced their relationship in June 2024

The pageant queen and former New England Patriots coach have said they met on a flight in 2021, where they bonded over Hudson's philosophy studies. Hudson posted a video of her textbook with Belichick's signature in a February Instagram post celebrating their "four-year meetiversary."

Hudson seemed to hit back at critics of the couple's 49-year age gap with a Valentine's Day post in which she wrote that "we do not need to justify 'why' we love a particular person."

"Love is not to be judged," she added. "It is never okay to harass or abuse a person based upon who they love."

Hudson is now involved with Belichick's business dealings

Belichick, now the head football coach for the University of North Carolina, requested that Hudson be copied on emails between him and the university in March, The Athletic reported.

In his new memoir, which was released on May 6, he also calls Hudson his "creative muse" and has said they share "both a personal and professional relationship."

Ahead of his memoir's release, Belichick sat down for a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview, where journalist Tony Dokoupil called Hudson a "constant presence." Belichick later defended her in a statement, saying she was "simply doing her job to ensure the interview stayed on track."

According to her LinkedIn, Hudson is currently the founder and CEO of Trouble Cub Enterprises. An active job listing for Trouble Cub Enterprises describes it as an "East Coast-based holding company for a complex portfolio of businesses across a wide range of industries, including cosmetics, real estate, media production, merchandising, creative consultation, business strategy, and investment."

In April, the company filed for 14 trademarks related to Belichick's iconic coach catchphrases, which are currently owned by the New England Patriots and owner Robert Kraft, according to People.

The trademark request included Belichick quotes like "Do your job," "Ignore the noise," and "No days off." The request would add "(Bill's version)" to the end of each quote, similar to how Taylor Swift titled her re-released music after losing her original discography to Scooter Braun.

• A microplastics and toxic chemicals expert says her family doesn't wear shoes at home.
• Microplastics from car tires and garbage, as well as street runoff, can be tracked indoors on shoes.
• The researcher thinks her kids' Japanese heritage helped them adopt the habit.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tracey Woodruff, the director of the Program on Reproductive Health & the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco. She studies how microplastics and toxic chemicals impact fertility and child development. The below has been edited for length and clarity.

I did not grow up removing shoes when entering the house.

My husband and I started getting into the habit when we had kids, and I got more immersed in my research and how to lower exposures to toxic chemicals.

One of the things that can help reduce exposure to microplastics and other toxic chemicals is taking your shoes off before coming into the house to avoid tracking things in from outside.

What's on your shoes

One contributor to microplastic pollution is car tires, so that's going to be outside, and you can track them around on your feet. Degrading plastic from garbage and vehicle runoff can also get on your shoes.

Microplastics are in the air, they're in food, and they're in water. You can breathe them, eat them, and chemicals on them can also absorb into your skin.

I co-authored a systematic review of studies on microplastics last year. We found they may increase the risk of reproductive health effects, particularly for effects on sperm, as well as chronic inflammation and the potential to increase the risk of lung and colon cancer.

Then there are the chemicals used in plastic — like phthalates, which can disrupt testosterone levels and affect fetal development.

It just became a habit

I would say leaving shoes at the door gradually happened over time. It wasn't too hard. It just became a habit.

We have a closet, a bench, and a cabinet for shoes.

One of my sons is very diligent about taking off his shoes when he goes in the house now. He lived in Japan for a couple months. He's got his house slippers.

My other kids also take their shoes off when they come in the house. It's a part of their cultural heritage. My husband's parents came from Japan, and they took their shoes off when they were in the house. We took the kids to Japan to visit relatives when they were small and almost everyone does it there. They identify with their Japanese heritage.

My daughter does it too in her townhouse with her roommates. They have one of those giant shelves with shoes on it.

At my home we have dogs, which I admit is a complicating factor because they're tracking stuff in all the time. I don't have a good solution to that at this point in time.

• Frich CEO Katrin Kaurov highlights the common financial pitfalls many Gen Zers face.
• Her experience as a young model taught her financial independence early.
• Kaurov says common errors include relying on buy-now-pay-later apps, and waiting too long to start investing.

Money mistakes can start early, and Gen Zers are at risk of making some big errors, according to Katrin Kaurov, the CEO and cofounder of social financial platform Frich.

She says modeling between the ages of 14 and 24 taught her to manage her money in a way many that age do not have to.

"I would spend three months in Milan, three months in London, and three months in Hong Kong," Kaurov told Business Insider. "So I basically had to become financially independent and be an adult at the age of 14, 15, 16 when everyone else was going to parties."

When she moved to New York in her 20s, Kaurov realized this wasn't the norm. She saw her friends flounder when it came to their finances. They had no clue how to manage their money, yet seemed to be living lavish lives on social media.

Kaurov and her friend Aleksandra Medina founded Frich in response to what they saw, aiming to help young people learn "radical transparency and honesty" around money.

"Money shouldn't be lonely and sad and anxiety-inducing," Kaurov said. "We know that money is behind every decision that you make in life, and it doesn't have to be scary."

Here are some of the biggest mistakes Kaurov thinks Gen Zers are making, and what they can do to fix them.

1. Believing everything on social media

Social media, especially TikTok, is full of financial advice. Not all of it is good.

Kaurov said that while TikToks and Instagram Reels are great for opening up the conversation about money, much is "not really verified."

"You see a 17-year-old TikTok who is like, this is how I built a seven-figure business overnight, I'm 17 and I'm already retired. I think it creates very unrealistic portrayals of how people are managing money," she said. "It creates an idea that Gen Z has it together with money, when in reality, most people don't."

Young people shouldn't compare themselves to these posts, Kaurov said, and instead think about their own goals and aspirations.

2. Not getting real about credit card debt

Gen Zers are racking up a lot of credit card debt. They need to get real about this if they're going to face all of their challenges, Kaurov said, such as saving enough for a down payment on a house.

Social media, again, plays a part here. "Especially in cities like New York or London, it just seems like everyone is having dinners out every night and they go on these amazing trips," she said. "It just makes you wonder, wait, why am I always broke? Am I doing something wrong?"

You never see whether your peers are in debt, "which most of them are," Kaurov said.

"You never really see the truth. Maybe their card is getting declined at the restaurant."

3. Making budgets too restrictive

Kaurov said people can create budgets with too much enthusiasm and optimism for how little money they will spend from month to month.

She said a budget should be about creating a realistic guideline for spending and saving — and if it's too restrictive, then rethink it. "Trial and error is crucial and will allow people to find what kind of budget works best for them."

4. Not setting aside enough time

Kaurov recommends young people set aside about 30 minutes a week for a "money date."

"The same way we review our fitness goals and our career goals," she said. "Review what you're doing with money, what are your goals, where are you going?

"Having a money date when you actually review what you're spending on, and go step by step."

5. Reliance on BNPL apps

Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services such as Klarna and Affirm have made it easier than ever to spend.

Kaurov warned that relying on them can be catastrophic. "Recently, I went to a bar and I saw that you could pay for your drink with Afterpay," she said. "I was essentially taking a micro loan to have a drink."

It's a sign that things have gone too far, Kaurov said. "That is one thing that I would really highlight for people to be careful."

6. Waiting too long to start investing

When it comes to investing, "You just need to get started," Kaurov advised.

She waited years to start investing, but said it doesn't have to be daunting.

Kaurov said she started micro-investing — setting up automatic investments every week — and it only took about five minutes.

"Things are not as hard and scary as they look," she said.

Kaurov added that being in your 20s really works in your favor because even small contributions, like $50 a month, add up over time.

"I always like to compare that to running a marathon. You're never going to do it on day one."

• My wife and I wanted to travel more but didn't have the budget for it.
• We learned about house-sitting from a friend, gave it a try, and loved it.
• We saved over $1,000 on our first gig and have since traveled to the UK, Italy, and more, for free.

My wife and I dreamt of traveling the world, but doing it without racking up a huge amount of debt seemed like a fantasy.

So, to realize a semblance of this dream, we worked hard and saved throughout the year to afford one annual Christmas vacation. We did this for about five years but were never satisfied.

Putting money aside for more vacations was a struggle due to bills and our mortgage, though, and we never thought our reality would change.

Then, in 2021, we met up with an old friend who told us intriguing travel stories and showed us pictures of all the different places he had been to, like Bali, India, and Prague.

We thought the only way he could afford to travel so much was if he won the lottery or came into a grand inheritance, but he hadn't. He let us in on his secret that changed everything: house sitting.

We saved over $1,000 on just our first house-sitting gig

After passing an initial background check, we set up a profile, got verified, and immediately started applying to open listings. We landed our first house-sitting gig a month later.

Our first listing was in Canada, where the house owners left for a week-long vacation. We cared for a rottweiler named Rocket, watered houseplants, and spent time swimming and sunbathing around the pool.

We had an incredible vacation without spending a dime on accommodation or flights. It saved us about $1,600 — $1,300 for two round-trip economy flights and $300 a week for a car rental, which the homeowners agreed to pay.

Some homeowners will pay for these types of expenses, like travel and transportation, while most others won't — we only opt for opportunities that pay.

We also kept costs down on the trip by enjoying low-cost day trips, chatting with locals, and visiting Niagara Falls, which is free to see from the Canadian side, aside from a small parking fee.

Plus, the homeowners were also kind enough to pay us $100 a day for grooming and walking the dog and coordinating mail packages. This was one of the few paying gigs we got — most just offered us free travel and accommodation.

House sitting has been a great way for us to travel on a budget

We treat house sitting as a side gig and work the job into our vacation schedules. So far, we've landed over fourteen house-sitting gigs in two years.

We use a few different sites and typically pick stays that last anywhere from two to 10 nights. We've even got some repeat gigs along the way.

Locally, within the US, we've been to Portland, Santa Fe, Charleston, and upstate New York. Our international house-sitting gigs, though, have been the most exciting, by far.

Some memorable countries we've visited include London, for a quick three-day experience with a house cat. We made it to the London Bridge.

We've also traveled to a rustic villa in Tuscany, spent two weeks in Sydney, Australia, and lived in a colorful colonial home for seven nights in Merida, Mexico.

We still yearn for the local Yucatan life, with quesadilla stalls, fresh produce markets all around, and Cafe Riquez — a wonderful hidden gem with Mexican delicacies and beautiful art for sale, a few pieces we took home.

House sitting has been challenging for us at times

We've met difficult homeowners along the way.

Some have strict rules about pets not entering their master bedrooms or cleaning the house twice or thrice a day, which requires us to be more proactive and go out of our way to get it all done to their liking.

We've also interacted with pets that have taken time to warm up to us. Some memorable experiences include running into three house snakes (which the homeowner did not warn us about) and a pair of macaws that would retreat to their cages and fluff up their feathers when they heard us approaching.

We've had to practice patience to see some of the jobs through. However, house-sitting has been a great opportunity to travel more on a budget.

Overall, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for us, and we plan to continue house sitting for the foreseeable future. We don't know where our next trip will take us, but we're looking forward to it.

• Mark Zuckerberg has an impressive watch collection, which he often shows off at public appearances.
• He's worn luxury designs from Rolex, Patek Philippe, De Bethune, and more.
• One of his most expensive timepieces came from Greubel Forsey and was valued at $900,000.

Mark Zuckerberg is the king of the quiet glow up — but his luxury watch collection reminds us that in fact, he's worth billions.

The 40-year-old Meta founder, who is estimated to be worth over $207 billion, has taken to flaunting his wealth via wrist candy in recent years.

From a flashy Rolex to a $900,000 Greubel Forsey creation, here's a look at some of his standout timepieces.

Anant Ambani seemingly sparked Mark Zuckerberg's interest in watches.

While attending Ambani's pre-wedding party in March 2024, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were seen admiring a Richard Mille watch worn by the Reliance Industries heir.

"You know, I never really wanted to get a watch, but after seeing that, I was like, watches are cool," Zuckerberg is heard saying in a video of the interaction.

While he clarified to Chan that he wasn't interested in buying the same watch, he said he'd consider similar options.

Six months later, he was seen wearing a coveted Patek Philippe design.

On September 1, 2024, Zuckerberg shared an Instagram photo of himself embracing his wife. In the image, his wrist was adorned with a large watch featuring a gold face and a brown strap.

Zuckerberg indulged watch fanatics who asked for details, sharing that the watch was a "5236P," or a Grand Complications In-Line Perpetual Calendar watch from Patek Philippe.

The timepiece is crafted with a platinum case and an alligator-leather band. In terms of functionality, it displays the current day, date, and month. It also indicates leap years, moon phases, and whether it's day or nighttime.

It retails for $141,400, according to the brand's website.

He then displayed a rare watch he'd acquired from De Bethune.

Zuckerberg appeared at an "Acquired" podcast event on September 10, 2024. While onstage, he was photographed wearing another flashy watch: a DB25 Starry Varius from the Swiss watch brand De Bethune.

He seemed to be wearing its rose-gold model, which can cost over $80,000 from independent watch sellers. As watch specialist Bryan Li previously told Business Insider, only 20 of the watches are made annually.

Other variants — like one made from titanium and another encrusted with 273 diamonds — can cost between $75,000 and $127,000.

There's also the Aérolite version of the watch, which features a dial made from a meteorite and usually costs $260,000.

This De Bethune piece — and Zuckerberg's Patek Philippe watch — showed a significant shift in the Facebook founder's style, taking his outfits from basic to luxe almost overnight.

Zuckerberg also began wearing an F.P. Journe design in September 2024.

He was photographed wearing a chunky silver watch onstage at the 2024 Meta Connect conference. It appears to have been a variant of a watch from the Swiss brand F.P. Journe's Souveraine collection.

The specific one Zuckerberg wore featured a thick band and large black buttons on its side. Sotheby's listed what appears to be the same watch for auction in March, and said it was made entirely from aluminum.

The auction company also said the watch style was produced between 2011 and 2014. The piece was estimated to sell for between $30,000 and $54,000, though it's unclear what it actually sold for.

The same watch in a darker gray colorway is now available to purchase online for $135,000.

At the beginning of 2025, the tech mogul debuted what appears to be one of the most expensive watches in his collection.

On January 8, Zuckerberg posted a video to announce the end of Meta's fact-checking partnerships in the US. In the clip, he's seen wearing a Greubel Forsey watch that retails for over $900,000.

According to the brand's website, the watch is assembled entirely by hand, and only two or three are crafted each year. It's made with white gold and contains 281 pieces.

Michel Nydegger, the CEO of Greubel Forsey, told Bloomberg at the time that Zuckerberg showed "true appreciation for the most traditional approach to fine watchmaking" by wearing the piece.

He then sported a Rolex at a UFC event in March.

Zuckerberg posted a handful of photos and videos from the mixed martial arts event, which showed a thick gold watch on his wrist.

BI spoke with four watch experts at the time, who all said the timepiece was likely a yellow-gold Rolex Daytona Le Mans.

Though Rolex has never confirmed how many exist, collectors and sellers say the watch style is rare.

That's partially why it had a resale value of up to $300,000, as Ng Yong Shen, a vice president at the Dubai-based secondhand retailer Re-Loved Luxury, told BI.

His watch collection isn't entirely luxurious.

In April, Zuckerberg appeared on The Colin and Samir Show wearing a white timepiece with a vibrant blue face.

Watch fanatics quickly pointed it out as the GA2100WS-7A from Casio's G-Shock line. Made from resin and mineral glass, the watch retails for $120.

So far, it's the least expensive watch Zuckerberg has worn in public.

• The age gap between my two older and younger kids used to be difficult to plan around.
• They needed different things and enjoyed different activities.
• Now that they're older, it's less significant, and there are actually a lot of benefits.

When my youngest was born, we already had an 8-year-old, an almost 7-year-old, and a 2-year-old. Five years separate my middle children, and eight years separate my oldest and youngest. The age gap made many things very difficult, and my husband Craig and I began to refer to my kids as the bigs and the littles.

They were in different phases, and it was logistically difficult

Logistically, it was a nightmare. Often, we had to drag along a toddler and baby to sporting events and school outings for the oldest two. We would pull up in our minivan filled with everything from diapers to baseball gloves.

While my two oldest ran around the bases at Little League, my husband chased the toddler around the playground, and I was glued to a breastfeeding baby.

The gap also proved interesting when planning activities for them, like movies and playdates, as the things they enjoyed were vastly different. When they were young and at such differing stages of development, it often meant splitting up the kids to make sure everyone got to do what they needed or wanted. Meeting the needs of all of our children often meant dividing and conquering.

In our earliest days as a family of six, breastfeeding bound me to the youngest, so my husband became keeper of the oldest two. As the years passed, we switched, and Craig stayed home with the littles. I spent more time with the bigs at birthday parties at trampoline parks and skating rinks. While it allowed everyone to get what they needed, it meant less time together as both a whole family and a married couple.

Bedtime was absolute chaos

While planning activities was hard, coordinating bedtimes was a nightmare. The oldest two would be up watching television or playing together, and the youngest would wonder why they had to head to bed so much earlier.

Again, we found that dividing the kids up was the only way to conquer our nightly bedtime routine. My husband would read to one set of kids while I got the other ready. We always made sure to tuck all of them in individually, though. While doing this was important to us and to them, bedtime took a foolish amount of time and was exhausting.

My older kids told their siblings things they weren't ready to hear

My older children also knew more about things than the younger kids, which made it tricky. Their worlds exploded with information they learned at school or on the bus, and the information they learned found its way into our home. Scary stories, both real and imagined, were whispered to their youngest siblings, no matter how steadfast we were in monitoring things.

The age gap has gotten less significant over time

As my children have grown, the significance of their age gap seems to have lessened. My older son is 20 and my older daughter is 18, and while their bond has been strong for most of their lives, it is amazing to watch them gel with their 14-year-old sister and 12-year-old brother. They now share more common interests, like video games and shopping.

The oldest two play Minecraft and other video games with their younger brother. My 18-year-old daughter takes her younger sister to the mall and talks with her about everything from boys to TikTok. I recently listened to them laughing together before bed. My younger daughter was braiding her older sister's hair.

I have also enjoyed watching my oldest two become role models and advisors to their younger siblings. As my younger daughter heads to high school, her older sister is helping her figure out the best classes and teachers. It is cool to watch her share her experience. She wants to help her sister make the best decisions and avoid mistakes that she feels she made.

While I often find myself missing those early years, I am truly enjoying this phase of parenting. Watching all four of my children discover more common interests and forge stronger bonds is a gift, and I am grateful.

• Panasonic said on Friday it planned to cut 10,000 jobs this financial year.
• The Japanese company said in a statement that the measures were aimed at boosting its efficiency.
• The reductions will amount to about 4% of Panasonic's global workforce.

Panasonic will slash its workforce by 10,000 roles in an effort to boost efficiency.

The Japanese electronics manufacturer, which supplies batteries to Tesla through its subsidiary Panasonic Energy, plans to cut 5,000 roles in Japan and 5,000 overseas. That amounts to about 4% of its nearly 230,000-strong workforce.

In a statement on Friday, Panasonic said it planned to "thoroughly review operational efficiency … mainly in sales and indirect departments, and reevaluate the numbers of organisations and personnel actually needed."

"Through these measures, the company will optimize our personnel on a global scale," the statement added.

The cuts will take place this financial year, which ends in March 2026, "in accordance with the labor laws, rules, and regulations of each country and region."

The cuts are expected to incur costs of almost $900 million.

Panasonic shares closed 2% higher in Tokyo.

President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade war with China have made the global economic outlook more uncertain this year.

In January, Panasonic Energy said it wanted to curb its reliance on China for EV batteries.

"We do have some Chinese supply but we don't have a lot," Allan Swan, the president of Panasonic Energy of North America, said at the time. "And we have plans not to have some, as we go forward, and that has accelerated."

In 2022, Panasonic opted into the government-recommended four-day workweek in Japan, which aimed to reduce the number of employees country falling ill or even dying from overwork.

CEO Yuki Kusumi told investors at the time that the company "must support the well-being of our employees."