Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup in style earlier today with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and Group A's other fixture is up next. You'll find everything you need to know about where to watch South Korea vs. Czechia right here, including options to livestream it from anywhere in the world.

The South Korea vs. Czechia live stream will be shown on FS1 in the US, ITVX in the UK, and SBS in Australia, among others. All the links you need to access these channels are included below, and we can show you how to tune in to the free broadcasts from the UK and Australia by bypassing international geo-restrictions with a VPN.

For more streaming details and match info for the whole tournament, make sure to check out our official where to watch the World Cup guide.

*Availability for local channels, like FOX, varies by market on Sling TV

• See also: Where to buy World Cup tickets

Where to watch South Korea vs. Czechia for free

There are some great options for a free livestream of South Korea vs. Czechia. Our top picks include SBS On Demand in Australia and ITVX in the UK. You'll need to create a free account and sign in, but that's it; there's no need to upgrade to any paid tiers with either service.

If you're outside either of these countries and want to tune in for free as well, we can help you get around geo-restrictions below.

How to watch South Korea vs. Czechia from anywhere

As you'll find throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, every game will be streaming for free somewhere in the world, as is the case today with the examples mentioned above. You can enjoy these options, even if you're not in one of the free broadcast countries, via the use of a VPN (virtual private network) to bypass geo-restrictions. This will also let you continue using your home streaming services while traveling overseas.

These easy-to-use VPN apps let you temporarily digitally alter the location of your device, like your laptop, phone, or streaming stick, to appear as if they were physically in another country, in addition to helping bolster your online security.

NordVPN is our top recommendation for unlocking international streaming services and for digital privacy, and it ranks as the best VPN I've personally tested - and plenty of other tech writers have ranked it #1, too. Nord's global servers are perfect for streaming the World Cup online from anywhere, and the 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free, affordable spend that you'll have plenty of use for beyond the World Cup.

Where to watch South Korea vs. Czechia in the US

The next 2026 World Cup game hops over to FS1 in the US today (games are shared between FOX and FS1 for the whole tournament). So if you have these channels in your package already, or can access them via an antenna, you're all set.

If this is the jolt you need to finally join the world of cord-cutters to pick up a deal with a wider selection of channels, you'll find that the best live TV streaming services we've tested are a great place to start. Let's break down your specific options, all of which can be canceled at any time, with no contracts required.

DirecTV has the required FOX channels in their leading signature bundles and cheaper tiers like MyNews and MySports. Have a browse and see which channel selection speaks to your wider needs beyond soccer this summer. If you only want a sports-focused offering, MySports is the best, with a range of other sports channels, and the full ESPN Unlimited service for $50 a month for your first two months after a 5-day free trial.

Fubo Sports + News is another great choice, with 25 other channels and ESPN Unlimited bundled in for $46 for your first month ($56 after), and you can cancel at any time. It also includes a 5-day free trial.

Sling TV is another option, but it's not a fit for all World Cup fans in the US, as the FOX channels aren't available everywhere. Be sure to check coverage options in your zipcode before joining up. If you get the green light, look for the Sling Select or Sling Blue plans, as they both include FOX and FS1. Sling Select is the cheapest at $25 a month, and Sling Blue is $51, but offers more channels.

If you'd prefer Spanish coverage, there's a great-value deal: you can find it on Peacock Premium for just $11 a month. This covers every match of the tournament. Subtitles are also in Spanish.

Where to watch South Korea vs. Czechia in the UK

As with any World Cup or Euro tournament, the BBC and ITV continue to share free coverage for football fans in the UK, meaning the BBC iPlayer and ITVX websites/apps are great places to enjoy all the action online.

ITVX has full coverage and a free South Korea vs. Czechia live stream tonight. You'll need to create a free login to watch online. There's no need to sign up for the paid ad-free tier for the World Cup.

Where to watch South Korea vs. Czechia in Australia

We love it when viewing options are super simple, and Australia has the most straightforward setup for the entire World Cup, as SBS On Demand will be showing every game. Yes, all 104 of them, including South Korea vs. Czechia.

You'll need to create a free account and sign in before hitting that play button, though.

Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Deezer launched a tool to detect AI-generated music in playlists from major streaming services.
• The AI music detector identifies audio signals unique to AI-generated tracks.
• Deezer said that 44% of all new tracks uploaded are AI-generated, with few streams.

That K-pop earworm you've had on repeat might not have come from Seoul. It might not even be human.

Deezer, the French music-streaming company, launched a free tool on Thursday that lets users scan playlists on its own platform and from competing services — Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud — to find AI-generated tracks.

You don't need a Deezer account to use it, but you will need to give the site permission to access your streaming service of choice. After a playlist is imported, the tool scans it for AI-generated music, highlights any tracks it flags as synthetic, and gives the option to share the findings. There's only one catch: you have to manually delete the suspect content yourself.

A spokesperson for Deezer told Business Insider that the tool detects frequency artifacts — small yet distinctive spectral peaks in the audio signal that are exclusive to generative models used to create AI music. Deezer said it developed the tool by studying songs created with popular AI music generators, including Suno and Udio.

Alexis Lanternier, CEO of Deezer, said in a statement that he hopes for the AI music detector to be an "eye-opening experience" for listeners.

"AI-generated music is now far from a marginal phenomenon and as daily deliveries keep increasing, we hope the whole music ecosystem will join us in taking action to help safeguard artist's rights and promote transparency for fans," Lanternier said.

The launch arrives as AI-generated music floods streaming services. Earlier in June, Deezer said that 44% of all new tracks uploaded to its platform are AI-generated, amounting to roughly 75,000 songs per day.

Yet listeners don't appear to be embracing the content at the same pace it's being created. Deezer says AI-generated music accounts for 1% to 3% of streams on its platform, and about 85% of those listens are tied to suspected fraudulent activity, such as bot-driven streaming.

Consumer sentiment may also be turning against AI music: An early 2026 report from music analytics firm Luminate found that between May and November of 2025, interest in AI-generated music declined from -13% to -20%, with Gen Z and Gen Alpha listeners showing some of the strongest signs of skepticism.

Most other streaming platforms either lack AI labeling or have largely relied on voluntary disclosure for AI labels.

For now, if you're wondering whether your next indie pop obsession was created by a person or a prompt, Deezer is here to do the detective work.

• Fake AI startup ads, created by two comedians, appeared briefly in NYC subway stations this week.
• A video they posted of the parody campaign generated millions of views across social media.
• The duo learned that one made-up startup's name belongs to a real AI company.

"What if forks were spoons? Cutlery.ai"

Those words appeared on an otherwise blank poster that was briefly pinned to the wall of a New York subway station this week. While its simple style resembled many other nearby ads for AI startups, there was one key difference: Cutlery.ai isn't real — and that's the point.

"It's so obviously nonsense, but it also does sort of feel like what a lot of these companies are saying to you," Dave Ross, one of two New York comedians behind the phony ads, told Business Insider. The other is Harris Alterman, and together they made and hung nine other posters like it throughout Manhattan's underground.

"1 +1 = ____. Dennis can tell you," reads another.

A video showcasing their shenanigans has since gone viral, racking up more than 3 million views across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

"I take the subway all the time, and I'm constantly inundated with AI ads and tech company ads that make no sense to me," said Alterman.

Since Alterman makes parody content for a living, he said spoofing them felt like a natural move. He recruited Ross, a friend with a knack for turning comedy ideas into real-world objects, to help create the posters.

The duo has since learned that at least one of the fictional startups in their ads — Wireflow — is the name of a real AI company, which appears below a made-up slogan that reads: "You pay us, we pay you."

A spokesperson for Wireflow, whose website says it's based in Australia, didn't immediately respond to a Business Insider request for comment.

"We were so on the money that it happened to be a real thing," said Alterman.

The effort cost about $200, he and Ross said, and, due to the popularity of the ads, the comics have tried to monetize their creativity with T-shirts. They said they took the posters down immediately after filming the viral video showcasing them because they expected MTA officials to remove them. Eventually, they got caught red-handed.

"At one point during filming, they were like, 'hey, what the hell are you guys doing?' " said Alterman.

Both men said they have experience working in tech. Alterman, 34, was once a social-media director, while Ross, 43, spent several years as a web developer.

The success of the stunt has convinced the pair that more material may be lurking in New York's subway stations.

"This is a pretty deep well of comedy," Alterman said. "We could probably make a lot more of these."

• Jordyn Woods' orange bag has become a lucky charm for the New York Knicks.
• The bag is from her brand, Woods by Jordyn.
• Woods tied her product to a monocultural moment in a savvy business move.

When the Knicks won Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, I immediately turned to my husband and screamed, "IT WORKED!"

I didn't mean OG Anunoby's miraculous tip-in that clinched the Knicks' third win of the series. I was, of course, referring to Jordyn Woods' purse.

Woods, who's engaged to Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns, rarely misses a game. Lately, the $125 tux clutch mini from her Woods by Jordyn brand has also become a staple in the stands.

The bag made its first post-season appearance on April 18, when the Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks in their first playoff game of 2026. Like any dedicated sports fan, Woods knew she couldn't mess with a winning formula. The bag has been a near constant in her game-day attire ever since, bouncing at her side through a 13-game winning streak.

Then, fashion tragedy struck. A no-bag policy at Madison Square Garden due to Donald Trump's attendance kept Woods from bringing the bag to Game 3 on Monday. The Spurs won, the Knicks' streak ended, and questions about whether the bag had something to do with it naturally followed.

People flooded Woods' social media pages with comments begging her to bring it to Game 4. She obliged, and the Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history to beat the Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday. The bag's power is undeniable to me now and, judging by Woods' comment section, to thousands of other Knicks fans.

Whether you believe in superstition or not, though, it's easy to see that Woods' decision to tie her clutch to the Knicks' success was a savvy business move.

A marketing play

Woods launched her brand in January 2023, selling shoes, jackets, jewelry, and, of course, handbags. It's not unusual for her to wear items from the line courtside, but her tux clutch mini is unique in that it seems designed specifically to appeal to Knicks fans.

Since she first toted the bag in April, Woods has been balancing natural excitement for the team with the messaging of her own branding when it comes to her clutch.

Woods initially voiced her superstition about the bag in a get-ready-with-me video on May 7. By the time Woods by Jordyn released the bag in the colors "Summer Citrus" and "212 Blue" on May 19, fans were already aware of its Knicks-related lore. The brand leaned into the superstition, using phrases like "Are you ready to get lucky?" in ads for the clutch.

Woods also didn't let Madison Square Garden's bag ban stop her from promoting her products, announcing on Monday that Woods by Jordyn created a shoe made from the same material, which she wore in the bag's place (to less effective results). The brand promoted the shoes as a way to "double the luck," further incentivizing Knicks fans to invest in Woods' line.

Now that the bag is allowed back into MSG, the brand is keeping the momentum going with a "lucky giveaway" of one of the "Summer Citrus" models.

The strategy appears to be working. Data from Similarweb, a digital market intelligence company, shows visits to the Woods by Jordyn website increased steadily from April to May during the playoffs. Average daily traffic in June is up 75% so far compared to May, though it's too early to tell if that will last for the rest of the month.

On Thursday, Woods by Jordyn also posted on its Instagram story that it was "overwhelmed with gratitude for all the love and support" it received for "Jordyn's lucky bag." It expressed appreciation for buyers' patience as preorders for the bag are scheduled, indicating sales are going strong. However, the brand declined to share any data when contacted by Business Insider.

Beth Goldstein, a Circana fashion analyst specializing in accessories, told Business Insider that Woods' handbag connects with buyers because of its "emotional storytelling."

"Handbags are deeply tied to identity and personal narrative, so positioning the bag as part of a winning ritual can really resonate with fans, especially since her line is fairly accessible price-point-wise," she said. "From a marketing perspective, aligning the brand with the Knicks taps into a passionate, highly engaged audience and gives the product cultural relevance in real time."

Still, Goldstein advised Woods to be cautious about making her brand feel too connected to the Knicks.

"If the product becomes too narrowly tied to a single team or moment, it can risk limiting broader appeal, particularly among consumers outside that fan base," she said. "But the link between sports and fashion is stronger than ever, so I think there will be runway for the brand to evolve."

As dogs age, they tend to sleep more and lose muscle mass, leaving less natural cushioning around their pressure points. As a result, they're more likely to experience joint pain. Many senior dogs also develop arthritis or sustain injuries that cause discomfort.

The best orthopedic dog beds help relieve the pain associated with these issues. These beds are made of resilient memory foam that offers even, medium-firm support to reduce stress on pressure points and joints. But it's not just senior dogs that can benefit from a supportive bed. Veterinarians say orthopedic beds are a smart choice for dogs of all ages.

To select the best orthopedic beds, we tested 22 popular options with a group of mostly senior pups who napped and lounged on each one for several weeks. We also asked veterinarians what features to look for in an orthopedic dog bed.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best orthopedic dog beds

Best overall: Petfusion Ultimate Dog Lounge - $248 at Chewy

Best budget with bolsters: Bedsure Pet Orthopedic Dog Sofa - $45-$80 at Chewy

Best budget mat: Bedsure Pet Orthopedic Mat - $38-$50 at Chewy

Best stylish: Lay Lo Dog Bed - $140-$229 at Etsy

Best for small dogs: Big Barker Barker Junior - $160-$240 at Chewy

Best for crates: Big Barker Ortho Lift Crate Bed - $110-$230 at Big Barker

Best overall

Why this is our top pick: The Petfusion Ultimate Dog Lounge offered the best orthopedic support of all the beds we tested. Plus, it has an ideal bolster-style design and a super durable twill cover.

What our testers said: We tested the large size with a 45-pound Labradoodle and a 45-pound beagle. Both dogs rested comfortably on this bed and were evenly supported by the dense memory foam. Our experts say many dogs, like our Labradoodle and hound testers, prefer to have something solid to rest their backs against while they sleep. This bed's soft yet sturdy bolsters wrap around the sides and back of the bed and extend partially across the front, giving dogs plenty of spots to snuggle up or prop their heads.

The memory foam thickness varies by bed size. The jumbo bed features 6 inches of foam for added support, while the extra-large and large beds are 4 inches thick, and the small bed is 2 inches. The brand does not offer a bed in a size medium.

Aside from a small amount of pilling after washing and drying, the cover is extremely durable. It's also easy to spot-clean, and the waterproof liner does a good job of protecting the mattress from liquids and moisture.

Drawbacks to consider: Be warned that if your dog is a heavy shedder, loose fur can be stubborn to remove from the cover. A sticky roller left behind lots of fur, but the best pet hair remover, the Chom Chom Roller, got the job done. You can easily run the cover and liner through the washer and dryer, but it's somewhat difficult to weave the bolsters back into the cover.

Best budget with bolsters

Why this is our top pick: For an affordable bed with plenty of sizes and colors to choose from, it's hard to beat the Bedsure Orthopedic Dog Bed. It's rare for an egg crate mattress to offer sufficient support, but we found the 4-inch egg-crate foam mattress provided medium-firm support. In fact, it impressed us so much that we named it the top budget pick in our guides to the best dog beds and best large dog beds.

What our testers said: Even the extra-large size held up without sinking or sagging under the weight of a 70-pound English cream retriever. Her guardian moved it wherever she went, even outdoors, and she comfortably slept on it for hours at a time. While the bed is somewhat heavy, it's still fairly easy to carry because its dimensions aren't overly wide or awkward.

The cover held up well, and the waterproof liner protected the foam during our soaking test. Spot-cleaning the cover after we smeared it with dirt and peanut butter had mixed results.

Drawbacks to consider: We tested the bed in two different colors, and the cream top on the caramel version held onto some dirt. While the stain came out in the washer, machine washing wasn't as convenient as washing other beds. Because the bolsters can't be removed, you're left with a wet, bulky bed that takes longer to dry.

The liner's zipper also proved unreliable. On one cover, it got stuck after repeated use, and on the other, it fell off after two rounds in the washing machine. Still, given the bed's overall durability and affordability, we recommend it with the caveat to handwash the liner and handle the zipper gently.

Best budget mat

Why this is our top pick: If your dog tends to sprawl out rather than cuddle up against bolsters, the affordable Bedsure Orthopedic Mat will keep them comfortable. This bed offers more density and support than other mattress-style beds under $100. It's also available in several colors, textures, and sizes.

What our tester said: The eggcrate foam is only 3 inches high, except for the largest size bed, which is 4 inches high. While the thinner foam is less supportive than the other beds recommended in this guide, our dogs still took long snoozes on the mat, including two Leonbergers and a beagle. Typically, the Leonbergers took turns, but even when both lay on the bed together, they were quite cozy and evenly supported.

This mat outperforms the competition with a wide range of sizes and durable cover options. The top of the cover also has a waterproof backing to protect the foam from accidents. You can choose from a sherpa-like material or a quilted cooling cover. The cooling cover features polyfill between the top material and the waterproof backing, adding a bit more loft and comfort. Some options also come with a nonslip bottom, but not all, so read the description carefully before purchasing.

Drawbacks to consider: The sherpa material is difficult to spot-clean since debris can become embedded in the fibers. However, both the sherpa and cooling covers came completely clean in the washing machine. The zipper runs along two sides of the bed, so it's easy to remove the cover for washing.

Best stylish

Why it's our top pick: While the Lay Lo Dog Bed is one of the priciest orthopedic options, it's worth it if both quality and aesthetics are important to you. It features a two-layer foam mattress: an inch of cushiony memory foam and a denser bottom layer. You can choose from more than 20 attractive cover colors and prints, which are also sold separately.

What our tester said: It was easy for a short-legged 45-pound hound mix to step onto the 4-inch-thick size medium bed and circle around before settling in. While he gravitates toward bolster beds, we were surprised to see him choose this bed over other options on several occasions. It also has a nonslip bottom for stability on hardwood and tile floors.

The cover comes in neutral gray and ecru colors, bolder greens and reds, and prints like classic checker and houndstooth. The green grid cover we tested is made of a thick but flexible woven polyester that fits the mattress like a glove. Some of the other covers are made of recycled polyester and are textured rather than smooth. All covers have a fabric handle with a removable vegan leather wrap for easy carrying.

Drawbacks to consider: The cover readily absorbed the warm water we poured over it, and some moisture made it through the removable water-resistant liner. If additional protection is a high priority, you can purchase a waterproof liner from Lay Lo.

The bed passed our other tests with flying colors, from durability to ease of cleaning. However, when we reassembled it after washing, we had to take extra care not to catch the mattress liner in the cover's zipper. Be sure to compress the surrounding foam as you close the zipper.

Best for small dogs

Why it's our top pick: Among the best orthopedic dog beds, the Big Barker Junior has the most versatile design. The bed resembles a chaise lounge, with a curved bolster at one end that's just the right height for a smaller dog to rest their head.

What our testers said: We tested the size medium bed with a 10-pound chihuahua mix and a 12-pound terrier mix, and its firm core uniformly supported their bodies. The foam was resilient, too, bouncing back immediately after our tester removed heavy weights to test for flattening. So long as your small dog can climb onto a surface 4 inches off the floor, it's a great choice.

The microsuede cover was unscathed in our scratching, digging, and seam-strength tests. "This thing is durable with a capital D,'' freelance reporter Alex Rennie says. Big Barker even offers a 10-year guarantee because it's confident that the foam will retain 90% of its original shape and thickness for that long.

Peanut butter, dirt, and black tea were easy to remove with spot-cleaning with dish soap and water. However, with only machine washing, peanut butter left oil stains on the cover.

Drawbacks to consider: This bed is expensive (the waterproof liner itself starts at $50 for the size small).

Best for crates

Why it's our top pick: The Big Barker Ortho Lift Crate Bed is far more durable and supportive than a typical crate pad, making it a great choice for any dog who rests a long while in their crate.

What our testers said: A 45-pound beagle was well supported, and their guardian also lay on the pad and couldn't feel the floor underneath. The bed has a tough microsuede cover with well-constructed seams and zippers that aced all durability tests.

In testing, the two-layer foam core never flattened and filled back out less than a minute after we removed dumbbell weights that had been laid on it for four hours. Like the brand's Barker Junior bed, which we recommend for small dogs, this crate pad carries an unbeatable 10-year guarantee.

Drawbacks to consider: The cover acquired a "dusty" look after washing, drying, and regular use, which is common with microfiber. We discovered the cover had shrunk slightly after washing and drying, but we were able to reassemble it with a little extra effort.

The bed's price and height may be deal-breakers for some. You'll also need to purchase the waterproof liner separately. The 4-inch-thick foam could take away too much headroom from taller dogs unless their crate is very tall, while shorter dogs with limited mobility may find it difficult to step in and out of their crate.

The best orthopedic dog beds compared

What to look for in an orthopedic dog bed

The veterinarians we spoke with say there are several key features to consider. Here's what to look for when choosing a supportive orthopedic dog bed.

Materials and support: The reality is that brands can market their beds any way they want, and not all orthopedic foam is equal. However, what works for humans has been shown anecdotally to work for dogs, too. "The memory foam approach, which is used in a lot of human beds, has made it to the dog arena, whereby they show that the pressure is more evenly distributed over a larger area, so there's less risk of sores and it's more comfortable for the dog in general," says Dr. Joseph J. Wakshlag, a veterinarian and professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine and rehabilitation at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The best orthopedic dog beds we recommend contain either polyurethane memory foam or what a brand may describe as orthopedic foam. If a bed contains lower-quality foam, it will break down faster and may feel flimsy or springy. You'll also want to look for a bed made with foam that's at least 2 inches thick. We've found that anything thinner lacks orthopedic support, no matter how small a dog may be.

Comfort: Both bolstered or flat beds are suitable options, but it's important to choose the design that complements your dog's sleeping style. Meredith O'Connor, a dog behaviorist and trainer, says dogs sort out to be side sleepers or flat-out stretchers on a dog-by-dog basis. If your dog is a side sleeper who likes to lean against something while they sleep or prop their head up while lying down, a bolster bed is your best bet. Flat beds are excellent options for dogs who sleep sprawled out with their head even with the rest of their body.

Ease of entry: Conditions such as arthritis and mobility challenges can make it difficult for dogs to get in and out of bed, but certain features can help ease your dog down to rest safely. Look for nonskid bottoms, reasonably thick pads that aren't too high to step onto, and wide spaces between bolsters so your dog won't encounter any obstacles climbing in and out of bed.

Durability: The best orthopedic dog beds can set you back some change, so a bed that flattens, gets worn looking from rounds in the washing machine, or is easily ripped or scratched open will not pass muster. Consider beds with a dense memory foam core protected by either a waterproof cover or liner. Covers made of polyester and cotton both held up well in our testing.

Water resistance and ease of cleaning: Since some senior dogs and those recovering from surgery are more likely to have accidents and other hygiene issues, we recommend purchasing a waterproof bed with a cover that is easy to spot clean and comes completely clean after a stint in the washer and dryer.

Sizing: To ensure your dog has room to stretch out, choose a sleeping surface slightly larger than their length measured from the nose to the base of the tail. Dogs with longer legs will also need a deep enough bed to accommodate them.

Return policies and warranties: We recommend beds with at least a 30-day return policy, but keep in mind that some refunds only apply to unused beds. The pricier the bed, the more likely you'll see a manufacturer warranty for defects. Before you buy, make sure to read the company's return, exchange, and warranty policies closely.

Certifications: Materials safety certifications ensure that some or all of the materials in a product are free of materials known to be harmful to people. Products with the CertiPUR-US certification contain polyurethane foam that is made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, prohibited phthalates, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals. In addition, the foam has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions and is not treated with flame retardants, which contain carcinogens and other toxins. A polyurethane foam producer needs to meet the criteria set by the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam to receive certification. The certification process includes submitting test results and samples along with a fee of several thousand dollars. The OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification is given after a manufacturer submits to an application process that includes a fee. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 signifies that every part of a product is free of various substances that may harm human health. To receive a Greenguard Gold certification, a manufacturer submits samples for laboratory testing to verify that they meet low chemical emissions standards set by UL Solutions, an international materials safety organization.

How we tested orthopedic dog beds

We've tested 22 different orthopedic beds with dogs of various breeds and weights, ranging from 6 to 15 years old and 12 to 180 pounds. Our tests cover comfort, support, durability, and ease of care.

Comfort and support: Looking for the best options in each design, we looked for signs that our tester dogs were resting comfortably over the course of several weeks. We observed how much time they spent on the beds and whether they appeared fully relaxed while resting or sleeping. We got on the beds ourselves to assess how much support and stability the foam gave us, especially for our lower backs. Lastly, we used barbells and loaded duffel bags to see if any beds failed to support or spring back into their original shape after taking on the load.

Regardless of the foam type, we evaluated each bed to ensure it conformed to our tester dogs' bodies to distribute pressure evenly.

Ease of entry: We assessed how easily dogs could enter and settle into the beds. While extra-high beds can work for taller dogs and may provide better support, the best orthopedic dog beds tended to be somewhat lower-profile beds that were still firm and supportive. If a bed had a bolster, we made sure the entry points were wide enough for dogs to get in and out with ease. We also gave higher ratings to beds with nonskid bottoms and cover materials that weren't slippery to help pets avoid any sliding or scooting.

Durability and ease of cleaning: By yanking on zippers, digging on covers with metal dinner forks, puncturing seams with scissors, and scraping bottoms with sandpaper, we looked for hard-nosed durability in these beds. We smeared the covers with dirt and peanut butter and poured black tea on them, to see which beds were easy to spot clean. Then, after machine-washing and drying the covers and liners, we reassembled everything and looked for any lingering spots, stains, or fabric changes. We gave the highest marks to beds that stayed both firm and plush over the course of many weeks.

Waterproofing: The beds we selected claimed to have waterproof or water-resistant liners, and we made sure to test this ourselves. After pouring a cup of warm water onto the sleep surface of each bed, we waited 30 minutes before checking to see if any moisture made it through the liners to the foam mattress.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Lisa Sabatini, pets editor: I kicked off Reviews' dog beds coverage in 2022, beginning with our guide to the best dog beds. Along with my senior hound, Homer, I tested three of the picks in this guide, including the Petfusion and Lay Lo beds and the Big Barker Ortho Lift Crate Bed. Cumulatively, Reviews reporters and I have tested 22 orthopedic dog beds. Over the past four years, I've also pored over the specs of dozens more options in search of memory foam beds worth considering.

Orthopedic dog beds FAQs

Are orthopedic beds worth it for dogs?

Yes. Orthopedic dog beds can benefit pups at any age — not just older dogs or those with joint problems. These beds are made with memory foam, which helps distribute a dog's weight more evenly when they're lying down, minimizing pressure on joints and sensitive areas. "It is a rather simple concept regarding pressure points,'' Wakshlag says. "Depending on how the dog is lying, it creates pressure over areas like hips and elbows."

In addition to providing comfort, a supportive bed can also promote mobility, which is likely to extend longevity and can also help with behavior issues, says Dr. Katherine Houpt, a veterinary behaviorist and professor at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine who specializes in domestic animal welfare and has studied the sleeping patterns of shelter dogs. "Resilience is very important,'' she says. "Dogs do not need or want to sleep on the linoleum. They need a cushioned but supportive surface."

What is the best type of bed for a dog to sleep on?

The ideal dog bed is made with memory foam or orthopedic foam that provides uniform, even support. Wakshlag says stuffed beds made with polyfill lack uniform support, which can lead to soreness at pressure points.

Houpt also recommends beds with bolsters. "If you look carefully, you will see they prefer to sleep with their backs against their owner, or against the back of the sofa, or even against the wall,'' she says. "Thermoregulation is another big factor, and the dog does want to be in a warm place. That may be another reason they sleep with the back against something, to protect against drafts."

What's the best type of bed for a dog with arthritis?

Orthopedic veterinarians at Colorado State University say that managing canine osteoarthritis involves a combination of strategies, including therapeutic exercises, pain medications, and weight management. Wakshlag says a supportive orthopedic bed made with memory foam can enhance recovery from therapeutic exercises.

What is the best bed for a dog recovering from ACL surgery?

A well-designed bed can support ACL surgery recovery, says Dr. Brian Collins, a senior lecturer in community practice service at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He recommends beds made with memory foam or similar materials to provide stability, comfort, and support. These materials help a dog rest comfortably and provide stability when they climb in and out or turn around. Beds with bolsters can provide extra physical support, a feeling of security, and a comfortable spot for a dog to rest their head.

For added stability, choose a bed with a nonslip bottom, or at least place it on a nonslip surface. "It should be easy to get in and out of with a low border or an open side that the dog won't struggle to step over," Collins says. "The bed should be big enough for the dog to comfortably turn around, change position, and stretch out on." In addition, he says an easy-to-clean, water-resistant bed is especially important for providing a clean environment while the incision heals.

Whether you're lounging inside on a cold, blustery day or stepping out of the shower in the middle of summer, owning a good bathrobe is the most basic form of self-care. The perfect robe contains a few key details: It should be soft, no matter what the material, stay on securely, and be a length that isn't too short or too long (you don't want to trip over the hem). Finally, a robe should reflect your personal taste, whether you're into a basic white terrycloth or indulgent silk.

We've gathered the best men's robes and rigorously tested them through our own at-home routines to help you find the one (or more) that suits your style, needs, and budget. And if you're here shopping for Father's Day gifts, consider pairing a new robe with some at-home slides for a complete ensemble.

Another outstanding choice is Casamera's The Bathrobe, a hooded waffle-knit robe that combines comfort with breathability for a stellar wearing experience. Slip one of these robes on with your favorite pajamas and you'll find that even the worst days aren't so bad when you're wrapped up in comfort.

We conducted real-world testing by wearing the bathrobes in our everyday lives in various scenarios (after a shower, lounging, making breakfast, with and without pajamas), and putting them through the washer and dryer.

Read more about our testing methodology and learn how the Reviews team evaluates style products at BI.

Our top 5 picks of the best bathrobes for men

Best overall: Brooklinen Super Plush Robe

The Brooklinen Super Plush Robe is wonderfully soft and cozy without being unduly heavy. It's made from Aegean Turkish cotton, which is prized for its long staples and gives the robe added softness and resilience. The robe is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, meaning it's been third-party verified as being free from harmful chemicals, which is important on an item that gets daily wear and often sits against your skin. And you're going to want this robe as close to your skin as possible.

The Super Plush Robe is unisex and comes in a good range of sizes from XS to XXL. I'm 6-feet tall and weigh 175, and the medium fits me well. The robe ends at mid calf, the sleeves end at my wrists, and the front has plenty of room to stay securely closed. Still, if you're looking for a more oversized fit, I'd recommend going up a size. One somewhat unusual detail is that the two front pockets are on-seam AKA slash pockets, rather than the more typical patch pockets. I found these pockets a bit easier to access than those found on standard robes. The tie does a good job keeping the robe closed and isn't unduly long.

With more than a dozen colorways to choose from (various stripes and solids), you're bound to find one that speaks to you. With all these positives, the Brooklinen Super Plush Robe comes in at an appropriate price for what this robe delivers.

Best terry cloth: Lands' End Full-Length Turkish Robe

The Lands' End Turkish Terry Robe is super plush and absorbent, offering a true premium feel at a good price. After three years of use, this robe has continued to deliver. It remains soft and absorbent with no color fading and minimal wear (mainly just a few stray threads). This is a truly full-length robe, meaning it falls to the ankles on my 6-foot frame. Its fluffy shawl collar makes for a really warm experience after bathing.

The robe comes in three colors (charcoal gray, dark blue, and white) and sizes up to XXL. The medium fits well with a generous amount of overlap at the front without feeling too large, so you don't need to size up. Lands' End crafts this robe from substantial 14-ounce 100% Turkish cotton and keeps it reasonably priced. Maintaining this robe hasn't been too daunting; it's washed separately in cold water and hung to dry.

After all this time, I still couldn't find any downsides to this robe.

Best waffle knit: Casamera The Bathrobe

The first thing I noticed when slipping into the Casamera Bathrobe was how substantial it felt, yet at the same time how light and airy. That's mainly due to the honeycomb weave that makes this robe incredibly breathable. In my post-shower testing of the robe, it performed very well. It was both super absorbent and fast drying, with the oversized hood helping in the process.

This is a unisex robe, so keep that in mind when ordering. Casamera offers a good range of sizes, from small to XXL. I found the large had a slightly oversized fit with plenty of room for overlap at the front to keep it snugly in place. Its length — the large reaches mid-calf on me — and hood makes it a great three-season robe, but it might not provide the same level of coziness in the dead of winter as some of the other robes I tested for this article, such as the Brooklinen Super Plush robe.

Then there are the nice touches that make this robe even better, like the two oversized front pockets that let you store a book, tablet, or whatever else you need for lounging, whether at home, poolside, or at the beach. There's also a loop to hang your readers or sunglasses from.

One potential downside for some consumers is that the robe currently comes in only one color, a striking charcoal gray. That said, the robe's attributes outweigh a lack of color choices. Besides those already listed, Casamera uses a natural dye to achieve its color, uses sustainably sourced cotton and production methods, and is Oeko-Tex certified.

Best for showers: Italic Ultraplush Australian Cotton Bathrobe

At the heart of Italic's spa-quality Ultaplush Robe is the Australian cotton used to make it. Australian cotton, like both Turkish and Egyptian cotton, is a long staple variety and is renowned for being very soft and super absorbent. It's also known for the high sustainability standards used in its production. The proof is in this robe that lives up to its "Ultraplush" moniker.

Besides being well constructed (I found no errant threads or snags), the cotton fabric is a generous 420 GSM, meaning the material is nicely thick, but isn't overly heavy. I was able to make coffee and putter around the kitchen in the robe without feeling weighed down. This is a unisex robe, so take that into consideration when choosing a size. On me, size medium ends at mid-calf and has plenty of overlap at the front to stay secure and feel snuggly — there simply isn't another word to suffice. The hood is generous without being so large as to slip down over your face. Like many of the other robes I tested, the Italic is also Oeko-Tex certified.

The Italic robe is exceptionally good at drying the body. I've been using it as a daily post-shower robe without even toweling off (except my head and feet), and within a few minutes, I'm completely dry.

The only negative I found was that there isn't a lot of choice in colorways (currently one core and two seasonal colorways are available), but it's a quibble for what this robe offers by way of comfort and performance.

Best linen: Rough Linen St. Barts Linen Robe

Rough Linen's St. Barts robe is hand-cut and sewn in California from linen made from 100% European flax, and has a minimalist aesthetic. The robe is well-designed and executed with no flaws or loose threads. Don't be fooled by the name, the soft linen fabric is anything but rough (the name is related to the material's raw authenticity, not the handfeel). It feels cool and smooth against the skin with great breathability.

It's already soft, but one of linen's qualities is that it actually gets softer over time and with its

190 GSM fabric, it's heavy enough to be strong and durable, but still light and airy enough for summer wear. Post shower, I found the robe to be surprisingly absorbent and quick drying. The size medium has an oversized fit with plenty of room at the front to keep the robe closed. I recommend sizing down if you're looking for a more fitted feel.

Linen is considered one of the most sustainable fabrics because the flax plant is far less thirsty than cotton, typically doesn't require pesticides to grow, and is all-natural. Relatedly, the company makes each piece to order, which is a much more sustainable model, but it means you won't get the robe for two to three weeks. In my opinion, it's worth the wait.

Best silk: Lilysilk Kimono Silk Robe

Lilysilk's Kimono Silk Robe is incredibly smooth, with a brilliant sheen from the brand's signature silk Charmeuse fabric, made from super high-quality grade 6A mulberry silk. The fabric is 22 momme, a standard Japanese measure for silk, with a higher number indicating it's dense and durable without being overly heavy. Lilysilk's silk comes from Bombyx mori silkworms that are bred in captivity and eat only mulberry leaves. Additionally, the fabric is Oeko-Tex 100 certified.

On close inspection, I found no flaws, loose threads, or other imperfections. Besides the quality of the silk, the company uses French seams, another testament to its quality, which helps prevent fraying. The robe has a nice weight, not too heavy, but still drapes nicely, and is very breathable.

The robe's length is mid-calf and features Kimono-style sleeves that are wider at the cuff than typical robes and end at the mid-forearm on me. Kimono-style robes can offer greater ease of movement and ventilation. There's also an interior tie that helps keep the robe securely closed.

It's also machine washable. The dye bled a bit in the first wash, so be sure to wash it separately in cold water and then line-dry. There was no discernible shrinkage. The robe comes in four colors, with the claret colorway being a real standout, especially contrasted with the white piping. The robe feels very indulgent but still comes in at well under $300.

Best for warmth: Luxome Ultra Plush Robe

Everything about the Luxome Ulta Plush Robe is built for warmth and comfort, from the super fluffy polyester-bamboo viscose fabric to its ankle length, to its generous cut. Then there are the additional details that make it an even better garment: extra deep pockets, an interior tie to keep the robe even more snug, and a long tie that also helps keep the robe secure.

The Luxome robe really excels at keeping you warm without being heavy on your body. It's much lighter than many of the other robes I've tested, but it is equally, if not more, cozy. I've stepped my dog out to do his business wearing this robe on mornings when it was 20 to 30 degrees F, without feeling noticeably chilly.

The only downside I can find is that it's not as absorbent as some of the cotton robes I've tested. I could also see it being a bit much for warmer climates or for the middle of summer. Still, if you're looking for a robe that is extra warm without being overly heavy, the Luxome Ulta Plush robe should be a go-to.

Best lightweight: Petite Plume Pima Robe

The Petite Plume robe's smooth texture, light weight, and breathability make for a handsome robe that's perfect for warmer weather or hotter climates. Petite Plume crafts this robe from hand-harvested 100% Peruvian pima cotton, which is considered the best of the best for its extra-long staples, which translates to impeccable softness and durability that feels cool against the skin.

As mentioned, I'm 6-feet and weigh 175 pounds, and the small/medium size fits me well, with enough room at the front to securely fasten it. The robe falls to just below the knee, which in a summer-weight robe is a big plus that helps keep you cool. The robe comes in navy, white with navy ticking, and navy French ticking, which is a standout colorway with its classic dark blue stripes on a white background.

The only downside of this robe is its lack of inclusive sizing. Petite Plume offers two sizes: a small/medium and a large/extra-large. Barring this, the Pima Robe is a true standout that offers elegance and softness in one lightweight package.

Best luxury: Bown of London the Arbroath

Bown of London offers a wide selection of luxurious men's robes, dressing gowns, and smoking jackets, including the Arbroath, which is the one I tested. This stunning dark blue and wine colored robe with an intricate pattern is impeccably put together using 12-ounce cotton fabric with a dense weave. You may find yourself lounging in this robe all the time and putting on British aristocratic airs.

Bown of London crafts this robe in Europe, Bulgaria to be precise, from 100% Egyptian cotton with a wonderfully soft handfeel. The robe features a plush shawl collar and fold-back cuffs. It has a somewhat tailored fit, but still has plenty of room at the front to keep it securely fastened. It reaches just below the knees. For those who want a bit more oversized fit, you should size up. The brand has inclusive sizing up to 4 XL.

The only negative, if you can even call it that, is that while the robe is very absorbent, it can't quite match up to the Italic Ultraplush Robe in that department. Still, it excels in so many other areas that make the Arbroath worth the price.

How we tested the best bathrobes for men

What to look for in the best bathrobes for men

Design Details: Most robes are designed in a kimono style, said Rosy Nuboer, the romance-planning manager at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. Nuboer argues that kimonos are the best robe design because they allow for the greatest range of motion thanks to "a classic tailored fit with wrist-length sleeves."

They also have a "streamlined flat collar" and an adjustable waist tie. Patch pockets are a plus as well, since they open at the top and won't spill out the side, as a wide inseam pocket is likely to do.

Fit: Many of our picks are advertised as unisex. While all bathrobes can be worn regardless of gender, it's a good idea to consult each brand's sizing charts to select the right size for you, especially if you're looking for more or less lower body coverage. You'll also often find that robes with traditional women's sizing fall higher on the leg and have shorter sleeves. We liked cuffable sleeves especially for mornings spent in the kitchen preparing coffee and breakfast.

For sizing and fit reference, I'm 6 feet tall, weigh 175 pounds, and wear a size 32 in pants. I chose robes in size medium.

FAQs on the best bathrobes for men

How should I wash my bathrobe?

Unless your robe is made of something exceptional, you can machine-wash your robes in cold water and tumble dry them on low. Wash your robe separately on the cold cycle and hang to dry. Additionally, many of the manufacturers recommend avoiding fabric softener and related products. For more specific care instructions refer to the company's websites and/or the robe's label. Otherwise, consider washing by hand and air drying it flat.

Which cotton is better: Turkish, Egyptian, or Pima?

Both Turkish and Egyptian cotton are considered the gold standard for bathrobes since they're both long staple varieties, but each offers something a little different from the other. Turkish cotton fabric is lighter weight while still feeling plush, is quick drying, and extremely durable. Egyptian cotton has a slightly longer staple and tends to produce fabric that's super plush, extremely absorbent, and is also very durable. Then there's Pima cotton — it's also a long-staple variety, but tends to have a smooth handfeel. It's notably breathable, durable, and is perfect for summer-weight robes.

What is GSM and why is it important?

GSM stands for grams per square meter and is a measure of the weight and density of a fabric. Higher numbers, like in many of the plusher robes in this story that are 350 or 400+ GSM, will be thicker and warmer than fabrics with lower numbers. That said, if you're looking for a summer-weight robe, you may not want a robe with a higher GSM.

How should my bathrobe fit?

This is a matter of personal taste, but many people prefer a slightly oversized fit for ease of movement and to allow for pajamas underneath. At the least, a robe should have enough overlap at the front to stay securely closed, but you also don't want a robe that is so large it slips off your shoulders. If you're buying a robe online, be sure to read the site's size guide before ordering.

Glossary

Made Safe: Made Safe is a certified nontoxic seal of approval, assuring cotton is free from harmful chemicals.

OEKO-TEX: The OEKO-TEX label has several different tiers but indicates various degrees of sustainability in the textile and leather industries. You can read more about the certifications here.

Piqué: A weave made from cotton yarn, piqué is distinguished by ribbed or raised parallel lines, offering a subtle pattern.

Plush: Cotton, silk, wool, or a combination of them, plush fabric is best known for its long, soft nap and can be likened to a bath towel.

The Golden Knights and Hurricanes head to Game 5 with the series tied 2-2, following Carolina's recent win over Vegas. If you're hoping to tune in, we've got you covered. Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the Stanley Cup Finals, so you can live stream every game around the world.

It's ABC's turn to host the best-of-seven series in the US, meaning a subscription to ESPN Unlimited or a month-to-month cable alternative will help you stream all the action online. CBC and Sportsnet are sharing the coverage in Canada, while NHL.TV on DAZN has the rights to show the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals in more than 200 other regions around the world.

• See also: Where to watch the World Cup

This is all familiar territory for the likes of Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, and Adin Hill, with the core of the Golden Knights' title-winning side from 2023 still producing the goods this postseason. Add the creativity of playoff MVP candidate Mitch Marner and the nous of John Tortorella, who stewarded the Tampa Bay Lightning to glory in 2004, and you can see why the Las Vegas franchise has made it this far. But the Hurricanes have their own fairytale to contend with — the 20th anniversary of their first (and only) Stanley Cup win and Rod Brind'Amour's narrative arc taking him from captain to coach.

With the form of Frederik Andersen and Taylor Hall, is destiny on Carolina's side? Or will the Golden Knights set another stone on their path to franchise dynasty less than a decade since it was formed? You can find out by watching Stanley Cup Finals action — no matter where you are in the world, thanks to a VPN — with the help of our dedicated guide.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals in the US

This year, ABC will exclusively carry the main TV feed of the Stanley Cup Finals on TV, while hockey fans will also be able to watch online via the ESPN app. You'll need its comprehensive ESPN Unlimited plan, which includes everything that ABC and the various ESPN channels have to offer (e.g. NFL, NBA, college sports, WWE, La Liga soccer) and costs $30 a month.

Anybody without an antenna or who has cut the cord can get access to ABC through a month-to-month streaming service like DirecTV. Its MySports plan offers local ABC channels, access to ESPN Unlimited, and an array of premium sports channels including FS1/FS2, NBA TV, NFL Network, Golf Channel, USA, and TNT. It costs $65 a month, with a $15 discount off each of your first two months, all after a five-day free trial for first-time customers.

Fubo is another comprehensive cord-cutting service. Its Sports + News package is the most reasonable way to get access to Stanley Cup Finals streams, costing $56 a month (with a $10 discount for your first month). Its 25+ channel line-up includes ESPN, CBS, and FOX's sports channels. There's the option to try before you buy with its five-day free trial.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals in Canada

Sportsnet and CBC will simulcast every game of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals series on TV in Canada. Although the Stanley Cup Finals will be shown on CBC, the network has confirmed that it will not be broadcasting it for free online through the CBC Gem platform. So to watch on your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or streaming device, you'll need a Sportsnet+ subscription, costing from $30 a month or $250 a year. Right now, there's a discount on its four-month plan, currently down to $90.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals in the UK

NHL fans in the UK have two choices for where to watch Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes. The first is NHL.TV on DAZN, which is available to stream on a wide variety of streaming devices and currently costs a one-off fee from £15 for the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. The second option is the more wide-ranging Premier Sports, which includes live NHL streams among its offerings and costs from £13 a month.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals in other countries

NHL.TV on DAZN will show 2026 Stanley Cup Finals live streams in more than 200 countries around the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. It includes the likes of the UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, India, and Japan — but not, notably, the USA or Canada. You can see the complete list of countries covered here, with prices varying from region to region.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals from anywhere

If you're overseas when the Stanley Cup Finals are on and try to watch the games through your usual NHL streaming service, you'll find that your stream is blocked. Rights restrictions mean that you can't generally watch the platforms you're used to when out of the country — or, at least, not without a VPN. This clever software fools your streaming devices (e.g. laptops, phones, Fire Stick, etc) into thinking it's back at home, allowing you to stream like normal.

NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN you can download right now. It's brilliant at unlocking streaming services that would otherwise be geo-blocked, combining that with rapid speeds, enhanced cybersecurity, and user-friendly apps. Plus, you can give it a try without risk thanks to its no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stanley Cup Finals schedule

• Game 1: at Carolina on Tuesday, June 2 — 8 p.m. ET
• Game 2: at Carolina on Thursday, June 4 — 8 p.m. ET
• Game 3: at Vegas on Saturday, June 6 — 8 p.m. ET
• Game 4: at Vegas on Tuesday, June 9 — 8 p.m. ET
• *Game 5: at Carolina on Thursday, June 11 — 8 p.m. ET
• *Game 6: at Vegas on Sunday, June 14 — 8 p.m. ET
• *Game 7: at Carolina on Wednesday, June 17 — 8 p.m. ET

*Denotes 'if required'

Who is favored to win the Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes?

At the time of writing, DraftKings lists Carolina as the favorite to win Game 5. The sportsbook has the Hurricanes listed as 1.5-point favorites and -155 on the moneyline, while Vegas is at +130. The Hurricanes are now the overall favorites to win the Stanley Cup (-145), while the Golden Knights are underdogs at +120.

Who won the first four games of the Stanley Cup Finals?

The Golden Knights won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals 5-4, but the Hurricanes were able to fight back in Game 2, winning 4-3 in overtime. Game 3 went into double-overtime, but the Golden Knights ultimately pulled off a 5-4 win. In Game 4, the Hurricanes beat Vegas 5-3. Overall, the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals have been a pretty close series.

Where is the Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 being held?

Game 5 of the Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Stanley Cup Finals will take place at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The series will return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in Game 6. Should the series extend to Game 7, it will once again be played in Raleigh.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• An inflatable Elon Musk appeared in Times Square, tattooed with accusations against SpaceX's Grok.
• A smiling, shirtless effigy of Musk was put up in protest a day before SpaceX's IPO.
• The group behind the inflatable said it was intended as a warning to potential SpaceX investors.

New Yorkers woke up Thursday morning to a giant blow-up figure of the world's richest person, one day before his already immense fortune is set to inflate thanks to the biggest IPO in history.

The big bust of a shirtless and smiling Elon Musk appeared in Times Square overnight, adorned with harsh accusations about the SpaceX founder.

"SpaceX's Grok makes AI child porn," reads a giant tattoo plastered across the bust's upper abs and back.

The message appeared to be a reference to accusations that Grok, Musk's xAI chatbot that was acquired by SpaceX earlier this year, produced sexual images of children.

In response to complaints, Musk said in January that "anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content." The official X page also said its policy has "zero tolerance for any forms of child sexual exploitation."

Grok's not-safe-for-work capabilities came up in SpaceX's S-1 filing last month, ahead of the rocket company's highly anticipated IPO, set for June 12. SpaceX warned potential investors that Grok's NSFW mode could pose "heightened risks" and "reputational harm," in part because it could generate "nonconsensual or exploitative imagery."

The group behind the inflatable Musk is Safe AI Now (SAIN), which describes itself as a coalition of faith leaders, child-safety organizations, and other groups and individuals. SAIN told Business Insider the inflatable would be up until 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.

"The goal of this effigy of Musk is to deliver a simple warning to investors: Musk built a dangerous and exploitative AI, covered up the damage, merged it with SpaceX, and is now selling the liability to the public at $135 a share," SAIN said in a statement, adding, "SpaceX shareholders are on the hook for every Grok lawsuit, criminal investigation, and regulatory fine that is coming."

"While this inflatable is a fitting metaphor — much like Musk and his companies, it is inflated, full of hot air, and could pop at any minute — it serves as a warning to investors eager to buy into Musk's SpaceX IPO on Friday morning," the statement continued.

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

Musk responded to an X thread about the inflatable and said, "This is so dumb, because what they're claiming is totally false."

The inflatable Musk also has a tattoo on its bicep featuring a heart and the word "ketamine." Musk said in 2024 he takes a small amount of ketamine "every other week" to help with mental states "like depression."

The inflatable wasn't the first time a massive Musk protest-bust appeared. Following cuts to the National Park Service led by DOGE, the White House office spearheaded by Musk, a large sculpture of the Tesla CEO was spotted on a trailer towed by a pickup truck in several national parks in the summer of 2025 as part of an anonymous protest.

SpaceX's IPO this week is expected to be the largest ever. The company is expected to raise $75 billion, bringing its valuation to $1.75 trillion.

• The Trump administration renovated the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC.
• The $14.2 million project included sealing and painting the bottom "American flag blue."
• Trump's changes to the reflecting pool are visible from space.

President Donald Trump has made many changes to Washington, DC, since returning for a second, non-consecutive term. One such change is visible from space.

In April, Trump announced that he had chosen Atlantic Industrial Coatings — a contractor he initially said worked on his Virginia golf club before later walking back that claim — to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of America's 250th anniversary, telling reporters its "filthy" water was "not representative of the country."

The $14.2 million project, which Trump initially estimated would cost between $1.5 and $2 million, included sealing and painting the bottom of the 2,030-foot-long pool an "American flag blue" to better reflect the Washington Monument.

In a satellite image of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool taken on March 10, 2026, before the renovation began, the water appeared green due to widespread algae growth.

A satellite photo taken on June 7, a day after Trump said the project was completed, showed the pool's darker surface.

Indeed, the reflection of the Washington Monument could once again be seen on the water in a photo taken at the site on June 9.

In a Truth Social post on June 6, Trump celebrated the refreshed reflecting pool and touted his other planned White House renovations and additions to DC's landscape.

"It was originally opened in 1922, but never functioned properly — now it does!" he wrote. "Thank you President Trump, thank you Department of the Interior — AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME with The Trump Promenade at The Lincoln Memorial, and The Triumphal Arch, which will be, along with the White House Ballroom, when completed, the Greatest Structure in Washington."

I review TVs for a living, and year after year, Sony's top models stand out for their excellent image quality. The best Sony TVs aren't cheap, but in return, you get some of the most accurate picture performance available. If you care about how movies and shows are supposed to look, Sony's high-end sets are worth the extra spend.

Right now, my top recommendation is the Bravia 8 II OLED. It's the best Sony TV for people who want the most refined picture possible, and it goes toe-to-toe with top OLEDs from LG and Samsung. In some areas — like picture accuracy — it even pulls ahead. If you want something less expensive, the Bravia 7 QLED is a great alternative. It can't match OLED-level contrast or viewing angles, but it's more affordable and still delivers a vibrant image.

Sony also makes cheaper TVs, but I haven't included them as picks. While the brand absolutely nails premium performance, its entry-level models just don't offer the same value as other brands. With that in mind, this guide focuses on the Sony TVs that truly showcase what the company does best.

Our top picks for the best Sony TVs

Best overall: Sony Bravia 8 II OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best high-end QLED: Sony Bravia 9 QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best midrange QLED: Sony Bravia 7 QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best overall: Sony Bravia 8 II

What we love: It delivers one of the most accurate images on the market with high contrast, bold colors, and wide viewing angles.

Drawbacks: It's only available in two sizes, and it's not as bright as competing flagship OLEDs.

Sony excels at premium performance, and the Bravia 8 II is the brand at its very best. This is the company's top-tier OLED, and it's one of the most impressive high-end TVs I've tested.

Part of what makes the Bravia 8 II so noteworthy is its QD-OLED panel. Like all OLED displays, it produces pixel-level contrast with perfect black levels in a dark room. This means that bright elements of an image pop from the screen with pinpoint precision, while dark elements remain deep and inky without any halos or backlight inconsistencies.

But the Bravia 8 II's OLED screen goes one step further by incorporating a color technology called quantum dots (where the "QD" in "QD-OLED" comes from). When used in an OLED, quantum dots enable a TV to produce a brighter image and help the display maintain high saturation when displaying bright colors. The results are gorgeous.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) movies and TV shows look exceptional, with rich colors, sharp detail, and bold specular highlights. Using an industry-standard test pattern with the TV set in its most accurate mode, I measured peak brightness of about 1,560 nits on a 10% window and 1,900 nits on a 5% window. That's fantastic brightness for an OLED.

That said, it isn't the brightest OLED on the market. I've measured higher levels on premium Samsung and LG models, like the Samsung S95H and LG G5. But high brightness is only one part of premium image quality, and the Bravia 8 II has a leg up over those rivals in its image processing. Sony's processing delivers an exceptionally accurate picture and helps improve the appearance of lower-quality sources through upscaling.

Like all Sony TVs, the Bravia 8 II runs Google TV OS, which provides smooth navigation and access to the best streaming services. The TV also comes with a Google Assistant voice remote and supports hands-free voice control. However, I'm disappointed that this model dropped the backlit keys that Sony offers on some of its other flagship models. It also no longer comes with Sony's Bravia Cam, which was included with the older A95L TV this model replaces.

The Bravia 8 II is available in 55- and 65-inch models, but Sony doesn't offer a 77-inch model. If you're looking for a larger, high-end Sony OLED, you can still purchase the older 77-inch A95L instead. The A95L is a similar TV, but its HDR performance isn't as bright.

Check out our guide to all the best TVs for picture quality.

Best high-end QLED: Sony Bravia 9

What we love: It's one of the brightest TVs on the market, and its contrast control is excellent for a Mini LED TV.

Drawbacks: I noticed brightness pops during some transitions, and the TV's viewing angles aren't as wide as an OLED's.

The Bravia 9 QLED is a beast of a TV, and it's one of the most impressive displays of its type. Though Sony's Bravia 8 II OLED has an edge in overall image quality, the Bravia 9 surpasses it in certain areas. Most notably, it can get much brighter, which makes this set a better fit for certain viewers.

During my review, I measured a peak of over 2,600 nits using the TV's most accurate picture mode. That's a significant increase in luminance over the Bravia 8 II OLED, and it gives high-brightness HDR videos a bit more pop while also offering more headroom for you to adjust the TV's brightness to overcome glare. This makes the Bravia 9 a great high-end TV for viewers who struggle with reflections in rooms with lots of light.

The Bravia 9 also has some of the best contrast control I've seen on a QLED display. The TV features a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, which adjusts the brightness of separate zones across its screen. However, due to limitations in how these zones operate, many local-dimming TVs are prone to distracting blooming or vignetting around bright objects, which can make dark scenes look patchy with uneven halos of light.

But Sony has done phenomenal work to optimize its backlight system, so the Bravia 9 is nearly free of those flaws. Even in a completely dark room, black levels were deep and uniform, while highlights remained bright without halos. The Bravia 9 still can't quite match the pixel-level precision of an OLED, but it comes as close as any QLED I've seen.

That said, I noticed one quirk with the TV's dimming system. When I streamed bright HDR content like "The Rings of Power" on Prime Video, brightness changes between dark and bright scenes sometimes lagged by a second instead of adjusting instantly. I've seen similar behavior on other QLEDs and even some OLEDs, but it's a bit more noticeable on the Bravia 9. It's not a major flaw, though viewers sensitive to brightness fluctuations might find it distracting with certain HDR content.

Though viewing angles and contrast can't match what you'd get on the Bravia 8 II, the Bravia 9 gets remarkably close to matching the overall quality of a premium OLED while offering higher luminance. This is the best Sony TV for viewers who want an extra-bright high-end display.

Best midrange QLED: Sony Bravia 7

What we love: It brings Sony's excellent picture processing and Mini LED backlighting to a more affordable tier.

Drawbacks: There are cheaper QLED TVs from other brands with higher brightness and contrast.

The Bravia 7 is Sony's upper-midrange QLED TV, and recent discounts have made it one of the better values in the company's lineup. The 65-inch version is often on sale for under $1,500, which is considerably less than the premium Bravia 8 II and Bravia 9. This set can't match the performance of those pricier models, but it's a good choice for people who want a more affordable Sony TV.

Like the Bravia 9, the Bravia 7 uses a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight and local dimming. This enables the TV to produce a wide range of colors and control its contrast across separate zones. However, the Bravia 7's backlight system isn't as advanced as the Bravia 9's, and it has fewer zones. As a result, its black level performance isn't quite as good, and it has lower brightness.

That said, this is still a bright TV, especially compared to typical midrange OLED displays. It peaks at just under 2,000 nits, which is still more than enough to enjoy an excellent HDR image. This level of performance compares favorably to Samsung's QN90F QLED TV.

However, some QLED sets from value-forward brands, such as TCL and Hisense, can outperform the Bravia 7 in brightness and contrast while costing less. For example, the TCL QM8K and Hisense U8QG can both reach peak brightness levels of over 3,000 nits, feature more advanced dimming systems, and often sell for under $1,000. On the other hand, the Bravia 7 benefits from Sony's superior processing, which gives it better upscaling and out-of-the-box accuracy. So, while I generally give the edge to the QM8K and U8QG for overall value in this price range, the Bravia 7 is still a good buy if you favor the Sony brand and want a faithful image without having to fiddle with calibration.

On the downside, the Bravia 7's viewing angles are narrower than those of the Bravia 8 II and Bravia 9, so this isn't the best Sony TV if you plan to sit off to the side of the screen. When it comes to smart features, the Bravia 7 uses the same Google TV OS as other Sony models and also features hands-free voice control.

What we're testing now

Sony recently launched two new TV models for 2026: the Bravia 9 II and Bravia 7 II. Both feature the company's new True RGB backlight technology, which uses individual red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver a brighter, wider color range than other display types.

I got an early look at both models during a trip to Sony's Tokyo headquarters, and I'm now reviewing them in depth for consideration in this guide. These new models cost more than their predecessors, but based on my initial testing, they offer notable improvements in color, contrast, and viewing angles. The Bravia 9 II's anti-glare screen is also particularly effective, which could make it the bright-room TV to beat.

I'll be updating this guide with full impressions over the coming weeks. You can learn more in my first-look breakdown of the Sony Bravia 9 II and Bravia 7 II.

Why don't we recommend budget Sony TVs?

Although Sony does make some entry-level TVs, I don't recommend them as picks in this guide. Generally speaking, the best Sony TVs are the brand's upper-midrange and high-end models, as their performance is good enough to justify their high cost. However, the company's lower-end offerings, such as the Bravia 2 II, Bravia 3, and Bravia 3 II, are simply too expensive for what you get.

For instance, the 65-inch Bravia 2 II costs around $700 but fails to match the contrast and brightness performance of cheaper sets from budget-friendly rivals, like the TCL QM6K.

However, this might change in 2027, as Sony and TCL are teaming up to launch a new joint venture called Bravia Inc. By leveraging TCL's manufacturing and Sony's display technology, Bravia Inc. could offer more affordable Bravia TVs that better compete with budget models from other brands.

How we test Sony TVs

To find the best Sony TVs, we employed a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by over a decade of experience reviewing home entertainment products. Our testing process involves evaluating a TV's picture quality, smart features, and overall usability through objective measurements and general use.

To determine a TV's peak brightness and color capabilities, we use meters and test patterns. However, these measurements can only reveal so much; it's also important to watch real-world content to see how a TV handles different types of movies and shows. We use a curated selection of demo scenes from various films and series to showcase different elements of image quality, including black levels, HDR contrast, color gradients, upscaling, and motion. We use a mix of sources, including 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, streaming services, cable TV, and gaming consoles.

Generally, we live with each TV we review for several weeks and use it as we would any TV we'd buy ourselves. This allows us to see how a TV performs day to day over an extended period, so we can assess its ease of use and smart TV navigation, and look out for glitches or other anomalies.

For our guide to the best Sony TVs, we also focused on how each Sony model performed relative to other TVs in the company's lineup and to similar models from rival brands. With that in mind, we attend annual Sony product launches and showcases from other TV brands, which often include side-by-side comparisons with various models. This all helps us to address specific pros and cons across Sony's collection, enabling us to determine which models are best suited for different uses and budgets.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've spent more than a decade reviewing home entertainment products, and my team and I test the latest TVs from brands like Sony year-round. I also attend industry events and product briefings to get early insight into new display tech before it reaches stores. I studied film production, which basically means I'm picky about picture accuracy. I want movies and shows to look the way their creators intended, and Sony excels in this area. Beyond testing with calibration tools and benchmark content, I spend real time living with every Sony TV I review. My goal is to cut through the specs and marketing speak to help you find the best Sony TVs for your setup.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

Sony TV FAQs

Are TCL and Sony partnering to make Sony TVs?

Following a memorandum of understanding announced in January, TCL and Sony have entered a definitive agreement to form a strategic partnership to run Sony's home entertainment business, including its TVs. The partnership will take the form of a new joint venture called Bravia Inc. TCL will hold 51% of the new subsidiary's shares, while Sony will hold 49%. Bravia Inc. is set to start operations in April 2027, with its headquarters at Sony's Osaki office in Tokyo, Japan. New products released by Bravia Inc. are expected to be branded under the Sony and Bravia names. More details are available at the Sony website.

Though it remains to be seen what impact this new partnership will have on the quality of future Sony TVs, it's at least promising on paper. A Sony representative told us, "Bravia Inc. brings together Sony's high-quality picture and sound technology, premium brand value, and operational expertise, alongside TCL's advanced display technology, global scale, manufacturing footprint, end-to-end cost efficiency, and vertically integrated supply-chain capabilities."

Indeed, Sony is well-known for its high-end image processing, while TCL excels at delivering great value. And though Sony is an industry leader in premium performance, its mid- and entry-level TVs have struggled to compete with TCL's lower-priced alternatives. If Bravia Inc. can combine the two companies' strengths without losing Sony's unique identity and high standards, this could be a win for consumers.

Are Sony True RGB TVs available?

Yes, Sony's first lineup of True RGB TVs is now available to buy. True RGB tech uses a local-dimming backlight with red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver enhanced color and brightness. The debut collection includes the Bravia 9 II and Bravia 7 II. You can learn more about the technology in our Sony True RGB first-look breakdown and our Mini LED vs. RGB LED comparison.

Are Sony OLED or QLED TVs better?

Sony offers a range of TVs utilizing various panel technologies, including multiple QLED and OLED models. Both types of Sony TVs have their pros and cons, so which one is best for you really depends on your priorities.

The Sony Bravia 7 and Bravia 9 both use QLED panels with Mini LED backlights. This combination enables these TVs to offer a wide range of colors and exceptionally bright images, especially the Bravia 9. These sets also have good contrast control thanks to built-in local dimming, but they still can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED panel.

Sony's Bravia 8 uses a standard WOLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and perfect black levels, which even the most advanced QLED TVs can't match. But as a tradeoff, the Bravia 8 is notably dimmer than the Bravia 7 and Bravia 9. The step-up Bravia 8 II uses a QD-OLED panel that incorporates quantum dots to deliver brighter colors while maintaining the infinite contrast ratio of the Bravia 8. The Bravia 8 II can match the Bravia 7's brightness in most respects, but it still cannot achieve the same luminance as the Bravia 9.

Ultimately, we recommend a Sony OLED TV for home theater enthusiasts who want the best image quality in a dark room. Meanwhile, Sony's QLED TVs are a better fit for rooms that require a brighter picture to overcome glare and reflections.

You can learn more about the differences between TV panel types in our QLED vs. OLED comparison.

What size TVs does Sony sell?

Sony's current 4K TV lineup ranges in size from 43 inches to 115 inches. The company also sells an older 32-inch HDTV model, called the W830K.

For TV recommendations across certain sizes, check out our size-specific buying guides:

• Best 100-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

What smart TV interface does Sony use?

All of Sony's current TVs use the Google TV interface. Google TV is one of our favorite smart TV platforms, thanks to its wide range of features, attractive layout, and seamless integration with an existing Google account. Certain newer models also feature Gemini, Google's AI-enhanced voice assistant.

For more details about different smart TV platforms, check out our guide to the best smart TVs.

Does Sony make 8K TVs?

Although Sony has released 8K TVs in the past, it does not have any in its current lineup. However, some stores still have stock of the brand's 75-inch Z9K 8K TV, which was first released in 2022. While the Z9K is still an impressive display, the benefits of 8K resolution are extremely subtle, and we recommend shoppers opt for one of Sony's newer high-end 4K TVs instead.

Are Sony TVs good for gaming?

The best Sony TVs are good gaming displays, especially if you plan to pair them with a PS5.

The brand's top models feature gaming-centric capabilities, including support for a 120Hz refresh rate, Auto-Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Likewise, they have exclusive features designed to optimize performance on PS5 consoles, including auto-HDR tone mapping. This feature automatically sets the console's HDR settings to match your Sony TV's capabilities, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. All of our picks in this guide support the features listed above.

However, there's one area where even the best Sony TVs fall short of the top gaming TVs from rival brands: max refresh rate. Many competitors offer TV models that can support a 144Hz refresh rate, and some high-end models even support 165Hz. Meanwhile, Sony doesn't offer any TVs that go beyond 120Hz. Refresh rates above 120Hz are only beneficial for PC gamers with powerful graphics cards, but if you fall into that category, you should consider TVs from other brands.

Check out our other TV guides for options that support higher refresh rates:

• Best TVs
• Best OLED TVs
• Best Hisense TVs
• Best Samsung TVs
• Best TCL TVs
• Best LG TVs

Do Sony TVs have good sound quality?

Generally speaking, most TVs have mediocre sound quality compared to a solid soundbar or speaker system. Typical displays feature limited audio drivers to fit a flat-panel form factor, which limits overall depth and clarity. However, some of the best Sony TVs have more advanced audio systems than a lot of competing options.

Most notably, the Bravia 8 II OLED utilizes acoustic actuators within the panel itself, enabling sound to be emitted directly from the screen. Meanwhile, the Bravia 9 has a beam tweeter that can reflect sound off your ceiling. These speakers offer better quality than many TVs from other brands. That said, you'll still get a noticeably bigger, richer sound from a good dedicated soundbar or surround-sound setup.

Check out our audio buying guides for our top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

What other Sony products do we recommend?

In addition to TVs, Sony makes some of our favorite headphones, including over-ear and earbud-style models. In particular, the brand's WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM6, and WF-1000XM6 are among the most impressive headphones we've tested. The brand also makes impressive speakers and soundbars, including multi-piece surround-sound systems.

For more details, check out our full guides to the best Sony headphones and the best surround sound systems.

The best makeup bags for travel have to do a little bit of everything: They should be slim enough not to hog precious suitcase space, but roomy enough to hold all your essentials, whether you pack full-size products, travel minis, or a mix of both. I'm especially partial to thoughtful details like detachable compartments and collapsible shapes that make a bag more versatile, plus materials that are easy to wipe clean after inevitable spills.

To find the best toiletry bags, I tested more than 20 options by packing each one with as many of my usual makeup and skincare products as I could fit. I looked at how much each bag could actually hold, whether it stayed organized with useful pockets and compartments, and how well it handled being stuffed without tearing, bulging, or refusing to zip shut. I also sealed and squeezed every bag to check for leaks, since a good toiletry bag should keep any spills contained instead of letting them seep into the rest of your luggage.

After all that testing, a few clear standouts emerged. Below are the best toiletry and makeup bags I'd recommend for different kinds of travelers, whether you want something compact and simple or a larger organizer that can hold your entire routine.

A quick look at our favorite travel makeup bags and what they're best for

• For most needs, the KUSSHI Washable Travel Makeup & Cosmetic Bag is a great choice with a wide opening, a brush insert, and a simple pouch silhouette.
• If you're looking for a small touch-up bag that fits in your purse, consider the Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer.
• For the most bang for your buck, the under-$20 Bagsmart Travel Makeup Bag fits everything you need and more and opens flat for easy access.
• If you travel a lot on different airlines, the Large Clear Cosmetics Case is a safe bet since certain airlines are stricter than others about the clear bag rule.
• For the most elegant choice, the Etoile Mini Vanity Case seamlessly blends vintage glamour with modern practicality.

Best overall: Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag

This pouch can hold over 20 full-size beauty products with room to spare, which is plenty for a week-long trip or more. But what truly sets this versatile bag apart is its ample organization and customization options.

Inside the Kusshi Signature Makeup Bag, there are:

• Two mesh slip pockets, for small or oddly shaped items like lipstick or a makeup sponge
• A zippered pocket, where I kept cotton swabs and eyeshadow tape
• A detachable brush holder with four extra-large slots that can each hold multiple brushes 
• A zip pocket with plenty of room for lay-flat items like blushes and compacts.

The exterior zipper also opens wide on three sides, allowing the bag to be laid flat while you apply makeup. I found this convenient for locating and removing each of the cosmetics. 

I also love that the bag can be used with or without the brush holder. The interior nylon lining can be unzipped and removed, leaving you with a large, single-compartment clamshell case.

As far as aesthetics, this bag comes in a machine-washable fabric (with 15 color options) or a leather version (available in eight hues), which has a removable, machine-washable nylon interior lining. 

Best budget: BAGSMART Open Flat Makeup Organizer

With a lay-flat design when open, this budget-friendly Bagsmart Travel Makeup Bag makes it easy to see everything you packed at a glance — no digging around for a tiny lipstick or eyeliner at the bottom of a pouch. The full-zip opening gives you clear access to each section, which is especially helpful when you're doing your makeup in a hotel bathroom or sharing counter space with someone else.

It also has several convenient organizational features that make it feel more thoughtful than its under-$20 price tag suggests. A clear compartment is ideal for makeup brushes, since you can quickly spot the one you need and keep bristles separate from the rest of your products. I was able to fit six large brushes without issue. Two elastic side pockets are great for fragile compacts, blushes, or palettes you want to keep snugly in place, while the center zip pocket works well for smaller items like lipsticks, liners, cotton swabs, or travel-size tools.

A top handle makes the bag easy to grab from a suitcase, carry to the bathroom, or hang from your wrist while moving between rooms. And when you're not using it, the bag folds flat, so it won't take up much storage space at home.

Best vanity case: Étoile Mini Vanity Case

While makeup pouches are convenient and portable, they don't always protect your delicate palettes. More than once, I've been on vacation and opened my makeup bag to find my eyeshadows cracked. They are delicate and can get smashed in soft-sided bags.

The Mini Vanity Case from Étoile addresses this issue with its structured sides and clever pockets, which keep your makeup in place. Made of leather and reinforced to keep its shape, this case is a great choice for those who have invested a lot in their makeup stash and want to keep it pristine.

In fact, I highly recommend the brand's larger Duo Vanity Case for brides who want to tote all their makeup from hotels to bridal suites. It's pretty big and has an extra pocket on the top, specially made for big palettes.

The organizational insert has lots of clever pockets that perfectly fit mini pallets, brushes, lipsticks, and blushes. I appreciate how organized it keeps everything and how many little nooks and crannies there are for me to fill with various tubes and pots.

However, a structured makeup bag does come with downsides. It takes up more room than other picks on this list, so be aware of that when you're packing. — Samantha Crozier, style editor.

Best waterproof: Portland Gear Cascade Kit

Portland Gear really thought of everything when constructing this lightweight, durable toiletry bag. The structured frame around the top allows the bag to stay open when I need it to, there are plenty of pockets to organize all my essentials, and there's even a wet pocket to store anything damp (like, say, a makeup brush I just cleaned).

Not only does the weatherproof material protect my other belongings from any potential spills, but it's also a cinch to wipe down when necessary.

My favorite feature, though, is the exterior zipper pocket. Inside is a sheer mesh zipper pouch that offers total visibility of any items stored inside, plus elastic loop holders to secure smaller items, such as a toothbrush, nail clipper, or comb.

Best clear: Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

As a beauty editor, I've accumulated quite the makeup collection — and even I had trouble filling this clear cosmetics case from Calpak.

The Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case has a whopping 9.5-liter capacity, in which I toted three eyeshadow palettes, four foundations, 10 blush sticks, six makeup brushes, five blush compacts, four concealers, three highlighters, three contour sticks, and a full-size aerosol makeup spray. I could have easily fit more. 

This makes the wipe-down case perfect for long trips or traveling for weddings where you may want to load up your entire makeup stash. Another idea: use one side of the case for toiletries and the other for cosmetics.

Since the bag has two huge compartments with one flat zip pocket, I would probably put items like lipsticks or eyeliners in smaller cases first and stow those smaller cases inside this bag. If you like the design of this bag but find the size daunting, Calpak also makes a 6-liter medium version.

Best designer: Clare V. Vacances

I took this Clare V. cosmetics case on a bachelorette trip to Florida, and it was perfect for the occasion. On one side, I stored my makeup and skincare products, and on the other, I kept all my hair accessories. Since I had lots of cute outfits planned, I naturally had to bring the right accessories — and this case was a godsend for packing them.

The Vacances case is big enough to fit multiple claw clips at once, which I was incredibly grateful for. I love claw clips as a cute, hot-weather hair solution, but they're a pain to pack because they're so breakable and irregularly shaped. This case, however, kept them safe.

I also love how the case opens flat. When you're in front of a mirror doing your makeup, digging through a pouch to locate eyeliner can be incredibly annoying. But it's easy to see what you've packed in this case.

With lots of slip pockets, a center-zippered pouch, and a lay-flat design, this case is just as practical as it is stylish. — Samantha Crozier, style editor.

Best oversized: Caraa Large Vanity Kit

If you're packing for a long trip — or simply require a lot of products while traveling (no judgment here) — this oversized toiletry bag is a godsend. There are a whopping nine total pockets and compartments, and each is designed to accommodate different kinds of items.

For example, the dedicated side pocket is well-suited to jewelry, with posts for earrings and hooks for necklaces. The exterior zipper pocket is ideal for grooming accessories and makeup brushes. The main compartment can fit a remarkable number of travel-sized toiletry bottles. It's helpful that a lot of the interior pockets are made with transparent plastic, too, making it easy to find whatever I'm looking for.

I love that I have the option to carry this bag by the top handle, or sling it over my shoulder with the longer strap — and because there's a handy little metal hook on top, I can also hang it in the bathroom or closet.

Best leather: Quince Italian Leather Pouch Travel Set

Quince continues to impress with high-quality fabrics (like washable silk, plush cashmere, and even diamond jewelry) at prices about 50-80% off traditional retail costs. The brand's leather bags are no exception.

This 100% top-grain Italian leather makeup bag set is stunning. There are six colors to choose from (I picked olive), and each is outfitted with gold-tone zippers. At $79 for the set, it makes a timeless gift that can be used for years to come. 

The Quince makeup pouch set is pretty basic in terms of organizational features (the larger bag has one flush slip pocket), but being able to divide items between two cases is advantageous. If you're trying to maximize packing space, this is a solid bet.

I used the 6.5 x 11 x 3.5-inch bag to stow larger full-size makeup items, and I was able to fit two foundations, a tinted moisturizer, two blushes, five blush/contour/highlight sticks, three lipsticks, a makeup setting spray, and an eyeshadow palette — with room to spare.

In the 5 x 9 x 3-inch clamshell, I carried full-size makeup brushes and a concealer. On shorter trips, you could also use the larger bag for travel-size toiletries (the water-resistant microfiber interior can be wiped clean) and the smaller pouch for makeup. I love that the smaller bag can be nested inside the larger one to save space when it's not in use. 

Learn more about our favorite products in our Quince brand review.

Best hanging: Dagne Dover Seoul Dopp Kit

We are huge fans of Dagne Dover's internal organization systems (just see our full Dagne Dover review to see why), and the Seoul Dopp Kit is one of their best. It has pockets galore, gusset handles, and a structure that makes it easy to use. The bag even has a hidden waterproof pocket at the bottom and internal elastic loops that you can use for a toothbrush or makeup brushes.

This bag features a hook that lets it hang open while you use it. It also has a bunch of mesh pockets — seriously, these fit way more than you'd think. They're strategically placed at the ends and the flap, so the products bulge outward and don't take up internal room.

I also love the material that this kit is made out of. The thick, durable polyester is easy to clean, so you can just wipe off any makeup smears.

You can even get a smaller version for weekend trips or a tote companion.

Best mini: Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag

I'm the type to carry a few emergency makeup items (think: lipstick or concealer) in my daily handbag. Kusshi's Everyday Makeup Bag, the same brand little sister of my favorite Signature Makeup Bag, is the perfect daily companion for on-the-go cosmetics.

At 5 x 7.5 x 3.25 inches, it's a smaller version of the Signature bag, except it doesn't include a detachable brush holder/zip compartment (although I was able to fit a medium-size brush in the main compartment).

I got eight full-size makeup items inside, although I had to maneuver a bit to zip it shut. I'd probably recommend using travel-size makeup items in this bag.

Best mini: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer

If you'd rather not lay your toiletries down flat — say, for fear of spillage — consider this minimalistic toiletry bag. The shape allows you to store even taller bottles upright. Honestly, I plan to use this on my countertop even when I'm not traveling — to make some of my most frequently-used serums, brushes, and other products easy to grab while getting ready.

I like that I can either cram products in loose, or use the removable insert with six different compartments to keep things organized. The elastic loops don't hurt either — there are two shorter ones and two taller ones — for securing items like a toothbrush, travel-sized fragrance bottle, or nail file. There's only one interior zipper pocket, and it's somewhat small, but it is made of mesh for maximum visibility.

As an added bonus, the material couldn't possibly be easier to wipe down and clean.

Read more about our thoughts on the rest of this line in our full Dagne Dover review.

Best luxury: Leatherology Clamshell Makeup Bag Set

A set of leather clamshell pouches is a timeless staple that can last for decades — and an excellent gift idea. They can be used to store a variety of items from toiletries and cosmetics to pens and small tech accessories. 

Leatherology's Clamshell Bag Set in black croc leather is superiorly stunning thanks to gold-tone hardware and tassled zippers. But it's more than a pretty face.

Measuring 6 x 8.75 x 4.7 inches and 5.2 x 7.25 x 3.75 inches, the cases both have a wide and deep interior great for over-filling. The larger bag, with a convenient interior zip pocket, could easily accommodate 15+ full-size beauty products including brushes. The smaller bag is perfect for lipsticks, nail polishes and concealers. When not in use, the smaller bag nests inside the larger one for easy storage.

FAQs

First, always check the care tag on your specific bag to see if there are any specific instructions. After emptying the bag completely, wipe away any excess globs of spilled product with a paper towel, and shake off any debris (like lip pencil shavings) into the trash. Moisten a washcloth and add a drop or two of mild hand soap or fabric-safe stain remover, and then gently rub any discolored spots with the washcloth.

Follow up by dabbing at those same spots with a wet washcloth — no soap this time — to eliminate any residue. Depending on the material of the exterior, you can also wipe that down with a damp washcloth (if, for example, it's leather), or with a fabric-safe stain remover the same way you spot cleaned the interior.

Let your bag air dry with the top open, upside-down, on top of a towel. If you need to speed up the process — say, because you're packing for another trip — you can use a hairdryer on high speed and warm setting to help dry it out.

Can a toiletry bag go in a carry-on?

Your toiletry bag can be packed in your carry-on suitcase; however, keep in mind that it must be the TSA-approved size, and all the liquids, gels, creams, and pastes inside it must be 3.4 ounces or less. While it's not technically required for your toiletry bag to be transparent, it can be helpful to invest in one that's clear — otherwise, TSA may need to open up the bag to examine the contents.

What size toiletry bag is TSA-approved?

All toiletries in your carry-on must fit into a quart-sized ziploc bag. If they don't, you'll need to pack toiletries in your checked luggage instead.

What material should I choose?

Water-resistant nylon or coated fabrics are travel favorites because they're easy to wipe clean and handle spills well. Leather bags are stylish and more elevated, but they are often heavier and more difficult to clean.

Are cosmetic bags and dopp kits different?

Functionally, yes — though the gap has narrowed a lot.

• Cosmetic bags are traditionally designed for makeup and beauty products. They tend to be smaller, more structured, and more compartmentalized, with features like brush slots, clear panels, or rigid sides to protect powders and palettes.
• Dopp kits (short for Doppelkit, a term popularized in the US military) are designed for toiletries and grooming essentials. They're usually larger, more flexible in shape, and made from water-resistant materials to handle liquids and spills.

That said, many modern travel bags blur these lines — plenty of cosmetic bags now have waterproof linings, and many Dopp kits include internal organization. However, many Dopp kits are marketed more towards men.

Tips for packing a makeup bag efficiently

Decant full-size products when possible.

Many popular products are available in TSA-approved sizes of 3.4 ounces or less. If a smaller version of any product isn't available, though, you can buy reusable empty travel-sized bottles and dispense a small amount of product into those. This is especially helpful for products you only need a little bit of, like cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, body wash, or styling cream.

Decanting can also help you save space and avoid bringing bulky full-size bottles you won't come close to finishing on a short trip. Just make sure to label each container clearly — especially if you're packing multiple similar-looking liquids, creams, or gels. It's surprisingly easy to mix up face wash and lotion when they're in identical silicone tubes.

Opt for leak-proof containers

Who wants to deal with spilled body wash — or worse, a pigmented foundation — all over their vacation outfits? That's why it's important to make sure all toiletry containers are leak-proof. Test the closures and ensure they're secure by turning them upside down, shaking them, and checking to see if they might be snapped open during transit. Be careful not to overfill bottles, and if you want some added reassurance for preventing leakage, place your toiletries inside a Ziploc storage bag before storing them inside the toiletry bag.

Use compartments wisely

Be strategic about how you pack your toiletries. Save the more spacious compartments for larger products, and take advantage of smaller pockets for more compact items that might easily get lost (like tweezers or an eye pencil sharpener). Use zip pockets for anything more fragile or delicate, like a travel-sized perfume or cologne in a glass bottle.

How I tested the best toiletry bags

We tested over 20 different toiletry and makeup bags to make our selections, evaluating each one for capacity, organization, durability, portability, and leak resistance.

I first assessed the amount of space in each toiletry bag by packing it with some of my essential skincare, shower, hair care, and makeup products. This included items in a range of shapes and sizes, from slim makeup brushes and lip products to bulkier bottles, compacts, and hair tools. Not only did I want to see whether everything fit, but I also paid close attention to how the bag handled the weight once packed. A good toiletry bag should be able to hold a full routine without tearing, bulging awkwardly, straining at the seams, or becoming difficult to zip closed.

I also evaluated whether each bag had enough pockets and compartments to keep my must-have products organized. I looked for features like mesh pouches, clear compartments, elastic loops, removable inserts, brush holders, zip pockets, and separate sections for wet or spill-prone products. The best bags made it easy to see what I packed and quickly grab what I needed, rather than forcing me to dig through one large compartment.

Portability was another key factor. I considered how easy each bag was to carry, pack in luggage, and use once I arrived at my destination. Bags with sturdy top handles, hanging hooks, or lay-flat openings earned extra points for convenience. I also took note of whether each design was better suited to a weekend trip, a longer vacation, a carry-on suitcase, or a larger checked bag.

Since toiletry bags are bound to get messy, I also examined the materials and overall construction. I prioritized options that felt durable, wiped clean easily, and seemed capable of withstanding frequent travel. For structured bags, I checked whether they protected delicate products like palettes and glass bottles. For softer pouches, I looked at whether they could be compressed without crushing the contents inside.

The final step of my testing process entailed sealing each bag and squeezing it to see if there were any air leaks. This helped me determine whether spilled products would be contained in the toiletry bag — or end up leaking into my luggage. While no bag can guarantee total protection from every possible spill, the strongest performers offered an added layer of reassurance by helping keep potential messes contained.

• Stocks rallied Thursday after Trump backed down from threats to resume attacks against Iran.
• Trump said he spoke with Iranian leadership, leading him to call off Thursday night's planned action.
• The Dow gained nearly 1,000 points points and the Nasdaq 100 rose over 3%.

Investor were treated to TACO Thursday this week.

Donald Trump called off planned attacks against Iran on Thursday, backing down from earlier threats to resume military action.

His pivot sent stocks soaring and pushed oil prices lower.

Here's where major indexes stood at the 4 p.m. ET closing bell:

• S&P 500: 7,394.30, up 1.75%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 50,848.75, up 1.86% (+929.97 points)
• Nasdaq 100: 29,446.18, up 3.3%

Trump said that following discussions with "the highest level of Iranian leadership," he had canceled bombings set for Thursday evening. Earlier in the day, Trump threatened to take Kharg Island, Iran's critical oil-export hub in the "not too distant future."

Oil prices dropped after Trump backed off from his threats.

Brent, the international benchmark, was down almost 3% to $90.64, and US oil prices fell 2% to $87.75.

It's been a week of withering volatility for the US stock market. A recalibration of economic views in light of a red-hot May jobs report, followed by the hottest consumer inflation in three years, has led to major swings in the major indexes. The Dow dropped more than 900 points on Wednesday's, while chip stocks have sold off indiscriminately since late last week.

Traders will turn their attention next to the upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting on June 16 and 17. It'll be the first with Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, with markets broadly expecting no change to the benchmark rate.

• Paramount tech leaders credited AI for "productivity acceleration" in a recent meeting.
• AI completed a two- to four-hour task in under 10 minutes, the company said.
• High-level tech employees say AI tools have significantly improved their work output.

Executives at Paramount Skydance have fallen in love with AI — especially its knack for quickly knocking out tasks that would otherwise take workers hours to complete.

Paramount streaming leaders trumpeted "productivity acceleration" thanks to AI during a quarterly tech meeting on Wednesday, according to a screenshot of the presentation viewed by Business Insider.

During the meeting, higher-ups highlighted how an AI-powered triage tool for data processing finished a two- to four-hour task in less than 10 minutes, the screenshot showed.

The presentation also said that tech staffers have used the AI coding tool Claude Code to complete a task that used to take days in minutes.

Paramount's embrace of AI is part of CEO David Ellison's plan to make the 114-year-old media company into a "tech-forward" enterprise, ahead of its plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

Four high-level Paramount employees told Business Insider that their company is increasingly leaning into AI, and early results have been encouraging.

"Coding is not the bottleneck. It no longer takes days to write the code — it takes hours," a veteran streaming leader said.

Paramount has encouraged tech employees to freely use AI, two employees said.

However, the company told tech employees on Wednesday that it's starting to implement "per-user monthly spend limits" on AI tokens, though the quotas will be far above most employees' usage.

"This will be a high limit based on usage analytics," said Alan Ho, Paramount's senior director of identity architecture and AI enablement, in a Slack message that was viewed by Business Insider.

If Paramount employees don't use AI, 'something's missing in your drive'

Besides pushing into AI, Paramount is putting its streamers on a unified tech platform this summer, has expanded the role of data and insights, and made key hires — like former Google executives Barak Turovsky as consumer AI head and Hugh Williams as an EVP.

In recent months, Paramount has created an AI dashboard that shows Cursor token usage, similar to ones at Disney and the finance giant JPMorgan.

A top AI user on Paramount's dashboard said that the company's shift toward AI "almost felt like it happened overnight" and said staffers "feel more empowered every day" to use those tools.

"It's just part of how we work," this person said of AI. "It's taken a lot of the heavy lifting out of the technical side, which has freed up more time and headspace for the creative work."

A Paramount tech executive said they weren't diving deep into AI until the spring, but they're now aboard the hype train. AI tools can handle weeks' worth of work in minutes, they said.

"At some point, if you're not using it, something's wrong," this executive said. "Something's missing in your drive."

Another AI-focused employee said they'd been using teams of AI agents, deploying as many as 10 automated bots at once to accomplish tasks.

The veteran streaming leader said they'd found that AI usage correlated with productivity, and that the amount of code produced was soaring.

"I was giving praise to developers who appeared in the top 10," the veteran streaming leader said.

Paramount has been hustling to converge its streaming tech platforms by the middle of the year, which has been a top company priority. Without the rapid maturity and adoption of AI, the veteran leader said they didn't think their team would have accomplished its goals on time.

Chewy has become a go-to retailer for pet owners because it makes buying pet supplies surprisingly easy. Instead of running to multiple stores for food, treats, medications, and toys, shoppers can find just about everything in one place and have it delivered to their door. The retailer is especially popular for its AutoShip program, which can help you save on recurring purchases while ensuring you never run out of essentials.

While cats and dogs make up a big part of Chewy's business, the site also carries supplies for birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters, and even livestock. Beyond products, Chewy offers services like prescription refills through its online pharmacy and virtual vet support, making it a useful resource for pet owners who want more than just a place to shop.

Between everyday essentials and specialty products, pet care costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, Chewy regularly runs sales, limited-time promotions, and category-specific discounts, and a Chewy coupon code can help lower prices even further. Below, we have rounded up the best Chewy promo codes and deals available right now so you can save on pet food, treats, toys, medications, and more.

Today's best Chewy promo codes

Today's best Chewy pharmacy promo codes

Previous Chewy promo codes

Are there any other Chewy sales running at the moment?

Check out the full list of markdowns and ongoing deals, including the option to shop deals by pet, on Chewy's Today's Deals page. At the time of writing, you can shop for the following deals.

Use Chewy promo codes on these items

If you purchase items we recommend in our pet guides on Chewy's site, you can easily spend enough to earn the free $20 gift card with the code WELCOME. Purchasing one of our top cat treats, the Inaba Churu Chicken Variety, for $32.96, and the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover, one of our favorite pet hair removers we've reviewed, for $24.99, puts the total price of your order over the $49 minimum to use the promo code.

• Follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp for more deals and buying guides

How to use Chewy promo codes

Start by adding coupon-eligible items to your cart. Once on the "Shopping Cart" page, you should see a list of applicable promo codes in the "Available Savings" dropdown box. Apply any of the Chewy promo codes by clicking "Apply," and you should see a checkmark to let you know that the coupon will be applied. From there, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Chewy promo codes?

Chewy does allow you to stack promo codes. If multiple promotions apply to your purchase, they will be listed in your cart's "Available Savings" dropdown box. However, certain promotions may not be eligible for stacking, so be sure to check the terms and conditions.

Chewy promo code frequently asked questions

Does Chewy offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

As of the time of writing, Chewy does not offer special discounts for students, teachers, or members of the military, so your best bet is to take advantage of their other coupons and deals.

If you're a student or teacher, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and best teacher discounts for more ways to save on your favorite brands.

Can I get pet insurance through Chewy?

Yes, Chewy does offer insurance. Chewy's Care Plus insurance offers its customers four plans at varying price points, including everyday wellness coverage and accident and illness coverage.

Read our full Chewy pet insurance review for more information on plans and pricing.

Does Chewy offer free shipping?

Chewy offers customers free shipping on all orders over $49. For all other orders, shipping costs a flat fee of $4.95 per order.

What is Chewy's return policy?

Chewy allows you to return items for a full refund within 365 days of your original purchase. This policy does not apply to prescription medications. That said, if you received damaged or incorrect medication, Chewy will help you exchange it or provide a refund on a case-by-case basis.

Do I need a vet prescription to get pharmacy products from Chewy?

Yes, you must have a prescription from a licensed vet to order medication from Chewy. Chewy will contact your vet by phone or fax for their authorization before fulfilling your order. This process can take around three business days, so consider the timing when deciding how soon to order.

What are the benefits of choosing Chewy's autoship option?

In addition to not having to remember to reorder pet supplies and prescriptions, shoppers who use autoship can save an extra 5% on select brands for all future autoship orders. There's no additional fee for choosing the autoship option, so it may be worth it if you frequently need to order the same food, medication, or supplies.

Still shopping? Check out our roundup of the best dog subscription boxes.

• AI infrastructure growth is exposing a major shortage of skilled blue-collar workers.
• Google, Meta, and other tech giants are investing in programs to prepare Americans for construction jobs.
• Tech firms need electricians, welders, and plumbers to build data centers, despite community backlash.

The AI race has a blue-collar problem. Big Tech wants to fix it.

Days after Meta said it was launching a $250 million program to train Americans for data center construction jobs, Google announced a similar initiative.

The search engine giant on Thursday said it is investing $50 million in skilled-trades training programs across the US in fields critical to building AI and energy infrastructure.

They are tailored for aspiring construction workers, electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters, welders, and other laborers. Some training program partnerships are already underway, a Google spokesperson said.

The moves follow efforts unveiled earlier this year by Oracle and Microsoft to expand existing initiatives aimed at building a pipeline of workers to support the AI boom. Together, they underscore a shortage of tradespeople capable of building the data centers essential to powering AI ambitions — and Big Tech's increasing role in tackling it.

"The constraint on growth isn't hiring more engineers. It's building physical infrastructure," said Tulane University business professor Rob Lalka. "Silicon Valley's white-collar executives won't succeed without blue-collar workers across America."

The construction industry needs an estimated 349,000 new workers this year to meet demand elevated by AI, according to Associated Builders and Contractors, a trade group.

Since tech companies are more accustomed to training workers to use keyboards than bulldozers, they are partnering with organizations such as the International Training Institute for the sheet metal and air conditioning industry to achieve their goals. That has made the likes of Meta and Google highly appealing to proponents of long-standing programs designed to expand the ranks of hard-hat talent.

"We welcome the support of industry leaders like Google to create good, family-sustaining jobs and meet the growing energy needs of our economy," said Kenneth Cooper, international president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in a statement.

Big Tech's push to build more data centers, however, has also attracted foes.

Some critics point to the vast number of layoffs that tech companies have linked to AI, while residents across the US have been protesting such projects in their communities in recent months. A May Gallup poll found that seven out of 10 Americans oppose living near a data center.

In 2025, permits were issued for 176 new data centers across 34 states — the most new permits in one year since the first was issued in 1976, Business Insider previously reported.

• Five Southern states ranked among the US' leaders in both economic and population growth in 2025.
• A mix of low taxes, limited business regulation, and fast-tracked infrastructure projects is driving the boom.
• This story was originally published on WELT, and reporter Jan Klauth traveled from Germany to meet the business leaders moving south.

Ken Bianco lets out a brief laugh when he hears the question. Open a factory in California — where most of his customers are? "Absolutely not," says JCB's vice president of commercial operations, slicing the air with his hand as if swatting away a bothersome fly. "California has become too slow," he says. "Everything takes too long there — it's simply not business-friendly."

Bianco is standing in the lobby of construction and industrial equipment manufacturer JCB. To his left sits a model of the world's fastest diesel engine, to his right a backhoe loader painted with a flame motif. When the company, founded in Britain in 1945, planned its first US plant in 2001, one thing was clear: it would head south. "Georgia welcomed us with incredible incentives," Bianco recalls. Today, the firm's North American headquarters stands here, complete with 500,000 square feet of production space, and a second large plant is currently under construction in the "Lone Star State" of Texas.

That Republican-governed states in the American South are attracting so much investment is no coincidence. A look at the data reveals a pattern. Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Utah, and Texas ranked among the country's leaders in both economic and population growth in 2025.

While US GDP as a whole rose by 2.1% last year, Florida and South Carolina recorded gains of just over 3%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis — the highest rate of any state. Utah comes in just below that, with Texas also above the national average.

The trend of recent years is clear: While liberal metropolitan regions such as San Francisco, Boston, and New York remain the centers of finance, Big Tech, and research, industry is shifting ever more strongly into the Southern states. Manufacturing firms in particular are increasingly drawn to places where Republicans hold power. According to a report by CBRE, one of the nation's largest real estate brokerage firms, 725 companies relocated their headquarters between 2018 and 2025. Increasingly, they left high-tax states like California or New York for Republican states like Florida or Texas.

Economies of powerhouse states like New York and California are still growing too, driven above all by the tech boom. But the stronger momentum is currently elsewhere, as the population figures show. While New York's headcount is stagnating, California has been losing residents for several years — and the list of big-name companies turning their backs on the "Golden State" is growing steadily longer.

South Carolina, by contrast, is currently the nation's fastest-growing state in percentage terms. Texas, according to the US Census Bureau, is gaining the most residents in absolute numbers: In the past 15 years alone, nearly 7 million people have moved there. Often overlooked, Utah is also buoyed by a young, growing population, while Florida leads the field in immigration from abroad.

Behind these numbers lie millions of individual decisions. Taken together, however, they point to a clear conclusion: in the first year of "Trump 2.0", it is above all Republican-governed states that are attracting industrial investment and people. There is no shortage of examples.

Take billionaire investor Kenneth Griffin, who — spooked by New York's mayor Zohran Mamdani's tax plans — has declared he would rather invest in Miami than in New York. Or the software engineers from Tesla or Oracle who have left overheated Silicon Valley for Austin, drawn by a mix of tech jobs, leafy suburbs, and low income taxes. Or the fast-growing cohort of retirees selling their homes in the Midwest to enjoy the Florida sun. It is the industrial sector in particular that is fueling the upswing in the South, while the former "workbench of America" — the so-called Rust Belt — continues to bleed out.

One of the companies on a growth track is JCB, which operates its largest US plant just outside the port city of Savannah. "Twenty-five years ago, this was just an acre," Bianco recalls. Today, the factory alone turns out more than 20 excavators a day, and soon that number is expected to rise to 30 — the order books are full. The plant employs 560 workers in production and around 200 in administration.

Its success also has to do with America's military build-up under Donald Trump. In its commercials, JCB presents itself as a problem-solver that makes heavy equipment for construction sites. But the company has long since moved into the booming military business, which people here euphemistically refer to as "defense".

During the plant visit in Georgia, press officers monitor every step the visitors take and repeatedly urge them not to take photos — the highest level of security applies in the military area. In terms of the US Army, Georgia has another strategic advantage: the state is home to the country's largest infantry presence, meaning the armed forces, a major client, are effectively on the doorstep.

Republican-governed states tend to have one thing in common: in most cases, they have been traditionally "red" for decades. Especially in Texas and Florida, some politicians see themselves, with pride, as the antithesis to the "blue" coastal metropolises; talk of "blue state bullshit" that they want to keep at arm's length is commonplace. The relentless culture war that has been raging in the US for years has only intensified since Donald Trump returned to the White House.

In reality, though, the reasons why industrial companies prefer to invest in the Republican South are rather prosaic. Governors and local politicians promise to keep taxes low, limit the rules imposed on business, and fast-track infrastructure projects. In practice, that means fewer requirements, quicker permits, and more projects. Big-name developers who might wait years for a building permit in California or the Northeast encounter municipalities here that actively court investors.

Few examples show this as clearly as the corporate empire Elon Musk has moved from California to Texas. In the southwest of the Lone Star State, SpaceX rockets now shoot into the sky, and the company boasts the highest stock market valuation in history, while just outside the capital, Austin, the world's richest man has, within a few short years, built an entire "corporate town" around his companies, Tesla, The Boring Company, and X.

Texas is, overall, a special case. The oil and gas business is benefiting from Trump's policy of giving fossil fuels more room again; at the same time, tech clusters are springing up along the highways around Austin, Dallas, and Houston, where start-ups sit side by side with branch offices of corporations that have shifted activities from expensive coastal regions to the Sun Belt.

Cities like Austin are long past being the cheap alternative for hipsters from San Francisco; they have themselves become pricey metropolises plagued by traffic jams, housing shortages, and rising homelessness numbers. Yet compared with many coastal cities, a house with a garden remains within reach — and above all, the tax burden is lower.

Perhaps the most visible consequence of the investment boom is the construction spree. Around cities like Houston, Miami, or Atlanta, one new suburban development after another is going up. On the outskirts of hubs such as Savannah or Laredo, Texas — the largest freight gateway on the Mexican border — cranes are erecting new logistics centers almost weekly.

On top of this comes a second, hugely capital-intensive trend: the boom in data centers. With space at traditional locations such as the Bay Area or greater Seattle exhausted and expensive, investors have shifted their focus to places where land and energy are cheap, and politics are on their side. Alongside Democratic-run Virginia, that means above all rural regions in states like Texas and Georgia. One key reason: with power supplies tight, some operators are building their own gas plants right next to the data centers. Projects like these are approved far more quickly in Texas than in California.

And there is another reason companies are increasingly turning away from the "Golden State" when making new investment decisions — one that is often glossed over: risk management. What sounds like something out of a Western movie has, in fact, become a major factor in supply-chain planning. In recent years, train robberies on the West Coast have reached shocking levels. At the peak, around 90 containers a day were being looted in the Los Angeles area alone.

"Companies from South Korea, China, or Japan now prefer to send their containers to the Port of Savannah rather than Los Angeles," says Arthur Hutton, who oversees operations at a recently opened logistics center near the Savannah docks. As Hutton walks through the halls, a major shipment has just arrived: pianos from Japanese manufacturer Yamaha and paper rolls from China. And indeed, evaluations by the US Department of Transportation show that California has lost market share to Atlantic ports — even though the route from Asia is longer and therefore more expensive.

One other reason for the shift in investment that companies don't mention publicly: Workers are less often unionized in the Southern states. Take the logistics center, dominated by Amazon, in Savannah, for instance: None of the staff is part of any union, Hutton says.

California still boasts the largest economic output of any US state, thanks to Silicon Valley and Hollywood. But alongside Austin in Texas, other states are vying for tech supremacy. One is Utah, governed by Republicans continuously since 1985. The region around Salt Lake City has developed in recent years into a tech hub often referred to as the "Silicon Slopes". Software firms, start-ups, and service providers leaving the pricey West Coast find here a blend of good pay, relatively modest living costs, and spectacular scenery.

South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia, meanwhile, stand for the industrial South and have attracted major automotive plants and suppliers in recent years — from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the US. In addition to ports such as Savannah and Charleston, one reason is that unions are less powerful here than in the coastal metropolises — certainly a strong argument in the location decisions of German carmakers like Mercedes and BMW.

While these corporations in Germany are mainly making headlines for job cuts and the car industry at home is in crisis, the US is still seen as a growth market. Mercedes is investing $7 billion in the American market this year alone; BMW is putting in at least $1.7 billion. The "red South" continues to grow — helped along by money from Europe.

This story originally appeared on WELT and is courtesy of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which harnesses the resources of the company's newsrooms to publish ambitious scoops, investigations, interviews, opinion pieces, and analysis. It allows journalists — including those from POLITICO, Business Insider, WELT, BILD, Onet, and Fakt — to collaborate on major stories for an international audience of hundreds of millions across platforms.

• I purchased Amtrak's USA Rail Pass, which allowed me to take 10 trips for $499.
• Although I thought the pass was a great value, there are a few things I wish I knew ahead of time.
• For example, long trips provide the best value, but sleeper-car upgrades aren't available.

I took my first long train ride when I was 18, heading upstate from New York City. I can still remember the view of the gold, rust, and deep-red leaves out the window.

I grew up in Hawaii, where there are no trains or fall foliage, so the experience felt completely new to me. That trip stayed with me, and now, I try to travel by train whenever possible.

Last year, I traveled through the East Coast and Midwest by rail, and by the time I reached Chicago, I finally decided to give Amtrak's $499 USA Rail Pass a try.

With 10 rides to use within 30 days, I traveled through 11 states in a single month. Here are eight things I wish I knew before buying the pass.

Long trips provide the best value

The pass allows riders to book 10 "segments" on almost any Amtrak route. A segment refers to one time that you board and disembark, regardless of the distance traveled.

In other words, a short regional train counts the same as a multi-day route that crosses several states. So, I learned I was better off booking long trips to really get my money's worth.

However, if a trip requires a transfer, that counts as two segments, so choosing the most direct route helps to stretch the pass further.

Plus, long rides in coach can often run passengers hundreds of dollars if booked individually, so even a few rides might cover the cost of the pass.

Sleeper-car upgrades aren't available when using the pass

I'll be honest — there have been times when I wished I had a private room so I could stretch out or have a little more privacy on the train.

But one of the tradeoffs with the USA Rail Pass is that I'm placed in a coach seat for every segment and don't have the option to upgrade to a sleeper car.

Luckily, the seats on Amtrak (which are typically about 23 inches wide) recline, have a decent amount of legroom, and are generally quite comfortable. However, the only downside is they don't lie flat.

So, when going on multiple long-distance trips with the pass, I recommend taking a break between rides to stay at a hotel.

I can save money by packing my own snacks

Dining-car meals are included for passengers traveling in roomettes and sleeper cars, but unfortunately, they are not included for coach passengers traveling with the USA Rail Pass.

Although I can sometimes request a dining-car reservation if there's space, it's first-come-first-served and can fill up quickly. Plus, the additional cost adds up quickly.

As a coach passenger, I do get access to the café car, which serves coffee, snacks, sodas, salads, and a few reheated items like breakfast sandwiches or mac and cheese.

However, I usually pack my own food to keep costs down. Although the staff cannot reheat or refrigerate anything for me, they sometimes give me hot water if I ask nicely.

So, I bring things like powdered soups, oatmeal packets, tea, and snacks that keep well at room temperature.

Even though the baggage policy is generous, it's important to pack light and keep essentials on hand

All passengers, regardless of ticket type or class, can bring two carry-ons and a personal item with them on the train. However, I recommend packing light to allow yourself enough time to get on and off the train quickly.

In order to keep myself organized, I also like to pack a smaller bag in my carry-on that includes anything I'll want easy access to during the trip.

For example, I carry extra layers of clothing in case I get cold, a neck pillow, a light blanket, earphones, an eye mask, earplugs, and hygiene products.

The WiFi isn't always reliable

While on long-distance routes, I've noticed that Amtrak's WiFi often becomes unavailable. I've sometimes been able to use my phone's hotspot, but even so, I've encountered long stretches without any cell service at all.

Now that I'm a seasoned traveler, I like to plan ahead by downloading movies, music, books, or maps before my trip.

However, I've also found that train travel is a good excuse to disconnect. I like to journal or sketch, write a postcard to a loved one, or simply daydream.

The Sightseer Lounge offers the best views

Certain trains come equipped with a Sightseer Lounge, which offers beautiful views of the country from large windows. The louge, which includes a mixture of booths, single, and double chairs, is my favorite spot on any train that has one.

As a frequent traveler, I've seen the glow of golden hour over a field of wheat, the soft rise of mountain ranges, and canyons filled with rivers and patches of fall color.

In my opinion, sights like these are what make rail travel truly special.

This story was originally published on February 4, 2026, and most recently updated on June 11, 2026.

• Jeff Bezos said "government regulation has a lot of reasonable purposes."
• When it comes to AI, Bezos said regulators have to be careful not to go too far.
• The Amazon founder used the analogy of outlawing knives just "because it can be used in a bad way."

The way Jeff Bezos sees it, AI and the data centers that support the novel technology are like knives.

"You don't want to accidentally outlaw the knife because it can be used in a bad way," the Amazon cofounder said on CNBC on Thursday.

"Knives are important tools and yes, every once in a while they get misused by someone, but you don't say the solution to that isn't to say, 'OK, no more data centers, right? No more knives.' That's not a smart approach to regulation."

Bezos said that government regulation has a lot of "reasonable" purposes, pointing to federal regulatory agencies like the FAA and the FDA ensuring public safety when people board planes or take prescription drugs.

"There's lots to be said for healthy government regulation to improve safety and products and so on," he said. "And I don't see why that won't be applied at some point to the kinds of new tools that are being built by AI."

The balance, Bezos said, is not going too far.

"You want to regulate the application level," he added.

Bezos, in addition to advising Amazon on AI as executive chairman, is taking on his first CEO role since stepping down from his post as Amazon's CEO in 2021. Bezos is serving as co-CEO of Prometheus, a physical AI startup that he launched with Vikram "Vik" Bajaj, who helped create Google's life sciences company, Verily. Prometheus raised $12 billion in a Series B round.

"That is a big chunk of the funding we've raised," he said. "And one of the reasons we've had to raise a significant amount of funding is because what we're doing is very compute intensive."

Addressing speculation about what Prometheus will do, Bezos said the startup is not building robots. Instead, the company wants to build AI models that change the future of engineering and manufacturing, ultimately achieving Bezos' goal of creating an "artificial general engineer."

"It's really a set of tools that will give those engineers the ability to turn their dreams into reality much, much more quickly than is possible," said Bajaj, who was interviewed alongside Bezos.

AI regulation is top of mind

The debate around AI regulation has heated up in the last year amid wider backlash against the technology. Meanwhile, AI companies are spending big on lobbying efforts as various states weigh potential regulations.

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that allows frontier AI model makers to voluntarily submit models for federal review up to 30 days before their public release.

On Wednesday, Trump said he expects leading AI companies to agree to "giving back" to the public, a reference that came after news outlet NOTUS reported that the White House is considering whether the US government should hold equity in AI firms.

Bezos did not directly address Trump's order, nor did Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who on Wednesday suggested that "models above a threshold of compute" should undergo mandatory third-party testing by the government or private organizations. Amodei also wrote in an essay that the government should have the power to block the release of AI models if such testing showed they would "present unacceptable risks."

• Tanium, a $9 billion cybersecurity startup, lost five top executives.
• Tanium's legal, people, marketing, and information security chiefs departed.
• Tanium's IPO plans remain uncertain, and the company has stayed private since its founding in 2007.

The cybersecurity startup Tanium, which was last valued at $9 billion, recently underwent a leadership reshuffle after losing five top executives.

Tanium, based in the Seattle area, was founded in 2007 and has stayed private since then. It has raised nearly $1 billion, according to PitchBook, and is backed by investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, TPG, and Salesforce Ventures.

Tanium hired its chief financial officer, Marc Levine, in 2021 to conduct a "readiness assessment" for an initial public offering. Several employees and executives had left Tanium in the past few years over uncertainty about whether the company would ever go public, Business Insider previously reported.

The departures mark another period of uncertainty for one of tech's longest-running IPO candidates. Now, with several senior leaders gone and new executives cycling into key legal, people, and strategy roles, the company faces fresh questions about its next chapter and whether an IPO is still part of it.

Tanium's chief legal officer Brady Mickelsen, chief people officer Tobias Julén, and chief information security officer Chris Hallenbeck left the company in May, according to their LinkedIn profiles. Mickelsen now has the same role at DigitalOcean, and Julén now works at StillFront as chief human resources officer.

Julén said his departure was a "mutually agreed decision based on my desire to remain located in EMEA and have more sustainable working hours," and that he has "only positive things to say about the company and all the people I have worked with there."

Tanium's chief marketing officer, Tara Ryan, no longer appears on the company website. She and Mickelsen were listed on the website in early June, according to the Wayback Machine. Ryan did not respond to a request for comment.

Tanium also brought on a new chief people officer, Carol MacKinlay, who was hired in April and has since resigned.

MacKinlay says she resigned due to a sudden issue with her family.

"I feel sorry that I left them in a lurch, but family has to come first. Great company with a great trajectory, and I wish them the best," she said.

Since then, Russ Evans has been promoted to chief legal officer, and Shannon Rosales Mirani is the interim chief people officer. Paul Black also joined as the chief information security officer in May. The website does not list a chief marketing officer.

In May, Tanium also promoted Ben Stein, previously senior vice president of global operations, to chief strategy officer.

"Like all responsible companies, Tanium continues to adapt our approach, as well as our team, to best serve our customers and partners," a Tanium spokesperson said. "We will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our constituents — and best serve them at a time when they need us most. We are confident in our experienced team at the helm, our momentum, and our ability to continue driving innovation and value for our customers and partners."

Last year, Tanium cracked down on its return-to-office policy in an unusual way by withholding some equity grants from employees who don't comply, Business Insider previously reported.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at rmchan@businessinsider.com, or Signal at rosal.13. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Living with my adult children has changed my approach to parenting.
• Sharing a home with grown kids requires new boundaries and flexibility.
• Some of my favorite moments now are late-night conversations with my daughter.

There's a world of difference between raising a teenager and cohabiting with a verified adult. But sometimes they need to come back home, just like mine did.

My own kids were eager to get out of the house and set up their own homes. Right now I'm sharing space with a mid-20s kid who is desperately trying to accumulate enough money to move into her own apartment.

Despite her desire to be on her own, we get along beautifully and enjoy one another's company.

I went back and forth when it came to rent

I've been living with my adult children on and off for several years, and the situation remains fluid.

For example, I've been back and forth about asking them to pay rent. At one point the rule was that if you lived at home and were in school it was free to stay here and if you were out of school you paid (fairly minimal) rent. I wanted them to feel a little pressure to get it together, make some money, act like the responsible adults they wanted to be.

At this point I know my daughter is good with money, and I'd rather she saved it for her eventual move, so she doesn't have to pay to live here. Setting a standard is important, but then again so is flexibility.

The part of rooming with your grown-up kids that's challenging for a lot of us is recognizing that they are, in fact, adults. Which means that if they're over 21 they can drink if they want to, or ingest cannabis if that's legal where you live. They can come and go as they please. Of course we require basic respect, as we would of any roommate, but you don't really get to set the rules of behavior anymore, at least when they're outside of the house.

It's a different type of parenting

It's so tempting sometimes to just tell them what to do. Obviously I want my children's happiness above all else, but it's not my job to secure it for them. I've moved from a parenting role to more of a coaching model. We talk through their options and I keep my mouth shut once they've made their decisions. It's not my business, but it's really hard to keep my thoughts to myself when they aren't welcome.

I'd do anything for my kids, and sometimes I forget that doing for them isn't helping them develop their independence.

The big difference between living with my kids versus living with another adult is that I am prone to extreme empathy with the kids (call me an emotional pushover). I listen to way more complaining than I'd put up with from anyone else and I have a tendency to drop what I'm doing when they need me to listen to their difficulties or help them with tasks.

I know I'll miss her

Honestly one of the biggest challenges I have living with my kid right now is that she's a total night owl. She's at her entertaining prime right around the hour I'm trying to get to bed. I've relinquished many hours of sleep talking about movies, the state of the world, the ins and outs of the music industry, who's who in the world of track and field — you name it.

These hours are among the sweetest of my life. Someday she'll be gone, ensconced in her own little home, and as I brush my teeth I'll miss her following me around the house, dropping nuggets of comedy gold, letting me peek into her heart and her brain. I'm so grateful to have had this extra time with her.

I've made it clear to both of my kids that there is always a home for them with me. I think I've managed to raise really smart, kind, capable people. And I guess that's the secret to having a really great relationship with your live-in adult kids; raise them to be good roommates and you may reap the benefits yourself.

• US soldiers are using a new app to calculate mortar fire-control solutions.
• The app replaces older software that had become harder to update.
• It can run on phones and tablets, and soldiers are picking it up quickly.

Soldiers are using a new Mortars App that makes it easier to plan and control mortar fire from tablets or smartphones.

Mortars are man-portable indirect fire weapons that lob explosive shells at high angles onto targets that the crews often cannot see directly, making fire-control calculations — the math that soldiers use to aim and adjust each shot — important. Running the numbers quickly is also important.

The new app, which came after years of development and replaced outdated legacy programs, was designed to be intuitive, portable, and easy to update. Troops are already embracing the system, picking it up with little training and offering feedback for future upgrades, according to a press release from Picatinny Arsenal.

The Mortars App was originally introduced three years ago as a replacement for the Mortar Fire Control Software and the Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistics Computer, both legacy systems that were tied to older, bulkier platforms. The app lets soldiers calculate fire-control solutions from devices as small as Samsung phones, reducing the amount of equipment troops need to carry.

Picatinny Arsenal said the app's development came as the Pentagon recognized that its previous mortar fire-control systems were becoming outdated or difficult to transport and use. There were also technical issues with the systems because departing developers were taking their institutional knowledge with them.

Early on, developers tried to build an Android version using legacy systems, but it fell short. Active planning for the current Mortars App began in 2020, and a workable iteration was available to soldiers for download and use by 2023.

That version of the app was considered better than the previous attempt but still flawed. Further modifications led to another iteration of the app, which finished formal testing in 2024 and was cleared for full release in March of this year. It's currently the standardized software for M32A2 fire control across Army mortar units.

Per the release, feedback from troops has suggested the app is easy to use. The 82nd Airborne Division, for example, was able to pick up the Mortars App with little training. Soldiers have also said the app is both modern and intuitive while still rooted in the processes of legacy systems, meaning there's not much of a learning curve.

As the app continues to grow its user base, US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command is able to push out updates and improve user experience. The app can also be used across devices.

The Mortars App is one example of how the Army, as well as the broader US military, is embracing Silicon Valley-style development practices for new weapons and technologies, increasingly moving legacy systems to apps and programs. The Army's work on its new command and control system has similarly broken functions such as fires, ammunition, and supply tracking into software tools soldiers can use in the field.

• Inflation is outpacing overall wage growth.
• Three major sectors had higher wage growth than inflation in May.
• Even if wage growth is holding up in some places, that doesn't mean all of those workers are benefiting.

With inflation heating up, Americans' spending power is under stress. But in a few sectors, wages are still growing faster than inflation.

New data published on Wednesday showed inflation in May exceeding 4% for the first time since 2023 and outpacing private-sector wage growth for the second-straight month, at 4.2% and 3.4%, respectively.

The chart below shows the range in wage growth based on the 12-month change in average hourly earnings:

It's important to look at wage growth and employment changes in tandem. Wage growth in the information sector, which tends to be higher than in other sectors, was more than a percentage point above inflation. However, employment in the sector is down 11% from its most recent peak, in late 2022, and down 1% since January.

"One possibility here is that workforce reduction in the information sector is impacting lower wage workers more dramatically, pushing the average hourly earnings of the remaining workforce upwards," Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet, said in an email.

Private education and health services had the lowest wage growth among the major sectors, but had the highest 12-month net job growth last month. Healthcare made up most of the net 610,000 gain in private education and health services, at 458,100.

"Wage growth with a shrinking employment picture means a walled garden with little opportunity to enter, while jobs growth with sluggish wage growth means difficulty keeping up with inflation," Daniel Zhao, the chief economist at Glassdoor, said.

Utilities and construction were the other two major sectors outpacing inflation.

"Employers are hiring in these sectors and likely coming up against issues with labor supply," Renter said. "Increased labor demand (from employers) and a shortfall of supply (in the form of not enough workers) can push wages up as companies try to entice new candidates."

Zhao said data center construction and higher electricity demand could be contributing factors. "Utilities employment has grown steadily since 2021 after remaining largely unchanged from 2005—2020, coinciding with a period of growing electricity demand," he said. "Construction is a large industry and data center construction is just one slice of the pie."

Kory Kantenga, LinkedIn's head of economics for the Americas, said that even when wage growth was outpacing inflation, that didn't mean all workers were benefiting from those gains. Not everyone has been getting an annual raise, for instance. Others may have gotten raises that didn't keep up with inflation.

• I was able to purchase two World Cup tickets for $300 each after winning the FIFA lottery.
• A friend sold his tickets and made a hefty profit, but experienced a bit of seller's remorse.
• I could make some serious money, but I'm holding on to my tickets.

When the email arrived that I'd won the FIFA lottery, I felt like I'd beaten the system.

I had scored tickets to the 2026 World Cup, which were widely predicted to cost a fortune. My plan was simple: I'd pay a reasonable price for two tickets to the first group stage match in Miami, invite a lifelong friend, and scratch the ultimate milestone off my sports bucket list.

Then, the siren song of late capitalism got in the way. After explaining my plan to a buddy, he sounded skeptical. "You know, I heard Juanes sold his tickets," he said. "Made like three grand."

Really? I waited a week before checking StubHub. Sure enough, my $300 apiece tickets were selling for over $1,000. As a writer and adjunct professor, I'm not exactly swimming in liquid cash. Stadium parking starts at $175. God knows what a beer will cost once you're inside. It's probably smarter to flip them for a mortgage payment, groceries, and peace of mind. Right?

The temptation to cash out is real. But I'm holding firm.

Ticket prices are unhinged

FIFA entered the tournament armed with dynamic pricing, which allows prices to surge based on demand. (Because nothing says "the beautiful game" like yield management software.) The results were predictable — the secondary ticket market went completely unhinged.

Early group stage tickets have been averaging between $380 and $4,000. There's a $2,500 cover charge for Colombia vs. Portugal in Miami, and it's $2,700 to watch Messi's Argentina. If a fan from Argentina wants to see all three group stage games, the cost is around $10,000 for tickets and travel. And one ticket to the final will set you back between $11,000 and $33,000.

Cue the public outrage. Headlines were peppered with terms like "price gouging" and "sticker shock." The backlash grew so fierce that the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey launched an investigation, subpoenaing FIFA for transforming the ticket-buying process into a "gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices." Investigators said FIFA inflated ticket prices for over 90 of the tournament's 104 matches, spiking costs by an average of 34%.

Everything feels transactional now

Through all this tumult, my plan hasn't changed. They announced the match schedule; I drew Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia. No clash of the titans, but it's got sleeper-hit potential. Uruguay punches above its weight, and Saudi Arabia famously upset Argentina in the last World Cup. Ultimately, I just want to go to the World Cup without getting fleeced. Is that so much to ask?

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. I played college soccer and have chased pickup games for decades in New York, Berlin, and Miami. I set alarms for 7 a.m. on Saturdays to watch the Premier League and have flown across the pond to watch my beloved Tottenham Hotspur. But these never felt like cold financial decisions.

Now, everything about the game feels transactional. Hundred-million-dollar transfers. Algorithmic pricing. Clubs defined by their oligarchs. I can remember going to Cincinnati Reds games with my dad, premium seats for $8. I'm not sure when just buying a ticket and going to a ball game became the contrarian position.

I'm standing firm

This all brings me to the man who started my whole dilemma.

My buddy Juanes — no, not the Colombian pop star — is an Ecuadorian-American who's deeply into football. He's the kind of guy who quantifies his relationships by ticket-price tolerance.

"My wife isn't that big of a fan. She's a $150 ticket type of fan, not a $450 ticket type of fan. That's me."

I was on Miami Beach with Juanes, juggling a football while talking football. Juanes had won a marquee draw: Brazil vs. Scotland in Miami. So he did what even die-hard fans do in 2026: he hedged. While mentally auditioning family members as his plus-one, he listed the tickets at a reserve price that would yield a healthy profit. They sat unsold for weeks.

Eventually, he zeroed in on the obvious choice: his father. One afternoon, after a long sauna session, Juanes broke the good news. His dad was touched. They hugged, and Juanes went to sleep envisioning classic father-son bonding over World Cup glory.

The next morning, an email arrived. His $900 pair of tickets had automatically sold to a high bidder for around $4,000. Even though he netted a cool $2,500 profit after FIFA's double-dipping 15% transaction fee, the financial win came with a heavy dose of seller's remorse. In retrospect, he confesses that his main regret is not investing more in lottery tickets to scale the profit.

But his experience was my ultimate cautionary tale, proof that some experiences are worth protecting from market distractions.

So, I'm keeping my tickets. I'll be there on June 15th at Miami Stadium, temporarily renamed to avoid conflicts with FIFA's corporate sponsors, because of course it is. I'll be wearing a borrowed jersey from my Uruguayan neighbor, seated up in the nosebleeds between fans of two countries that aren't my own, watching a match I paid too much not to flip.

I can't wait.

• Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly planning to marry at Madison Square Garden in New York.
• Although it could be a red herring, the venue choice would be on-brand for Swift, PR pros say.
• The venue is recognizable and accessible, allowing fans to feel closer to Swift's love story.

No serious Taylor Swift fan would say "Welcome to New York" is her most romantic song, but in a fascinating twist of fate, that may be the song that best describes her long-awaited wedding day.

At the very least, the flashy pop hit — "The lights are so bright, but they never blind me!" — sums up the speculation and anticipation mounting in the weeks leading up to Swift and Travis Kelce's rumored nuptials, which reports indicate will take place over the July 4 weekend in New York City.

According to TMZ and Page Six, Swift and Kelce aren't just planning to get hitched in the city that never sleeps, but in one of its most iconic and central landmarks: Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks and host to some of the biggest headliners in the music industry, including Swift on several occasions (though not often since her crowds swelled to stadium-sized).

Intimate? Not exactly. The arena fits over 20,000 people, and TMZ reports that over 1,000 people have been invited to watch Swift and Kelce become husband and wife.

(Of course, this is all tabloid speculation as of now: Swift, Kelce, and Madison Square Garden reps didn't reply to our request for comment, and the couple so far has not publicly confirmed details of their wedding plans.)

But this venue choice, if real, would hardly be surprising. Swift has never been one to shy away from pomp and circumstance. Even if the MSG plan turns out to be a red herring, planted to prevent the public from flocking to the real venue, the breathless speculation — and free publicity, of course — is at least partially the point. As Swift herself said in 2023, when it comes to navigating her celebrity, only one question is truly relevant: "Are you not entertained?"

"It's on-brand, whether we like it or not, whether it's the actual story, or whether it's a ruse," Tara Goodwin, a PR expert and founder of Goodwin Consulting, told me.

"Taylor Swift is the queen of creating anticipation," Goodwin added. "She's making the suspense almost better than the actual event for her fans."

Corny, commercialized, or brilliant? Swift's moves are often all of the above.

Although Swift is one of the most celebrated and influential entertainers in the world, she's also one of the most polarizing. Skeptics deride Swift as corny, self-absorbed, and overly optimized for consumption, while die-hard fans insist that everything she does is brilliant and momentous.

Swift's wedding will be subjected to the same debate, wherever it takes place — but perhaps nowhere more so than in "The World's Most Famous Arena." It would be an obvious ploy for maximum attention to stage her big day on the busy streets of Manhattan, and on the 250th anniversary of Independence Day weekend, no less.

It would also transform an occasion for romance into a flashpoint for hyper-consumerism. It's all too easy to imagine, as the happy couple recites their vows, a swarm of vendors hawking bootleg "Tayvis 4ever" merch up and down Broadway. What's conjured is hardly a picture of prestige and beauty, but of mass appeal.

However, in the words of Ryan McCormick, cofounder and managing partner at Goldman McCormick PR, getting married at MSG would also be an "unprecedented" power move.

"Whatever Ms. Swift has done, she has been immensely successful, and whatever intuition she has followed, it seems to be working remarkably well," McCormick said.

"Would this be successful for another musician? No, I don't think so," he added. "She's in a league of her own, and she basically can write and script her own reality. No one else can do that."

Indeed, nothing is more on-brand for Swift than meticulous image management.

The high-security infrastructure of MSG would grant Swift and Kelce full control of the narrative — the arena's closed roof and windowless walls would prevent paparazzi from sneaking a shot, and the underground parking allows A-listers to come and go unseen — all while creating the illusion of closeness and accessibility.

After all, this isn't a far-flung villa in the European countryside, or an exclusive resort for Hollywood stars that most people will never see with their own eyes. MSG hosts hundreds of events and millions of people every year — even Swift herself sat courtside at Game 4 of the NBA finals on Wednesday. After July 4, if the wedding rumors are true, the next time a Swiftie finds themselves in the nosebleeds, they can wistfully think to themselves, "This is where Taylor and Travis got married."

"It's a way to let fans be part of her love story," Goodwin said. "She's always tried to do that with her concerts, with her outreach, with the Easter eggs that she drops. I think that's part of who she is."

Building suspense is one way for Swift to make fans feel involved in her life, Goodwin said, while another could be booking a venue smack-dab in the middle of the country's most populous city. Even if Swifties have no hope of getting inside the ceremony or catching any glimpse of Swift's wedding dress that she doesn't want us to see, they're free to gather at the perimeter — and judging by other weddings that Swift has merely attended, gather they will.

"I think that she is inherently, believe it or not, a private person, but she also wants to share enough of herself so that fans continue to identify and relate to her and gravitate toward her," Goodwin concluded. "Taylor doesn't avoid attention. She choreographs it."

The World Cup has arrived, and the long-awaited tournament kicks off with a can't-miss clash between Mexico and South Africa. Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa, including free streaming options around the world.

Mexico, one of the host countries of this year's World Cup, enters today's match with the hope of making it out of the group stage, where they met their end in 2022. This was an early elimination for the team compared to previous tournaments, so they have something to prove in 2026. South Africa hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 2010, when they were the host nation, so a win today would be another step in the right direction for the team. Mexico has home-field advantage today, with the Group A match taking place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

If you don't want to scroll any further, the match will live stream for free on Tubi in the US, ITVX in the UK, and SBS On Demand in Australia. Keep reading to learn additional streaming options and how to tune in from anywhere. For more streaming details and match info for the whole tournament, make sure to check out our official where to watch the World Cup guide.

*Availability for local channels, like FOX, varies by market on Sling TV

• See also: Where to buy World Cup tickets

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa for free

Matches are available for free in several countries around the globe. In Australia, the match will be available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand. In the UK, fans can catch the game via ITVX. While most US World Cup coverage requires a paid subscription, the kick-off match will be available for free through Tubi.

How to watch Mexico vs. South Africa from anywhere

If you're away from the location where your streaming service works, don't worry. You can access your free option from anywhere with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are easy-to-use tech apps that help people temporarily alter the location on their electronic devices so their favorite websites work from anywhere in the world. They're especially popular among those looking to keep up with their usual services while traveling abroad or hoping to boost their day-to-day cybersecurity and privacy.

NordVPN consistently ranks among the best VPNs we've tested. It's fast, user-friendly, and offers an impressive selection of global servers. Plus, it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's no sweat if you find that it's not what you're looking for.

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in the US

The official 2026 World Cup kick-off game will air on FOX in the United States (as a reminder, all World Cup games will air on either FOX or FS1 in the US). While you'll need cable, an antenna, or a paid streaming subscription to watch most games, Mexico vs. South Africa will be available to live stream for free on the Fox Corp.-owned Tubi. While most Tubi content doesn't require an account, you'll need to create a free login to watch World Cup coverage.

If you're a cord-cutter interested in getting a streaming service that will allow you to watch the rest of the World Cup, you have several options. FOX has a direct streaming counterpart, FOX One, which costs $20 a month. You can also sign up for the service as an add-on through Prime Video if you don't feel like downloading another app.

You can also get a live TV package (a month-to-month cable alternative) if you're seeking something with channels beyond just those owned by FOX. Three of the best live TV streaming services we've personally tested are DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling TV.

DirecTV carries FOX in all of its signature packages, along with select cheaper genre packs like MySports and MyNews. For the World Cup, we recommend DirecTV MySports, since it carries FOX, FS1, and around 20 other popular sports channels. MySports also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. Subscriptions cost $65 a month, but new users can get $15 a month off their first two months of service after a five-day free trial.

Fubo Sports + News offers FOX, FS1, and around 27 other channels in its lineup. Subscriptions also unlock access to ESPN Unlimited. If you're looking for even more channels, FOX and FS1 are also available in Fubo's pricier Pro and Elite plans. Fubo Sports + News goes for $56 a month, but first-time customers can get $10 off their first month after a five-day free trial.

Sling TV is another live TV service with World Cup coverage, although you should double-check to see whether FOX is available in your ZIP code, since Sling's local channel coverage varies by market. If you can get FOX via Sling in your region, you'll want to opt for a Sling Select or Sling Blue plan, both of which also have FS1. When local channels are available, Sling Select costs at $25 a month and Sling Blue costs $51 a month.

Fans interested in Spanish-language coverage in the US will need to subscribe to Peacock. Sports-friendly plans start at $11 a month for Peacock Premium and unlock access to all 104 World Cup matches.

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in the UK

BBC and ITV split coverage rights in the UK, but today's kick-off game is available on ITV1. This means that fans will be able to live stream all of the action for free with an ITVX account. Users just need to create an account if they don't already have one, and then they're all set to start watching.

Where to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in Australia

All World Cup games, including Mexico vs. South Africa, are available to live stream on SBS On Demand in Australia. This is a free streaming service that supports SBS channels and just requires account creation to use.

Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Julius Mondragon is "Computah." He goes around "programming" people on the streets of Chicago.
• His TikTok videos have gone viral. They've made him a local hero.
• It's one of the few good use cases I've seen for Meta's Ray-Bans.

On a chilly winter day, Julius Mondragon stepped into a half-empty car on the Metra train line in Chicago.

"Computah, activate hyperspeed typing," he commanded a random woman typing away on her laptop. "Computah, make these two guys friends forever," he said to two men sitting together, as they looked up, smiling.

"Computah, make sure this man feels confident and sexy at all times of the day," he instructed. "Computah, make sure this woman has a wonderful day."

Before opening the door between cars, heading off in his Meta Ray-Ban glasses to find the next group of unsuspecting commuters, he announces: "You've been programmed!"

Mondragon has been "programming" people all over Chicago — and beyond. The 26-year-old has gone viral on TikTok while summoning his weirdly accented "Computah" character, wearing Meta's Ray-Ban glasses and recording people's reactions to his bot-like commands.

I think it's the best use of Meta's Ray-Bans that I've seen, so I asked to meet up when he was in New York this week so I could see the "Computah guy" in action.

Meeting 'Computah' in real life

I met up with Mondragon in a Harlem café near the hotel where he was staying. Unlike the bizarre persona in his videos, he's genial and soft-spoken. (The voice he does in his videos is a fake accent based on an imitation of a character in "The Sopranos" dreamed up by him and his roommates.)

This is where the Meta Ray-Bans come in: Mondragon got a pair this past Christmas. He started posting videos recorded by the glasses to TikTok in January. The "Computah" idea initially came from an Eric André sketch where André, wearing a black leotard with electronic parts glued to it, pretends to be Google as he approaches strangers on the street.

"When I got the Metas, I was coming up with ideas," Mondragon told me. "What if I'm Meta and I'm pretending I'm just an AI and I can transform anything in my surroundings?"

That's where "Computah" came from.

Mondragon grew up in the Chicago suburbs and currently lives on the South Side of Chicago. For the last few years, he's been a music producer — something he still pursues — while working a day job in retail. He has recently been able to quit his day job at Foot Locker thanks to the money he's earned through social media. He told me that Cameo, where he charges $40 to send a personalized message to fans, has also been particularly helpful in getting him to a financial position where he can pursue "Computah" full-time.

Along the way, he's become something of a Chicago star. He was profiled in the Chicago Tribune and appeared on the local TV news. In his videos, it's clear people are recognizing him, leading to funny interactions where they mimic his catchphrases and tactics, like saying "Firewall up!" to block his "programming."

The Meta Ray-Bans are something of a reverse Clark Kent for Mondragon — people only recognize him when he puts on the glasses.

Meta Ray-Ban glasses make the surveillance state funny

These smart glasses are not without controversy. From their launch in 2021, there has always been some concern about people using them as "creep glasses" to record people surreptitiously.

Since then, Meta's glasses have sold decently. In 2025, Meta said it sold more than 7 million pairs — triple the amount it sold in 2024.

Presumably, people use them for private photos and videos, but some of the footage that gets posted onto social media tends to fall into two buckets: trolls who make videos harassing service workers, and men making videos of themselves trying to pick up women on the street. Neither is a particularly positive outcome for the technology.

"My feed is mostly Meta [videos]. It's just mainly pickup artists and people trying to ragebait people," Mondragon said. "I knew when I started, I didn't want to do that. Obviously, I'm looking to get a reaction, but I'm not looking to mess up this person's day. I didn't want it to be like, this person leaves this interaction feeling shitty about themselves or anything."

When asked about "Computah's" popularity, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone told Business Insider: "Local hero wears Ray-Ban Metas is a great story!"

And "Computah" is funny.

It's hard to explain why something is funny other than just pointing out, "This is funny." I mean, you all get the joke. But I'll try to explain what I think makes it work so well: Doesn't it feel like we're all being "programmed" somehow by some unseen computer? That our worldview and the trajectory of our days, and even our bodies, are being shaped by some unfeeling algorithm? Sure it does!

Mordragon sees a deeper meaning to it beyond just being funny. "It's like a pattern interruption," he said. "That's really what I'm trying to go for."

'Computah' has one weird catch phrase that's caught on

A particular "Computah" phrase has become a meme in its own right.

One of Mondragon's catch phrases has been a lighthearted command: "Computah, make these guys super gay and horny!" (He made sure to tell me he means this in the spirit of fun, not as something antigay.)

Another TikToker made a catchy song using the lyric over and over.

Mondragon told me he wasn't really sure why that particular phrase has caught on so much, or why girls seem to have latched onto it. Personally, I think it hits something in the gender and sexuality zeitgeist that simply just works in 2026.

On the day we met this week, the comedian and YouTuber Druski announced a rally for the New York Knicks in Washington Square Park.

Mondragon and I took the subway downtown together from Harlem. Just before our final stop on the train, he donned his Meta Ray-Bans and started to program the people in the car. As you might expect from typical New Yorkers, they didn't react much to the man speaking loudly and saying strange things on the subway.

When we reached the rally, where a few hundred young men had gathered to chant various permutations of "Knicks in four," we hung on the outskirts of the crowd.

Suddenly, someone recognized him: "Hey, it's Computah!" and excitedly shook his hand.

A young couple visiting from Florida, Amanda Rivera and her boyfriend, Diego Casanova, approached "Computah" and asked him to program them. Casanova told me that he was inspired by Mondragon to buy his own pair of Meta glasses. (He was wearing the frames with clear lenses while I chatted to him. I didn't even realize he was wearing them until he mentioned it. His recording light was on, but he didn't seem to realize he'd been recording our interaction.)

Mondragon started programming the Florida visitors, and heads turned.

More cheers erupted as people recognized him, and a crowd formed. The people who showed up to a spontaneous gathering for a social media comedian were the perfect chronically online cohort who had also all seen Mondragon's antics on TikTok and Reels.

While he might slip by on city streets unnoticed, in this crowd, he was a star.

• The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals after being down 29 points.
• The improbable win was fueled by the celebrities that filled Madison Square Garden.
• Here are the most memorable pop culture moments of the historic night.

Madison Square Garden was the site of another iconic moment in its storied history on Wednesday night when the New York Knicks made the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, beating the San Antonio Spurs after being down 29 points. The Knicks are now up in the series 3-1.

It's a game that will be studied forever for not just what happened on the court, but all the action around it.

The Garden has always hosted celebrities during Knicks games, but with the team in the Finals for the first time since 1999, it has become the hottest ticket in New York City. To say the stars came out for this game would be an understatement.

Here are the celebrity highlights from the Knicks' historic Game 4.

Taylor Swift brought the good vibes

Swift has been responsible for helping boost the US economy, the struggling movie theater business, and now, getting the Knicks off the schneid.

The team was on a 13-game win streak going into Monday's Game 3 of the Finals, which marked the first time a Finals game was played at Madison Square Garden since 1999. The hype was enormous, with nosebleed tickets costing thousands of dollars. Even the president showed up, causing fans to wait hours to get into the game due to heightened security. That night — and some superstitious fans say as a result — the Spurs won their first game in the series.

But then T-Swift entered the Garden for Game 4 on Wednesday.

Walking in alongside friends Alana and Este Haim, their energy could not be ignored. One of the fun parts of watching a basketball game, whether in person or on TV, is that the fans are so close to the court they're hard to miss. Especially when they're famous.

So as the Knicks chipped away in the second half at the Spurs' lead, Swift and the Haims became internet fodder for frantically jumping up in down in their cheeky T-shirts with Knicks puns.

If the Knicks go on to win the championship, there will be many who will suggest Taylor Swift showing up at Game 4 brought the good vibes back to the Garden.

The Wu-Tang Clan's halftime performance kept hope alive

The NBA Finals have never been known for having marquee halftime shows, because they aren't televised like the Super Bowl. But Madison Square Garden has gone all out this Finals. For Game 3, Cardi B performed during halftime, and for Game 4, MSG did the impossible, getting the Wu-Tang Clan to perform.

Historically, getting the Wu to come together on anything is as hard as getting the Knicks' center Karl-Anthony Towns to not get into foul trouble during a game. But members like RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon all showed up and performed their classic songs like "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit," "C.R.E.A.M.," and "Method Man."

At the half, the Spurs were in the lead 76-49 on the Knicks. Wu-Tang could have just come out and gone through the motions, and no one would have blamed them, but that didn't happen. Method Man even announced at the end of the performance, "Knicks in five."

At that point, he might have been the only one in the Garden thinking that.

We almost lost Larry David

The Garden was in such hysterics by the end of the game that even Larry David was on his feet, amazed by the Knicks' improbable comeback run.

But we almost lost the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star during a key moment.

With 1:47 left in the game, Knicks forward Josh Hart picked up a loose ball and had a breakaway for a dunk to give his team its first lead of the game. But instead of dunking it, he tried to float the ball in the hoop and missed the shot.

David, sitting next to tennis legend John McEnroe and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, watched the miss and grabbed onto both men like he was going to collapse right there on the floor.

Thankfully, for David — and Hart — Knicks forward OG Anunoby tipped in a miss from Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson with just over one second left in the game to seal their victory.

• In Canada, I'd built a life for myself and had recently purchased my dream condo in Montreal.
• Then I fell in love on a trip to California and moved there after years of long-distance romance.
• Selling my home and starting from scratch in a new country was tough, but I'm grateful I did it.

When I got the keys to my Montreal condo overlooking the Lachine Canal in August 2022, it felt like I had arrived. My new place had heated floors, marble counters, and even a rooftop pool with skyline views.

Still, after years of working hard to save up for my dream home and isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic, my parents and friends nudged me back into the world.

I had become overly attached to routines and the comfort of my condo: evening walks with my dog, the same coffee order, the same canal view. Reluctantly, I booked a trip to California.

The plan was simple: escape winter for a few weeks, write by the ocean, and return home inspired. Instead, I fell in love.

On my getaway, I found a whirlwind romance that pushed me toward California

During my trip, I'd discovered Venice Beach paddle tennis and booked a lesson with Hit with Marcus, run by a local coach named Marcus Canillas. I figured I'd learn a new sport and get some local recommendations.

Long conversations after lessons followed. I'd started riding past the courts on a colorful bike I'd bought off Facebook when I wasn't practicing just to wave hello to him.

One night after a lesson, I finally worked up the courage to ask where I should go nearby for sushi or a drink. He suggested a small place called Hama, and I left it at that. I figured if we happened to run into each other there, it was fate.

Later that night, my phone buzzed.

"Great job today," he texted. "You only hit a few balls over the fence."

I told him I was distracted, followed by a wink. We kept texting until he casually mentioned he was at Hama.

"Oh," I replied. "Is that an invite?"

"It's a free country."

"America!" I answered.

Ten minutes later, I was on my way. It was probably the most reckless thing I had done in years.

Back in Montreal, my life was safe and secure. Concierge staff monitored my building. Neighbors collected my packages and watered my plants while I was away. Even in my forties, I emailed my parents itineraries whenever I went anywhere alone.

When the night ended, Marcus made sure I got back to my rental safely. That was when I started to think maybe this could become something more.

As my trip eventually came to an end, we met again at a local bar, trying to compress everything into one last farewell evening.

Time stretched the way it does when two people know goodbye is going to hurt. At some point, we looked at the clock and realized it was after 2 a.m. I still needed to pack and head to LAX.

He dropped me off, and two hours later, I was in a cab to the airport. As my dog, Lenny, and I sat at the gate, exhausted and emotionally hungover, my phone buzzed again. We kept talking.

When I returned to Montreal, I unlocked the door to my spotless condo. My place was exactly the same, but I wasn't.

Over the next few weeks, Marcus and I talked constantly, sometimes until early morning. When an unexpected residual check arrived, instead of reinvesting it, I booked another ticket to Los Angeles for Valentine's Day.

This time, Marcus picked me up with flowers.

I rented another place in Venice and invited him over. We watched movies, walked the neighborhood, and slowly started building a life together without naming what we were doing.

When it came time to fly home again, leaving felt impossible. After a few more trips back and forth, we got engaged.

Moving to be with my partner was far from glamorous, but I'm so grateful I found love

After our engagement came the part no romantic movie will really show you: the challenging logistics and difficult aftermath.

I sold my condo below market value. I donated or sold almost everything I owned except for a few boxes and some artwork.

Crossing the border into the United States, I was no longer the woman who had purchased her dream property in Montreal. I arrived with no Social Security number and no American credit history.

My savings immediately shrank under an exchange rate that wasn't working in my favor. Apartments rejected us because I had no financial paper trail in the US.

Eventually, my fiancé found us a rent-controlled apartment in Venice. It costs more a month than my condo did, despite being a downgrade in almost every way, from the mold to the security lights blasting through the bedroom window.

I lost my job, my employment benefits, and access to socialized healthcare. I went from being established to sending résumés into a void while immigration paperwork moved through a faceless bureaucracy.

Still, we kept going. We got married, and we make things work in our 500-square-foot rental.

Some days, I miss the version of myself who was financially secure and knew exactly where she belonged.

But I understand now that the condo was never really the dream. The dream was finding someone willing to hold my hand through uncertainty and say, "We'll figure this out together."

• Lazer Logistics' Uncle Phil AI enhances yard management by offering real-time operational insights.
• Uncle Phil AI, based on COO Phil Newsome's expertise, optimizes decision-making across 750 sites.
• AI-driven platform integrates data systems to enhance yard operations and improve efficiency.

What if you could take your company's best manager and clone them? Lazer Logistics, a yard logistics company that helps major retailers and manufacturers manage their freight from docks to warehouses, is attempting to do just that with the help of artificial intelligence.

Mike Murphy, the company's senior vice president of yard solutions and innovation, built an AI coaching tool that is embedded inside its operating system. Called Uncle Phil AI and modeled after the company's COO Phil Newsome, it gives site managers access to the type of institutional knowledge that previously lived only inside Newsome's head, said Melanie Sandlin, the chief information officer at Lazer Logistics.

"You put Phil in any yard, and within minutes, he sees what is working, what is not, and exactly what needs to change. Drivers love him. Site managers learn from him. He is what every operator in our network wishes they had access to every single day," Sandlin told Business Insider of Newsome, who has 36 years of logistics experience. "The problem is there is one Phil, and there are 750 sites, so we asked ourselves, 'What if we could change that?'"

Uncle Phil AI pulls data from across Lazer Logistics' connected systems that manage truck telematics, in-cab videos, maintenance, driver inspection reports, labor data, and yard management workflows in one platform. This way, site managers have access to real-time insights and actionable guidance that they wouldn't otherwise see.

"Instead of a manager having to open four different systems and piece together a picture on their own, Uncle Phil surfaces what matters: here is what is happening, here is why it might be happening, here is what a great operator would do about it," said Sandlin.

Unlike the warehouse, which has been increasingly automated over the last several decades, the yard — which manages the flow of trucks, trailers, and containers as they enter and leave a facility — is one of the last parts in the supply chain to get a technological upgrade, said Bart De Muynck, a supply chain strategic advisor and independent consultant with over 35 years of supply chain experience, including roles with Gartner, project44, and YMX Logistics.

"We have very clear KPIs on the warehouse, we have very clear KPIs on transportation, no one has a KPI on the yard," said De Muynck. "No one really has a pulse on how inefficient they are or how that's really affecting their organization."

AI has the potential to help those running yard operations see that data, allowing them to shift from reactive to predictive decision-making, said De Muynck. And in a yard environment where conditions change constantly — due to weather, equipment breakdowns, employee call-outs, and freight volume spikes — Sandlin said quick decision-making is everything.

"Most yard operations today still lack real-time awareness of what is actually happening across their footprint," said Sandlin. "Where is that trailer? Why is that dock backed up? Which truck has been idle for two hours, and why? Without answers to those questions as they happen, you are always reacting."

AI turns operational knowledge into a scalable asset

Part of enabling quick and accurate decision-making is having the knowledge to back it up — something Sandlin said Lazer Logistics found only the most veteran employees typically have.

Sandlin said that Uncle Phil AI was trained on Newsome's three decades of operational knowledge so that it can act as a partner to operators who don't have that level of experience to rely on when managing a problem. This works especially well in yard operations, Sandlin said, because they are pattern-driven.

"The moves, the sequences, and the conditions that lead to delays or incidents are not random; they follow patterns that are learnable, and AI is exceptionally good at recognizing those patterns at a scale no human team could manage across 750 sites simultaneously," said Sandlin.

For a site manager who is making dozens of judgment calls every day — like where to prioritize moves, how to respond to a breakdown, when staffing needs to flex, or whether a driver needs coaching — this type of guidance, Sandlin said, is what drives real changes in how trucks are processed, making operations faster and safer and lowering costs.

Since implementing Uncle Phil, Sandlin said Lazer Logistics has seen returns on the operational side, where digitizing its vehicle inspection reports and removing paper from the process has given site managers back more time in their day that was previously spent on manual entry.

"Those are not flashy AI numbers, but they represent something important: our best assets, our people, are spending less time on administrative friction and more time on the work that actually matters: coaching drivers, serving customers, and running better yards," said Sandlin. "Clean, consistent, real-time data is now flowing from the field in a way it never was before, which is the fuel that makes Uncle Phil AI possible."

AI implementation needs a solid data foundation

Sandlin said that before Uncle Phil AI, Lazer Logistics made data infrastructure investments a priority. She said that most companies trying to deploy AI often work with sparse, inconsistent, or siloed data and wonder why it is not performing well.

"What we chose to do was build the data foundation first," Sandlin said. "Connecting our truck telematics, our in-cab video safety systems, our yard management workflows, our maintenance and repair records, our labor and scheduling data into one governed, trusted data layer took real discipline, but it is why what we are doing with AI now actually works."

When it comes to yard operations, De Muynck said that updating data-collection processes is where most companies' technology journeys should start. He added that using AI on bad data will only amplify bad suggestions and actions.

"In the past, we just used data for business analytics, so if the data was wrong, it was already in the past, but now we're using data to predict things and prescribe actions as well as automate workflows," said De Muynck. "If you built that on top of bad data, everything coming out of it would be bad as well and could lead to much bigger issues."

• Waymo is offering a "Premier" membership program that will give subscribers priority pickup.
• Members will also get early access to cities where Waymo is offering only limited public rides.
• The membership will not be available in regions where Waymo is partnered with Uber.

Waymo is launching a $30 monthly membership that gives frequent riders priority pickup — the latest in the robotaxi company's efforts to turn its driverless service into a more competitive stand-alone ride-hailing business.

Waymo said on Thursday that it will invite "tens of thousands" of riders to a membership program offering perks such as priority pickup, cash back, early access, and limited free cancellations a month. The program, called "Waymo Premier," will cost members $29.99 a month, the company said.

The program will initially be available to riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix — three of Waymo's most mature markets. It will not apply in cities where Waymo rides are hailed through Uber, including Austin and Atlanta, a spokesperson said.

"We will initially offer Premier to riders in these cities, and will look to invite riders in more cities that use the Waymo app in the future," a Waymo spokesperson said.

Premier will give riders priority pickups, which a Waymo spokesperson said are meant to provide a preferred estimated time of arrival and faster pickups. The spokesperson said nonmembers should see little effect from the program because the number of Premier members will be limited at first.

Members will also earn 10% Waymo Cash back on every trip and more during busy times, the company said. Premier members can get up to five free cancellations a month, along with early access to Waymo rides in new cities, including markets that are still accepting riders through an interest list, the spokesperson said.

Waymo's subscription service is another move by the robotaxi company to expand its direct relationship with customers, as it continues to enter new markets without a ride-hailing partnership.

The last partnership Waymo announced was in September with Lyft in Nashville.

Since then, Waymo started opening its service to riders in five cities — Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Miami, and Orlando — where customers are expected to use Waymo's own app. The company is also rolling out its purpose-built Ojai, an electric minivan-style robotaxi that offers more legroom and luggage space, Business Insider previously reported.

Uber, meanwhile, has been advocating a hybrid model combining human drivers and autonomous vehicles.

In the past year, the ride-hailing giant has taken a series of direct and indirect shots at its robotaxi partner Waymo. Business Insider previously reported how Uber has portrayed AV-only deployments as less scalable, less equitable, and less reliable than a hybrid approach.

An Uber spokesperson said at the time that a hybrid future would be more efficient and better for drivers.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at lloydlee@businessinsider.com or Signal at lloydlee.71. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Retail traders are building up their cash piles in anticipation of SpaceX and other mega-offerings.
• Data from Vanda Research suggests they're selling old favorites to get in position to buy new IPOs.
• Retail traders were net sellers three days in a row this week, the first time Vanda has seen that since 2020.

The SpaceX IPO will offer more shares than usual to the retail crowd, and it looks like they're getting ready to jump at the opportunity to get in early, according to data from Vanda Research.

The research firm, which tracks retail flows in single stocks and ETFs, said that data shows a trend of traders have become net sellers lately, possibly as they gear up to plow money into Elon Musk's rocket company and other major offerings later this year.

"We're already seeing signs that retail investors are rotating out of recent AI favorites ahead of the IPO wave," Vanda said. "Retail are on track for a 3rd consecutive day of net selling across single names — something we haven't seen since March 2020."

Retail hype has been strong, particularly as SpaceX plans to offer 30% of its stock to everyday investors when it prices on Thursday.

Vanda said that it believes the selling can be partially explained by retail traders' need for "dry powder" ahead of the offerings from SpaceX this week and from Anthropic and OpenAI later this year.

However, Vanda also said that retail isn't the only group of investors selling out of high-flying tech names lately.

"Institutional investors are also showing early signs of fatigue in crowded AI longs (namely semis). Given how crowded this trade had become, it hasn't taken much to trigger profit-taking — whilst short sellers are likely emboldened to rebuild positions across parts of the unprofitable tech complex."

Other finance pros have also chalked up the recent tech sell-off to a desire among investors to have cash ready to deploy into IPOs. The volatility that's rattled Wall Street in the last week might be bullish for the deal as investors drain liquidity from one part of the market to make room in their portfolios for SpaceX.

Anticipation for the SpaceX debut has boosted share prices for its competitors in the space-tech sector in the months leading up to the IPO.

"Space-related names are also starting to attract a retail bid, with Virgin Galactic emerging as a new retail favorite," Vanda wrote on June 1. "That wasn't the case when we first highlighted potential beneficiaries of a SpaceX IPO a few weeks ago, when retail interest was much more concentrated in Rocket Lab and Redwire."

• Pylon CEO Marty Kausas wrote that the era of never-ending AI bills is ending. "Spend limits are coming," he wrote.
• "Most people (me included) aren't conscious of what they're spending," he wrote, saying he accidentally spent $4,000 in day.
• Kausas said visibility into AI spending is key, and while the ROI for engineers is clear, for other roles, it's more fuzzy.

This founder is waving the white flag on tokenmaxxing.

Pylon CEO Marty Kausas broke down his token finances in a popular X post. His startup's Anthropic bill was jumping from $400,000 to $1.4 million a year, he wrote, simply because Pylon passed 150 seats on its plan, meaning he would be required to pay for the enterprise tier.

Kausas then broke down his "unfiltered thoughts on AI spend," including why the era of tokenmaxxing is "coming to an end."

"We should spend tokens to grow as aggressively as possible," Kausas wrote. "But most people (me included) aren't conscious of what they're spending."

AI coders need to know the bills they're racking up, Kausas wrote. "Visibility comes first. People see their personal number and they're shocked," he said. "I accidentally spent $4,000 in 3 days in Claude Code."

Kausas also weighed which roles benefit most from high token spending. For engineers, he wrote that it was "clearly worth it." Strapping engineers with frontier models saves more than it costs, he wrote.

This is a common feeling among startups. Pylon is backed by Y Combinator, the accelerator that has championed the idea of tokenmaxxing, not headcountmaxxing.

Kausas was more skeptical about wide token allocations for other job titles. "Apps nobody uses, skills someone already built," he wrote. "No ROI."

Pylon is already requiring its support team to request approval for additional tokens, he wrote. That informed his conclusion: "Spend limits are coming."

Indeed, Business Insider found that companies like Coinbase and Deloitte had already set caps.

Venture capitalist and "All-In" host Chamath Palihapitiya reposted Kausas: "Well, it was good while it lasted I guess…"

As for that high Anthropic bill, its primary competitor has already swooped in. An OpenAI employee entered Kausas' comments to ask: "How can we help?"

• I grew up in Hawaii and have visited all of its islands, and my recommendations to travelers vary.
• Oahu is the easiest entry point, while Maui offers the widest variety of landscapes and experiences.
• The Big Island and Kauai deliver bucket-list scenery. Lanai caters to travelers seeking luxury.

I was born and raised in Hawaii, but it took me more than 20 years to finally visit every accessible island in the iconic archipelago.

Here's how I'd recommend choosing where to go based on your travel style, plus which experiences I think are worth planning your journey around.

Oahu is best for first-time visitors who want a natural starting point.

Oahu is often the first stop on any Hawaii itinerary. As the state's main travel hub, most flights route through Honolulu, making it an easy place to begin or end your trip.

If you're planning to island hop in Hawaii, I'd recommend starting here.

The transition is seamless: You land in a major city with familiar comforts, then gradually ease into the slower pace of smaller towns and neighboring islands.

Honolulu offers city energy in a tropical setting — it's ideal for travelers who prioritize convenience and high-end experiences.

Honolulu, the state capital and largest urban area in the islands, is always abuzz with opportunities for every type of traveler.

The city blends skyscrapers, bustling streets, and traffic that rivals that of Los Angeles, all set against a beachy backdrop.

This is the place to lean into a more polished version of Hawaii with bougie resort stays, unique dining experiences, the best nightlife in the state, award-winning entertainment (like Cirque du Soleil's "'Auana"), and high-end shopping at Ala Moana Center — the world's largest open-air mall.

It's also a hub for major events, from concerts and conventions to cultural showcases and the islands' biggest street markets.

Venture beyond the city for a completely different island experience.

If you do one thing on Oahu: Get out of the city, rent a car, and spend a full day driving along the North Shore. Here, you'll find laid-back surf culture and some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

You can spend one day browsing local boutiques and exploring foodie destinations, and the next chasing waves or finding quiet in Oahu's more peaceful corners.

Then keep driving all the way around to the east side to visit Lanikai Beach, a personal favorite.

Maui is best for travelers seeking a variety of experiences.

Maui is my home island — so I may be biased — but the saying "Maui no ka oi," meaning "Maui is the best," absolutely rings true.

The Valley Isle offers a little bit of everything: accolade-worthy beaches, bucket-list ocean adventures, high-end resorts, misty mountain towns, lush forests filled with tropical fruit trees, rewarding waterfall hikes, and otherworldly landscapes inside a volcanic crater.

Thanks to its diverse microclimates, Maui delivers a surprisingly wide range of experiences. You can go from cool upcountry mornings to sunny beach afternoons and back up to the Haleakala summit for a surreal sunset, all in a single day.

Local tip: Stay central or at one of the resort hubs in Kaanapali or Wailea, then plan day trips to explore beyond your hotel.

Ocean lovers would be remiss to skip Maui.

Maui is a playground for ocean enthusiasts of every kind. Adventure activities abound, from parasailing and jet-skiing excursions to snorkeling and submarine tours.

During winter months, whale watching is a must, with humpback whales returning to Maui's waters each year—the Auau Channel has a high density of whales, and itʻs easily accessed by boat tours from Maalaea.

For those seeking calmer waters, there are leisurely sunset cruises, gentle swimming spots like Baby Beach in Paia, and plenty of time to unwind on the sand.

Maui is a great island to visit if you want your trip to have a positive impact on local communities.

Several years after the fires that devastated Lahaina and Kula, Maui's communities are still rebuilding.

One of the most meaningful ways to give back as a visitor is to simply be intentional about where you spend your money.

For travelers who want to go a step further, there are also opportunities to volunteer by participating in farm work, forest restoration, and beach cleanups. It's a chance not just to visit the island, but also to connect with the ʻāina (land) and the people who call it home.

Hawaii Island is best for road-trip enthusiasts and those seeking a slower pace.

For easy days and quiet nights, Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island) offers a serene, secluded setting.

Even the major hubs of Kona and Hilo feel laid-back, with low-key nightlife and live music at local venues rather than packed clubs or late-night scenes.

If you want to see it all, you'll need to be willing to drive, sometimes for hours, but that's part of the fun. If you're not willing to drive, pick one side of the island and explore it thoroughly.

The Big Island is home to once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

What Hawaii Island lacks in convenience, it more than makes up for in uniqueness.

Here, you can descend into one of the longest tourable lava tubes in the world, witness an eruption from the country's most active volcano, drive to the summit of one of the world's tallest mountains, venture to one of the only green-sand beaches at the southernmost point of the US, and swim with manta rays under some of the darkest night skies on Earth.

Activities like these aren't your stereotypical beach vacation add-ons — they're the reason you go somewhere in the first place.

Kauai offers awe-inspiring beauty at a premium price.

Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai is often considered one of the most visually stunning and expensive Hawaiian islands.

With limited infrastructure and high demand, accommodation prices tend to be steep, making Kauai a natural choice for travelers who are willing to splurge.

Many of the island's most immersive experiences come with a higher price tag, too.

If you treat yourself to one experience, book a Nā Pali Coast boat or helicopter tour — it's the best way to fully appreciate the island's dramatic scenery.

The vibe on Kauai is romantic and scenic, making it ideal for deeply immersive exploration.

Kauai feels tailor-made for connection, whether that's with a partner or with the natural world around you. It's a favorite for honeymooners and couples, but just as appealing for travelers drawn to dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventure.

Quiet, secluded beaches, lush valleys, and cinematic backdrops create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.

This isn't the island for socializing or packed itineraries — it's for slowing down, taking it all in, and letting the scenery speak for itself.

A visit to Lanai can also be a niche experience ideal for travelers seeking luxury.

With just one small town and two major luxury resorts, Lanai's economy is largely centered around high-end tourism, and experiences here don't come cheap.

A stay at one of the island's resorts can easily cost upwards of $1,000 per night, while activities like Jeep rentals — which are necessary to explore beyond paved roads — can run a few hundred bucks a day.

For travelers truly willing to splurge, Lanai also offers one of the most exclusive resort experiences in Hawaii at its Four Seasons.

Island hoppers and budget travelers can also take a day trip to Lanai.

As one of the smallest inhabited islands, Lanai has an ultra-exclusive vibe. It can be a great day-trip spot for travelers on a tighter budget.

To get there, take a short plane ride from Honolulu or Maui. Once you arrive, you can keep things simple by walking to the nearby beach or taking a shuttle into Lanai City. Visit classic spots like the Lanai Cat Sanctuary or newer places like a retro-themed bowling alley and art gallery.

Although there aren't endless activities here, a day on Lanai offers a departure from the busier tourist hubs, with just enough to explore at a more relaxed pace.

Molokai is for those truly looking to get away from it all.

One of the harder-to-access Hawaiian islands, Molokai is intentionally quiet — and that's part of the appeal. You won't find major resorts or big chains here.

Think empty roads, uncrowded hiking trails, and beaches where you may not see another person for miles.

In the island's small communities, locals all know each other by name, so visitors naturally stand out, but many are warm and welcoming to those who arrive with respect.

Molokai offers a slower, more introspective experience where simplicity is the highlight.

Go to Molokai for cultural immersion and a glimpse of old Hawaii.

One of the most meaningful cultural experiences on Molokai is a guided hike through Halawa Valley, led by a family who's lived on and cared for the land for generations.

It's more than just a scenic outing — it's a chance to understand the history, stories, and significance of the place you're visiting.

Elsewhere on the island, untouched beaches and dramatic landscapes create a sense of peaceful isolation.

It's the kind of place that invites reflection, offering a rare glimpse into what Hawaii may have felt like long before the rise of mass tourism.

• For years, swimming laps was my favorite activity, but then my favorite pool closed.
• I reluctantly tried something I'd always avoided: a group water aerobics class.
• I expected a workout; instead, I found new friendships and a more hopeful view of growing older.

I've always felt most at home in or around the water. Sometimes that meant swimming laps in a gym pool with waterproof headphones on and music in my ears. Other times, it looked like floating on a raft in my suburban New Jersey backyard pool on a summer afternoon, or splashing around in the ocean while the waves roll in.

For several years, I swam almost every day at a local gym. I'd slide on my headphones, slip into the pool, and swim laps for an hour with nothing but music and the rhythm of my breathing.

Then the gym abruptly closed. It genuinely broke my heart.

I tried to replace it. I joined other gyms. But within a month or two, I'd always find some imperfection — crowded lanes, a cumbersome drive, an insect in the locker room, or an annoying overall vibe — and before long, I'd go less often, then not at all.

But then I found a pool that helped me build community and accept aging.

I found a pool that checked all my boxes

A few months ago, in the dead of winter, I felt like my heart and soul were dehydrated. I knew I had to try again. This time, I made myself a promise: I would stop scrutinizing every detail. I'd find a pool and let it be "good enough."

I Googled "gym pools near me." Almost as an afterthought, I added "water aerobics classes." I'd always avoided group classes before. I loved swimming because it felt like solitude and freedom. No schedules. No small talk. No group dynamics. And if I'm honest, I had stereotypes about the people who frequented these classes. I pictured conversations about whether chlorine would ruin someone's salon blowout, chitchat about where they bought their designer swimsuits, and self-deprecating remarks about not feeling "swimsuit ready."

I found a pool that checked the necessary boxes: it was affordable and not too far from my home. It had a pool with lap lanes and a separate warm-water pool, with a daily selection of exercise classes.

I tried one water aerobics class and then another. To my surprise, I liked the group chatter. Actually, I loved it.

I met women who lived fascinating lives

The people in the classes were nothing like the caricatures I'd imagined. Most are retired women, and many talk about grandchildren, but with a little gentle digging after class, I started hearing richer stories.

One woman had a career as a probation officer that I never would have guessed from our first conversation. Another told me about extensive travels. Another described her hobby of decorating seashells with uplifting messages and leaving them around town to brighten the day of whoever found one.

There are stories of careers, reinventions, marriages, losses, and plans still unfolding.

The women in that pool changed how I think about getting older

Most of the women are seniors, which, after some resistance, I've finally admitted is also my demographic. Still, many are 10, 15, even 20 years older than I am.

They all say that the combination of exercise and socialization these classes provide helps keep them feeling energetic and young.

I didn't realize how much anxiety I had about healthy aging until I spent time with women doing it so well. They're vital, funny, and curious. They're realistic without being resigned.

There's wisdom in that pool — and not in a needlepoint pillow inspirational quote kind of way. It's practical wisdom. The kind that comes from living long enough to know what matters, and what doesn't.

I went looking for water and found community

Some days I still swim laps by myself. I still love the solitude, but most days I head to class. The pool itself is high on my gratitude list, as are the women I've met there.

They haven't replaced the longtime friendships I've treasured for decades. This is something different — an unexpected layer of companionship that arrived later in life when I wasn't looking for it and certainly didn't expect it.

I went searching for a place to swim, but I feel like I found the fountain of youth in a community that embraced me with open arms.

Nailing the right balance between comfort and style is crucial at the office (and at home, to be sure, but especially at the office). It's about putting your best foot forward for a client meeting, but still feeling comfortable during the 9-to-5 grind. The best stretchy dress pants for men let you have both.

Even some of the best dress pants for men I've tested can feel stiff after sitting at a desk for too long. So, I set out to find pairs that are comfortable enough to lounge in and still feel polished at the office.

For this guide, I tested 16 pairs of stretchy dress pants made from performance, moisture-wicking knits with high Spandex content. I also looked for those with relaxed, elasticated waistbands.

These are the pairs that you won't feel like peeling off as soon as you get home. From performance chinos, wide-leg corduroys, and even some dressed-up denim, here's how to build a comfortable office uniform from the bottom up.

Advice from your tester

Navigating the ins and outs of New York City, where I've lived and worked for 12 years, has given me the credentials to speak on stretchy dress pants. In that time, I've tested dozens of menswear brands, from designer labels and performance gear to affordable DTC options like Quince. Learn more about how the Reviews team tests clothing at BI.

My most-worn dress pants have a relaxed, slightly tapered fit and can be easily styled to follow business casual dress codes — like a blazer/Oxford shirt combo, or a breezy polo in warmer climates. For reference, I'm 6-foot-2, with a broad, athletic frame and typically wear a size 38x32 or 40x32 pant. Even though I'm partial towards athletic fits, I've also included some tailored cuts for business-formal occasions.

At the end of the day, these were the 3 brands with stretchy dress pants that stood out:

• Bonobos: The washed chinos feature an ideal amount of stretch and polished looks for the office, with plentiful classic color options and an excellent Athletic fit.
• Woodies Clothing: Cut like a pair of suit pants yet with the versatility of a chino, these feature some of the softest and yet most durable performance materials I've found. The fabric feels substantial while remaining ultra-soft and stretchy, like sweatpants.
• Flint and Tinder: Wearing Huckberry's 365 Pants feels like timeless 5-pocket jeans, with the style points of a crisp pair of office-ready chinos. I've worn this style for a decade and can say they're worth buying in multiple colors.

Our top pick: Bonobos Original Washed Chinos

The original and best is tough to top. Bonobos has been making stretchy dress pants for men over two decades, and in that time it has grown its size range so more men can get the right fit. Featuring the brand's signature fit options, stylish pocket liners, and a wide variety of colors, these stretch chinos could become your new daily driver for the office.

These run true to size, with the Athletic Fit offering more room through the thigh and seat, ending with a nicely tapered finish down through the knee and ankle. The waistband was relatively true to size, neither too loose nor too tight, although I'd recommend adding a leather belt for the most secure fit. In my experience, these pants crucially didn't ride up or bunch when sitting down.

For a clean "no-break" look, I opted to cuff my pair once, but these aren't too baggy resting on the top of dress shoes or boots either way. And when paired with a stretch blazer and a T-shirt for high-low style, I found they wore effortlessly. These stretchy chinos feel so much more comfortable than stuffy wool suit pants — that much is clear.

For business-casual dress codes: Flint and Tinder 365 Pants

I've worn Flint and Tinder's 365 Pants for about a decade, and it seems Huckberry is always tinkering with the formula ever so slightly. Overall, they combine stretch and a garment-washed design for a versatile, easy-wearing pant.

The pre-washed fabric has a softness right out of the box, while the HB Athletic and HB Straight fits (developed exclusively by the brand) have served me well in terms of fitting true to size. They have enough room through the thigh and seat, while staying trim around the ankles. I recommend the HB Slim sizing if you have a narrow build.

Affordable with a roomy fit: Los Angeles Apparel Corduroy Wide Leg Pants

These stretchy dress pants from LA Apparel give you the classic style of corduroy in an on-trend wide leg fit. The affordable pair features an elastic drawstring waistband, which fits well into lax office dress codes and allows for post-lunch bloat. I liked that I could customize the waistband, and that the wide-wale corduroy feels exceptionally soft

Unlike the more tailored look of my VRST pants, this Los Angeles Apparel set is truly wide-leg from the waist all the way down. The overall effect of the roomy fit that feels leisurely and breezy. These pants did require a cuffed finish to deliver a less relaxed, cleaner look, which I wore alongside a crisp white polo — in much the same fashion you'd style a white polo with classic navy chinos or dress trousers.

A trendy wide-leg cut isn't for the faint of heart, but if mixed and matched alongside, say, substantial moc toe or wingtip boots, they can offer dressy, stretch-first looks with the best of 'em.

Extra room in the thighs: VRST Men's Limitless Performance Athletic Fit 5 Pocket Pant

These VRST pants are made of durable, ultra-comfortable stretch and fit for athletic builds. With the cut of a stretch chino and an array of collectible color options, these might just become your new everyday dress pants for the office (and you don't even need to change if you're hitting the links after).

These were decidedly the lightest and most stretchy pair that I tried. This helped me when I was out in the heat of Miami, with moisture-wicking capabilities and a breezy feel that kept me cool.

The fit leans fairly slim through the thigh and seat, with a tailored-yet-agreeable leg opening — neither too trim nor overly baggy, but a true-to-size sweet spot. I recommend a belt to keep these stretch pants in place, and it's worth noting that the overall design rivals that of both a chino and a jean.

Stretchy suit pants: Woodies Clothing Performance Pants

Plenty of brands offer up stellar fit options when it comes to the best stretchy dress pants for men, but very few do it quite like Woodies. Using your own custom size profile, they deliver an expertly well-fitted pair of pants in their proprietary stretch fabric, which is ultra-soft to the touch while retaining the classic look of a crisply designed dress pant.

The fit of these stretchy suit pants lands somewhere between tailored and classic, with a polished, slimmer leg opening through the calf and a relatively clean break at the ankle. The exact sizing is custom according to your measurements.

Hopping around NYC from happy hours to work events, I've found that these are buttery soft and smooth without feeling too light or flimsy, while the reinforced waistband also allows your shirt to stay tucked in with ease. Woodies also makes a matching suit jacket if you'd prefer performance menswear in your next tailored look from head to toe.

Durable, dressed-up denim: Billy Reid Moleskin Cochran Jeans

Billy Reid's Moleskin Cochran Jeans meet my preference towards hybridized pants with stretch. These are cut like jeans, yet crafted from smooth, soft fabric for a more tailored feel.

In terms of fit, these are much more trim through the thigh and seat than other pairs of dress jeans I tested (for a looser fit, I'd go with the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants instead). They're designed with a clean, slim leg opening. I'd size up next time, although I had no issues tucking in a dress shirt.

Because of their trim fit, these almost stayed in place without a belt. I had great success mixing high and low pieces alongside these expertly crafted Billy Reid jeans, be it a chambray shirt, a plaid cotton twill shirt or a pocket tee beneath a lightweight blazer.

These pants weren't baggy in the slightest, and no cuffing was required. Pay close attention to signature Billy Reid touches, like a back waist leather logo patch and a sturdy button at the waist.

Some Casual Friday stretch jeans: DUER Performance Denim

DUER Performance Denim also comes in Relaxed Straight, Relaxed Taper, and Straight Leg fits. Try its Performance Denim Lite if you run hot.

DUER's Slim Performance Denim feels like a crisp, ever-so-slightly-dress pair of jeans made special by 360° of stretch. They're also anti-microbial, meaning you can wear them longer between washes.

Upon first inspection, I could tell immediately these are stretchier than most men's jeans, which are usually rigid. Its fabric instead pulls and naturally returns to its original form. The inky blue wash feels more sophisticated than light stonewashed pairs, and I also appreciated their clean fit through the thigh and seat. It then loosens to more of a tailored straight-leg fit through the calf and at the ankle.

I cuffed these jeans for a crisp look at times, but also found they rested fairly neatly atop my leather chukka boots without too much pooling of fabric at the ankle. For best results, consider wearing a leather belt as a finishing touch.

Unique and splurge-worthy: Y. Chroma Apparel Skyline Pants

Y. Chroma Apparel offers rich color options, handsome fits across its entire product line, and utterly unique finishing touches, like the bold, tab-closure, geometric waistband on these flattering stretch dress pants.

The Skyline Pants aren't as stretchy the VRST Athletic Pants I tested (at least in terms of fabric through the thigh and ankle). However, the incorporation of an elastic waistband across the back of the trousers is a true gamechanger, offering more room in the seat without sacrificing a tailored look.

The fabric is also incredibly smooth and reads as luxurious. The fit was spot on, neither overly tailored and trim nor overly baggy. The waistband and its distinct Y-shape closure are unlike any pair of dress pants I've tried — the effect is not unlike a tab closure on traditional dress pants.

With their high quality, of course, comes a high price. But that's never stopped me: I love the vibrant and rich color I chose, which stands out against a timeless navy blazer.

These classic corduroys: Quince Organic Stretch Corduroy 5-Pocket Pants

These Quince corduroy pants are lightweight enough to wear beyond the confines of fall and winter, and they come in enough colors to suit a range of business casual looks.

I found the fit to be somewhat roomier across the waist and through the thigh and the seat, with a belt providing a much more secure fit. It required some cuffing at the bottom of the pants, but the level of stretch is just right — neither too loose nor too stiff..

And although corduroy is closely associated with fall and winter fashion, I was able to wear these pants through mild heat without sweating — the corduroy wale is more fine and softer, and not as hefty, as traditional corduroy pants. Plus, the off-white colorway helped these pants feel more appropriate for spring.

See more in our full Quince men's clothing review.

• Lewis Raymond Taylor transformed from a convict to a business cofounder.
• A self-proclaimed psychopath, he describes how emotional detachment helps him with his business.
• "I would not be the success I am without being a psychopath," he says.

Lewis Raymond Taylor will be the first to tell you he's a psychopath. "I think things. I don't feel," he told Business Insider.

Today, Taylor helps aspiring life coaches through The Coaching Masters, an online education company with 15,000 students across 87 countries that he cofounded.

His path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional, though.

Before building a business valued at $25 million, Taylor served multiple prison sentences for crimes ranging from shoplifting and vandalism to drug dealing and violent assault.

He attributes that behavior to a combination of factors, including an emotionally difficult childhood, abuse, and what he says are underlying psychopathic traits.

There's no formal diagnosis for psychopathy in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual.

However, Taylor says he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder as a teenager, which has many traits that overlap with psychopathy, including lack of remorse, impulsivity, low fear, and emotional detachment.

While his circumstances have changed dramatically over the years, he says those traits never went away. "I've always displayed every single symptom," Taylor said. "I still display it now, but I've been able to channel it."

He believes those same traits that once fueled his criminal behavior later became an asset in running a business.

"I would not be the success I am without being a psychopath."

The photo that forced him to confront a hard truth

Taylor grew up in Kings Langley, England, and says he was a troubled child who was expelled from secondary school. He also describes an emotionally abusive relationship with his father, who frequently told him he would never amount to anything.

By his late teens and early 20s, Taylor says he was addicted to cocaine and alcohol, getting into frequent fights, and embracing a reputation for being reckless and dangerous.

"When I was fighting, I was fighting to hurt, to win, to feel powerful," he said.

His turning point came in 2014 after he punched a man during an altercation, leaving the victim with a brain hemorrhage and in a coma for several days. Taylor was sentenced to 18 months in prison for grievous bodily harm and served nine months behind bars.

While in prison, a friend told him someone had posted two photos of him outside the same courthouse seven years apart with the caption: "Nothing changes." That stuck with him.

Shortly after, back in his cell, Taylor said he looked at his reflection in a scratched piece of metal. "I realized I was the problem," he said. "But I'm also the solution."

He began attending rehabilitation programs and studying math and English. A prison tutor convinced him he was capable of going to university, which encouraged Taylor to complete an access course where he earned top marks, and he began volunteering in recovery programs after leaving prison.

How psychopathy became a business advantage

As Taylor rebuilt his life, he was surprised to realize the criminal behavior was gone, but many of the traits associated with his diagnosis remained.

Rather than fight them, he learned to use them.

"A lot of people ask me how I'm successful," Taylor said. "I just figure out what I want to do and then I make a plan of one, two, three, and then I take steps one, two, and three."

Taylor believes emotional detachment allows him to make decisions without being slowed by fear, insecurity, embarrassment, or self-doubt.

While he says many people can become overwhelmed by uncertainty, he can focus almost exclusively on execution.

He also sees other psychopathic traits differently from most.

What some might call manipulation, he views as persuasion. "I am very manipulative, but to help someone," he said. "I will persuade you to think better about yourself and live your life beyond your wildest dreams."

What some might call impulsiveness, he sees as a willingness to take risks. "My lack of fear enables me to not be burdened by it."

And what some might view as emotional bluntness, he considers an ability to think strategically under pressure. "I seem to be very methodical and strategic in my way of kind of taking very simple steps one after another with no emotional burden pulling me back," he added.

Taylor acknowledges that those same traits can create challenges

He says he becomes frustrated with employees who don't see solutions as quickly as he does and describes himself as a more directive leader than a nurturing manager.

"I don't have much of a tolerance to support them emotionally from that real strong leadership perspective," he said, adding that, "I become more of a dictator sort of leadership style."

Even after years of therapy, rehabilitation, and self-reflection, Taylor says he still doesn't know exactly how much of his personality is rooted in biology and how much was shaped by his upbringing.

Whatever their origin, he rejects the idea that those traits have to determine a person's future.

"The things you've done are not the person you are," Taylor said. "Your identity is something that can mold and adapt and change."

Read more about Taylor's mindset and life advice in his new book "Unlimited: Turn Your Adversity into an Asset."

Lewis Raymond Taylor is a life coach and entrepreneur who says he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, a condition often associated with psychopathy. He spent his younger years dealing with violence, addiction, and crime, including serving prison time for grievous bodily harm.

Taylor explains to Business Insider what it feels like to live with little to no emotion, how psychopathic traits shaped his behavior, and why he believes those same traits can be redirected toward success. He also discusses manipulation, risk-taking, and detachment in both criminal environments and business.

He rebuilt his life and founded The Coaching Masters, a life coaching company he says is now worth $25 million. Taylor's story is also featured in the Netflix documentary "The Psychopath Life Coach."

For more:

https://www.instagram.com/lewisraymondtaylor?igsh=MTF5ZnVzcW45cG5vaw==

https://thecoachingmasters.com

If you or someone you know is dealing with substance misuse or mental illness, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) for 24/7, free, confidential treatment referral and information.

• Two years ago, Apple announced it was getting into the AI game, with a big new Siri update.
• That update never showed up. Now it's finally here.
• The Verge's Nilay Patel says the new Siri tells you a lot about the way Apple views AI — and its relationship with OpenAI and ChatGPT.

In 2024, Apple said it had created its own take on AI. It would be integrated into Siri, the iPhone virtual assistant that has never really delivered on its promise.

Then Apple found itself unable to deliver the new Siri.

Now this week, at its annual developers conference, Apple said the new, AI-powered Siri is actually ready, and iPhone users will finally see it this fall.

The new Siri isn't meant to compete with the most sophisticated versions of AI engines like ChatGPT or Claude. And it's not going to help you vibe-code a new business.

But the announcement is still significant, says The Verge's Nilay Patel. He thinks that for many people, the new Siri will be an effective replacement for the free version of ChatGPT — the AI engine Apple partnered with back in 2024. And he thinks it's a sign of where Apple is headed, where phones could get swapped out for some other kind of AI-powered device.

Patel and I talked about that and much more — including the prospects for Apple CEO-to-be John Ternus, and why Patel thinks so many AI leaders don't understand how actual humans spend their time — on my Channels podcast. The following is an edited excerpt of our conversation:

Peter Kafka: What's most important about the AI announcements Apple made this week?

Nilay Patel: The sum total of what they've announced is a replacement for the free tier of ChatGPT.

You know this term, Sherlocking? Apple developers love this term. There was this app called Watson a long time ago. It was a search tool, and Apple built a thing called Sherlock and just destroyed it.

Every year, Apple does this in their operating systems. They look around the ecosystem of cool third-party apps, and they just build it as a feature. And here what they have just nakedly done is Sherlock the free version of ChatGPT.

Fundamentally, the announcements add up to "why on earth would you use free ChatGPT when Siri is right here behind a button on your phone, and it can do all the same stuff?"

Two years ago, Apple's approach to AI seemed to be: "We don't make our own AI models, but we'll let you use everyone else's." That seemed to make some sense. What changed?

Two years ago, we were in an entirely different AI paradigm, and I think Apple's approach mirrored their approach to everything, which is "let's see how this plays out and we'll make a great product out of it." What happened instead was the models got ever more capable and the product turned out to be writing code for you.

There isn't another great consumer AI product, at least as far as I can tell. There are the chatbots, and you can go ask the chatbots to do a bunch of stuff. But there's not some great AI pendant that is a threat to the iPhone, right? That thing has not yet emerged.

Which is why I thought Apple didn't want to make its own chatbot — it would let everyone else kill themselves to make the best models and bots, and you'd use your iPhone to use them.

Right. The problem in the long run is all of those chatbots will start doing things for you in the cloud, and will disintermediate the app model, and could disintermediate Apple services revenue, which is their big line of revenue. It drives their whole business. So if you can talk to a bunch of cloud services, which can get you the Uber and place your DoorDash order and shop for you, none of that stuff is happening on your phone.

But you're using your phone. I know everyone wants to develop glasses and pendants, but right now it's the phone. The phone remains undefeated.

I use Gmail on my iPhone, I use Google Maps instead of Apple Maps, I use Spotify instead of Apple Music. Apple would prefer if I use their homegrown versions of those things. But they also don't care, because I bought a $1,000 phone from them last year and I'll buy another one some number of years from now. I get that one day they could be usurped by something else, but as long as there's a device involved.

What they can't do is assume the phone will hold for another 10 or 15 years. And so I think next year the phone holds, and the year after that. But if you believe that user interface paradigm shifts are what leads to new hardware — the scroll wheel brought us the iPod, the multi-touch screen brought us the iPhone — then if you can just talk to an agent and it can go get things done for you, that leads you to any number of hardware form factors, one of which Jony Ive is attempting to build at OpenAI.

The industry is mounting the threat and Apple needs to respond, and I think this version of Apple Intelligence is very much, "We have to at least protect 'you can talk to the phone.'" Because if you're not using Siri, you might use ChatGPT, and if you use ChatGPT enough or Gemini enough, then when they have the hardware, they can say, "You're not even using the rest of this phone. Buy a point-and-shoot camera and our little pendant, and you'll be set, and you won't have social media to distract your kids."

I use ChatGPT all the time. I use the paid version because my employer is a partner with OpenAI, so they pay the fee. Will I use Chat as much next fall, when the new software rolls onto my iPhone, or will I swap it out for Apple's?

If you're on the paid versions of these tools, I don't think Siri is gonna be all that compelling for you outside of the fact that it has better access to your iMessages on your phone. Or if you are an Apple Photos user, it has better access to the index of photos on your phone. Its understanding of the content in Apple's ecosystem is much better than it was before. It's much faster than it was before.

So I think what you're going to see is that talking to Siri about things inside the Apple ecosystem will become vastly more compelling than talking to the other chatbots about things in the Apple ecosystem. "Hey, someone texted me this. Can you find it?" You'll use Siri for that.

Everything else, where you have these long-running agentic tasks or "do deep research for me because I'm on the paid tier of ChatGPT or the paid tier of Gemini" — Apple's nowhere close to that.

Two years ago, OpenAI was Apple's chosen partner, and now Apple seems to be competing with them, and now OpenAI is considering suing Apple. What does that tell us about Apple or OpenAI?

OpenAI is just a vastly more chaotic company with its own interests. They also had just had a messy breakup with Microsoft. They want to be the big consumer company of the next generation. They are building their own products.

They are trying to do everything all at once without any particular focus. If you are a big enterprise customer of OpenAI, I think you're looking around and wondering, "Is this company even going to survive to its IPO? Is Sam Altman going to be CEO forever? Is the next set of executives gonna get fired tomorrow?"

Is this more about Apple saying "we'd like more control over AI" or Apple saying "we'd like to work less with OpenAI?"

This is Apple's DNA, and the part of Apple's DNA that I think is most important here is called the Cook Doctrine, where he said to shareholders many years ago, "We want to own and control the primary technologies that we base our products on."

In this case, they don't own Gemini, and maybe they're not going to make that investment. But they own private cloud compute. They own the code that's running on those servers in Google Cloud. They own the Nvidia GPUs and how they're being used for this stuff.

And I think OpenAI ultimately wants to be a competitor to Apple, versus the frenemy relationship Apple has with Google.

I don't think OpenAI is a big enough or old enough or sophisticated enough company to have that frenemy relationship yet. All the other Big Tech players have these frenemy relationships. Apple and Meta hate each other. Their executives are always taking shots at each other. But there's no Instagram without the iPhone, and there's no iPhone without Instagram, and they know it. And so they keep a distance that is very important.

I think some of these other companies want to be very big, but they just haven't developed the skill set or experience or thick enough skin to pull it off

• Software stocks that made a comeback from the SaaSpocolypse have further to run, BofA says.
• Analysts listed their "fab five" stock picks, which include Snowflake, Datadog, and MongoDB.
• Bank of America says these software infrastructure stocks are set up to gain in the second half of 2026.

Wall Street's SaaSpocalypse tanked software stocks at the start of the year, but a few have made it out the other side and have been rallying in the second quarter. Bank of America says these survivors have room to keep rallying.

The bank flagged their top software stock picks, which they call the "Fab Five": Snowflake, Datadog, JFrog, MongoDB, and Twilio.

All five software stocks are infrastructure software plays that moved higher on earnings beats. In fact, the fab five saw an average 36% post-earnings gain.

The analysts said the blowout earnings results showcased five things: solid execution, AI benefits, aligned visions, working go-to-market strategies, and strong differentiation.

Bank of America outlined that the stronger-than-expected earnings results along with what they call "conservative" outlooks set the stocks up for gains in the second half of 2026.

Snowflake

Snowflake stock surged more than 35% in one day after the cloud-based data platform's stellar earnings print.

BofA's bull case: "Snowflake is positioned to be the AI business intelligence for the enterprise, and its strong portfolio of AI products (Cortex Code, Cortex AI, Intelligence, others) will be deeply entrenched throughout customers, driving higher usage of the platform."

What could send the stock higher: The analysts say that any indications that enterprise customers are adopting Snowflake's AI offerings faster-than-expected could fuel gains.

Datadog

Datadog stock skyrocketed nearly 70% in the trading session after the SaaS-based data analytics platform's latest earning release.

BofA's bull case: "The observability category is proving to be one of the most attractive categories in software. Digital modernization and AI are proving to be strong demand tailwinds for best-of-breed observability vendors like Datadog, driving strong and durable growth for the long-term."

What could send the stock higher: BofA is on the look out for any signals that Datadog signed a big name in AI or tech, or is taking more enterprise share.

JFrog

JFrog stands out as a risk management hedge within the software space during the AI era.

BofA's bull case: "Leader in enterprise risk management for the supply chain of software with a platform that spans binaries management to security, which will lead to strong Cloud revenue growth and potentially better than expected free cash flow generation."

What could send the stock higher: JFrog stock could climb higher on any big deals or by taking a larger enterprise share. Another catalyst could be a hack on the software supply chain that draws attention to the company's offerings.

Twilio

Twilio shares climbed nearly 50% after the cloud communications platform reported stronger-than-expected results.

BofA's bull case: "Twilio is attractively positioned to be the key infrastructure layer to enable B2C (business to consumer), B2B (business to business), and AI agent to agent communications across many channels like voice and messaging. This will drive higher usage of the platform, translating to durable growth profit dollar growth and expanding gross profit margins."

What could send the stock higher: New deals that signal Twilio is taking share in the voice AI space could fuel stock gains. Another driver would be improving margins through increased domestic messaging volumes.

MongoDB

MongoDB, which is a document-focused database provider, saw the smallest earnings move of the fab five, rising only 4.5%.

BofA's bull case: "The true AI tailwind is just around the corner. MongoDB will benefit the most when customer facing AI experiences go live. The only question is when this catalyst will happen: 12-18 months from now…or much sooner? We think sooner."

What could send the stock higher: Signs the consumer facing enterprise AI or enterprise modernization efforts are happening faster than anticipated.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off soon, almost four years since Argentina's victory, and Lionel Messi and the crew will attempt to defend their title against a stacked field. We've scoured the viewing options and rounded up everything you need to know about where to watch the World Cup, including free and global streaming options.

If you don't want to scroll any further, we've got you covered. You can live stream every game on FOX and FS1 via FOX One or a live TV service in the US, for free on SBS On Demand in Australia, and for free across BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK, among many other viewing options around the world (which we'll break down below). You can access your streaming options from anywhere with the help of a VPN. Keep reading to learn more about the tournament, whether you're hoping to watch from home or attend in person.

Where to watch the World Cup for free

Several countries around the world will offer free access to World Cup coverage. In Australia, all matches will be available for free on SBS On Demand. In the UK, all matches will be split across BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Other regions offer select games for free, often focusing on their national team and major late-tournament matches, while the rest are available via a paid service. In Spain, select matches will be available for free on RTVE Play. In Italy, RaiPlay will offer free coverage of select matches. M6 offers some free matches in France. Tubi in the US will carry a couple of free matches, including Mexico vs. South Africa and USA vs. Paraguay.

Want to access some of these free World Cup viewing options from outside the above countries? We'll show you how to get around those geo-restrictions next.

How to watch the World Cup from anywhere

Football fans who are away from the location where their streaming service works during any notable matches can still access their free viewing options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that let people temporarily change the virtual location on their electronic devices. They're popular among people looking to upgrade their cybersecurity and keep up with their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad.

NordVPN is our top recommendation and one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, offers a massive selection of global servers, and comes with a helpful 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not helping you out.

Where to watch the World Cup in the US

All 104 World Cup games will air on either FOX or Fox Sports 1 (FS1) in the US. FOX offers a direct streaming counterpart, FOX One, for $20 a month with a three-day free trial. You can also sign up for the service as a Prime Video add-on. If you're looking for a service with additional channels or a longer free trial, one of the best live TV streaming services we've tested might be of interest.

DirecTV carries FOX, FS1, and around 20 other sports networks in its MySports genre pack. MySports also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. Subscriptions cost $65 a month, but new customers can get $15 a month off their first two months after a five-day free trial.

Fubo offers FOX and FS1 coverage in its Sports + News plan, along with 25+ other key channels. The streaming package also unlocks ESPN Unlimited access. Sports + News costs $56 a month, but new users can get $10 off their first month after a five-day free trial. FOX and FS1 are also available in the Pro and Elite plan.

Sling TV also carries FOX and FS1 across several of its plans, with the cheapest being Sling Select. Sling Select starts at $20 a month for 10 channels (including FS1), but it jumps up to $25 a month when local channels (like FOX) are involved. However, Sling's local channel coverage varies widely by region, so check what's available in your area before signing up. Sling Blue also carries FS1 and FOX (when available). Plans start at $46 a month, but they go for $51 a month with local channels.

If you're looking for Spanish-language coverage, Telemundo has the broadcast rights in the US, and all 104 matches are available to stream on Peacock with Spanish commentary. Peacock's sports-friendly tiers start at $11 a month for Peacock Premium, but you'll be able to watch the first couple of days of the tournament with a pared-down Select plan as well.

Where to watch the World Cup in the UK

Every match at the World Cup will be available for free in the UK. Coverage is split across the BBC and ITV, meaning fans can live stream all matches via a combination of BBC iPlayer and ITVX. These are free streaming options that only require account creation to watch.

Where to watch the World Cup in Australia

It's good news in Australia. All 104 World Cup matches will be available in one place, through SBS, SBS Viceland, and SBS On Demand. That means that you can live stream all of the games via SBS On Demand, which just requires account creation if you haven't already made a login.

Where to watch the World Cup in Spain

RTVE will carry several World Cup matches in Spain. This means that fans will be able to live stream coverage for free on RTVE Play. You'll just need to create an account, and then you're all set to start watching. Coverage will favor games with Spain's national team, along with other marquee match-ups. Football fans in Spain hoping to watch every single World Cup match will need a paid subscription through DAZN.

Where does the 2026 FIFA World Cup take place?

Typically, the FIFA World Cup is hosted by a single country, but the 2026 tournament will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver serve as host cities. In Mexico, host cities include Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. US host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Who is favored to win the FIFA World Cup?

Heading into the tournament, Spain is the favorite to win the FIFA World Cup. On DraftKings (at the time of writing), Spain leads at +450, followed by France (+475), England (+700), Portugal (+800), Brazil (+950), and Argentina (+950).

Previous FIFA World Cup winners

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, won the 2022 World Cup. Previous winners include France (2018), Germany (2014), Spain (2010), Italy (2006), Brazil (2002), France (1998), Brazil (1994), West Germany (1990), Argentina (1986), Italy (1982), Argentina (1978), West Germany (1974), Brazil (1970), England (1966), Brazil (1962), Brazil (1958), West Germany (1954), Uruguay (1950), Italy (1938), Italy (1934), and Uruguay (1930).

When and where is the next men's World Cup?

The next men's World Cup tournament will take place in 2030. Most of the games will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with one match each taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. These South American games are in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first FIFA World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930.

How do you get World Cup tickets?

Getting your hands on World Cup tickets has proven to be no easy task. The tournament is incredibly popular, and the initial FIFA ticket release was a bit confusing. Our team has found that some of the best prices and seating variety come from the resale market right now. You can learn more in our World Cup tickets guide.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule

Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• An Apache attack helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday local time amid the US war with Iran.
• AH-64 Apaches, produced by Boeing, are among the most advanced attack helicopters in the world.
• They can shoot Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, and 30 mm chain gun rounds.

The AH-64 Apache is one of the most advanced attack helicopters in the world, but even this battle-tested gunship is vulnerable to the growing airborne threats to combat aircraft.

On Tuesday, the US military revealed that an AH-64 Apache helicopter went down off the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters amid the US war with Iran. Later reports indicated that it was brought down by an Iranian drone.

The helicopter's two crew members were rescued safely. A new naval drone, a Saronic Corsair, was deployed to rescue them, marking an operational first for the military. US forces responded to the downing of the Apache with retaliatory strikes against Iran.

Here's a closer look at the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, a versatile combat platform that the US Army has been using to patrol the seas and target Iranian ships near the Strait of Hormuz.

The AH-64 Apache is one of the world's most advanced attack helicopters.

The first AH-64A Apache was produced in 1984. The current model, the AH-64E, entered service in 2012.

Apaches are primarily used by the US Army, though there are over 1,300 in use across 19 countries, including Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Singapore, according to Boeing, the helicopter's manufacturer.

The Apache can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 Hydra 70 rockets, and 1,200 rounds for its 30 mm chain gun.

Hellfire missiles are primarily air-to-ground weapons, but they can also be used against some slow-moving aircraft.

The Apache's Hydra 70 rockets have a maximum firing range of around 34,448 feet, and its chain gun can fire 600 to 650 rounds per minute, with a maximum firing range of 13,123 feet.

The Apache's job in combat is to find, track, and destroy enemy forces, particularly armored vehicles but also personnel and materiel targets, to support troops on the ground. It carries highly capable sensors for targeting and engaging the enemy at night and in obscured battlefield conditions.

AH-64E Apaches are equipped with Link 16, a secure tactical communications system.

The helicopters can also team with certain drones, extending what crews can see and target from the air.

They can reach speeds of up to 182 miles per hour.

The helicopter can climb up to 2,800 feet per minute. Its radar system helps it fly at low altitudes and in severe weather.

It takes two crew members to operate the Apache.

The pilot sits in the rear seat, and the co-pilot/gunner, or CPG, sits in the front seat. Both seats have a full set of controls.

Crew members' helmets let them aim weapons by looking at a target.

The Apache's Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System, or IHADSS, tracks where a crew member is looking and, via a monocular digital display, projects flight and targeting information into their line of sight.

The main rotor can be folded for transport in military cargo aircraft.

Six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters can fit into the Air Force's largest airlifter, the C-5M Super Galaxy.

The helicopter that went down this week marks the first Apache loss of the Iran war.

A US Central Command statement released Tuesday on the loss of the Apache helicopter said the circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation. Later in the day, Trump wrote on social media that the aircraft had been "shot down" by Iran.

The Apache is a formidable aircraft, but not invincible. These helicopters often fly low and close to enemy forces in contested airspace, exposing them to a range of threats, such as air defenses, drones, and even small-arms fire.

The exact situation that unfolded this week near Iran is unclear; however, the president told Fox News on Wednesday that the Apache crew crash-landed a burning helicopter with an unexploded drone lodged in the cockpit.

Axios, citing an unnamed US official, reported that the Army helicopter crashed after it was hit by an Iranian drone, but said it was unclear if the collision with the helicopter was intentional.

We've rounded up everything you need to know about where to watch Queen's Tennis live streams, including how to unlock a free option from anywhere. There's a late start today due to rain, so there's still plenty of matches to enjoy.

The HSBC Championships at Queen's, London, are always exciting grass tournaments ahead of Wimbledon, but this year's event had some extra buzz initially due to Serena Williams return from retirement in the doubles before her partner was forced to withdraw with injury. There's still plenty of top talent in the competition, though, with Raducanu, Cirstea, Anisimova, Rybakina, and Jovic all still in the women's draw before the ATP men's tour comes in next week.

• See also: Where to watch the World Cup for free

If you don't want to read any further, the Queen's Club Championships will be available to live stream for free through BBC iPlayer in the UK, via the Tennis Channel and live TV services in the US, TSN/DAZN in Canada, and beIN Sports in Australia. You can access streaming from anywhere with the help of a VPN. Keep reading to learn additional worldwide viewing options.

Where to watch Queen's Tennis in the UK

Broadcast coverage of the Queen's Club Championships will be available free on the BBC for UK fans. Early matches will air on BBC Two, and later matches, including the final, will be on BBC One. All coverage will be available to live stream for free through BBC iPlayer. Viewers will just need to create an account if they don't already have one.

How to watch Queen's Tennis from anywhere

Tennis fans who will be away from the UK during any notable matches are in luck. They can still access their free streaming service with a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that let people temporarily alter the location on their electronic devices. They're especially popular among those hoping to keep up with their usual apps and websites while traveling abroad or looking to upgrade their cybersecurity.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, user-friendly (even for beginners), and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so it's no sweat if you find it's not helping you.

Where to watch Queen's Tennis in the US

In the US, coverage of the Queen's Club Championships will be available through the Tennis Channel and Tennis Channel 2 (T2). You can live stream coverage directly with a subscription through the Tennis Channel website or via a live TV service. Some of the best live TV streaming services we've tested (with Tennis Channel and T2) are DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling TV.

Fubo carries Tennis Channel and T2 in its Sports + News plan, which costs $56 a month ($10 off the first month after a five-day free trial for new customers). DirecTV carries Tennis Channel in its MySports plan, which costs $65 a month ($15 off the first two months after a five-day free trial). T2 is available for free through a MyFree DirecTV account.

Sling TV also offers T2 for free through its Sling Freestream plan -this won't feature the bigger matches, though, and we've seen that the Serena William match has been confirmed for the main channel today. To watch that Tennis Channel, you'll need a base plan and then the Sports Extra add-on. Sling TV prices vary by plan, and whether you're opting for a monthly plan or a short-term Sling Orange pass with the Sports Extra add-on.

Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• AI bubble fears are resurfacing amid the chip-stock sell-off and ahead of giant IPOs from SpaceX and others.
• But Goldman Sachs says the current stock market looks less extreme than 2021 and 2000 peaks.
• The bank examined nine bubble indicators, comparing the current boom to 2021 and 2000.

AI bubble fears are back in the market conversation as chip stocks plummet and as trillions worth of AI market cap is about to come to market in the form of IPOs from SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI.

But vibes are one thing; how does the current AI mania stack up on paper against some of the great bubbles of the past?

In a note to clients earlier this month, Goldman Sachs compared today's stock market to peaks in 2021 and 2000 on nine metrics.

The bank's conclusion is that while investors are more bullish than average today, they're probably not quite in the same realm as those two market tops.

Evaluating nine bubble metrics, Goldman found that today's median historic percentile rank among them is in the 86th percentile. In 2021, the median was the 95% percentile, and in 2000 it was the 100th percentile.

Here are five metrics Goldman flagged.

Stock market momentum

Momentum looks at the rate of change in stock prices — how quickly and how robustly share prices move up.

Goldman's three-month momentum indicator is up 27% as of last week, one of its higher levels in market history.

But the bank isn't particularly worried about it.

"Sharp Momentum factor rallies with the equity market near highs have historically boded poorly for subsequent S&P 500 returns, with comparable previous examples including late 1999 and late 2021," said Ben Snider, the bank's chief US equity strategist.

"However, in contrast with previous episodes, the recent rally has been driven primarily by surging near-term earnings estimates," he continued. "Consensus forward S&P 500 EPS estimates have risen by 16% YTD, outpacing the 8% price return for the index, with the strongest revisions occurring among the high Momentum stocks."

Market breadth

Stock market breadth, or the percentage of stocks participating in the rally, is another metric Goldman examined. While it's at its lowest level going back to 2000, it's still not as low as it got at the dot-com peak.

Goldman calculates breadth here by "the distance of the aggregate S&P 500 Index from its 52-week high and the distance of the median S&P 500 constituent from its 52-week high."

Speculative trading

Goldman's speculative trading indicator — which measures trading volume in penny and unprofitable stocks — is still far off from the 2021 and 2000 peaks.

AAII Investor Sentiment

The American Association of Individual Investors' bull-bear indicator, which looks at the spread between bullish and bearish investors for the next six months, shows investors are nowhere near as bullish as they were in 2000 and 2021. Investors today are actually net bearish.

Yale Stock Market Confidence Index

Interestingly, Yale's measure of investor sentiment shows levels of exuberance comparable to those of the two prior bubble periods.

It measures how confident investors are to buy dips in the market relative to how confident they are that stocks are fairly valued — showing that right now, investors want to buy dips even though they think valuations are higher than they should be, the bank said.

• It's a good idea to have a backup World Cup squad if yours gets bounced from the tournament early.
• One option would be to pick based on domestic stock-market performance.
• Detailed below are some options, as well as a player scouting report for each.

The World Cup is finally upon us. Mexico will host South Africa in the opening match, and then we'll be treated to 27 straight days of games.

You probably already have a primary team you're supporting. But it's good to have a backup in case your squad suffers an early exit. I'm hoping that's not an issue for the US team, but it's always good to be prepared (and a realist).

One option would be to look at the most heavily-favored teams. According to Vegas odds, they are, in order: Spain, France, England, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany. But isn't that a little boring?

I suggest going out on a bit of a limb and channeling your inner investor. What better way to hop onto a bandwagon than by picking a team whose country has a red-hot stock market?

Below is a ranking of the World Cup-qualifying nations whose major domestic stock indexes have returned 10% or more so far in 2026 — none of which are among the top favorites. They're presented in increasing order of year-to-date return through Wednesday.

And as a bonus for the soccer fans among us, I've included scouting reports for key players from each of these nations.

6. Belgium

Index: BEL 20

YTD return: +10%

MVP: Lotus Bakeries (+47%)

Player to watch: Jérémy Doku. The Premier League's most dangerous attacker this past season, Doku is a lightning-fast runner and dribbler who constantly spins up scoring chances out of nothing on the left wing.

5. Netherlands

Index: AEX

YTD return: +11%

MVP: BE Semiconductor Industries (+116%)

Player to watch: Virgil van Dijk. At 34 years old, van Dijk is no longer the world's best central defender (although he certainly was for a long time). But he's still capable of locking down star strikers, winning everything in the air, and scoring headers off corner kicks.

4. Austria

Index: ATX

YTD return: +12%

MVP: Austria Technologie & System (+325%)

Player to watch: Konrad Laimer. Austria loves to press. And Laimer, who plays at the highest level of club soccer for Bayern Munich, is exactly the type of tireless player that can cover tons of ground. He's not a flashy star, but he'll win every ball.

3. Turkey

Index: BIST 100

YTD return: +22%

MVP: Katilimevim Tasarruf Finansman AS (+651%)

Player to watch: Arda Güler. After bursting onto the scene at the Euro 2024 tournament, Güler secured a move to Real Madrid and has spent the last two seasons fighting for minutes. He's magical when he plays, and Turkey's chances rest squarely on his lethal left foot.

2. Japan

Index: Nikkei 225

YTD return: +27%

MVP: Kioxia Holdings (+576%)

Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo. The team's offensive focal point in the absence of the injured Kaoru Mitoma, Kubo has been called the "Japanese Messi." Let's see if he can live up to it.

1. South Korea

Index: KOSPI

YTD return: +83%

MVP: Samsung (+608%)

Player to watch: Lee Kang-in. Korea's chief creator and top playmaker plies his trade for the world's best club team (Paris St. Germain) and will probably be involved in every goal his team scores.

There are few experiences more humbling than explaining your underwear drawer to a stranger.

In addition to Amazon Essentials' full-coverage cotton fleet, my drawer contained: nursing bras from 2021, mismatched socks, confining shapewear purchased during moments of aspirational delusion, and several aggressively neon lingerie items my husband had acquired online in what I can only describe as an enduring commitment to keeping the spark alive after 16 years of marriage and two children.

This was the sorry state of affairs when professional stylist Liz Teich of The New York Stylist walked into my house this spring.

I warned Teich ahead of time that every horizontal surface in my bedroom would be covered with clothing representing versions of myself I could no longer fully recognize.

I work from home, which means my daily uniform is "elevated pajamas." Most mornings, after disentangling myself from whichever small child has silently appeared in my bed overnight, I approach my closet with a low-grade sense of dread and rotate through about four outfits, while the remaining 90% of my wardrobe patiently waits.

These Fabric Ghosts of Julie's Past include: Guess jeans from my pre-kid life made the same year as Sabrina Carpenter, sparkly Steve Madden "going-out" tops, and the novelty tees some call cringe, but that I will defend to my grave. In nearby giant plastic tubs were the "maybes." Maybe when breastfeeding ends. Maybe if/when I take a GLP-1. Maybe if I'm ever invited somewhere with a coat check again.

I no longer knew what deserved space in my closet, or what version of myself I was dressing for.

Teich told me later that this is actually the most common reason clients reach out to her: "Most clients initially reach out when they are going through a life change or trying to find themselves again, especially after having children, during or after menopause, IVF, GLP-1 weight loss, divorce, retirement, or starting a big promotion or new job role."

In other words, I was right on schedule.

Don't clean up

Teich offers several personal-styling services ranging from virtual sessions with one of her associates (starting at $250) to in-person consultations in the New York area.

I purchased Teich's standard first step, the in-person Closet Refresh, a three-hour session in which she'd go through my wardrobe, teach me how to edit what wasn't working while offering styling tips to make the most of what I already owned.

The package, which typically retails for $2,700, also includes a post-refresh follow-up document with personalized recommendations. I received a media rate of $1,600.

Before I reached out to Teich, I nearly talked myself out of it. She looks exactly how you imagine a stylist should look: polished, cool, effortless in a way that suggests she understands fabric blends. (And of course she does, but we'll get to that later.) I thought I was too much of a lost cause and too insecure on every front — physical, financial, professional — to deserve this kind of help.

During our pre-session Zoom, Teich immediately put me at ease, especially with her first liberating instruction: Don't clean up! Teich told me she wanted to see the real state of my closet. Not the hopeful version of my life I might stage before her arrival, but the actual systems (or lack thereof) shaping my mornings every day.

I was happy to oblige.

Open to belts, but historically unsuccessful

Teich is warm, upbeat, and has the kind of loving authority that makes you trust her immediately — especially when she's holding up a stained, ripped maxi dress you've owned for 15 years and says, "I think we can do better than this."

Teich and I spent the first 20 minutes at my dining room table chatting about how I would describe my style, my clothing and shopping preferences (brands, colors, cuts, which pieces in my closet I truly love), a typical day, and my goals.

Then she summarized me, fairly accurately: "Mom of two in Westchester, wears about 10% of clothes and wants to feel good in everything. Loves the styling in 'Emily in Paris' and accessorizes with jewelry. Open to belts, but historically unsuccessful." (It's true, I'm successful in many areas, but the belt has always eluded me.)

She seemed to understand right away that I still wanted to feel slightly edgy/artsy, put together, and sexy, despite spending much of my time handing out squeezey yogurts.

Teich then offered what I now think of as my North Star for getting dressed: a list of words my clothes should speak to. We landed on put-together, funky, feminine, sophisticated, and comfortable. Not every outfit needed to hit all five, but ideally, every item in my closet would fit at least one category.

Then it was time to enter the lion's den and see what in my closet still deserved its own wooden hanger. (Teich actually recommends velvet hangers and attachable clips to fit more in your closet, and ensure tops will stay put.)

The edit

For the next three hours, Teich moved methodically through my closets and bins, evaluating each piece of clothing for condition, fit, and fabric type.

Occasionally, I got an "oh no," but it never felt judgmental and was reserved for discoveries like the five tank tops I'd crammed into one hanger, which I'd convinced myself was a system, but was actually an arrangement born entirely from laziness.

The edit was a chance to decide whether an item still comfortably fit and "served" the person I am now. Items that fit the bill went right back in my closet; the rest landed in one of three bags: sell/donate, recycle, or repair. We also kept a very important "dress up" pile of particularly nostalgic or fun pieces for my daughter that could elevate her collection of polyester princess dresses.

I agreed with Teich's recommendation 99.9% of the time. The remaining 0.1% involved a fierce defense of my pilling "Grease" "Patty Simcox for Prom Queen" sweatshirt. (Teich recommends using a sweater shaver to keep knits looking fresh, especially for those of us who can't move on from their high-school-theater glory days.)

What surprised me most was how little grief I felt letting things go. I was certainly attached to what some of the clothes represented — unencumbered younger me, thinner me, more confident me — but I was excited to replace those with a version of myself that's fun, elegant, stylish, and mature.

Teich framed this shift in a way that didn't feel limiting or sad, but freeing.

"When I work with my clients, we focus on how they want to feel or be perceived at this point in their life. We then reframe their wardrobe, making the clothes either work for them in some way, or letting them go if they don't," she said.

As we edited, Teich would also pull pieces together into new outfits, sharing her three-color rule (stick to just one main color, one secondary, and one accent color for a harmonious look), and third-layer rule (a third layer, like a blazer or belt, helps an outfit look more polished) for reference when I struggled to put something together on my own.

I've since followed the three-color rule easily, I'm conquering belts, and at least three different moms have commented that I "look good" lately.

An education

The session ended up being as much about systems as aesthetics, with a steady stream of conversation about clothing care and hacks I'd genuinely never considered.

Teich reorganized my clothes by garment type and then color, explaining that closets are basically exercises in visual psychology.

How you hang the clothes can make them more appealing and easier to wear because "if you can't see something, you won't wear it." She taught me to display T-shirts and athleisurewear vertically (like books at a library), so every item stays visible. To do so, just fold an item as you normally would, then fold it once more so it stands vertically.

Her philosophy is less "buy more" than "buy better, buy less often, and take care of what you own."

She explained that cotton, viscose, linen, silk, and other natural materials last longer, wear better, and she's seen with her clients how it can even affect how confident and physically comfortable they feel in their clothes.

And since I have firmly entered my blazer era, I loved Teich's refresh hack to avoid frequent dry cleaning and neutralize smells: just mix one part vodka with one part water in a fine-mist spray bottle — and voila, refreshed pits!

The long-term approach, she explained, actually pays you back. "The beauty of investing in quality is that you're happy to give it another life, either by passing it onto a loved one or selling it in the future, thus providing your item with a bit of an ROI. Many of my clients tend to get money back to purchase new clothing, so it's a win-win."

At one point, Teich mentioned that part of her own motivation for investing in quality pieces is that she's slowly curating a wardrobe she can eventually pass down to her daughter.

Teich lost her own mother to cancer when she was a kid, and her mother's approach to clothing, even when they didn't have a lot of money — that every piece should be powerful, that each item was an investment regardless of its price tag — has stayed with her.

"Nothing in our closets served only function; each item evoked a feeling, whether it was thrifted, an heirloom, a hand-me-down from local families, or handmade by her. When I wear my mom's clothing and accessories, I feel a connection to her, and it evokes emotion," she told me. "I want my children to feel the same pride in their clothing that I was taught to have."

Teich's personal approach to her closet felt so much more meaningful than the usual "look hotter/smaller/younger" messaging women are often sold around style and beauty.

When Teich left, I instinctively reached out to hug her, then immediately felt embarrassed. She reassured me that the majority of her client sessions end the same way.

"A wardrobe shift that reflects the person now can change how they feel. I often hear from clients that a 'weight was lifted' or they feel refreshed. That's why I aptly named my service the Closet Refresh.

Twenty-four hours post-hug, Teich sent an extremely comprehensive 21-page follow-up document filled with wardrobe-care advice, links to her styling tutorials on Instagram, where she has 500,000 followers, shopping recommendations for gaps in my wardrobe, resale resources, and organizational systems.

Growth, with some exceptions

These days, I approach my closet with curiosity, not dread. My wardrobe used to feel like a kooky museum of past selves; now it's starting to feel like somewhere I actually want to be.

How I shop has also shifted: The other day, I avoided the temptation to impulse-buy yet another denim jacket because I knew it wasn't part of a wardrobe I needed or wanted to build. (And no one except Madonna/Cyndi Lauper in 1984 needs that many denim jackets.)

In the end, I wished we'd had more time for outfit building, and I'm still a little overwhelmed by the list of items I need to buy to fill gaps in my closet. Still, for the first time in years, I actually know what I'm looking for.

Ultimately, this is the kind of investment I'm glad I made at least once, for the level of editing and education I walked away with. Teich said her clients often ask her back seasonally to style what they already own, or hire her to plan daily outfits for vacations through mini sessions (ranging from $350 to $600).

I understand the impulse entirely. Ideally, I'd have her edit my closet once a season. I genuinely see the value — the kind you can't quite put a number on — of not standing in front of a full closet feeling like you have nothing to wear.

However, I'm not sure I could swing these rates again, no matter how good an investment it is. The rates for mini sessions feel more doable at a few hundred bucks each, but those make sense for a specific occasion or vacation, not a whole season's wardrobe.

Still, I appreciate that the closet I have now and the blueprint Teich offered to build slowly is more reflective of my current lifestyle, not the one I had in my 20s, or the one I assumed I'd eventually "get back to" after kids.

And maybe that's the real value of hiring a stylist. Not simply helping someone look and feel better, but helping them reconnect with themselves at a moment when their identity, body, and ambitions all feel slightly in flux.

And the Gilmore Girls novelty sweatpants I nabbed from a promotional pop-up in 2016, which are grossly discolored with a giant rip running lengthwise and dangerously close to exposing my Amazon Essentials full-coverage cottons? Well, I'm wearing them right now.

All growth has its limits.

• Dan Silva, a K-9 handler, secures World Cup venues with his dog Fitz, who detects explosives.
• World Cup security involves 60 to 75 K-9 units preparing and protecting Southern California sites.
• Strong handler-dog bonds are crucial for detecting threats and ensuring World Cup safety.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dan Silva, Allied Universal's SoCal K9 operations supervisor, who's helping handlers secure the World Cup. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I started out in the Air Force in the early '90s as a police officer and K-9 handler. After about eight years, I went into civilian law enforcement, and then I came over to Allied Universal, a private security company, which has over 800 explosive-detection K-9s nationwide and over 1,000 worldwide. I was a handler before becoming the SoCal K9 Operations Supervisor, and I've been with the company for about 10 years now.

I oversee operations for all 52 handlers from Los Angeles down to San Diego. I also have a K-9 to work at sites where we need additional help.

My partner is Fitz, a 7-year-old black lab who specializes in explosive detection. He's a more seasoned, confident dog who has been doing this since he was about 2 years old. He has a laid-back personality, but when it's go-time, he perks up and gets very excited.

Securing the World Cup takes months of preparation for K-9 units

For the World Cup, we're covering way more than one venue. We're securing every hotel the teams are staying in, every practice venue, SoFi Stadium, and other related sites across Southern California. We'll probably deploy around 20 K-9 teams that will rotate through different venues.

An event of this scale requires months of behind-the-scenes preparation. My team has been talking about World Cup operations for about a year because we worked on FIFA-related events last year. But the actual meetings, walkthroughs, scheduling, and deployment planning have been happening for the past three months or so.

Every venue poses different threats, so we're working with local law enforcement at each site. Some might need a more robust security presence, like where the US team practices, because there are so many local fans who want to see them. Others may not have as much interest, but each of them is equally important.

A good K-9 team relies on trust and repetition

A typical day for our handlers starts early at their assigned post so the dogs can settle in. They split up to complete initial sweeps of a facility. Once safe, they man high-visibility posts to deter people from trying anything dangerous. Handlers and K-9s also respond to unattended bags, vehicle sweeps, or anything suspicious.

In general, K-9s are trained every day, whether they're working an official shift or not. People often think these dogs detect multiple things, like narcotics and explosives, but they're strictly single-purpose dogs. We keep them focused on explosives.

At our Connecticut training center, there's an initial imprinting process in which dogs are introduced to every known explosive odor, one at a time. Trainers don't move on until the dog demonstrates proficiency with the odor they're learning. Then they're paired with handlers, and they train as a team. It becomes a daily game of hide-and-seek with training aids and keeping the dogs motivated because they can get bored if they search for too long without a reward.

Handlers need to have a great relationship with their dog to recognize what we call a COB, or a change of behavior. People think a dog always sits when they find something, but that's not always the case. Our handlers notice other subtle ways a dog might show unusual interest in an object or person. When that happens, we'll check it out.

If nothing happens during the World Cup, we've done our job

These dogs are amazing at what they do. I remember a handler working a movie premiere in LA, and their dog signaled a change of behavior on an individual in the will-call line. Security pulled the person aside and located a single bullet in their pocket.

I hope fans understand the amount of training and dedication that goes into this; the handlers work tirelessly. The dogs aren't always out there finding bombs, but they serve a huge purpose at these events. It's the type of job where you don't get many accolades because you can't easily measure the crises you prevent.

Deterrence and prevention are our No. 1 goal. For explosive-detection K-9 teams, success is measured by finding explosives, preventing incidents, and deterring threats before they occur. If we can get through the World Cup without anyone getting injured or trying to harm others, that's a win.

• Franchises have been the backbone of Hollywood for decades.
• The highest-grossing franchise in movie history is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• It has made more than $32 billion at the box office since 2008.

It's hard to imagine what the movies would look like without sequels, spin-offs, and connected universes taking over the box office every weekend.

The top 10 movie franchises at the global box office have each grossed at least $5 billion. They range from '60s and '70s series like James Bond to more contemporary releases, such as "The Fast and the Furious" and the DCEU.

While the most recent "Star Wars" offering, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu," didn't exactly break box-office records, it still reigns as the No. 2 highest-grossing franchise ever.

Business Insider used data from Box Office Mojo and The Numbers to identify the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.

Here's how each of your favorite movie universes compares, including their number of films and their top-performing release.

10. "The Lord of the Rings"

Box office total: $5.89 billion

Number of movies: 7

Highest-grossing movie: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003) — $1.13 billion

9. "X-Men"

Box office total: $6.08 billion

Number of movies: 13

Highest-grossing movie: "Deadpool 2" (2018) — $786 million

8. "Jurassic Park"

Box office total: $6.89 billion

Number of movies: 7

Highest-grossing movie: "Jurassic World" (2015) — $1.67 billion

7. DC Extended Universe

Box office total: $7.2 billion

Number of movies: 16

Highest-grossing movie: "Aquaman" (2018) — $1.15 billion

6. "The Fast and the Furious"

Box office total: $7.32 billion

Number of movies: 11

Highest-grossing movie: "Furious 7" (2015) — $1.52 billion

5. "James Bond"

Box office total: $7.88 billion

Number of movies: 27

Highest-grossing movie: "Skyfall" (2012) — $1.11 billion

4. "Spider-Man"

Box office total: $9 billion

Number of movies: 10

Highest-grossing movie: "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021) —$1.92 billion

3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Box office total: $9.56 billion

Number of movies: 12

Highest-grossing movie: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (2011) — $1.3 billion

2. "Star Wars"

Box office total: $10.51 billion

Number of movies: 13

Highest-grossing movie: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015) — $2.05 billion

1. The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Box office total: $32.48 billion

Number of movies: 37

Highest-grossing movie: "Avengers: Endgame" (2019) — $2.7 billion

• US public schools rely on federal, state, and local taxes, with state and local taxes contributing the most.
• Public schools across the US spent an annual average of $17,619 per student in 2024.
• New York had the highest spending per public school student at $31,918.

For many students in the US, the ZIP code they live in can shape the quality of education they get.

And while a lot of disparity can exist between wealthy suburbs and under-resourced urban school districts, differences can also show up dramatically when comparing education across US states.

In 2024, US public schools received nearly $995 billion in funding, with state and local sources combined providing nearly 90% of the total, according to Census data. Nationwide, local governments provided $429.8 billion for primary and secondary education funding, while state governments provided $450 billion.

Across the nation, public schools spent an average of $17,619 per enrolled student annually, though this figure varied widely by state.

Some states, like New York, spent nearly twice the national average per student, while others, like Idaho, trailed the national average by thousands of dollars.

While better-funded schools don't automatically translate into better-quality education, the resources a school can rely on for instructor pay and materials can tangibly impact students' education.

To evaluate how much each state invests in its public school students, Business Insider looked at the US Census Bureau's latest Annual Survey of School System Finances, which covered the 2024 fiscal year.

The ranking is based on the current spending per public school student listed in the survey data, which covers public pre-K through 12th grade and excludes non-current expenses, such as capital outlay and debt service.

Student enrollment figures also come from Census data and reflect enrollment starting in the fall of 2023.

To put this spending — which does not account for cost-of-living differences between states — in context with each state's local economy, we listed the median household income from the Census Bureau's latest American Community Survey, reflecting 2024 estimates.

See how much each US state spends on public education per student, ranked from lowest amount to highest.

50. Idaho

Per-pupil spending: $11,060

Number of enrolled students: 285,690

Median household income: $81,166

49. Utah

Per-pupil spending: $11,347

Number of enrolled students: 609,785

Median household income: $96,658

48. Arizona

Per-pupil spending: $12,003

Number of enrolled students: 884,915

Median household income: $81,486

47. Oklahoma

Per-pupil spending: $12,162

Number of enrolled students: 647,207

Median household income: $66,148

46. Mississippi

Per-pupil spending: $12,324

Number of enrolled students: 432,375

Median household income: $59,127

45. Florida

Per-pupil spending: $12,693

Number of enrolled students: 2,841,039

Median household income: $77,735

44. South Dakota

Per-pupil spending: $12,828

Number of enrolled students: 140,930

Median household income: $76,881

43. Tennessee

Per-pupil spending: $12,882

Number of enrolled students: 997,720

Median household income: $71,997

42. Texas

Per-pupil spending: $12,895

Number of enrolled students: 5,111,073

Median household income: $79,721

41. North Carolina

Per-pupil spending: $12,995

Number of enrolled students: 1,396,880

Median household income: $73,958

40. Indiana

Per-pupil spending: $13,622

Number of enrolled students: 978,458

Median household income: $71,959

39. Alabama

Per-pupil spending: $13,627

Number of enrolled students: 741,082

Median household income: $66,659

38. Montana

Per-pupil spending: $13,656

Number of enrolled students: 154,013

Median household income: $75,340

37. Arkansas

Per-pupil spending: $13,873

Number of enrolled students: 458,186

Median household income: $62,106

36. Missouri

Per-pupil spending: $14,241

Number of enrolled students: 865,208

Median household income: $71,589

35. Iowa

Per-pupil spending: $14,369

Number of enrolled students: 507,866

Median household income: $75,501

34. Kentucky

Per-pupil spending: $14,596

Number of enrolled students: 656,427

Median household income: $64,526

33. Nevada

Per-pupil spending: $14,812

Number of enrolled students: 417,474

Median household income: $81,134

32. South Carolina

Per-pupil spending: $15,060

Number of enrolled students: 738,314

Median household income: $72,350

31. Kansas

Per-pupil spending: $15,558

Number of enrolled students: 482,136

Median household income: $75,514

30. Louisiana

Per-pupil spending: $15,581

Number of enrolled students: 628,335

Median household income: $60,986

29. West Virginia

Per-pupil spending: $15,640

Number of enrolled students: 244,054

Median household income: $60,798

28. Georgia

Per-pupil spending: $15,833

Number of enrolled students: 1,705,143

Median household income: $79,991

27. Colorado

Per-pupil spending: $15,908

Number of enrolled students: 841,065

Median household income: $97,113

26. Wisconsin

Per-pupil spending: $15,952

Number of enrolled students: 802,501

Median household income: $77,488

25. Nebraska

Per-pupil spending: $16,147

Number of enrolled students: 328,848

Median household income: $76,376

24. Minnesota

Per-pupil spending: $17,098

Number of enrolled students: 794,003

Median household income: $87,117

23. North Dakota

Per-pupil spending: $17,102

Number of enrolled students: 119,016

Median household income: $77,871

22. Virginia

Per-pupil spending: $17,104

Number of enrolled students: 1,258,795

Median household income: $92,090

21. Ohio

Per-pupil spending: $17,257

Number of enrolled students: 1,550,261

Median household income: $72,212

20. New Mexico

Per-pupil spending: $17,664

Number of enrolled students: 289,851

Median household income: $67,816

19. Oregon

Per-pupil spending: $18,083

Number of enrolled students: 545,641

Median household income: $85,220

18. Michigan

Per-pupil spending: $18,314

Number of enrolled students: 1,224,595

Median household income: $72,389

17. Washington

Per-pupil spending: $18,564

Number of enrolled students: 1,086,202

Median household income: $99,389

16. Maine

Per-pupil spending: $19,962

Number of enrolled students: 169,316

Median household income: $76,442

15. Maryland

Per-pupil spending: $20,208

Number of enrolled students: 889,728

Median household income: $102,905

14. Wyoming

Per-pupil spending: $20,521

Number of enrolled students: 90,761

Median household income: $75,532

13. California

Per-pupil spending: $20,791

Number of enrolled students: 5,274,265

Median household income: $100,149

12. Alaska

Per-pupil spending: $21,004

Number of enrolled students: 131,243

Median household income: $95,665

11. Pennsylvania

Per-pupil spending: $21,091

Number of enrolled students: 1,506,485

Median household income: $77,545

10. Illinois

Per-pupil spending: $21,776

Number of enrolled students: 1,831,215

Median household income: $83,211

9. Rhode Island

Per-pupil spending: $22,110

Number of enrolled students: 122,128

Median household income: $83,504

8. Delaware

Per-pupil spending: $22,201

Number of enrolled students: 123,393

Median household income: $87,534

7. New Hampshire

Per-pupil spending: $22,978

Number of enrolled students: 156,325

Median household income: $99,782

6. Hawaii

Per-pupil spending: $23,878

Number of enrolled students: 169,308

Median household income: $100,745

5. Massachusetts

Per-pupil spending: $24,429

Number of enrolled students: 862,765

Median household income: $104,828

4. Connecticut

Per-pupil spending: $26,316

Number of enrolled students: 472,293

Median household income: $96,049

3. New Jersey

Per-pupil spending: $27,234

Number of enrolled students: 1,323,927

Median household income: $104,294

2. Vermont

Per-pupil spending: $28,818

Number of enrolled students: 81,266

Median household income: $82,730

1. New York

Per-pupil spending: $31,918

Number of enrolled students: 2,350,583

Median household income: $85,820

• A Google director published a resignation letter, citing Google's work with the Pentagon.
• The letter accused Google of abandoning principles around AI and the environment.
• "Proactively harming people is not something that I can or will be involved with," it read.

A Google director says he has resigned, citing the company's work with the US Department of Defense, Business Insider has learned.

René Mayrhofer, a director for Android platform security, wrote a farewell note to colleagues that was circulated internally and obtained by Business Insider. He said his decision to resign had become "unavoidable" after Google signed an agreement to let the Pentagon use its AI models for classified work.

"Google management has quietly abandoned the goals to become carbon-neutral because of the AI model energy usage," he wrote in the note, titled "Google Management Has Lost Its Moral Compass" and dated May 18. "Worse, the current Google management is now signing deals with the US Ministry of War—where 'any lawful purpose' by the current US government has already been repeatedly demonstrated to be in violation of international laws."

Mayrhofer confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Business Insider and said that, while there are "very good people left" on his team, he "can't/won't personally align with the overall company direction" of working with the US military.

Google said in late April that it had signed a deal with the Department of Defense to provide its AI technology for classified work, which can include tasks such as planning military operations and intelligence gathering. The decision led to backlash among some of the workforce, some of whom had previously urged leaders not to sign the agreement.

Google did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson previously told Business Insider the company was "proud" to be part of a consortium of AI labs providing AI services "in support of national security."

"We remain committed to the private and public sector consensus that AI should not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without appropriate human oversight," they said.

'I am a pacifist'

In his farewell letter, which Mayrhofer later posted on his personal blog, he referred to the AI principles Google drew up in 2018. They included a pledge not to use AI to develop weapons or surveillance tools. In February 2025, Google updated its guidelines to remove those restrictions.

Mayrhofer said Google offered him the job in 2017, but said that "times have changed" at the company since then, citing what he sees as a lack of transparency around some of the company's decisions.

"None of this is being debated or communicated within the company," Mayrhofer wrote, adding that decisions are "just being decided by top-level management."

Mayrhofer is not the first Google employee to publicly voice disagreement over the company's Pentagon deal. Andreas Kirsch, a research scientist at Google DeepMind working on AI, told Business Insider in April that he was "incredibly ashamed" of Google's decision to provide its AI for classified work.

"I am a pacifist, and have long ago decided that I will not personally work for militaries engaging in offensive warfare (strictly defensive action is somewhat more nuanced)," Mayrhofer wrote in his note. "Proactively harming people is not something that I can or will be involved with."

Mayrhofer, who is also an academic at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), Austria, said he believes the US government "has become hostile" to educational institutions. Citing a Politico report that a Belgian university warned staff about collaborating with US colleges, Mayrhofer said he was concerned that Google's Pentagon deal to use AI for "any lawful purpose" could include mass surveillance of EU citizens.

"This deal implies that Google (AI) products will likely be used directly against me and mine. In this recent environment, I don't see how I could not resign."

In his message to Business Insider, Mayrhofer said he did not blame team members for not leaving for the same reasons as him.

"I am aware that, as a tenured academic in the EU, I am quite privileged that my decision to leave was only hard because I was balancing the good I could still do within Android security vs. tolerating the military angle, but not being dependent on the financial part of the employment. Many others are not in that situation," he said.

Mayrhofer said in his resignation note that while he would be serving his notice period at the company until August, he would "immediately disconnect from any work on AI systems that might fall under this deal with the DoW."

"I am quite sad that it had to come to this, and desperately hope Google management re-discovers its moral compass," he wrote. "Until then, I'll miss y'all."

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at 628-228-1836. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• I stayed one night at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach.
• My king-sized room had luxurious touches and a stunning ocean view.
• The amenities, pools, and beach access made it worth the high price tag.

For over 70 years, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach has been one of the most iconic hotels in America.

Since opening in 1954, the sprawling oceanfront resort has hosted presidents, celebrities, and generations of Miami vacationers drawn to its glamorous reputation, distinctive curved architecture, and luxurious amenities.

On a recent trip to Miami, I booked a one-night stay that cost nearly $900. Before getting there, I wondered whether the legendary hotel could live up to its reputation … and its hefty price tag.

However, after checking into my room with sweeping ocean views, lounging by the resort's pools, and taking advantage of its prime beach access, I found that the Fontainebleau delivered the kind of classic Miami luxury that has kept it relevant for decades.

Despite a busy conference that made the hotel more crowded than I expected and the high price of my room, I ultimately felt the retreat-like vibes made the experience worth it.

Here's what it was like to stay at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has been a fixture of Miami luxury for more than 70 years.

Before I booked my room, I knew I was in for a luxurious stay. Having visited the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas before, I anticipated the elegance and comfort I might experience, with a price tag to match.

For a king-sized room on a Wednesday night in April, it cost $856.25, including tax and fees. April falls within Miami's peak tourism season, when visitors flock to the city for warm weather before the hotter, rainier summer months arrive.

Over the past seven decades, the hotel has cultivated a reputation as a playground for celebrities, politicians, and affluent travelers, hosting guests such as Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, and Judy Garland.

Designed by architect Morris Lapidus, the hotel's distinctive curved silhouette has become one of Miami Beach's most recognizable landmarks and a defining example of the city's signature "MiMo" (Miami Modern) architecture.

However, at nearly $900 for a single night, I wondered whether the resort's legendary status would translate into a memorable stay — or if I was simply paying for the name and glamorous reputation.

I arrived at the Fontainebleau through its grand entrance, which is illuminated at night by fountains and dramatic architecture.

During the day, arriving at the hotel felt like entering a luxurious beach club.

A soft ocean breeze floated past the massive double doors to the hotel, and at night, illuminated fountains and a marble statue made the entrance feel grand.

The hotel's bustling lobby featured soaring ceilings, elegant decor, and plenty of space for guests to gather.

The Fontainebleau's lobby was buzzing with activity when I arrived, largely because of a big marketing conference held at the hotel during my stay.

Guests and conference attendees wheeled designer luggage across the marble floors, groups gathered around plush seating areas, and Miami vacationers streamed in from the pools and beach.

While some luxury hotels can feel stuffy or require you to be on your best behavior, the atmosphere here felt both energetic and relaxed.

The check-in process was smooth — I was even able to check in a few hours before the 4 p.m. check-in time.

One of the Fontainebleau's signature crystal chandeliers served as a reminder of the property's glamorous history.

I couldn't stop staring at the massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the lobby ceiling.

The sparkling fixtures are among the hotel's most recognizable design elements, helping to create the glamorous atmosphere the Fontainebleau is known for.

Even the elevator bank featured details that reinforced the hotel's luxury atmosphere.

The elevator bank featured polished marble, gold accents, and design touches that made the property feel upscale.

I've stayed at plenty of expensive hotels where the public spaces shine, but the everyday details fall flat. That wasn't the case here.

Additional lounge and food areas throughout the resort gave guests places to relax, socialize, and take a break from the Miami heat.

As I explored the property, I found a few different restaurants and food options tucked throughout the hotel where guests were chatting, enjoying drinks, or simply escaping the Florida heat.

Fontainebleau has nine different dining options, ranging from casual café vibes at Chez Bon Bon to more elevated fare at Prime 54 steakhouse, plus in-room, beachside, and poolside service.

I ate off-site at Papi Steak in Miami Beach during my stay, so I didn't get a chance to try the dining options, but, from the outside, I could see they were teeming with people.

I was surprised by how much there was to do without leaving the property.

In addition to restaurants, bars, pools, a gym, and a spa, the Fontainebleau features several retail shops.

With 1,504 rooms, nearly 2 million square feet of interior space, and a sprawling 22-acre oceanfront footprint, the resort felt less like a hotel and more like a self-contained vacation destination.

I could imagine spending an entire weekend here without ever leaving the property.

After exploring the hotel, I headed upstairs to see whether the room lived up to expectations.

My room was located in the Château Tower, overlooking the ocean.

The hotel's hallways felt quiet and well-maintained, creating a noticeable contrast to the lively atmosphere downstairs.

My room exceeded my expectations.

In addition to ocean-view rooms, there are rooms with views of Downtown Miami or Biscayne Bay.

My king-sized room featured contemporary furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and ocean views. Large windows filled the space with natural light, while the neutral, blue-themed color palette gave it a clean, sophisticated feel.

The bathroom felt worthy of a luxury hotel.

The marble bathroom was one of the most luxurious aspects of my stay at Fontainebleau, and made the entire experience feel more like a spa getaway than a simple one-night stay.

From the sleek finishes to the spacious layout, it felt thoughtfully designed and noticeably more upscale than the bathrooms I've encountered at similarly priced hotels.

The walk-in shower was a standout feature.

The walk-in shower had marble walls and premium fixtures — it was perfect for refreshing myself for a night out in Miami after a long, sandy day at the hotel's beach.

The bathroom also had double sinks.

I always appreciate a large vanity when staying in a hotel, and this one didn't disappoint.

The double-sink setup offered plenty of space to spread out, get ready for the day or night, and made the bathroom feel larger.

The hotel paid attention to the small details.

The bathroom was stocked with hotel-branded toiletries and other touches that made it feel signature to the Fontainebleau.

Individually, these details weren't groundbreaking, but together they gave me the feeling that I was getting a luxury experience for the price I paid.

The room balanced style and practicality for both vacationers and business travelers.

I appreciated having a dedicated workspace, ample clothing storage, and a large television.

Luxury hotels sometimes prioritize aesthetics over functionality, but the Fontainebleau managed to deliver on both.

There was plenty of room to unpack.

The closet was spacious and included practical extras, such as an ironing board and a luggage stand.

For guests staying multiple nights, having enough storage to fully settle in could be a meaningful perk.

The minibar reminded me I was staying at a luxury resort.

The minibar was stocked with bottled water, snacks, and wine and liquor.

After settling in, I headed downstairs to check out the hotel's pools and beach.

Between its expansive pool complex, tropical landscaping, and oceanfront location, I thought the property offered the kind of resort experience many travelers envision when they picture Miami Beach.

When I stepped outside to walk around the resort, lush tropical landscaping helped the sprawling property feel like a secluded oasis.

Looking at a map, the scale of the resort was impressive, though a little intimidating,

Palm trees, lush landscaping, and winding walkways surrounded much of the property, so despite being in the middle of busy Miami Beach — and with the hotel partially taken over by the visiting conference — parts of the resort felt surprisingly secluded and peaceful.

There was no shortage of places to cool off.

One of my biggest concerns before arriving was whether the pool deck would feel overcrowded.

Instead, I found plenty of seating options spread throughout the property, even during peak daytime hours and during a busy business conference.

The Fontainebleau's massive pool complex was one of the highlights of my stay.

During my visit, the pool was not as busy as I'd anticipated. There are also dedicated kids and family areas, so the main pool deck was quieter than I expected.

At the complex, which overlooks the ocean, you're also able to order drinks and food from your pool chair from a number of employees flitting about the pool deck.

However, poolside service doesn't come cheap. An order of tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa costs $18, and sandwiches range from $26 for a chicken shawarma wrap to $38 for a lobster roll.

It felt like the quintessential Miami resort experience, but one that would typically be out of my price range.

I enjoyed a drink while relaxing beside the resort's pool.

With attentive poolside service, comfortable loungers, and beautiful weather, it was easy to lose track of time.

At one point, I realized I'd spent most of the afternoon taking in the atmosphere by the pool — exactly what a luxury vacation should be.

The resort's size meant every area had a different vibe.

Some sections of the pool deck felt lively and social, while others were noticeably quieter. I appreciated having options depending on whether I wanted energy and people-watching or a more relaxed experience.

I'd be interested to see how different the resort would look without a conference. It did seem like certain areas, like this Island Cabana area, were more dedicated to the pop-up branded tents for the conference than for relaxing.

If I had known a big conference was happening that week, I probably would have come at a different time to avoid the crowds and the more corporate feel throughout the resort. Fontainebleau has a large 45,000-square-foot convention center, making the resort a popular destination for conferences and conventions. While the ongoing conference did slightly impact my experience staying at the hotel, it wasn't make-or-break.

The hotel also offered direct access to Miami Beach.

One of the Fontainebleau's biggest selling points is its location. Within minutes, I could walk from the hotel pools to the beach without ever leaving the property.

That convenience added a lot of value to the stay, since it made for a much more seamless and relaxing beach experience. I didn't have to lug beach chairs, towels, or any supplies other than my book and my sunscreen to the sand.

That, to me, was nearly priceless.

The resort's beach access turned out to be one of my favorite perks.

I'd originally planned to spend most of my time at the pools, but I found myself drawn to the beach during the first day of my stay.

The Fontainebleau sits on a wide stretch of Miami Beach, lined with complimentary lounge chairs, as well as umbrellas available for an extra cost.

You're also able to order food and drinks on the beach. The turquoise water, soft sand, and attentive service made the beach experience feel just as luxurious as the resort.

By the end of my stay, I understood why the Fontainebleau has remained relevant for more than 70 years.

Since opening in 1954, the Fontainebleau has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack to presidents, celebrities, and generations of vacationers.

After spending a night there myself, I could understand why the resort has remained a Miami icon for more than 70 years, even though a nightly rate of $900 or more isn't easy for everyone to justify.

However, I left feeling that I had genuinely experienced one of Miami's greatest hotels — and one of the nicest resorts I've had the pleasure of staying at.

The Fontainebleau isn't cheap, but after spending a night there, I understood why so many travelers continue to consider it worth the splurge.