• Women's health startup Midi Health recently passed a $1 billion valuation.
• To scale faster, it built a custom chatbot that avoids outdated menopause data.
• Midi Health CEO Joanna Strober shared how AI has changed how she operates her business.

Midi Health CEO Joanna Strober originally set out to launch a menopause startup. Then, AI changed everything.

Founded in 2021, Midi Health provides virtual care to menopausal women and recently crossed the $1 billion valuation mark in a February funding round.

At Business Insider's The Long Play event in San Francisco on Tuesday, Strober said AI has transformed her business.

"I thought I was starting a menopause company, but it turns out I'm building an AI company," Strober said onstage.

Midi Health, based in Palo Alto, California, now uses AI to train thousands of its providers on how to answer patient questions.

That's helped the company scale to serving more than 20,000 women a week — or millions a year.

The move wasn't easy. Because research on women's health — especially menopause — is sparse, general-purpose AI chatbots trained on the open internet weren't good enough.

Midi Health had to build its own chatbot using only high-quality data and excluding studies that have since been disproven.

"There's a lot of old, outdated data," she said.

AI dinners and office hours

Beyond the chatbot, Midi Health also uses AI in its internal systems.

Strober has been flying around the country to have dinner with the company's nurses, talking through how they should use AI at work.

She said she introduced one nurse — who was trying to standardize hundreds of contracts — to Google Gemini. The job, which the nurse thought would take about a month, ended up taking 10 minutes.

Midi Health has also started holding AI office hours, where the company's software engineers help different teams "AI-ify" themselves.

Strober says the shift isn't leading to mass layoffs.

"It's not threatening — it's really about augmenting their jobs," she said.

• Jason Blum said he got roasted when Blumhouse teamed up with Meta to make AI shorts.
• He said it taught him that AI won't be replacing filmmakers for a long time.
• Blum said he thinks online content creators have more to worry about than directors and writers.

AI is a hot-button topic in Hollywood, but the modern king of horror was still surprised by the backlash he received when he teamed up with Meta.

"We made three little AI shorts for Meta. We got destroyed on Twitter for doing that," Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions, told Peter Kafka at Business Insider's The Long Play event in San Francisco on Tuesday. "But I learned a lot."

In October 2024, Meta announced it was partnering with Blumhouse to test its suite of AI models that can help with moviemaking, but Blum said the experience actually made him less concerned about AI replacing filmmakers.

After doing those shorts, he said he was "very confident" that AI would not make better content for "a long, long time."

There's been rapid improvements in generative AI, with uncanny AI clips of stars like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting, prompting sweeping declarations about the death of Hollywood.

Blum said he thinks AI-generated content is more likely to compete with scrolling on social media, rather than watching a movie.

"I think for once, creators have more to worry about than directors and writers," he said.

Founded by Blum in 2000, Blumhouse has produced some of the most successful horror franchises of the 21st century, like "Paranormal Activity," "Insidious," and "The Purge" films, as well as Oscar-winning critical darlings like "Whiplash" and "Get Out." Its latest release, "Lee Cronin's The Mummy," hits theaters this Friday.

Blum has been open about the inevitable impact of AI on Hollywood. He said Tuesday that while he would prefer AI in moviemaking to go away, he knows it's here to stay, comparing AI opposition to resisting technology.

"It really bothers me when a lot of people in Hollywood just are like, 'We're not doing AI,'" he said, adding, "It ain't going away."

Blum said he personally tries to experiment with AI and make it available as an option for filmmakers who are interested in using it, calling it a "personal choice."

"If a director wants to use AI or a filmmaker or a producer or a writer wants to use AI, I want to make sure that my company can provide information about how to do that," he said.

• Anthropic has recently received multiple offers from VCs to invest at valuations as high as $800 billion.
• Buzzy startups frequently field preemptive offers from investors only to rebuff them.
• Still, the valuations indicate the feverish demand for Anthropic shares that has overtaken Silicon Valley.

Anthropic has fielded multiple offers from VCs valuing the startup behind Claude at as much as $800 billion in recent weeks, more than double its current valuation, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Buzzy startups frequently field preemptive offers from investors only to rebuff them.

Still, the valuations VCs are floating indicate the feverish demand that has overtaken Silicon Valley for a stake in Anthropic as the company prepares for a possible IPO later this year.

A spokesperson for Anthropic declined to comment.

Anthropic closed a funding round in February led by GIC and Coatue that valued the company at $380 billion. That is less than half the $852 billion valuation OpenAI achieved in the funding round it closed last month.

Anthropic is valued at $688 billion on Caplight, a secondary exchange where investors can trade shares of privately held companies. That is up 75% in three months.

Investors and founders have been wowed by Anthropic's torrid growth and momentum around AI-powered coding assistant Claude code.

"They're crushing it," Jared Quincy Davis, founder and CEO of Mithril, an AI cloud platform, said about Anthropic last week at HumanX, an AI conference.

Anthropic's run-rate revenue, the revenue a company expects to collect over a year, has soared to $30 billion, up from $9 billion at the end of last year, the company announced last week. It also added that over 1,000 business customers are spending more than $1 million a year, a figure that has doubled in less than two months.

Last week, Anthropic announced its latest model, Mythos, which it said is so powerful it cannot yet be unleashed upon the general public because of the risk of cyber attacks.

"The Mythos model is a huge deal, Tomasz Tunguz, founder and general partner of Theory Ventures, said last week at HumanX. "There's a tremendous amount of excitement."

The final Champions League quarterfinal matches play out tomorrow. We've gathered everything you need to know about where to watch Bayern vs. Real Madrid, including free and global streaming options.

If you don't want to read any further: the match will live stream on Paramount Plus in the US, TNT Sports on HBO Max in the UK, free on RTE2 in Ireland, and free on RTL Club in Belgium. If you're away from the location where your favorite streaming service works when the game starts, like Ireland or Belgium, you can still access it with the help of a VPN, such as ProtonVPN. You can learn more about additional global watch options below.

How to watch Bayern vs. Real Madrid for free

The Bayern vs. Real Madrid match will be available for free in multiple regions. In Ireland, fans can watch for free via RTE2. In Belgium, RTL Club will host the free coverage. While these options don't have every Champions League game, they do carry several matches each throughout the season.

How to watch Bayern vs. Real Madrid from anywhere

If you're away from Ireland or Belgium when the game kicks off, you can still access these free streaming options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are easy-to-use tech tools that let people change their device's virtual location. They're most popular among those hoping to keep up with their usual services while traveling abroad or looking to boost their cybersecurity.

Proton VPN is a solid option. It's fast and user-friendly (even for beginners). Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not helping you out. You can learn more in our roundup of the best VPNs.

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.

Rag & Bone's sweatpant jeans originally went viral for promising the look of denim with the comfort of sweats. They've stayed relevant because they genuinely solve a problem. After testing them for 2 years across multiple body types, we can say they're definitely worth it.

Rag & Bone's sweatpant jeans are for anyone who wants to look like they're in "hard pants," but feel more comfortable in stretchy sweatpants. They're my favorite travel pants, since the French terry fabric packs down tighter than real denim (the weight is perfect for drafty plane cabins or transitional weather, yet light enough that you won't feel constricted).

To put it plainly, these aren't just a clever design trick. These are the best sweatpant jeans because they've held up for years fit a range of bodies comfortably. Rag & Bone also has a few other styles in the Miramar line, including joggers, jackets, skirts, and shorts, all made with the same material. As the collection grows, here are our favorite Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans we've tried so far.

Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans review: Our honest take

Are Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans worth it?

I've been wearing my "sweans" on a nearly weekly basis ever since I got them two years ago. I truly can't recommend them enough.

These wide-leg fit is slightly baggy with a high-rise waist and 31.5-inch inseam. The drape of the material perfectly imitates real wide-leg jeans, and they're meant to puddle a little at the bottom (or a lot, if you're short). This particular style comes in three different shades of denim blue.

The best style to buy is the Miramar Wide-Leg

The Miramar Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans are truly as soft as sweats. The printed-on stitches and rivets look uncannily real, and wearing them feels like sitting on a secret no one else has to know (except that you'll be so excited to tell them you might not be able to keep the illusion up).

I'm 5-foot-9, and when pulled all the way up around my waist, the inseam reaches a bit past my ankles in flats, so I'd definitely recommend these jeans for tall women. Thankfully, because the waistband is so stretchy, I have the option to sling them low and let the hems puddle around my ankles.

How they compare to real jeans: Faux buttons, real hip pockets

The stretchy terry cloth sweatpant is perfect for springtime, as it's more breathable than fleece sweats. Rag & Bone claims these are washing machine safe and advises you turn them inside out before rinsing them in cold water and laying them flat to dry. I never put mine in the dryer because they're 100% cotton and I'm afraid they'll shrink

Fit and sizing on different body types

Our executive editor Sally Kaplan is 5-foot-2, so the jeans are much longer on her. But she still can't get over how comfy they are (she even bought a second pair).

"I love the look of a wide-leg jean but have also sworn off hard pants, so these sweatpant jeans are my dream come true!" says Sally. "I'm short and curvy, so I knew these would be a little long on me, but I don't even care. I just safety pin them at the back of the hem to keep them from catching under my heels, and no one is the wiser."

Putting them in the dryer helped shrink up the length a bit, but here's how Sally hems long pants with just a few safety pins:

I saw this hack on Instagram (Millennial here, not cool enough for TikTok). All you have to do is tuck the back hem of your long jeans up inside the pant and safety pin it. You leave the front of the hem unpinned, and it pools perfectly around your ankles without the back catching under your heels. You really can't see the safety pins at all when you're walking around.

The Miramar Andi Ankle Pants fit petite sizes

Style editor Samantha Crozier tried the Andi Ankle Pant, which has a 27-inch inseam, a real button closure, and a non-elasticated waistband. This style is about four inches shorter than the original Miramar Wide Leg Pants, which makes it much more petite-friendly.

"I'm the same height as Sally, so I knew off the bat that I needed to try a cropped style if I didn't want to deal with pinning or hemming the pants. Lucky for me, the Andi Ankle Pant turned out to be the perfect length.

As advertised, the pants are as soft as sweatpants, and the familiar terry feels great against my skin. But I have mixed feelings about the real waistband. On one hand, it truly completes the illusion of denim. The least convincing features of the original Miramar Wide Leg Pants are the drawn-on hardware and the elasticized waistband. With the Andi, you can wear a cropped top, and the illusion would still hold.

But the real waistband also makes these less comfortable. I've still found myself dealing with the same perils as real jeans — like unbuttoning them after a big meal or avoiding wearing them on a plane. You can tell that these are less forgiving because you have to buy them in your waist size, instead of relying on alpha sizing.

At the end of the day, it's up to you to pick whether you prefer a perfect jeans illusion or a stretchy waistband. "

Talia tried the jogger version and also became an instant fan.

Freelance author Talia Ergas reviewed the sweatpant jeans in her guide to the best joggers for women. "They even had my husband fooled, who insisted he 'never would have guessed' that I was wearing sweats if I didn't tell him. He was astonished when I had him feel the supersoft cotton terry fabric and the stretchy elastic waistband," says Ergas. "They accompanied me on a recent 6-hour road trip, keeping me super snug during the long drive but looking pulled together when we stopped at a restaurant for a mid-way lunch."

The short version is another style worth buying. They proved perfect for summer travel.

"These faux denim shorts have it all: stretchy mid-rise waistband, comfy terry cotton fabric, realistic-looking denim print complete with faux distressing, and the perfect four-inch inseam that was long enough to keep me well-covered, but not overly so," she writes. "They'd make an excellent choice for beach attire since they're way more comfortable than real denim, but can still pass as daisy dukes."

If you're as passionate about comfort as we are, the Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans are worth it.

The Miramar sweatpant jeans are truly as soft as sweats. We couldn't recommend them enough — we just wish they came in a more inclusive size range (they only go up to an XL).

Once you've tried them, you'll likely have a tough time ever putting on real jeans again.

Shop the whole Rag & Bone Miramar collection here.

Flying with a cat can be stressful, but one of the best airline-approved cat carriers can make the journey smoother. When you place your cat at your feet in the plane cabin, a thoughtfully designed soft-sided pet carrier with the right features helps keep them safe and comfortable — and helps you relax, too.

To find the best airline cat carriers, I consulted veterinarians and pet travel experts and tested 31 models myself. My top pick, the crash-tested Sleepypod Air, compresses to fit under seats as narrow as 16 inches and includes comfortable touches that make it easy to carry and maneuver. For a more affordable option, the Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag is sturdy and cozy enough to keep your cat comfortable throughout your trip. The bag's downsides are the lack of a padded handle wrap and its softer structure, which can make it slightly less comfortable to carry.

Before flying with your cat, double-check your airline's pet carrier size limits. Southwest Airlines allows carriers up to 18.5 inches (L) by 13.5 inches (W) by 9.5 inches (H), while the maximum dimensions for Delta, American Airlines, and United are 18 inches (L) by 11 inches (W) by 11 inches (H). Some airlines have even smaller maximum sizes, so check the airline's requirements before you fly.

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

Our top picks for the best airline-approved cat carriers

Best overall: Sleepypod Air - See at Chewy

Best budget: Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag - See at Chewy

Best stylish: Away The Pet Carrier - See at Away

Best expandable: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier - See at Amazon

Best backpack: Mr. Peanut's Monterey Series Backpack Airline Compliant Pet Carrier - See at Amazon

Best overall

My cats made their preference for the Sleepypod Air clear. At a recent vet appointment, my 10- and 11-pound cats climbed into it together, completely ignoring the second carrier I'd brought along. The soft, dark, roomy interior seemed to help them stay calm. For skittish fliers, the carrier includes a privacy screen that slides through the mesh top. While it significantly reduces your cat's access to fresh air, its ventilation remains around 20% — still above the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) 16% minimum for in-cabin live animal transport.

The Sleepypod Air is also one of a handful of pet carriers certified by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that crash-tests pet carriers to ensure their safety in automobile collisions. It earned a 4 out of 5-star rating, losing one star because it lifted slightly off the seat during testing. Even so, Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of CPS, says the result is a positive one and that the carrier performed exceptionally well.

Instead of traditional doors, the Sleepypod Air uses a continuous zipper that runs from end to end. With one pull of the zipper, it transforms into an open bed, converts for use as a car seat, or rolls up for convenient storage. The ends are also designed to fold in about 2.5 inches each, meeting the size requirements of most major airlines. I recommend practicing compressing the carrier before your trip.

The padded cross-body strap felt supportive, and the carrier rested comfortably against my body without collapsing inward. The built-in luggage strap kept the carrier balanced on top of my suitcase when navigating curbs and rough sidewalks.

The Sleepypod Air isn't cheap. But its versatility, comfort, and impressive safety features make it a worthwhile investment. The company offers a one-year return policy, whether or not the carrier has been used, and will replace it if it's damaged in a car accident.

Best budget

Although this carrier is a fraction of the price of our other picks, it performed well in durability testing. At home, it was also the carrier my cats chose to lounge in time and time again. In short, the cozy Frisco Premium Airline Compliant Quilted Carrier Bag is an excellent budget carrier.

Susan Nilson, a cat and dog trainer and behavior specialist, recommends leaving a carrier out at home with the doors open so your cat can get comfortable with it before a trip. I did just that, and it quickly turned into one of my cats' favorite spots to nap. Even after running the interior fleece mat through the washing machine, it retained its softness and cat appeal.

The carrier features two doors — one on top and one on the side — a feature associate home editor Kinsley Searles appreciates. "I have a wiggly, young kitty who isn't used to being in a carrier just yet, but she's always so comfortable in her Frisco carrier," she says. "I can leave a side open for her to crawl in naturally or place her inside through the top. Since it's so easy to take her in and out, her acclimation to the carrier has been seamless and stress-free."

The carrier is outfitted with two storage pockets: a Velcro-secured pocket to stash your keys and phone, and a mesh pocket for treats and travel documents. It also comes with a collapsible silicone bowl and an ID tag, so you can check two essentials off your packing list.

The adjustable shoulder strap and carry handle aren't padded, which may make them less comfortable on longer journeys. Like higher-end options, the Frisco carrier has a luggage sleeve that slides over your suitcase handle. However, it doesn't keep the carrier well-balanced over curbs and uneven sidewalks, so you'll need to keep it steady with your free hand.

Best stylish

The Reviews team is a big fan of Away's luggage line for its streamlined designs and thoughtful features. With the Away Pet Carrier, your feline companion can travel with the same sophistication and comfort. Like the Sleepypod Air, the carrier is certified by the CPS and earned a perfect 5-star crash-test rating.

My feline testers loved the soft sherpa interior mat, making this carrier a prime napping spot at home and on the go. Mesh windows on two sides and the top provide excellent ventilation while still giving your cat a sense of security. If your cat is an anxious traveler, simply roll down the privacy window for a calmer experience.

To navigate busy airports, you can slide the handy back sleeve over the handle of luggage from any brand. There's also an adjustable shoulder strap so you can wear it crossbody, and the carrier is rigid enough to keep from collapsing inward on your precious cargo. You can also carry your cat with the leather hand strap.

The carrier's nylon exterior and interior are easy to wipe clean. Even the pockets are lined with nylon, and the waterproof front pocket is waterproof includes drainage holes, ideal for storing a collapsible water bowl. The machine-washable interior liner attaches with velcro and is easy to remove, so you can toss it in the wash once you reach your destination.

Best expandable

On long travel days with time spent waiting in the airport, Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier offers jet-setting cats extra space to stretch out. It includes a zippered panel on its right side that unfolds into a mesh atrium, nearly doubling the carrier's interior space. While the expandable section can't be used in flight, the feature makes it the best carrier for cross-country flights with layovers and extended stays away from home.

The spacious carrier is front, top, and side-loading with a roll-up privacy flap over the top door. Importantly, the Gold Series Expandable Carrier offers plenty of ventilation to keep a cat from overheating. Inside, it has a soft plush bolster bed and a safety tether. Outside, it's outfitted with an adjustable padded shoulder strap and a faux leather carry handle. There's also a 10-inch by 4-inch mesh pocket on the backside. All of the materials and zippers excelled in my testing.

When I used the luggage strap, the carrier remained mostly balanced on my suitcase, slipping only about an inch to one side. Carrying it on my shoulder was comfortable, and the strap was easy to adjust to the correct length.

The bed was easy to spot clean, and although it is labeled hand-wash only, it came out of the washing machine looking nearly new after air-drying.

At times, this carrier is available in limited colors. If you prefer more color options, we also tested the Mr. Peanut's Platinum Series Expandable Carrier, which costs $40 less. Both carriers held up well in testing, standing up to drops and stomps without any damage. The only drawback is that the Platinum Series doesn't have a roll-away privacy flap over the top ventilation panel. Alternatively, veterinarian Dr. Jo Myers says that if your carrier lacks privacy panels, draping a towel or blanket over the carrier can help keep a stressed cat calm.

Best backpack

If you already have your hands full, Mr. Peanut's backpack carrier might be your best bet. It's a cat carrier you can wear on your back to keep your hands free and your cat safe.

The backpack prioritizes a cat's comfort with a wider profile similar to a traditional carrier. This design eliminates the need to turn the carrier — and your cat — on its side for stowing under the seat in front of you. It does sit a bit higher on my back than my favorite cat hiking backpack (reaching mid-back or higher depending on your height), but it's a small price to pay for a cozy feline friend. The adjustable, padded shoulder strap offers a carrying alternative but isn't long enough for a crossbody fit.

According to the brand, an interior machine-washable thermal pad is designed to keep cats comfortable in any climate. While I can't confirm its effectiveness at regulating temperature, my cats certainly approved of it as a napping spot. To test its ease of cleaning, I smeared a mix of dry and wet cat food on the interior and exterior. A quick wipe-down with a damp paper towel removed most of the mess from the nylon exterior. The interior quilted design trapped some dried food bits in the crevices, but the washing machine took care of the mess. A pre-wash scrub may be necessary for some dried-on accidents.

The carrier didn't put a strain on my back during walks, thanks to its mesh padding that offers breathability and cushioning. However, it lacks a waist or chest clip for added stability on long airport treks, so I tightened the shoulder straps to hold the carrier flush against my back. The carrier comes in medium and large, but only the medium size meets most airline carry-on restrictions.

What to look for in an airline cat carrier

The best airline-approved cat carriers come in many different styles at varying price points. Our experts recommend considering the following factors when shopping to ensure you get the best value for safety, comfort, and minimizing stress for your cat.

Key features: Several factors contribute to a carrier's usefulness, comfort, and safety. Based on our own experiences traveling with cats and the advice of veterinarians, below are the key features to consider.

• Shape and design: A carrier should be large enough for a cat to comfortably lie down and turn around. Some cat carriers have built-in expandable sections that can double or even triple the size of a carrier. These are ideal for allowing your cat to stretch out between flights safely.
• Interior mat: Ideally, a floor mat will be removable and machine washable. It should securely attach to the bag's interior to prevent it from sliding around.
• Loading doors: Dr. Gwen Gadd, a veterinarian at the East Bay SPCA Theodore B. Travers Family Veterinary Clinic, says the best cat carriers have two doors. If your cat refuses to come out of their carrier, it may be easier to gently lift them from a door at the top of the carrier rather than struggling to remove them from the door in the front.
• Carrying straps and handles: A quality carrier should have a removable shoulder strap, preferably padded for comfort, and a double handle for lifting. A strap that wraps around and secures the handles helps keep them balanced and out of the way.
• Pockets: Pockets are essential for keeping your cat's gear and yours close at hand. A cat carrier should have multiple pockets, with at least one secured by a zipper, button, or hook-and-loop closure.
• Ventilation: According to IATA live animal regulations for in-cabin transport, pet carrier bags must have a minimum of 16% ventilation. Most soft-sided carriers meet or exceed this requirement with mesh panels.
• Privacy flaps: Some carriers feature a privacy flap that can be lifted or lowered depending on temperature and a cat's specific needs. While you will need to keep at least some areas open for ventilation, hiding helps cats feel safe, which is especially useful during a stressful event such as flying.
• Interior safety tether: An interior safety tether that clips to your cat's harness can help prevent sudden escapes. However, Wolko says to use it only during breaks to feed or give water to your pet. "The tether inside the carrier should not be used during active travel, as the pet can become tangled," she says.
• ID tag: The carrier should have its own ID tag to help reunite you with your pet if you're separated, though it's no substitute for outfitting your cat in one of the best cat collars with an ID tag attached or microchipping.
• Luggage strap: While not essential, a luggage strap or trolley sleeve that slides over a suitcase handle makes navigating the airport with a cat in tow much easier.
• Dimensions and in-cabin airline capability: Most major airlines, including Delta, American, and United, allow in-cabin carriers up to 18 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 11 inches high. Carriers that meet — or can slightly compress to meet — these dimensions are generally a safe bet. A few other airlines, like Southwest (18.5" L x 13.5" W x 9.5" H) and JetBlue (17" L x 12.5" W x 8.5" H), have stricter size limits.
• Ease of storage: Unless you frequently travel with your cat, a carrier that quickly folds flat for storage adds convenience.

Safety: Unlike child car seats, there are no universal safety standards or inspections for cat carriers. Some brands advertise their carriers as "crash-tested" or "safety-certified," but those claims can be misleading. "In-house crash testing may be inherently biased or skewed when it is conducted by the same company that manufactures the product," says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinarian and veterinary medical advisor for Rover.

Some brands go the extra mile by subjecting their carriers to rigorous testing by third-party or nonprofit safety organizations. We recognize crash safety ratings from the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that studies the safety of pet products. "They are one of only a few independent bodies that does crash testing under transparent, standardized, and scientific conditions, using benchmarks based on safety standards for children's car seats," Greenstein says. CPS collaborates with Subaru of America, Inc., to conduct specially designed crash tests with dummies. Among our recommended picks, the Sleepypod Air and Away Pet Carrier have been crash-test certified for auto transport by the CPS.

Currently, CPS studies do not extend to air travel and flight safety. Despite the absence of standardized air travel safety tests, crash-test certification remains the gold standard. Wolko says carriers are most susceptible to failure at seams where the mesh connects to the carrier body. She recommends inspecting carriers for any signs of loose threads, weak spots, or faulty zippers to ensure their overall safety and reliability throughout transit.

Wolko says you'll want to consider your entire journey, including driving from home to the airport and transportation to your destination. Some carriers include exterior straps for securing a car seat belt. However, Wolko says that unless the carrier has been crash-tested and third-party safety certified by an organization such as the CPS, a cat carrier should always be placed on the backseat floor behind the passenger seat instead of on the seat itself. "It minimizes the impact and provides a lot of protection," she says. "If you do get into a sudden stop, they're not going to fly all over the place."

Size: A carrier should be roomy enough for your cat to comfortably turn around and lie down while still compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Carrier size requirements vary by airline, so double-check your airline's specific requirements.

Fortunately, size isn't usually a limiting factor for cats. More often than not, they prefer to curl up in a small ball and hide during the trip, says Myers, adding that extra room for playing, eating, drinking, or using the litter box during the flight is typically unnecessary. However, if you anticipate a long layover and want extra legroom for your cat, an expandable carrier like Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Expandable Carrier is a good choice.

Weight restrictions: Many in-cabin cat carriers are suitable for cats weighing up to 15 or 18 pounds. If your cat is on the heavier side, double-check the weight limit for the carrier you're considering purchasing and make sure your cat has room to move around comfortably in it.

Ventilation: Most carriers are designed with enough ventilation (at least 16%) to meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) minimum requirement. Some carriers may have less or more, so the amount of ventilation you choose depends on your and your cat's preferences.

Since Myers says most cats prefer to hide in stressful environments, carriers with privacy walls and flaps may be beneficial. Alternatively, she recommends bringing a towel or blanket that you can place over the carrier if your cat becomes stressed. "Even if you cover the carrier with a towel, it's far from airtight," she says. "Simply check on your cat occasionally, without disturbing them any more than necessary."

How we tested the best airline-approved cat carriers

This guide was reported by Shoshi Parks and Janelle Leeson, both seasoned cat product testers with a combined clowder of four cats who sniff, paw, ride in, and, if they're comfortable enough, nap in the selection of carriers up for consideration.

Parks is a certified professional dog trainer who has tested everything from litter boxes to cat toys with her two cats. Leeson is a former foster cat mom who has transported dozens of stressed-out cats and kittens and once flew cross-country with her own cat in the cabin. Her two cats regularly help evaluate the latest and best pet products for Business Insider Reviews.

With advice from veterinarians and pet safety experts, we developed our selection and testing criteria for the best airline-approved cat carriers. Since 2021, Shoshi and Janelle have tested 31 carriers, and Janelle continues to test new carriers as they're released to keep this guide current. The dozens of carriers we evaluated underwent the tests described here.

Feature comparison: We created a system for scoring each carrier based on the key features described in the What to look for section above.

Scrape test: We scraped a mesh section of each carrier 50 times with a fork to test its durability, noting any damage or discoloration.

Zip test: To test the durability of each carrier's zippers, we completely zipped and unzipped one of its loading entrances 50 times. In the process, we observed changes in the zipper's ability to run its course smoothly.

Luggage test: If a carrier included a luggage strap, we evaluated how well it remained balanced on top of a suitcase. We placed a 10-pound weight inside and attached the carrier to a suitcase handle so it rested on top of our luggage. Then we rolled it over a curb, up a ramp, and along the sidewalk and street of a city block.

Ventilation test: Wolko says ventilation is important to prevent a cat from overheating during travel. We measured the dimensions of each carrier's mesh panels and calculated the percentage of the total surface area they comprised. We favored bags with more ventilation. According to IATA live animal regulations, pet carrier bags must have a minimum of 16% ventilation.

Walk test: We took each soft-sided carrier containing a 10-pound weight on a 15-minute walk around a neighborhood. Each was carried using the shoulder strap and held at the front of the body the way a person would if they had a real cat inside. For the last block of the walk, we switched to using the hand-carry straps. The backpack carriers were taken on the same walk but were not carried by hand. With each one, we paid attention to how comfortable it was to carry, how much it bounced, and whether it collapsed inwards.

Goop test: We devised this test to determine how easy it would be to clean the carriers if a cat vomited or defecated in transit. We mashed together cat kibble, canned food, and water with a mortar and pestle to make the goop, then spread a tablespoon on an exterior wall and interior mat of each carrier. After 48 hours, we wiped the goop from the exterior using dish soap and water and cleaned the mats in the washing machine.

Drop and stomp tests: We brought the carriers to a local park, loaded each one with a 10-pound weight, and threw them off of a 10-foot play structure, looking for any damage that occurred upon landing. We then rolled the bags several times on the ground with the weight still inside, looking for damage to the stitching, mesh, or zippers. Later, at home, we placed each carrier on a rug and stomped on it a dozen times with bare feet, noting whether its frame changed shape or the bag suffered any other damage.

How to prepare a cat for flying

In the weeks before their trip, introduce your cat to their carrier or kennel in a positive way. "Make the carrier feel like a cave or a home or something that's comfortable, something that they're not just jammed into the first time they're on their way to the airport," says Murtaugh.

Place the carrier in an area of the home where your cat spends a lot of time and encourage them to explore it by placing catnip and treats inside or by playing with them in and around the space.

Murtaugh says that taking your cat on a car ride or other forms of transportation while in their carrier may also be helpful in the weeks before the flight. He recommends placing a bed or blanket that smells like home inside the carrier and using a pheromone spray or collar to help take the edge off.

If your cat has a history of experiencing debilitating stress during travel and will be flying in the cabin, you can speak to your vet about prescribing an anxiety-relieving medication. However, it's important to test the medication out before your flight. "Make sure there won't be any untoward side effects," says Murtaugh. "Your vet can help you tailor that to your cat's needs."

The IATA recommends against sedating a cat before flying in the cargo hold. It can be fatal for older, chronically sick, or highly stressed animals. Nilson says calming pheromones such as Feliway or Pet Remedy are safe alternatives.

Airline cat carrier FAQs

What do vets recommend for cat carriers?

Cats should always be transported in a secure carrier specifically designed for pets — never in a cardboard box, tote bag, or laundry basket. A well-designed carrier prevents escapes and can help your cat feel calmer while traveling. When properly secured in your vehicle, a pet carrier can also offer life-saving protection if you need to brake suddenly or are involved in a collision. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for securing the carrier in your vehicle or place it on the floor behind the front passenger seat. While only a limited number of carriers have been crash-tested, Dr. Alison Gerken, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist at San Francisco SPCA, recommends choosing CPS-certified models, such as the Sleepypod Air.

To minimize travel-related stress, look for a carrier with multiple access points, such as a front door and a top entry or removable top. This setup allows you to gently lift your cat in and out rather than pulling them through an opening or tipping the carrier. "That kind of handling can be extremely frightening and can create lasting fear around future travel or veterinary visits," Gerken says. Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, agrees that feline-friendly design features are essential for comfort. She also recommends Sleepypod carriers for their proper ventilation, soft cushioned interiors, and optional privacy panel for anxious cats.

Do cats prefer hard or soft-sided carriers?

It really comes down to the individual cat. Some feel more secure in a hard-sided carrier, while others prefer the coziness of a soft-sided one. For air travel, however, soft-sided carriers are typically the better choice. "Soft-sided carriers are lighter, cozier, and often easier to carry," Gerken says. The trade-offs are that soft carriers can sag inward on your cat and are more difficult to clean if your cat has an accident.

For trips to the vet with an anxious cat, a hard-sided carrier is the best option. These carriers are sturdy, easy to clean, and, most importantly, commonly feature a removable top. "This design lets cats stay in the bottom half during the exam, which helps them feel more secure," Gerken says. There are some drawbacks, though: Hard-sided carriers tend to be bulky, harder to carry, and are rarely crash-tested.

Because both styles have advantages, Gerken says many cats do well with a hybrid or semi-rigid carrier. That's why she recommends the Sleepypod Air, which blends the structure of a hard carrier with the comfort of a soft one. It can also unzip into a bed to allow for lower-stress handling at the vet.

How do I know if my cat carrier is airline-approved?

If you're bringing your cat into the plane cabin, you'll need a soft-sided carrier that fits within your airline's size restrictions, which vary slightly by airline. No matter which carrier you use, Wolko advises making sure your cat has enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. There should be at least 2 to 3 inches of space between the top of your cat's ears and the inside roof of the carrier.

How much does it cost to fly with a cat?

In-cabin pet fees vary by airline. United Airlines charges $150 for a one-way flight, and Delta charges $150 for domestic flights. Transporting a cat in the cargo hold on a domestic flight typically costs around $300 per trip. For international flights, you can expect to pay as much as three times that amount.

How much ventilation should a carrier have?

For soft-sided carriers, Wolko says mesh should be on at least three sides to ensure proper airflow. If your cat is flying in cargo, airlines require kennels to have ventilation on all four sides. According to the IATA live animal regulations, both soft- and hard-sided carriers must provide at least 16% ventilation.

Do cats need to go to the bathroom on a flight?

Most healthy cats won't need access to a litter box during a standard flight. "Just based on the physiology of cats, they could probably go from Boston to Hawaii without needing to void," says Dr. Bob Murtaugh, a veterinarian and chair of veterinary medicine for the National Academies of Practice.

If your cat is traveling in the cargo hold, kennels can't be outfitted with a litter box — only an absorbent liner and soft bedding are permitted. "If the travel day will be more than eight hours, during a layover pet owners can arrange a comfort stop for cats to be let out of their carrier," says Elaine Mathis, pet travel specialist and project manager at Happy Tails Travel. When you let your cat out of their carrier, secure them with one of the best cat harnesses attached to a leash.

Do cats need food and water on a flight?

For shorter in-cabin flights, most cats won't need food or water. However, if your cat is flying in cargo, Mathis says both a food and water bowl should be in the carrier, regardless of flight duration. She recommends using dishes that secure to the crate's door and are easy to refill from the outside, such as Lixit's Quick Lock Crock 10-ounce bowls.

What are the signs that my cat may be in distress in flight?

Murtaugh says there are a few clear signs of distress during air travel, often caused by fear or excessive heat. Panting, restlessness, and vocalization may signal significant anxiety or overheating. Bright red gums may indicate overheating, which requires immediate cooling.

With approval from a flight attendant, you can place the carrier on your lap so your cat can feel airflow from the overhead vent or wipe them with a wet cloth to help lower their body temperature. Before your trip, Nilson recommends lightly spraying the carrier with calming pheromones to help reduce stress.

• As a longtime Costco employee, I love seeing the new items that arrive each month.
• The Elements bug-repelling fans and Koda rock solar lights are perfect for outdoor entertaining.
• I think the Kirkland Signature barbecue-chicken mac and cheese looks delicious.

I've worked at Costco for 20 years and always love getting to see all the great new items that come into the warehouse.

From delicious food items to spring-hosting essentials, here are nine of the best products I'm seeing on shelves this month.

Get ready for parties with the Balloon Time helium-tank bundle.

The Balloon Time helium tank is a must for setting up for birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more.

It even comes with 50 assorted latex balloons and white ribbon, so you'll have everything you need to make any celebration special.

Dinner just got a lot easier with the Sweetwood Ranch Angus cheeseburger sliders.

Warmer weather means the start of barbecue season, but sometimes, firing up the grill can feel like a lot of work.

Luckily, the Sweetwood Ranch Angus cheeseburger sliders provide the perfect solution. These little sandwiches can be cooked in the air fryer, microwave, or oven for a quick and easy meal.

Each patty is topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, and a brioche bun.

The popular Aloha Collection X CleverMade tote screams summer.

The next item that caught my eye is actually a collaboration between two bag companies: Aloha Collection and CleverMade.

This gorgeous floral tote has been super popular at my store, and I've seen lots of chatter about it online. I love that it's collapsible, making it easy to store in luggage.

Kids will love the premade Lego Easter baskets.

This month, Costco is carrying beautiful Lego-brand baskets, perfect for Easter or spring birthday gifts.

Each premade basket features a Lego set (available in Minecraft, Super Mario, and Easter bunny varieties) with chocolate and candy.

The best part? It comes in a cute basket and wrapped with a bow.

Illuminate your home or garage with the Enbrigten hexagon-shaped lights.

If you're looking for a fun way to upgrade the lighting in your home or garage, the Enbrigten hexagon-shaped lights are a great option.

With the help of included snap-in connectors, the lights can be easily customized depending on your needs. There's also a handy remote to control the brightness and turn the lights on and off as needed.

The Kirkland Signature barbecue-chicken mac and cheese looks delicious.

I always love trying Costco's premade meals in the deli department, and this month, I saw delicious-looking barbecue-chicken mac and cheese.

This ready-to-bake meal is made with cavatappi pasta, Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, bacon, shredded cheese, and barbecue sauce.

Bug-repelling fans are a must-have for outdoor events.

Although nothing screams springtime quite like outdoor meals, bugs can quickly become a nuisance. That's why the Elements tabletop bug-repelling fans caught my eye.

Each box comes with two fans designed to help keep flies and other insects away. Available in black and silver varieties, these fans can hold a charge for up to 10 hours.

Become an at-home barista with the Nespresso Vertuo Next machine.

The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a popular item at my store. This versatile machine makes it easy to brew espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos from the comfort of your own home.

The Costco bundle includes everything you need to get started: a milk frother, a variety of coffee capsules, and a $20 voucher to use on the Nespresso website.

Upgrade the lighting in your yard with the Koda rock solar lights.

These Koda solar lights are designed to look like rocks and seamlessly blend into any landscape. Each box comes with two spotlights that can be adjusted to either warm- or cool-white tones.

On a full charge, the rocks can light up for eight hours at a time.

Costco was not involved in the sourcing or writing of this story. The views contained within represent the author's personal views.

The back-and-forth of the Iran war is creating the same repetitive market patterns day after day. As a result, investors have grown desensitized to new headlines and are beginning to shift their focus toward other potential catalysts.

• Tech stocks could be primed for a rally to fresh records, according to several investing pros.
• The Nasdaq hit a 10-day winning streak on Tuesday, a day after the S&P 500 erased its wartime losses.
• It's a "historically opportune moment" to buy into the AI trade, Futurum CEO Daniel Newman said.

US stocks surged on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq closing higher for the 10th straight session as a growing chorus of market pros eye a new tech-led market boom.

The big move up comes a day after the broad S&P 500 erased its wartime losses at the end of Monday's session. It could also be the start of what investing veterans say is a larger tech-stock boom on the horizon.

Renewed bullishness about tech follows a string of declines since the start of this year that have dragged the sector toward pre-ChatGPT valuations.

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

S&P 500: 6,967.38, up 1.18%

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 48,535.99, up 0.66% (+317 points)

Nasdaq Composite: 23,639.083, up 1.96%

Some on Wall Street are saying the time to buy the dip has come, and the current market setup is laying the groundwork for a new tech-stock boom after the sector's rocky start to 2026.

"Tech valuations are now LOWER than they were when ChatGPT was announced," Adam Kobeissi, founder of the Kobeissi Letter, said. "As the Iran War drives markets lower, AI is only getting bigger. Record highs are on the horizon."

Daniel Newman, CEO of Futurum, told Business Insider that Kobeissi is "spot on," calling it a "historically opportune moment" to buy into the AI trade.

From the war in Iran to the AI apocalypse, tech stocks had a tough start to 2026. The tech sector kicked off the first quarter as one of the worst-performing sectors, down over 9%.

Apollo Global Management chief economist Torsten Slok also noted that valuations have tumbled to around where they were before the AI boom kicked off when ChatGPT debuted in 2022.

"Tech valuations have compressed from 40x to 20x, and we are back at levels last seen before the AI boom began," Slok wrote.

Futurum's Newman reposted Kobeissi's comments, saying the wartime downturn in tech stock valuations is "a reset before the next leg up."

He told Business Insider that the gains won't be distributed evenly across tech, with companies that are seen as non-disintermediated by AI poised to gain, as he shared in his guide to picking AI stock winners.

Newman flagged some Magnificent Seven names, including Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, as fitting the bill.

With first-quarter earnings season set to kick off, Ryan Detrick, Carson Group's chief market strategist, said that while the tech sector has pulled back, earnings haven't, and the coming results will be a fresh catalyst.

"Technology is expected to lead this upcoming earnings season. We don't think that's going to miss," Detrick told Business Insider, adding that earnings will help in "justifying why we do think the technology could take back the baton."

Wedbush's Dan Ives, one of Wall Street's most vocal AI bulls, told clients to focus on tech winners that are now "on sale" during "turbulent" market action as the war in Iran drags on.

Ives named CrowdStrike, Palo Alto, Zscaler, Checkpoint, and Rubrik as favorite cybersecurity stock picks as well as Microsoft, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Palantir as top tech picks.

Goldman Sachs on Monday pointed to "secular growth" stocks, or those whose profits aren't explicitly tied to the fate of the broader economy.

The bank said on Monday that it sees these names—many of which are concentrated in tech—as poised for a new chapter of growth. It listed stocks like Nvidia, Meta, Broadcom, and Micron Technology among those set for an earnings-related boost.

Gifting chocolate is the quickest way to sweeten anyone's day, whether you're sending a box of bonbons to a loved one or indulging in a single-origin bar yourself. It's more than just a gift, though — chocolate brings joy, conveys love, heals heartache, and forges connection. As a chocolatier myself, I believe the best chocolate is rich in flavor and almost too beautiful to eat.

To select the best boxed chocolates, I used my experience as a professional chocolatier and tested options from over 40 brands for texture, flavor, and appearance. My career revolves around chocolate: from training at the Culinary Institute of America and the Chocolate Academy to working at EHChocolatier, a Massachusetts-based artisanal chocolate producer. I'm confident that these are the best boxed chocolates money can buy, delivered right to your door (or the lucky recipient's). Trust me, I'm a chocolatier.

The best chocolate brands

Best candy bars: Compartés

Best for gifts: La Maison du Chocolat

Best for gourmands: Dandelion Chocolate

Best bean-to-bar: Goodnow Farms

Best budget: Chocolove

Best for nut lovers: See's Candies

Most kid-friendly: Tony's Chocolonely

Best bonbons: Cacao and Cardamom

Best caramels: Fran's Chocolates

Best subscription: Chocolate of the Month Club

Best vegan: Neuhaus

Our top 3 picks for Mother's Day

Best candy bars: Compartés

Shop all chocolate at Compartés.

Compartés seamlessly draws upon familiar flavors and tailors them to fun, stylish candy bars. Take, for example, The Donuts & Coffee bar, which is adorned with bits of real glazed buttermilk donuts, crispy coffee donut crumble, and finely ground coffee. That's just one of the nearly 70 flavors to choose from, and all come in beautiful packaging that makes for great gifting.

I loved the Strawberry Shortcake bar, which whimsically mixes jammy, tart, bite-sized strawberries and crumbles of buttery shortcake into a strawberry-flavored, rosy-hued white chocolate. I'm also intrigued by the new Tomato Chocolate bar, which pairs fresh California tomatoes with white chocolate. There's even a plethora of vegan options.

Our picks:

Best for gifts: La Maison du Chocolat

Shop all chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat.

La Maison du Chocolat's understated luxury, meticulous French elegance, and unparalleled quality, make it a great fit for any fortunate recipient on any occasion. There is an undeniable wow factor to all of La Maison du Chocolat's products, and it comes down to impressive craftsmanship — no glitter necessary. A deep burgundy box, tied closed with a chocolate-brown ribbon, sets the stage for the refined, clean lines of the bonbons carefully arranged inside. The minimalist packaging, free of glassine cups or plastic trays, feels surprisingly lavish and robust. The focus is on the chocolate itself, and it's utter perfection.

To make a strong impression with future in-laws and new neighbors, I'd reach for one of the brand's Gesture Gift Boxes, an assortment of delicate rectangles filled with flavored ganaches like juicy raspberry and rich Ethiopian coffee. To express sincere gratitude to a mentor or lifeline coworker, a box of rustic, cocoa-dusted, Cognac-scented truffles will do the trick. And for a host gift, I recommend a box of assorted pralines, filled with smooth hazelnut gianduja and crispy, toasty rochers.

For a more modest treat, La Maison du Chocolat offers a Snacks & Treats collection, with hearty candy bars, rustic barks, chocolate-covered nuts, and candied orange peels. If you're looking to really make a grand gesture, the brand's Parisian Hatboxes — curated gift baskets filled with carefully selected boxes — will make a memorable statement.

Our picks:

Best for gourmands: Dandelion Chocolate

Shop all chocolate at Dandelion Chocolate.

Food nerds rejoice: San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate, most known for its single-origin chocolate bars, has expanded into bean-to-bonbon confections. Much like a wine, beer, or spirit flight, the brand offers curated collections of bars, truffles, caramels, and pralinés for an immersive, experiential tasting. These flights showcase how terroir and added ingredients shape flavor and texture, pairing remarkable artistry with thoughtful storytelling. Each set feels deluxe, with gold-accented packaging and thoughtfully compiled tasting notes.

The 85% Three-Bar Gift Set reveals bold contrasts and subtle nuances between origins. Whether you're just discovering your inner gourmand or a seasoned gastronome, you'll appreciate the detailed tasting tips and origin maps guiding your chocophile adventure. The truffle flight transforms each single-origin chocolate into ganache, enrobed in its matching couverture. The addition of cream to each chocolate draws out the existing flavors for the curious connoisseur to savor. Tumaco, Colombia's bar, is fudgy with hints of caramel and sweet almond. Its truffle counterpart is softer, with silky dulce de leche taking center stage.

For the ingredient geeks, the caramel flight pairs Tumaco chocolate with caramels crafted from five different sugars from around the world: Brazilian cane, Southeast Asian palm, Indian jaggery, Japanese Okinawa black sugar, and Caribbean muscovado. Each sugar lends its own striking aroma, flavor, and texture to the rich caramel filling, harmonizing with the fudgy cacao in distinct ways.

The Single-Origin Praliné Collection pairs five different cacao origins with complementary nut and seed pâtes. Espelette-spiced quicos-almond praline stands up to vibrant Tanzanian chocolate, without steamrolling its cherished flavors. Candied hazelnut and coffee praline deepens the Colombian chocolate's caramel richness.

Our picks:

Best bean-to-bar: Goodnow Farms

Shop all chocolate at Goodnow Farms.

Bean-to-bar chocolate refers to when a single producer controls the entire chocolate-making process, from harvest to finished product. Think of chocolate like wine, and cacao beans like grapes. A bean-to-bar maker is like a winemaker who, rather than buying grapes from numerous vineyards or purchasing pressed must, oversees the cultivation, harvest, fermentation, aging, and bottling themselves to shape every aspect of flavor. Goodnow Farms is the chocolate equivalent of a gold-standard, estate-driven wine producer.

As with grapes, the flavor of chocolate made from a regional strain of cacao is molded by the terroir where it's grown and the details of its production. Goodnow builds direct-trade relationships with farmers around the world, ensuring 100% traceability and ethical labor practices. The brand roasts and processes the beans in its Massachusetts facility. Where most producers blend neutral, deodorized cocoa butter of anonymous origins into their chocolate, Goodnow presses its own cocoa butter from the same beans. This preserves the integrity and character of each origin's flavor for a truly authentic single-origin product.

The result: superb chocolate. When tasting a bean-to-bar, I look for complexity, balanced acidity, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, all of which Goodnow consistently delivers. Thanks to its house-pressed cocoa butter, all of its bars are silky, approachable, and deeply satisfying.

While most bean-to-bar producers stop there, Goodnow Farms goes a step further. It pairs each cacao's flavors with complementary ingredients through collaborations with like-minded producers. Highlights include an astounding Caramelized Onion bar, created with Burlap & Barrel, using caramel-forward Nicaraguan 77% chocolate. The jammy, fruity Ecuadorian 70% chocolate, blended with Boston Harbor Distillery's Putnam Rye Whiskey, evoked the finish of a cocktail garnished with a Luxardo cherry.

Our picks:

Best budget: Chocolove

Shop all Chocolove chocolate.

Chocolove, a Boulder-based company, prides itself on providing "affordable luxury." At budget-friendly prices, Chocolove somehow offers high-quality flavor and texture, sustainability, and even ethical sourcing. It uses non-GMO ingredients, including cacao beans traceable down to the farmer, to ensure premium chocolate bars at a fair price.

I felt like the elegant Cherries & Almonds in Dark Chocolate bar was a decadent dessert worthy of its own plate and white tablecloth. With Belgian-trained Master Chocolatier Patrick Peeters at the helm, Chocolove continues to provide exquisite chocolate bars of the highest caliber — at the lowest prices.

Our picks:

Best for nut lovers: See's Candies

Shop all chocolate at See's Candies.

The sweet and savory flavors developed from roasting cacao beans make chocolate the ideal "plus one" to any toasted nut. See's Candies has perfected the craft. A coating of good chocolate draws out the natural sweetness of almonds, pistachios, and pecans; coaxes the fatty richness of cashews, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts; and embraces the slight bitterness of walnuts and pine nuts.

See's Candies, founded in 1921, has a vintage, old-timey feel with black and white checkered packaging and classic confections included in its arrangements, such as Dark Scotchmallows. It has an entire collection of "Nuts & Chews" for those devoted to nut-bejeweled chocolates. Toffee-ettes are small nuggets of Danish butter toffee and roasted almonds coated in milk chocolate and rolled in more crunchy almonds.

See's also offers less conventional options for the more daring nut enthusiasts that you can put together in your own custom arrangement. Consider the California Crunch, a flakey brittle center with peanuts and peanut butter enrobed in white chocolate and covered with chopped English walnuts.

Our picks:

Most kid-friendly: Tony's Chocolonely

Shop all Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate.

When choosing chocolate fit for kids, I want a quality brand with approachable flavors, whimsical packaging, and easy-to-portion treats. Tony's Chocolonely offers all of that, and much more. Founded in protest against child exploitation and slave labor (which remains disturbingly common in the chocolate industry), Tony's Chocolonely is an ethics-first company. What better way to introduce kids to ethical consumerism than with the most delightful incentive imaginable: chocolate. Tony's leads by example with its 5 Sourcing Principles: traceable beans, high prices paid to farmers, partner cooperatives, long-term partnerships, and investment for sustainable growth.

Ethics lessons aside, the bright wrappers, playful font, and Fairtrade-certified chocolates are an instant hit with all ages. Irregularly sized, cattywampus pieces to portion off chocolate bars give an intentionally imperfect, lighthearted aesthetic. Creamy, dreamy milk chocolate will win over even the fussiest of the bunch, while inventive flavors like the Raspberry Popping Candy act as playful gateways, subtly encouraging young (and not-so-young) eaters to explore new textures and flavors.

Tiny Tony's, individually wrapped mini bars, are perfect for lunch boxes (or purse snacks, ahem). Lil' Bits are chocolate-coated candy bites with fillings like crunchy caramel, buttery cookie, graham cracker, and fluffy marshmallow. The options are endless, so you are sure to find something for even the pickiest of palates.

Our picks:

Best bonbons: Cacao & Cardamom

Shop all chocolate at Cacao and Cardamom.

A bonbon is a small chocolate-coated confection filled with fruits, nuts, or luscious ganache. A good bonbon should have a thin, flawless shell free of blemishes or chalky white "bloom." It must be visually enticing, hinting at the flavor journey within. Most importantly, it should deliver balanced, thoughtfully textured, and flavorful fillings with no air pockets or leaks. It's a tall order to ask for a single bite of candy, but our favorite maker, Cacao & Cardamom, steps up with style, intrigue, and worldly sophistication.

Each brilliant chocolate is meticulously lacquered with vivid cocoa butter, its design reflecting the filling inside. Beneath the surface, layers of jewel-toned, jammy, creamy, bold, and balanced fillings deliver a fully composed dessert in one to two bites. Inspired by Houston-based founder Annie Rupani's South Asian heritage and extensive global travels, Cacao & Cardamom turns to chiles, spices, leaves, flowers, and berries to tell a story. She evokes a sense of adventure and celebrates cultural traditions.

Flavors like Five Spice Praline, with fennel, Szechuan peppercorns, and star anise over crisp hazelnut praline, and Cardamom Rose with warm, herbal green cardamom and a touch of rose water, offer uncharted culinary experiences. New releases like Knafeh Kisses, a cheeky nod to Dubai chocolate, keep the devoted cacao fiends coming back for more. Cross-country chocoholics, rest assured. Every order from Cacao & Cardamom is carefully packed and shipped with care to ensure their labors of love arrive as pristine as they left.

Our picks:

Best caramels: Fran's

Shop all chocolate at Fran's Chocolates.

Caramels come in all shapes and sizes, firmnesses, colors, degrees of bitterness and butteriness, and with all types of garnishes. Naming the best chocolate with caramel was no easy task, but I found that Fran's Chocolates caramels offer the "pull," deliberate chew, and strategic salting that a great caramel should possess.

Like the perfect bagel or pizza crust, a caramel needs to have just the right amount of chew — not too hard, not too soft. Secondly, salt is great in moderation. It highlights the burnt sugar notes and cuts through the rich, buttery flavor of the confection. However, salt applied with a heavy hand makes for an unpleasant surprise; it stomps out nuanced flavors and tramples on the chocolate coating.

Fran Bigelow, founder of Fran's Chocolates, was inspired by a trip to Paris and has since been dedicated to sharing the joie de vivre philosophy through exceptional confections. This Seattle-based candy producer features Fair Trade-certified chocolate to complement, not overshadow, the caramel's delicate yet luxurious buttery flavor.

Our picks:

Best subscription: Chocolate of the Month Club

Shop at monthlyclubs.com

Monthly subscriptions are available for just about anything: flower bouquets, meal kits, smoked meats, gifts in a box, and yes, you guessed it, chocolate. Subscriptions are a fun, interactive way to learn more about a specific product through exposure and experience. When searching for the best chocolate subscription, we considered each brand's selection, how the items are made, the brand's chocolate sustainability and trade models, and opportunities to learn more about chocolate while enjoying our deliveries.

The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club provided through monthlyclubs.com works with professionals at the esteemed Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan to offer a curated assortment of chocolates, including bonbons and bars. Zingerman's prides itself on a thorough product selection that sources chocolates from international, small-batch chocolatiers.

It's noteworthy and respectable that these chocolates are sourced from eco-friendly, fair-trade producers you can feel good about supporting. Past boxes have even included some of our top picks mentioned above. Best of all, each delivery comes with an educational newsletter containing tasting notes, background reading material, and product information, so you'll get more out of your subscription than just really, really delicious chocolate.

Best vegan: Neuhaus

Shop all chocolate from Neuhaus.

Vegan chocolate bars are a dime a dozen nowadays. After all, dark chocolate is innately dairy-free. But creating rich, creamy fillings without the dairy is a whole other feat, and Neuhaus Belgian Chocolates rises to the challenge. Its vegan bonbons, filled with impossibly velvety caramel in a variety of flavors, rival butter- and cream-laden counterparts. Silky ganaches burst with distinctive, bold notes, like the yuzu and ginger or Earl Grey tea and mandarin. Each confection is decorated with a simple yet elegant disc of chocolate in warm, earthy tones, its hue hinting at the flavors within.

Neuhaus achieves these decadent, dairy-free fillings against all odds by masterfully using natural, recognizable ingredients like chickpea protein, pea protein, and coconut oil in place of the milk fats and protein found in dairy.

Its dairy-free options extend beyond the designated vegan bonbon collection. The Carré Origin box features individually wrapped, delicately thin tiles of divine chocolate sourced from around the world. Neuhaus also offers dark chocolate enrobed toasted almonds and bittersweet orange peels, further proving that indulgence without dairy is not only possible — it's exceptional.

Our picks:

Our top picks, compared

Our pick	Winner	Best for
Best for gifts	La Maison du Chocolat	Gorgeous, giftable boxes of truffles and pralines
Best candy bars	Compartés	Chocolate bars in unique, inventive flavors
Best for gourmands	Dandelion Chocolate	Single-origin chocolates, tasting flights
Best bean-to-bar	Goodnow Farms	Ethically-sourced, direct-trade chocolate roasted and processed in the USA
Best budget	Chocolove	Non-GMO, affordable chocolate bars in classic flavors
Best for nut lovers	See's Candies	Chocolate-covered nuts and pralines
Most kid-friendly	Tony's Chocolonely	Milk chocolate candy bars
Best bonbons	Cacao and Cardamom	Jewel-colored bonbon collections
Best caramels	Fran's Chocolates	Boxes of chocolate-covered caramels
Best subscription	Chocolate of the Month Club	Small-batch, premium chocolate every month
Best vegan	Neuhaus	Vegan chocolate-coated goodies and boxes of vegan chocolate

How we test chocolate

Meet the expert behind the guide

Anne Wolf, professional chocolatier, chef, and food writer: While I am a chocolatier, I've lived previous lives in both scientific research and recipe development. My education in the hard sciences, the savory culinary arts, and my work as a chocolatier have all been in preparation for the daunting task of selecting the best chocolates. I cut no corners and left no truffle unturned.

How I tested

I started by reading about top brands in the chocolate industry, then taste-tested countless confections, evaluating their flavors, textures, and presentation. In all, I sampled more than 100 products from 45 brands for this guide. Here is how I tested:

Consideration	Notes
Flavor	Growing conditions of cacao impact the flavor, as do ingredients used to make confections. Rancid chocolate will have a soapy or cheesy flavor
Freshness	Chocolates should taste and look fresh. They should be free from a chalky or overly dry mouthfeel, with no signs of melting and re-solidifying
Texture	Correctly tempered chocolate should be firm and "snap" when bitten into and melt smoothly
Presentation	Packaging must protect the chocolates and be beautiful as a gift

Vivaia has become a favorite among style influencers for a reason: the brand makes comfortable, polished shoes that are designed for real life, not just special occasions. Our editors have tested Vivaia firsthand and found its footwear to be consistently supportive, stylish, and sustainable. If you're ready to add a pair to your rotation, using a Vivaia coupon code is one of the easiest ways to save at checkout — especially when you're buying best sellers.

Since Vivaia launched in 2020, our team has tried dozens of its most popular styles, and the brand continues to impress with its balance of comfort, structure, and wear-all-day design. Its designs have made it into our guides to the best flats, the most comfortable heels, and the best ballet sneakers. For more details on fit, support, and how we evaluate each pair, check out our full Vivaia review.

Vivaia's sale section is worth browsing, but the best value often comes from stacking markdowns with a valid Vivaia promo code when possible. Some coupons can apply to already discounted styles, helping you score a better deal on everything from flats and heels to sneakers and boots. Below, we've rounded up the best Vivaia coupons and discount codes we've tested so you can shop smarter and step out in comfort and style.

Today's best Vivaia coupon codes

Previous Vivaia coupon codes

Are there any other Vivaia sales currently running?

You can find a full list of current markdowns at any time on the "Sale" page of Vivaia's site. As of the time of writing, the brand is running the following promotions.

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How to use Vivaia coupon codes

Start by adding coupon-eligible items to your cart, then continue to checkout. On the checkout page, you can apply a coupon by pasting a promo code into the "Input coupon code here" text box and clicking "Apply." Some coupons may already be automatically populated on the checkout page, which you can view by clicking the arrow next to "Coupon." Once the code you want to use is added, continue the checkout process by entering your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Vivaia coupon codes?

Vivaia does not allow coupon codes to be stacked together. Only one code may be applied per order.

Vivaia coupon codes: Frequently asked questions

Does Vivaia offer discounts to students, teachers, and military personnel?

Vivaia does offer a 20% discount to students, teachers, medical professionals, first responders, and military members. Eligible shoppers must verify their status to receive the discount code in their inbox.

If you're a student or educator, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and the best teacher discounts for more offers from your favorite brands.

Does Vivaia offer free shipping?

Vivaia offers free standard shipping on all orders over $99. Orders that don't meet the spending minimum will be charged a standard shipping fee of $9.99.

What is Vivaia's return policy?

Vivaia allows free returns and exchanges for up to 30 days after your original online purchase. The return policy for in-store purchases may vary depending on the specific location where the purchase was made. Learn more about returns and exchanges on Vivaia's website.

Can I reuse a Vivaia coupon code?

Most Vivaia coupon codes are designed for one use only. However, there may be exceptions, so be sure to check the terms and conditions for the specific code you want to use.

Should I join Vivaia's rewards program?

Vivaia's rewards program, V-PLUS, offers perks such as $50 off every $300 spent, a free gift with your first order, early access to sales, member-exclusive deals, and more. It may be worth signing up if you're a frequent Vivaia shopper. However, a $49 fee is required to join, so it may not be worthwhile for everyone.

Looking for more footwear? Check out our roundups of the best Vionic coupons and Rothy's promo codes.

• Quantum computing stocks spiked during Tuesday's trading day.
• The quantum rally comes after Nvidia unveiled the Ising AI model family made for the computing tech.
• Quantum chips or QPUs, are expected to be the next wave of n data center processors, Bernstein said.

Quantum computing stocks were among the market's top gainers in Tuesday's trading session after Nvidia announced a quantum-focused AI advancement.

Nvidia unveiled Ising, an open-source family of AI models that leverages quantum computing technology to address processor calibration and error-correction issues.

"AI is essential to making quantum computing practical," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said, adding "With Ising, AI becomes the control plane — the operating system of quantum machines — transforming fragile qubits to scalable and reliable quantum-GPU systems."

Here were the big movers in Tuesday's session:

• Xanadu Quantum Technologies: +28%
• IonQ: +13%
• D-Wave Quantum: +13%
• Rigetti Computing: +9%

"Quantum Processor Units (QPUs) are likely to become the next important co-processor in data centers, sitting alongside CPUs and GPUs," Berstein analysts told clients.

"CPUs will remain the workhorse for general-purpose computing, while GPUs dominate highly parallel workloads such as AI. QPUs, in turn, could become essential for a set of problems that are too complex or too costly for classical processors to solve efficiently," the analysts said.

They used an analogy to explain: QPUs can search a 100-million-page phone book all at once while CPUs go page by page.

The technology is in its early innings but is expected to revolutionize areas like medical research and energy efficiency, prompting interest from tech giants and governments. The space is a largely speculative trade for investors, given that real-world applications are still some time away.

Ramsey Theory Group CEO Dan Herbatschek told Business Insider why Nvidia's Ising is important for the quantum space.

"This is significant because NVIDIA is taking what is a principle from quantum physics and making it actually usable … NVIDIA just brought quantum-like computing to hardware already in existence that organizations have — allowing them to benefit with real business value now."

Quantum Art CEO Dr. Tal David noted that Nvidia Ising "shows the power of hybrid quantum-classical computing, which is at the forefront of the industry."

Shopping for plus-size clothing has never been simple — and as a plus-size woman, I've spent decades navigating a retail landscape that often felt like an afterthought. For years, extended sizes were limited to a few familiar names. Today, that picture is slowly shifting, with more brands designing intentionally for plus-size bodies and offering some of the strongest options we've seen in a long time. As plus-size celebrity stylist Kat Eves noted, "We've really made some pretty big leaps and bounds when it comes to plus-size fashion and having a more inclusive shopping experience."

But progress doesn't mean parity. For many shoppers, finding stylish, well-made plus-size clothing is still frustrating — and the pace of change hasn't matched the demand. "The fashion retail industry is absolutely improving but in my opinion, not fast enough," said Hina Low, a personal stylist and plus-size content creator who works under the name Heensie. "We have seen popular retailers expand to a size 20 perhaps, but rarely more than that and often, only online. This is not true inclusion."

Even when extended sizing exists, Eves points out that self-expression often falls short. Trend-driven pieces are still harder to come by, forcing shoppers to spend more time searching for styles that feel personal and current.

That's where this guide comes in. Alongside my own 20-plus years of experience shopping plus sizes, I spoke with both Eves and Heensie to identify the brands actually pushing things forward. While fast-fashion options are included for accessibility, both experts emphasized their excitement around the growing number of small, independent plus-size labels stepping in to fill the long-standing gap — and finally offering trendy, thoughtfully designed clothing in extended sizes.

And if you're looking for the best plus-size swimwear, best plus-size workout clothes, or the best plus-size jeans, we've got you covered there, too!

A quick look at some of our favorite plus-size clothing brands

Here's a quick summary of our favorite retailers, but read on to find our full list and why we love them.

• Eloquii is not only one of the best places to buy plus-size workwear but also one of the top retailers for cute dresses and great denim. You'll find everything from trendy cuts to long-lasting basics here, which is why Heensie said it is "very well loved and a go-to for many plus-size customers."
• Reformation is a staple trendy clothing retailer with a great selection of extended sizes and a commitment to sustainability. It's an amazing place to find things like wedding guest dresses and special pieces like trendy tops.
• Universal Standard was one of the first brands to truly pioneer stylish plus-size fashion and they continue to be one of the best in the game at serving folks up to a size 40. They even got our hard-won spot for the best plus size workwear brand.
• Anthropologie has a huge selection of plus-size clothing that feels unique and special, including on-trend pieces that suit a variety of occasions.
• Quince has a small but mighty selection of luxury plus-size clothing at approachable prices, including cashmere and silk pieces. We reviewed Quince's plus-size line when it launched, and the collection has since grown.

Universal Standard

Shop all clothing at Universal Standard

Size range: 00 to 40

Universal Standard was one of the first retailers to pioneer true size inclusivity, offering every style in size 00 to 40. The brand uses its own letter sizing system that equates a medium to a size 18 (the average size of a woman in the US), and its unique Fit Liberty program lets you exchange many items for a different size up to a year from your purchase date, no matter how used the clothing is.

"Universal Standard is one of the more popular brands that are really leading the way in the fashion industry in terms of inclusive sizing," Heensie said. "They are my go-to for plus-sized denim, in both my clients' wardrobes and in my personal." The brand is also one of Insider's favorite places for shoppers of all sizes to buy the best workwear, affordable women's basics, the best T-shirt, and the best women's jeans, and statement pieces like leather jackets. Standard shipping is free, and for returns or exchanges not covered by the Fit Liberty program, you'll have 30 days to send your items back and will have to pay a processing fee of between $4.50 and $7.50.

Reformation

Shop all plus-size clothing at Reformation

Size range: 0 to 24

Reformation is one of the most popular upmarket clothing brands of the moment, and nearly 100 of its styles are available in extended sizing. The brand is known for its sustainable pieces, from statement dresses to capsule basics. Most of the pieces are available up to a size 24 or 3X and fit true to size. The clothing is pricier, but the brand is climate-neutral certified, and the pieces are built to last. You'll incur an $8 return shipping fee unless you're a rewards member, are exchanging, or opting for store credit.

Anthropologie

Shop all plus-size clothing at Anthropologie

Size range: XXS to 4X; 00 to 26W

If your style is dreamy and whimsical, Anthropologie is the place to shop. The retailer offers over 600 styles in plus sizes, with options for up to a size 26W (though you'll find the largest selection in sizes 16 to 22). Shipping is free on orders over $50, but you'll pay $5.95 return shipping unless you return in store. While its in-store plus-size offerings are limited, its clothing rental service, Nuuly, is a great way to try styles if you don't want to commit. You can rent six items at a time for $98 a month, and you'll get a discount on any items you want to keep.

Wildfang

Shop all clothing at Wildfang

Size range: 0 to 30; XS to 4X

Many plus-size designs trend hyper-feminine, but if your style leans more masculine to gender-neutral, Wildfang is a great place to shop. The brand recently expanded its size offerings to fit up to what would typically be a 30 in traditional women's sizing. You'll find button-ups, jumpsuits, and trousers that can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. "Their suiting options, especially for gender-inclusive style is something that I'm really excited about," Eves said. Shipping is free over $75, but returns incur a $10 restocking fee.

Eloquii

Shop all clothing at Eloquii

Size range: 14 to 32

Eloquii is a dedicated plus-size retailer catering to women size 14 and above, and Heensie said it is "very well loved and a go-to for many plus-size customers." There's a strong focus on work-appropriate attire, so you'll find great options for suiting and many day-to-night outfits, with the occasional statement piece ideal for a night out. You can get free shipping on orders over $125, though you'll pay $10.99 for returns unless you exchange or opt for store credit.

Quince

Shop all plus-size clothing at Quince

Size range: XS to 3X

Quince has made waves as a go-to retailer for high-quality pieces at affordable prices. Our straight-sized reporters have raved about the brand, and we recently got the opportunity to try several items from its newly launched extended-size collection. The good news is that the pieces are attractive, durable, well-fitting, and high-quality. The bad news is that the company charges more for extended sizes than for straight sizes. While we think Quince still has work to do when it comes to size inclusivity, we loved the pieces enough to recommend this brand for staples like cashmere sweaters, linen pants, and silk dresses.

Read our full Quince review and our review of Quince's plus-size launch.

Nordstrom

Shop all plus-size clothing at Nordstrom

Size range: 00 to 28

Nordstrom is a great place to shop from a variety of upscale brands, including many that are already on this list, like Spanx, Good American, Eloquii, and Skims. If you're overwhelmed with where to start, we recommend checking out the jeans from NYDJ, upscale basics from Eileen Fisher, and occasionwear by Hutch. One of the big perks of shopping at Nordstrom is that the store is generous with its perks for rewards members and credit card holders, including granting advance access to its famous anniversary sale. Returns are free both in-store and online.

Cider

Shop all plus-size styles from Cider

Size Range: XXS to 4X

For super trendy, TikTok viral clothing, Cider is the place to go. There are hundreds of styles available in sizes up to 4X. Everything is incredibly affordable, with prices ranging from $8 for a bodysuit to $52 for a faux leather jacket. We recommend checking the product size chart for each garment before you buy, as the sizing seems to vary a lot from item to item. For example, we've seen skirts on the site that are both labeled as 4X, but range anywhere from 55 inches to 61 inches in the hips. You'll pay a $3.99 return restocking fee, and you'll need to start your return within 14 days of receiving your items.

J.Crew

Shop all plus-size clothing at J.Crew

Size range: 000 to 24; XXXS to 3X

While you won't find any plus-size models on J.Crew's website, a great selection of the brand's offerings are available in up to a size 3X. You'll find options for nearly any occasion: button-ups for work, basics for lounging, swimsuits, jeans, statement pieces, and even wedding guest dresses. Shipping is free for J.Crew Rewards members, and you can return for free in store or pay $7.95 to return through the mail.

Amazon

Shop all plus-size clothing at Amazon

Size range: 00 to 42; XXS to 8X

You can find thousands of plus-size clothing items right on Amazon; the retailer even has a dedicated landing page, The Plus Shop, for extended sizes. Like the rest of Amazon, it can be tricky to browse, and you'll find lots of third-party sellers that could be hit or miss in quality. However, it's a great catch-all place to shop if you have a specific item in mind, but you're not finding it at other retailers. As always, Prime members will get free shipping on eligible orders, and returns are free and easy through Amazon's return center.

Eileen Fisher

Shop all plus-size clothing at Eileen Fisher

Size range: XXS to 3X

Eileen Fisher is the place to shop for upscale, breezy pieces that feel timeless and elevated. You won't find any "hard pants" here; everything is formulated for comfort. Unfortunately, the brand does not feature any plus-size models on its site, but you'll find a hefty selection of items available in up to a 3X. I love the brand's linen sets for summer; they're cool, durable, and feel chic to wear. Shipping is free, but you may pay a fee if not returning in-store.

Never Fully Dressed

Shop all clothing at Never Fully Dressed

Size range: 2 to 24

I'd describe Never Fully Dressed as elevated dopamine dressing. You'll find every color of the rainbow represented in its styles, along with playful prints and patterns. I own several statement pieces from Never Fully Dressed that I truly love, including a detailed embroidered sweater, a tattoo-inspired tie-front top, and bright red pants with scalloped pockets. The items feel unique, and I always get compliments on them.

The brand is transparent about its sustainability initiatives and covers both shipping and import duties (the items ship from the UK). Unfortunately, you'll pay a hefty fee on international returns, equivalent to about $13. If you're in New York or London, it's also worth stopping into one of its stores, which carry items in the full size range.

Dia

Shop all clothing at Dia

Size range: 0X to 7X; 10 to 40

You may know Dia as a clothing subscription service, but the brand has expanded in recent years to be a full-service retailer of plus-size clothing. While it still offers its signature plus-size styling boxes, you can now shop à la carte for everything from swimsuits to jeans. In 2022, Dia acquired 11 Honoré, an online marketplace of upscale brands offering plus sizes, so you can also browse designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Tanya Taylor right from Dia's website. Shipping is free for à la carte orders over $125 and all styling boxes. Returns are free if you opt for store credit, otherwise you'll need to pay a return shipping fee.

Noble

Shop all plus-size clothing at Noble

Size range: XS to 3X

Noble recently expanded its offerings to a 3X, and it has quickly become one of my favorite places to shop for effortless pieces that are versatile, comfortable, and relaxed but put together. I practically live in the brand's utility dresses (which I have in both short and long), and I find that they can easily be dressed up or down by playing with layers or adjusting the front zipper. The pieces are made with 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton that's been grown, milled, and sewn on fair-wage farms in Peru, and the brand has made other environmental commitments like using compostable packaging and offering a buyback program for used garments. Shipping is free on orders over $100, but returns incur a $10 fee unless you buy return insurance for $2.98 at checkout.

BAACAL

Shop all plus-size clothing at BAACAL

Size range: 10 to 28

BAACAL is the plus-size line from designer Cynthia Vincent, the founder and namesake of Vince and reflects the same commitment to high-end, sustainable fashion. "She does such a beautiful job of creating really high-end pieces that look effortless," Eves said of the designer's kaftans, dresses, and jackets. BAACAL is a great place to shop for truly special pieces that you'll keep in your closet for decades, and its prices reflect that; you can expect to pay $200 to $400 for most items in the collection. The brand uses its own in-house sizing: its size 1 is meant to fit a US 10-12, while its size 5 should fit a US 26-28. Exchanges are free, as is shipping on orders over $50. Returns made for cash, however, will incur a $12 fee.

SKIMS

Shop all plus-size clothing at SKIMS

Size range: XXS to 4X

From the best white T-shirts to the best lingerie, one brand that repeatedly shows up as a top pick in our buying guides is Kim Kardashian's SKIMS. Products from SKIMS have made our guides to the best underwear, the best leggings, the best bras, and more. Since its launch in 2019, SKIMS has offered shapewear, underwear, loungewear, and more in an inclusive size range — its clothing currently goes up to a size 4X in most styles and up to a 46H in bras. It's a great place to shop for plus-size underwear, plus-size lingerie, and basics like T-shirts and leggings. You have up to 30 days to return items, and you'll pay a $6 return shipping fee on your order, unless you join SKIMS' free loyalty program or opt for store credit.

Spanx

Shop all plus-size clothing at Spanx

Size range: XS to 3X

Spanx may be known for its shapewear, but the retailer has expanded in the past few years to include workwear and loungewear in up to a size 3X. Spanx is one of our favorite places to shop for stylish work pants, comfortable bras, day-to-night leggings, and tights that don't rip. Almost all the pieces are in neutral colors to easily mix and match with your existing wardrobe. Shipping is free, but you'll pay a $6 return shipping fee unless you opt for store credit.

Read more in our full Spanx review.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Shop all plus-size jeans at Abercrombie & Fitch

Size range: 000 to 26 (23 to 38 in Abercrombie's in-house sizing)

If you live life in a larger body, the words "Abercrombie & Fitch" probably conjure deep memories of teenage exclusion. Surprisingly, the retailer has become a beloved destination for plus-size jeans in the past few years. Abercrombie now carries short, regular, and long-length jeans up to a size 26 (what it calls "size 38").

In addition to offering extended sizes in many of its traditional styles, its Curve Love denim also provides an extra two inches of room in the hips, so there are options for a great fit regardless of whether you carry your weight in your stomach or hips.

While we'd love to see the same inclusivity applied to Abercrombie's other clothing (which currently only seems to run up to an XXL, except in a very small selection of pieces that run to an XXXL), we recommend giving this unlikely retailer a try for great-fitting plus-size jeans.

Read more in our full Abercrombie jeans review.

What Lo Wants

Shop all clothing at What Lo Wants

Size range: XS to 5X

Frustrated by the lack of accessible, sustainable plus-size clothing options, Lauren "Lo" Gray decided to start her own ethical fashion line catering specifically to sizes 14 to 32. The small-batch collections are made in Los Angeles using largely GOTS-certified dyes, natural fibers, and recycled or deadstock fabrics. The pieces range from breezy, pastel loungewear to bold patterned, body-hugging dresses. Shipping is free for orders over $150, and returns and exchanges are accepted within 14 days of receipt.

Good American

Shop all clothing at Good American

Size range: 00 to 32; XS to 5XL

Co-founded by Khloe Kardashian, Good American offers a size-inclusive range of jeans and other apparel in a plethora of styles. We've tested Good American jeans on all different shapes and sizes, and the retailer remains one of our picks for the best places to buy women's jeans. While jeans are Good American's forte, don't sleep on its other offerings — we recently named it one of the best places to shop for women's suits. You'll also find plenty of basics like white tees, bodysuits, and loungewear. Shipping is free on orders over $125, but you'll pay a $2.99 to $7.99 restocking fee if you need to make a return for cash (exchanges and returns for store credit are free).

Mango

Shop all plus sizes at Mango

Size range: XXS to 4X; 0 to 24

If you're looking to put together a capsule wardrobe, Mango makes elevated staples in neutral tones for effortless mixing and matching. You'll find timeless pieces with a French aesthetic that are equally at home at the office or out to brunch. While the retailer offers plenty of styles in up to a 4X, keep in mind that the pieces sold in numerical sizes (such as jeans and some dresses) rarely go past a size 22. Returns within 30 days are free, so it's worth trying out a few different sizes to see what fits best.

Old Navy

Shop all clothing at Old Navy

Size range: 0 to 30; XS to 4X

For many plus-size customers, Old Navy is in the doghouse at the moment, as the retailer backed out of its much-hyped "BODEQUALITY" campaign that promised to stock up to size 30 in stores. Still, Old Navy offers hundreds of inexpensive plus-size styles online, with the option to return in-store or through the mail for free. The retailer often has big sales, and you'll find many pieces available for under $20, making this a great place to shop for affordable clothes that are still on trend.

Madewell

Shop all plus-size styles from Madewell

Size Range: 00 to 24

We love Madewell for affordable women's basics, great-fitting jeans, and on-trend minimalist pieces. Madewell's youthful designs feature lots of neutrals, denim, earthy tones, and boxy fits. Unfortunately, Madewell's plus-size offerings seem to be dwindling these days, which is a shame because the retailer really makes some fantastic fitting plus-size jeans. Even if you're a casual Madewell customer, we recommend signing up for the brand's free rewards program, Madewell Insider, which will get you free returns on your orders (among other perks). Otherwise, expect to pay $7.95 for returns.

Big Bud Press

Shop all clothing at Big Bud Press

Size range: XXS to 7XL

If your aesthetic leans more "should have been born in the '70s," Big Bud Press is worth a look. You'll find unisex clothing up to a size 7X with strong vintage hippie vibes — think bell bottoms and psychedelic patterns in silhouettes that range from androgynous to slightly feminine. "I live in their jumpsuits when I'm working as a stylist," said Eves, who also noted that the LA-based retailer revamped its sizing based on feedback from plus-size customers. Return policies are on the strict side: Returns and exchanges must be postmarked within 14 days of delivery, the customer is responsible for return shipping, and a restocking fee applies to orders over $500.

Target

Shop all plus-size clothing at Target

Size range: XS to 6X; 00 to 30

While Target offers a limited selection of plus sizes in stores, you'll find thousands of styles on the retailer's website. Target's website isn't set up well for browsing, so we recommend perusing the straight-size clothing in store and then finding your size on Target's app or website. We particularly love the retailer's selection of bathing suits and inexpensive jeans. Target has one of the best return policies in the biz; you have 90 days to make a return on regular merchandise and up to a year to return items from Target's own lines (Universal Thread, A New Day, etc.).

ASOS

Shop all plus-size clothing at ASOS

Size range: 0 to 26

Any plus-size millennial can probably recount the relief they felt the first time they discovered ASOS. The retailer was one of the first to make a substantial collection of truly on-trend, cool clothing in plus sizes. "ASOS Curve can be difficult size-wise, because they carry an array of brands," said Heensie. "However, they are plentiful in their options and many plus-sized folks have been deferring to them for years for trendy pieces." At ASOS, you'll find hundreds of inexpensive styles for any occasion you can think of; it even offers plus-size jewelry. Most shoppers report that the clothing runs large, so you may want to size down for the best fit. The retailer offers free shipping over $70, and returns are quick, easy, and free.

Free Label

Shop all clothing at Free Label

Size range: XS to 5X

If you still scoff at the idea of wearing "hard pants" post-pandemic, Free Label is a great place to shop for pieces that are stylish yet comfortable. "They make the most glorious loungewear and bras," said Heensie. The brand focuses on natural fibers like linen and cotton, along with some pieces made using deadstock fabrics; all sustainable options. Heensie said the brand is very community-oriented and regularly solicits feedback on fit. You'll find models of all sizes on the site, so you can get an accurate idea of what the clothing looks like on various body types. Shipping is free on orders over $200 and the brand offers returns within 7 days of receiving the items, but you'll pay a $15 return shipping fee.

Nooworks

Shop all clothing at Nooworks

Size range: XXS to 5X

If you love bold statement pieces and lots of color, Nooworks is the place to shop. The brand is a favorite of Eves, who particularly loves its jumpsuits. "They have some really interesting, fun designs that are created by independent artists," Eves said of the Nooworks' bold patterns. The brand prioritizes sustainable fabrics and prints its patterns in Los Angeles using a rotary printing technique that is more environmentally friendly than dyeing. It also offers a resale platform where customers can buy and sell used Nooworks' pieces. You have 14 days from the receipt of your items to initiate a return or exchange. Returns for cash incur a $10 restocking fee.

Tamara Malas

Shop all clothing from Tamara Malas

Size range: 2 to 36

If you love a good matching set or a true statement piece, you'll love the plus-size options from Tamara Malas. You'll find items that are bright and loud in both color and silhouette — think bi-color velvet pants and psychedelic print biker shorts. Shipping within the US is free over $250, and like other small retailers the return window is quite short — you have 14 days from receiving your item to initiate a return and you're on the hook for a $10 restocking fee. The brand also carries plus sizes in its Lower East Side store, which is worth a stop if you're in the New York City area.

Sante Grace

Shop all clothing at Sante Grace

Size range: 1X to 5X; 14 to 30

"Sante Grace out of LA is doing some really interesting, ethically made fun fashion for people of lots of different style types," said Eves. "So you've got everything from a really cool gold sparkle jogger to a totally work-appropriate suit vest." Tracy Christian, the designer behind Sante Grace, was inspired by fashion houses like Balmain and YSL; luxury brands she couldn't fit into as a plus-size person. She channels similar edginess and modernity into her own designs, which include caftans, rompers, dresses, and suiting. Shipping is free on purchases over $125, and you have 7 days to return items for either an exchange or store credit. You'll pay return shipping and a $5 restocking fee per item.

Loud Bodies

Shop all clothing at Loud Bodies

Size range: 0 to 42

Eves and Heensie both recommended Loud Bodies, which specializes in loud, bright, colorful clothing, with options for up to size 42 (10X). You'll find everything from workwear basics to statement pinafores in unique prints and flashy colors, all with a focus on sustainability. "I love how utterly whimsical this brand is," Heensie says. "Their dresses are like something out of a storybook, and are perfect for anyone who is looking for a bit of cottagecore or just plain magic in their wardrobe." The retailer is based in Romania and each item is made to order, so expect a wait time of 2-4 weeks on orders. You'll also be on the hook for return shipping if your order is under $200.

Lucy & Yak

Shop all plus-size clothing from Lucy & Yak

Size range: UK 6 to 32 (equivelent to US 2 to 28)

If you're looking for a buzzy addition to your wardrobe, check out British brand Lucy & Yak. Best known for its dungarees and jumpsuits in vibrant colors and eclectic designs, you can also find soft linen pants and lightweight outerwear. Committed to making pieces that last, Lucy & Yak makes its clothing using sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and dead-stock fabrics. The brand has a 30-day return window for most unused, unwashed items with a fee for international returns.

Tunnel Vision

Shop all clothing at Tunnel Vision

Size range: XXS to 7X

"This is another great brand that prioritizes size inclusivity, is very community-oriented and dials up the edginess even further," Heensie said of Tunnel Vision, who noted the brand also offers size-inclusive vintage and buy-back stock. The Los Angeles-based retailer cheekily calls its designs "clothes for deadbeat, lowlife weirdos," and its offerings reflect that punk-rock irreverence, with lots of 90s-core designs that look like an angsty teen made a collage out of 1997 Delia's and Hot Topic catalogs. "My punk and goth clients love pieces from here," Heensie said. Tunnel Vision uses carbon-neutral shipping and all its new clothing is made in certified sweatshop-free environments. The brand doesn't offer returns, but does allow exchanges for store credit.

Laws of Motion

Shop all custom-sized clothing at Laws of Motion

Size range: practically any

Laws of Motion is one of the cooler retailers I've tried recently. The brand uses AI to tailor-make clothing in exactly your size. I used the Find My Fit feature to submit some basic information about my height and weight, along with some photos. The process was so fast that I was skeptical that the sequin pantsuit and jumpsuit I ordered would fit properly, but I was thrilled to find that my pieces arrived essentially pre-tailored and fit like a glove. This is a game changer for tall plus-size folks like me who have trouble finding dresses and jumpsuits that are long enough. The clothing is on the pricier side, but it's a great option for special pieces that are uniquely made for you.

H&M

Shop all plus-size styles from H&M

Size Range: 0 (XXS) to 26 (4XL)

H&M is another spot to check out for cheap plus-size clothes, though the brand seems to have walked back on its plus-size commitment since we initially included it in this guide. At the time, Heensie noted that the brand took on plus-size model Tess Holliday as a consultant, but — despite having a decent plus-size selection — the brand no longer features plus-size models on its site.

For now, we're leaving it in the guide as a place you can source cheap basics (think your classic black tees and white button-ups). We recommend joining H&M's free loyalty program, which will get you free shipping over $40. However, even if you're a loyalty member, you'll have to pay $3.99 in return shipping or else return your items in-store.

FAQs

What is considered plus size?

In the US, plus size is generally considered to be size 18 or above, though size 12, 14, and 16 shoppers may also identify as plus size because clothing options become more limited above a US 10. The average woman in the US is variously reported to be between size 14 to 18, which means more women wear plus sizes than straight sizes in the US.

Where can I buy plus-size vintage?

The options for plus-size vintage aren't nearly as numerous as they are for straight sizes, but several dedicated plus-size vintage shops have popped up over the last couple years. Some of Eves' favorite places to shop for plus-size vintage and consignment are Luvsick, Proud Mary, The Plus Bus, Berriez, and Plus BKLYN. A few of the retailers in our guide, including Tunnel Vision and Nooworks, also offer vintage or buyback stock on their websites.

As a native New Englander whose personal style falls somewhere between cozy and coastal chic — very Nancy Meyers-coded — nothing gets me more excited for warm weather than slipping into a great pair of linen pants. The best linen pants strike that elusive balance between polished and relaxed, making them one of the most versatile staples in any summer wardrobe. They're lightweight, breathable, and easy to style, whether you're heading to the office, running errands, packing for a beach vacation, or dressing for a casual dinner out. In other words, a really good pair of linen pants can do it all.

Of course, finding the best linen pants isn't always so simple. I've tried pairs that felt stiff and scratchy, others that were too sheer to wear confidently, and plenty that wrinkled the second I sat down. Since most shoppers don't have the time — or budget — to sift through dozens of options, I did the testing for you. I tried more than a dozen best-selling linen pants and evaluated each pair for comfort, fit, durability, breathability, and versatility. Whether you're looking for wide-leg linen pants for travel, an easy pull-on style for weekends, or a polished linen trouser you can wear on repeat, these are the best linen pants worth adding to your cart.

For more of our favorite pants coverage, see our articles on the best travel pants, the best work pants for women, and more.

Best overall: Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pant

What we love: Available in petite sizing and up to 3X, elastic waistband, machine washable

Why it might not work for you: Ankle length may not hit at the right spot for taller people

Eileen Fisher's Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pant earns our top spot by delivering a rare mix of comfort, polish, and versatility. So if you're only buying one pair of linen pants, the Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pants are the one to beat.

While some elastic-waist pants look inherently casual, these are actually pretty easy to dress up. Despite having the flexibility and comfort of my favorite leggings, they look remarkably elegant — particularly when paired with heeled mule sandals, open-toe slingbacks, or platform espadrilles. The pants also hang nicely on the body, with a fit that's slimmer through the hips and then oh-so-gradually widens through the legs.

"These are my favorite linen pants," says style editor Samantha Crozier. "Most linen pants skew too casual, too sheer, or too shapeless; this Eileen Fisher pair stands out for its polished drape, easy fit, and versatile medium-weight linen that works for everything from travel days to office outfits. Plus, the material isn't itchy or too see-through — common pitfalls of lower-quality linen."

The Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pants come in sizes XXS through 3X (as well as petite petite through petite large). This mid-weight, pull-on style is crisp and comfy with a high-quality construction.

Eileen Fisher continues to be our favorite brand for high-quality basics because of the premium materials and ultra-wearable silhouettes, which these pants embody.

Best budget: Quince 100% European Linen Tapered Ankle Pants

What we love: Elastic waistband, pockets, 8 color options, machine washable, sustainably grown linen

Why it might not work for you: Only one inseam option (around 25.75")

Finding 100% linen pants that cost under $100 is no easy feat — most budget-friendly pairs are made with linen blends that incorporate cheaper fabrics. That's what makes this pair from Quince stand out: it's made solely from high-quality, sustainably grown linen and carries a $42 price tag.

A lot of linen pants feature a wide leg that, if not designed thoughtfully, can look shapeless and unflattering. What sets Quince's 100% European Linen Tapered Ankle Pants apart is that the leg gradually narrows toward the bottom, resulting in a sleeker, more streamlined silhouette.

Not only are these pants machine-washable, but they're versatile, too. I can easily dress them up with chunky wedges and statement earrings, or down with a fitted tee and flat sandals. (Personally, I love pairing them with Quince's 100% Linen Halter Top for a monochromatic, Parisian it girl aesthetic).

The only snag is that these pants aren't available in multiple lengths, but based on reviews from other customers across a range of heights, it seems like the just-under-26-inch inseam strikes an ideal compromise for most.

See our full Quince review for our thoughts on over 60 different Quince products.

Best for work: Babaton New Agency Pant in PowerLinen

What we love: Elastic back waist, both back and front pockets, belt loops, wrinkle-resistant

Why it might not work for you: Dry clean only, one inseam option

My main gripe with linen pants is that they can sometimes look a bit frumpy by the end of the day — blame it on the fact that they tend to wrinkle and lose their shape very quickly. That definitely doesn't fly in professional situations. But thankfully, Aritzia's Babaton New Agency Pant in PowerLinen dodges these issues, thanks to the unique blended fabric that fuses naturally textured linen with a special eco-friendly viscose. With a classic high-waisted, wide-leg fit, these trousers are undeniably flattering, drape like a dream, and resist wrinkling surprisingly well.

By far my favorite feature on these pants is the hidden elastic in the back of the waist. This offers the best of both worlds, maximizing comfort while also maintaining a tailored look. The belt loops unlock new styling possibilities, too.

There's only one inseam option for these pants, but it ranges proportionally by size and seems like a reasonable length for anyone between 5'2 and 5'7. I found them to be the perfect length with a modest 2.5- to 3-inch heel.

Note: The Aritzia Effortless Pant in CruiseLinen gets an honorable mention, too — while these don't feature the elastic-back waist, they are machine washable and equally wrinkle-resistant. You should also check out my full review of the Aritzia Effortless Pant.

Best for travel: AE Stretch Low-Rise Linen-Blend Pull-On Pant

What we love: Adjustable waistband with elastic, side pockets and back pockets, stretchy, machine washable

Why it might not work for you: One inseam option, low rise isn't for everyone

We've all been there: You do one final fit check in the mirror, step into your car, and those linen pants that looked so polished mere seconds ago are already wrinkled. Because linen is made from stiff flax fibers with virtually no elasticity, it doesn't snap back into shape easily. One way around this is to blend linen with other fabrics, which is what American Eagle cleverly did with these Stretch Low-Rise Linen-Blend Pull-On Pants.

The addition of cotton, rayon, and elastane not only makes the pants feel super soft but also helps keep them relatively wrinkle-free. That makes them an ideal piece to pack in your suitcase. And because they feature a touch of stretch and a drawstring waistband, they're comfy enough to wear even for long-haul flights — but you also won't have to worry about looking sloppy when you arrive at your final destination.

As a general rule, I avoid low-rise pants like the plague (hey, I'm a millennial and I barely survived the early 2000s unscathed). However, I have to say these pants pleasantly surprised me. They still offer a reasonable amount of coverage, and thanks to the adjustable waistband, I never had any sagging or slipping.

Best straight-leg: Garnet Hill Classic Linen Trousers

What we love: Petite length option, belt loops, front and back pockets, pre-washed, certified European flax, machine washable

Why it might not work for you: No stretch, slightly snug in the thigh

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more universally flattering silhouette than a mid-rise, straight-leg trouser — like the Garnet Hill Classic Linen Trousers. The rise is just high enough to feel supportive, and the leg strikes that just-right compromise between slim and baggy. Plus, they come in a variety of timeless shades like chambray blue, navy, and sand — a stunning soft neutral that emulates raw, unbleached flax.

These aren't just made with any linen, either — they're constructed of certified European flax, which comes with a third-party guarantee of high quality, and are produced with ethical and eco-friendly practices.

Sometimes linen can feel a bit scratchy on first wear, but these pants are garment-washed for superior softness — and trust me, you can really feel the difference the first time you slip them on. The 28-inch petite inseam is perfect for shorties like me (under 5'4), whether I wear them with low heels or flats, and I also appreciate the belt loops for when I want to accessorize to add some visual and textural contrast.

Best trousers: Everlane Wide-Leg Belted Pant in Stretch Linen

What we love: Removable belt, just enough stretch, pockets, two different length options, easy care

Why it might not work for you: No "tall" inseam (for those 5'9 and above)

I generally subscribe to the notion that you can't have it all — but Everlane proved me wrong here. The Wide-Leg Belted Pant in Stretch Linen looks structured, yet feels incredibly soft and stretchy thanks to the addition of viscose and elastane.

The skinny belt definitely elevates these pants, but I also love that it's removable — giving me the ultimate styling flexibility to swap it out for, say, a bolder skinny leather belt or to skip it altogether when I want a more casual, streamlined look.

The pants come in two different length options, too. I'm 5'3 and I found the shorter option (30") to be perfect whether I wore flats or heels — a huge advantage considering I'm used to bringing all my pants to the tailor to be hemmed.

One last perk worth mentioning, because we love a low-maintenance pair of trousers: Unlike some linen pants, these can be tossed in the washing machine as well as the dryer.

Best with inclusive sizing: Wild Fable Low-Rise Baggy Leg Linen Pull-On Pants

What we love: Size-inclusive, budget-friendly, adjustable drawstring waist, pockets, lightweight, relatively wrinkle-resistant, machine washable

Why it might not work for you: Not much stretch, relaxed leg may look baggy on some, 31" inseam may be too long if you're under 5'5

You don't, in fact, have to shell out a fortune for linen pants — case in point: These Wild Fable Low-Rise Baggy Leg Linen Pull-On Pants are only $30, but they look far more expensive.

I bought two pairs of these last summer at the height of my pregnancy, and thanks to the adjustable waistband, I still managed to accommodate my ever-growing belly but still fit flawlessly after I had my baby. These pants are comfy enough to throw on with a tank for casual brunches and stroller walks, but with the right jewelry and footwear, they can also work for dinner out at the resort.

They also come in a much wider size range than most, from XXS to 4X. Another factor worth highlighting? Because they're made of a linen blend with rayon, these pants have a flowier drape and are way less likely to wrinkle.

Best cropped: Athleta Retreat Linen Easy Barrel Crop Pant

What we love: Available in three different lengths, machine washable, quick drying, elastic waist, zip pockets, 100% European Flax™ Linen

Why it might not work for you: Wrinkles easily

I've resisted the barrel pant trend for a while now — what can I say? As a traditionalist, the bowed-out shape always struck me as unflattering. But I can confidently say I'm a full convert after trying the Retreat Linen Easy Barrel Crop Pant from Athleta. The laid-back, slouchy silhouette oozes an effortless cool factor — just make sure to pair them with a more fitted top to achieve some visual balance.

Athleta is one of my go-to petite clothing brands. But regardless of your height, you definitely don't have to worry about altering these pants — because they come in petite, regular, and tall inseams alike. These pants not only feature pockets — an absolute must for me — but the pockets zip closed so I don't have to stress about losing my keys, phone, card holder, or other important items.

I know these pants will definitely be a go-to during the hotter months, too: Thanks to the quick-drying 100% linen construction and relaxed fit leg that promotes airflow, I'm bound to stay cool no matter the temps.

How to shop for linen pants

1) Fabric: 100% linen vs linen blends

Whether you opt for 100% linen pants or a linen blend ultimately comes down to your budget and priorities.

The main advantage of 100% linen pants is that they're naturally moisture-wicking and breathable — but on the flip side, they also wrinkle super quickly and may feel a little stiff until you've washed them a few times.

Pants made with linen blends — which may include viscose, rayon, cotton, lyocell, and/or elastane — are sometimes more affordable, feel softer upon first wear, and are less prone to wrinkling and shrinking. However, there are drawbacks to blends — namely, that because the material is usually denser, it isn't as breathable and tends to trap heat.

The bottom line? If you want an easy-care, budget-friendly option for transitional seasons, linen blends are a good choice. But if you're looking for pants that you can wear on a sweltering summer's day, you'll want to go for 100% linen.

2) Fabric weight and opacity

• What makes linen go sheer
• Tips: look for heavier weaves, darker colors, lining, and tighter weave

One of the most common pet peeves with linen pants is that they tend to be pretty sheer — especially in white or lighter shades. That's why it's important to pay attention to the weight of the weave. Thinner linen that's woven very loosely is more likely to look sheer, whereas mid- to heavy-weight linen with a tighter weave typically doesn't come with the same opacity issues.

And while it may go without saying, pants in dark colors — or that are lined — will offer a lot more coverage, too.

3) Waistband and closure

One factor that drastically impacts how dressy linen pants look — and how comfortable they feel — is the waistband.

Obviously, elastic waistbands are tough to beat in terms of comfort — but they lean a bit casual, limiting where you can wear them.

A fixed or structured waistband has a cleaner tailored aesthetic, making pants a bit more suitable for professional situations.

And then there's also a happy medium — a flat front with an elastic back. These styles offer the best of both worlds: a polished look with sneaky stretch that you can't see from the front.

Drawstrings make the waistband adjustable, which is obviously helpful for achieving a more secure, customized fit (or getting a little much-needed breathing room after a big meal). It's worth noting, though, that external drawstrings give linen pants a decidedly relaxed look that may not work for more formal settings. An internal drawstring, which isn't visible on the outside, offers a nice compromise.

4) Care and shrinkage

Raw linen is notoriously prone to shrinking and wrinkling, and tends to feel somewhat stiff at least initially. Pre-washed linen, on the other hand, has a softer broken-in feel, and won't shrink as much.

Caring for your linen pants properly can go a long way in making them last longer. Most linen pants are machine washable, and some can even be tossed in the dryer on low. That said, when in doubt, consider air-drying your pants. High heat not only causes shrinkage, but can also break down the fibers over time.

As for getting those inevitable wrinkles out, always opt for a steamer over ironing whenever possible. This method applies heat more gently and indirectly, eliminating harsh creases without flattening the fibers or leaving scorch marks behind.

In between sizes, concerned about your pants shrinking, or prefer a more relaxed fit? It can be worth sizing up, especially if you're in between sizes or the pants don't feature any stretch. However, keep in mind that linen does often stretch out — so if they feel a bit snug the first time you slip them on, they may fit just right after you wear them for a little while.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best linen pants for women?

The best linen pants for women are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, but still polished enough to wear beyond the beach. A great pair should feel soft against the skin, offer enough coverage to avoid looking too sheer, and have a fit that works for everything from travel days to casual office outfits. The Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pant has all of these qualities.

Are 100% linen pants better than linen-blend pants?

Not always. Pure linen tends to feel the most breathable and classic, while linen blends can be softer, wrinkle less, and offer a bit more structure or stretch. The right choice comes down to whether you prioritize that traditional airy linen feel or easier day-to-day wear.

Do linen pants wrinkle a lot?

Yes, linen naturally wrinkles more than many other fabrics, but that relaxed texture is part of its appeal. The best linen pants wrinkle in a way that still looks effortless rather than sloppy, and linen blends usually hold up a little better throughout the day. There are a few picks on this list, like the Babaton New Agency Pant in PowerLinen, that are designed to resist wrinkles.

Are linen pants good for hot weather?

Absolutely. Linen is one of the best fabrics for warm weather because it's breathable, lightweight, and helps keep you cool on hot, humid days. That's why linen pants are such a staple for summer wardrobes, vacations, and heat waves.

Can women wear linen pants to work?

Yes, especially when the pair has a tailored fit, thicker fabric, or trouser-inspired details like pleats or a structured waistband. Wide-leg linen trousers in darker or neutral shades tend to look the most office-appropriate. The Babaton New Agency Pant in PowerLinen is our pick for work because they offer the look of linen with the structure and wrinkle-resistance of traditional slacks.

How do you wash linen pants?

Most linen pants can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle in cold water, then air-dried or tumble-dried on low, but it's always best to check the care label first. Steaming usually works better than ironing for smoothing wrinkles without making the fabric feel stiff.

• After 2 years, the Earthfoam Organic mattress has no sagging, soft spots, or loss of support.
• The medium-firm feel works especially well for back pain, stomach sleeping, and couples.
• It sleeps cooler than memory foam and doesn't need a topper or adjustments to stay comfortable.

If you're considering an organic latex mattress but worried about firmness, durability, or long-term comfort, the Earthfoam mattress stands out. After two years of sleeping on it, I'd still buy it again, even after a $300 price increase. That kind of long-term confidence is rare in the mattress category.

I switched from a plush memory foam mattress to Earthfoam's medium-firm mattress to help with back pain and stomach sleeping. The difference was immediate: it felt more supportive without being stiff, and it slept noticeably cooler than my old gel memory foam bed. Made from certified organic natural rubber, it's designed as a more breathable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional foam. It works well for combination sleepers and couples who need a middle-ground feel.

What matters most is durability. After two years, there's no sagging or loss of support, and I haven't needed a mattress topper or much maintenance. Aside from some minor pilling on the cover, it looks and feels nearly the same as when I first slept on it, and my back pain hasn't returned.

2-year update: Does the Earthfoam Organic mattress hold up?

After two years of consistent nightly use, the Earthfoam mattress continues to perform like a newer bed, with minimal wear and no meaningful changes in comfort or support.

• No sagging or soft spots: The mattress still feels even and supportive across the surface, with no visible indentations.

• Firmness hasn't shifted: The medium-firm feel is consistent. It hasn't softened over time or lost its structure.

• Comfort remains steady: It still strikes the same balance of support and pressure relief that made it a good fit initially, especially for back pain and stomach sleeping.

• Cooling performance holds up: It continues to sleep cooler than traditional memory foam, with no noticeable heat retention over time.

• Minimal maintenance required: I haven't needed to rotate it often or add a mattress topper. The only wear so far is slight pilling on the cover.

Final verdict: Would I buy it again after two years? Yes. Even with the price now at $1,299 for a queen, the durability and consistent performance make it feel like a worhtwhile long-term investment.

Design

The 8.5-inch rubber foam Earthfoam mattress has two firmness options: medium and firm. As a new-to-firm convert, I opted to test the medium, which is the more popular option of the two. It has a little extra cushion to it but still has a fairly firm base. The medium mattress has a 2-inch soft comfort layer, 2-inch medium comfort layer, and a 4-inch firm base layer. The firm mattress has a 2-inch medium comfort layer and a 6-inch firm base layer. Both share an organic cotton knit cover, organic cotton quilt backing, and organic wool batting that works triple duty for comfort, cooling, and a natural fire retardant.

Earthfoam is certified Fair for Life by Fair Trade and meets the Global Organic Textile Standard, the Global Organic Latex Standard, and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. It comes from natural liquid rubber tapped from trees in Sri Lanka, which is then mixed with sulfur, zinc oxide, accelerators, and antioxidants before being baked to reach its foam form, using the Dunlop process. Earthfoam owns its own rubber foam production factory in Sri Lanka; the mattress is assembled in Illinois.

Our review of the Earthfoam mattress

Set up

As with many modern mattress brands, Earthfoam mattresses ship free (to the continental US) via FedEx. Earthfoam also ships to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and most other places in the world, although customers will need to cover the shipping, customs, taxes, and other associated fees in those areas. There is no white glove delivery option, but when asked after, the company shared that if customers call to order over the phone, they can facilitate inside delivery and setup through FedEx in most areas.

Arriving in a long box, the mattress is notably heavy at 125 pounds, so it took two adults about 10 minutes to get it up two flights of stairs. The mattress itself is tightly packed in a brown paper/parchment-type covering (as opposed to tons of excess plastic). It took us almost 30 minutes to cut open (partially out of caution to not cut into the mattress due to how tightly wrapped it was).

As soon as it was unwrapped, it was ready to sleep on. There was no additional expansion time or lingering smells. Once you get through the ordeal of getting the mattress onto the bed frame and unwrapping it, it's immediately ready for bed.

Comfort

Due to its resilient latex, the mattress is firm but bouncier than any memory foam alternatives. I felt instantly supported getting into bed at night and had less immediate pain when laying down than I previously did with a too-soft memory foam mattress due to the gentle pressure on my back.

I'm a lightweight combination sleeper (with a tendency toward snoozing on my side and stomach), but the Earthfoam is firm enough that I naturally gravitated toward sleeping on my back when I started testing it. However, the medium has a soft enough top layer that eases any pressure so that sleeping on your side is not uncomfortable on your shoulders, nor is it too hard to sleep on your stomach, but it is most comfortable when you're on your back.

This is about a 6 out of 10 firmness, with a couple of inches of comfort foam to cushion the base foam layer. I've long struggled with back pain, but my lower back and tailbone are particular problem areas. The mattress provided enough support to soothe my back when I laid on it, but it was soft enough that I could move around comfortably without putting too much pressure on any one point of my body.

After sleeping on the mattress for almost an entire year, the comfort and relative firmness have remained. I've grown used to the more supportive feel of Earthfoam, and any initial trepidation about venturing away from softer mattresses has passed.

Heat dissipation

Most mattresses will advertise themselves as breathable, and I'm pleased to report that the Earthfoam sleeps cool — and I consider myself a very hot sleeper. In the past year, I've only had a few majorly sweaty nights in the summer, less overall than I did in past years. Rubber foam traditionally stays cooler than other mattress materials, like memory foam.

After an average night's sleep, the mattress measured 87.5 degrees Fahrenheit right after getting up, but within two minutes, it measured 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's able to drop more than 10 degrees in the time it takes me to brush my teeth. This is a solid choice for hot sleepers without being so engineered for cooling that it might be uncomfortable for cold sleepers.

Edge support

Edge support is crucial in any mattress, especially if you sleep with a partner who may or may not unintentionally push you to the side. It can also help make getting out of bed a little easier. The Earthfoam edge feels comfortable to lay on, and I didn't immediately feel like I was going to fall off when I started to roll to the edge.

When I sit on the edge of the bed, such as to put on shoes, there is about 2.5 to 3 inches of sink, which is slightly better than the average sink of 3.5 inches. Overall, the Earthfoam mattress has better than average edge support.

Motion isolation

Motion isolation is another important component of any mattress, especially when sharing a bed with a partner or pets. We examine motion transfer with a 12-pound weight, a full unopened soda can, and a vibrometer app to measure the vibrations on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. I repeatedly dropped the weight about a foot from the can to see if it would fall over and noted the maximum readings on the vibrometer, which sat another foot away from the can (about two feet from the weight).

According to Business Insider's mattress expert, most mattresses fall between 6 and 8 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Earthfoam's maximum 5.9 rating is indicative of strong motion isolation.

The can fell over 2 out of 5 times, giving it more of an average rating for topical motion isolation. It's worth noting that the top two inches of the medium mattress are extremely cushy and the soda can struggled to stay up in the first place, so the can falling over doesn't seem so much like an indictment of the motion isolation as it is a nod to the softness of the medium mattresses' very top layer.

Despite having different rise times and being pretty active sleepers, my partner and I don't usually feel each other move throughout the night. We also didn't notice our dog moving on and off the bed; she is about 70 pounds. Between the solid edge support and motion isolation, the Earthfoam mattress has proven to be a strong choice for couples.

Trial period and warranty

Earthfoam offers a 100-day trial period for the mattress, with a full refund, no questions asked. The company will have the mattress removed from your home at no extra cost and works to donate it to local non-profits, but occasionally, they are disposed of.

The 10-year limited warranty covers one-inch sinkage or indentations beyond normal wear and tear and any cracks or splits in the foam that significantly impact the mattress' performance (as long as this damage isn't due to misuse, mishandling, or lack of proper mattress support).

Cons to consider

Due to the latex mattress's weight, it was definitely heavy and a little more cumbersome to set up. You will want someone to assist with getting it upstairs and onto the bed. As mentioned earlier, you can call Earthfoam and see if they're able to organize an in-home setup, but for now, there's no way to do this online (although they're hoping to add this option to the website soon). The comparative simplicity after you finally get it on the bed frame and unwrapped and its immediate readiness to sleep on makes it a flaw that might be worth overlooking.

It's a great medium for me, but sleepers who like firm beds will probably want something firmer with a tiny bit less sink. Fortunately, there's a firmer option, so this qualm solves itself. If you're looking for a soft or plush mattress, you'll definitely want to look elsewhere.

What are your alternatives?

If you're curious about more of the best organic mattresses, our top choice overall is the Birch Natural by Helix; it's a latex-hybrid design that's breathable and offers medium-firm support that suits back and stomach sleepers, but it didn't pass our motion isolation tests. Birch offers an in-home setup service for a fee (read our full Birch Natural by Helix review). The queen-sized Birch Natural is nearly double the price of the Earthfoam, though, so Earthfoam is by far the more affordable option here.

The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress is another latex option that sleeps cool all night and has more customization when it comes to height, with three different options ranging from 9 to 12 inches and two firmness options. It's also one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers and sleeps cool. For a fee, they offer in-home setup, and the mattress is backed with a lifetime warranty. Without any promos in effect, this alternative is more than double the price of the Earthfoam. However, from our experience, PlushBeds is almost always offering discounts.

The bottom line

The Earthfoam is an excellent mattress for people seeking a happy medium between the benefits of a firm mattress and still having some of the comforts of a soft one. Couples with different mattress needs and those hoping not to feel each other's movement too much at night could benefit greatly from this. Solid all-natural latex mattresses are typically pretty pricey, and Earthfoam is the most affordable that we've tried and can recommend among the best mattresses.

After two years of regular use, the Earthfoam mattress hasn't developed any of the issues I typically look for when judging long-term value: no body impressions where I sleep, no softening in the center, and no creeping back pain from lost support. It still feels like a properly firm mattress, which is exactly what I wanted when I switched from softer foam. It's more expensive today, but the fact that it hasn't needed a topper, rotation schedule, or workaround to stay comfortable makes it easy to justify as a valued buy.

The second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals kicks off soon. We've rounded up everything you need to know about where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG around the world, including free options.

Today's Liverpool vs. PSG match will live stream on Paramount Plus in the US, Prime Video in the UK, and for free on RTL Club in Belgium. If you're away from the location where your streaming service works at kick-off, like Belgium, you can still access your service with the help of a VPN, such as Proton VPN. You can find additional global watch options below.

Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League victors, defeated Liverpool 2-0 last week in the first leg of the quarterfinals. Whether PSG will continue on their quest as defending champions or Liverpool will be able to make a comeback and stay in the competition all comes down to today's match. If you're hoping to catch the rest of the season, including other quarterfinal matches, you can explore our where to watch Champions League streaming guide.

How to watch Liverpool vs. PSG for free

The Liverpool vs. PSG match will be available for free in select regions. In Belgium, RTL Club will carry free coverage. In the UK, the game will be on Prime Video, which offers a 30-day free trial for new customers.

How to watch Liverpool vs. PSG from anywhere

If you're away from Belgium when the match kicks off, you can still access your free streaming options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are user-friendly tech tools that let people change their device's virtual location. They're extra popular among those looking to keep up with their usual services while traveling abroad or hoping to boost their cybersecurity.

Proton VPN is one of the best services on the market. It's beginner-friendly and has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for. You can learn more in our roundup of the best VPN services.

Where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the US

In the US, Paramount Plus is the streaming home for all things Champions League. All matches, including today's Liverpool vs. PSG game, are available across all service tiers. Paramount Plus starts at $9 a month for its Essential tier.

Where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the UK

While the bulk of Champions League action is on TNT Sports (which can be live streamed through HBO Max) in the UK, one game each week is exclusive to Prime Video. This week, that's Liverpool vs. PSG. Amazon Prime offers a generous 30-day free trial for new customers or those who haven't had a subscription in a while.

Where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in Australia

In Australia, Stan is the live streaming home for the Champions League. Stan's Basic plan costs $12 a month, but you'll need to add the Sport add-on for an additional $20 a month to access sporting events like today's Liverpool vs. PSG game. This will run you $32 a month.

Where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in France

Canal Plus is the home of the Champions League in France, so PSG fans can easily tune into today's game. Prices vary depending on your contract length and subscription tier, but plans involving sports start at €30 a month for the first 12 months on a 24-month contract or €40 a month for a truly flexible month-to-month option.

Where to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in Belgium

In Belgium, RTL Club will host coverage of Liverpool vs. PSG for free. This streaming option doesn't carry all Champions League matches, but it offers several games each season, including one of tomorrow's quarterfinal matches.

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.

If you're packing for a destination wedding or important business trip, then finding the right garment bag suitcase is just as important as planning the outfits. The best luggage to protect your formalwear will give you plenty of storage space, isn't a pain to move around with, and, in the best cases, complements your airport outfit.

Ahead of my 12-day trip to France and the U.K., I was faced with a dilemma: I needed to pack a high-volume designer dress with expert-level care. I knew that if I used a regular checked bag, I'd risk ruining its delicate boned bodice. This led me to testing out Away's new Softside Garment Roller ($495), which puts a stylish spin on a garment bag-suitcase hybrid.

Two weeks and four flights later, I discovered it's probably better for weeklong trips than extended stays. That said, I loved its sleek look and smooth-rolling wheels, and it ultimately did its job of keeping my satin dress smooth and wrinkle-free.

Because the Garment Roller bag itself weighs in at 15 pounds, I packed as light as I could. I opted for items like my lightweight L'Agence knit top, Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s, a soccer jersey, and airy pajamas. I then embarked on my 12-day Eurotrip with only a backpack and the Garment Roller Bag.

In total, my bag rang in at 40 pounds. I towed it from JFK until we were reunited at the baggage claim in Marseille. I then tested it across journeys from French villages in Provence to London. Ultimately, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it traveled.

Inside is a garment bag contraption and plenty of helpful compartments

Once I unzipped the main outer zipper, the bag unfolded into the typical two parts. But instead of the usual suitcase with mirroring cavernous compartments, the Garment Roller is smartly decked out with organizational details.

It comes with a TSA-friendly lock that matches the color of the bag. Inside there are two spots for hangers to hook into, which I loved. I securely stored my beauty products in the two triangular, structured areas above the shoulder of the hanger.

I admittedly didn't use the exterior pocket for anything. I understand it's meant for trinkets and papers, but I prefer those kinds of things stay in my backpack or purse.

The important part is that my fancy dress was still smooth when I unpacked it, and the organizers kept my beauty products in place.

It fit everything I needed (and more), but it's better suited for weeklong trips

I can confirm the Away Garment Roller works for longer voyages, as long as you're packing a capsule wardrobe and just a few couple special pieces. However, I think this bag shines strongest for shorter trips, like work travel or a weekend away for a wedding.

The bag itself weighs 15 pounds, which can get uncomfortably heavy quickly. On the way home, I added two wine bottles, more clothes, several Marseille soaps, and a hefty coffee table book to my suitcase. Rolling it was easy enough, but stairs, as one might expect, felt like doing a Hyrox (I've never done one… but based on the videos I've seen, it felt similar enough).

It's heavy for a softside suitcase, and the handle wasn't perfect

If you prefer aluminum and lightweight hardshell suitcases, then this heavier fabric bag will be an adjustment due to its weight. I'd also caution the chronic over-packer who struggles to keep their checked bags lower than 50 pounds.

I also found its extendable handle a nuisance. It's tucked inside a pocket at the top, and, personally, this never felt like it made life easier. Rather than being able to smoothly bend over and extend the handle, like most suitcases, this one's is in a snug, enclosed spot. Especially with longer nails, I struggled to easily and quickly grab the trolley handle and raise it.

Despite my gripes, I do think this bag is worth the splurge. I appreciate the sleekness of this bag because I, vainly, love traveling in style. The weight was an issue for my nearly two-week trip, but if I were only traveling for a weekend event with a few fancy get-ups in tow, it likely wouldn't be an issue.

The bottom line

The Away Garment Roller solves a big problem around traveling with formalwear. Its compartmentalized interior makes use of every cubic inch of space, so it's easy to travel with wrinkle-prone gowns or suits. I no longer have to crease them terribly or stuff them onto one side of the bag.

I would caution overpackers against this one, as it weighs 15 pounds alone (equal to 30% of your typical checked bag weight allowance). Nevertheless, it glides through airports smoothly and looks good doing it.

Shop more Away luggage here.

• LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said "soft skills" are more important as AI takes over routine work.
• He highlighted four communication-specific skills to hone.
• Other Silicon Valley leaders have made more dramatic predictions about AI's impact on jobs.

Personality hires, rejoice. LinkedIn's CEO said soft skills are getting a hard rebrand.

In an interview with the "Tools and Weapons" podcast, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said AI is automating routine tasks. He argued that the shift is elevating four human-centered skills — curiosity, courage, communication, and compassion.

"These turn out to be some really, really important skills to do your job well," the CEO said. "The focus and emphasis on those, along with the AI, is what I think gives us the opportunity to dream big and paint a much more positive picture that exists with humans and technology together moving forward."

Roslansky has a broad view of the job market based on LinkedIn data, though he did not cite specific figures in the interview. His view contrasts with some other Silicon Valley voices (and a growing number of Americans).

This year, OpenAI investor Vinod Khosla predicted that today's five-year-olds won't need a job. Boris Cherny, the creator of Anthropic's Claude Code, said the job title "software engineer" will fade away this year. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently said he wants high-paid engineers to spend half their salary on AI tokens.

Roslansky's vision is less jarring. Instead, he argues that AI is reshaping how people think about their jobs, encouraging workers to view their roles as a "collection of tasks" rather than a fixed title.

He breaks those tasks into three buckets: ones AI can fully automate, ones it can augment, and ones that remain deeply human — like resolving conflict, persuading a team, or setting strategy.

"These skills, they're important, but they've historically been talked about as soft skills," Roslansky said. "In a professional world where people are actually much better at these skills and have really honed their craft on it, I think that it makes things a lot better."

As AI handles more automated responsibilities, Roslansky said that agents can free up time for coworker conversations, putting a greater premium on communication, judgment, and emotional intelligence.

He said his thought process has given him a hopeful view of AI's future. Still, he said he doesn't have a crystal ball and could ultimately be wrong.

"Sometimes when you're mired in the technology, and especially with AI, and you kind of draw out where this could potentially go, it leads you to some dark places," he said. "I believe that humans play such an integral role in shaping where that technology should go."

• Stocks are headed for fresh records as they embark on a three-month "sugar high," Wells Fargo says.
• The bank sees the market getting a boost from catalysts like AI and Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.
• Economic growth will eventually slow as inflation rises in the second half, the bank said.

Stocks are headed for a euphoric run-up heading into midsummer, according to analysts on Wells Fargo's equity strategy desk.

In a note to clients on Monday, the bank said it expected the S&P 500 to break fresh records over the next several months, driven by a handful of catalysts that create a "sugar high" in markets.

In their bull-case scenario, analysts see the benchmark index hitting a record of 7,300 by July, implying a 5% jump from current levels.

The S&P 500 has struggled to move higher for much of this year, with the bull rally largely being derailed by the war with Iran. However, as of Tuesday's close, the index had erased the wartime losses, turning positive since the conflict began, and is up nearly 2% year to date.

"3 months of sugar high," a team of analysts led by Ohsung Kwon wrote of their outlook for equities. "We remain structural bulls, and our 'tactically cautious' call didn't play out."

The bank pointed to a cocktail of bullish factors that could help growth exceed expectations in the second quarter and boost stocks:

Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill. The bill, which extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and includes new fiscal stimulus, is expected to raise real GDP growth by an average of 0.2 percentage points each year from 2025 to 2027, according to an estimate from Yale's Budget Lab.

"OBBB Tax benefits will exceed the higher cost of living for the next six months," the analysts estimated.

Growth in manufacturing and services. The bank said it was "bullish" on the next cycle for the Purchasing Manager Index, the economic indicator that gauges strength in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Activity could get a boost due to tariffs being lowered from the recent Supreme Court ruling, as well as the recent shock to supply chains, analysts said.

The AI boom. The AI cycle could mature, causing the bull market to be more "monetization-led," analysts said.

"Our analysts expect Hyperscalers' FCF to inflect higher following a 67% cut in 2026 FCF estimates," the bank wrote of tech firms' free cash flow. "They expect revenues to accelerate on new capacity," the bank added.

The World Cup. Economic activity could also rev up heading into the World Cup soccer tournament, which kicks off in June and is expected to draw tourism and lift consumer spending.

The analysts added that they see the sugar high fading in the second half of this year.

"We expect the market to overshoot until growth starts to slow and inflation surprises in 2H," they added.

Investors have been preoccupied with higher oil prices, which threaten to raise inflation while curtailing economic growth. Despite the risks, the outlook for equities has largely held up on Wall Street, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs eyeing continued upside.

• James McMillian is the president of Tone House, a strength training facility in New York City.
• McMillian shared a few tips for building muscle fast, especially if you don't have a lot of time.
• Compound exercises work multiple muscle groups simultaneously, while explosive movements develop power and speed.

Since childhood, James McMillian has learned the value of slowly getting stronger.

McMillian said he was diagnosed with asthma when he was born, and doctors advised his parents against letting him play sports like youth tackle football. "It made me tell myself that I need to train harder," McMillian told Business Insider.

Before and after practice, McMillian recalled running up the stadium steps six times. He'd also run to practice or run home with his sports equipment. Even though his asthma wasn't induced by sports, he noticed that the extra training kept him from being as winded.

McMillian is now the president and a trainer at Tone House, a strength training and conditioning-focused training facility deemed by Business Insider as "the hardest workout in New York City." He applies that same mentality from his upbringing to Tone House workouts that he coaches.

"You're going to be exposed for your weaknesses, but then you should always turn your weaknesses into your strengths," he said.

McMillian believes progressively overloading — slowly adding weight, reps, or intensity — is the best way to build strength.

"I always tell people, 'If you don't use it, you'll lose it," he said, particularly since we lose muscle mass as we age. "You're going to want to pick up your kid. You're going to want to hold those groceries. You're going to want to hold your Louis Vuitton bag a little bit longer at an event. You have to be strong to do that."

McMillian shared a few of his favorite quick movements to build muscle, whether you're a complete beginner, pressed for time at the gym, or wanting to speed up your progress.

Raise a glass to goblet squats

McMillian's favorite movement for beginners is the goblet squat, or squatting while holding a heavy kettlebell or dumbbell.

"When you're going into that squat, as you allow those knees to go out, you're working that lower body, your glutes, your hamstrings," he said. At the same time, you're also engaging your lats, triceps, forearms, and upper back from holding the weight.

To make the goblet squat more challenging, he said, you can elevate your heels to focus on building quad strength. McMillian also said it's easy to start with a lighter weight, say 10 pounds, and gradually work your way up.

Save time with compound exercises

Some of the best time-savers are compound exercises, which target multiple parts of the body at once and "allow you to shorten your time at the gym," McMillian said.

A favorite of McMillian's is transitioning from a squat to an overhead press, thus targeting both the upper and lower body.

He also likes to string together multiple consecutive movements. He opts for two rounds of 20 shoulder presses, 20 hammer curls, and 20 bent-over rows, all right after each other to activate different parts of his upper body.

"It's intense, it burns, but it's something that people can do with a single dumbbell," he said, thus also saving time on swapping out equipment.

It's also customizable, he said: You can use lighter weights and do fewer reps, but increase the number of rounds, for example.

Play with tempo

Explosive exercises — deliberately slowing down your tempo and "exploding" at the end of the movement — are also great for improving your strength, McMillian said.

He's a fan of slowing down his back squats: lowering slowly for five seconds, pausing for another five at the bottom, and then quickly pushing up.

"When you do things a little bit slower, controlled, it builds strength," he said, noting there's more than one way to challenge yourself.

• Having children was never high on my priority list.
• I went through some difficult times in my 30s. I'm glad I didn't have the added stress of kids.
• I've chosen to focus on my ambitions, mental health, and other aspects of my fulfilling life.

I always felt like I disappointed my mother. Her lifelong wish was to become a grandmother, but having children was never high on my priority list.

When she died unexpectedly, I was 35 and struggling financially and mentally.

Her death threw my life into even more chaos — and not being a mother helped me survive it.

As I approach 40, I get asked, "Why don't you just have a baby?" more and more often.

Although well-meaning, the question reduces a complex, private decision to small talk — as though my ambitions, finances, mental health, and grief matter less than my reproductive function.

What I witnessed growing up shaped my decision not to have children

Growing up, I watched my mother work six days a week running her esthetician business while doing all of the cooking, cleaning, and childcare at home. She was so busy being a working wife and mother to two kids that she put off many of her dreams until retirement.

She loved her work and continued tinting eyelashes and applying gel nails for her clients until the pandemic forced her to retire at 68. The prospect of enjoying her retirement kept her going through the UK's lockdowns — but she died just a few months after restrictions were lifted.

Watching her sacrifice so much time — only to run out of it — shaped how I think about my own life.

Career and financial instability made survival my priority

At 32, I left a stable career in humanitarian aid to pursue my creative ambitions. It didn't go well at first, but by my mid-30s, I felt like I was finally getting somewhere with my fledgling freelance writing business.

My partner was also out of work at the time, which only intensified the pressure. When we went shopping at our local market, we bought discounted bags of vegetables, and I crossed my fingers that my card payment would go through.

Every day, I struggled with the shame and sometimes-crippling anxiety and depression brought on by prolonged financial hardship.

At a time when many of our friends were having babies, we were simply trying to stay afloat. And since my partner (who's 17 years my senior) has never wanted children, they weren't in our plans.

Grief put my life on hold for five years

Then, in October 2021, my world fell apart. My mother and I were close, and I was unprepared for the heartbreak of losing her so suddenly — especially as the pandemic had kept us apart for so long.

Grief consumed me, making it difficult to work, and I mostly lived off the little savings I had scraped together.

Within a year, I landed a remote role at a marketing agency that gave me the stability I needed to start rebuilding my life. When I was made redundant at the end of 2024, not having a child to support gave me time to think about what to do next without additional pressure.

Now, nearly five years after my mother died, I finally have the strength to pursue the dreams I started chasing years ago.

I'm building a life that feels right for me

Last year, my nephew was born — the grandchild my mother never got to meet.

I can't deny that watching my brother become a father made me wonder what parenthood might be like. But while I adore my nephew, loving him doesn't make me yearn for the upheaval motherhood would bring. And without my mom to share in that chapter of life, I simply don't feel the pull.

As I enter my 40s, I don't feel like I'm "missing out". Being child-free helped me survive the darkest time of my life — and gave me the chance to rebuild on my own terms.

• I visited Seattle for the first time in May 2025 after years of dreaming about it.
• The city in the Pacific Northwest surprised me as a New Yorker.
• I found a strange tourist attraction, a free banana stand, and a tech neighborhood full of nature.

When my train arrived at Seattle's King Street Station on a sunny morning, I didn't expect the 1-mile walk to my downtown hotel to feel like a hike.

I didn't think I'd find a chewing-gum-speckled wall in an alley later that afternoon. And when I felt my stomach growl while strolling the bustling streets the next day, the last thing I thought I'd see was a free snack cart.

It was my first time in the Washington city, one I've wanted to visit since I was a kid. As I developed a taste for travel in college, I found myself taking road trips from California up the coast to Portland, Oregon, to see more of the Pacific Northwest.

Still, Seattle was always too far north to include in my itinerary. In fact, I'd never had a chance to visit the state of Washington — until recently.

During a weeklong trip from my home in New York City to the West Coast of North America in May 2025, I spent three days in Seattle. As a first-time visitor, I found the city to be full of surprises.

I traveled to Seattle from Vancouver, and I was surprised to find that a train ticket was less than half the price of airfare.

I've spent more than 150 hours on Amtrak trains from the Northeast to the Southwest. In my experience, traveling by train in the US is typically more expensive than flying, though it depends on the route.

So when I was booking my travel from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle, I was shocked that a coach train ticket cost $50 compared with the $150 basic economy airfare on the same day.

I certainly paid more in hours — the train ride took four compared with the roughly one-hour flight. Still, I was excited to travel slowly and watch landscapes transform from one country to another.

I was also shocked at how much more comfortable it was to travel in economy compared with planes.

I'd traveled in first and business class on Amtrak trains before, but this was my first trip in coach since I was a kid. So I wasn't sure how it would compare to my countless experiences flying in basic economy.

Since the ticket was less than half the price, I didn't expect the train seat to be so much cozier than the stiff, flimsy plane seats I'm used to. I even avoided the neck and back pain I usually get when flying.

On the train, the seats felt wider with more legroom than on a typical economy flight.

Walking a mile in Seattle feels more strenuous than it does in New York.

I stepped off the Amtrak train in Seattle at about noon. It was my first time stretching my legs since I'd boarded in Vancouver four hours earlier. With an indie-rock soundtrack in my earbuds and the sun shining above me, I was excited to lug my suitcase on foot to my hotel a mile away.

But I quickly learned that a mile in Seattle doesn't feel like a mile in New York. The route was almost entirely uphill. When I stopped to catch my breath at an intersection, I noticed the street to my right climbed up even taller for as far as I could see.

In my city, I walk a lot, but most of the roads are relatively flat. So I wasn't expecting to feel so exhausted after just one mile.

I was excited to visit the iconic Pike Place Market but surprised to learn it hasn't always been a car-free space.

Situated next to the coast in Downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market is an iconic outdoor market with more than 200 stores and restaurants. I've been hearing about it for decades, so I spent my first afternoon in Seattle perusing the 9-acre shopping hub.

On a sunny Thursday afternoon, the market was crowded with locals and tourists alike. I shuffled my way through what felt like a line to get a peek at the fresh seafood. When I needed a break from the mob, I found refuge inside a used bookstore.

Every so often, a delivery truck would drive through, dividing the crowd into two tightly packed globs, but most cars weren't allowed to drive through Pike Place Market. This made sense to me, since each passing vehicle halted the pedestrian flow.

But I was surprised to learn that the open-air market's cobblestone streets are normally open to all cars — the city is testing a ban on cars aside from vendors, delivery drivers, and those with disabilities, The Seattle Times reported in August 2025. The temporary ban began in April 2025 and is set to continue through spring 2026.

I was lucky enough to inadvertently schedule my trip during the ban. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if cars could freely move through the already crowded market.

I stumbled upon the popular tourist attraction, The Gum Wall, in Seattle.

While wandering the narrow alleyways around Pike Place Market, I was slowed down by groups of tourists stopping to take selfies in front of a vibrant brick wall. The wall was spackled with an array of hues from peach to periwinkle.

At first, I thought the specks of color were dried-up chunks of paint. But when I saw a pedestrian pull a gooey wad out of their mouth and stick it on the brick wall, I realized the wall was a gum canvas.

I was shocked and a little grossed out upon my realization, but when I focused on how the wall actually looked rather than the germ-infested materials, I thought it was a playful work of art.

Before you ask, no, I didn't add my own contribution to the Seattle gum wall.

I was surprised to find a three-story target downtown.

I lost my charging port somewhere between Vancouver and Seattle, so I headed to a Target near my downtown hotel. Back home in NYC, the Targets I frequent are small and offer little more than a drugstore.

So, I was shocked to learn that this location was a 96,000-square-foot, three-story establishment. While still smaller than Targets you'll find outside cities, The Seattle Times reported, the store had a wide variety of groceries, toiletries, and tech products.

There were so many aisles of home goods that I thought I could decorate my entire apartment with its offerings.

I wasn't expecting the tech neighborhood to be so full of nature.

Seattle has long been known as a tech hub where software engineers move in droves to work at big companies such as Amazon and Google.

Locals told me I could find the booming scene in the South Lake Union neighborhood, home of the original Amazon headquarters. The company's presence in more than 30 office buildings led to the neighborhood's nickname, "Amazonia."

Before visiting, I expected to find nothing but business-centric streets lined with glass skyscrapers in a tech-fueled neighborhood. So I was surprised by the large presence of nature in South Lake Union.

The neighborhood borders Lake Union, where I explored a waterfront park filled with runners, bicyclists, picnickers, and geese. Locals said the park is dead on the weekends, but tech workers frequent it during the week. Nearby, the Google building had a whole forest of trees on the rooftop.

I'd never seen a free banana stand before.

The pop of color caught my eye while strolling through "Amazonia." In an outdoor space between Amazon buildings in South Lake Union, the bright yellow trailer is hard to miss.

I got a closer look and saw boxes full of bananas beneath the awning, and a sign that read, "Take one — not just for Amazonians but for anyone in the community."

I didn't expect to find a free snack stand in the middle of a city. Amazon previously told Business Insider that founder Jeff Bezos came up with the idea to provide a complimentary healthy snack with no wrapper. The stand first opened in 2015.

I wasn't expecting to see an active volcano so close to a major city.

From a hotel rooftop deck, a local pointed to a distant mountain and told me it was an active volcano.

I could hardly see the volcano through the haze, but they told me Mount Rainier, which last erupted in 1894, was more visible on clear days.

I was shocked to learn that this city, home to nearly 800,000 people, is so close to what could be a natural disaster. According to the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, the city is a safe distance away from a blast's flow, but water and power resources could be affected.

My trip to Seattle was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Seattle's mix of natural and urban lifestyles reminded me of my previous trips to Pacific Northwest cities, which comforted me.

But I was surprised by Seattle's unique attributes, including Pike Place Market and the oddly alluring gum wall.

And since it was so different from NYC, I definitely plan to return to Seattle to get another break from the Big Apple.

Micro RGB is being positioned as the next big thing in TV technology. Its main selling point is its enhanced color, which is a step above even the best OLED, QLED, and Mini LED sets. Samsung was one of the first brands to release a Micro RGB TV last year with its giant 115-inch MR95F. That massive display cost an equally massive $30,000. And now, the brand is ready to bring Micro RGB to the masses with a much more affordable model: the R95H.

The R95H is available for a starting price of $3,200, with sizes ranging from 65 to 85 inches. Though still positioned as a flagship model, that's rather reasonable for a high-end display with such new tech. But as one of the first consumer-friendly Micro RGB sets to hit the market, the R95H has a lot to prove. Does it offer a proper showcase of what Micro RGB is all about? To find out, I visited Samsung's New Jersey headquarters, where I got an early hands-on look at the R95H in action.

Based on my initial testing, the R95H does deliver exceptional color performance. In fact, it has the widest color gamut I've ever measured on a TV. But, while the TV's color is impressive, that's only one part of good picture quality. In other areas — like brightness, contrast, and viewing angles — the R95H still falls short of other high-end sets, including Samsung's own flagship S95H OLED.

To be clear, my impressions here are based on initial testing, so this isn't meant to be a final review. I plan to revisit the R95H to conduct a more in-depth evaluation with additional impressions soon. But based on what I've seen so far, the R95H is both promising and a bit underwhelming. It's a good TV with standout color, but I don't think it's the OLED killer some were hoping for.

The TV has a handsome, glare-free design

The R95H is available in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch screen sizes, with prices ranging from $3,200 to $6,500. Those are reasonable launch prices for a TV that uses new display technology. In fact, that's a bit less than Samsung is charging for its latest high-end OLED, the S95H, which costs $3,400 in a 65-inch screen.

All three sizes use Samsung's new Micro RGB panel technology and support refresh rates up to 165Hz. Four HDMI 2.1 ports are built into the panel, which is great to see on a premium TV. The R95H also supports an optional wireless One Connect Box, which adds four more HDMI 2.1 ports for users who want a cleaner installation and more flexible hookup options.

From a design perspective, the R95H looks every bit like a modern flagship Samsung TV. It uses the company's "Infinity Air" pedestal stand, which features a sleek, mirror-like finish. The bezels are thin all around with a minimal border, helping the screen feel more immersive, and the panel itself is fairly slim at around 1.2 inches thick.

Like other high-end Samsung TVs, the R95H uses the company's latest glare-free screen technology. This tech uses a matte-like finish to reduce reflections, and it works remarkably well. If you're placing your TV in a room with a lot of light that's tricky to control, this can be a genuinely game-changing benefit. Reflections are one of the biggest issues that can get in the way of watching TV during the day, and Samsung's solution remains one of the most effective I've seen.

That said, I'm still a bit torn about the overall look of the glare-free finish. Though it reduces reflections, it can also make black levels appear slightly lighter in bright rooms, lowering perceived contrast. Some viewers will love this approach, while others may prefer the richer black levels of a glossy panel.

The TV also includes Samsung's SolarCell remote, which has a clean, minimalist shape and doesn't require batteries. Instead, the SolarCell remote is charged by sunlight or indoor lighting. I do wish the remote were backlit like some TCL and Hisense models, but never having to worry about batteries is definitely convenient.

The R95H delivers stunning color, but other areas aren't quite as impressive

When it comes to image quality, the R95H is an impressive display and a solid showcase for what Micro RGB tech is all about. While traditional LED, QLED, and Mini LED TVs use a white or blue backlight with a color filter or quantum dots, Micro RGB TVs use individual red, green, and blue LEDs in their backlight. This allows the backlight itself to produce color. In theory, this enables a Micro RGB display to deliver a purer, wider range of colors than other TV technologies, including OLED.

Other brands are also introducing similar types of RGB backlights. Hisense is marketing its tech as RGB Mini LED, while Sony is calling its tech True RGB. For its part, Samsung says there's more to its Micro RGB terminology than just branding. It says the actual LEDs it uses are smaller than those in RGB Mini LED TVs, which helps achieve more precise color and contrast control.

This could also minimize an issue that some RGB-backlit TVs are prone to: crosstalk. Since these TVs use colored lights, that light can sometimes bleed into neighboring parts of the image where it doesn't belong. For example, a bright red object against a white background could tint the surrounding white area red. To prevent this during tricky scenes, some RGB-backlit TVs go so far as to revert to a white or blue backlight, which negates the benefit they're supposed to have in the first place.

Samsung says the R95H does not behave like that and only uses its RGB backlight. In my limited testing time, I didn't see any obvious signs of crosstalk, though I'll need more time with varied content to make a full judgment.

Using a colorimeter with Calman software and test patterns from a Portrait Displays G1 pattern generator, I measured around 91% coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut in the TV's Filmmaker HDR mode. That's the widest BT.2020 coverage I've ever measured on a TV, and it's clear evidence that Samsung's Micro RGB tech offers a genuine advancement.

At the same time, however, it's important to keep that result in perspective. Most movies and TV shows don't actually need to display such an expansive color range. So while having access to that wider gamut is certainly a benefit, it's more of a forward-looking advantage than something that radically enhances the look of most content right now.

And though the TV is basically unmatched in color, the same can't be said for other picture-quality areas. Take brightness, for example. I measured a peak of around 1,600 nits on a 10% HDR window. This was with the TV in Filmmaker mode and with any auto-brightness adjustment features off. That's enough to deliver solid HDR performance, but it's lower than I expected for a flagship TV.

For comparison's sake, TCL's midrange QM7K delivers 1,700 nits of peak brightness and is often on sale for $900. Of course, the R95H outperforms the QM7K in other areas, but it's a bit surprising that the R95H isn't brighter. Even Samsung's own S95H OLED can reach 2,780 nits, which is substantially brighter.

Now, I wasn't able to measure brightness across every mode and pattern size during my testing session, so it's possible the TV can reach higher numbers in certain cases with some adjustments. I'll take additional measurements when I get more hands-on time with the TV to see if there are ways to improve its brightness.

But while dimmer than I'd like, that doesn't mean the R95H's HDR performance is weak. Far from it. In actual viewing, the TV still delivered a great HDR image with gorgeous colors, good local dimming, and solid overall contrast. In challenging test scenes I use from Netflix's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," the R95H handled itself well and only showed minor backlight issues. Black levels were controlled well, and the image maintained good depth.

A candlelit test scene also showed good contrast performance, though I could see a slight hint of blooming when moving off-angle. That's not unusual for a premium LED-based TV, but it is a reminder that this set still can't match OLED's pixel-level contrast control.

Color, of course, is where the R95H most clearly separates itself. "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman" both looked excellent here, with vibrant, bold hues that appeared rich and intense without crossing over into oversaturation.

Another strength is gradient handling. Smooth gradients are essential for avoiding color banding, especially in darker material. Here, the R95H impressed me. I didn't see distracting banding in any of the content I watched, including my usual "Ex Machina" test sequence, which features harsh red lighting that can trip up many displays.

The scene looked very smooth on the R95H, but it also revealed one of Micro RGB's limitations compared to OLED: viewing angles. When I moved off to the side, the red tones shifted toward orange. So even though this display can outperform OLED in color gamut, it still falls behind in off-axis consistency.

This is really the take-home message of the R95H's picture quality. It reaches a new level in one aspect of image performance, and that deserves recognition. But premium TVs aren't judged by a single metric. And while the R95H is certainly very good overall, it doesn't appear to match Samsung's own OLEDs enough in other key areas to make its case feel obvious.

To that point, I also got hands-on with Samsung's new S95H and S90H OLED TVs during my visit to the brand's New Jersey headquarters, and though the R95H looked great, I couldn't help but be more drawn to those OLEDs.

The Tizen smart TV platform has been streamlined

Samsung's Tizen smart TV system remains perfectly decent, even if it's not my favorite. I continue to prefer platforms like Google TV and Roku, which I find a bit more intuitive. Still, Tizen gets the job done, and anyone already invested in Samsung's ecosystem should feel right at home.

The interface has been tweaked for 2026, with various sections now housed in a horizontal menu at the top of the screen rather than a vertical menu on the left. Content recommendations are also less in-your-face. This all makes navigation feel simpler and cleaner, but it also gives the homepage a more sparse, almost bare-bones appearance. Some users might appreciate this less cluttered presentation, while others may find it a little empty.

Voice control is supported through Bixby or Amazon Alexa, and you can use either the included remote or the TV's built-in microphones for hands-free commands. Samsung's Gaming Hub is also integrated, supporting cloud services like Xbox Game Pass.

Like Samsung's QLED lineup, the R95H offers access to the Art Store, which lets the TV display classic and contemporary artwork. A subscription is required for the full catalog, but Samsung includes a rotating selection of 30 free pieces each month. That's a nice bonus for users who want the TV to double as a decor piece in their living room.

Microsoft Copilot AI is built in as well, offering chatbot-style functions. This is one of those nice-to-have features that I don't find all that necessary. Sure, it's cool that you can ask your TV to plan a trip or answer complex questions, but I can already do that on my phone or computer.

All told, the R95H's smart features are solid and in line with what I'd expect from a high-end Samsung TV. There's nothing here that feels like a dramatic differentiator, but there doesn't need to be.

Should you buy the Samsung R95H?

Based on my initial testing, the Samsung R95H is a good TV and a solid debut for an affordable Micro RGB. It does indeed push color performance to a new level, and that alone makes it a worthy premium display that's among the top Samsung TVs available

But excellent image quality is about more than just color. And on that front, the R95H falls behind some of the very best TVs on the market. Its brightness is decent, but not impressive for a flagship. Its local dimming, contrast, and viewing angles are all good for an LED-based TV, but still not at the level of an OLED.

That leaves the R95H in an awkward position. It proves that Micro RGB has real promise, but it doesn't yet make the case for why buyers should choose this technology over similarly priced OLEDs, including Samsung's own S95H, which is brighter, has higher contrast, and wider viewing angles. The R95H does have better color performance, but the best OLED TVs are no slouch in that regard.

To be fair, this is still a first-look evaluation based on early testing, and I plan to revisit the R95H with a more in-depth review in the near future. My opinion could shift once I've had more time to live with the TV and dig deeper into its performance. A lot will also hinge on how Samsung's Micro RGB tech stacks up against competing RGB-backlit TVs from other brands.

For now, the R95H is an impressive achievement in TV color performance, but based on what I've seen so far, I'd still rather buy one of the brand's OLEDs.

Editor's note: Updated on April 14, 2026, to include additional information about the teams, the results of the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and global streaming options.

The Champions League continues with the second and final leg of the quarterfinals. We've gathered everything you need to know about how to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona, including free and global streaming options.

If you don't want to read any further: today's match will live stream on Paramount Plus in the US, TNT Sports on HBO Max in the UK, and for free on Virgin Media 2 in Ireland. If you're away from Ireland at kick-off, you can still access your streaming service by using a VPN, like Proton VPN. Below, you can find all the details on international watch options.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona meet again just one week after the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, which Atleti won 2-0. Barca, fresh off a weekend La Liga win, will need to pull out all of the stops today if they want to remain in the competition. Barcelona breezed through the season to secure a spot in the Round of 16, but Atletico Madrid had to fight for their spot in the knockout phase playoffs, so a decisive win in the QFs would be a true testament to their late-season prowess. If you're hoping to tune into any of the other three QF matches this week, make sure to check out our guide on where to watch Champions League, which will have you covered for the remainder of the competition.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona for free

The Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona match is available for free in select regions. In Ireland, fans can watch for free through Virgin Media 2. While this service won't have every single Champions League match this season, it carries multiple games each week, including one of Wednesday's quarterfinal matches.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona from anywhere

If you're away from Ireland when the match begins, you can still access your free streaming option with the help of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are handy tech tools that enable people to change the virtual location on their electronic devices. They're especially popular among those looking to keep up with their usual services while traveling abroad or hoping to boost their cybersecurity.

Proton VPN is a top-rated option. It's fast, user-friendly (even for beginners), and has a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about the app in our roundup of the best VPN services.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the US

Paramount Plus is the streaming home for all things Champions League in the US. Games, including today's Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona match, are available across all service tiers. That means you can stream the action with Paramount Plus Essential, which only costs $9 a month.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the UK

The majority of Champions League matches, including today's Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona game, are available to watch on TNT Sports in the UK. This means that you can live stream the action through HBO Max, the new streaming home of TNT Sports.

There are some savings if you sign up with a 12-month commitment, but a month-to-month Standard with Ads HBO Max plan with TNT Sports costs about £37 a month. Sole access to TNT Sports costs £31 a month. If you have an existing Discovery Plus subscription, you can keep streaming TNT Sports by downloading HBO Max and signing in using your Discovery Plus credentials.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in Ireland

In Ireland, Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona is available for free through Virgin Media 2. This streaming option carries several Champions League matches this season, including today's Atleti vs. Barca match and tomorrow's Arsenal vs. Sporting Lisbon match, although you won't find every single CL game here this season.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in Australia

Stan is the live streaming home of the Champions League in Australia. Stan's Basic plan costs $12 a month, but you'll need to add the Sport add-on for an additional $20 a month to access sporting events like today's Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona match. All in all, it'll cost you $32 a month.

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.

• Paul Krugman thinks the Iran war will help China dominate the clean energy market.
• The economist wrote that oil volatility is sparking a rush toward other power sources.
• In his view, China is in an ideal position to meet the growing demand for renewable power.

Nobel economist Paul Krugman sees the Iran war reshaping the energy market in a way that benefits America's chief geopolitical rival: China.

Krugman has been bearish on the economic outlook amid the Iran war, highlighting the increased risk of stagflation if the conflict persists. But more recently, he revealed on his Substack that he thinks America's largest economic rival will benefit significantly from the conflict.

"The big geopolitical winner from Trump's hostility to the energy revolution will be China, which dominates the production of renewable-energy infrastructure," Krugman wrote. "Furthermore, the China-led energy future will arrive ahead of schedule thanks to the debacle in Iran."

The war has sent oil prices surging, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, with pundits predicting that the chaos will prompt a rapid acceleration of the clean energy shift as countries rush to renewable power.

Krugman highlighted this new focus on "electrotech," with
areas such as solar power, wind, and batteries geared toward energy storage. He sees China as being perfectly positioned to keep supplying countries scrambling to diversify away from fossil fuels, thanks to industrial policies that have made China a manufacturing powerhouse.

"While China is strong in many industries, it is utterly dominant in electrotech, the cluster of industries — solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles — at the heart of the renewables revolution," he added.

Krugman also noted that the country has proven adept at accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies, giving its companies a strong advantage that extends into international markets.

He addressed what he says is a myth that China only builds and sells renewable energy equipment but doesn't use it itself. Trump recently made this claim at the World Economic Forum, but Krugman disputed it, noting that China's domestic clean energy use is surging.

"By dominating electrotech now, China is gaining experience and know-how that no other country can match," he said. "It is also creating an industrial ecosystem of specialized suppliers that, again, no other nation will be able to rival."

President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he wants the US to dominate China as the preeminent global economic superpower. But according to Krugman, the Iran war could have the opposite effect, as it erodes trust in the US and continues to international partners to China's markets.

"By the time America frees itself from Trump's fossil fuel obsession, if it ever does, China's lead in the manufacture of renewables will probably be insurmountable," he added.

• Disney is laying off employees less than a month into CEO Josh D'Amaro's tenure.
• D'Amaro said the cuts are not a reflection on "the overall strength of the company."
• Read the full memo from D'Amaro below.

Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro just told employees that the Mouse House is laying off staffers less than a month into his tenure.

The cuts come after Disney unified its enterprise marketing and brand teams earlier this year, D'Amaro said in a Tuesday morning memo obtained by Business Insider.

"Those that will be leaving us have done meaningful work here and care deeply about this company," D'Amaro said in the memo. "These decisions are not a reflection of their contributions, or of the overall strength of the company."

To that point, D'Amaro expressed confidence in Disney's trajectory: "Despite these difficult decisions, I remain optimistic about where we're headed as a company."

Business Insider could not determine the scope of the cuts.

Disney shares rose 1.6% on Tuesday as the S&P 500 climbed 1.1%, and the stock gained steam after news of the layoffs broke.

Disney's stock is up 21% over the past year, though it's lower than it was a decade ago and has lost about 45% of its value over the past five years.

Disney laid off hundreds of employees last June, primarily in film and TV marketing, as well as product and tech. Other major media companies have recently cut employees, including Sony and CBS News.

Layoffs are the latest challenge for D'Amaro in what's been an eventful first month.

Disney's OpenAI partnership fell apart after the AI giant wound down its video generation app, Sora. The Mouse House had been planning to use user-generated AI videos to jump-start engagement on Disney+.

Shortly after D'Amaro took over for Bob Iger, Disney-owned ABC shelved its highly anticipated season of "The Bachelorette" after controversy around star Taylor Frankie Paul.

D'Amaro, who previously oversaw Disney's Experiences division, is under pressure to keep the high-performing parks business booming while improving profits in streaming and fending off the decline of traditional TV.

Read the full memo from D'Amaro here:

Dear Fellow Employees & Cast Members,

We have experienced a great deal of change these last few years, both at the company and across our industries. Knowing firsthand how these moments can bring uncertainty, I want to be open about some difficult news that will be communicated this week.

In January, we announced our unified enterprise marketing and brand organization, designed to serve consumers in an even more connected way. Over the past several months, we have looked at ways in which we can streamline our operations in various parts of the company to ensure we deliver the world-class creativity and innovation our fans value and expect from Disney. Given the fast-moving pace of our industries, this requires us to constantly assess how to foster a more agile and technologically-enabled workforce to meet tomorrow's needs. As a result, we will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees.

I know this is hard. Those that will be leaving us have done meaningful work here and care deeply about this company. These decisions are not a reflection of their contributions, or of the overall strength of the company. Rather, they reflect our continual evaluation of how to more effectively manage our resources and reinvest in our businesses.

Compassion and respect remain at the heart of our company. As we move forward through this transition, our priority is to support those impacted and help each person navigate what comes next with resources, guidance, and direct support.

Despite these difficult decisions, I remain optimistic about where we're headed as a company. I'm deeply grateful for all of your contributions and for the dedication, professionalism, and care you bring to your work each day. Even in challenging moments, you continue to demonstrate what makes Disney so special.

Josh

• Kevin Warsh, Trump's pick to be the next Fed chair, filed his financial disclosure.
• It shows that he's worth well over $100 million and made millions in income.
• He would be one of the wealthiest Fed chairs in US history.

The next Fed chair may be one of the wealthiest men to ever hold the job.

Kevin Warsh, a financier and bank executive nominated by President Donald Trump to be Chairman of the Federal Reserve, is worth well over $100 million, according to a financial disclosure made public on Tuesday.

That would make him significantly wealthier than current chair Jerome Powell, who has previously been considered the wealthiest Fed chair since the 1940s.

The disclosures show that Warsh has earned $13.1 million in consulting fees from various investment firms since the beginning of 2025, including $10.2 million alone from Duquesne Family Office, the private investment firm of billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller.

He also made more than $1.5 million from 11 paid speeches from January to July 2025, mostly to financial institutions.

Warsh's disclosures also list an investment in the prediction market platform Polymarket via an entity called "DCM Investments 10 LLC."

It's unclear how big Warsh's investment in Polymarket is, but it's likely not large: The LLC's total value is listed as up to $500,000, and it includes investments in more than 250 other companies, including SpaceX.

Interestingly, much of Warsh's investments remained undisclosed, due to apparent confidentiality agreements.

The disclosure lists two assets called "Juggernaut Fund, LP" that are each worth at least $50 million, along with roughly 60 assets associated with THSDFS LLC that are worth at least $22 million.

Accompanying each of those listings is a note: "Underlying assets are not disclosed due to pre-existing confidentiality agreements. I will divest this asset if confirmed."

The disclosures also include some details about the personal finances of Warsh's wife, Jane Lauder, a member of the billionaire family behind the cosmetics giant Estée Lauder.

Her investments include more than $1 million in two petcare companies and a series of municipal bonds across the United States. She is worth $1.9 billion, according to Forbes.

Warsh is set to receive a hearing in the Senate soon. But despite receiving a warm reception from GOP senators, and his previous tenure on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011, he faces an uncertain path to becoming Fed chair.

That's because one GOP senator, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has moved to block consideration of Warsh's nomination until the Trump administration drops its probe into Powell.

• JPMorgan's CFO said the bank has $50 billion worth of exposure to the private credit market.
• Jamie Dimon said private credit risks aren't systemic, but warned of a bigger risk.
• Wells Fargo and Citi reported private credit exposures of $36.2 billion and $22 billion.

As several Wall Street banks reported first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, executives had to answer for their exposure to the private credit market, which has been under a microscope recently.

CFO Jeremy Barnum estimated the bank's exposure to private credit funds was $50 billion.

"We're broadly comfortable with it," Barnum said on a call with analysts. He explained that the $50 billion is part of approximately $160 billion worth of broader exposure to non-bank financial institutions. The private credit market has been under heightened scrutiny for the quality of its loans and for exposure to companies that could be vulnerable to AI disruption. As a result, some retail-oriented investment funds have had higher redemption requests.

When answering a question on private credit, Barnum said that though nothing JPMorgan does is without risk, "this is a space that we're quite comfortable with as a function of very close scrutiny on the way that we do the business and ensuring that the underwriting is high quality and that we've got a bunch of structural protections in place."

On the call, Dimon said he doesn't think the risks to the private credit market are systemic, echoing his comments in his annual letter to shareholders earlier this month.

"You have to have very large losses in private credit before, at least it looks like, banks are going to get hit," he said on Tuesday's call with analysts. "It doesn't mean you won't feel some stress and strain, and that you might have to do something about it, but I'm not particularly worried about it."

Dimon said that the bigger risk, as he sees it, is how a credit cycle will filter through the economy. He predicted that losses would be worse than people anticipate when there is an eventual credit cycle.

Wells Fargo and Citi, which both reported first-quarter earnings on Tuesday, also revealed their exposure to private credit firms. Wells Fargo estimated that its exposure was around $36.2 billion, and Citi said its exposure was $22 billion in their respective earnings presentations.

Many banks also offer investment vehicles for customers who want to invest directly in private credit. JPMorgan is planning to launch the JPMorgan Public and Private Credit Fund, an interval fund open to retail investors that allows quarterly redemptions of 7.5%, according to an SEC filing from last month. Many of the largest private credit managers have recently capped their quarterly withdrawals at 5%, despite investors requesting higher withdrawals.

• I'm a former pastry cook, and I think cake mixes are a great low-effort but delicious dessert.
• To amp up a boxed cake mix and make it taste homemade, I'd add sprinkles, extra eggs, or extracts.
• You can also take the cake to the next level by topping it with homemade frosting.

As a former pastry cook, I stand firmly in the belief that pie is vastly superior to cake. However, when an occasion necessitates a cake, boxed mixes are a great way to deliver a surefire success with minimal effort.

Here are some of the best tips and tricks I've learned for making boxed cake mixes taste homemade.

Substitute the water for milk to yield a cake with a richer flavor.

Try substituting the water your boxed mix calls for with the same amount of milk.

Whole milk will add extra decadence to your cake, and coconut milk can give your dessert a tropical twist. Buttermilk can be great in chocolate cake mixes if you want a truly dense, decadent dessert.

Try using melted butter instead of oil.

It's no secret that butter makes everything better. Instead of using the oil the boxed recipe calls for, simply swap it for the same amount of melted butter.

It's an easy way to create a delectable cake that tastes homemade.

An extra egg can make a cake super moist.

For an extra-moist cake, add one more egg than the boxed recipe calls for.

The fat in the eggs lends richness to the final product, making it a more decadent experience. If you really want to go over the edge, throw in an additional egg yolk, too.

Mayo is the secret ingredient for richer cakes.

If you're not a Midwesterner who grew up on Portillo's chocolate-cake shakes, mayo in a cake might sound gag-inducing — but hear me out.

The eggs and oil in mayonnaise are perfect for amping up the richness in your cakes. All you need to do is substitute the oil for the same amount of mayonnaise, and I promise you'll be a convert.

I prefer Duke's mayonnaise, and I suggest skipping olive- or avocado-oil varieties for this application. If you try this tip, you can skip adding an extra egg or yolk to your batter.

Brighten up your dessert with citrus.

Zesting your favorite citrus fruits into your batter will add a subtle edge to your cake.

I love orange or lime zest paired with vanilla or coconut mixes, and lemon zest is also great in yellow or pound cakes.

Don't let the juice go to waste, either. Freshly squeezed orange juice can replace the water in a recipe. Be stingier if you use lemon or lime juice, though, to avoid a sour situation.

A bit of extract can really boost and enhance the flavor of a cake.

For an extra boost of flavor, add a splash of your favorite extract, whether that's a classic lemon or something more unique.

Vanilla is always a crowd-pleaser, and it pairs well with most mixes. To create a bakery-style birthday cake, I love adding almond extract to yellow or vanilla cakes.

When in doubt, add sprinkles.

Confetti cake is a classic for a reason — who doesn't love a little bit of whimsy with their dessert?

For a cake that will make everyone smile, gently fold rainbow or chocolate sprinkles into the batter. Just make sure to stir them in last so the colors don't bleed.

Homemade frosting can elevate an entire cake —even if it was made from a boxed mix exactly as directed.

I'm a huge advocate of cutting corners — it's why I love boxed dessert mixes. However, if you're whipping up a cake for a special occasion, put in a little extra elbow grease by topping it with homemade frosting.

Even if you use only this one piece of advice, you'll trick people into thinking you went all out on your dessert.

This story was originally published in March 2023 and most recently updated on April 14, 2026.

• Electric pickup trucks were hailed as the future by Elon Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley.
• It hasn't quite worked out: Data shows that EV pickup sales have fallen to a small fraction of the market.
• Tesla's Cybertruck and Ford's F-150 Lightning both saw big sales declines.

Americans are losing interest in electric pickup trucks.

Once hailed as the future by Elon Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley, electric truck sales have collapsed to a small fraction of the US electric vehicle market, according to data from Cox Automotive released on Friday.

Sales of Tesla's Cybertruck fell 45% year-over-year to 3,500 units in the first three months of 2026, while shipments of Ford's F-150 Lightning dropped over 70% after the company discontinued production last year.

Rival electric pickups like the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Hummer (which also includes the SUV variant) also suffered sharp declines.

Overall, sales of battery-powered trucks fell by nearly half, and now make up around 4.6% of the EV market, down from 6.4% last year.

The grim outlook is a world away from the lofty targets set in the early 2020s by industry executives, who predicted that electrifying the best-selling vehicle type in the country would be a surefire way to win over US consumers skeptical of EVs.

Farley said in 2022 that Ford would raise its production target for the F-150 Lightning to 150,000 units a year in the face of "huge demand."

Musk, meanwhile, predicted that Tesla could sell more than 250,000 Cybertrucks a year when the divisive steel-plated pickup launched in 2023.

Neither vehicle has come anywhere close to those figures. Ford sold just under 30,000 Lightnings in the US last year, per Cox Auto figures.

The company announced in December that it would replace the all-electric pickup with a gas and battery-powered version as part of an EV strategy shift that cost the company nearly $20 billion. Other manufacturers have also rolled back plans for new electric trucks, with Ram canceling its REV 150 pickup last September.

Tesla, meanwhile, sold around 20,000 Cybertrucks last year, nearly half the number it sold in 2024. The trapezoid-shaped truck also became a target for vandalism and abuse last year amid a wider backlash against Musk's work on the Department of Government Efficiency.

A key reason electric pickups have failed to emulate the success of their gas-powered cousins is that they are more expensive. The cheapest Cybertruck costs $70,000, while the Lightning starts at nearly $55,000, around $16,000 more than the gas-powered F-150.

There has also been a broader decline in EV sales in America across all vehicle types, in part due to the end of the $7,500 tax credit in September.

Not everyone is willing to give up on electric trucks just yet, however. Slate is planning to start production of its minimalist electric truck, priced in the "mid-$20,000s," this year. And on his X account, Musk continues to praise the Cybertruck, despite the pickup's ongoing sales slump.

"Best product Tesla has ever made to date," he wrote earlier this month.

• I went from living a busy life on the East Coast to embracing a slower pace of life in the Midwest.
• I was nervous moving to a small city I'd never been to and living far from my family, but I'm happy.
• The distance gave me a chance to try things I hadn't before and reignite my old passions.

Growing up, I expected to live the fast-paced life of a performer.

I'm a Jersey girl with a New York City spirit. As a kid, my backyard was the Hudson City Skyline, and my dreams were set on being a principal actor on Broadway.

Most of my childhood weekends were spent in the boroughs of New York City. From family trips to Queens Village to walks in Prospect Park, I learned to navigate the subways and buses at a younger age than most people, and I relished the speed of life.

In college, I frequently took NJ Transit to get my auditioning feet wet. Every callback felt like I was getting closer and closer to my Broadway dreams.

Living so close to New York City made me feel like possibilities were at my fingertips. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on everything I'd been working toward.

I knew I had to pivot my career, but I never expected to land in Lansing, Michigan

Broadway shut down, and there was no sense of when it might open again. As theater began to seem like less of an option, I began exploring my backup career plan, a.k.a. the one my parents told me to prepare in case Broadway didn't work out.

I set my sights on working in broadcast journalism and earned my master's degree in television, radio, and film in 2022. I thought staying in the entertainment industry would bring me back to the city I knew and loved, but that wasn't the case.

After submitting what seemed like hundreds of applications and securing far fewer interviews, I landed a job in local television in Lansing, Michigan.

The concrete jungle prepared me for a lot, but processing the idea of moving hundreds of miles away from my family to a city I'd never been to before was daunting.

It's not that moving to the Midwest was never on my bingo card; it's just that I imagined heading to another big city like Chicago or Detroit.

Lansing has just over 110,000 residents — far less than the 500,000 or several million in those places. Whereas those places have more than 500,000 residents, Lansing has just over 110,000.

Still, I accepted the job and packed my bags.

Moving to a smaller city has benefited me in ways I never expected

As it turns out, living in a smaller city has been nice for building community. For one, I like walking into my local coffee shop and knowing the barista's name and story.

After moving, I also quickly found a community of fashion designers, photographers, actors, and many other creatives who shared similar interests.

Many of us connected on Instagram or at community events I found online. I was nervous about attending these events alone, but I almost always walked away with someone's phone number and introductions to at least two new people.

Living here gave me a chance to start over, where no one knew my name or what I did in high school, and that freedom allowed me to pursue passions I was previously afraid of.

I was never an athlete, for example, but I ran my first half-marathon in 2025.

I didn't have to leave my performing dreams too far behind, either —they just looked a little different now.

I've sung the national anthem at our local baseball game twice, and it took just one video audition. Meanwhile, singing the anthem at a sports game is the kind of thing I auditioned for hundreds of times in New York without much luck.

After taking a break from theater for a while, I got back onstage for the first time in seven years through community productions.

For me, even dating has been better in the Midwest. I met my boyfriend of three years here, and we're still going strong.

I also have a short drive to work instead of transferring four or five times on different subways and running up and down platforms. I don't have the same sense of urgency in every aspect of my life like I used to, either.

My dreams are still in New York, but I'm so happy with the life I've built

Of course, there are some aspects of big-city life on the East Coast that I've had to let go of.

My favorite store isn't always open, traveling home for the holidays is a huge hassle, and visiting the nearest big city requires a road trip, but I appreciate all that living here has taught me.

One day, I hope to return to New York and revisit my dreams alongside my family and closest friends, but for now, I've created another comfy and cozy dream here in Lansing.

And the best part is, those dreams will always be there, ready for me when I return.

• Mark Zuckerberg moved his desk to be closer to Meta's AI team, according to the company's president and vice chairman.
• Zuckerberg went on a recruiting spree for AI researchers last year, forming the new Meta Superintelligence Labs division.
• The CEO is "coding all day long" and sits with MSL lead Alexandr Wang, Dina Powell McCormick said at a Semafor conference.

Mark Zuckerberg has a new perspective on the AI race — literally.

The Meta CEO now has a desk among the company's AI researchers that gives him a front-row seat to the company's overhaul of its AI efforts. He's also coding again.

"Mark has actually moved his desk and is seated in the AI lab with Alex Wang and Nat Friedman, and he's coding all day long," Meta President Dina Powell McCormick said during an appearance at Semafor's World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C.

McCormick joked that, "On the one hand, they are sort of like, 'Oh great, more advice from you Mark, as you're coding.'"

Striking a more serious tone, she said that Zuckerberg feels a need to be this engaged in the company's AI efforts.

"I think he feels so strongly that he has to understand it at that level to really, you know, think about how our our model the strongest it can be," McCormick said.

McCormick's comments follow previous reporting that has detailed the extent to which Zuckerberg has thrown himself deep into Meta's AI development as competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini heats up.

In June, Bloomberg reported that Zuckerberg had "rearranged desks at the company's Menlo Park headquarters so the new staff will sit near him." On Monday, the Financial Times reported that Zuckerberg "has spent five to 10 hours a week coding on different AI projects" and reviewing the work of others.

Meta has spent billions building up its new AI team, called Superintelligence Labs, including investing roughly $15 billion in Scale AI and to recruit cofounder Alexandr Wang. Zuckerberg has been closely involved in hiring efforts for the division.

McCormick also mentioned former Github CEO Nat Friedman, who joined Meta in July to help lead the company's development of AI products.

Externally, Meta has been viewed as falling behind its fellow hyperscalers and frontier model makers in the generative AI race, a perception the MSL team is working to combat with new models.

OpenAI has dominated the AI chatbot market through ChatGPT. While Google has been able to successfully deploy its "full-stack" advantage to keep OpenAI on its toes. Anthropic has received widespread praise for its AI advances in the last 6 months, including Claude Code and Cowork. Anthropic recently announced it would not publicly release its latest model, Claude Mythos, over concerns it is too good at finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

There are signs that Meta's steep investment in building out the MSL team is starting to pay off. Meta's stock jumped 8% after it released Muse Spark, its first new AI model created by Superintelligence Labs. Zuckerberg called it the division's "first milestone."

• Hiring is at recession-era lows despite low unemployment.
• Job seekers are facing long searches without the government support that typically accompanies recessions.
• Some are drawing on savings and struggling to pay their bills.

The US economy isn't officially in a recession. But for job seekers, it might as well be.

In February, the hiring rate fell to a low last seen during the early pandemic — and before that, the aftermath of the Great Recession.

More than seven million unemployed Americans are facing a job market that, by hiring measures, looks like a recession. Meanwhile layoffs and unemployment are relatively low, creating a split labor market that is stable for people who have jobs, and recession-like for those trying to find one.

This combination of slow hiring and low unemployment is unprecedented in more than 25 years of government data.

The "job seeker recession" is taking a financial toll on people like Valerie Lockhart, who has struggled to find work since being laid off as a vice president at Morgan Stanley in March 2025. As the primary earner for her family of three, she's relied on savings, retirement accounts, and unemployment benefits to get by.

After her garage flooded last September, Lockhart faced thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs. She launched a GoFundMe campaign, but it only raised a few hundred dollars. As a result, she delayed the repairs, leaving her family without hot water.

"Paying that bill would've meant using money we needed to stay afloat," said Lockhart, who is in her 40s and lives in Georgia.

Over the past year, I've spoken with dozens of job seekers navigating a sluggish hiring landscape shaped by economic uncertainty, cost-cutting, and AI adoption. Many told me they were surprised by how little traction they've gotten after more successful searches earlier in their careers.

As of March, more than a quarter of unemployed Americans had been looking for work for 27 weeks or more, up from about 18% three years earlier. The statistic underscores how the slow pace of hiring is keeping people out of work longer.

A slowdown without recession-level support

Since being laid off from his six-figure consulting job at Booz Allen Hamilton last August, Aaron Laniewicz has struggled to land a full-time role. Within months, he withdrew about $50,000 from his 401(k) to pay down high-interest debt, much of it from credit cards.

"Our finances are trending in an unsustainable direction," said Laniewicz, who's in his 40s and lives in North Carolina.

His experience reflects the broader disconnect in the labor market. While layoffs remain low, people who need work are finding the hiring environment has slowed to a crawl.

In past downturns, that kind of slowdown has triggered government support. During the pandemic, federal lawmakers added a $600 weekly supplement to state unemployment checks. During the Great Recession, Congress funded additional weeks of unemployment insurance, allowing some workers to collect benefits for up to 99 weeks.

But barring a wider economic downturn, a new round of expanded benefits is unlikely, particularly with a divided Congress and concerns about the level of government spending.

Without federal benefits to rely on, US job seekers are reliant on severance from former employers or state unemployment benefits. But those can vary widely.

Laniewicz said he received about a month of severance. He collected unemployment benefits for a time — North Carolina has a maximum weekly payout of $350 — but said he became ineligible after finding part-time freelance work.

After Robin Peppers Daniel was laid off from her North Carolina-based management role at Wells Fargo in April 2025, she received a few months of severance. After months of job searching, she began working as a substitute teacher, but said she had to be strategic about it. If her earnings exceeded a certain threshold, her unemployment check would shrink.

Daniel, who is in her 60s, said she has enough savings to get by for more than a year, but not enough to retire. She said she's now only "half-heartedly" looking for jobs online: If a posting has more than 100 applicants, she doesn't bother to apply.

For Daniel, who's now been looking for work for a year, it feels like the job market has turned against her.

"I've resigned myself to semi-retirement," she said.

• Ken Griffin said Iran's "grit and perseverance" caught the investing community "flat-footed."
• The founder of Citadel and Citadel Securities spoke at Semafor's World Economic Forum on Tuesday.
• The billionaire expects a recession if the Strait of Hormuz is closed for the foreseeable future.

As Ken Griffin said, hedge funds are paid to deal with market volatility, and for the most part, his firm and several peers managed March's chaotic markets reasonably well.

But what caught the investing community "flat-footed" was the "grit and perseverance of the Iranian people," said Griffin, the CEO of $69 billion Citadel, at Semafor's World Economic Forum on Tuesday.

This was not a critique of the US military, Griffin made clear, but instead an acknowledgment that Iran has withstood the attacks by the US and Israel as well as it could have.

Now the economic pressure from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway where a significant proportion of the world's oil and natural gas passes through, will be front and center for countries around the world, particularly in Asia and Europe, Griffin said.

The US is somewhat insulated thanks to its energy production capabilities, but a closure of the Strait for 6 to 12 months will trigger a global recession no matter what, he added. The adoption of alternative fuel sources globally will increase rapidly as well, Griffin said.

"We have a classic energy price shock," he said, while also applauding President Donald Trump's administration for pursuing a nuclear-free Iran. Still, Griffin believes the US should have done more to bring European allies on board with the Iranian strikes to have a "united front."

Now, the world's central banks must decide whether the spike in inflation caused by surging energy prices is enough to raise interest rates. Higher inflation, coupled with fears that artificial intelligence will make scores of jobs obsolete, creates "a very stressful period for the American worker," Griffin said.

He has faith in Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, to make "thoughtful" decisions with the American people in mind.

While Trump has "jawboned" the Fed more than other administrations, Warsh will act independently of the White House when pursuing the central bank's dual mandate, Griffin said.

Regardless of the what-if scenarios, market participants and geopolitical forecasters can't change the past and must deal with the current-day reality, he said.

"The history has been forever changed," Griffin said.

• More than 2,000 US retail stores and restaurants are set to close by the end of 2026.
• Major chains, including Wendy's and Macy's, are citing efficiency as the reason behind the closures.
• Apple is one of the latest companies to announce closures.

Retailers and restaurants are gearing up for another wave of store closures.

It's shaping up to be the continuation of a retail pullback that Business Insider tracked in 2024 and 2025. Major chains, from department stores like Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue to restaurant chains Pizza Hut and Wendy's, have already announced multiyear closure plans that extend into 2026, as have some niche stores.

Some companies, such as Macy's, are closing their physical stores to invest more resources into their online businesses.

In 2025, Business Insider tracked around 4,100 closures as of late December. Retail data and consultant firm Coresight Research predicted earlier in the year that roughly 15,000 retail locations would close in the year.

So far for 2026, Business Insider has identified more than 2,000 planned closures.

See the list of major closures below, ordered by the number of closures.

7-Eleven, Inc: 645 stores

The parent company of 7-Eleven plans to close 645 stores in North America in its 2026 fiscal year, which runs through February 2027, according to an earnings document released by Seven & i Holdings last week. The company also said it plans to open 205 stores over the same period. As of the 2025 fiscal year, the company had 12,712 stores in North America.

The document said the closure number included stores being converted to wholesale fuel stores, but did not specify how many.

The closures, previously reported by C-Store Dive, come as 7-Eleven continues to transition some of its locations to more food-focused stores.

7-Eleven did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Francesca's: over 400 stores

After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 5, apparel retailer Francesca's said it will conduct going-out-of-business sales at all of its roughly 400 stores across the US.

Francesca's previously filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 before being acquired by TerraMar Capital and Tiger Group.

"This process provides a structured path to pursue the best outcome for all stakeholders," Curt Kroll, CFO, said in a February statement about the bankruptcy. "We remain focused on operating responsibly and supporting our teams, partners, and guests throughout this process."

Wendy's: 300 stores

In a February 13 earnings call, Wendy's interim CEO Ken Cook said the company planned to close underperforming restaurants in the US, representing 5% to 6% of its roughly 6,000 locations. An estimated 5% of Wendy's restaurants would come out to around 300 locations.

Cook told investors to expect the closings to take place in the first half of 2026.

Pizza Hut: 250 stores

Restaurant chain Pizza Hut is set to close 250 underperforming stores in the US during the first half of 2026, its parent company, Yum! Brands, said in February. The reduction comes as part of a program to accelerate the Pizza Hut brand in the long term.

The company said that the 250 targeted closures are a fraction of the 20,000 locations that Yum! Brands operates globally.

Eddie Bauer: 175 stores

Nearly 200 North American Eddie Bauer storefronts are expected to shut down after the operating entity behind the stores failed to find a buyer during its Chapter 11 restructuring.

Liquidation sales have been underway at the 175 Eddie Bauer stores in the US and Canada.

Those store-closing sales are projected to wrap up before April 30, according to court filings in the company's bankruptcy case.

Carter's: 100 stores

Carter's, one of North America's biggest children's and baby apparel retailers, said in October that it plans to close 150 stores across the region over the next three years as leases expire, including about 100 by the end of 2026.

Macy's: 80 stores

In January 2025, Macy's said it planned to close 150 locations through 2026, allowing it to focus on its best-performing locations and online experience. After the closures are complete, about 350 Macy's stores are expected to remain. Macy's closed at least 66 stores in 2025.

Kroger: 60 stores

Grocery giant Kroger said in June 2025 that it planned to close 60 "unprofitable" stores across the US over the next 18 months. The company said in September that it had begun that process.

The company said in its last annual report that it operated 2,731 supermarkets in 35 states and Washington, DC, as of February 2025.

Saks Off 5th: 57 stores

Saks Off 5th, a luxury outlet retailer offering discounted designer brands, plans to close 57 stores in early 2026. It announced plans to close nine of those stores last year, and the rest were announced in January.

Saks Global, the parent company of Saks Off 5th, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early January. The outlet's website, a separate legal entity, is also winding down operations.

In addition to the Saks Off 5th closures, Saks Global is closing five Last Call locations, the off-price Neiman Marcus stores.

Grocery Outlet: 36 stores

Supermarket chain Grocery Outlet is set to close 36 underperforming stores, representing about 6% of its fleet in 2026. CEO Jason Potter told analysts on March 4 that the company had identified stores that no longer had a "viable path to sustained profitability."

The closures come as the grocery chain has been expanding rapidly, particularly in Eastern states. The chain said in November that it planned to end 2025 with 37 new store openings. It plans to open another 30 to 33 net new stores in 2026, Potter said in the March call.

Of the 36 stores closing this year, 24 are located in the Eastern US. The closures make up about 30% of that region's stores, Potter said. He said Grocery Outlet won't be exiting any state completely.

"However, it's clear now that we expanded too quickly and these closures are a direct correction," Potter said.

Grocery Outlet saw a nearly $235 million operating loss and a more than $218 million net loss in its fourth-quarter earnings results.

Torrid: 29 stores

Torrid, a plus-size apparel retailer, told investors in March that it had previously identified 180 unproductive stores, of which it closed 151 locations by the end of 2025. CEO Lisa Harper said the company plans to close the remaining stores in the first half of 2026.

Torrid closed 11 locations in the first quarter of 2026, Harper said.

Allbirds: 23 stores

Shoe brand Allbirds said in January that it would close its remaining full-price stores in the US by the end of February. The company said the closures would enable it to dedicate resources toward its e-commerce business.

As of December 2025, Allbirds' US retail presence consisted of 23 stores.

"By exiting these remaining unprofitable doors, we are taking actions to reduce costs and support the long-term health of the business," said Joe Vernachio, CEO.

In March, Allbirds agreed to sell to American Exchange Group, a New York-based fashion and consumer goods company, for $39 million.

Yankee Candle: 20 stores

Newell Brands said in December 2025 that it would close 20 Yankee Candle stores in the US and Canada beginning in January 2026. The closures were announced alongside the reduction of its workforce by over 900 employees.

"This productivity plan is about taking the next, disciplined step to enhance efficiency, sharpen our strategic focus, and deliver stronger, more consistent performance," CEO Chris Peterson said in a press release.

Saks Fifth Avenue: 18 stores

After filing for bankruptcy in January, Saks Global announced a series of closures.

The first wave was announced in February, with the company saying it would optimize its Saks Fifth Avenue footprint by closing eight locations. In March, it announced that another 10 locations would close.

Those closures leave 15 Saks Fifth Avenue locations remaining.

Neiman Marcus: 4 stores

In addition to many Saks Fifth Avenue and Off Fifth locations, Saks Global closed four Neiman Marcus locations. The company announced one of the closures — a Boston store — in February and another three in March.

Apple: 3 stores

Apple said on April 9 it would close three stores in June, including locations in Connecticut, California, and Maryland. All of the stores are located in struggling shopping malls, MacRumors reported.

"Following the departure of several retailers and declining conditions at Trumbull Mall, the Shops at North County, and Towson Town Center, we've made the difficult decision to close our stores at these locations," Apple said in the statement to MacRumors.

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

In its statement, Apple said that employees at its Trumbull, Connecticut, and North County, California, locations would continue their roles at nearby stores. Employees at the Towson, Maryland, store — which has unionized workers — would be eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents retail employees at the Maryland store, said it was "outraged" by the decision.

"We are exploring all legal options and will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable," the IAM Union said in a statement.

REI: 3 stores

REI confirmed to Business Insider that it plans to close three stores, starting with a location in New Jersey, in the first quarter of 2026. Its stores in New York City's SoHo neighborhood and Boston are set to follow in late 2026.

"As markets and customer needs evolve, we must adapt to position the co-op for long-term success," the company said in a statement.

• Private credit may be dominating the headlines, but BlackRock sees opportunity ahead.
• On the firm's Q1 earnings call, it explained why it expects to win in a private credit "shakeout."
• CEO Larry Fink said he expects to see "much more dispersion" in private credit, and he likes that.

Less than a year after BlackRock's $12 billion acquisition of private credit powerhouse HPS Investment Partners, one of Wall Street's hottest asset classes is now showing signs of strain.

But the world's largest asset manager sounds calm about current concerns.

"There's been a lot of attention on private credit, but the headlines do not reflect what clients are telling us, what our portfolio data shows, or where we see the market going," BlackRock CEO Larry Fink told analysts on its first-quarter earnings call.

This comes after a wave of redemption requests at private credit vehicles aimed at retail investors, like non-traded business development companies. Investors, spooked about exposure to software companies in the age of AI and the valuation of loans, have asked for billions in cash back this quarter.

Fink said that demand growth is "structural," driven by a need for more capital to meet investment needs, and wealth vehicles make up only 25% of the private credit industry. Institutional demand is still growing and now accounts for 85% of investor cash in its private credit business, he said.

The firm saw $9 billion in private markets inflows in the first quarter, including a "multibillion-dollar" deal with an insurance client.

Some retail-focused funds saw investors hitting limits on how much cash they could withdraw in the quarter, including BlackRock's own HPS Corporate Lending Fund, where investors looking to redeem 9.3% of their shares were told that only 5% of the fund's value would be returned.

Fink and his fellow executives were hopeful about the future of private credit at BlackRock, but that doesn't mean every firm that rushed into the category will be a winner. Fink said that the "relatively benign" credit markets of the last 5 to 7 years may "have lifted all boats," but the situation is changing.

"We expect to see much more dispersion in performance among private credit managers," Fink said. "That's an environment we like to compete in."

One-stop shop

BlackRock's position as a one-stop shop for investment, with a range of financial products totaling $13.9 trillion in assets under management, means that "private credit tumult" can actually be an opportunity, said CFO Martin Small.

"Clients are saying we want a more whole portfolio relationship so that we can think about how to put our public markets together with our private markets, how we can manage our practices through these market cycles," Small said.

In other words, what Small sees as a "shake-out in credit" could actually help funnel investors to BlackRock, and help grow beyond its core businesses, like its iShares ETFs. As investors look to reduce the number of investors they work with, and dig into a "whole portfolio" style of investing, BlackRock provides a wide-range of options.

Key to the firm's strategy of being a one-stop shop is its Aladdin portfolio management tech platform, which has over 130,000 users ranging from other asset managers to wealth management firms. The fact that Aladdin can provide a "public-private workflow and data offering," while risk-management across the private credit industry has "not kept pace" with growth, means there's a "meaningful opportunity for Aladdin," said Fink.

Future opportunities

Chaos, like the concern over defaults ticking up and private-credit redemptions rapidly increasing, can also mean opportunity.

"Periods of market dislocation are when private credit investment opportunities are most compelling," Fink said, noting that lenders are getting paid more to take risk now than they were a few months ago. He said loans are being quoted 25 to 50 basis points higher than they were at the end of last year, with "select opportunities" up 100 basis points.

And for a firm that's had a lot of its success serving the retirement market, recent proposed rules that could make it easier to put private assets into a 401(k) were even "better than we expected," said Small.

The firm plans to launch a version of its Lifepath target-date fund with private assets this year, said Small. These early steps for private markets into the $12 trillion defined-contribution market could present another massive growth opportunity, proving to 401(k) sponsors that the time is right for private assets.

The goal is to build a track record that gives plan sponsors and consultants more confidence in private-market investments, especially as new Labor Department rules take effect later this year, Small said.

"We get really running in 2027," Small said.

• Trump will hit his "breaking point" with Iran when stocks and bonds are down at least 12%, BCA Research says.
• The firm said Trump is more focused on bonds than on oil prices because of his goal of lowering rates.
• The president also has a long-running focus on how well the stock market is doing.

President Donald Trump will only be able to tolerate so much pain in the market before he pivots on his Iran war strategy, according to one research firm.

In a recent note to clients, BCA Research said it believes that the president will likely hit a "breaking point" when the combined decline in stocks and bonds reaches at least 12%.

That's because Trump — who has long made stocks a focal point and has indicated he is dialed in on lowering borrowing costs for Americans in his second term — is more concerned about the financial market implications of the war than he is about the oil price spike itself, Dhaval Joshi, a chief strategist at the firm, said.

"General Stock Market and General Bond Market have played an important role in the war," Joshi wrote, pointing to how Trump has already pivoted from several ultimatums he gave Iran, which appeared to be in response to market stress.

"To repeat, in both the tariff war and the current war with Iran, Trump's breaking point has been encapsulated by the combined drawdown in stocks plus bonds (S&P 500 plus TLT) reaching 12-15 percent," he added.

BCA pointed in particular to the recent drawdown in the S&P 500 and the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF, a reflection of the performance of long-term government bonds.

As of Tuesday, the S&P 500 has nearly all of its losses since the start of the Iran war.

TLT, the treasury bond ETF, is down 4% from its peak earlier this year.

Trump has become known for walking back his aggressive rhetoric when stocks and bonds are under pressure. That tendency is at the heart of the TACO Trade — an acronym that stands for Trump Always Chickens Out — and encapsulates what happened in several instances, most notably in April of last year, when the president talked up his tariffs before introducing framework deals and extending deadlines to appease markets.

Trump is unlikely to walk back his rhetoric on Iran because of higher oil prices, Joshi said, pointing to how the US is a net exporter of oil, meaning the oil shock could actually provide a boost to GDP.

"Instead, Trump's bigger worry is the oil shock's impact on already-too-hot US inflation. This is because the main concerns right now of his MAGA base are surging gasoline prices, surging inflation, and surging mortgage rates — all of which are encapsulated in the performance of the bond market," he added.

Trump, who has made lower interest rates a goal of his second term, suggested his administration is paying close attention to Treasury yields. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last year that the president was particularly focused on the 10-year yield, and Trump himself said he was tuned in to bond volatility during the tariff sell-off last year.

"Meanwhile Trump and his acolytes do care about the stock market, to which they have high exposure, either directly or indirectly," Joshi added, referring to the president's long-running focus on how well the stock market is doing.

• The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, but the wreck was not found until September 1, 1985.
• The story of the ship, its passengers, and life on board still fascinates us today.
• One of the ship's musicians wasn't officially declared dead until 2000.

The sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, has captivated people for 114 years. The stories of survivors, the various explanations as to why it sank, the decadeslong search to find the wreck, and the multi-billion-dollar film released in 1997 have all contributed to its enduring place in pop culture.

On September 1, 1985, more than seven decades after the Titanic sank, its wreckage was found during a secret US Navy mission searching for two other missing vessels.

As technology advanced, companies started offering tourists the chance to dive 2.4 miles below the surface and see the wreck themselves. In June 2023, a submersible, the Titan, with five people aboard, went missing two hours into its journey to the wreckage. The Coast Guard later confirmed the Titan had imploded, killing all five.

That hasn't deterred other billionaires, though. The New York Post reported in 2025 that plans are being made for yet another dive to the wreckage.

Keep reading to learn more about the Titanic, including how it was found, what it was like on board, and what secrets we've learned from the wreckage.

The Titanic was plagued by tragedy from the start. Eight people died during the ship's construction.

Eight men died during the construction of the ship, National Geographic reported, but only five of their names are known: Samuel Scott, John Kelly, William Clarke, James Dobbin, and Robert Murphy. A plaque memorializing the eight men in Belfast was unveiled in 2012.

The ship's profile, which has four smokestacks, makes it one of history's most recognizable ships. But the fourth smokestack served no purpose.

The Titanic had four smokestacks (or funnels), but only three actually carried smoke from the furnaces — the fourth was only built for aesthetic purposes.

The ship reportedly carried 15,000 bottles of beer, 1,000 bottles of wine, 850 bottles of liquor, and 8,000 cigars.

In addition to all that alcohol and tobacco, there were 75,000 pounds of fresh meat, 7,500 pounds of bacon, 36,000 oranges, 1,000 loaves of bread, and 40,000 fresh eggs on board, according to Titanic Facts.

The 700 third-class passengers had to share two bathtubs.

Even though, by all accounts, the third-class accommodations on the Titanic were much better than those on an average ship, they were still pretty rough.

ABC News wrote that the total number of third-class passengers was at least 709, and according to Encyclopedia Titanica, they all had to share two bathtubs.

The richest man aboard was John Jacob Astor IV, widely believed to have been the richest man in the world at the time of his death.

Astor was not just the richest man on the Titanic but widely believed to be the richest man in the world at the time of his death. He was worth an estimated $150 million, or $4.5 billion in today's dollars, according to CNBC.

Astor was on the ship returning home from a monthslong honeymoon with his new wife, Madeleine Talmage Force, who, at 18 years old, was nearly three decades his junior.

The extended honeymoon was actually a way to escape society's gossip — Astor had just been divorced within two years of his new marriage, which was relatively unheard of back then.

Astor's body was one of the few that were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after the ship went down, The New York Times reported at the time.

His mother, Carolina Astor, and two of his sisters are main characters on HBO's "The Gilded Age."

There were at least 13 couples celebrating their honeymoon on the Titanic.

According to the 2011 book "Titanic Love Stories," there were at least 13 couples celebrating their honeymoons on the ship.

A lifeboat drill that was supposed to take place the day of the sinking was canceled by the ship's captain.

According to a survivor's testimony, it was completely out of the ordinary for a Sunday to pass without a lifeboat drill, the Toronto Star reported. April 14, 1912, was the last Sunday the Titanic would ever see and the day of the sinking (technically, the Titanic sank on April 15 at 2 a.m.).

It's unclear why the drill never happened.

The ship's lookouts had to rely on their eyes alone — the ship's binoculars were locked inside a cabinet, and no one could find the key.

The Telegraph reported that the ship's lookouts, Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee, didn't have access to binoculars during the journey and, therefore, couldn't see very far.

The ship's second officer was replaced at the last minute and forgot to hand off the key to the locker that housed the ship's binoculars.

The key resurfaced at auction in 2007, where it was sold for over $90,000, reported Scottish newspaper The Herald.

One theory is that the crew didn't spot the iceberg in time because they couldn't access said binoculars.

According to the official 1912 inquiry findings, The Telegraph reported that only 37 seconds elapsed between actually seeing the iceberg, calling downstairs, and deciding what course of action to take.

At the memorial of Frederick Fleet, one of the lookouts, a prankster left a pair of binoculars with a note reading, "Sorry for bringing these 100 years too late."

Fleet was the lookout who called out the now-famous words, "Iceberg, right ahead." He survived the sinking but tragically went on to take his own life in 1965, after the death of his wife, according to his Encyclopedia Titanica profile.

On the centennial anniversary of the Titanic's sinking in 2012, a prankster removed a memorial wreath from his gravestone and replaced it with a pair of binoculars and a note apologizing for the lateness of the binoculars, wrote The Daily Mail.

While it's impossible to know for sure, a ship spotted this iceberg with a streak of red paint going along its side soon after the crash. This is believed to be the iceberg that sank the ship.

This photo was taken from the SS Prinz Adalbert on April 15, 1912, the morning after the Titanic crashed.

According to Wired, the photographer hadn't even heard about the Titanic's sinking yet; he just noticed that it appeared to show signs of collision, including a streak of red paint.

It is rumored that a few men dressed up as women to get a spot on a lifeboat.

For one couple, these rumors even caused divorce.

Dickinson and Helen Bishop were granted a divorce in 1916, four years after the Titanic went down. Helen said that her husband was cruel and a drunk, per M Live, but their relationship was also plagued by rumors that Dickinson had dressed up as a woman to escape the ship.

These claims were detailed further in the 2012 book "Shadow of the Titanic: The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived."

In his official testimony during the US Senate Inquiry regarding the Titanic, Dickinson claimed there was no official order allowing only women and children to get on lifeboats, according to the Titanic Inquiry Project.

Bishop's not the only man accused of disguising himself as a woman — J. Bruce Ismay, William Carter, and William T. Sloper were all dogged by the same rumors throughout their lives, according to fact-checking site Snopes.

The ship's band played music right until the very end to try to calm passengers, just like in the 1997 movie.

They have been called heroes, and they played music for more than two hours after hitting the iceberg, the BBC reported.

One of the ship's musicians wasn't officially declared dead until 2000.

Roger Bricoux, the Titanic's cello player, was just 21 years old when he perished during the ship's sinking.

But Bricoux wasn't officially declared dead until 2000, though all the musicians died on April 15, 1912. The French army even called him a deserter when he failed to show up to serve in World War I, according to his profile on Encyclopedia Titanica.

The Association Française du Titanic (French Association of the Titanic) worked to clear his name and officially put Bricoux to rest, but it didn't succeed until 88 years after the Titanic sank.

One of the most beloved quotes from the 1997 film is based on a true story.

In the movie, Benjamin Guggenheim refuses a life vest and states, "We are dressed in our best and are prepared to go down as gentlemen."

While it seems almost too cinematic to be true, the real Benjamin Guggenheim actually was prepared to go down like a gentleman.

A New York Times article published in April 1912 reported that he had asked a steward to tell his wife in New York City, "I've done my best in doing my duty." He went down with the ship.

Watch the scene based on Guggenheim's final moments here.

The older couple who remained on the ship together in the 1997 movie was based on a real couple: Isidor and Ida Straus.

In "Titanic," a short scene shows an older couple holding each other in bed while their room begins to flood. If you've seen the movie, you know it's one of the most moving parts of the end. But you might not have known that they're based on a real couple: the Strauses. Isidor Straus was a co-owner of Macy's.

While they're not named in the film, a deleted scene shows the woman telling her husband, "Where you go, I go, Isidor." The two actors are also credited as Isidor and Ida in the end credits.

In real life, Ida was reportedly heard saying, "I will not be separated from my husband. As we have lived, so will we die, together." And so, they died at sea together. Isidor's body was one of the few recovered, but Ida's was not.

In an eerie coincidence, their great-great-granddaughter Wendy Rush was married to Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate who died on the Titan submersible while on a dive to the Titanic wreckage.

You might know another one of their famous descendants, the musician King Princess.

Multiple newspapers mistakenly reported that the crash caused no fatalities, including the Daily Mail, the Belfast Telegraph, and The World.

In the race to publish a headline about the disaster, numerous newspapers gave families and loved ones false hope about the sinking of the Titanic. As a Library of Virginia project showed, The Daily Mail said, "no lives lost," while the Reno Evening Gazette said, "passengers are safe."

The Belfast Telegraph claimed "no danger of loss of life."

Some American newspapers were able to take advantage of the time difference, making their headlines more accurate. The New York Times, for example, ran the headline "Titanic Sinks Four Hours After Hitting Iceberg; 866 Rescued by Carpathia, Probably 1,250 Perish; Ismay Safe, Mrs. Astor Maybe, Noted Names Missing."

Every single engineer aboard the Titanic perished. They all stayed behind to keep the ship's power running until the very end.

The Titanic's lights only went out when she finally went under, due to the tireless efforts of the ship's engineers, who stayed behind to keep the electricity and pumps running while the ship sank. They also kept the radio running, which put out distress signals until minutes before the ship sank, according to The Guardian.

Not one of the 35 engineers survived.

A woman who survived the Titanic's sinking later survived the sinking of another ship: the Britannic.

Depending on how you look at it, stewardess and nurse Violet Jessop is the luckiest — or unluckiest — woman alive. She survived the sinking of both the Titanic and the Britannic.

Jessop was just 25 when she survived the sinking of the Titanic. She was instructed to get into a lifeboat while the ship was going down to show women that the boats were safe.

Undeterred by this maritime tragedy, Jessop began working on the Britannic, according to the Belfast Telegraph (dubbed the Titanic 2 by the media), until it came across a mine that had been planted by a German U-boat in 1916.

That ship also sank, and Jessop escaped again, but this time with a serious head injury that would affect her for the rest of her life.

The Navratil brothers were known as the "Titanic orphans." They were the only two children from the ship to be rescued without a parent or guardian.

The Navratil brothers, Edmond and Michel, were just 2 and 4 years old, respectively, when the Titanic sank. They were with their father, Michel Sr., who had kidnapped them.

Separated from their mother, he decided to take them to America in the hopes that his estranged wife would follow, and that they could start a new life, according to NPR.

Their father put them on a lifeboat, and he was never seen again.

The two spoke no English, so they were taken in by a French-speaking survivor, Margaret Hays, until the authorities could locate their mother. She found them a month after the disaster, thanks to their faces being plastered across newspapers worldwide.

No city was more affected by the Titanic's sinking than Southampton, England, where the ship had departed from. In one school, half of the students lost their fathers.

The Daily Echo reported that at "one Northam school, 120 of the 240 pupils lost their father." Northam is a neighborhood in Southampton. Most of the crew was from the city, and only 213 crew members survived, while 686 died.

The Daily Echo also reported that one widow, who had just given birth to twins, found out her husband had died and died of shock herself.

The SS Californian was near the Titanic when it sank, but did not come to its aid until it was too late. Three years later, the Californian sank too.

As the BBC wrote, multiple bad judgment calls led to the Californian not helping the Titanic: The ship's radio was reportedly shut off for the night when the Titanic hit the iceberg, and when the captain was awakened by the flares the Titanic had been setting off, he assumed that they were just fireworks.

By the time the SOS messages finally came through, it was too late.

However, the Californian wasn't long for this world either — it sank in November 1915, torpedoed by a German submarine during World War I, according to the book "British Merchant Ships Sunk by U-boats in World War One," published in 2006.

Only one woman actually went down with the ship and survived, Rhoda Mary Abott.

Abott remained on the deck with her two sons until the very end, when all three went into the water with the ship.

Tragically, her two sons were washed away, but Abott was eventually pulled into a lifeboat that was rescued by the Carpathia, according to the 2012 guide "The Titanic For Dummies."

One of the ship's cooks, Charles Joughin, survived much longer in the cold water than others because of the copious amounts of whiskey he had drunk.

Joughin is briefly but memorably portrayed in "Titanic" as chugging a flask of alcohol before entering the water. This is based on reality — according to reports, Joughin grabbed two bottles of whiskey as the ship went down, as written in the 2015 book "Fascinating Footnotes From History."

According to the Titanic Inquiry Project, Joughin reported that he survived in the frigid North Atlantic for at least two hours.

Joughin had had a busy night. The last dinner served to first-class passengers on the Titanic was a whopping 10 courses.

According to NPR, the menu included "oysters, filet mignon, poached salmon, chicken Lyonnaise, foie gras, roasted pigeon, lamb with mint sauce, and Punch Romaine, a palate-cleansing ice flavored with oranges and drenched in Champagne."

And that's just for first-class — the ship's cooks had to prepare food for second- and third-class passengers, plus the crew, too.

Actor Dorothy Gibson, who was aboard the Titanic and survived, starred in a film called "Saved From the Titanic," released just one month after the ship sank.

American silent film actor Dorothy Gibson was one of the about 700 survivors of the Titanic's sinking.

Upon arriving in New York City unscathed, she immediately began filming "Saved From the Titanic," the first film to depict the events of the sinking.

It was released in May 1912, a month after the crash, the Los Angeles Times reported. She is famous for wearing the same clothes and shoes in the movie as she had worn during the actual sinking, according to Atlas Obscura.

While the film was successful, it exists only in memories now, much like one Jack Dawson. The only known print of the film was destroyed in a fire.

A popular urban legend is that another survivor, Lawrence Beesley, tried to crash the filming of the 1958 film "A Night to Remember" because he wanted to symbolically go down with the ship.

IMDb notes Beesley was on the set of "A Night to Remember," which is considered the most accurate Titanic film, at least according to the BBC.

He reportedly tried to jump into the scene depicting the ship's sinking to symbolically go down with the ship. Legend has it that director Roy Ward Baker refused, as it would have been a union violation and could have halted filming.

Beesley was a survivor from the second class, and he wrote a memoir about his experience entitled "The Loss of the SS Titanic."

A novella called "Futility," published 14 years before the Titanic set sail, seemed to have predicted the disaster.

"Futility," a novella written by American author Morgan Robertson, was published in 1898, 14 years before the Titanic set sail. It was centered on the sinking of a fictional ship called the Titan.

There's an eerie number of similarities between the ship's sinking in "Futility" and the Titanic in real life.

First, the ship names are just two letters off (Titan vs Titanic). They were also said to be almost the same size, and both sank in April due to an iceberg. Both ships had been described as unsinkable, and, sadly, both had just over the legally required amount of lifeboats, which were nowhere near enough.

The author was accused of being a psychic, but he explained that the uncanny similarities were simply a product of his extensive knowledge, saying, "I know what I'm writing about, that's all."

While many people believed the Titanic was unsinkable, not everyone did. A passenger, Charles Melville Hays, predicted an "appalling disaster." He perished in the water.

Hays was president of the Grand Trunk and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Companies, which would later become the Canadian National Railway, and was thus well-versed in the technological advancements in transportation, according to his profile in Encyclopedia Titanica.

Survivor Colonel Archibald Gracie Hays pondered if continuing to build bigger and faster ships was wise, according to a reprinted article from the Toronto Daily Star.

According to Gracie, Hays said, "The White Star, the Cunard, and Hamburg-American Lines are devoting their attention and ingenuity in vying with one another to attain the supremacy in luxurious ships and in making speed records. The time will come soon when this will be checked by some appalling disaster."

And an appalling disaster it was. Over 1,500 people died — though only four of those were women from the first class.

According to Encyclopedia Titanica, just four women from first class died during the disaster.

One of those four women was Ann Elizabeth Isham, who perished because she refused to leave her dog behind.

Isham reportedly jumped out of a lifeboat once she realized that she couldn't take her Great Dane with her, according to PETA.

It's been speculated that a woman found in the water with her arms wrapped around her large dog was Isham, though it's impossible to know for sure.

Of the 1,500-plus who perished, only 300 bodies were recovered. One was called the "Unknown Child" and wasn't identified until almost 100 years later.

A child's body was recovered from the water five days after the Titanic went down. Rescuers were so moved by the little boy that they buried him in a grave in Nova Scotia, memorializing the 53 children who died.

The body was misidentified three times before he was finally identified as Sidney Goodwin when his shoes were donated to a museum and DNA tested, the Toronto Star reported.

Goodwin's tomb, marked with a headstone that says "unknown child," has remained untouched. His family said, "The tombstone of the unknown child represents all of the children who perished on the Titanic, and we left it that way," reported LiveScience.

Captain Edward Smith really did go down with the ship, though it's unclear what his final moments were actually like.

Smith, who had been a captain for 40 years, was preparing to retire after his final journey on the Titanic. Unfortunately, he'd never get to retire, as he died aboard the ship. As History notes, no one knows for sure what happened to Smith, but there are many rumors regarding his death.

"Captain Smith had at least five different deaths, from heroic to ignominious," wrote Wyn Craig Wade in "The Titanic: End of a Dream." Some said he jumped off the ship with a baby, dove off himself, was washed away by a wave, or even shot himself (though historians widely discredit this theory).

Stranger still, some people claimed that he survived and that they'd seen him, but these sightings have been discounted.

The last remaining survivor died in 2009. She was just 2 months old when the ship sank.

Millvina Dean was just 2 months old when she was wrapped in a sack and lowered into a lifeboat. She was the last living survivor of the Titanic and died in 2009 at age 97.

One of the most famous survivors was the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown. She later ran for the US Senate.

After the sinking of the Titanic, Brown became a full-fledged activist, according to Biography. She was a vocal supporter of the suffrage movement, worked with the Red Cross during World War I, and even ran for Senate, though she didn't win.

Of the about 700 survivors, only one was Japanese. He was ridiculed and ostracized for not going down with the ship when he returned home.

Masabumi Hosono was originally called the "Lucky Japanese Boy" by American media, but he was soon labeled a coward for getting on a lifeboat, which many considered primarily for women and children, reported AV Club.

He was called dishonorable in his home country and was accused of dressing up as a woman to gain access to a boat (there's no proof of this).

After "Titanic" was released in 1997, Hosono's family published a letter he had written to his wife describing the sinking of the ship — explaining he had been ready to die until a crew member called out for two more people, and he hopped in with another man.

A lucky few bought tickets but never boarded the ship, such as Milton Hershey, J.P. Morgan, and Guglielmo Marconi.

Days after the ship went down, newspapers began compiling lists of people who had bought tickets but never boarded the Titanic — they called them the "Just Missed It Club."

Those who narrowly escaped disaster included Milton Hershey, who decided to take an earlier ship home with his wife; J. Pierpont Morgan (founder of General Electric and US Steel), who ended up staying at a French spa; and Guglielmo Marconi (an inventor), who also caught an earlier ship.

Though it was the biggest ship in the world at the time, it still took 73 years to find its wreckage. It was discovered during a secret Cold War Navy mission.

The Titanic's wreckage was discovered in 1985 during a secret Cold War Navy mission to locate two sunken nuclear submarines, which explorer Robert Ballard revealed to National Geographic over two decades later.

"The Navy never expected me to find the Titanic, and so when that happened, they got really nervous because of the publicity," Ballard said. "But people were so focused on the legend of the Titanic they never connected the dots."

When the wreck was found, it confirmed reports that the ship had, in fact, broken in two.

There were at least 15 witnesses who swore on the record that they had seen the Titanic break into two pieces before completely sinking beneath the waves. But they were ignored — the official US inquiry said that the ship sank intact, as the New York Daily News reported.

A recent digital recreation of the wreckage gives more insight into how it may have split in two.

The whole wreck could be gone by 2030.

According to ABC News, UNESCO and scientists think the whole wreck could vanish by 2030, thanks to bacteria eating away at it.

During one of the expeditions to view the wreckage, a bowler hat was discovered inside a passenger's closet, right where he left it.

James Cameron, director/writer/producer/editor of "Titanic," wrote about his experiences touring the ship's wreckage for National Geographic. He shared that "in Henry Harper's D Deck cabin, his bowler hat remains in the ruins of his closet, right where he left it."

The 1997 movie cost more to produce than it did to build the Titanic, which was the largest and most luxurious ship at the time, even when adjusted for inflation.

The Titanic was estimated to have cost around $7.5 million in 1912, the History Channel reported, which would be around $252 million today.

The Los Angeles Times reported the budget for the 1997 blockbuster was $200 million, or around $415 million today.

The hangar used to build the Titanic is now a filming location. HBO's hit show "Game of Thrones" shot there.

Part of Titanic Studios incorporates Paint Hall, where construction on the Titanic took place. According to Variety, it was first used in 2007 for the filming of "City of Ember," and it has been used in multiple TV shows and movies since then, including "Game of Thrones."

James Cameron's "Titanic" isn't the only movie about the ship. A Nazi propaganda film was shot depicting the events from a German perspective.

The Nazi re-telling of the sinking of the Titanic attempted to blame the British for the sinking of the Titanic by pushing the ship to continue at full speed, despite the warnings of a (fictional) German First Officer who ostensibly was the only person aboard who cared about human life.

The behind-the-scenes scandal of this movie is almost unbelievable, according to the New York Post. Before being murdered in prison for speaking against the Nazis, the director demanded a full-size ocean liner that he could film on, and the Nazis provided the SS Cap Arcona (their version of a luxury ocean liner).

Tragically, the Cap Arcona ended up being used as a floating concentration camp and sank, resulting in somewhere between 4,500 and 7,000 deaths, per The Washington Post.

Mysteries are still being solved to this day, such as what happened to six Chinese passengers who survived the tragedy.

Six Chinese passengers survived the sinking but were unable to get off the Carpathia and enter the US. Instead, they were sent to Cuba and seemingly vanished — until recently.

A documentary about the six missing Chinese survivors (Lee Bing, Fang Lang, Chang Chip, Ah Lam, Chung Foo, and Ling Hee) called "The Six" premiered at film festivals in 2021.

"Six of the survivors, all Chinese sailors, had to stay on the ship, prohibited from entering the United States under an anti-immigration law called the Chinese Exclusion Act. The next day, immigration officials escorted them across Manhattan and put them on board a Cuba-bound cargo ship they had been contracted to work on. And then they seemingly vanished," The New York Times reported in August 2021.

One of these men, Lang, even inspired a scene in James Cameron's "Titanic" — he was rescued from the water by the single returning lifeboat, much like Kate Winslet's Rose. His rescue was also depicted, but the scene, available on YouTube, was later deleted.

The BBC reported that the six survivors eventually returned to the UK. Chip died soon after the sinking in 1914. Lam was deported to Hong Kong, Hee made his way to India, Bing moved to Canada, and Lang eventually became a US citizen decades after he was rejected. It's unclear what happened to Foo.

• I became the vice president of a public relations agency and finally earned six figures.
• I quickly became burned out and decided to quit my job — even though it was terrifying.
• I now make around $1,000 a month, and while it isn't easy, I love my stress-free life now.

I had been thinking about quitting my job as a vice president of a New York City-based boutique public relations agency for years.

I joined the company in its first year of business in 2018. As the first full-time hire, my responsibilities grew as the company got bigger. At the beginning of last year, a little over six years into my tenure at the company, I joined the six-figure club. Reaching this milestone made me immensely proud.

I didn't realize how much it would intensify the pressure to perform. Agency work in public relations is a breeding ground for endless work: clients pay monthly retainers in exchange for being in the press as much as possible. Translation: the work never stops.

While I tried to stick to regular hours, I was often overwhelmed by the workload and voluntarily put in overtime. I rarely took days off. Panic attacks were common. I had to make a change

Leaving New York helped me reframe work and money

When I started traveling in South America last March, I thought the physical distance from New York would help alleviate some of the pressure.

At first, it worked. I was in an enviable position, making US money while living in countries with a lower cost of living. But there was a side effect: the NYC grind mindset, which I had previously deemed motivating, unmasked itself to be toxic.

I would pull myself away from my computer for 10-minute breathers to watch people making a fraction of my salary walk their dogs and cheerfully dance in the park. I barely had the energy to lift my coffee cup.

That's when I realized: money wasn't worth sacrificing my health and sanity.

I realized I could be unemployed for a year

After I settled in Colombia for a few months, I did the math. Thanks to my frugality, my savings account would allow me to be underemployed for a year. I figured that if I wanted to quit, now was the time.

When I resigned last October, seven years of pressure lifted in an instant. For the first time, I wasn't working toward a goal. I let myself just exist.

At least that was the plan. But the burnout revealed itself soon after my last day of work. I slept over 10 hours a night and struggled to get out of bed. My mind had tried for years to keep up with my ambitions, and it was finally done.

I was facing a paradox: I had bought myself freedom, but now I couldn't handle it.

In December, I flew to Germany to spend Christmas with my family. I've been staying with my parents since then, saving money and enjoying some family time after 12 years abroad. I've reconnected with old friends, tried new hobbies, and traveled Europe on a budget.

I'm embracing life as a full-time freelancer

The weirdest thing about not having a full-time job is the freedom to make your own schedule. Most days, I don't set an alarm. After a hearty breakfast, I sit down at my computer to read the news, pitch stories, and plan projects.

I can also use my time to help friends move or babysit their kids. Best of all, I'm finally pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming an author.

I currently make less than $1,000 a month through different revenue streams: freelancing in journalism, working as an indoor cycling instructor, and taking on odd jobs at reception desks and the like. The fitness instructor gig makes me especially happy; I get to work out while motivating others to do the same.

A few weeks ago, I started to feel the burnout leave my body. Slowly, I am rediscovering my old self, the one who's not afraid of change and worries about the future another day.

Freelancing, however, is precarious work. I often have to stop myself from doom-scrolling the LinkedIn posts of laid-off journalists and freelancers struggling to make ends meet. The clock is ticking, and I can't live like this forever. I haven't made this little money since college, and I have adjusted my spending habits accordingly.

Quitting was hard, but I regret nothing

Quitting and walking away from financial security, colleagues, and clients-turned-friends, was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Entering uncertainty terrified me, and it still does.

There are moments I wonder if I made the right choice. But I have to trust myself.

For now, I'm putting together a new life piece-by-piece. The other day, a client at the gym mused over what she would do if she didn't have kids and a full-time job. I smiled to myself. I am that person.

• Investors are more bearish than they've been since July 2025, BofA's latest fund managers survey found.
• Fund managers indicate they expect lower growth and higher inflation ahead.
• The bank said, though, that if oil falls, bearish sentiment is a contrarian buy signal.

Investors are the most bearish they've been in nearly a year, but Bank of America says that could actually be a sign to jump into the market.

At first glance, Bank of America's latest fund manager survey doesn't paint a positive picture of investors' current mood, but analysts led by the bank's Michael Hartnett say that certain conditions could turn the bearish sentiment readings into contrarian buy signals.

Bank of America outlined three negative sentiments found in the survey that they said are all contrarian positives for risk assets, with one big caveat: if the Iran war ceasefire sends oil prices below $84.

Oil is still stuck near its psychologically important threshold of $100 a barrel, with WTI oil prices at $96.20 and Brent crude at $97.65 on Tuesday.

Over a third of fund managers expect oil to trade at $84 per barrel by year-end, compared to more than a quarter expecting oil to be over $90.

Here are the three bearish signs that Bank of America says could function as contrarian indicators to buy risk assets:

1. Investor sentiment takes bearish turn

Fund manager sentiment hit its most bearish point since June 2025.

Bank of America calculates sentiment based on cash levels, equity allocation, and growth expectations. The firm's sentiment measure dropped to 3.7 from 5.6 the month prior.

Cash levels sat at 4.3%, the highest point since May 2025, while global equity allocation dropped to its least overweight reading since July 2025.

2. Growth expectations tank

Growth expectations took a nose-dive from March to April as the war dragged on.

The survey shows that fund managers' economic growth expectations hit the lowest point since August 2025, and the reading marked the sharpest month-over-month decline since 2022.

3. Soaring inflation forecasts

Investor expectations for inflation also saw a dramatic move, hitting their highest point since May 2021.

Expectations of higher inflation and slower growth are consistent with mounting stagflation concerns.

More than three-quarters of fund managers expect stagflation, meaning high inflation and slowing growth, compared to just over half the month prior.

The number of investors surveyed saying that inflation was the biggest tail risk continued to grow month-over-month.

Still, BofA acknowledged that while growth outlooks have dimmed, most investors still aren't expecting a recession. They said that 70% of survey respondents think a recession is unlikely, with a "soft landing" of the economy being the macro base case.

• Citi said the banking unit's operating costs rose 20% in its earnings report.
• Higher compensation and headcount drove the increase, the bank reported.
• CFO Gonzalo Luchetti said the firm expects the investment to pay off over time.

In a January memo to employees, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser urged bankers to move faster and aim higher as she pushed the firm beyond its yearslong revamp.

Now, the costly reality of hiring the dealmakers to realize that vision is showing up in the numbers.

Citi said operating expenses in its banking unit rose 20% to $1.2 billion in the first quarter, according to its earnings release published Tuesday, driven in part by higher compensation, head count, and investments in the business. Still, fees were up, too: Overall revenues in the banking business of $1.8 billion grew 15% — largely driven by a 19% increase in investment banking fees, which reached $1.3 billion for the quarter.

The jump in costs reflects Citi's aggressive spending to compete for a bigger share of Wall Street's most lucrative deals. Under the leadership of Viswas Raghavan — Citi's head of banking and executive vice chair, who joined from JPMorgan in 2024 — the firm has been luring senior dealmakers from rivals. Recent hires include Pankaj Goel from JPMorgan, who joined earlier this year to co-lead technology investment banking; Alex Watkins, who recently joined from JPMorgan as head of technology financing; and David Friedland, a former Goldman Sachs partner who joined last summer as co-head of North America investment banking.

"As Vis as the team look across the coverage map at some of the opportunities for us going forward, he's making those investments, and we expect them to pay off over the next little bit of time," Citi's chief financial officer, Gonzalo Luchetti, said in a briefing with reporters Tuesday.

"There's vintage curves in most investments — that's true for talent and true in many other areas," he added. "They take a little bit of time to mature and produce."

A high-stakes bet on talent

Wall Street appears to be buying into Fraser's vision.

Brian Mulberry, a strategist at Zacks Investment Management, previously told Business Insider that Citi is now on offense after years focused on fixing its business. That so many senior bankers have joined Citi underscores how seriously the industry is taking its turnaround, he added.

April data from Dealogic showed Citi has regained fourth place in both global and US M&A activity so far this year — up from fifth place in 2025. Still, it trails competitors including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley.

"We continue to be proactive because this is an area where we want to drive our scale and continue to have this good momentum," Luccheti said of the firm's investments in hiring during the Tuesday call with reporters, adding that Citi had a "very active pipeline" in spite of the tensions created by the conflict in Iran. Later on Tuesday, during the company's earnings call, Luccheti echoed the sentiment, saying a "protracted" scenario could introduce "some risk of deferrals" in the second half of the year.

Now, the stakes are high for Citi's roster of new, more expensive recruits to prove their value.

"We are not graded on effort," Fraser cautioned in her memo earlier this year. "We are judged on our results."

• Peter Brenner was raised in a German orphanage after members of his close family died in the mid 1940s.
• At 18, he took up skiing as part of his job in border control, which sparked his love of sports.
• He has exercised throughout his life and, at 87, continues to go to the gym and bike long distances.

This interview is based on a conversation with Peter Brenner, 87, a retired senior food service manager from Westchester, New York. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I had to depend on myself very young in life. I was raised by a stepmother. She and my stepsister died of tuberculosis toward the end of World War II. I spent the following two years in a sanatorium.

Next, I was moved to an orphanage that operated like a military dictatorship. You had no freedom, as every minute of every day was scheduled. We played very little sport, but I did some soccer and swimming.

I did cross-country and downhill skiing

At 18, I was sent to work in professional food service before serving in the West German Border Police in the late 1950s. It involved a lot of long-distance running, swimming, and, best of all, skiing.

There was a lot of snow in the Bavaria area, and I would spend eight hours a day on cross-country and downhill skis. It suited me to organize sports for a change.

I immigrated to the US in 1962 and worked in food service in New York. In one job, I had a three-hour break between the lunch and dinner sittings, so I'd go to the gym at the YMCA almost every day.

It was a good foundation for keeping fit throughout the decades. In my 40s and 50s, cycling became my thing. Five times a week, I'd cycle between 30 and 40 miles after work — sometimes more — which helped me cope with stress.

There was no way I was going to stop exercising after I retired 20 years ago. I kept at it and took up Bikram yoga twice a week. I was skeptical at first, but I started to enjoy the poses in the big, hot room.

I avoid sugar and processed food

Three years ago, I hired a personal trainer, Agnes Malinari, for an hour weekly at my local New York Sports Club, where I've worked out ever since.

It involves a lot of weight and strength training, and I'm always very tired at the end of the session. I also do yoga twice a week and cycle up to 80 miles a week — similar to what I did in my 40s. I also keep fit by gardening.

I eat healthily, avoiding sugar and processed foods as much as I can. Breakfast is usually bread or cereal. Lunch is often yogurt, fruit, or soup. For dinner, I'll have a protein such as fish or chicken with fresh vegetables from the local farmers market.

Still, I don't deny myself a couple of glasses of wine in the evening.

People ask me what my secret is for looking and behaving like someone much younger than my age. I don't like to use the word "secret" because it sounds arrogant.

I feed my mind with theater

Instead, I put it into context by describing my childhood, when I grew up without money and had little control. It makes me appreciate what I have now.

It might be the opportunity to feed my mind by going to the theater or having friends around for lively discussions.

Looking back, my past forged strength and resilience. They are vital characteristics that have helped me through life.

• A Ukrainian Patriot unit commander said his crew is firing one interceptor per Russian missile.
• It's a break from standard Patriot air defense doctrine, which calls for at least two interceptors per missile.
• It's unclear how widespread the practice is.

A Ukrainian commander revealed that some of the soldiers operating Patriot air defense systems are deviating from traditional engagement practices and firing fewer interceptors in battles against incoming Russian missiles.

The Patriot unit commander, identified as Oleksandr in a video released over the weekend by the Ukrainian military's Air Command West, said that while standard air defense doctrine calls for firing between two and four interceptors at each incoming Russian cruise or ballistic missile, his forces are launching just one per threat amid strained stockpiles.

Oleksandr said that his forces are trying to use as few interceptors as possible. He said that they need more to effectively counter Russian attacks. It's unclear how widely this single-shot approach is practiced among the Ukrainian Patriot crews.

Launching more than one interceptor in an engagement, though costly, isn't necessarily wasteful; rather, it is intentional risk management, prioritizing the kill over conservation. But Ukraine often hasn't had that luxury. In a high-intensity fight, the US and its allies might not either.

Yehor Cherniev, the deputy chairman of the Ukrainian parliamentary committee on national security, defense, and intelligence, said Ukraine has faced low Patriot interceptor stockpiles, forcing it to use as few as possible to engage Russian missiles.

To conserve essential interceptors, Ukraine had to learn to make the most of its capabilities, Cherniev told Business Insider. "This is the operation of the Patriot system in manual mode, without relying on automation."

The American-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile battery is the most advanced air defense system that Ukraine possesses. NATO countries have supplied Kyiv with PAC-2 and newer PAC-3 interceptors, the latter of which is estimated to cost nearly $4 million apiece.

Russian cruise and ballistic missiles that make it past the Patriots and other air defense systems have struck civil infrastructure or residential areas to deadly effect. Kyiv has repeatedly lobbied NATO states for more interceptors to replenish depleted stockpiles. The weapons are in high demand globally, though.

Some Russian bombardments include hundreds of missiles and drones, posing challenges for Ukraine's stretched air defenders and underscoring the need for more advanced interceptors.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's defense minister, said on Tuesday that Germany will provide Kyiv with funding for "several hundred" Patriot interceptors as part of a new 4 billion Euro ($4.7 billion) arms package.

During the Iran war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv would be willing to send intercerptor drones to Middle Eastern states in exchange for their vaunted Patriot interceptors.

The US Army, the primary operator of the Patriot system, is learning from Ukraine's experience that it is crucial to keep the batteries hidden and mobile and sufficiently stockpile interceptors, American officials told Business Insider previously.

Using fewer interceptors against Russian missiles could be another lesson for the US and its NATO allies concerned about their own interceptor stockpiles in the event of a major war against a near-peer adversary.

Cherniev said that NATO states don't need to break protocol at this point since they have sufficient stockpiles and aren't routinely attacked by massive bombardments of ballistic missiles; however, he said, this could change in the event of a large-scale war.

In the Middle East, the US and allied forces have intercepted thousands of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones over five weeks of sustained fighting. The pace and intensity of those engagements have fueled concerns about whether interceptor stockpiles can hold up in a prolonged or future conflict.

Cherniev said NATO forces may eventually be forced to start saving interceptors. "It's better if they learn how to do this in advance from Ukrainian officers and make changes to their protocols now."

• I've seen many women minimize their experience after taking career breaks.
• They often downplay unpaid work and apologize in interviews.
• I help them reframe their skills and confidently own their value.

When I decided to leave my last position, I was tasked with finding my replacement.

One woman I interviewed had taken a five-year career break. After a short introduction, I began the more formal interview questions, only to be met with, "I'm sorry. I've been out of the workforce too long."

After the third "I'm sorry," I paused the interview and told her she had nothing to apologize for, only to be met with another "I'm sorry."

Accomplished women with years of experience, paid and unpaid, consistently devalue their skills, experience, and worth, costing themselves interview opportunities, job offers, and higher salaries.

In the years since, I've had the privilege of working with over 100 women as they return from career breaks, and I've identified the costly pattern that holds them back: self-minimization.

Here are the three biggest ways I see it show up, along with how to overcome them.

Devaluing unpaid experience

When I lead workshops for parents returning to work after a career break, I stress the importance of positioning experience, paid or unpaid, as an asset.

In one workshop, a woman approached me afterward and said she had never considered including her volunteer experience because she didn't believe it "counted" because it was unpaid.

When I asked what she did, she told me she had coordinated programming for her son's special needs camp for the past 18 years. She quickly added that it was only during the summers and in a volunteer capacity.

Digging further, I learned that the planning took place year-round in preparation for summer, and that she handled coordination, logistics, and communication.

Yet she came to my workshop for help positioning herself to return to the paid workforce because she believed she had no experience.

Her issue wasn't a lack of experience. It was that she viewed it as less than simply because there was no paycheck associated with it.

Impact isn't tied to a paycheck. Instead of asking "Was I paid for it?" ask "Would somebody pay for it?"

This shift in perspective can make all the difference.

Downplaying experience

There are two words that should never be used when describing your experience: just and only.

For example, don't say "I'm just a stay-at-home parent," or "I only worked in marketing for a couple of years." These words downplay your accomplishments.

The easy fix would be to simply stop saying them, but it goes deeper than that. You have to reframe the way you think about your skills, experience, and abilities.

Think of all the things you do as a primary caregiver, and list them. Put a check mark next to the ones that are professions.

Caring for your children = nanny.

Scheduling appointments/managing calendars = administrative assistant.

Planning school events = event planner.

Once you understand and own your value, you'll see there's no reason to qualify your experience.

Minimizing impact

During a session with one of my clients, we were reviewing her résumé. I asked her about a bullet point that started with "Collaborated on..."

She explained she had led a team to build an internal scheduling system as a stopgap while the company explored outside vendors. The system worked so well that they chose her system over hiring an outside vendor, saving tens of thousands of dollars. She served as the in-house expert who ensured it ran smoothly.

After she finished, I asked whether she realized that her bullet point framed her in a support role rather than a lead role that would have saved the company significant time and money.

It's something I see constantly: women positioning themselves in support roles even when they are clearly the ones at the helm.

This is especially true for caregiving roles. While these roles appear to simply support others, in reality they involve taking the reins in decision-making, advocacy, financial management, and so much more.

All of these women were accomplished and had a lot to offer a potential employer.

The woman I interviewed who kept apologizing? She had the skills. The volunteer coordinator? She had the experience. My client who "collaborated"? She had the leadership.

What they lacked was the confidence to own it.

Once you stop minimizing yourself, you not only give others permission to see your full value but you realize it yourself.

• Staatsburgh was the home of financier Ogden Mills and his wife, socialite Ruth Livingston Mills.
• The Gilded Age mansion, completed in Dutchess County, New York, in 1896, features 79 rooms.
• The Mills had tickets for the Titanic's second trip, which never happened since it sank in 1912.

When New York City socialite Ruth Livingston Mills inherited her family's country estate known as Staatsburgh in 1890, she felt it wasn't grand enough to entertain her sophisticated friends.

With the help of her husband, financier Ogden Mills, she oversaw a massive renovation that transformed the home into a Gilded Age mansion modeled after the royal palaces of Europe.

Located in Staatsburg, New York, about 100 miles from New York City, Staatsburgh is now a museum that continues to preserve the home's extravagant furnishings and rich history.

I visited the 79-room home in May 2024. Take a look inside.

Staatsburgh, once the fall home of Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills, offers guided tours of the historic estate.

Adult tickets for hourlong tours cost $10 each and can be reserved online.

The full schedule is available on Staatsburgh's official website.

I entered through the gift shop, which was full of apparel, accessories, and books about the Hudson Valley.

Unlike other historic mansions I've toured where the visitor's center is located in what was once a guest house or carriage house, Staatsburgh's reception desk is on the ground floor of the original home itself.

The tour began in an exhibition space on the first floor, where our tour guide gave us a brief history of the Mills family.

Ruth Livingston Mills came from "old money." The Livingston family descended from Scottish nobles, and their ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and signed the Declaration of Independence. Ruth's great-grandfather, Morgan Lewis, served as the third governor of New York and purchased the Staatsburgh estate in 1792. Ruth inherited the home in 1890, according to Staatsburgh's official website.

Ogden Mills was known as "new money," a financier who served as President Herbert Hoover's Secretary of the Treasury.

Ruth and Ogden wed in 1882 and had three children.

The room also featured a section about the Titanic, which the couple had tickets for.

Ruth and Ogden Mills had tickets for the Titanic's second voyage, but it never happened since the ship sank on its maiden voyage in 1912.

Staatsburgh offers special "Tales of the Titanic" mansion tours led by costumed guides.

We then walked outside, where our guide shared that the grass surrounding the opulent home used to be farmland.

When Ruth inherited the house, the backyard was planted with corn. In order to prepare the residence for entertaining her posh New York City guests, she had the crops replanted elsewhere on the property.

The estate grounds are now known as Mills Memorial State Park.

Our guide also pointed out ongoing preservation efforts on the home's exterior.

In the 1950s, Staatsburgh's exterior was sprayed with gunite to preserve the facade. However, the active ingredient in gunite is asbestos, and it turned the house gray.

The white area in the photo above shows where the asbestos has been abated. Most of the front of the home has been restored, but when I visited in May 2024, the project was ongoing.

Staatsburgh's two wings were added in 1895, expanding the home from 25 rooms to 79.

The renovation cost $350,000 in 1895, or about $11 million in today's dollars.

When I walked into the entrance hall, the well-preserved decor transported me back to the Gilded Age.

The English oak wood paneling on the walls was meant to evoke the decor of English royalty.

Ruth hung portraits of her prominent ancestors in the entryway to impress her guests.

The portrait on the far left depicts Morgan Lewis, the third governor of New York and Ruth's great-grandfather. Next to him is his daughter, Margaret.

Next to Margaret is Judge Robert Livingston, a statesman and attorney, followed by Chancellor Robert Livingston, who helped draft the Declaration of Independence, swore in President George Washington, and negotiated the Louisiana Purchase under President Thomas Jefferson.

The grand staircase was reminiscent of the one on the Titanic.

The last three steps were wider than the others to leave room for women's gowns to cascade behind them in elegant, dramatic entrances.

A side table featured an issue of The Boston Daily Globe with a headline about the Titanic sinking, emphasizing the family's connection to the tragedy.

Ruth's cousin, John Jacob Astor, was the richest man in the world when he died in the Titanic disaster. His body was recovered two weeks later, identified by the initials sewn into his jacket and the engraved gold watch in his pocket.

Ascending the stairs provided a wider view of the entrance hall.

The furniture was arranged differently when the Mills family took up residence there, but everything in the room was original to the home.

The painted ceiling on the stairwell concealed a 10,000-gallon water tank above.

The home had its own water system with a pump house on the property that filtered water into a steel-reinforced tank.

Female visitors stayed in guest bedrooms upstairs, while male visitors slept downstairs.

Alice Roosevelt was good friends with the Mills' twin daughters and a frequent guest at Staatsburgh.

A replica of a maid's room was built on the second floor by lowering the ceiling and narrowing the walls to display the smaller space.

Maids slept on the third floor, while male servants such as footmen and butlers slept downstairs. Servants at Staatsburgh worked six days a week and had their own rooms, a rarity in the Gilded Age.

The male servants' quarters on the ground level included a dining room, lounge, and kitchen suite.

The male servants' quarters were used as the New York State Parks Taconic Regional Headquarters until 2009, and the area is undergoing restoration.

Before dinner, guests would line up in the oval room to be escorted into the dining room.

A detail-oriented hostess, Ruth would be at the front of the line to be escorted into dinner by the highest-ranking gentleman.

Our tour group gasped in awe upon walking into the stunning dining room, exactly as Ruth Mills intended.

The green Italian and French marble walls were decorated with 18th-century Belgian tapestries. The Mills would also decorate the room with plants from their greenhouse.

The floor was constructed with 1-inch-thick Vermont marble to deaden the sounds of the kitchen below.

The table was set with the Mills family's original Tiffany & Co. china.

The table could seat up to 30 people when fully extended. Meals lasted around two hours and included eight to 10 courses of mostly French cuisine.

The gilded ceilings were embellished with ornate gold designs.

Typical of the Gilded Age, even the ceilings were works of art.

The base of the fireplace was decorated with Chinese guardian lion statues known as foo dogs.

The bronze lion statues had brass eyes that glowed when the sun shone on them.

Servants took food to the dining room via a dumbwaiter in the butler's pantry.

Located off the dining room, the butler's pantry featured a speaking tube for communication with the kitchen.

The butler's pantry included a display of Titanic china set replicas.

Different classes of passengers on the Titanic dined off different china patterns.

We then moved into the drawing room, named for where the family and guests would withdraw after dinner.

Our tour guide described the drawing room as Ruth's "she shed" where female family members and guests would socialize and take tea.

Our guide pointed out how the backs of the chairs were not as faded as the seats because of the upright posture women maintained.

Women's corsets in the Gilded Age didn't enable them to fully sit down.

She also pointed out the oldest artifact in the room: a set of three ancient Greek urns.

The urns date back to 400 to 600 BCE.

The Mills family would play games of bridge in their ornate library.

Their collection of books included rare artifacts such as George Washington's diaries.

Ruth also had a French-style boudoir, a private space to write correspondence and plan parties.

A large portrait of Ruth hung on the wall on the left.

Ruth's bedroom was modeled after royal palaces in Europe, with her bed up on a pedestal and the walls upholstered with damask silk.

Her and Ogden's suites were on the main level, which was unusual in the Gilded Age, but Ruth had a heart condition that made it difficult for her to go up and down flights of stairs.

The tour ended with Ogden's room, which was noticeably smaller and less ostentatious than Ruth's.

Ogden called Ruth "Tiny," and her nickname for him was "Sweet."

Even though Staatsburgh was just a two-hour drive from New York City, I felt like I'd visited a European palace.

According to our tour guide, 95% of the items inside Staatsburgh are authentic to the home and the Mills family, providing a historically accurate portrayal of how the wealthiest members of high society lived during the Gilded Age.

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

Sky-high prices at the pump have Americans feeling gassed.

Rising gas prices have cratered people's views of the economy, writes BI's Juliana Kaplan and Madison Hoff.

Consumer sentiment this month plunged to a record low, coinciding with gas prices surging 21.2% from February to March, the highest jump on record.

(The national average gas price is now $4.13 a gallon. Check out our interactive map to see how each state stacks up.)

The last time the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index was this low was in June 2022. Any guesses what was happening then? The Ukraine war sent the US average gas price to nearly $5 a gallon.

That's the power of the pump. The stock market could be near record highs. Companies could be reporting blowout earnings. None of it matters as much if you're paying more to fill up your tank.

A big part of the issue is that gas is largely unavoidable.

You can cut down on your subscriptions. You can limit how much you go out to eat. You can buy generic instead of name brands. What you can't do is stop going anywhere entirely. Gas could be $50 a gallon; I'm still driving my kids to daycare every day.

The bad news? It could get even worse.

Historically, oil and natural gas prices rise during the summer as many refineries shut down for maintenance at the end of the first quarter.

Combine that with the never-ending situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and it's easy to see why some believe gas prices won't slow down. Former commodities trader Stephen Schork recently said gas could hit the dreaded $5 a gallon mark.

And he's not alone. JPMorgan also floated the $5 price tag.

Even if you're swearing off your Honda for a Huffy — or you have the luxury of a walkable city with public transportation — you're still likely to feel pressure from the pump.

Businesses need to contend with rising fuel costs, which show up in supply chains and can trickle down to what you pay for things.

It's a problem for companies big and small, but it's particularly hard on small-business owners. They have a lot less wiggle room.

• WalletHub ranked states based on how desirable they are to work from home.
• The report was based on factors such as cybersecurity, internet costs, and typical living environments.
• Delaware and Connecticut rounded out the top three.

As the COVID-19 pandemic fades into memory, remote work has become a lasting part of everyday life for some industries.

For 12% of full-time employees in the US, work is still fully remote, while 27% are on a hybrid schedule, according to a recent WalletHub report. But working from home doesn't look the same across the 50 states.

To determine the states with the best conditions for working from home, WalletHub ranked the 50 states and Washington, DC, based on the quality of their work environment and their living environment.

The work environment category considered metrics including the share of people working from home in the state, the share of households with internet access, and the state's cybersecurity. The living environment category included average home size and internet and electricity costs, among others.

WalletHub used data from the US Census Bureau, US Energy Information Administration, Zillow, and other sources.

"While work-from-home jobs can be done anywhere, certain states make the practice much better than others," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.

Alaska, Montana, and West Virginia ranked in the bottom three spots. The states were found to have the highest internet costs in the US.

See the 15 states with the best conditions for working from home, according to WalletHub's report.

15. Pennsylvania

Work environment rank: 8

Living environment rank: 41

14. New Hampshire

Work environment rank: 10

Living environment rank: 35

According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, the percentage of remote workers in 2019 was 7.3%, which more than doubled to 16% in 2024.

13. Georgia

Work environment rank: 28

Living environment rank: 3

12. Tennessee

Work environment rank: 21

Living environment rank: 4

Clarksville Now reported in 2025 that the top five counties in Tennessee with the highest percentage of remote workers were all located in and around the Nashville metropolitan area.

11. Minnesota

Work environment rank: 17

Living environment rank: 8

10. North Carolina

Work environment rank: 15

Living environment rank: 12

The Miami Herald reported in 2024 that Cary, North Carolina, had the third-highest percentage of remote workers in the US, at 31%.

9. Virginia

Work environment rank: 11

Living environment rank: 14

8. Washington

Work environment rank: 12

Living environment rank: 11

Washington had the third-highest share of the population working from home and the fifth-highest number of households with internet access, WalletHub reported. However, it ranked 48th out of all states and Washington, DC, for the report's cybersecurity metric.

7. Rhode Island

Work environment rank: 7

Living environment rank: 20

Rhode Island ranked fourth-best in the US in cybersecurity.

6. New Jersey

Work environment rank: 2

Living environment rank: 40

New Jersey was found to have the fourth-highest share of households with internet access.

5. Massachusetts

Work environment rank: 5

Living environment rank: 30

WalletHub found Massachusetts to have the most households with internet access in the US.

Per the Boston news outlet WCVB, a 2025 survey of 120 businesses in the Greater Boston area found that 85% utilized hybrid work models. Only 6% required fully in-person work.

4. Maryland

Work environment rank: 3

Living environment rank: 31

Maryland had the fourth-highest share of the population working from home in the US, WalletHub found.

3. Connecticut

Work environment rank: 6

Living environment rank: 7

Connecticut was found to have the cheapest internet prices in the country, paired with high access to broadband internet.

While 16% of the state's workforce works from home, nearly 96% of workers in the state have the potential to do so, WalletHub reported.

2. Delaware

Work environment rank: 4

Living environment rank: 18

Delaware had an even higher percentage of potential remote workers, at 97%.

The average home size in the state, 2,064 square feet, ranks 9th largest in the country, making working from home potentially more comfortable than in other states.

1. Utah

Work environment rank: 9

Living environment rank: 1

Utah landed the top spot in WalletHub's report thanks to low electricity costs and modest internet costs. The state also had the third-highest share of households with broadband internet.

A standout metric for Utah was home size, having the largest homes in the US at an average of 2,459 square feet.

• I've lived in Miami for seven years, and love recommending some of my favorite spots to visitors.
• If you love art, I suggest checking out the Rubell Museum or trying out a local pottery class.
• Plus, grab a Cuban treat on Calle Ocho or visit Knaus Berry Farm for delicious cinnamon rolls.

I've lived in the heart of Miami for seven years, and when people ask me what I love most about this city, I tell them it's the land of choose-your-own-adventure.

Sure, our high-octane nightlife is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but Miami isn't a one-trick party town. Beyond the dance floor, you'll find Caribbean-blue coastline, protected wilderness that could turn a bike ride into something cinematic, and an award-winning food and cocktail scene.

Here are the seven things I tell friends to do when they visit — a mix of the can't-miss hits and less-obvious activities that still feel distinctly Miami.

Grab a Cuban treat on Calle Ocho.

Calle Ocho is a famous street in Little Havana — it's essentially the Cuban capital of Miami. Here, there's no shortage of authentic Latin eateries, like the historic Ball & Chain, which transforms into a salsa party at night.

For many, Calle Ocho is synonymous with Cuban pastries like pastelitos (flaky puff pastries filled with cheese or guava) and croquetas (savory fritters typically filled with ham, chicken, or fish).

I recommend stopping at Versailles to place your order at la ventanita, or the "little window." Ask for my personal favorites — cheese pastelitos and ham croquetas with a cup of Cuban coffee.

But beyond our famous pastries, the best under-the-radar delight in Little Havana is Exquisito, a chocolate factory that offers tours and hands-on workshops. I love that it's interactive, educational, and you leave with your own creations.

Spend time in the Rubell Museum.

The Rubell Museum in Allapattah is my favorite cultural anchor in Miami. The museum's rotating artist-in-residence program keeps it dynamic, complementing world-renowned works on permanent display.

Yayoi Kusama's "Narcissus Garden" fills the central gallery with hundreds of steel spheres that reflect as you walk through. Even though I've taken tons of pictures here in the past, I can't help but snap more when I visit.

Plus, you can't leave without getting "the shot" in Kusama's mirrored "Infinity Room."

After you've had your fill of art, I recommend grabbing lunch at Jon & Vinny's (enter via the museum lobby) for fresh air and casual Italian food, surrounded by lush gardens.

Activate your creative side with a pottery class.

If you're looking for a wholesome, therapeutic Miami activity, I suggest taking a pottery class at El Studio by OCISLY (Of Course I Still Love You).

The event space hosts everything from make-your-own ceramic Mahjong tiles and beginner pottery-wheel classes to themed music events. Classes are typically two hours long and can easily be booked online.

Wander through the Miami Design District.

Miami has a few luxury shopping enclaves to choose from, but for me, the Design District is one of the most thoughtfully curated neighborhoods in the city.

The architecture, rotating public art, and community programming make it feel alive and different with every visit. I especially love visiting the area's unique shops.

My favorite is Blu Scarpa, which specializes in leather goods and handmade jewelry from Italy. The boutique feels like a chic living room splashed in shades of blue (hence the brand name).

Nearby, Dale Zine is a must-visit independent bookshop and art gallery that's become a cool hub for experimental publishing. As a writer and supporter of all things print, I love scooping up a glossy new magazine that I've never heard of.

Enjoy a night out in the booming Little River neighborhood.

In my opinion, Little River is one of Miami's most exciting neighborhoods, especially in terms of food.

One of my favorite dinner options is Sunny's steakhouse, where I get Parker House rolls for the table, some delicious seafood from the raw bar, and a hanger steak.

I always order the potato butter sauce for the steak (and also to dip my fries in). Reservations can be tricky to secure, but are released 30 days in advance on Resy.

If you can't get into Sunny's, my favorite local hotspot is Fooq's, a restaurant with Persian-influenced wood-fired cuisine. I especially love the large, vibey dining room with chic lighting fixtures. After dinner, head upstairs to the Lion's Den for disco-fueled sets on vinyl.

Then, end the night at ZeyZey, an open-air music venue that welcomes a mix of local artists and famous names. It's family-friendly, unpretentious, and distinctly Miami.

Spend some time on a boat.

Nobody does a day party quite like Miami, and in my opinion, the best way to experience the true spirit of the city is by getting out on the water. There are so many ways to book a ride, but my favorite is a captain-led charter via Boatsetter (think Airbnb but for boats).

For the "full" experience, I suggest a boat day with a stop at a family-owned restaurant like The Cleat. Or, for something a little more flashy, check out Casa Neos and the adjoining Beach Club.

You can even call Casa Neos ahead to reserve a slip at the restaurant and dock directly on site. Having a boat there is great for outfit changes, freshening up, and having a private space to set your bag down.

Visit Knaus Berry Farm for delicious cinnamon rolls and strawberries.

Knaus Berry Farm has been family-run since 1956 and feels like stepping into a slower, more nostalgic version of Miami that predates the skyline.

It's a seasonal institution, typically open from November through May, and is beloved by locals who will happily wait for delicious cinnamon rolls. But don't worry, the long line moves quickly and is part of the fun.

When you finally get your hands on a warm, glazed roll, you'll understand the devotion. I usually grab a few extras because they keep well in the freezer and make great gifts. Don't sleep on the pecan rolls and the homemade pies, either.

Although not available this year, the farm typically offers U-Pick strawberries — a pick-your-own experience that adds a simple, hands-on charm to the visit and will be the best-earned beach snack of your trip.

• Ukraine is slowing Russia's advance and making gains in key areas.
• Russia is still gaining ground overall, but at a much slower pace.
• Ukraine's targeted counterattacks are driving new battlefield momentum.

Ukrainian forces have been substantially slowing Russia's advance and are seeing fresh battlefield gains not achieved in years, warfare experts said.

"The Ukrainians are gaining more ground," George Barros, a conflict analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington DC-based think tank, told Business Insider.

"Notably, in February, the Ukrainians liberated more territory in the theater than the Russians seized," he said.

"The last time we had seen Ukrainian forces make more ground than the Russian forces seized was in 2023" during its large but limited counteroffensive, he said. "This is new."

Ukraine's gains are not sweeping, but they mark a shift. The progress has been concentrated in specific areas, not across the whole front line, where Russia has continued to capture more territory in recent months. But Ukraine has also been able to slow Russia's rate of advance, ISW told BI.

"It's not accidental. It's not circumstantial. There are reasons for it," Barros said, attributing the progress to planning and the degradation of defenses to set the stage for successful attacks.

Ukrainian military officials have reported gains in the last two months, particularly around Oleksandrivka, a settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region where Ukraine launched a counteroffensive push in January.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 17 that over the 30 days prior, Ukrainian forces had retaken more territory than Russia's army had captured. He said earlier that Ukraine had retaken more than 177 square miles this year.

Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said later last month that his forces had liberated more than 185 square miles in the Oleksandrivka direction alone.

ISW's Geospatial Intelligence team told Business Insider that Ukrainian forces had made net gains of more than 38 square miles in specific assessed sectors between December 1 and March 25.

That number, the team explained, "reflects isolated smaller operational areas of the frontline that Ukraine has counterattacked and made gains in within the time period, most significantly in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast area."

Last year, Ukraine liberated territory, such as in the strategic city of Kupiansk, but lost more ground in other areas. "The amount of retaken Ukrainian territory was negative," an ISW spokesperson shared. Across the entire front line, Russia seized a total of more than 1,891 square miles last year, including about 27 square miles assessed as infiltrations rather than fully controlled territory.

And while Russia has still taken much more territory in total than Ukraine has this year, Ukraine has increased its rate of gains while slowing Russia's/

ISW said that from December 1 last year until March 25 of this year, Russian forces seized more than 330 square miles, more than 20 square miles of which were assessed as infiltrations.

That's more than Ukraine in the same period, but "those numbers do not tell the full story," an ISW spokesperson told Business Insider.

Russia's daily rate of territory gain is just over one square mile a day, compared to over five square miles a day last year. Ukraine has more momentum, increasing its rate of daily gains by more than 1.8 square miles a day.

ISW said in an assessment last month that "Ukrainian forces have recently made the most significant gains on the battlefield since Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024 and liberated the most territory in Ukraine itself since the 2023 counteroffensive."

ISW figures are based on assessments of publicly available information, Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting, commercial satellite imagery, and other geospatial data.

The think tank said on Tuesday that Ukraine's actions were likely impeding Russian efforts to advance, and that Ukrainian forces still had momentum in multiple areas.

Ukraine has become better at planning and exploiting

Barros attributed Ukraine's gains to its "maturing in their operational planning." He said Ukraine was now "demonstrating a more sophisticated and a deeper capability for operational planning and for preparing the battlefield to set the condition for exploits and then executing those exploits."

Ukraine notably made its Delta system — an online battlespace management system that lets Ukraine view and share real-time battlefield data and make decisions — mandatory for all combat units.

That has helped a "maturation of command" that allows Ukraine to think beyond defeating the Russian forces immediately in front of it and also think "about the deeper depths of the battlefield and how do we degrade that," Barros said.

"So really, this maturation of the command is working." He said the Delta system is having effects. "These things take time, but it's happening. And these reforms are what are slowly but surely enabling some of these Ukrainian successes that we're seeing reported out on the day-to-day now."

Barros said that Ukraine has also been intensifying its intermediate-range strikes to hit Russia's positions and logistics that support its front-line forces. Doing that from late last year has been "degrading the Russian forces in the south," he said.

He said the progress Ukraine made across February and March had been months in the making, with planning starting in late 2025.

Ukraine has also ramped up its attacks on Russian air defense systems. Barros said that meant the area Ukraine was attacking into "had already been softened and weakened and degraded at depth for a couple of months ahead of the February ground attacks."

He said Ukraine's forces were also able to achieve more tactical dominance with drones, using them in areas where they had degraded Russian forces, including targeting Russia's Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies' "Rubicon," a military unit focused on drone warfare.

While some observers have credited decreased Russian access to Starlink, the satellite internet provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, for Ukraine's battlefield gains, Barros said that narrative is "oversimplified."

He said it was an "unexpected accelerator that further catalyzed Ukrainian success on this campaign," but argued Ukraine would have likely still made these gains without it.

"In fact, the Ukrainians were planning to do this. They were preparing to do this for months," he said. "The Starlink thing was sort of just a happy accelerant that further catalyzed the success in a very convenient and good way, but Starlink actually wasn't the driver of this."

• A Meta engineering director left Big Tech after feeling like more of "a passenger than a driver."
• He joined AI startup Lovable, drawn by speed and ownership.
• Lovable was recently valued at $6.6 billion and plans to more than double its head count this year.

After nearly four years leading a 120-person engineering team at Meta's London office, Patrik Torstensson felt he wasn't really in the driver's seat.

"In a company that big, you're more a passenger than a driver," Torstensson told Business Insider. "You can affect a few things, but you're quite far back on the bus."

That realization — and the rapid rise of AI — prompted the Swede to leave his role as a director of engineering in trust and safety at Meta and join Lovable, the fast-growing Swedish AI startup based in Stockholm, where he began as head of engineering on April 7.

Meta didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

A 'generational company'

Lovable's code-generation platform enables users to build apps and websites using AI. The company was valued at $6.6 billion in December after raising $330 million in funding, and saw its annual recurring revenue jump from $300 million to $400 million in a single month earlier this year, as Business Insider's Ben Bergman reported.

It plans to grow to around 400 employees this year, up from about 146 earlier in 2026.

For Torstensson, the chance to join what he described as a "generational company" was a major draw.

He also said he was drawn to the idea of enabling a new generation of "builders," including people without technical backgrounds.

"I have a lot of friends and family that have great ideas, but there's been no venue for them to build those things," he said.

Lovable told Business Insider that more than 40 million projects have been built on its platform to date, with over 200,000 created daily.

The company is still early in its development, competing in a crowded market of vibe coding platforms like Replit and Cursor, and racing to prove it can sustain its rapid growth.

Lovable CEO Anton Osika said Torstensson's hire reflects the next phase of company growth.

"We're past figuring out if this works," Osika said in a statement. "Now we're building the organization that carries it forward."

AI talent shift

Top AI talent is in hot demand, with Big Tech companies competing against each other and against AI startups alike in the hiring pool. At the same time, Big Tech companies are laying off thousands of workers.

Peter Cappelli, a professor of management at The Wharton School, said the appeal of startups has long been the chance to "hit it big" through equity, but layoffs at Big Tech companies are making jobs at these startups appear more stable.

Plus, "The ability to 'put your name on the machine' is another motivation for many, having real influence on some product being produced," he said.

Lovable hires for what its People chief officer Maryanne Caughey calls "founder DNA" — people who take ownership, move quickly, and are comfortable operating with autonomy.

For Torstensson, that environment and the chance to help shape it were part of the appeal.

"Everyone here is all in on the mission," Torstensson said. "Lovable has Silicon Valley intensity, but also a strong team culture."

After more than a decade working in Silicon Valley and London, he is ready to be back in Sweden.

"I've always had a feeling that I wanted to give back to Europe and Sweden," he said. "My family is getting older. I am getting older."